Kai

Arnold took me to the highest floor, led me down a long hall and finally, we reached a door. I had only been to this floor once before, when I sneaked out to see my mom and I must admit, it was really like a maze. It was also the fourth floor, so it was too high to jump off and escape. My childhood room was on the third floor.

There were two people outside the door. Probably security by the looks of them.

"These two will always be here for security. Paul will be right outside your door for anything you need" He gestured towards one of the bodyguards, "And John will be patrolling the hall in case something happens"

I didn't bother to greet the guards. If I was planning to "be on my father's side", I would also have to act like him. At least, in front of his people and Arnold looked like his loyal dog.

The guards stepped aside for us to go in. The room was surprisingly very nice. It looked nothing like my old room. It had freshly painted light brown walls instead of that sickly white. It had a huge bed, an actual closet and some other furniture, instead of being empty.

And it had a window instead of being closed off and suffocating. 

"This is your room. I hope you like it" Arnold smiled. His smile wasn't friendly or welcoming. He smiled a lot, but it seemed dishonest. 

"Any questions, sir?" He asked.

"Yes. Who else lives on this floor"

"Well, right now, nobody"

I was confused at his answer. I was prepared to hear that my mother also lived here.

Could this mean she's dead? Or she's escaped? Maybe they're divorced?

"Then what about my father's wife?"

I deliberately didn't call her mother so that they wouldn't get the wrong idea that Icared about her.

"Oh, she lives on the third floor"

What? Why would he put her there? That floor was empty, but so suffocating. They had a bad relationship, but still, I didn't think he would imprison her like this.

"I see. When do my classes start?"

"Tomorrow. You can take a shower and rest now. It's late"

"There is a bathroom here?"

"Yes, it's right there" He pointed to the door next to the bed.

This room was really nice and comfortable, but I knew that it was like that, only to mislead me so that I wouldn't notice how bad this place really was. As if I didn't already know that.

"You can leave now" I told him.

He nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.

The shower had everything I could need, so I was glad I didn't have to go down and ask for anything. The shampoo and shower gel were for men, so they smelled more manly. It made me miss Hanon's light and sweet scent. I liked smelling it on my body and having the same scent as her.

Back then, that was the only way I could feel her close. I wasn't allowed any other way yet.

I sat on the bed with my bath robe on and took out the container with her lotion. Breathing it in was like breathing for the first time after almost suffocating. I was glad I at least had this.

I put pyjamas on. There were clothes and pyjamas in the closet in various sizes. Of course they didn't know my size, so they bought different ones.

I must admit it looks like he is really trying hard to make me feel at home.

But I know better.

________

"Good morning, my son" Father greeted me when I came down in the dining area that morning. I was wearing these weird tight clothes he bought me. They were business clothes and I was not used to wearing that.

I looked at the huge table and heard a gasp.

There was a woman next to my father. That woman had dark brown hair, blue eyes, and she was pale and skinny.

I sat down across from them. The woman kept staring at me with a shocked look on her face.

I knew who that woman was, but just like she did years ago, I ignored her. Even if I wanted to greet her, my father would be livid if I did.

She went to speak, but my father shushed her, "Don't say a word"   he said under his breath.

It was a very disturbing scene.

Then he turned to me, with a smile, "Did you like your room? Was it comfortable?"

"Yes" I gave him a simple answer. I didn't want to sound too excited.

"Of course you would. You got used to living in that small dumpster all these years. You must be thrilled to have this room all to yourself now"

I held back my laugh. This person really thought a big and fancy room would have me "thrilled"

I could live in the streets if that meant I would be next to Hanon, but I didn't want Hanon to live like this.

"It was okay"

He didn't seem satisfied with my answer, but he let it go and continued eating breakfast.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes"

"Very well. Today, you will start your classes. You will start right after we finish breakfast"

I nodded. I was excited for that part, at least. I wanted to learn as fast as possible so that I could carry on with my plan as fast as possible.

"I also have a gift for you" He took out a box and slid it over to me. I caught it and looked at it.

It was a cellphone.

I knew what it was because Hanon had one of these, but it was small. She called me with that whenever I was home. She also wanted to get me one, but I told her there was no need since I didn't want her spending that much money on me.

"Open it. It's yours"

I opened the box. This cellphone was much bigger than Hanon's. It looked very high tech and was very sleek.

"Do you know what this is?" He asked.

"Yes. It's a cellphone"

He smiled, "Exactly. Do you know how to use one?"

I nodded. I knew only a little because Hanon showed me, but I would figure it out.

"Great! I give this to you, but I do have one request"

I knew where this was going.

"I will check your phone when I think something is suspicious. I don't want you getting carried away and using it for something that you shouldn't do"

"You don't trust me. I see"

"Of course I don't. Would you?"

"You're right. I wouldn't"

And I don't. 

He nodded with a smile. "I'm glad we agree. Now let's eat so you can start your class"

Mother stared at me very intensely as I ate. She hadn't even touched her food. She just kept staring at me, and I tried my best to ignore her.

"Eat your food" I heard my dad murmur, "And stop staring" He whispered, but I heard him.

She started picking at her food a few seconds later. She wasn't really eating anything, just picking at her food.

I felt pity for her, just like I felt pity when I saw strangers on the street, struggling. To me, she was just a stranger, but it seemed it was different for her.

_______

"You're much smarter than I thought, Mr Kai. Your father told me you never finished school, so I thought I'd be dealing with a much harder case" The teacher beamed.

He seemed like a nice old man. Too bad he was working for my father.

Of course, I knew a lot of the things he taught me because Hanon also taught me back when she was in high school.

"Thank you"

This man taught me math and economics. I was a bit bothered at first because he treated me like I was a five year old, but it seemed this issue was solved.

I heard someone clear their throat behind me and turned to see father standing behind us.

"You must be tired after so many hours of classes. You can go rest now"

I nodded, not saying anything, and left for my room. I could tell he was expecting me to say or do something by the way he watched as I left. I could also tell he was going to have a talk with my professor.

But that was none of my business. I wanted to have as little contact with him as possible.

I went up the stairs. Passing by the third floor, I felt an ominous feeling. I couldn't help but look at the corridor in front of me. I felt compelled to walk further.

This floor might just be the only thing awfully familiar. The only thing in this house that I know, like the back of my hand.

I walked down the corridor. My feet moved without my will, and not long after, I was standing behind an old door.

This door. My room.

As soon as I realized I wanted to get out immediately. I felt like I had walked into a trap and every exit would close any second now, trapping me in here for good. 

I started walking faster to reach the stair. The more time passed, the more panicked I became. I finally let out a sigh of relief when my foot touched the stairs.

I was going to go upstairs, but someone stopped me.

"Kai" I heard a feminine voice behind me.

I didn't need to turn around to know that voice. That voice was so strict and cold in my memories, yet it sounded so different now.

I ignored her and went back up, before she touched my shoulder and stopped me again.

"Kai" She called again.

I rolled my eyes.

"Please. Just let me see your face for a bit"

So pathetic. After all these years, you decide to act like a mother.

I turned around to glare at her, "Who are you to demand to see my face?"

"You don't remember me?"

She sounded and looked hurt. It was the most emotional I'd ever seen her other than being angry. It still wasn't enough for a mother who hasn't seen her son in ten years.

"I do. You were quite traumatizing"

"I'm so-"

"Ah, ah. I need rest. No time for this" I stopped her and turned to go back up the stairs.

"I'm sorry, Kai"

Her apology didn't really make me feel anything. I simply ignored it and went on my way.

Honestly, I didn't even care to hear her apology. I wasn't holding a grudge, I just wanted to be ignored. Couldn't my parents ignore my existence like they did so perfectly when I was a child? 

I had a more important person to care about. Of course, that was Hanon.

Paul, the bodyguard, was outside my door as usual. He looked nervous whenever I approached, and it got me thinking. He was middle aged, so it couldn't have been lack of experience, right? So was he scared of me? Did my father spread any lies about me?

I had to know because this could mean he knew about my motives.

"Paul"

"Y-yes?" He stuttered, then cleared his thoat and repeated, nore calmly.

"How long have you been working here?" I asked.

"Just a couple months, sir"

Ah.

"And have you worked as a bodyguard before?"

He paused for a second, then confidently replied, "Of course. Mr Huxley doesn't just hire whoever"

You'd be surprised. 

"How long have you been a bodyguard?"

"Thirteen years, sir"

If he's telling the truth, it's definitely not lack of experience. 

I'll have to check his files before I do anything or trust him even a little.

But I don't have the authority to do this yet.

This plan must move a bit faster.

I gave him a cold smile, "I'm sorry for all the interrogation. You must have felt uncomfortable"

"Don't worry, sir" He nodded.

"There's no need to call me sir, you know. You could be my father" I chuckled.

Paul cleared his throat and looked down, "Thank you, but it's fine"

"Very well. I'll be inside"

I went inside the room and closed the door. It was only then that I could exist and breathe comfortably, but even then, this felt nothing like home. It felt more like a hotel.

I took the cellphone out of my pocket and started trying to learn how to use it.

I stared at the screen for a long time when I saw the dial screen.

I knew Hanon's number by
heart in case I ever needed to call her from home.

I was so tempted to call her.

But

"I will check your phone when I think something is suspicious. I don't want you getting carried away and using it for something that you shouldn't do"

I didn't want to risk it. Not when it came to her. Never when it came to her.