Reunion

Raymond stood in his room, staring at his certificate. He'd graduated from college as one of the best students. But why couldn't he just find a job? It's been almost a year now since he graduated, and he has spent it searching for a job.

He opened his old parents' door and found them still sleeping; they'd been surviving only because of their pension and allowance sent by his older sister. He closed the door and moved toward the exit door. Just as he opened the door, he was met with someone he'd thought he'd never be able to meet again.

"Mason!?" The word escaped from his mouth. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, perhaps they're deceiving him. But it was true. Mason was standing in front of him, a celebrity the world now knows as one of the most intelligent investors.

"Never thought I'd meet you at home, brother," Mason said, beaming with a smile. 

Raymond flung himself at him, wrapping his hand around him in a bear hug.

"You bastard! I told you to inform me before you leave!" he muttered. "It's good to see you again, brother."

Mason disengaged, and both of them shared a laugh. 

"You've seen Nana?" Raymond asked, and Mason nodded. "And you're still unscathed?"

"What do you mean?" Mason grimaced, and he followed Raymond to the front of the house. They both sat down on the rock they normally sat on in the past. Its smooth surface always offered convenience.

"Did no one tell you what happened when you left?"

Mason shook his head. "What happened?"

"Nana almost cried to death. We nearly lost her to sickness," replied Raymond. "She missed that year and last year's college exams. She was just beginning to move on."

Mason was overwhelmed, tears rolled down his face, and he quickly wiped them with the back of his hand.

"I don't know she'd be moved by my absence," he said.

"Really? Are you sure you don't?"

Mason was silent. He knew it. Deep down, he knew leaving with or without telling her would hurt her. They'd spent their childhood together, relying on and finding solace in each other. 

Both of them had no close friends, they only had each other. Of course, he knew; he was also as sad, he'd spent every single day feeling incomplete despite having his necklace.

Even the thought of coming to see her put away the thought of his necklace's absence.

"I don't deserve her forgiveness," he said finally. "Her heart is too pure. I can never match her…"

"No one would allow you to leave if you told us," Raymond cut him off. "I thought about it for some time before I returned to school. Nana would've fought with her father to make you stay. Her mother would've joined her, and you wouldn't have achieved what you have today. I'm proud of you, Mason."

Mason smiled. Raymond's words offered him an ounce of relief, which allowed him to be proud of his decision for a moment.

"Nana told me about you. Are you okay?" he said, glancing at Raymond.

"She did? Damn, that chatterbox!" Raymond grunted.

"Are you really okay?" Mason pressed.

"I'll be fine. I can now understand why you chose not to go to college," Raymond replied. "You saw it as a waste of time."

Mason sighed. He put his hands behind him on the rock surface and leaned on them. 

"I can't say it's a waste of time, though. Everyone has their own way, but the goal is still the same: success. However, there's a different path for everyone," he explained. "I didn't go to college, but I became successful, though it was a bit difficult. Some go to college, graduate, and find better jobs–"

"Which is not the same for me."

"That's what I'm saying, Ray. There are different paths for everyone. Education… education is just a step out of ignorance and illiteracy. It doesn't guarantee your success."

That raised an eyebrow, and Mason knew, undeterred, he continued.

"Education is the key to what?"

"Success, a better life…"

"... unlocking one's potential… I heard, but things have evolved, Raymond. Success, better life… all of them have changed their locks, even the key wouldn't open them again."

"So, what do people do then?" Raymond asked.

"They break the damn door. Success isn't easy. It would've been if only it stayed in one position so one could reach it, but that bastard doesn't want to be caught; it runs the more you chase."

"You're making me lose the little hope I still have within me, Mason."

Mason smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "There's always hope, no matter how dark a night is, there will always be a ray of light to show you a path," he said. "Come work for me, Raymond. It may not be what you studied in college, but I'll make sure to pay you more than enough."

Raymond gave Mason a sidelong gaze but said nothing. Mason, realizing his offer must have annoyed him, tried to apologize.

"I should've been more thoughtful before saying that. I'm sorry, it must've hurt your pride, I'm really–"

His word was halted as Raymond hugged him, his eyes welling up with tears. "What do you mean by 'hurt my pride'? You think that would make me throw this one-time opportunity into the sea?" he muttered. "Thank you, Mason. I can't be happier right now, I get to work with the infamous King of investment? I can't be prouder."

Mason was baffled. He'd expected Raymond to wave him off or even lash out at him for offering him to work for a boy younger than him. He couldn't believe Raymond would be so happy. He smiled and patted him once more.

"What about Nana?" Raymond asked.

"What do you think? I'm taking my sister with me, of course."

Raymond chuckled and returned his gaze forward, staring into the distance.

"Clinging unto you still?" he asked. "I mean your necklace."

"It's a long story. But it's not with me now."

Raymond opened his mouth, then closed it, seeing the futility of continuing.

"My birthday is on Friday, we leave on Saturday," Mason said.

"This Friday? You mean in two days?"

"Yes."

"Hey, Mason!"

He swiveled and saw Nana standing beside the door.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Even if I have, I haven't," Mason shook his head.

Nana rolled her eyes. "You're still as childish as ever," she sneered before hurrying him along as she retraced her steps back into the house.

"See you later, breakfast is calling," Mason said to Raymond, who nodded him off.

The rest of the day wrapped up, with Nana filling Mason in on what became of Malia and her cohorts two years ago. The siblings spent the rest of the day together, gisting and laughing.

As night descended, Mason entered his formal room, settled down there, and stood in front of the large mirror hung on the wall a few inches away from his bed. 

He'd made up plausible lies for her parents regarding his journey to success. He'd told them he made it solely by taking advantage of situations using his good looks. Though they seemed to doubt him, they had no choice but to believe him in their own ways.

And before he was allowed to go to sleep in his room, Nana had made him swear he'd never leave without telling her. A small smile crept onto Mason's face as he reminisced about what had happened today. He suddenly noticed a strange presence and movement in the mirror.

Mason glanced at the mirror, and his eyes captured two entities in black robes. Their hoods covered their heads, but within the dark inside of their hoods were two pairs of yellowish eyes. Each of the unknown entities wielded two dirks, which sparkled in the dimly lit room, hinting at their assassination intentions and prowess.

Startled, Mason turned around to see nothing. The silence was unnerving, and for a moment, he doubted his vision. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered under his breath. "Should I just start avoiding mirrors?"

His question hung in the air, unanswered. Releasing the sigh of resignation he's been containing, he threw himself on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He knew something was going on with him, and it started ever since he lost his necklace. And strange enough, it didn't return to him like it usually does, making Mason's worries intensify.

He grabbed his pillow and made himself comfortable before sleep came to claim him.