chapter 25.1. Declan Harrington
[chapter 25. Declan Harrington]
[part 1]
Hayate died.
It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Hayate. He was a remarkable person who had an impact on everyone he met. Hayate was well-known for his bravery, quick wit, and contagious personality. He brought laughter and joy to those who knew him, and his presence is missed.
Hayate's life was filled with adventure, and his zest for life was contagious. He lived every day to the fullest and approached each new experience with excitement and wonder. Despite the difficulties thrown at him- Hayate never lost his smile, and his positive attitude inspired others.
Hayate's death is a profound loss to all who knew and loved him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We can take comfort in the memories we shared with Hayate, and we will always cherish the impact he had on our lives.
May Hayate's soul rest in peace, and his memory continues to bring happiness to those who knew him. He will forever be remembered as a brave, funny, and lovable individual who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Selena's hand lashed out, smacking the back of Hayate's head with a resounding crack. He winced, rubbing his neck and scowling at her. "You dramatic ass," she spat, snatching the letter he had been writing from his hands. She scanned it, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Self-praise? Are you serious?"
Hayate rolled his eyes, trying to snatch the letter back. "What? Stop hitting me," he grumbled, his hand outstretched. "It will reduce my brain size."
Selena scoffed, tossing the letter aside. "It is already pea size, dumb bitch." Hayate's face fell, mortified by her harsh words.
He glared at her, tears welling up in his eyes. "You," he pointed an accusing finger at her, his voice shaking with emotion. "How could you do this to me?"
"You fucking left me to die with that iceberg," Hayate's body trembled thinking about Maxim Mariano. The bitter taste of betrayal still lingered in his mouth, and he couldn't shake the feeling of fear that prickled at the back of his neck every time he thought about the man.
As he thought about Selena, his best friend, and Maxim's sister, he felt a stinging, sharp pang of jealousy and fear. Selena had always been his confidant, partner in crime, and closest friend. But now that she had a family, a brother, a mother, and a father, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing her.
The word 'brother' froze in his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a little resentful of Maxim, who would now have a claim on Selena's time and attention. He knew he was being irrational, but the fear of losing his best friend to someone else clawed at his heart, making it hard to breathe.
Hayate had always taken comfort in being Selena's closest confidant, the one who could make her laugh and be there for her in times of need. But the thought of her new family left him feeling like he was slowly losing his place in her life.
It was a feeling that left him torn between the irrational fear of being replaced and the acknowledgment that such an idea was indeed selfish. His thoughts were like a stormy sea- caught between waves of insecurity and the rocks of self-doubt.
He knew that Selena's love and affection were not finite resources that could be exhausted, yet the fear that she would turn to others for comfort and support still lingered in his mind.
The idea of being left behind and forgotten was a haunting one- and he struggled to find solace in the fact that he had always been there for Selena.
Amid his turmoil, he found himself brawling with bottomless questions about the nature of relationships and the human need for connection.
Was it possible for one person to be everything to another, or were humans simply incapable of fulfilling each other's needs? Was it fair to expect someone to stay the same, even as they grew and changed over time?
As he pondered these questions, he found himself fighting with the complexities of human emotion and the fragility of the relationships that tied people together. He knew- that he would have to find a way to come to terms with his fears and insecurities, but for now, he allowed himself to be swept away by the tempestuous sea of his thoughts.
In an attempt to distract himself from his inner turmoil, Hayate forced a smile and looked at Selena, hoping to engage her in playful banter. He couldn't help but comment on her family's towering height, a characteristic that seemed to elude Selena's genes.
"All of your family is so tall. It makes me wonder, why are you so funny-sized," he teased, hoping to elicit a laugh.
Selena, on the other hand, didn't find the joke quite as amusing as Hayate did. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, and Hayate could feel himself starting to squirm under her intense gaze.
"Hayate," she called out in a sickly-sweet voice. "Do you know there is a saying?" Her smile was anything but friendly, and Hayate couldn't help but cringe as he awaited her words.
"The shorter, the closer to hell," she purred, her hand coming up to caress his cheek. "Do you want me to bring hell down on you?" Her words were playful but with a hint of danger lurking beneath the surface.
Hayate's eyes widened in fear, and he shook his head vigorously. The idea of Selena bringing hell down on him was not one he wanted to entertain.
He couldn't help but feel a little bit foolish for trying to distract himself from his troubles with such a silly comment, but he was grateful for the reprieve from his inner turmoil.
Selena looked at him weirdly and suddenly jumped from her chair and hugged him. As Selena hugged him, Hayate felt her arms wrap tightly around his torso, pulling him close.
He could feel the warmth of her body and the steady rise and fall of her chest as she held him. For a moment, he closed his eyes, feeling the tension in his body melt away under her touch.
"You are giving hugs more often," he chuckled.
"Enjoy while they last, dumbo."
----
[One week later]
Selena and Samuel sat in the car, and a thick veil of silence descended upon them. The weight of the unsaid words loomed like a dark cloud, casting a pall over their hearts. Selena's body was poised, yet her mind was wandering, caught in the endless tangle of her thoughts.
Samuel watched her with a mix of yearning and sorrow, his spirit heavy with the weight of his emotions.
He longed to reach out to her- to express his feelings and bridge the gap that grew between them. But the words were like lead in his mouth, and he could not bring himself to speak. So he leaned back in his seat, his heart burdened by the weight of the unspoken.
Samuel opened his mouth to say something, but the words caught in his throat, and he bit them back, slumping back in his seat with a heavy sigh.
As the sleek black car glided through the bustling streets, Garold's amused chuckle punctuated the tension in the air. The young miss and the young master sat stoically in the backseat, their expressions betraying nothing of their inner thoughts.
Garold, their loyal guard, had been with the family for years and had witnessed their rise in society. But even he knew their power paled to the titans who controlled the world around them.
Harrington's ownership of a substantial portion of the media in country A was not to be underestimated. Their vast media empire was one of the biggest in the country. It comprised holdings in print, television, radio, and online media.
The sheer size and scope of the media empire were awe-inspiring and made them a force to challenge.
Through their media holdings, Harrington had the power to shape public opinion and control the flow of information, making them a key player in the media world. In a world where perception was everything, their influence was immeasurable, allowing him to sway the minds of millions and shape their beliefs.
Though they were nowhere near the network of the Big Five Families, Harringtons were also sought by the families recognizing the power of his media empire.
Despite not being a part of the inner circle of the Big Five Families, Harrington's influence in the media was such that they were a vital player in the world of power and politics.
Their ability to shape the narrative and influence public opinion made them a valuable ally to anyone seeking an advantage in the complex and ever-shifting landscape of power and influence.
There was the Hernandez family, known for their dominance in the world of technology. Their innovative spirit and technical prowess had made them strong, and they had their fingers in many pies.
Then there was the Clemonte family, the media magnates. Their control over the media provided them with immense power, and they used it to further their interests. Harringtons worked under Clemonte.
The only family capable of challenging the Sovereign Sullivans.
The Mariano family, meanwhile, were the mining moguls. They had vast holdings in natural resources, and their influence in the mining world was unparalleled. But the resources ran darker than that, and only a few knew.
The Spade family, on the other hand, were the pharma phoenixes. Their control over the pharmaceutical industry had made them some of the wealthiest people in the country, and they had a knack for getting what they wanted.
Finally, there were the Sullivans, the Sovereigns. Their influence reached every corner of the political and economic landscape, and they had their hands in everything. They were the ultimate power brokers, the puppet masters behind the scenes.