Retired S-rank father becomes a teacher

A spatial rift opened in front of the resort entrance, revealing the Vane family and closing a second later. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway and the entrance of the building was adorned with marble statues of Roman gods. A fountain splashed in the middle of the courtyard, the sound of water mixing with the murmur of voices and music coming from inside.

A group of staff approached them, taking their coats and luggage. Silas led his family into the grand lobby, a high ceiling decorated with frescos of angels.

The other guests took notice of them, their whispers hushed as they turned to watch the beautiful women on the S-rank hunter’s arms.

Victoria clung to her father’s arm, her heart beating fast. This was her first time with her father like this, in public after the incident at her room.

“Welcome Mr. Vane and Mrs. Vane, we have your reservation in the Eden Belear.” A manager spoke, his suit crisp. Sweat was running down his face even though the air conditioning was on. Naturally he’s spoken to the richest and most powerful individuals in the world but never to someone that literally held the power to destroy the planet in his hands. “Please follow me.” He added in a shaky voice, gesturing to an elevator.

Silas nodded, not paying much attention to the manager, more concerned with keeping wandering eyes off of his treasures; a few spatial distortions appeared near the leering men, making them suddenly busy with their phones as they tried to act normal.

The elevator was spacious, with soft music playing and glass walls that offered a view of the island.

As they rose up, the manager tried to make some small talk.

“I hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Vane. The island has many attractions for the family. We have a private beach, a spa, golf courses—” he babbled on but was cut off by Elizabeth.

The emerald-eyed woman smiled warmly. “That sounds lovely, we will definitely try them out.”

Kathy rolled her eyes and Victoria looked at her mom, wondering why she was being nice to this man that looked like he was going to shit his pants.

The doors of the elevator opened, leading them into a hallway with a door at the end that was engraved with gold letters: ‘Eden Belear’.

Silas had booked the biggest and most expensive private lounge for this special occasion.

A waiter opened the door for them, and they walked into a lavish lounge. A little girl was tapping on the aquarium that stretched the entire back wall of the room, her pink dress flaring as she turned. In the minddle of the room, people sat at the circular table, a warm atmosphere surrounding them.

The manager stopped at the entrance and left them, his job done. As the Vane family walked in, the conversations stopped and eyes turned to them.

A man stood up. His white hair and gentle face belonged only to Uncle John.

“Finally, the guest of honor has arrived. Come, come,” Uncle John gestured to Victoria, a proud smile on his face.

She released her grip on her dad’s arm and went to stand next to her great uncle.

“Congratulations on your D-rank my dear,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you, grunkle John,” Victoria smiled back.

The family went to hug and kiss each other, the tension of the day fading away. It had been months since the whole Vane family was under one roof, too long.

Before sitting down, Silas gestured to his uncle to talk for a bit. They walked to a quieter corner. A glass of wine in hand and the music was loud enough to prevent anyone from hearing them.

Staring at his glass, Silas had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Uncle John was his mother’s brother and Uncle John knew what happened between his father and mother. There was this rift between Silas and his uncle ever since he was a kid; they never spoke about the past. It was why he wasn’t there at Hawaii to celebrate the fourth sunday of September. It would just be painful for both of them.

John looked at his nephew, a somber expression on his face. He was about to ask how he was doing when Silas spoke first.

“I’ve let them go.”

Leaning against the aquarium, the fishes swimming obliviously, John took a sip of his wine. His hand tightened around the glass, his knuckles white.

“About time,” he mumbled.

A nod from Silas. They fell into silence again, watching their family chat and laugh, happy. A soft smile crept onto John’s lips.

“I respect you, you know? What you did for the world, for your family. Even in all that darkness and cruelty you still managed to become a good person, better than your role models. I couldn’t have done that,” he admitted.

A good person. That word was still strange to hear.

“I would’ve killed them if it were me,” John added. There was no regret in his tone, it was just a fact. “But you... you stood by justice even with all this power. That’s something special.”

Silas finished half of his glass, the taste of alcohol lingering on his tongue. His uncle didn’t know the whole story.

“I suppose so,” he said.

It was enough, John had heard what he needed. The weight he carried had finally been lifted.

Putting the glass down he gave Silas a firm pat on the back and walked back to his sister, his steps lighter. Silas was left alone with the fishes.

A little girl appeared beside him. No older than nine, in a frilly pink dress, her eyes the same violet as his own. She tried to sneakily touch his watch, her hand ever so slowly reaching for it.

A wide grin formed on his face.

“Aurie... what are you doing, you little troublemaker?” His hand ruffled her hair as she squealed, trying to run but he caught her in a hug and lifted her off the ground.

Her giggles filled the air.

“Uncle Si! Put me down~ I’m too big for this,” she protested, her little feet kicking in the air.

He laughed, the sound genuine as it echoed through the lounge. This chaotic bundle of energy was his cousin and the woman with similar black hair that was walking up to him, shaking her head, was her mother.

“Aurie do you like pestering your uncle so much?” she asked, her voice filled with amusement.

Aurora pouted. “No mommy! I was just... curious about his watch.”

Silas set her down, her little feet back on the floor. The mother ruffled her daughter’s hair just like he had. Before she could say something to scold Aurora, the child ran away, back to the aquarium.

Sighing, her mother faced Silas, her expression soft.

“Long time no see, cuz,” she said, opening her arms for a hug.

He gladly accepted it, wrapping his arms around her petite frame.

“A few months, Julia,” he replied.

They pulled apart.

“You look horrible as always, when are you going to start taking care of your skin? I bet Liz isn’t letting you sleep at night again is she?” Julia teased.

A snort came out of him.

“At least I’m all natural. You on the other hand...” He pinched her cheeks between his fingers, “Are getting botox?”

She swatted his hands away, her cheeks pink.

“Hey! That’s a serious accusation. I’m still young and beautiful thank you very much. Just look at Aurora she is my spitting image,” she said proudly.

True. Aurora was her mini me and if you gave her a few years they’d be the exact same; Silas could already see her bossing people around, a future queen in the making.

“I don’t see her father anywhere,” he noted, his eyes looking around the room.

Julia’s smile faltered, replaced by a small sad frown.

“Oh you know... he’s busy with work,” she explained vaguely.

That was enough for him. His cousin wasn’t happy and the bastard of a husband was probably cheating on her.

“Castration? Dismemberment? Or disembowlment?” he listed each on his finger.

A laugh escaped Julia at his murderous joke. “Tempting, but not necessary. It was a mutual thing.”

A skeptical look was on his face. Mutual divorce? But most important right now was Aurora, the little girl didn’t seem upset. That was good.

“Do you have full custody?” Silas asked. That child was a ray of sunshine, he’d not let her be with some other person.

She shook her head. “It’s still being discussed... you know how lawyers are, dragging it out for the money. It’s a big hassle but he wants to spend time with her.”

He clenched his fists. Julia had a soft spot for that asshole and it irritated him; she even gave him half of her assets before the marriage even started. She was too trusting.

“I’m going to say this again, Julia, but you are too naive,” he sighed, “Let me handle it.”

Before she could protest, her daughter was back, tugging on her dress.

“Mommy, I wanna dance.”

Grabbing her daughters hand, Julia gave Silas a wryly smiled. “Thanks, cuz but I can manage.”

Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked away to the other side of the lounge where the music was louder. A headache formed on his temple. His cousin was too sweet.

He returned to the dining table, taking his seat next to Elizabeth. She placed a hand on his knee. A silent comfort. The waiter came with the menus and wine. After a short conversation, they decided to order first and have dinner at their table. This way they could celebrate the rank up with a cake that Victoria didn’t know about—it was her favorite: red velvet cake.

The night continued, the food was served and drinks kept flowing, stories from the past were exchanged and the family bonded.

Finally the cake came and everyone sang a loud and slightly off-key rendition of happy birthday, or well a rank up song. Before Victoria blew the candle, she looked at her dad who was smiling at her. He stood up and raised his glass.

Everyone expected a speech. Even his daughters.

But Silas had no speech, he hated those things.

“Cheers for my little girl. To many more rank ups!” he said simply and took a sip of his wine. The family erupted in cheers and applause, clinking their glasses together.

Victoria laughed. How silly of her father, but she liked it.

They cut the cake and ate it, savoring the sweetness and the joy. When it was over the family returned their own room, that was arranged by Silas, who wanted all of his family to stay in one country, one resort for the weekend at least.

His daughters got their own suite and him and Liz got the honeymoon one. But before he entered his room he decided to do a detour.