ANTECEDENT: CHAPTER 22

THE inauguration felt anticlimactic to Midnight. A vow, a number code to access the Orgánosi's bases and a tattoo at the back, below his nape—that was it—and he was immediately sent to Italy for 'first continental training'. Out of concern, Dominick accompanied Midnight to the Orgánosi's private airport.

"We will continue to hide your digital footprint." Dominick informed Midnight before Midnight entered the plane bound for Italy. "But I'm certain your father can find you since you're going to Europe. We will try our best to protect you on our end, but Silvanus thinks that your safety would be more guaranteed if your father doesn't know about the treatment we did. You'll be safer that way."

Silvanus was concerned that if Kelleon found out, he might do something to Midnight again. That would be catastrophic because Midnight's brain couldn't bear another chaos.

Midnight had always been sharp and immediately understood what Dominick meant. "You want me to act like my old self." It was a statement, not a question.

Dominick nodded. "That way, we wouldn't raise your father's suspicion, and he won't do something to you. Just pretend to be obedient for now."

"Pretending? I'm good at that," Midnight said in a nonchalant voice. "I'll take care of myself."

Dominick smiled and raised his hand to pat Midnight's head. "Be careful. Call if you need anything. If you can't contact me, call Klaus. And if you want someone to talk to, Silvanus said he's free anytime. And don't forget the person I recommended if you have free time." Then quickly added when he remembered something. "Also, chat with my princess from time to time, will you? I'm sure she's bored being stuck on the farm every day."

Midnight agreed and then waved his hand as he entered the plane.

After he settled in his seat, he watched Dominick leave from the plane's window.

He actually knew the reason why Dominick asked him to pretend like his old self. It's because Dominick couldn't protect him and fight his father for him. And he would never ask Dominick to do that. That old man already did a lot for him and helping him meant Happy would be dragged into the mess as well. He didn't want that since he knew all Dominick wanted for Happy was peace and good health.

And this was his own battle. Knowing how vile his father was, he would never want to drag anyone into his mess.

When Midnight couldn't see Dominick anymore, he closed his eyes and whispered thank you in his heart. What the old man had done for him was something he would never forget, and he would forever be grateful.

And if he could repay the old man by protecting Happy when needed—that wouldn't be enough for everything Dominick did for him—he would do it in a heartbeat.

Midnight felt the plane move and rose to the sky. He opened his eyes again and looked down to see the city below.

I'll be back. Hopefully, he would be a better and competent continental boss by then.

MIDNIGHT arrived in Rome near dawn. The Orgánosi's people who picked him up in the airport brought him to the Racini's Hotel. In his allotted room, there was a laptop on the corner table with an 'open me' sticky note pasted to it.

With no exhaustion on his face after that over eight hours' flight, he dropped his duffel bag and sat on the chair and opened the laptop.

The laptop only had two documents saved and one video file.

The first document was his schedule for the entire year. He had to memorize it because it'll self-destruct the moment he closed the laptop.

The second document was the kind of training he'll received for the whole year here.

And lastly, the video file was an introduction to the continental boss who would train him—Monti Parisi.

As Midnight read Monti Parisi's information, he recalled what the old man had told him. Monstrous people like him were already a member of the Orgánosi and they were called continental bosses.

Midnight suddenly felt proud that his big brother was one of those people.

Dragging his attention back to Monti Parisi's information, Midnight felt like this person would not be as easy to the defeat as the contenders he fought. He did not even consider it fighting. It was a warm-up at best.

Midnight felt his body tingling in excitement. He seldom met formidable people and gets to fight time head on. Mostly, when the opponent was more powerful than him, his father would tell him to use assassination methods than a face-to-face combat.

After memorizing everything, Midnight closed the laptop. The moment he closed it, he heard a static sound coming from the laptop and then it emitted a small smoke, not enough to trigger the fire detector, but enough to conclude that it had been destroyed.

Not minding the destroyed laptop, he went to the bathroom to take a quick bath and then went to bed.

After only three hours of sleep, Midnight woke up and got ready for the day.

His first schedule for the day was to visit the base and meet Monti Parisi.

Riding the elevator, Midnight pushed the basement button and then use the elevator floor numbers to enter his code. He felt the elevator moved, as if it was switching gears and then it continued going forward, passing the Racini's hotel basement and arriving at the double steel door of the Orgánosi's base.

Midnight went straight to Parisi's office when the steel door opened after punching in his code.

He thought he had to wait for a while because of the time, but Monti Parisi was already there, working with a lot of documents.

"Have a seat. Dammi un secondo."

Monti Parisi said when he was ushered inside by Parisi's assistant.

Midnight nod at the assistant and took a seat, patiently waiting in silence for Parisi to finish his work.

After a short while, Parisi finally raised his head at Midnight and the two's eyes met.

Parisi frowned when he saw Midnight's face, while Midnight accepted Parisi's inquisitive gaze. He did not look away and held Parisi's gaze.

As if confused, Monti Parisi took a folder from his drawer and read it, then he looked at Midnight again before looking at something on the file at hand with a slight frown.

"I'm Midnight Velasquez." Midnight introduced himself, guessing what was going on in Parisi's mind.

Parisi looked at Midnight again, observing him before putting down the folder he was holding on the table. "How are you related to Knight Velasquez?"

"I'm his little brother." Midnight answered without hesitation, as if he had never introduced himself like that all his life. Then he asked tentatively. "This training is confidential, right?"

Monti easily picked up what Midnight meant. "Don't worry. Everything is confidential until you officially joined the continental bosses." Monti explained further when he saw a slight frown on Midnight's eyebrows. "You've been inaugurated as the next continental boss of North America, but you still have to train for three years under three continental bosses before you officially join this overworked team. This time, the organization picked a mentor for you—me. However, the last two mentors will be chosen by you."

Midnight nodded then asked, "the Europe continent has two continental bosses, right? Will you be the only one training me?"

Parisi nodded. "You will probably learn a lot from Racini, but he's not present at the moment. So, it's just me."

Midnight nodded again to indicate that he understands.

Parisi continued explaining to Midnight. "Note that the schedule I've provided for you indicates that your training will primarily take place in the field. You will work with the team I assign you. This training aims to develop your leadership ability. Why do you think that is?"

Midnight reflected on himself. "Because I'm a lone wolf?"

Parisi nodded. "Every person who became continental bosses is a lone wolf. We don't enjoy playing with others, thus being in a team is suffocating. But that's precisely what we need to do, as we'd be managing a large number of people. Even though I despise people who are weak, I am required to work alongside them. In my opinion, this training seems less about leadership and more about tolerating difficult people. It will teach you how to be patient until you lost your mind."

Midnight did not react and just stared at Monti Parisi who seemed to hate his job very much—no, more like hate the people he's working with.

"Anyway," Parisi leaned back in his seat. "Your free this week, so do whatever you want."

Midnight blinked. "But the schedule—"

Parisi waved his hand as if telling him to disregard the schedule. "Forget about it. It's just for documentation purposes. And anyway, I have to find a new team for you. The organization informed me ahead of time about the new continental boss for North America, but that was before you got the position. Meeting you now, I had to form a new team that would work well with you, since the previous team I hastily formed might drive you crazy for having a dull brain."

Midnight could only smile and nod.

It seems that Monti Parisi did not only hate the people he was working with; he was also overworked.

"You can leave now." Said Parisi as he returned his attention to the documents in front of him. "Take advantage of your free time and tour around Italy. You might not have time once we start."

Midnight got up. "I will. Thank you."

"I will give you one week to have fun. Keep your line open just in case there's an emergency."

Midnight was about to leave when a question popped into his mind. He turned back and asked Parisi. "Can I go anywhere in Italy?"

"Yes. Just don't leave the country."

"Thank you."

Midnight left and Monti started at the door, where Midnight exited. He recalled how Midnight thanked him, coupled with his cold eyes and defensive body stance. Monti wryly smiled and muttered under his breath. "He doesn't really feel thankful. What a thick mask he's wearing."

Monti just sighed and went back to work.

As for Midnight, he left the base and went up to his hotel room while booking a train ticket to Venice. With his backpack slung over one shoulder, he departed the hotel, heading directly to the train station.

Using a fake passport and identification card provided by Dominick, Midnight travelled with no worried. He knew that by using this fake identification, Ruthgar would be automatically notified, and his digital footprint would be erased.

Before lunch, Midnight arrived in Venice.

Following the address Dominick gave him, Midnight rode a water taxi to reach his destination immediately—a very fancy waterfront restaurant.

Midnight, with his ragged jeans and simple black t-shirt, spoke to the maître d' and he was guided to the table he reserved while he was on the train.

Amidst the crowd of people flaunting designer labels, Midnight's attire sticks like a sore thumb. Midnight, however, was completely indifferent. He may not be his father's favorite and was starved from time to time, he was still raised like a nobleman. It was standard behavior in the Velasquez home.

Midnight had the gait and demeanor of an aristocrat. He had that air of old money around him.

Accepting the menu from the waiter, Midnight ordered his food and then casually asked. "Do you have a waiter here called L?"

With a smile, the waiter nodded. "Sì"

Midnight smiled back. He made sure he looks as harmless as a rock. "Can you please tell him I want to speak to him?"

"Of course. Just a moment, Sir."

The waiter first posted Midnight's order before finding L.

Midnight did not wait long. A waiter with a stunning face stopped in front of his table and offered his hand with a smile.

"Love."

Midnight blinked at the waiter. He knew that most Italian men were romantic and very expressive of their affection, but to call someone 'love' at the first meeting, Midnight finds it disconcerting.

Seeing his reaction, the waiter chuckled and offered his hand one more time. "My name is Love Zanotti."

Understanding dawned on Midnight. Oh. He accepted the handshake. "I'm Midnight Velasquez."

"I know. Dominick told me you'll come looking for me. I just didn't know it'll be this soon."

Midnight motioned for Love to sit.

Love declined. "I'm still on shift." Love looked at the wall clock and turned to Midnight. "Two hours."

"I can wait."

Love smiled. "Great! I'll be back later."

Love seemed to be a very open and friendly person. Such a sunny person was not Midnight's type of people. However, Dominick recommended him. That means Love must be good at something.

Two hours passed by fast.

When Love returned to Midnight's table, he was not wearing his waiter's uniform anymore.

"Have a seat." Midnight offered again.

This time, Love accepted it.

"Want to order something?" Midnight asked.

"I'm good. I'm a burger kind of guy and they don't offer it here."

Midnight did not want to assume based on stereotypes, but he was curious. "Are you Italian or American?"

Love gave out a short laugh, his blue eyes glistening in amusement. "Born and raised here in Venice, then studied Software Engineering in MIT. That's when I fell in love with burger."

Midnight let out a chuckle. A genuine one. He couldn't help it. He finds Love genuineness and openness refreshing.

And because of that, Midnight loosened up a bit, and he became a little at ease around Love. "When did you come back from MIT?"

"Just a week ago." Love said with a shrugged. "Dominick asked me to go back and wait for you here. He said you'll be needing me anytime soon, so I quit my high-paying job to work for you."

Midnight's lips parted open in shocked. "What?"

Love grinned. "You're my new boss. How should I address you? Boss or you want to be called Sir?"

Midnight was so shocked that it took him a while to process the information Love just fed him.

For Dominick to be able to order Love around, Midnight inquired. "Are you that close to the old man?"

Love blinked. "Old man?"

"Dominick." Midnight corrected himself.

Love laughed a bit. "He knows my dad. So, when dad died when I was in second year of middle school, Dominick financially supported me until I graduated university. I know it would be hard to repay him for everything he had done for me, so I told him that I will do one thing for him—one irrational thing that could possibly ruin my life—and here I am."

Looking at that bright grin, Midnight was impressed that Love could still smile so happily after following an order that might ruin his career and life.

Infected by Love's genuineness, Midnight honestly commented. "I don't know what to call you. Impressive or an idiot."

"Hey!" Love glared at Midnight, but it lacked sharpness. "I feel insulted. You owe me a burger."

Midnight stood up and slung one strap of his backpack over his shoulder. "Come on. I'll buy you all the burgers you want."

Love's expression instantly brightened up. "No take back!"

Love followed Midnight out of the restaurant and into the designated water taxi stand.

"I'm a local. I'll be your guide. We can just walk," Love offered when he catches up to Midnight.

"I don't want to walk," Midnight answered while waving at the incoming water taxi. Before he told the taxi where to go, he turned to Love. "Where is the best tasting burger in Venice?"

Love immediately spoke to the water taxi in lieu of Midnight, telling him where he wanted to eat.

Just as they were about to step into the boat, Midnight heard a someone calling his big brother's name.

"Hey! Velasquez! Knight!"

Out of habit, Midnight raised his head and looked toward the owner of that voice.

His eyes settled on two identical twins covered in tattoo, riding on a small private motorboat, looking at him with familiarity.

Midnight did not know how to respond. Should he pretend or tell the truth?

However, before he could decide, one of the twins—the one who had no tattoo on his face—said, "I don't think that's Knight."

Midnight stilled. What now?

CECELIB | C.C.