"Enough"

"Anya rolled back Maria's long sleeves. She revealed a tender, young, woman's skin, smelling of roses and rich aromas of all sorts, without a single hair the texture of the almost baby-like skin. That same skin was plagued by black sports until Maria's shoulder, burn marks destroying the visual image of attraction one would have if looking at it with a first impression, not wanting to find what laid underneath. Maria burst into tears as Anya quickly pulled her towards her large, fur-coated body and hugged her tightly, knowing full well exactly what was going on.

"It's ok...I'm here now, " Anya tried calming Maria with words that should've come out the mouth of the oldest to the youngest reverted their roles, as Anya had always been the eldest one, regardless of what time would tell. In a dark world plagued by mischief, betrayal, and malevolence for one another...she had seen the world for what it was way too early on. But her smile would always power through for others, having that lesson learned from those closest to her. Her sadness, however, turned into a more deeply rooted anger once again. As Anya struggled to process those emotions a young heart was going through, her boiling blood was mixed with all the colors of emotions into one and turned them into black which blinded her vision. She was angered at the world around her and the world she lived in. That anger had now turned into vengeance.

Anya kicked the door the force of her kick sending the door flying to the other side of the room going in with a killing intent. Smoking a large cigarette, Gado was sitting on her office's chair, Valian standing right by him

"You...",Anya stood in front of the desk.

"Ana...you look a little bit furry today," Gado joked around.

"No shit Sherlock. Have you got any of those rich boy jokes shoved up your ass still, or have you emptied it? What am I saying? You're so full of shit, I doubt there's any room for jokes left in there."

"That's no way to talk to your father!", Gado fell for the provocation.

"Maria? Seriously? So if you can't get a hold of the youngest one to brainwash them into taking your shit-stained seat, you opted for a new business model of taking in the eldest one? Thank god Misha was still swinging in a crib back then."

"I'm merely trying to protect a legacy here."

"Legacy? Legacy?! You sick bastard, does Maria's burned set of arms look like a legacy to you?!"

"She's free to step out at any time. I don't know why you're so angry."

“She steps down and it's on with Sarah? Then Wendy? Don't treat me like a dumbass, dad. We both know why she's not out yet."

"Dumbass?" he took a puff, "I never said that. If anything, you are a prodigy. Age 23 and you have bachelors, masters, made millions. Doubt that's anything to call you stupid by. What is stupid, is the fact you gave all of that away for that bastard kid, Dante. What the actual hell do you think you're doing? You got a team consisted of some false god with either bipolar or dual identity disorder, some piss off Mozart idol that no one cares for, two robots, a demon and a war criminal...now you added a monster to the mix." he looked at Anya with pity, "It's the deal with every story, isn't it? You're all a bunch of kids going way in over your heads. What, you're all 'super powered teens' about to save the world? Please, straighten up. You don't know how the world works. You think you can just sway governments, opinions and everything by simply showcasing how well you can flip a tank over? Go on and kill as many monsters or people you want, it won't change how this world works!", he said as he got up and moved towards Anya.

A strong slap came across Anya's face, turned into a punch right after, as her anger momentarily faded away in place of fear, Gado now having way more pent up wrath from when she hastily left him at the palace ball. She said nothing, as Gado kept getting bigger and bigger before her, before he went back into his sear, calmly sitting down as their emotions both resumed, taking long awaited vengeance for that night.

"And you do? You're always stuck behind that desk just filling away, not giving a shit for what comes and goes outside your office."

"Because that's power, Ana. Money is power, what's so damn hard of you to understand? At least, that's a form of power. Let me tell you a summary of an underdog story. I grew up in the slums. Murderers, freaks, I was seeing it all day by day. One day, I found a loophole. Some invention named 'Maid Bots'. Was it mine? No. Did I take it? Yes. And look at me now."

"So instead of being driven to be something different, you became exactly the thing you were seeing in the slums? Some company owner you are."

"Do you see me, you, or your family starving?"

"I don't see a family." Anya folded her arms, "Your punchline always was that you had the money, therefore we were supposed to listen. Give me one reason not to go to the cops right now and hand your sadistic ass over."

Gado laughed, "Oh, good one! Money, honey. You all need me, because without me, you'd be polishing shoes on the streets to make dew. Every small time, skinny looking cop would bend over when I show them a 1 with a few 0s next to it. My trash is their treasure. And there are, of course, no exceptions. If there are...well, they won't exist for much longer."

"Congrats, the world is in your possession. What's next? Can we bury you with that cash? You want to go to another planet, own that too? What exactly is you end goal here? You got it all, so just leave everything be. People make their personality based on their powers, their bodies and you chose to make money your entire thing, start to finish. I remember a time when 'I was your favorite' too, before I failed to get my second masters degree, going so much more downhill from there. At least then I realized what kind of shitlord you were. All these years, back and forth praise, the punishments when I was out with Dante and the gang in Dirunon, escaping that hellish routine...screw you!"

"You don't understand, do you Ana? It's a broken world out there. Why would I be raised in the slums? Why would the slums even exist? I'll tell you why. Agendas, Ana. This world is all about hustling. Nothing but cash drives things forward now, much like the 2500s, the 2000s and every time before. Common denominator. You go to work, get off work and do more work to get some green just to be able to live day by day, rinse and repeat. Working for some rich jackass, who steals dignity and humanity from you. I am now that jackass. You know what I did? I hunted down every single one of my old boss' businesses and closed them all down by mere competition. They begged me to buy their shit, but I left them bankrupt. After all, we all have to start from somewhere, make a living until the opportunity presents itself. The world answers only to those who they are either threatened or dependent from. I am both."

"Again, do something! With all this cash, you can make the world a much better place, rather than turning around and tormenting us for no reason. You have private properties, companies bought out, and franchises of those companies everywhere. You make more than the GDP of entire countries as one singular person, and you're sitting on it! For crying out loud, Kolumbia could be built from the ground up by a single signature...yet your greed doesn't even let you do that. Pathetic."

"You do not understand, still. Control is one thing. Change is another. You do not simply go inside a country, wave money around and change happens. That's what you and your train-wreck of a friend group fail to realize."

"Oh, really? Then why is it that everywhere aside from Kolumbia, no law, reporter or simply voice affects you when people clearly catch up to the fact that you spread your ties like poison? I know first-hand how you slowly bought Insinia out of its own control, how Victoria is already alert about it and how Kolumbia straight up refused to let you get any activity of your company involved in there, all while you tried to push me into closing a deal in Vardard for my practice a few years ago! Tell me, if a 'stupid teenager' can point that out, why do entire governments straight up deny any collaboration with you? Cut the shit, dad. We both know money is power, and we also both know that the money you have can change the world as we know it. You speak ill of agendas, when all you do is carefully carve out everything around you, even your own family to fit your own, personal, twisted agenda."

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Gado put out his cigarette, "That's why, you will never have this seat. I cannot allow you to ruin years' worth of work. My dream as a child was to become what I am today. The world is at my disposal and it's become my sandbox. During war, after war, who cares. It's humans who made it so that money would run this world, and it was again humans who willingly vouched to be chain bound into chasing hustle and cash from birth to death, if not that, then something else. Caveman days was the first free for all, when you could bash over your neighbors head on a rock and take their land. Most lucrative real estate business there was, when no one owned it. You are but a few rebellious, hormone driven, impulsive teens who think they can just topple down the system, destroy us, the 'elites' and then live happily ever after. There is no system, Ana. I am the system. And since I am that system...Ana Golver. Starting today, I am officially disowning you. Your bond with this family is to be completely cut, and you will cease to claim any form of monetization through entities in my name. You have 24 hours to get anything you wish from your apartment, my house, or anything else, before those properties return to my name and a restraining order is placed on you. You will cease all contact with us."

Anya was left in awe, "You...can't do that."

"Your 'law' let's me do that. Now, that being said, I am no monster, unlike what you look like. I'll give you 2 million in cash, and I'll send you on your merry way. You have proven to be completely useless to me, your family and this company, wasting years of your life, your and our time for a grand total of nothing. Nothing other than becoming a useless, carefree drunk that acts on impulses and impulses alone. Don't worry about whatever comes your way. I took the liberty of officially pronouncing you dead. It's not like anyone who hasn't been informed about your new disgusting form will know. And then again, that's a total of about...7 people? No way the media will pick up on that. I won't let them. You were K.I.A. That's where your story ends. If you're smart, you'll use those remaining 2 million merits to pass the rest of your miserable existence.", Gado got up and started leaving, "I'm done being patient and playing nice guy. One and a half decades of looming over you to guarantee your success and you blew it in a couple of months. This world is mine, Ana. I will mold it in the best way I see fit for it to evolve. Through peace, conflict, I don't care. No longer will a loose end like you threaten this empire. Valian. When she's done throwing her fit, escort her out of here. Then report back to me...we still have a lot of work to do."

The maid, calm and collected while being silent throughout their conversation nodded, as Gado left the room. Anya, still stunned on how things took such a dramatic turn for the worst, crashed down on the office chair. She didn't scream, or yell, or cry. She simply sat down and put together both her hands between her fingers, exhaling softly while maintaining a serious look.

"Hey...Vali. I need to ask you some things. If you don't mind."

"I am still at your service, Mrs. Golver."

"How did my father know everything about out group? No chance in hell he could see us after we left with horses from Reingard."

"He requested services from professional spies."

"And the whole thing about my transformation? He knew that beforehand too?"

"Yes, although he was denied specifics after you requested confidentiality from your doctor."

"Hmm...this is a dangerous game. Cornered like an animal again."

"May I make a few suggestions, if you do not mind?"

"Go ahead."

"I would suggest that you retreat to Kolumbia, and specifically, it's city of Vardard. There, a mass outflow of people having the same condition as you were recorded, making it a good and peaceful place to be."

"With no papers."

"Vardard accepts those in your condition unconditionally, given Reingards unrest."

"I'll see on that...hey Val. I gotta ask. How's the situation at home since I left?"

"Mr. Gado has fallen into his old habits that rubbed off on you. He has become increasingly aggressive and paranoid over losing his grip on things. As you mentioned, Mrs. Maria took the hit for everyone involved. The others, while now aware of everything, are untouched. Rest assured that I am doing everything in my capabilities to contain Mr. Gado when he gets...angry. However, despite Mrs. Maria receiving most of his wrath, the others have stated displeasure to his actions, marking a short sparked rebellion that was...contained, by Mr. Golver.", Valian spoke in a melancholic and worried manner.

"What do you mean?...", Anya asked in fear.

"I...everything. Everything he did on you."

"What exactly is my father even doing? Simply talking to him, while still as ass as I remembered him something is definitely off."

"I cannot answer that."

"Come on Val! We're talking about the most powerful, now batshit crazy person in the world."

"I am afraid, I cannot answer. Mr. Gado could...remove me, from private premises. I have taken the task of running the accounting department on top of my current duties. "

"Dammit...fine. Just go. I'll see myself out."

"Mrs. Golver-"

"Now, Val. I need to think..."

Valian, complying with Anya's wishes got out of the room, taking Maria with her and out the shop. Just then, Sonia and Nikki came up the office, looking at a calm Anya, sitting at her office. They easily saw through the calmness, the aura around Anya being disturbingly dark.

"Umm...Ana, you doing ok?" Sonia asked.

"Girl, I got you something to eat. You anna save it or nah?" Nikki tried to give her some food.

"I'm not a dog for you to feed, Nikki. Despite appearances."

"What? You know I didn't mean it like that. Anyway, what the hell happened?"

"I am done. Simply put, fired."

"Ah hell, I know you ain't a rich girl and don't want the money, you can live off some off brand burgers. And you hated this job anyways.", Nikki tried to cheer her up.

"Unfortunately, that also means I can't keep close tabs on this son of a bitch. And yes, I hated this, because of him alone. Still, I gave jobs and a living to Sonia right there, as well as a bunch of other people who were simply terminated just today."

"Hey, it's fine. The cut from the lay off will allow me to live for around 3 months, it was huge. At least Nikki kept her job for not working here. But...what are you gonna do?"

"Let's see. I am a furry, out of my own stupidity for trying to get two of my friends to get it on, meaning that no one would want this for a job. My dad declared me dead and all my papers were burned so my getaway options are limited. And even then, I am completely overqualified for every job I could get, given experience, degrees and name...oh, yeah, no name. That's gone. Scientifically speaking, I am totally, unequivocally, 100% screwed."

"Wait, what?! Your dad...what?!" Nikki was surprised.

"You know what...at least I've got 2 mil. Who's up for a drink?"

"Wait, now? Ana, I don't think it's the best time to-", Sonia tried to stop her.

"Nah, who cares. Come on, the sun sets faster during winter times, so we might as well go crack a few to keep us warm."

"Anya, I don't think-", Nikki tried to stop her.

Anya simply got up and walked away, out of the office. Sonia and Nikki being extremely worried followed her, going up to the entrance of the bar Anya frequently visited.

"You two sure you don't wanna come in?"

"Ana, please, stop. We know this isn't going to end well. It's written all over this scenario."

"Sorry Sonia, but I've gotta ditch Reingard in a day so...I'll just visit the old place again."

Before Sonia could further reason with Anya, Nikki grabbed her arm and nodded otherwise. Anya went inside the bar, leaving the other two behind.

"Look. She will blabber, cry a bit and that's it. She's a regular, so the guys inside there will take care of her when she eventually drops. Stopping Ana like this is...impossible."

"Nikki, I'd much rather let her vent! We both know this isn't going to end well...last time, around two years ago, she said so many horrible things."

"Let her vent what? She's anything but an open book for these things, you know it. Letting her flat out vent is like talking to a brick wall, she will just avoid all related questions. Plus, we definitely, even with my strength, won't be able to physically stop her. Know when the battle is lost, wait until another starts."

"I'm worried..." Nikki sighed, "I'm worried too. She will do something stupid for sure...I just hope it isn't extremely stupid. I don't know where her brain goes when she acts like this." Inside the bar, still hiding in her hoodie, Anya sat where she would regularly do, empty seat beside her. She had hoped for company to be filling that seat, however circumstances had left her stranded. As the barman closed in, Anya took down her hoodie, revealing her face. The barman stuttering briefly, then moved up to her.

"What can I get you...uh...miss?" the barman struggled to identify her.

"Gardard Vodka, strawberry tequila with a little bit of rye whiskey and a spoonful of sugar." she ordered.

"What the hell? Ana?!" the barman realized.

"Been a long time, Danny."

"I mean. Much like a doctor wouldn't want to see his patients in the hospital, I'd rather not see you here but...what the hell happened?"

"Pour me my regular and I'll tell you."

"Umm...that's not exactly regular, Ana. You're the only one who can probably survive that but...sugar?"

"Just...do it. Doesn't matter if I survive it anyway."