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CHAPTER 3

"GOOD THING it was not a fatal gunshot wound," wika ni Cloud habang nilalagyan ng gauze ang sugat ni Night sa gilid ng dibdib. Napatigil na nito ang pagdurugo niyon at nalinis na rin. "He just lost too much blood and passed out, that's all."

"And this will do, right?" Knight looked at the blood bag hanging on the IV stand.

It was easy for Cloud to acquire Blood from the Organósi HQ and because Cloud has a medical experience, everything went smoothly after that.

Huminga siya ng malalim saka binalingan ang kapatid.

Midnight was lying on the bed, unconscious, while he's sitting beside him, and leaning on the headboard, combing his brother's hair.

Ibinalik niya ang blangkong tingin sa kisame ng kuwarto habang sinusuklay pa rin ang buhok ng kapatid.

Seconds later, Knight spoke. "I wonder why he's here."

"According to my source, he got wounded after he stole something from a Triad's sub HQ here in the Country."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "This is my territory, Cloud. Kung mayroon mang gagalaw sa Triad dito sa Asya, ako 'yon. Why is he in my territory?"

"Must be your father's order." Wika ni Cloud na kumuha sa atensiyon niya habang inaayos ang pagkakakumot sa katawan ng kapatid niya. "He's wounded and came to you. Mukhang may tiwala pa rin siyang natitira para sa 'yo."

Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa kapatid. "More like no choice, I guess."

"Bakit hindi mo siya tanungin para makasiguro ka?" Suhestiyon ni Cloud.

Nanatiling walang emosyon ang mukha niya. "I'm tired of getting disappointed all the time."

Cloud took a deep breath. "Very well..." umalis na si Cloud sa pagkakaupo sa gilid ng kama. "I shall prepare your breakfast."

"Coffee would be nice..." he said, stunning his butler on the process.

Hindi itinago ng butler niya ang gulat sa mukha nito habang hindi makapaniwalang nakatitig sa kaniya. "Did I hear it right, my Lord? Coffee?"

"It's early in the morning." He answered Cloud with a straight face. "It's not good to have beer for breakfast. So, make me some coffee."

Lumapit sa kaniya si Cloud at inilapat ang mga kamay sa noo niya. "Hmm... wala ka namang lagnat. For more than a decade that I'd been serving you, this is the first time you asked for a coffee, not beer."

His face remained emotionless.

He wanted to drink coffee because It tastes good when SM made It for him last night. He wonders If Cloud can make it taste good too.

Umiling siya, wala pa ring emosyon ang mukha. "Just make me coffee and don't make me repeat myself again."

Bahagyang yumukod si Cloud. "Yes, my Lord. Anything else?"

"That's all."

Tumango si Cloud at lumabas na ng kuwarto niya, siya naman ay bumuntong-hininga at napatingin sa orasan na nakasabit sa pader ng kuwarto niya.

6:14 AM.

Gising na kaya si SM?

Napailing siya. Why Is he thinking of her so early in the morning?

Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga. I really got it bad. Bakit naman kasi ang bait nito? Sometimes he can't help being delusional that he's somewhat special to her.

But he knew the truth.

Being nice and kind was her nature. Mabait ito sa lahat, hindi lang sa kaniya kaya hindi siya dapat mag-isip ng kung ano-ano.

Knight blows a loud breath. But I can't help It.

Napabaling siya sa pinto ng pumasok doon si Cloud.

"Here's your coffee, my Lord." Ani Cloud sabay abot sa kaniya ng tasa na nakalagay sa platito na magpakareho ang disenyo.

Tinanggap niya iyon habang inilalapag naman nito ang dalawang slice ng cake sa bedside table na nasa platito rin.

Kaagad siyang sumimsim ng kape.

Ipinikit niya ang mga mata para ibigay ang buong ang atensiyon sa lasa ng kape, "hmm... not the same..." bulong niya saka inutusan si Cloud. "My phone, Cloud."

Kaagad namang tumalima si Cloud at kinuha ang cellphone niya na naiwan niya sa mini-bar kanina at ibigay iyon sa kaniya.

Thank God he already has her number saved on his phone. Thanks to Monet.

Sana gising na siya.

Nakailang-ring ang numerong tinatawagan bago iyon sinagot ng nasa kabilang linya.

"H-hello?" Sleepiness was visible on SM's voice. "W-who's this?"

"It's Knight. Sorry. Nagising yata kita."

Naghikab ang dalaga. "Okay la— huh?" Silence for a couple of seconds. "Inilipat mo ako ng higaan?"

Mukhang napansin palang nito. "Yeah."

"Oh." Silence again.

"Sorry to bother you like this boss, but I have something important to ask."

"Ano 'yon?"

"Paano mo ginawa ang kape ko kagabi?" Tanong niya. "How did you grind the beans? How many seconds did you soaked it?"

"Huh?" Mukhang naguguluhan ang dalaga sa kabilang linya sa tanong niya. "Wala naman akong ginawang ganun."

"Kung ganun paano naging masarap 'yon?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Ahm..." may pag-aalinlangan sa boses ng dalaga, "nilagay ko lang yong coffee powder sa tasa at nilagyan ko ng mainit na tubig."

Napakurap-kurap siya. "That's it?"

"Yeah." Mahina itong natawa. "Ang weird mo talaga. Good morning, by the way."

Her last words made him smile. "Morning too, boss. Thanks."

"Welcome."

Nagpaalam na siya at tumingin kay Cloud na titig na titig sa kaniya na para bang isa siyang estrangherong bagay na nasa harapan nito.

"What?" He asked, emotionless.

Cloud was looking at him in astonishment. "Wow... my Lord actually smiled genuinely. Though, who's your boss? The last time I heard you call someone like that was before Lord Vandreck retired and you swear not to call anyone like that ever again."

"Never mind that." Sabi niya saka ipinaliwanag kay Cloud ang kape na gusto niya. "Hindi ko 'to gusto." Ibinalik niya ang tasa na may lamang kape sa butler. "Yong masarap na kape na natikman ko kagabi ay galing daw sa coffee powder na nilagay lang sa tasa at nilagyan lang ng mainit na tubig. And it's done. No beans."

Kumurap-kurap si Cloud at nanlaki ang mga mata na parang nagkaroon ng Ideya sa isip nito. "Oh! You're talking about instant coffee, my Lord!" Malapad itong ngumiti. "It's a commoner's coffee."

"Commoners coffee?" Tanong niya habang iniisip kung anong hitsura niyon at kung mayroon ba nun ang mga kaibigan niya. "Hmm... mayroon kaya nun sila Val? All I saw was coffee beans though..."

"I'll just buy you some instant coffee, my Lord." Ani Cloud.

"Go. Hurry up."

"Yes, my Lord." Anito at kaagad namang lumabas ng kuwarto niya.

Bumuntong-hininga siya saka natigilan sa pagkain sana ng cake ng tumunog ang cellphone niya.

It's a message.

He opened it and read.

From: SM (My Boss)

'Nakapagpahinga ka ba ng maayos kagabi?'

Napangiti siya pero kaagad niyang sinuway ang sarili ng maisip na mabait Ito sa kaniya kasi ugali na nito 'yon, hindi dahil espesyal siya rito.

No need for his heart to race.

Tiyak na para kay SM, normal lang ang tanong nito.

He took a deep breath and replied.

To: SM (My Boss)

'Yeah. Thanks to you. Hope you can be my pillow again.'

He hit send.

Minutes later, his phone beeped.

From: SM (My Boss)

'We can arrange that. Just tell me when so you can rest properly.'

Napatitig siya sa reply ni SM sa text niya.

He really can't help his heart from racing like crazy.

This woman... does she even know or realize what she's doing to him and what she's making him feel?

The worst thing of this all is that he knew he's not special to her in any way. Mabait lang talaga ito masyado.

Fuck!

Anong iri-reply niya rito?

Bago siya makapag-reply sa text ni SM ay narinig niyang dumaing ang kapatid. Mabilis siyang bumaling dito at nakahinga ng maluwang ng makitang may malay na ito.

Thank God!

"Huwag kang gagalaw." Pigil niya sa kapatid ng makitang akmang babangon Ito. "You're still undergoing blood transfusion, so, refrain from moving."

Knight was relieved when Night listened.

But silence fell on them. No one spoke nor dare try to open a conversation.

When did they became awkward to each other like this? They were in good terms when they got separated... but years passed without communication.

It affected both of us.

Walang umimik sa kanilang dalawa hanggang sa makabalik si Cloud sa kuwarto.

Tumayo siya saka kinuha ang tray na dala ni Cloud. "I'll be in the next room." Imporma niya sa butler niya, "nurse him back to health. Baka hindi siya maka-recover kaagad kung makikita niya ako."

Tumango naman kaagad si Cloud. "Yes, my Lord."

Lumabas siya ng kuwarto at dumeretso sa katabing silid. Inilapag niya ang tray sa center table saka kinuha ang tasa na may lamang kape at sinimsim 'yon.

Hmm...

Kaparehas na ang lasa niyon sa ginawang kape ni SM para sa kaniya. Nice.

Kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa saka tinawagan ang personal Ultor niya habang sumisimsim siya ng kape. "Dimitri."

"Boss."

"May impormasyon ka ba tungkol sa Sub-HQ ng Triad na pinasok ni Midnight?" Umupo siya sa mahabang sofa habang sumisimsim pa rin ng kape.

"None. It was a covert mission." Sagot ni Dimitri.

"Find out anything you can about it then call me." Pagkasabi nun ay pinatay niya ang tawag at pumasok ng banyo para maligo.

After taking a bath, he put a faded jeans and black t-shirt. Unconsciously, while looking at the mirror on the sink while brushing his teeth, his eyes settled on his hair.

He remembered SM asking if he's a blonde.

He lied and said no. Alam niyang alam nitong nagsisinungaling siya pero hinayaan lang siya nito.

What's with her, really? He know that she can tell that he's lying... but she always lets him lie.

Knight was about to shave the whiskers on his chin when his phone rang.

It was Dimitri.

"Yes?"

"I only accumulated little information about Midnight's covert mission." Panimula ni Dimitri. "Ang alam ko lang may papeles na pinakuha ang ama mo kay Midnight kaya pinasok niya ang Sub-HQ ng Triad na pinamumunuan si Mr. Hitadaki. Isang yakuza."

He knows Mr. Hitadaki. Knight made sure that he knew his enemies by name and face. "Anong klaseng papeles ang ninakaw ni Midnight?"

"I have no information regarding that matter, boss."

"And what happened to Sub-HQ? Everyone dead?"

"No. Looks like Midnight's mission was only to steal, not kill."

He sighed. "How many are alive?"

"Inside the Sub-HQ? More than fifty, boss."

"Give me an address."

Kaagad namang sinabi sa kaniya ni Dimitri ang hiningi niya.

"Got it." Pinatay niya ang tawag saka lumabas ng kuwarto at nagtungo sa sala.

Tumuon ang mga mata niya sa dalawang katana na naka-display sa salas.

"My Lord, you're not planning to do some cleaning, are you?" It was Cloud who was standing on the top of the staircase.

Kinuha niya ang dalawang katana na naka-display sa salas saka naglakad patungong pinto ng bahay. "I'm bored. I'll play a little."

"Well, then, my Lord. Have fun."

Tumango siya saka lumabas na nang bahay at dumeretso sa kotse niya.

Minaneho niya Iyon patungo sa address ng Sub-HQ ng Triad saka walang takot na ipinarada niya ang sasakyan sa labas ng gate.

Nag-doorbell siya sa gate at hinintay na bumukas iyon.

"Sino sila—"

Walang pag-aalinlangan na ibinaon niya ang isang katana sa dibdib ng nagbukas ng gate. "Thanks for opening the gate. I appreciate It."

Hinugot niya ang katana sa walang buhay na katawan ng lalaki saka pumasok sa loob ng gate.

Gunshot filled his ear but evaded all the bullets, even at close range, using his katanas in both hands as his shield and weapon.

He gripped his katanas tighter before moving liquidly, moving in circle as his katana slash and stab every person near him.

Knight was agile as he eluded every bullet coming his way, his katana, moving to the rhythm of his hands, slicing flesh and drawing blood from his enemies.

Nang tumigil siya sa paggalaw, kasabay nun ang pagbagsak ng sampung bantay ng gate.

Ang walang emosyon niyang mga mata ay tumingin sa nag-iisang katawan na may buhay pa.

"You..." itinaas niya ang duguang katana na hawak saka inilapit ang dulo niyon sa leeg ng kaharap. "Go to your boss and tell him to get ready. Tell him Minrod wants to play."

Takot na takot ang lalaki na tumakbo papasok sa malaking mansiyon.

"Sub-HQ, huh?" Tiningnan niya ang mansiyon, "I hope you're all fun to play with. I'm bored and pissed."

With both his hands gripping the katanas covered with blood, he walked towards the mansion's door.

He can hear footsteps nearing him.

Knight closed his eyes, took a deep breath and when he opened his eyes again, he was the monster his father made him to be.

Kasabay ng pagbukas ng pinto at paglabas ng mga kalaban niya doon, tinulak ng kanang paa niya ang katawan at mabilis ng tumakbo papasok.

He slashed, stabbed, sliced and killed everyone who get in his way. Uncaring of the bullets raining on his parade. He evaded them, block with his katanas. His body moving with agility of a monsters that his father trained him to be.

Dead eyes, ears sharp, emotionless with liquid movement and hands delivering death at its every sway and movement.

Hindi siya tumigil sa pag-atake at paggalaw ng katawan niya at nang katanang hawak. Hanggat may naririnig pa siyang yabag ng mga paa, awtomatikong hinahanap iyon ng katawan niya para patigil ang mga ito sa paghinga.

He killed everyone who greeted him.

When Knight reached the top of the staircase, he looked down to see his work.

Bodies piled everywhere, blood splattered on the floor and walls. Everyone's dead.

This...this is a massacre. And he doesn't even feel a thing.

How many has he killed these past decade? Countless.

Ibinalik niya ang atensiyon sa unahan at naglakad patungo sa unang kuwarto at binuksan iyon.

Walang tao roon.

He opened the next door. No one inside either. Then the next was empty as well.

Bumalik siya sa hagdanan at tumingin ulit sa baba.

He started counting the corpses.

"Did I kill every single one of them?" He asked himself.

Then he heard a faint sound of footsteps on the third floor.

A cold inhuman smile stretched his lips. "Not quite, I think."

Mabilis perong walang ingay na tumakbo siya paakyat ng hagdanan patungong ikatlong palapag ng mansiyon at mabilis na ibinato ang katana sa unang kalaban na nakita.

At mas lalong bumilis ang takbo niya ng pagbabarilin siya ng mga nakahanda niyang kalaban na nakaabang pala sa kaniya.

Knight jumped, flipped on the air, landed smoothly in front of the man he killed with his katana and then he jumped again, moving swiftly with agility of a feral animal readying to attack while evading the bullets.

He smiled cold-bloodedly when his opponents runs out of bullets and they need to change magazine.

"My turn." Aniya bago umuklo at iwinasiwas niya ang katana sa magkabila niyang kamay habang humahakbang ang paa paikot.

His enemies blood splattered on his clothes, hair, arms, neck and face but he didn't care.

Nang mapatumba niya ang mga bantay na nakaabang sa kaniya sa Ikatlong palapag, dumeretso siya sa mga nakasarang kuwarto at binuksan iyon lahat.

Walang laman ang mga iyon.

Then his eyes settled on the last door of the third floor.

With his bloody hands, he twisted the door and pushed it open.

Gunshots welcomed him. Pero dahil nakatagilid siya at itinago ang sarili sa hamba ng pintuan ay walang tumama na bala sa kaniya.

Knight only entered the room when he heard that sound the gun makes when it's out of bullets.

There's two people inside. The one who shot the door and the one sitting comfortable on the single sofa, unarmed.

It's Mr. Hitadaki. A Yakuza.

"You bastard!" Singhal sa kaniya ng lalaking bumaril sa pinto. "I'll kill you!"

Knight moved and In a blink of an eye, he was In front of the man, his katana penetrated the man's flesh, through and through, then he pushed him towards the wall. Ang dulo ng katana niya ay bumaon sa dingding na nasa likod ng lalaking sinaksak niya.

"Stay right there." Aniya sa lalaki na idiniin niya sa dingding gamit ang espada niya. He left his katana embedded on the man's stomach and through the wall behind him to put him in place. "Don't move."

Binalingan niya ang lalaking nakaupo sa sofa. "You're unarmed."

"I underestimated you." Anito na kalmado, "but noble warriors such as yourself don't kill opponent without a weapon."

Naglakad siya palapit kay Mr. Hitadaki at tumigil sa harapan nito. "A noble warrior, huh?" A cold smile appeared on his lips, wiping the calm expression on Mr. Hitadaki's face. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm no noble warrior."

With that, he plunge his other katana on Mr. Hitadaki's heart. "That's for hurting my brother." Then he plunged it again on his throat. "And this is for making him bleed. And this," he plunged his katana on his stomach and twisted it, "... is for boring me."

Hinugot niya ang katana sa katawan ni Mr. Hitadaki at binalikan ang lalaking Ipininid niya sa dingding gamit ang isa niyang katana.

Hinawakan niya ang katana saka hinugot iyon mula sa pagkakabaon sa dinding at sa katawan ng lalaki.

The man coughed blood as his body fell to the floor.

"P—please... d—d-don't k-k-ki—ll m-me..." pakiusap nang lalaki na nakahandusay sa sahig. "M—m-may p—p-pam—mi-mil-y-ya a—a-ko..."

Knight crouched down and answered, "I apologize but I have a motto you see... it's 'leave no survivors behind'."

With that, he plunged his katana on the man's heart.

Bumuntong-hininga siya saka tumayo at naglakad palabas.

This Is no fun. He thought as he passed corpses after corpses.

Nang makalabas siya ng gate, sumakay siya sa kotse niya saka tinawagan si North, ang head ng Clean-up crew ng Asya na nasa ilalim din ng Organòsi.

"Where are you?" Tanong niya kay North.

"Vietnam but my crew is nearby." North answered. "Cloud called so I got them ready."

"Good." Binuhay niya ang makina ng sasakyan. "Tell your crew that I made a little mess."

"I'll take care of It." Ani North saka nawala na sa kabilang linya.

Pinausad niya ang sasakyan at minaneho iyon pabalik sa bahay niya sa BV.

Nang makarating siya sa gate ng BV, pinatigil ang sasakyan niya at pinababa ang bintana niyon.

He obliged of course.

Bumakas ang gulat sa mukha ng guwardiya ng makitang nababalot siya ng pulang likido.

"S-sir?"

Ngumiti siya. "It's just paint."

"Oh." Ngumiti ito. "Welcome home, Sir."

Tumango siya saka itinaas ulit ang bintana ng sasakyan at nagmaneho patungo sa bahay niya.

Nang maiparada ang sasakyan sa garahe at nakapasok siya sa kabahayan, nakaabang na sa kaniya si Cloud sa may pintuan.

Cloud immediately used the wet towel he was holding to clean the blood on his face and hair.

"I already ready your clothes and something to eat." Anito ng matapos linisin ang dugo sa mukha at buhok.

Tumango siya saka binitiwan ang dalawang katana na nababalot ng dugo dahilan para gumawa iyon ng malakas na ingay ng bumagsak sa sahig.

Naglakad si Knight patungo sa hagdanan at nang nasa kalagitnaan na siya, nagtanong si Cloud.

"Did you have fun, my Lord?"

He continued walking as he answered Cloud. "Not in the slightest."

Dumeretso siya sa kuwarto na inuukupa niya dahil nasa kuwarto niya si Night.

Pumasok siya kaagad sa banyo para maligo.

At habang nasa ilalim siya ng maligamgam na tubig na galing sa shower, habang nakatuon ang mata niya sa tile na kinatatayuan na nababalot ng pulang likido dahil sa dugo ng mga pinatay niya na kumapit sa katawan niya.

Pumasok sa isip niya si SM.

What would she think of him if she finds out the truth about him? If she sees this monstrous side of him?

I'm sure she'll run. I'm a monster after all. There's no denying that.