Chapter 2: The Memorial Monument
It had been two years since the bomb explosion at Onyx Square on New Year's Eve. The black Rolls-Royce Arthur was riding stopped at a red light a few blocks from the Onyx Tower intersection. He loosened his tie as he stared out the window.
Since the explosion, Arthur had never crossed that intersection. He always asked his assistant to find a detour if the place they were going to had to pass through the busiest intersection in Nova City.
But now he tried to find the courage to come to the intersection to fulfill an invitation from Kai Anderson. Yes, the youngest Mayor was still alive. He was not seriously injured after the explosion. He even ordered an investigation into the blast an hour after he regained consciousness in the hospital. And less than a week after the incident, the authorities managed to arrest someone suspected of being involved in the crime that claimed many lives, including Lora and Adam.
"If you're uncomfortable, I can still cancel your attendance," said Lukas, Arthur's assistant. He noticed that Arthur's facial expression turned pale and slightly tense as the car they were riding in approached Onyx Square.
Lukas' words snapped Arthur out of his reverie. He glanced at Lukas, who had black hair and eyes with a sharp nose, then shook his head.
"No need, I'll still come," Arthur said.
"Then I'll stay beside the stage with a tranquilizer. Just in case," Lukas said.
"I'll be fine." Arthur sighed long and turned his attention back to the road.
Arthur still remembered the heat he felt in the middle of winter. Two years ago, the area he had been through was like hell rising from the earth's bowels. The air was filled with the smoke of fires and the smell of burning flesh. Also, the screams of people calling for help. In the end, the casualties in the incident came not only from people close to the explosion's center but also from people crowding to leave the Onyx Square area. They became victims due to trampling and lack of oxygen.
The car Arthur was riding in finally stopped in front of a restaurant near Onyx Square. Arthur swallowed as soon as he got out of the vehicle. His chest was suddenly tight. His body could still remember the smell he smelled just after the explosion. Even so, Arthur tried to calm down with a long sigh. He then walked away from the car with Lukas following behind him.
***
Ramona snorted in annoyance as she watched Kai Anderson give a speech to open the unveiling of the memorial built in memory of the victims of the bomb blast two years ago. Ramona's hazel brown eyes stared at the Nova City Mayor with a hateful gaze.
"Your stare could make a hole in his chest," Rayden teased as he tugged on the ends of Ramona's ponytail.
Ramona turned her attention to Rayden, her fraternal twin. "If I can, I'll keep staring at him until he has a hole in his chest."
Rayden chuckled in response to Ramona's remark. "What are we doing here anyway?"
"I want to see his sly face when he unveils the memorial," Ramona replied.
"And then?"
Ramona turned her head and looked at Rayden. "Why do you easily forget what that man did to our family? Don't you remember his face when he begged for grants for his campaign? Oh, yeah. Don't forget his face when he refused to help us even though our parents had already donated to his campaign fund."
Rayden sucked on the lollipop in his hand while looking at Kai. After a while, he took the candy out of his mouth and returned to talk to Ramona. "His face is indeed annoying."
Ramona nodded. Her attention suddenly drawn to a man who had just joined Kai on stage. She nudged Rayden's arm and pointed at him. "Isn't that your boss?"
"He looks fine for someone who lost his child and partner in the explosion," said Rayden while looking at Arthur.
Ramona turned and looked at Rayden questioningly. Rayden looked back at Ramona and nodded. "Two years ago, he was here with his son and partner. They became casualties, just like our parents. I found out from the employees' chatter."
"At least he didn't lose his other property, unlike us," Ramona said sarcastically.
"If you've come here to make snide comments, you'd better get back to work. We both still need money to pay off the bank debt," Rayden added.
Ramona chuckled. She put her arm around Rayden and clung to her twin brother.
"Don't be like that. People will think you're my lover," Rayden protested.
"Don't you want to help me? Aren't you really good at playing with algorithms and programming? That's why you got hired at Maple, right?" said Ramona in a very spoiled tone.
Rayden snorted in annoyance. Ramona's bad attitude towards him was sometimes a boomerang for his romantic relationships. His twin didn't know how many women thought she was his girlfriend.
"Didn't my chip help you with your scam?" Rayden said.
"That chip is failing now," Ramona replied. She then looked at Rayden while blinking her eyes.
"How about you join me? I'll get the men to use their cards, then you'll hack them so we can drain their money," Ramona continued.
Rayden shook his head. "I've had enough of my salary at Maple for now."
Ramona chuckled after hearing Rayden's words. She then let go of Rayden's hand and looked at him. "Don't play innocent with me, bro. Do you think I don't know your sneaky scenarios to get more bonuses from maple?"
While Rayden was dumbfounded by what Ramona had just said, his twin sister was already walking away toward a taxi that had stopped on the side of the road. After opening the taxi door, Ramona gave Rayden a mischievous glance. She then got into the cab, and it was only a short time before she left Onyx Square.
"What a bitch," Rayden grumbled, then walked away.
***
Arthur repeatedly swallowed to make himself feel comfortable standing near the monument in the shape of a book sheet that displayed the names of the victims of the explosion two years ago. He wanted to leave the place as soon as possible, but Kai still seemed to be talking in remembrance of that unfortunate event.
"Art, do you have something to say?"
Kai's sudden question made Arthur turn to the man. Kai's handsome face looked different after the explosion left a wound that cut off his right eyebrow. To his female supporters, the damage made Kai's appearance even more handsome.
Arthur hurriedly shook his head. "No, just finish the inauguration. I have to go soon."
Kai smiled while nodding.
"It seems that Mr. Arthur Kingsley can't stay with us for long. So, let's quickly inaugurate the memorial," Kai said, which was immediately greeted by the applause of the residents who came. They clapped with enthusiastic but sad facial expressions at the same time.
Kai approached the open book-shaped monument. His face looked serious as he read the names of the victims. He then bowed and started to pray. All the people who came along bowed, as did Arthur.
After five minutes of silence, Kai raised his head again. He immediately embraced Arthur, and the two welcomed the people who came to see the memorial.
***
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone