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Take note with the timeline. Marami pa rin kasing naguguluhan. Knight's story happened before the Vitale Twins. Kung nabasa niyo na ang Vitale Twins, maiintindihan niyo ang time line niya. 😘

Anyways, happy reading.
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PROLOGUE

KNIGHT felt so numb. So, numb he can't feel any pain. Hindi na niya mabilang kung ilang hampas na nang latigo ang tumama sa likod niya habang nakatali ang mga kamay at paa niya ng kadena. He was just kneeling in the middle of the big hall— the punishment room— unmoving, silent and conscious.

Why won't he pass out?

What was my fault again?

He doesn't even remember what he did this time— what rule he broke. His mind was filled with pain, anger, resentment and guilt to even think right.

He was going mad. He's losing his sanity little by little and he can feel his conscience slipping away from him every passing day.

Knight wanted to scream... to scream for help from the top of his lungs but he held his pleas inside. He was taught not to beg. He was taught to be above everyone.

He'll be punished again. And he's tired... tired of constantly being punished for who he is. Tired of being an obedient dog...tired of trying his best to be a good brother... tired of being a monster... tired of pretending.

... I'm just so tired... of living.

Umawang ang labi Knight pero wala paring lumabas na tunog doon ng pakawalan ng pinuno ng mga Ultor ang panghuling pagtama ng latigo nito sa likod niya.

"I'm sorry." Narinig niyang sabi ni Chaos habang tinatanggal nito ang pagkakakadena sa kamay at paa niya, "I'm just taking orders."

He didn't answer. With his bleeding back, he stood up, took his jacket from the rack and used it to cover his back and then he walked towards the door.

His feet were moving unconsciously. It's like it has a mind of its own leading him towards the Exit.

His head low, his body swaying at every step. His mind screaming and calling for the people he cherished to come save him, but no one came.

Midnight. Midnight doesn't want anything to do with him anymore. His brother hates him.

Valerian. Shun. Cloud. They're all busy... they're all not here to make him feel okay. To lighten up this heavy load of burden on his shoulder.

It's just him.

"I'm tired..." bulong niya habang nakatungong naglalakad ng pasuray-suray na parang lasing.

He doesn't have any clue where he is. He doesn't know how long or how far he walked from the HQ. He can hear chatters and footsteps around him but he's too weak to even lift his head and open his eyes to see.

He just keeps on walking and walking and walking until his body finally gives up on him.

He fell into the ground and lose consciousness.

But from time to time, he can hear a soft voice and soft caress on his back, but everything was hazy. Hindi niya maintindihan ang sinasabi ng kung sino man ang may-ari ng boses at kamay na 'yon. Hindi siya makagalaw para tingnan kung sino 'yon.

Is he hallucinating? Is he dying?

If he's dying... then it's good.

Sa wakas... matatapos na rin ang paghihirap niya.

He wanted to be selfish for once and just die but... Midnight... what will happen to his brother? He can't die like this... he can't die being hated by his little brother.

I can't... I can't d-die... I can't... Night...

But I'm tired... I'm so tired of living.

Someone... please... someone... save me...

He was taught not to beg but at that very moment, he begged to die and live at the same time.

To die because he had enough already... but also to live because he doesn't want the people he cherished to get hurt. Paano niya mapo-protektahan ang mga mahal niya sa buhay kung wala na siya? Paano kung mapahamak ang mga ito?

Paano?

But how can he fight to live when he's already tired of living.

Save me... please... please...

Knight didn't know if someone—if God— has heard his pleas... but a soft voice filled his ears. Very soft that it's like a faint sound of an angel whispering on his ear.

"It's okay... you're gonna be alright."

Gusto niyang imulat ang mga mata. Gusto niyang makita ang mukha na may-ari ng malamyos na boses na 'yon. Gusto niyang marinig ulit ang sinabi nito pero naramdaman niyang para siyang nahuhulog sa kailaliman hanggang sa malakas siyang napasinghap kasabay ng pagmulat ng mga mata niya.

Knight immediately roamed his eyes around.

White walls. Antiseptic smell. IV fluid. Hospital gown.

He froze. He's in the Hospital.

"It's okay... you're gonna be alright."

His lips parted in confusion. Was it a dream?

Akmang babangon sana siya para mag-imbestiga kung panaginip lang ba 'yon o hindi ng pumasok si Cloud sa Hospital Room niya.

"My Lord!" Kaagad siya nitong nilapitan at pinabalik sa pagkakahiga. "Lie down!" He sounded pissed. "Your wounds will open again."

Natigilan siya sa huling sinabi nito lalo na't naramdaman niya ang sakit sa likod niya.

"W-what happened?" Tanong niya kay Cloud habang inaalalayan siya nitong mahiga ulit.

"You got punished again for breaking a rule. I was in Singapore as per your order when I received a call from this Hospital." Umupo sa gilid ng kama niya si Cloud. Bagsak ang balikat nito. "Ako ang nasa 'In case of Emergency' mo kaya nila ako na-contact. The Doctor told me that you lost so much blood and it nearly killed you. You were unconsciousness for the last three days now."

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "May naghanap ba sa 'kin habang wala akong malay?"

Umiling si Cloud.

Knight smiled coldly. Of course. His friends are also busy with their own lives. Valerian just got married, so does Shun and some of his friends.

"Don't worry. Ako lang ang nakakaalam na nandito ka at napatahimik ko na lahat ng may alam."

Napatitig siya sa kisame. "If I lost so much blood, how come I'm still alive?" Tanong niya. "Nasisiguro kong hindi ako sa Hospital nawalan ng malay."

"May nagdala sa 'yo rito sa Hospital."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sagot ni Cloud.

"It's okay... you're gonna be alright."

Those words... that soft feminine voice... keeps on replaying on his mind.

"Was it a woman?"

Disappointment coated his being when his butler shook his head. "Dalawang matandang lalaki ang nagdala sa 'yo rito. Nalapatan ka na raw ng pang-unang lunas bago ka dinala. Bahagyan nang napatigil ang pagdugo ng mga sugat mo kaya ka raw nabuhay. Thanks to those two old men... you're alive."

He fell silent.

So, it's not a woman.

But's he's very sure that that soft voice was feminine.

"It's okay... you're gonna be alright."

Knight blows a loud breath. "May nangyari ba habang wala akong malay?"

Ilang segundong natahimik si Cloud bago nagsalita. "My Lord, your father is here in the Philippines. He arrived this morning."

His body went cold. He doesn't know if it's anger or fear. "Why is he here?"

Bago pa makasagot si Cloud sa kaniya ay bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto niya at pumasok doon ang ama niya na mas malamig pa sa yelo ang emosyon ng mukha.

Knight already know what's coming, so he pushed himself to get up even though his body was screaming in so much pain.

"Father—"

A hard-strong slap hit his face. Then another and another. Hindi niya mabilang kung ilang beses na tumama ang kamay ng ama niya sa magkabila niyang pisngi.

"Is this how a noble royalty act? You're the boss of Asia! Act like it!" Tanong ng ama niya sa malamig na boses. "You should have been very careful! I told you again and again that Hospital is forbidden! You should have minded your surrounding you imbecile! Estúpido! Tonto! Idiota!"

Those words were harsh, but he's already used to them that he doesn't feel hurt anymore. He didn't even flinch like he used to.

"Lo siento, Papá." Was all he said. "I will take full responsibility of what happened."

"You better!" His father hissed at him before facing Cloud. "You will be lashed fifty times for letting your Master be in this situation."

Gusto niyang pigilan ang ama. Gusto niyang magmakaawa na huwag nang parusahan si Cloud. But he knew all too well that it'll only make everything worst. Walang nangyayaring maganda sa pagmamakaawa niya.

It'll only lead to punishment after punishment and he's tired of it. So tired.

"I accept any punishment, sire." Sagot ni Cloud sabay yukod.

Tiningnan muna siya ng matalim ng kaniyang ama bago ito lumabas ng Hospital room niya kasabay si Orlando.

Orlando is his father's personal Ultor— also known as punisher— and he's also his father's very trusted bodyguard.

Hinayaan ni Knight na igiya siya ni Cloud pahiga ng makalabas ang ama niya. Wala siyang lakas para magpanggap na malakas siya... na makapangyarihan siya.

Because in that moment, he has never felt so week and useless.

"Your Brother... Midnight..." Cloud spoke in a low voice, "had been posing as you in front of everyone you know for the last three days. Your father's order to stop suspicion and questions amongst your friends."

Knight stayed silent.

"Hindi ka ba magtatanong kung nasaan ngayon si Midnight?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Cloud ng hindi siya umimik.

Ipinikit ni Knight ang mga mata. "What's the use? May magbabago ba kung tatanungin kita kung nasaan siya?"

Natahimik si Cloud.

"Slowly, I'm already accepting the reality... that maybe... I already lost my brother." Ipinatong niya ang braso sa ibabaw ng mga mata niya, "I don't want to give up on him, Cloud, but... I'm tired. I'm so tired."

"My Lord..."

"Hinanap ko naman siya. You know... you had been by my side for the last five years and there's never a day that I stopped looking for him. Ginawa ko naman lahat para matupad ang pangako ko pero kulang pa rin... but I did my best... I really did."

"I know, my Lord. I know."

He took a deep breath, lifted his forearm from covering his eyes and looked at the ceiling. "Bakit kaya ganun? My father dislikes me because I am not enough to become a respectable noble. My sister left because I still have not enough power to make her stay. My brother hates me because what I did to look for him wasn't enough. You... you're always being punished because I don't have enough power to protect you. When do you think, Cloud?"

"When what, My Lord?"

"When will I be enough to someone?"

"My Lord." May pag-aalala sa boses ng Butler niya. "You have your friends. And you are enough to them. They accept who you are and—"

"They don't know the real me." He said, "if they do... I don't think they'll accept me."

"My Lord..."

"Siguro nga walang ganun sa buhay ko." Mahina siyang natawa ng walang buhay. "There's no hope in hoping against hope."

"My Lord—"

"Go." Pagpapaalis niya sa Butler niya. "Leave and get ready for your punishment." He looked at Cloud. "I'm sorry I can't protect you. Forgive me."

Umiling si Cloud saka bahagyang yumukod. "There's nothing to forgive, my Lord. Whatever punishment they bestow upon me, I will fully and wholeheartedly accept it without having an ill feeling towards you. You're my Lord and I am your servant. It has always an honour to serve you." Cloud chuckled. "Hindi kita binubola sa pagkakataong 'to. Seryoso ako."

Mahina rin siyang natawa saka nagbiro. "Magba-blush na ba ako?"

Cloud laughed before bidding his goodbye. Nang makalabas ito ng kuwarto niya, nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya saka napatitig na naman siya sa kisame.

"It's okay... you'll gonna be alright."

Napakurap-kurap siya.

That voice again.

Halusinasyon niya lang ba 'yon? Panaginip? Imahinasyon? Gawa-gawa ng isip niya.

Why does it keep repeating in his mind? And why does that voice calm him for some unknown reason?

If it's just a figment of his imagination... then why is he so bothered by it?

Was it possible that before those old men took him to the Hospital, someone got to him first?

I have to investigate this. Hindi siya mapapakali hanggat hindi nasasagot ang mga katanungan sa isip niya.

Ipinikit ni Knight ang mga mata saka pinilit ang sarili na makatulog. Thankfully, he was able to fall asleep in no time... maybe because he was so tired and his body was not in a good condition.

Hindi niya alam kung ilang oras siyang nakatulog ng magising ang diwa niya.

Hindi niya iminulat ang mga mata dahil ramdam niya ang presensiyang nakaupo sa gilid ng kama niya.

Who is it?

One of the lunatics? Unlikely. Cloud? No. He's preparing for tonight's punishment.

Then who?

Mabilis na napigilan ni Knight ang sarili na hindi umigtad ng hawakan ng kung sino mang nakaupo sa gilid ng kama niya ang kamay niya.

And in that very moment, he knew who it was.

Night!

Bago pa siya magkaroon ng lakas na imulat ang mga mata, binitawan na nang kapatid niya ang kamay niya at naglakad na ito palabas ng kuwarto niya.

Gusto niya itong pigilan para magpaliwanag dito... pero anong dahilan ang sasabihin niya sa nakababatang kapatid?

Na mahina pa rin siya hanggang ngayon? Na wala namang nagbago kahit naging pinuno siya ng Asya? Na talunan pa rin siya? Na sunod-sunurang aso pa rin siya ng ama niya?

Midnight already knew all that. He already knew that his big brother is a big loser.

'It's okay... you're gonna be alright.'

Nagtagis ang bagang niya.

That voice again! It's bothering him! He has to know what happened to him before those old men took him to the Hospital.

Something must have happened.

He has to get out of here... fast.

TWO DAYS had passed already after he was discharged from the Hospital. Nakausap na niya ang dalawang matandang lalaki na nagdala sa kaniya sa Hospital at nakomperma niyang ang mga ito nga ang nagbigay ng pang-unang lunas sa kaniya bago siya ng mga ito dinala sa ospital.

He knew what disappointment feels like but what he felt after he confirmed that there was no woman present before he was taken to the Hospital was not enough to describe the word disappointment.

Napabuntong-hininga siya at napatitig sa lugar na tinuro ng dalawang matanda sa kaniya kung saan siya ng mga ito nakitang nakahandusay.

Napakalapit niyon sa Bachelor's Village.

Were his feet unconsciously walking towards BV? To go home?

Napailing siya sa akmang paglalakad patungo sa gate ng BV ng mahagip ng mga mata niya ang bagong bukas na Café.

Hmm... do they sell cake? He needs one to wash the disappointment away.

Hoping that the café sells cakes, Knight walked towards the café and enter.

"Good afternoon." Magiliw na bati sa kaniya ng babae na nasa likod ng Counter. "Welcome to Bitter Sweet Café."

He just nodded, showing no emotion on his face while eyeing the cake inside the cake display fridge.

Chocolate cake. Mocha cake. Strawberry cake— oh! They have triple Bavarian cake!

Akmang oorder na si Knight ng makarinig siya ng boses ng mga batang nanglilimos.

Nilingon niya ang mga bata at napabuntong-hininga ng makita ang ayos ng mga ito. Patpatin ang katawan at marumi.

Knight was about to call Shun for help with the kids when a woman steps out from the room that has 'Authorised Personnel Only' sign hanged on the door.

She's tall, with tanned skin and pretty but what caught his attention was the smile on her face as she walks towards the kids. It's radiant... he can feel kindness radiating from her smile.

So there's still someone who has that kind of aura.

"Palimos ho." Anang isa sa mga bata. "Pambili lang ho ng pagkain. Sige na po."

Tumigil ang babae sa harap ng dalawang bata saka lumuhod ito para magpantay ang mukha nito at nang mga bata.

"Palimos ho." Ulit ng isang bata. "Nagugutom ho kami. Pambili lang namin ng pagkain. Parang awa niyo na ho. Sige na ho."

Ngumiti ang babae at hinaplos ang pisngi ng bata kahit pa madungis ito.

"It's okay..." she said at the kids, "you two are gonna be alright with me. Gusto niyo ba ng cake?"

That voice!

Knight's eyes widen.

He can never forget that voice. He's sure of it!

'It's okay... you're gonna be alright.'

His lips parted in shock before he whispered. "It's her."