Saving the Villain

"What?"

Rocco stood motionless in front of his boss's desk, eyes blank. What his boss said sounded like a clap of thunder, deafening him for a moment.

"I said, vacate your desk today, Rocco." The man sitting behind the desk repeated languidly, letting out a deep sigh. "You crossed a person you shouldn't and as much as I hate to let such a bright person like you go, I can't let everyone in the firm have a hard time."

"They left me with no choice," the man continued with a grim expression. "I'm sorry for making a choice."

Rocco stared at the man he used to look up to because of his reputation for fighting for the weak. Although the man, who was also Rocco's mentor, didn't seem pleased, Rocco was in disbelief.

He couldn't believe how this man could easily let Rocco go without fighting for him. Was he bribed? Blackmailed? Whatever the answer, Rocco couldn't understand the situation.

"I crossed someone I shouldn't?" Rocco let out a dry laugh, keeping his eyes on the man across the desk. "Boss, in this line of work, we are bound to cross people we shouldn't and our job is not only to help those powerless but also to impose justice."

"No one is above the law. Those were your mantra and the words you keep telling me," he continued through his gritted teeth, keeping his fist firmly on his side. "How can you let someone change your outlook overnight? Or was that all a facade?"

His boss lowered his eyes while Rocco had no problems keeping his eyes on the former.

"I am with a clear conscience and losing this job isn't what's the most disappointing. It's the fact that you seemed to have decided without a second thought or believing in me." Rocco, despite the tinge of anger and disappointment in his tone, maintained his calm. "Whatever you got from this deal, may karma find its way to you."

Rocco let out a scoff, shaking his head in disbelief before leaving the office. That same day, out of frustration and to keep his pride, Rocco cleared his desk and left without a word. Just when he thought that was the worst that could have happened, he received a call from the university about this complaint against him and the board decided to let him go. But because of his good behavior and performance, instead of kicking him out, they were asking him to drop out on his own.

Everything just happened so quickly that Rocco was unable to grasp everything. It didn't even sink in and thought he was just dreaming.

It was impossible.

How could a person's life suddenly spiral down for no reason? How could the people he respected, looked up to, and trusted could easily turn their backs on him just because someone powerful couldn't stand the fact his ego was bruised?

Rocco didn't even feel angry throughout the day. If anything, he felt confused and hurt.

Going back to the apartment, Rocco arrived at his place, only to see Stella going back with the groceries she bought. She had this smile on her face, holding this book they talked about a few days before.

He couldn't go back just yet or face her. Knowing Stella, she would blame herself for this. Worse. She would beg Maynard. That twisted motherfucker.

With that thought in mind, Rocco didn't turn on his heel and walked away from the apartment. Fortunately, he saved enough money to spend for a couple of months before he would get a job. That day, he decided to keep Stella in the dark to make sure she wouldn't get stressed.

Stella had already gone through a lot, and her poor baby boy was expecting to grow up without a father. Rocco didn't have the heart to let her go through that again or allow Maynard to use him to regain his control over Stella.

Call it stubbornness to protect his pride, but Rocco was a person who would uphold his belief even if he dies. It would take a ton lot to break him.

Despite knowing the person who could be behind everything, Rocco didn't confront or protested. Instead, he kept silent, renting out a smaller apartment, pretending everything was still alright whenever he visit Stella, and then looking for a job.

It was almost the same experience Stella had gone through.

Two months.

That was how long Rocco endured the heaviness in his heart before he received a call from Conrad. Conrad was a busy man. He was already busy before, but after he took over the BLK Corporation, people rarely heard from him.

So for Conrad to reach out to Rocco, the latter didn't refuse. Hence, Rocco went to this bar in the city that Conrad gave him. At first, they simply catch up over a couple of drinks, talking about whatever. Surprisingly, unlike when Conrad was with Maynard, he was more talkative around Rocco.

"I asked you to come in here…" Conrad cleared his throat, sitting on the bar stool, letting the glass hover in front of his lips. "... I heard what happened."

Rocco's face stiffened for a moment before he laughed lightly. He shook his head, picking up the glass to chug down half of the rum.

"I know," Rocco said, hissing in satisfaction as he put down the glass. "You will not call me in here if you simply want to catch up. If anything, I will have to call you."

"I never refused your invitation, though."

"That's right." Rocco rocked his head and smiled subtly, casting Conrad a side-eye. "You might not initiate for a shallow reason you called fun, but I appreciate that you never turn me down."

Conrad kept his lips in a thin line, facing Rocco squarely. "Then I assumed you already know the reason I asked you to come."

"I know." Rocco chuckled, ordering another glass.

"Come to me." Conrad didn't beat around the bush, keeping his eyes on Rocco's side profile. "If no company wants you, enter my legal team. I already had a position ready for you."