INTRO

(Último)

NAKANGITI LANG si Knight habang masama ang tingin sa kaniya ni Valerian. Nasa Restaurant sila ni Thorn Calderon, nag-aagahan. Valerian has dark shadows of bags under his eyes— and he's pretty sure it has something to do with him last night. Kararating lang kasi niya galing Spain kaninang madaling-araw at tinawagan niya ito.

But no way in hell he would admit it. Not to Valerian. He likes teasing him a lot.

"The next time you come back from Spain, bug someone else!" Valerian hissed at him before sipping his coffee irritatedly. "Fuck you, you know that? Tapos kukulitin mo pa akong mag-agahan at ako pa ang magbabayad? Ang makapal nga naman."

Nangalumbaba siya. "Who would I bug other than you, best friend?"

"Yong singkit! Siya ang tawagan mo!" Inis na inis na naman sa kaniya si Valerian. "Parehas namang mananakop ang lahi niyo."

Pigil niya ang matawa. "Si Shun? Don't want to. He's busy—"

"Oh, so hindi ako busy na tang'na ka?" Halos manlisik na ang mga mata ni Valerian sa galit pero natatawa pa rin siya. "Alam mo ba kung anong oras na ako nakatulog kagabi? 1AM! Then you called at 4AM—"

"That means you had 3 hours sleep." Kinindatan niya ang kaibigan, "you're welcome."

"Fuck you!"

He grinned at Valerian. "You're so sweet."

"Fuck you to hell."

"Aww... should we date?"

Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Valerian kasabay ng pagbagsak ng balikat nito na parang suko na. "I hate you."

Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. "You're hurting me now."

Kaagad na nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya si Valerian. "Fine. We'll be friends for one more year."

"I'm still hurt."

"Two years?"

"Nope."

"Fine!" Valerian huffed. "Three!"

Knight chuckled. "Gotcha."

Valerian glared at him. "Tang'na ka."

"Thanks." He smiled. "Anyways, I prefer you than Shun. Kinukutungan niya ako palagi." He tsked. "hmm... saka 'di ba ang sabi ko lang naman kaninang madaling-gabi ay nasa Airport ako, hindi ko sinabing manehuin mo ako."

Valerian looked at him with disgust. "You're so fucking gross. And it's madaling-araw, not madaling gabi!" Pagtatama nito sa kaniya. "At bakit kita mamanehuing tang'na ka? Babae ka ba?! Fuck! You makes me want to fucking vomit!"

Pigil ni Knight ang matawa sa galit na mukha ni Valerian. "Why the hell are you mad? I heard from Shun that Grace is back."

Kaagad na natahimik si Valerian.

Knight tsked. "You're such a pussy."

Valerian cussed again. "Pakialam ko naman kung bumalik na siya."

"You don't love her anymore?"

Valerian was silent again.

"Valerian has just been slain by Count Knight." Pang-aasar niya rito.

Valerian glared at him again. "Don't talk to me!"

Valerian abruptly stands up and was about to leave when he murmured.

"Fuck... I want some cake."

Tiningnan lang siya ng masama ni Valerian saka iniwan siya nito, pero hindi na siya nagulat na pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay bumalik din si Valerian— may dala na itong isang buong cake.

He grinned at Val. "Thanks, best friend."

"Ang kapal pa rin ng mukha mong hayop ka. Bumalik ka nga sa bansa mo."

Tumawa lang si Knight saka nag-umpisa nang kumain ng cake.

He was silent when Valerian spoke again. "You look sadder than usual."

Napatigil ang pagsubo niya sa sarili ng cake at napatingin sa kaharap. "What gives?"

Valerian shrugged. "Alam ko lang. I know you, remember?"

Knight just laughed. "Don't mind me, best friend. I'll be fine..."

"Don't call me best friend!" Valerian hissed at him again. "Hindi kita best friend."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Knight!" Boses iyon ni Lander na naglalakad patungo sa kaniya, "good thing you're here..." inabot nito ang driver's license niya. "Got this for you last week. Happy now?"

Knight immediately grinned as he accepts the I.D. "Fuck yeah! And my car?"

"In BV. Outside Volkzki's house."

Valerian frowned at Lander. "What car?"

Nakangiwing ngumiti si Lander kay Val. "It's better than you don't know. Kilala mo naman 'yang baliw na 'yan." Tinuro siya nito bago tumingin sa kaniya, "anyways, I already took care of everything including the papers and registration. All you have to do is drive it."

"Thanks!" He said with a wide grin.

Umupo si Lander sa mesa nila ni Valerian. At dahil pandalawan lang ang upuan nun, kumuha ito ng upuan sa ibang mesa at hinila 'yon patungo sa mesa nila.

"You owe me breakfast." Sabi sa kaniya ni Lander.

"Sure." Kinuha niya ang atensiyon ng waiter at nang makalapit ito at bumaling siya kay Lander. "Eat all you can. Val will pay."

"What the fuck—"

"I'll pay you back." Kaagad niyang sansala sa pagmumura ni Valerian.

Ang sama ng tingin sa kaniya ni Val. "Oh? Really? Saan ko ililista sa pagkakataong ito? Sa tubig o sa buhangin?"

He gave Valerian a cheeky smile. "I pick water."

"Thick face." Val hissed at him.

Knight just smiled and ordered some more after Lander ordered his food.

And their breakfast became so crowded when their other friends started showing up. From Lander to Cali. Even the Coleman twins are present.

Imagine a 'for only two' table surrounded by 13 men. All having breakfast and snatching each other's food from each other's plate.

"This is fucked up." Ani Ymar. "Why are we eating in one table again?"

Dark shrugged. "Who knows?" Ito ang kasunod na dumating ni Lander. "I was here first."

"Iuhence!" Zapanta hissed at Vergara. "That's my fucking coffee! Don't you dare drink it—"

Too late. Vergara already chugged it down on his throat.

"Iuhence! Pay it!"

Vergara tsked before pulling a wallet from his pocket. Sinilip muna nito ang pitaka. "Fuck. I only have 100 pesos." Bumaling ito kay Train, "pautang nga ng 50 pesos baka hindi makatulog si Zapanta sa kakaisip sa kape niyang ininom ko."

Without complaining, Train took out 50 pesos from his wallet and handed it to Iuhence. "Kailan mo ako babayaran?"

"Bukas."

Train nodded while they all chuckle.

Iuhence's 'bukas' means next year or the next few years to come.

While Iuhence was buying Tyron's coffee downstairs, Calyx was munching Lash's pancake.

Lash' sighed while shaking his head at Calyx. "I envy such thick face."

Lahat tumango, kasama na siya.

Then everyone glanced at him.

He frowned with an innocent look. "What?"

Shun tsked. "Nag-order si Zapanta ng cake, ikaw ang kumain. Then Wolkzbin ordered a cake, you ate it as well. Then the Coleman bought a cake, you ate it too. Same with Lander's cake and Cali's cake."

His eyes widen in shock. "Whaaaat da foook... hindi para salsalin 'yon?"

Everyone sighed.

Zapanta looked at Valerian whose mouth was already open to correct him. "Don't correct him. Namimihasa na 'yan."

Shun blows a loud breath. "Sige nga, Espanyol, paano mo sasalsalin ang cake?"

Napakamot siya sa batok. "Kakainin syempre."

Everyone sighed again, like they're giving up on him.

"It's 'hindi para sa 'kin 'yon', not 'hindi para salsalin 'yon'." Valerian corrected him, looking irritated.

"Oh..." Knight was hold his laughter. It's really fun teasing his friends.

He doesn't get bored because of them. It's a nice feeling.

"Gusto mo pa ng cake?" Tanong ni Train sa kaniya. "Vergara will buy you some since he owes you after stealing your fiancé."

Bumaling siya kay Vergara na kararating lang galing sa pagbili ng kape ni Tyron. "Then I want Triple Bavarian Cake!"

Vergara looked at him flatly. "Nangutang nga ako ng fifty, tapos magpapabili ka ng cake? Alam mo ba kung gaano kamahal 'yon?"

Tinuro ni Knight si Val. "He always buys me cakes."

Iuhence snorted. "That's because you two are couple."

Kaagad na umangal si Shun. "So, what am I, a third party?"

"Like three people in a relationship?" Natatawang nangalumbaba siya. "Isn't it called threesome?"

Umigkas ang kamao ni Valerian sa kaniya. He saw it coming but didn't move, he let Valerian hit his face.

"It's called love triangle you idiot!"

His lips formed into an 'o' as he cupped his own cheeks. "Holy mother fucker!" He faked a gasped. "You want a threesome love triangle?!"

Lahat ng tao na naroon ay napatingin sa kanila samantalang si Valerian naman ay pinulot ang bread knife sa mesa saka inatake siya nito.

"I'm gonna kill you, you lunatic!" Singhal sa kaniya ni Valerian.

Natatawang umilag siya saka kinuha niya ang pocketknife sa bulsa at ihinagis iyon kay Valerian na kaagad naman nitong nasalo.

"Use that to stab me." Nakangising sabi niya habang nag-uumpisa nang tumakbo palayo kay Valerian. "It's much sharpeeeerrrr!"

"I will really kill you!" Sigaw ni Valerian sabay habol sa kaniya.

Knight was laughing his ass off as he runs away from Valerian who's chasing him with his very own pocketknife. He was so sad and desperate when he was in Spain, he had been punished severely again for begging, but now, while running from Val after teasing him, his heart felt lighter, he's calmer, he forgot the pain caused by the fresh wound on his back and above all... he's happy.

... even when he doesn't deserve to be happy, he felt happy.

Happy to be around with his lunatic friends again.

Only if Midnight is here... then it'll be complete.

Hindi namalayan ni Knight na tumigil pala siya sa pagtakbo samantalang si Valerian naman ay tumigil ilang metro ang layo sa likuran niya.

"Knight." It was Val calling his name, he seldom calls him by his name.

Nilingon niya ito, walang emosyon sa mukha niya. "What?"

"Your back..." His eyes were on his back, "it's bleeding."

Knight froze then he immediately looked away with shame in his face. Why did he forget? He's wearing a light colored t-shirt.

"Don't tell them." Pabulong niyang sabi. "Don't look..."

Valerian tsked before taking off his coat and throwing it at the back of his neck. "Cover your back with that. I'll tell Shun."

Knight obediently wrapped Val's coat around his back to hide his shirt soaking with his own blood.

Am I having too much fun that I didn't feel the pain on my back... or was it because I'm used to the pain and I felt numb— I didn't feel anything?

Nakita niyang tinuro siya ni Valerian habang kausap ang mga kaibigan nila kaya kaagad siyang ngumiti hanggang sa tumunog ang cellphone niya.

"Speak, Dimitri?" Sabi niya sa nasa kabilang linya sa malamig na boses.

"Boss, Shereik Abdul is the man behind the Triad's movement in Middle East. And his wife knows nothing of his husband's illegal deeds. Uncannily, the husband treasures his wife so much that he won't let her in into his dark world so we can't get anything from her. As we speak, we already have people inside to infiltrate their homes—"

"Why infiltrated the home?" Knight asked. "We need the husband. Use the wife."

Dimitri, his personal Ultor— his punisher in the Organòsi— was silent for a second. "Boss?"

Knight smiled at his friends, but his voice was cold and merciless as he spoke to Dimitri. "Use the wife to flush out the husband."

"But Boss, she's innocent—"

"Do I sound like I care?" He waved at his friends with a smile, but his voice was uncaring. "Use her. I don't care how. You can kill her if you want, I don't mind either. Ang importante ay ma-corner natin ang asawa niya. I don't care who gets killed, just do the job and be done with it." Kapag nahuli nila si Shereik Abdul tulad ng utos ng ama niya, bibigyan siya nito ng hint kung nasaan ang kapatid niya. "We have other important matters to do than infiltrate that motherfucker's house."

If he has to sacrifice and use everyone around him to see Midnight, to keep his promise... then so be it.

His father was still using him, molding him into a great noble man that he should be, after five years, the torture continues. Yes, he's now a boss, powerful and feared, but he's still an obedient dog when it comes to his father. Alam na alam kasi nito kung anong sasabihin ay gagawin para mapa-oo siya.

If he won't do his bidding, then Midnight will be punished, wherever he is. His father still holds the ace of card. And he's good at playing him.

"Boss, there was a threat to Mr. Volkzki's life from Abdul's friend in the Triad. Looks like they found out that you have friends." Ani Dimitri na parang wina-warning-ngan siya. "Mukhang gusto nilang kontrolin ang galaw mo. What should we do—"

"I don't care who they kill, they won't stop me. Everyone around me is just a pawn after all. Do your job."

"Yes, Boss." Dimitri's calm voice was forced, he can tell, before he ended the call.

Then he looked at Valerian who's staring annoyingly at Shun Kim.

In danger, huh? Well, he may still be obedient, but he's not powerless like before. He'd changed. He already lost his brother; he's not losing another one.

Knight smiled at his friends as he called one of his men. "Guard a man named Valerian Volkzki. I will send you the details later. If something bad happens to him, I will bury you and your whole family alive, understand?"

"Yes, boss!"

Pinatay niya ang tawag saka naglakad pabalik sa mga kaibigan niya at pabagsak na naupo sa iniwang upuan kanina.

"Iuhence, saan mo ba binili itong kape?" May pagrereklamo sa boses ni Tyron. "Ang pangit ng lasa."

"Sa labas." Ngumisi si Iuhence. "Ang mahal ng kape nila rito e." Binuntutan pa nito iyon ng tawa. "Ayos lang naman kay Calderon. Anyway, coffee is coffee. Paanong mag-iiba ang lasa niyan?"

Tyron just sighed before getting the waiter's attention for their bill.

Thankfully, they have their own set of bills. Mukhang na-training na talaga ni Calderon ang mga empleyado nito pagdating sa kanila.

Naaalala pa niya ang pag-aaway nila rito at walang sumuko dahil isa lang ang bill nila. Bilangan nang kung sino ang kumain. Kaya natuto na ang mga staff ni Calderon sa kanila.

"Dahil ikaw ang kumain sa cake ko, babayaran mo 'to." Sabi ni Cali.

And everyone followed. Lahat ng may order ng cake ay siya ang pinagbabayad.

He took out his wallet from his pocket and show the inside to his friends. "Look... I have no money."

"We accept card, Sir." Anang waiter.

"I don't have a card."

Shun glared at him. "You're Count for fuck sake!"

He pouted. "E, sa wala nga akong pera. Help?"

Kinuha ni Ymar ang pitaka na hawak niya saka sinuri 'yon.

Ymar tsked. "Walang hiya ka talaga, kahit kailan. This is a new wallet you lunatic! May tag price pa nga. And it's worth fifty-five thousand pesos. 'Yon ba ang walang pera?"

"It's a gift." From his father. He plans to sell it once he arrived here in the Philippines.

Ibinigay ni Ymar ang walang laman niyang wallet sa waiter, "we'll pay with this."

Napangiwi ang waiter sa kanila. "H-hindi po kami tumatanggap ng gamit bilang pambayad, Sir."

"Why not?" Sabay-sabay na tanong nila.

Napaatras ang waiter sa kanila na parang natatakot at nababahala. Putlang-putla na ito. "I— I— I will call the manager!" Sabi nito saka biglang tumakbo palayo sa kanila.

"You scared the poor guy to death." Komento ni Lath. "This is the reason why waiters avoid us."

Natawa silang lahat at natigil lang ng lumapit sa kanila ang Manager ng Floor na 'yon kasama ang waiter na tumakbo palayo sa kanila kanina.

"We will accept the wallet as payment." Anang Manager sabay tanggap ng wallet, "may I asked who owns this?"

"Me." Sagot niya.

"Then I will inform Mr. Calderon immediately."

Bumulong ang waiter sa Manager pero narinig pa rin siya. "Ayos lang ba talaga na wallet ang ibayad nila?"

The Manager whispered back. "They're special case."

Natawa siya saka napailing. Thorn Calderon trained his employees well.

Review: five stars.

Nang makalabas sila ng Restaurant, lahat tinapik ang likod at balikat niya bilang pamamaalam maliban kay Shun and Valerian.

Knight has to control himself from wincing every time a friend pats his back.

Fuck!

Nang makasakay siya sa kotse ni Valerian, wala itong imik habang nagmamaneho pabalik sa BV. Nang makarating sila sa labas ng bahay nito, napapantastikuhang tumingin sa kaniya si Valerian ng makita ang sasakyang tinutukoy ni Lander kanina.

"Really?" Valerian gave him an arched look. "A Taxi?"

Knight grinned. "I want to be a Taxi Driver. Pinag-ipunan ko 'yan, baka akala mo."

Valerian just tsked and shook his head. "You're hopeless. I thought you're a DJ or some sort."

"Yeah. It's my part-time."

"And how do you explain being a waiter of some Restaurant months ago. I saw you."

Knight just smiled at Valerian. "Part of my charm."

Valerian tsked before entering his home. Nang nasa salas na sila, saka naman pumasok si Shun na may dalang first aid kit.

Kaagad namang hinubad ni Knight ang pang-itaas niyang damit saka umupo sa sahig, patalikod sa mahabang sofa kung saan nakaupo ang dalawa.

"What did you do to be lashed this time?" Shun asked while cleaning his wound.

I begged. "Nothing."

"Yan na lang palagi ang sagot mo." Ani Valerian saka umalis ng salas.

"Ilang beses ka bang nilatigo habang nandoon ka?" Tanong ni Shun habang tinatakpan na nang bendahe ang sugat niya. "You have fresh and nearly healing cuts. Isn't it painful?"

"I'm used to it."

Shun sighed. "Bakit ba ayaw mong magsabi sa 'min ng totoo?"

He stands up and looked at Shun. Because this is the only way I know how to protect you and Valerian. If I show that I care, you will be part of my father's ace of card and I won't allow it. As long as my father thinks I'm lying and manipulating you two, then it'll be okay.

Knight faked a grin on his face. "Thanks."

Shun glared at him. "Drop that fake smile. It's irritating."

Bago pa siya makasagot, bumalik na si Valerian sa salas. May dalang beer at strawberry cake para sa kaniya.

"Eat and drink up, then I'll drive you to your house." Ani Valerian sa kaniya.

Mabilis niyang ininom ang beer saka kinain ang cake pagkatapos ay tumayo siya. "No need. May pupuntahan pa ako, e. See yah later."

"Knight, you need to rest." Seryosong pigil sa kaniya ni Valerian. "Dudugo na naman ang sugat mo sa likod kung maggagagalaw ka na naman."

"No." I have to go to HQ to talk to Cloud. "I have to go."

He was determined to leave but before he reached the door, he felt weak and he started to wobble.

Nasapo niya ang noo at bumaling kay Valerian habang umiikot ang paningin niya. "W-what did you put in my d-drink?"

"Sleeping pills." Anito saka naglakad palapit sa kaniya. "Alam kong hindi ka makikinig kung pagpapahingahin ka namin."

"Fuck..." was all he can say before he passed out.

KNIGHT WOKE UP and its already afternoon. He looked at his wristwatch. 4:30 PM. Bumangon siya mula sa pagkakadapa sa kama, kinuha ang cellphone niya sa bedside table at lumabas ng kuwarto.

He's in Valerian's house. He's alone.

Habang naglalakad pababa, tiningnan niya ang cellphone kung may natanggap na mensahe.

He received one. An e-mail from Cloud.

————————————

FROM: CLOUD SEBASTIAN

To: Minrod

Subject: Meeting

Message: I received an invitation in your stead, My Lord. Later at 2AM in HQ Philippines. All the 7 bosses of the Organòsi will be present. Don't be late, My Lord.

————————————

Great! He'd been a boss nearing three years now but all the 7 bosses in one room hasn't happened yet. This must be a very important agenda to talked about.

Nang makababa siya sa kusina, nakita niya ang post-it-note na nakadikit sa lamesa katabi ng pagkain na tinakpan ng food cover at gamot.

'Eat up. Take your fucking meds. Don't fucking bug me. I'm fucking working. – V.'

Pabagsak na naupo si Knight sa upuan ng lamesa saka tahimik na kumain. Pagkatapos ay hinayaan niya lang ang kinainan baka mabasag pa niya kapag hinugasan niya.

Nang makalabas ng bahay ni Valerian, sumakay siya sa Taxi na inorder niya kay Lander. Nasa ignition na ang susi kaya hindi siya nagkaproblema.

He drove out of BV and started working.

Itinigil niya ang Taxi sa harap ng grupo ng kababaehang pumara saka ibinaba niya ang bintana ng passenger seat. "Saan ho?"

Sa halip na sagutin siya, napatigalgal na lang sa kaniya ang tatlong kababaehan.

Knight just smiled. He's used to it. He's not a narcissist but he knew that he's good looking.

"Saan ho?" Tanong niya ulit.

"D-d-diyan l-lang."

The smile on his face remains. "Saan nga ho?"

"M-Mall..."

"Sakay na." Aniya.

Sumakay naman ang tatlo. Nuong una tahimik lang ang biyahe nila pero kapagkuwan ay ini-interview na siya ng tatlo.

Questions after questions. And all of his answers were lies.

"Sa 'yo na ang sukli, Kuya Pogi." Anang isa sa babaeng pasahero bago bumaba.

Napatitig siya sa 300 pesos na nasa kamay niya kapagkuwan ay natawa. I think it's fun to be a taxi driver. Mukhang kailangan pa niyang magtrabaho pa para magkapera.

And that's how his night started. Driving people to their destination with his new Taxi.

It was already one AM when he parked his Taxi in front of Racini's Hotel. Kaagad siyang pumasok sa loob at dumeretso sa elevator.

He punched in his code— using the floor's number— before pressing the close button.

Then the elevator started going down.

Tumingala si Knight sa kisame ng elevator at ipinikit ang mga mata ng maramdaman ang pagkirot ng sugat niya.

"Fuck..." he hissed softly. "When will I stop being in pain?"

Knight tsked. This pain won't stop until he became more powerful that his father.

But it'll be a long time, damn it!

Bumalik sa kasalukuyan ang isip niya nang bumukas ang elevator. He steps out and punched in his code again for the double steel door to open and let him in.

Habang naglalakad papasok, sinalubong siya ni Cloud na sa HQ nananatili.

"My Lord," he looked at him from head to toe, "you look like shit."

He grunted. "This is how handsome men look nowadays."

Cloud chuckled. "The other bosses are already in the conference room. Waiting."

Tumango siya saka tinanggap ang ibinigay sa kaniyang stainless steel water bottle ni Cloud. "What's inside?"

Cloud just smile while he has a cold pokerface on as they walked. Lahat ng dinadaanan nilang myembro ng organisasyon ay napapatingin sa kaniya at yumuyukod pero ni isa ay wala siyang tinapunan ng tingin.

No close colleagues, no problem. He will never give another ace of cards to his father.

Binuksan niya ang takip ng stainless steel water bottle at inamoy ang loob.

Napailing siya. "This is the reason why I can't fire you." Ininom niya ang beer na laman ng Stainless Steel water bottle. "Damn, that's good."

"As if you can live without me, My Lord." Cloud retort back. "I'm too precious."

Knight's face remains stoic, "yeah, yeah..."

Nang makarating sa Conference Room, Si Cloud ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa kaniya.

Inside was six men, including himself.

"I will take my leave now, my Lord." Ani Cloud saka hindi na hinintay na makasagot siya. Umalis na ito.

Knight examined the men in front of him carefully, assessing their strength and analysing their weaknesses that he can exploit in the near future. That's who he is. He was raised that way.

To think of other people as beneath him. To think that in order to control the people around him... his need to lie and pretend was necessary.

These men, these other bosses, he knew them already by reports and telltale.

"Won't you introduce yourself?" Daemon Cox asked, the head of South America.

"Why bother?" He said in a cold distant voice. "I'm sure you know me already."

"For formality sake, mate." Sabad ni Draco, head of Australia.

Knight didn't bother answering. What's the use? If these people get close to him in some way, they will be used against him too.

No more ace of cards, father.

"Let's start the agenda." Kapagkuwan ay sabi niya.

"Hold up." Sabad ni Monti Parisi. "We're still missing one boss."

That made him still. Missing one? Oh, yeah. They're supposed to be seven, but only six, including himself, was present. And he has no idea who it was because the boss of North America was newly appointed.

"That brat," Daemon tsked, "I told him not to be late. Is he oversleeping again?"

Napatingin siya kay Daemon. Looks like the two know each other. Well, they have to know each other. They're after all the closest of the them all. South and North America bosses.

Knight stands up and walks towards the door. "I hate waiting. Just call me when he arrives."

Akmang bubuksan niya ang pinto ng bumukas iyon mula sa labas at pumasok ang bagong dating.

"Sorry, everyone!" The newcomer sounded so cherry and energetic. "I overslept!"

"I knew it!" Daemon hissed.

Everyone was joking around with the newcomer, the new head of North America but Knight was frozen, rooted in place as he stared at the man with the same face as his smiling and joking with Daemon Cox.

"N-Night ..."

Midnight glanced at him, his eyes were cold, his body movement was distant, but he still managed a smile for him.

A fake smile that he hated.

"Yow."

That single word, for someone reason, made a crack on his heart.

Not 'Kuya' but 'yow'. Like I'm a stranger.