Under His Shadow - Chapter 1 - School (Rael's POV)

At the mansion of the Dela Cruz family, I heard my mom and dad fighting over where I should study. Their voices echoed through the halls, mixing with the tension in the air. My mother, always so poised and confident, argued that I should attend the prestigious university, where I could learn new things and be the person who had freedom in every aspect of life. She painted a picture of endless possibilities, of breaking free from expectations and exploring the world on my terms.

Meanwhile, my dad’s voice, deep and commanding, argued for a different future. He wanted me to study at the Mafia School, a place where I’d learn everything about his world—loyalty, power, strategy, and the harsh truths that came with being part of the Dela Cruz legacy. To him, it wasn’t just education; it was a rite of passage, a way to prepare me for the responsibilities that came with being his son.

Don Ricardo Dela Cruz (Rael’s Father)

You don’t understand, Hon!

Don Ricardo Dela Cruz (Rael’s Father)

This isn’t just about education; it’s about survival. The world I’m preparing him for isn’t like the one you’re imagining.

Don Ricardo Dela Cruz (Rael’s Father)

This is the Dela Cruz legacy—there’s no room for weakness or hesitation.

Don Ricardo Dela Cruz (Rael’s Father)

He needs to understand how to hold power, how to protect the family, how to make decisions that carry weight. This isn’t a decision about grades or titles. It’s about shaping him into someone who can lead our world.

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

And what world would that be, Ricardo?

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

A world where he is groomed to be ruthless, where loyalty means betraying everything that makes him human?

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

I want him to have a life of choices, a life where he can be more than just a pawn in a game of power.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*sat quietly in the next room*

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*glanced out the window*

The decision ahead of me wasn’t just about school; it was about my future, my identity, and the life I would have to lead under the shadow of two very different worlds.

In the end, I was going to the normal school. My mother had won this round against my father. Despite his firm beliefs and his relentless insistence, he respected her enough to step back—for now.

I could tell it wasn’t surrender. It was patience. A quiet warning that this decision wasn’t permanent, just postponed. But for the moment, my path was set.

The car ride to my new school was silent.

Elana sat beside me in the back seat, her gaze fixed out the opposite window. She looked calm—serene even—but I could feel the storm still swirling beneath her composed expression. That was how my mother operated: elegance masking fire.

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

You’ll do well here, Rael. This is a chance to build a life on your own terms.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*nodded*

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*hands fidgeted with the hem of my uniform blazer*

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

Your father’s letting this go for now

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

But you know how he is. He’s waiting. Watching. Hoping you’ll change your mind on your own.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*look at her*

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

And what if I don’t?

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

Then you’ll have to be stronger than both of us

That was the thing about my mother. She never sugarcoated the truth. Not when I was little, not now. I respected that—even if it made everything feel heavier.

The gates of Crestmont Academy came into view. Tall, sleek, modern. Nothing like the fortified buildings of my father’s world. As the car slowed to a stop, I took a deep breath.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*stepped out of the car, slinging my bag over my shoulder*

The sun hit my face as I stepped onto the school grounds, and for a moment, everything felt…ordinary.

Students milled about in crisp uniforms, laughing, talking, some rushing to their next classes. No one looked at me twice. No one whispered my name with fear or curiosity. I wasn’t Rael Dela Cruz, the heir to a powerful underground legacy—I was just Rael.

My mother accompanied me to the administration room, walking beside me with her usual grace. Her heels clicked softly against the tiled floor, and the staff greeted her with polite smiles, likely mistaking her for some elegant businesswoman, not the wife of one of the most feared men in the country.

Inside, the room smelled faintly of coffee and paper.

A woman behind the desk gave us a warm smile as we approached.

…

Good morning. You must be Rael

…

We’ve been expecting you.

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

*nodded graciously.* Thank you for taking care of him.

…

I’m sure he’ll settle in just fine *handing me a packet*

…

Here’s your class schedule, map, and student ID. You’re in Section 2-A. Your homeroom teacher is Mr. Navarro.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

*took the folder with a small nod* Thanks

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

*touched my shoulder lightly* I’ll be going now

Elana Dela Cruz (Rael’s Mother)

You know where to find me if you need anything.

I looked up at her, and for the first time that morning, I saw something flicker in her eyes—pride, mixed with worry. She wasn’t just sending me to school; she was letting go of control, even if just a little.

Raizo “Rael” Dela Cruz (Kid)

I’ll be okay, Mom.

She gave me a faint smile, kissed my cheek, and walked out of the room without looking back.

Clutching the schedule in one hand and my bag in the other, I stepped out of the administration room and into the hallway.

The hum of conversations, squeaky shoes on polished floors, and the occasional classroom bell filled the air.

It was loud, but in a comforting way—normal, chaotic, alive.

When I entered the classroom, a few heads turned, but no one stared too long.

I could blend in here, I realized.

No tailored suits, no men in black trailing behind me.