A Story About Scandals, Murders and a Big Liar
Chapter 1
The sky was a murky gray as Paul walked along the Manila Baywalk, watching as passersby leisurely enjoyed the seaside view. But his mood was far from carefree. “If they knew that the country’s president was in cahoots with foreign governments, nearly emptying the national treasury, would they still be happily taking selfies and enjoying the sunset?” he wondered, his suspicions eating away at him.
Paul was determined to expose the truth. With too many impoverished people in this country, he couldn’t stand by as President Romulus, who had promised to eliminate poverty during his campaign just two years ago, and his wealthy cronies grew richer while the people continued to suffer.
Paul was a journalist, a graduate of a prestigious university, and a rising star at the newspaper where he worked. Other than his curly hair, he bore a striking resemblance to Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent. His colleagues would often joke and call him “Clark.”
His supervisors appreciated Paul’s determination to uncover the truth and admired his courage in standing up against the powerful. Soon, he was promoted from the social affairs department to become the newspaper’s most important investigative reporter.
Paul was an illegitimate child, raised by his grandmother and aunt after his mother died in childbirth. He had always been curious about his father’s identity, but his grandmother had always been evasive. At first, she gave him different answers: “He was no good,” “He was a powerful man,” “He was a politician.” But when Paul pressed for more details, all she would say was, “He’s dead!” His aunt was no more forthcoming, telling him, “You’re better off not knowing. Just don’t ask.”
Despite the financial struggles of his upbringing, Paul was determined to succeed. He fought hard for scholarships to get through college. As a child from a poor family, he had seen firsthand how “corruption was everywhere,” like when the government gave out subsidies to help the needy, only to see the money pass through multiple layers of bureaucracy, with his family receiving only half of what they were entitled to. So he detested corruption and cheating, thinking that “if not for those corrupt officials, our lives would be so much better!”
Chapter 2
President Romulus had just passed the halfway mark of his term, but he was already suspected of being involved in multiple cases of corruption and bribery. He used his power and influence to suppress the voices of the opposition and the media.
Those who opposed him either died under mysterious circumstances or were falsely accused and imprisoned. Every journalist who accused him was charged with violating the “National Security Law.” Some lucky ones lost their jobs, while unlucky ones lost their lives. News organizations that opposed Romulus were forced to shut down one by one. One editor even lost an arm after being assassinated the day after he resigned, but fortunately, he survived.
The investigation of Paul was the most serious of all corruption cases. It was rumored that Romulus had partnered with a multinational corporation to import crude oil at low prices and then sell it to local dealers in the Philippines at higher prices, receiving huge kickbacks. This transaction not only harmed the country’s interests and sovereignty but also caused the already impoverished people to suffer from skyrocketing oil prices.
Several journalists who had investigated the case before Paul backed down due to threats from the Presidential Palace. But Paul was not afraid, he felt that he was born to do this job. He found many secret agreements and evidence between Romulus and the multinational corporation.
Chapter 3
Paul’s childhood friend Mark, who worked at the Presidential Palace, helped him find some crucial documents. On that evening Paul was buried in studying them at home, intending to confront President Romulus face to face during the presidential press conference in two days.
“Ding Dong!” Someone rang the doorbell, and it turned out to be Mark.“Have you eaten? I still have a few pieces of pizza.” Paul greeted his friend.
Mark, a stout figure who ran all the way from the parking lot, was standing at the door, panting and holding a large, old yellowed envelope. “This is even more important than what I gave you this morning! You…look at it right away!”
“The most important information is already in my hands. What could be more important than that?” Paul was skeptical as he took the envelope.
After catching his breath, Mark went to the fridge and grabbed a can of beer. After taking a few sips, he said, “I found this at the bottom of the filing cabinet, and it’s about you!”
Paul emptied the contents of the envelope and spread them out on the coffee table. There were several photos of a young man and woman, a newly-born baby picture, and a birth certificate with Paul’s name on it. The surname was his mother’s, and the father’s name was Romulus, the current president. The young man and woman in the photos were Romulus and Paul’s mother.
“It’s impossible! My grandmother said my father had died a long time ago!” Paul was unwilling to believe it. “My birth certificate only has my mother’s name on it.”
“Your grandmother gave you many different answers before, and your aunt never said that your father had died, right?” Mark reminded him.
Afraid of the news leaking out, Paul let Mark take the envelope back so that everything could return to its original place.
Paul was still skeptical, but he decided not to let this unexpected event affect his original plan. The reason was simple: if Romulus really was his father, being the son of this filthy evil man would only make him feel ashamed; if it was false news, it was just going back to the original situation of “father unknown.” So, he decided to treat Mark’s message as entertainment gossip — in one ear and out the other.
Chapter 4
Paul spent the whole day in seclusion at home. “Tomorrow is the press conference, I need to prepare my questions well.” He muttered to himself while studying the materials.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. “What, coming for free beer again?” Paul thought to himself as he opened the door, knowing that besides Mark, no one else would come to visit at 9 pm.
A familiar face, whose photo Paul had seen countless times, appeared in front of him. The same height, the same curly hair. “Mr. President!?” Paul couldn’t believe it. The corrupt official he was going to question tomorrow had the audacity to show up in front of him.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Romulus walked in without waiting for Paul’s answer and sat on the two-seater sofa facing the TV. Three secret service agents stood behind him.
“You guys go outside and guard the apartment’s door. Don’t let anyone in.”
“Have you read the information Mark gave you, son?” Romulus spoke after the agents left. “I knew Mark was your informant, so I put the fake evidence in the cabinet for him to give to you. How about it? You enjoyed reading those financial statements, didn’t you?”
“You mean those data are all fake? It’s impossible. They even have a stamped seal!”
“So what if they have a stamped seal? With today’s forgery technology, I can create 10, 100 sets of data, each one looks exactly like the real thing. If you try to expose me, I can accuse you of forging documents.” Romulus looked calm and composed.
“What do you want?” Paul was very grateful that he had turned on the recording function on his phone as soon as Romulus walked in.
“It’s simple. As long as you don’t cause me trouble at the press conference tomorrow and never investigate this case again, I guarantee that you will be successful from now on. All the top bosses of the Philippine newspapers are my good friends. With just one phone call from me, you will have no obstacles in the news industry. Moreover, in the future, I can give you exclusive news from the Presidential Palace.” Romulus offered a tempting deal.
“Why should I trust you?” Paul had many doubts in his mind. Romulus’s exchange conditions seemed too generous just to cover up his scandal.
“Because there is one real piece of information in those fake materials that Mark gave you.” Romulus put down his crossed legs and looked straight into Paul’s eyes. “I am your father!”
During the moment when Paul and Romulus looked at each other, Paul had a strange feeling as if he was receiving sincere care from his father.
“Why did you abandon me when Mom died 30 years ago?”
Romulus explained that when Paul’s mother was pregnant, he was already engaged to a senator’s daughter. Although he truly loved Paul’s mother, at the time he was just a city councilor and had to abandon Paul for the sake of his political future, not to mention his father-in-law and wife would not accept him having an illegitimate child.
“Now you have no burden, do you? You are the President. What benefit is there for you to acknowledge me as your illegitimate child?” Paul thought that Corruption and selfishness were intertwined in their shared character traits.
“My father-in-law and wife have passed away. I only have two daughters, Paul. You are my only son, my only bloodline.” Paul seemed to see a hint of loneliness in Romulus’ eyes.
“I know I made a mistake back then. Please let me make it up to you for the rest of my life, okay?”
“It’s late into the night. You should leave,” Paul gave no promises to Romulus.
That night, Paul tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep. He felt that he was just a part of Romulus’ political calculation — 30 years ago, Romulus abandoned his son for his political future, and 30 years later, he wanted his son to acknowledge him for his political future again — and he felt a surge of anger and resentment.
Chapter 5
The next day at a press conference, Paul exposed Romulus’s collusion with multinational corporations, how he used his power to suppress opposition and media, and played the recorded conversation that Romulus had with him at his home the day before. He accused Romulus of being a corrupt and tyrannical dictator, a traitor who had betrayed the country and its people.
Romulus was shaking with anger as he heard these words, and immediately refuted them, swearing that there was no such thing. He claimed that Paul’s pieces of evidence were all fake, and that the recording had been manipulated using the latest Deep Fake technology.
He couldn’t believe that his own flesh and blood would be so unfilial and would have no consideration for the bond of blood between them.“You ungrateful child!” Romulus exclaimed as soon as the press conference was over, calling Paul on the phone. “What do you want to do? Do you know what you’re doing? Do you know who you’re challenging?”
“I just want to pursue justice!” Paul replied. “I know what I’m doing! I’m challenging you!”
“Justice? Do you even know what justice is?” Romulus retorted. “Do you think you’re the embodiment of justice? Do you think you’re the spokesperson for the people?”
“I’m not the embodiment of justice, but I pursue it! I’m not the spokesperson for the people, but I listen to them!” Paul said. “I only know that it’s wrong to fight for personal gain at the expense of the people! You’ve never experienced hardship, have you? Do you know what it’s like to grow up on a meager allowance, and to have to count every penny? If you had, you wouldn’t engage in corruption and fraud!”
“Hmph! You’ll regret your decision. We’ll see!” Romulus hung up the phone in a fit of rage.
Chapter 6
Paul suddenly remembered that Mark had not contacted him since Romus came to see him. When Paul tried to call him, no one answered. Paul felt uneasy, so he decided to go look for him himself.
The taxi arrived at the destination, and Paul got out of the car and rang the doorbell. No one answered.
Paul rang the doorbell a few more times, but still no response.
Paul tried to push open the door, but it was already locked.
He took out the spare key that Mark had left for him from his pocket and opened the door.
The room was in a mess. Various documents and photos were scattered on the table. The walls were covered with maps and newspaper clippings.
A body was lying on the bed, and it was Mark.
Paul was so sad that he didn’t know what to do. “Mark, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Tears fell on the curled palm on Mark’s chest.
When Paul tried to wipe away his tears, he found that Mark was holding a folded piece of paper with the following message:
“Dear Paul,
Romulus discovered our plan to expose his corruption." He said he could let me go, but he threatened my family and demanded that I become his informant and lure you to the place he arranged, and then arrest you.
I don’t want to sacrifice my family, and I don’t want to sacrifice you, so I chose to sacrifice myself.
Your life is in danger, please run! Run as far as possible!
Mark”
Chapter 7
Paul knew he had gotten himself into trouble. He told his grandmother and aunt that he was going to Japan for two weeks on business, and left with a simple set of toiletries. He got a short haircut, put on contact lenses, kept a few days of stubble, and then found a way to obtain a fake passport.
He successfully boarded the plane from Manila to Bangkok, and then to Chiang Mai, which took three hours by a domestic flight. When the plane landed, Paul felt like all of his nightmares were over.
He got off the plane, happily pulling his suitcase toward the tarmac.
Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name from behind. “Paul! Paul!” He turned around and saw a man in a black suit holding a brown folder. “Who are you?” Paul asked.
“I’m a big fan of yours. I admire your report about President Romulus. I’ve prepared some new information that may be helpful to you,” the man said.
“Thank you,” Paul said, taking the folder without thinking much about it.
The man took the opportunity to get closer to him and whispered in his ear, “Actually, I was commissioned to give you a send-off.”
Paul felt something was wrong and looked up at the man’s face. His eyes were cold, and his mouth had a cruel smile. “Who sent you? Romulus?”
“You’re not dumb! You’ll know the truth when you see the Lord of Death!” The man suddenly pulled out a gun from his pocket and aimed it at Paul’s chest.
Bang!
The bullet flew out and left a spark in the air. It missed the target because Paul instinctively picked up his bullet-proofed suitcase and dodged to the side. The bullet only grazed his shoulder, leaving a hole in his suitcase.
The surrounding passengers screamed in terror and scattered in all directions. Paul took advantage of the chaos and ran toward the nearest exit, knocking over several people and items on the way. He felt the warmth of blood on his shoulder but didn’t have time to care. He just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
The killer chased after him, weaving through the crowd.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three gunshots, Paul was lucky to have dodged all three bullets, but the killer had caught up to him and was only two meters away. The man’s gun was out of bullets, but he still held onto it like a knife.
Ahead was a dead end, and Paul knew he couldn’t run away anymore. He could only use his suitcase as a shield and charge at the killer with all his strength.
The killer, seeing the situation, also raised his gun, ready to face Paul’s attack. The luggage and the gun collided with each other, making a loud noise and scattering items everywhere. The powerful impact caused both Paul and the killer to stagger back a few steps and struggle to catch their breaths as they fell to the ground.
Paul tried to get up and escape again. Suddenly, he heard the sound of police sirens.
It turned out that someone had already called the police during their fight, and soon the scene was surrounded by officers.
“Don’t move! Raise your hands!” shouted a police officer loudly. Paul and the killer had no strength to resist and obediently raised their hands, waiting for the police to come and arrest them.
Chapter 8
Paul finally succeeded in exposing Romulus’ scandal and became a hero in the Philippines. President Romulus was forced to step down and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The country also fell into chaos and turmoil.
For Paul, the event was a nightmare. He lost his best friend Mark; he found his father, only to lose him again. The father was a selfish and ruthless man who would do anything to achieve his goals. “My own father even wanted to kill me!?” This thought tortured him from time to time.
Paul felt immense pain and sadness, not knowing what to do with himself. He decided to write a book documenting all the details of the event and his feelings. “Blood and Fear: A Story of Scandals, Murders, and a Big Liar” became a bestseller and made Paul a famous writer.
However, there was always an unfillable void in his heart, and he often yearned to go back in time to when he was still ‘Father Unknown,’ wishing he had never discovered the identity of his father.
The End.
