THERE WAS A WIDE BUILDING WITH A MINIMALIST LOGO THAT SAYS CLEANCUT. 

On the ground level a boutique can be seen where anyone can come in as they please. But on the top floor, anyone who is not employed by the owner of the boutique is restricted to go in. The top floor serves as their main office.

Johann and his mother arrived on time for their meeting. Cleancut is the only business his mother focuses on when she retired at an early age being a fashion model. It became her passion project to create a clothing line that is sophisticated but could last a lifetime. When she builds a cleancut, her goal is for the women to feel comfortable yet sexy. And she wanted each piece to be unique or only available to chosen clients.

It might not be a high-end clothing brand but cleancut becomes successful for reaching its targeted demographics. They already prevented the overproduction and overconsumption of their clothing line by offering limited editions for two seasons. But most of their customers would often want more. And since it was becoming a possible loss in profit the staff were having a debate. 

“We can’t just create designs for two seasons. We’ve been doing that for a decade. We need to consider other seasons as well and go global,” said the marketing director. He was already in his late forties and among the closest friends of his mother.

“But I do not want to go global,” his mother replied while sitting comfortably on her chair. “Whatever sales that come outside the Philippines are just an added bonus for us. I still wanted to stick to our target market.”

Johann was busy taking notes using his laptop. 

When the presentation was presented to them it showed a quarterly report. A decline in sales from March to May. 

Cassian was seeing and hearing it all.

What is going on? 

Quiet down... We’re in a meeting, Johann replied through his thoughts.

I know why they are in a meeting. That is what adults do. But why are you in a meeting?

Johann keeps on working on his laptop. He was trying to act normal.

I was accelerated twice when I was a toddler. Mom said I acted older than my age then. I also aimed to graduate as soon as I’m eighteen.

Why?

Because I’m good at it. Following a timeline, I mean.

What I meant was, why would a teenager like you would like to work as early as eighteen?

Huh? Johann felt confused. For money, of course. You are also part of my considerations. If you visited me before I was eighteen then there was no chance for me to work in this company.

Cassian sighed exasperatedly.

You humans never change. In the end people are just numbers.

Says the death dealer who kills people for a living. 

Cassian was surprised.

Are we not the same? Johann asked when he did not hear his response.

Cassian smiled.

Well… if you put it that way—

There was a heated argument in the room. Thomas seemed to be upset over something.

“We’re already declining in sales. We need to adjust and create new tactics,” Thomas said while looking worried.

“You’re right. That’s why I added a new staff for the Marketing Department. He is good at research and development.”

“Surely, you don’t mean your son—”

“Yes, I meant him,” his mother clarified.

Johann kept typing on his laptop. Unknown to them, he was also preparing a presentation of his own. When Johann was done he projected it on the wide screen. Everyone looked at his presentation.

“There might be a decline during the second quarter due to climate change. We used to hit the right numbers because we know that rainy seasons would hit from June to November while the dry season will occur from December to May. But these days, our weather can be erratic.”

“We need a collection that is something adaptable to any changes. We also need to coordinate with our suppliers how much it would cost for them to offer us garments that can last in any weather condition here in the Philippines.”

“Are we just going to ignore the 15 percent increase in the sales coming from other countries?” a lady wearing dark frame eyeglasses raised her hand before asking her question.

“In the meantime, yes,” Johann answered professionally. “Track those sales and check their demographics. If we can make a survey, ask them to answer it. If it increases to 80 percent then that would be the right time to consider it to be an international brand.” 

“Any more questions?” her mother asked the team while massaging the side of her head. She no longer wore any bandages but Johann observes she still looks tired and in need of rest. But of course, today is his first day at work so she will be there to introduce him to her staff no matter what.

The team is already familiar to Johann since he already met them when he was younger. But they were all treating each other in a professional manner until everyone was quiet and her mother declared the meeting was over.

“Thank you for being here. Meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone prepared to leave. Thomas walked towards Johann and slapped him on his back. Hard. He was laughing at him.

“It’s your first day and you already created a presentation? I'm impressed.”

“Thank you, Sir Thomas.”

“Drop the Sir. Just call me Thomas.”

“Err. That would be awkward, Sir,” Johann said while hugging his close laptop.

“I appreciate the respect but here we do not call someone by their name to disrespect or belittle them. It was intended to have a more personal yet professional touch,” Thomas explained while being friendly. His worries were gone the moment Johann presented himself earlier. Thomas was glad Johann became a smart boy.

“Your mother will be proud of you.”

“That’s too early to say,” Johann responded while looking sideways at his mother who seemed to be resting for a moment. Her eyes were closed as if sleeping. But she never moved from where she sat.

“I’ll go ahead. See you around, Johann.”

“Thank you, Sir—Thomas.”

Johann bowed to the older man as he walked away. Johann approached his mother once he knew they had their privacy. He tries to wake her up but she speaks first while her eyes are still closed.

“You’re talking to him again, aren’t you?”

Gulp.

“Yes,” Johann admitted. “He was only asking why I’m already working.”

Her mother opened her eyes and stared at him.

“I trust that you will not reveal any valuable information to him, Johann. But I hope you also know that once he uses your body and his powers there will be a problem.”

“I know. That’s why I’m being careful. So far, we’re not being attacked by those demons.”

That’s because they knew I am within you, you imbecile. Why would a deer attack a lion? Cassian explained while mocking him.

Just shut up for an hour, Johann retorted while smiling at his mother.

“I’m talking about possible breach of contract,” his mother said while emphasizing she was trying to be careful with her words since the death dealer is also listening. But Johann could not understand her meaning.

“What do you mean?”

“I do not want him overpowering you. You put yourself in this situation and there is nothing we can do but wait for… possible damage.”

This sounds interesting, Cassian seemed amuse.

“Just don’t put yourself in danger. Promise me.”

“I can’t. I already am in danger,” Johann said honestly.

She sighed. “I agree. Having him within you is like a time bomb waiting to be triggered.”

Do tell, Cassian said while sounding intrigued.

“You should also take care of yourself, Mom.”

“Why?”

“You look like you haven’t slept all night. Does your head hurt?”

“I’m fine,” she said before standing. But she still felt weak and was trying to balance herself.

Johann tries to attend to her. But she stopped him while raising her hand. When he watched his mother walk out from the meeting room, Johann was left with his own thoughts.

What does she mean about a possible breach of contract?

Well, I have an idea. But of course, I’m keeping that to myself, Cassian replied while smiling.

NIGHT TIME.

In an abandoned warehouse, two black vans arrived with men in suits inside. They were silently walking inside the warehouse and set up three suitcases with packs of cocaine inside. Soon enough, another vehicle came into sight. Three sports cars owned by rich bachelors who wear branded clothes and gold accessories. They are all in their early thirties. They were a group of friends who did their usual transactions in that area. They also brought in three suitcases and showed the other group the money inside it. They wanted their transaction to be as discreet as possible. And since they know their routine, words are no longer necessary for them.

They were about to exchange cases when a man jumped from somewhere above them and landed in the middle of the group. Their bodyguards and armed men automatically pointed their guns at him.

“Good evening gents and gents,” Clay smiled as he stood straight, put his hands up in the air, and looked at all the men he would kill. “I come in peace. What I mean is... rest in peace.”