The Scorpion Gang is considered to be one of the biggest gang in the country. Be it politicians or high ranking government officials everyone is scared of them. The gang is infamous for their crimes and ruthlessness. There are rumors of people who have vanished along with their families without a trace after they tried to stand against them. The Scorpion Gang has connections almost in every field. Their main hideout is a huge colony located in the south of the city. It consists of many houses which have been allotted to all the different members of the gang and their families. The members of the gang are offered almost every type of facility as it would have been to a government official. The mansion of Robert’s family is located in the middle of the colony. The mansion itself is quite extraordinary. It has its own hospital which only Robert’s family can access. For security measures the mansion itself is designed to survive earthquakes, tornadoes, bomb blasts and even has multiple secret tunnels in order to escape. The workers who constructed the mansion and tunnels are basically prisoners in the colony so that no one can access the secrets of mansion from them. They were about to be executed but Robert’s mother ordered the members to capture them instead since they might need their excellent skills again.

But Robert hates all of this. All this power, authority and luxury of his father doesn’t attract him. Instead it suffocates him since he knows that all of this was the result of countless innocent lives lost. As he entered the colony he was greeted by different people. Since he is the son of their boss he gets a very nice treatment from the members of the gang.

“Master Robert how was your graduation ceremony?” asked a bald guy with a scar on his face.

Even though they do all the dirty work for my father and he has nothing much to do, still this guy remember but not him. Robert thought.

“It was nice. I was the valedictorian.” replied Robert.

Although he hates to see these criminals everyday he knows about their reality. The name of the gang is aptly chosen. Unless and until nobody incites the scorpion it will not harm you, but if you chose to mess with it then it can kill you. The Scorpion Gang doesn't take actions that often. The colony is the place where they live peacefully for most of their time. The gang doesn’t consist of professional criminals but of normal people. The thing that makes the gang dangerous is that these normal people are desperate. Each of them have been wronged somehow and the government didn’t help them much in getting justice. Their desperation for protecting their loved ones and the hunger for revenge led them to the Scorpion Gang. Robert respects the hardships that they have faced but hates the fact that they chose the wrong path of harming others.

“What’s that young master?”

“It’s the highest position you can get in academics.”

“As expected from you. You are the only person suitable for that.”

This comment made Robert clench his teeth.

“Enjoy your day young master.”

After saying his farewell Robert continued his journey to his house. As he walked further he could hear the whispers of people but he ignored all of them. After fifteen minutes of walk he reached his house, Verlice Mansion. Before going in Robert took a brief pause. He had always hated this place since it made him recall of his father’s authority over him. After a moment he entered the mansion and was greeted by the last person he ever wanted to meet, Daniel the right hand man of his father.

“Welcome home, The Valedictorian. Thanks for blessing us with your presence.” said Daniel scornfully.

“Not now Daniel. I don’t want to deal with you right now.”

Before Robert could move anywhere Daniel tackled him down on the floor. By holding his head forcefully on the ground he made sure that Robert couldn’t move.

“Today was an important day for your father. You should have been on his side. Instead you went to your useless party with your friends. Tell me Robert who is more important to you?”

Robert tried his best to break free but to no avail. Daniel was like a born warrior. By killing his abusive father to protect his mother he had nowhere to go. His relatives were hungry for his blood. In order to protect her he found his way to the gang. His devotion and hard work towards the gang made Robert’s father, Andre aware of him. Then he hired him as his personal attendant so that he could suggest him in some matters. But one day Andre got ambushed by his enemies. When there seemed no escape Daniel came as an unbreakable shield and saved him by getting gravely injured. Touched with his act of self-sacrifice he was promoted as the right hand man of the gang at a young age.

“If you admire him that much then why didn’t you accompany him?” replied Robert while struggling.

“You think this is funny, huh.” Daniel tightened his grip so that Robert will have difficulty in breathing. Robert tried even harder to get out of his grip but to no avail.

“If he allowed me then I would have accompanied him but no matter how hard I try I cannot change the fact that you are his son.” After sometime upon sensing that Robert has no plans of giving up Daniel released his grip. Robert quickly gained back his balance, maintained his breath and prepared himself for an upcoming ambush, if there will be any.

“Master and his wife has gone to a meeting regarding the expansion of their business of vineyard. He has told me to inform you to see him at once when he returns. They will most probably return tomorrow.” said Daniel in a commanding tone. After hearing this Robert rushed to his room at once.

Damn it. That day is already here. I totally forgot about it. I already know what will he ask from me.

Robert entered his room. The room didn’t have much stuff in it. It was just a bed, a closet and a computer. Most of the room was empty and Robert spent most of his time in there whenever he was inside his house in order to stay away from people. Whenever there was a guest in the house he was ordered to present himself in the nicest way possible, not as the son of Andre and Luna Verlice but as the future lord of the Scorpion Gang, so that Andre can ensure the guests that financing the gang will be beneficial for them since it will be going into the hands of such a fine young man. Robert had no intention of joining the gang. His goal was to save his mother from this hell hole and provide her with everything for the rest of her life so that she can live happily and peacefully. While growing up Robert has seen the hardships faced by his mother. She was married to Andre without her consent. She couldn’t decline it at that time because her family was in debt to the Scorpion Gang. Due to her position as the wife of the leader her life was constantly in danger. There were several attacks on her in the past which affected her health gravely. Now she remains ill most of the time and no treatment seems to be working on her. Robert took out a small toolkit and an empty frame from underneath his desk. He started framing his degree. After finishing he took a shower and slept. Some hours later he could feel a gentle and warm touch on his forehead. Robert opened his eyes and was surprised to see his mother sitting on his bed holding his framed degree.

“Mom? But Daniel told me that you will return tomorrow.”

“I feigned my illness to meet you.” said Luna excitedly.

“But it must have pissed him off. Did he scold you?” questioned a worried Robert.

“No. What do you think he is? Why will he say anything to me?”

There was a brief pause. Robert was amazed to hear that nothing happened even after his mother made his father leave in middle of a business event.

“Today was your ceremony. Did you pass?” questioned Luna.

“I was the valedictorian mother.”

“You didn’t even pass. What happened? You were such a smart kid. Is there any kind of problem?” asked a shocked Luna.

“Mother, Valedictorian means that I came first in the whole school.” replied Robert calmly.

“Wow, Robert you are so intelligent. This valedictorian thing was not there when I was in school. Do you want something as a gift?”

“No mother. I don’t want anything right now. Can I ask later when something comes in my mind?”

“Of course. By the way, why did you returned home so soon? You should be out enjoying this moment with your friends.”

“We had plans mother. But since the ceremony was so long it drained everyone’s energy. Monica even fell ill and Martha had to carry her to the infirmary.”

“Ah that’s how it is. Poor Monica. Isn’t she the friend you told me that mostly stays ill and due to her you guys always have to cancel your plans. Why don’t she see a doctor?”

“She did mother and the doctor told her to take healthy diet but she just couldn’t resist whenever someone offers her something. Especially James, who just carries the whole store in his backpack.”

“James shouldn’t eat that much junk food. He might fell ill like Monica.”

“I always tell him but he just doesn’t listen.”

“Well it’s alright. You can always go later. Just be sure to enjoy, since this time won’t return.”

As they both were conversing joyfully a sudden knock on the door disturbed their precious moment.

“Master Robert may I come in?” asked a butler.

“Yes.”

“Apologies for disturbing you but your father wishes to see you in his office.”

The moment had come which Robert never wanted to witness.