The Overambitious Ray

At a corner of the parking lot, a man elbowed his companion and said, "Whoa! Look, Ray. Isn't that the King of Frost, Draco Sy?! Sean's stuck-up cousin?"

The other man, called Ray, who was busy checking his phone looked up, and his eyes instantly lit up in interest. "Yeah. Who would have thought…?" Then he squinted. "Who's that guy with him?" he asked Mike, aiming his phone camera at the two men waiting in front of the elevator. He took photo after photo of them.

"Dunno. But looks young and handsome." And with a leer, he speculated, "Maybe a boy toy?"

Together the two gave a malicious snicker.

Actually, they met Draco Sy through his cousin, the infamous Sean Sy.

Sean and Ray were classmates at university. And Ray's family owns a small trading company. They do have money. But if compared to the Sys, it's practically nothing.

The Sys was way high up the ladder. And Ray has his ambitions.

So, when he knew about Sean's identity, Ray began to suck up on him, trying his best to get on his good side. He thought it wouldn't hurt to do so. The guy, even though a complete wastrel, was competing as a future head of a vast business empire. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up.

Besides, Ray was lucky Sean Sy made it so easy for him to be part of his circle of friends. He just went along to all the guy's capriciousness.

Also, Sean Sy was the precise representation of a spoiled ultra-rich kid who only knows how to squander money. You name it; supercars, yachts, unforgettable vacations, beautiful women, and wild parties.

And in one of those parties, they met or accurately saw Draco Sy.

At that time, Draco Sy was yet to be named the head of the whole Sy Business Empire. But he was already the apparent successor. Only the announcement of the official statement was missing.

Disgruntled by the end result, Sean Sy, the spendthrift who he was, called everyone he knew and threw an extravagant party at The Palace Hotel in A. City.

Who would decline a free for all revelry at an expensive venue only few can afford? Of course, no one. So, many came. The friends of friends and family of friends went.

Then prohibited drugs got into the picture. It soon turned rowdy. Things turned for the worst when Sean's previously presented checks were not honored. Even his cards got declined.

In the end, the manager apologetically had to notify Draco Sy, who was also at the hotel and a VVIP, of his cousin's shameful predicament.

Coming across as snobbish and indifferent in his dull grey suit, Draco Sy went and settled everything. Not once did he say a word to anyone nor acknowledge his cousin. He came, paid the bill, got the receipt, and was gone.

That night, everyone in attendant not only saw Sean Sy fume in anger and humiliation but also had a glimpse of the enigmatic soon-to-be CEO of the Sy Business Empire.

To Ray, it was the night he found another goal. The golden Draco Sy.

From then on, Ray followed all the news regarding the man. He sure knows that there had been no one who ever stood beside Draco Sy. Because of that, rumors began circulating that he liked men.

However, there was never someone. No lover, may it be a man or woman.

No one- until tonight.

His fingers trembling due to unconcealed excitement, Ray continued to click the button to capture. Even after the two men were no longer visible, Ray still could not believe his luck.

Who would have thought he would chance upon Draco Sy embracing a youthful good-looking boy? A boy! He almost laughed out loud hysterically. Never before was Draco Sy seen with anyone. To catch him in a compromising and ambiguous situation was just priceless.

This is news!

It was not exaggerating to say that Ray's eyes almost showed dollar signs. In his mind, he was already counting the millions he would soon get. He could not wait to put a price on the juicy information. He could sell the pictures to online tabloids.

Or better yet, he can use it to blackmail Draco Sy! Hahaha!

Then a brilliant thought came to his mind. Maybe, just a maybe, if Draco Sy swings that way, he can be his lover. Damn, that would be awesome! Become Draco Sy's wife? Ray felt giddy.

All that gorgeous male god body, sitting on top of a pile of riches. He's game!

Ray, caught up in his own imaginary world, did not notice the presence of several men closing in on them. He should have understood that in a fairytale, the ones often killed were the villains.

Floating in dreamland, he was startled after a vise-like grip held the hand holding his phone.

"What the f-." Ray wanted to swear but got stunned after his phone got snatched from his hands. "Hey! What are you doing?! Give me back my phone!"

His head jerked up, and finally noticed the four men surrounding him and his friend. They were wearing ordinary clothes, like individuals out to get a drink. However, Ray had a terrible suspicion.

Why would these guys suddenly approach them? They even dared to take his phone. The one he used to take Draco Sy and his lover's picture!

Looking at the men, Ray suddenly had a moment of realization.

Pictures of Draco Sy seldom appear in the press. With the exception of the occasional business segment. Even gossip about him was rare. He is very private and low-key.

Ray felt like a fool to think he could use, let alone live to get something out of the stolen shots.

People like Draco Sy must have connections in media corporations to control news or any information that would be safe to release.

Another thing was the tight security around the man. You won't find Draco Sy out somewhere and expect him to be alone. Ray must have been dumb and silly to forget such important facts.

Now it's too late. Ray brought these consequences upon himself.

Shaken to the core, fearing for his life, Ray watched as one of the men looked through his phone. Then the man spoke, "Confirmed. There were photos of the boss."

After that, everything happened in a blur. It felt like an out-of-the-body experience for Ray. He saw himself and Mike dragged and thrown into a black van.

Panic overcame him. "What are you doing?! Unhand me! Where are you taking us?!" But all his wails fell on deaf ears.

Mike, he saw, was scared into speechlessness.

Ray could not believe it came into this. Hopeless, he changed his attitude. He grabbed one of the men and kneeled, pleading. "Please, let us go. Is this because of the photos? I-I'll delete them. O-or you can take my phone! Yeah, that's it! Just take it! But please, let us go. I swear to god we didn't have any bad intentions!"

Grasping for straws, Ray tried again. "Please, just take the phone! I didn't know they were important people. I was only taking a photo because they both look good together. I'm sorry! Please forgive us."

When Mike saw Riley on his knees pleading, he snapped out of his daze and followed suit. Finally, it dawned on him the precarious situation they were on. Rubbing his palms together as if in prayer, he frantically affirmed, "Yes, yes! It's true. We did not know who it was… I swear we will not tell it was Draco Sy- Ah! Hic… Ugh…"

They were doomed. 

Ray's head turned to see the mocking faces of the men around him. 

His eyes were big, filled with terror. Mike realized his blunder and tried to take back his words. "No! N-no… I-I mean not D-Draco Sy-"

"Mike, stop…" said Ray in a quivering voice. He was too cocky. Too cocky to dream in the slightest that he can outsmart Draco Sy.

It's over.

They sealed their fate. 

The next day, if anyone did care to find out, Ray De Villa, Vice President of De Villa Trading Company, was booted from his post and stripped of his inheritance.