Japheth

I had just messed up. How was I supposed to apprehend not just any criminal, but the son of a well-known underground mafia tycoon? I should have listened to my damn guts, they were always right.

I stared at the documents in front of me, the information of the so-called criminal I was assigned to infiltrate staring at me like it was mocking me. I had tried to back out when I found out the danger I had gotten myself into but the captain wasn't listening to me anymore.

Everyone knew Don Martinez and how ruthless he was. I was a million percent sure that his son would be just as ruthless.

I finally understood why he assigned the job to me. Because no one was as naive as I was. Who in their right senses would agree to accept this kind of risky mission? If I got caught, that would be the end of my life.

From constable to captain? I would be digging my own grave instead.

But I had already agreed to do this. And there was no way I could take back my words unless I wanted to lose my job. And losing my job would only make me worse of a human than I already was.

I glanced out the window to see that the moon was already sitting high in the sky, shining down like it had no concern for whatever was going on with me. Letting out a sigh of despair, I shoved the documents inside my bag and headed out of the station.

My old pick-up car was waiting by the side and a groan escaped my lips when I realized that I'd be spending the next twenty minutes trying to get the car to come to life. I threw my bag into the passenger seat and got in, turning the key to start the engine.

To my utmost surprise, the car roared to life at once and I let out a scoff of disbelief as I stared at the steering wheel in amusement. I guess the car understood that I was in a bad mood tonight.

The car shook as I drove home, my mind spinning with different thoughts. Should I quit this job? I could definitely find a better job somewhere else instead of risking my life for a captain who never cared about my existence till now.

The car came to an abrupt stop and I looked up to see that I had just arrived at the hellhole I called my home. Stepping out of the car, I pushed the car with all the strength I could muster until it was parked in the garage as it should be.

By the time I was done, I was covered in mud and dirt, and all I wanted to do at this point was take a nice warm bath and then go to sleep. But of course, there was nothing called peace in this hellhole of mine.

"Did you work at the dumpster? Why do you look so unkept and disgusting?" I heard my stepmom say the moment I stepped into the sitting room, her voice dripping with disgust, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I walked toward my room.

I had better things to think of and talking back would only make my life miserable.

"Mom is talking to you, you prick." Jackson slurred from the kitchen, but before I could respond, I felt something solid hit my back, and I froze.

I reached behind me and my jaw clenched when I realized that Jackson had thrown a cold, raw egg against my back.

My fucking stepbrother who thought he could always get away with everything.

I wanted to punch him hard in the face for his stupid stunts but I knew better. He was the beloved of the family. A rich lawyer in his early twenties whom the entire world adored. He was the only "hope" of the family.

Me? I was just a constable who hadn't been promoted for the past three years. A grown man in his mid-thirties who still lived in his father's house. I had no say in this house and my presence was nothing more than an eyesore.

My father abhorred me the same way he hated my mother. He hated her for everything she did. He never failed to make her feel horrible about her chubby size and he made her life so miserable that she took her own life-

"So sorry stepbro, it slipped from my hands." Jackson laughed, his words mocking me and I sucked in a sharp breath before I continued walking into my room, each step feeling heavier than the last.

"Don't be such a bully, Jackie, he's gonna cry soon." I heard my stepmom say as their laughter rang across the room but I didn't stop or try to turn around.

I was old enough to know that arguing with them would only put me in the worst situation and I would rather swallow their insults with a cup of tea than get humiliated. I slammed my room's door shut and walked into the bathroom, peeling my clothes off in an instant and letting the warm water wash away the dirt from my body.

I wish that it could wash away the disgrace and humiliation as well.

After taking a satisfying bath, I returned to my room and sat in silence, listening to their loud laughter from the sitting room. Hours passed and I just sat there, rethinking my entire life decisions.

When silence finally reigned and I realized that they had all gone to sleep, I slipped out of my room and headed for my car because I had left my bag in it. Grabbing the documents, I headed back inside only to find Jackson standing by the door to my room with a smirk on his lips.

"Look who we have here. You haven't been giving me attention, stepbrother and it's hurting me." His words were obviously mocking me but I simply pushed past him and walked into my room.

Before I could shut the door, he placed his hand on the door to stop me and a loud groan escaped my lips.

"Jackson, leave me the fuck alone and go away," I ordered but he simply looked at me with a mocking grin before shaking his head in disappointment.

"How does it feel to be the least important member of the family? I told you that you'd never win. I have them all wrapped around my little finger, and you know why? I have the money. You're just... a constable. Hilarious, isn't it?" He muttered with a sick grin on his lips, and I sucked in a sharp breath, warning myself not to let his words get to me.

"You do realize that the Earth will always continue to spin, right?" I asked and his face contorted into a frown as he stared at me in confusion.

"So?"

"So, fuck you, Jackson," I replied with a small smile on my lips and before he could respond, I slammed the door shut in his face.

There were no other options now. I had to take on this mission. If I suddenly became the captain of the station, my family would finally give me the respect that I needed. I stared at the documents with a smile on my lips and a heart full of hope.

My eyes scanned the documents and I slowly digested the necessary information concerning the suspect I was sent to capture. The mission looked pretty simple. I had to find the tycoon's son, infiltrate his life, and bring him down.

But was it that simple? I couldn't help but ponder that question as I lay in my bed.

However, my excitement got the best of me and I ended up sleeping with my hopes high. But the moment I got to work the next day, I could see all my dreams vanishing into thin air right in front of me.

"Jared," The captain had started and that was when I knew that something was wrong. "Submit the documents I gave to you. We found a better candidate to complete the mission."

It felt like my whole life had crumbled and I couldn't do anything about it.

Japheth

"What do you mean you found a better candidate? You already gave me this mission!" I yelled out in sheer frustration but the captain didn't budge one bit.

"Hand over the damn files, Jared. You know better than to give me a headache this fine morning." He replied, stretching out his hand toward me and I ran my hand through my hair, finally understanding that the universe wasn't my best friend.

I took out the documents from my bag and threw them on the table instead of handing them to him, and the way the veins in his forehead bulged, I knew he wasn't impressed. But I didn't care anymore. He can go fuck himself.

He turned away from me with a dismissive wave, and I turned around, ready to walk away, but for reasons unknown to me, my legs wouldn't move. Was I disappointed? Angry? Frustrated?

Hell yeah.

Why do they all love to treat me like shit? Was I such a pushover? Someone they could use whenever they pleased and discard like a useless piece of shit?

I've had enough.

With that thought, I turned toward the captain, and his eyes met mine, his expression questioning why I hadn't left his office yet. Without thinking, I said something I wouldn't have dared to say in my entire life.

"Fuck you, captain." I spat in anger and his eyes widened in shock, like he wasn't expecting those words from me. Then his expression immediately contorted into anger and he shot up from his seat like it was burning his butt.

"How dare you-"

His words were cut short when an officer barged into the office like he was being chased and I immediately got into a defensive position, looking out for any attacker. But to my surprise, there was none.

"I can't do it!" He yelled as he barged into the office and I straightened up, my brows raised in confusion and amusement.

"What do you mean you can't do it? You're the only person who can do this perfectly!" Captain retorted, his face red with anger as he slammed his palm on the table, and the officer shook his head in terror.

"You can fire me, Captain! But there's no way I'm going after the son of Don Martinez!" He yelled and it finally dawned on me that this was the candidate who was "supposedly" perfect for this job.

"What's so bad about his son?" I chirped in before the captain could speak and the officer turned to look at me like I had two horns on my head.

"Everyone knows how ruthless the Martinez' are. They have no mercy on people and they kill like it's a normal daily activity!" He blurted before turning to look at the captain. "I only agreed to take this mission because I thought the suspect was a mediocre person. Not Aaron Martinez!" He yelled with pure horror written all over his face.

I stood by the side with a small smile on my face, watching the whole drama unfold like a high school play. Perfect candidate, my ass. Such a scaredy cat wasn't even fit to be a police officer.

Before the captain could try to counter his words, he dropped his badge on the desk, and without hesitation, he ran out of the office the same way he came in. Silence reigned for a moment and my lips curved into a small smile as I clutched my bag tightly.

"I'll take my leave now, captain," I muttered and turned around but just as I expected, he called out to me, causing me to halt in my tracks.

"Jared, I was wrong. You are the only person worthy and perfect enough to take on this mission. How could I be so blind?" He muttered, his voice suddenly calm and smooth as silk, causing me to nearly let out a scoff of amusement.

"Oh no, captain," I replied, turning to look at him with a solemn look on my face. "I already left the documents with you and you already have a perfect candidate for the job. What could a mere constable like me do?" I asked and an expression of panic formed on his face as he grabbed the documents before making his way to my side.

"Don't mind my dumb words, Jared. I just wanted to test you and see? You passed! This job was originally meant for you. No one else can do it as good as you-"

"You mean no one is as naive as I to take on the mission, right?" I interrupted him, and he froze, his left eye twitching in annoyance, but he quickly covered it up with a smile.

"Jared, the benefits that come with taking on this mission aren't something that you should pass over so easily. Why don't you give it a second thought?" He asked, placing his hand on my shoulder and I let out a scoff of disbelief.

"What benefits? Are they worth endangering my life?"

I was gonna take the mission without him trying to sugarcoat me, but if there were indeed benefits that came apart from getting promoted, it wouldn't hurt to play hard-to-get for now.

"Jared," He sucked in a sharp breath and took out another document from the drawers of his desk before handing it to me. "Take a look at that."

With my brows raised, I scanned the documents in front of me, and for a moment, I was confused. Until I finally registered what it meant.

"You're not going on any mediocre mission. You're leaving this small city and moving to California. I'm assuming you already know this." He explained and I blinked in confusion. I didn't realize that I had to leave Denver for California.

I've never left this city before... And the adrenaline rush that suddenly coursed through me made me giddy with excitement.

"You'll be taking on a new identity. Everything you own from now on will be taken care of by the police department. We'll have eyes watching you over there so you won't be alone. You'll have a new life, Jared. And not a life of suffering." Captain explained softly while my eyes were still glued to the paper I was clutching tightly.

A new identity. A new profession. A new house. A new car. A new city. It felt like I was starting my life over again.

"But, captain-"

"Did I mention you'll be given a million dollars for this mission?" He interrupted and I choked on air instantly, my eyes widening at his words.

Japheth

"A million dollars!?" I asked in sheer shock, not wanting to believe what I just heard but Captain nodded to prove that I didn't hear him wrong.

"This mission is a matter of national security. Which is why we're sending you because you've always kept a low profile." He replied and I tsked softly.

Low profile? What does he expect of a low-life constable?

"So, what you're trying to say is, I get to travel to California, get a new life and identity, which includes a new house and car, and then I still get a million dollars?" I asked to be sure I wasn't dreaming or tweaking and when Captain nodded with a smile on his lips, I nearly punched the air in excitement.

"But-"

Of course, there's always a but.

"You only get half the payment now. You'll use that to take care of yourself for the next six months. Once you complete the mission, the rest will be yours." He explained and I nodded in understanding.

"So, I have six months to complete this mission?"

"This is why I like you, Jared. You're so smart." He said in satisfaction and I scoffed lightly, not wanting to admit that I was a sucker for compliments.

"What now?" I asked and he clicked his fingers before gesturing for me to come over to his table.

"This is your new identity. Japheth Wilson." He pointed to his computer and my face scrunched into a frown.

"Why Japheth? You could have chosen a better name-"

"Are you arguing with the higher-ups now?" He asked in annoyance and I immediately mimicked zipping my lips. "Everything about your new identity is in here. I've sent it to you. Take your time and go through it, study every detail so you don't mess up. You'll be a professor at the university where the suspect studies. You've always been good at teaching anyway so this should be a piece of cake for you."

I let out a sigh, feeling slightly overwhelmed but I knew that this mission held excitement that I couldn't just let go of.

"Alright, Captain. Thank you for entrusting me with this mission." Even though he had almost given it to someone else. Such a two-faced man. "When do I leave for California?"

"By Monday. Here," He took out a big file from his drawer and my lips thinned into a small line. Why didn't he just give me everything at once?

"This contains your new identity passport, ID card, everything you might need as Japheth the professor." He said and handed me the file while I nodded in response. "The whole nation is putting their trust in you. Don't let us down."

Monday. Three days. Three days until my life changes. Until I take on a new identity.

And I would give it my all.

"Yes, Sir!"

**************************

Three days had passed, slowly at first, then like a flash. I had spent every hour researching on the Martinez'. I avoided my family as much as I could but Jackson remained a huge thorn in my flesh. When I packed the few things I needed from the house, he had mocked me, telling me that I couldn't run away from him.

Like hell, I was running away. None of them knew of this mission. None of them even knew where I was headed or why I was leaving. My stepmom had a look of satisfaction on her face when I dragged my small suitcase out. My Dad? He didn't even acknowledge my presence.

I could tell Jackson was curious with the way he followed me around until I got into my pickup car. Shifting the gear into reverse mode, I nearly let out a yelp when I saw Jackson right beside the window.

"Tell me the truth. Who are you going to live with? Do I trouble you that much?" He asked, but I simply let out a sigh and tried to raise the windows, which, of course, didn't care about me.

"You wanted me out so I'm leaving. Shouldn't you be happy?" I replied and he smiled, his hand moving to touch my hair, causing me to flinch instantly.

"You're so gullible and fragile... look at you. You have such a small, lean frame that if you weren't tall, no one would believe you're in your thirties. The world out there isn't kind and it'll break you before you know it." He muttered, his eyes holding a weird kind of emotion that had my skin crawling.

"Fuck off, Jackson." I spat in anger, my hand reaching out to push him away from the car, but he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me closer, so close that our faces were only inches apart, and I yelped in shock.

"Only I can treat you better. I don't care where you're going. I will find you, make your life miserable, and bring you back to where you belong." He mumbled, his eyes trained on my lips and everything in me recoiled as I yanked my hand out of his grip immediately.

I stepped on the accelerator and the car immediately reversed out of the parking lot before speeding out of the house. I glanced at the rearview mirror to see that he was standing by the gate, his eyes fixed on my car as I sped away.

What the fuck was that all about? I shuddered slightly, feeling weirded out by the way he stared at me and the words he uttered. That fucking prick.

He was just a lawyer, and I am a police officer. There's no way in hell that I'll let him make my life miserable again. Besides, how would he even find me in California with a new identity?

I drove to the station and the car finally came to a stop. The moment I stepped into the building, everyone's eyes were on me. Like I was some kind of unreal being.

Pushing my way to the Captain's office, I saw him standing by the window with a lost look on his face. When he finally noticed me, he cleared his throat and gave me a very serious stare.

"Everyone's waiting at the airport." He muttered and I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands getting clammy all of a sudden due to nervousness.