As we took our seats at the dining table, Aunt Pranee immediately leaned in, her sharp eyes fixed on me with a mix of concern and judgment. "How's school?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Are you keeping up with your studies?" She subtly raised one eyebrow, waiting for my response as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

I tried to force a smile, but I could feel my face betraying me. The conversation was headed in a direction that I didn't want to go. "No, everything's fine, Aunt Pranee," I said, forcing confidence into my words. But deep down, I knew I was struggling to keep up with my classes and the mounting pressure was beginning to take its toll.

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as if she was trying to read my thoughts. "Hmm, that's good to hear," she said in a skeptical tone. "And how is your part-time job going? What exactly are you doing for work these days?"

The way she raised her eyebrows and leaned in suggested a mix of curiosity and doubt. I hesitated, unsure if I should reveal the truth. "Just a part-time job," I finally said, trying to downplay its significance.

Her plucked eyebrows furrowed and her lips pursed into a thin line. "What are you saving money for, Dio?" she asked with a tinge of disapproval. "You're still in high school, you should be focusing on your studies instead of doing these odd jobs. They won't get you anywhere in life."

I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stay composed. "I have plans, Aunt Pranee. This is just temporary while I figure things out," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the tension rising in my chest.

She flicked her wrist dismissively, barely looking at me. "Plans?" she scoffed, her words dripping with condescension. "What kind of plans could you possibly have at your age?" Her eyes darted to the ceiling, as if my answer didn't matter. "You should focus on something stable, something real."

I felt the shift before she even mentioned her name. The conversation always led back to Ahri.

"Now, Ahri, on the other hand" she said, her tone softening as she practically beamed, "she's got her head on straight. She just landed that teaching job—full-time, with benefits, a real career." Her gaze lingered on me, the weight of her comparison hanging in the air. "You should take a page out of her book, Dio. Stop wasting time on these part-time jobs. Do something that actually matters."

Each word she spoke was a condescending, slicing through my skin and piercing my heart. I forced myself to maintain a stoic expression, but inside, I felt like crumbling under her cutting remarks about me. Her words only served to emphasize how little she thought of me and how unworthy I was of her approval.

But I didn't let it show. I didn't want to reveal too much just yet. Since the night is still young. "I'm taking things one step at a time aunt, you don't have to worry about me" I said, keeping my response vague.

Pranee's eyes gleamed with that condescending look she always gave when she thought she knew better. "Well, you be careful. I've seen people waste their time chasing dead-end jobs. I'd hate to see you make that mistake."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I flashed a smile, one that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Thanks so much for caring, Aunt Pranee. It really means a lot," I said, letting the sarcasm slip into my voice just enough to make a point.

Her brows furrowed, and she leveled a piercing gaze at me. "Don't use that tone with me, Dio," she retorted, her voice sharp and tense. "I'm only trying to give you some life advises. One day, you'll realize that."

I forced a smile, but inside, my stomach churned. Her accusatory words brought back painful memories from a time when betrayal was an all-too-familiar feeling. I could feel the weight of my past pressing down on me as I remembered how my once loyal friends had turned their backs on me. The whispers and rumors that spread like wildfire only added to the pain, twisting the knife deeper with each new piece of gossip.

My family was the same. They spoke in hushed tones about my shortcomings, making their disdain for me clear with every conversation and interaction. It felt like I was constantly on the outside, being judged and talked down to by those closest to me. It was almost too much to bear - as if everyone was against me, determined to keep me from succeeding.My mom was the only person who never gave up on me, even when I constantly pushed her away. But Aunt Pranee saw success through the lens of a traditional 9-to-5 job, completely out of touch with the chaotic and fast-paced world I was trying to navigate. No matter how much I tried to explain my goals and dreams, she couldn't—or wouldn't—understand. It was clear that her narrow perspective would never align with mine, causing a rift between us that seemed impossible to bridge.

Sensing the tension thickening in the room, my mom's warm voice cut through it like a soothing breeze. "Oh, Pranee, let's not compare the kids," she said, her tone lively and full of kindness. "Everyone finds their own path in their own time."

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with that usual gentleness. "Dio's working hard, and that's what matters. Plus, who knows where these experiences might lead? Life's full of surprises, right?"

The room softened a bit, her words lifting some of the weight off my shoulders, though Aunt Pranee still pursed her lips, clearly unconvinced.

I made an excuse and got up from the table, pretending to need to use the restroom. As I walked away, I could still feel the weight of Aunt Pranee's gaze lingering on my shoulders.

The bathroom was a cramped room with yellowing tiles and a flickering fluorescent light. I closed the door behind me, grateful for a moment of solitude in this dingy space.

I stood in front of the cloudy mirror, my hands gripping the edges of the sink. As I took a deep breath, my reflection met my gaze. My eyes were narrowed in frustration, but determination burned bright beneath the surface.

Suddenly, my phone erupted with a sharp buzzing, shattering the peaceful silence. I quickly glanced at the screen to see a message from my friends, their arrival only 10 to 15 minutes away. A surge of excitement and anticipation flooded through me as I eagerly read their update, a smile slowly spreading across my face in response.

I caught a glimpse of my reflection, my jaw set with determination. Tonight was the night to break free from my old self, to prove to Aunt Pranee and Ahri that they could no longer belittle me. This was my chance to show them—and the world—that I was more than meets the eye. A roaring fire ignited in my chest, fueling my burning desire for revenge and redemption. They would regret ever doubting me, and I would make sure of it.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 14

Skill Count: 2 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:23

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 5million kroner.

Associate - 7

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers - 25

Company - 1