KNIGHT left the café early that day. It was the first time he went home early, which made SM happy. He finally listened to her instructions to get sufficient rest.

Knight had been working in her café for a week now, and if SM could say one thing about him—he was very hardworking. Even though he was stoic most of the time, he never complained and would finish the job well.

"I'll go ahead, boss," said Monet, who just hailed a taxi.

"Alright. Take care, Monet. Good night," SM replied, smiling while waving at Monet.

"Good night too, boss," Monet replied before closing the taxi door to head home.

"Is it really fine if we go ahead?" Juls asked, revving the engine of his motorcycle. Josh was with him, seated at the back. "It's getting late, boss.

SM smiled at her two employees. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"Okay, boss. Take care."

"Take care of yourselves too."

As soon as she was alone, waiting for another taxi to pass by, she looked up at the night sky and embraced herself in the midst of the approaching darkness. Her fists clenched. She had already seen so many therapists to nurse her back to normal, but she was still afraid of the dark.

When would she forget what happened to her?

She sighed deeply as she closed her eyes to calm herself and then counted from one to ten. When it didn't work, she tried to recall good memories. For some reason, Knight crossed her mind.

SM smiled.

She and Knight were dining together the past few days. It seemed that she was slowly getting used to it, which had now become part of her cherished memories. Well, he was a good guy. There was nothing wrong with that. He never smiled at others, but she was an exception, as if his smile was reserved only for her.

Her thoughts only ceased when she heard a loud honk of a car. She was relieved to see it was a taxi without a passenger and decided to get in. Without even looking at the driver, she gave her address while searching through her shoulder bag for her wallet.

"It's late. Why are you just about to go home?"

SM stopped digging through her bag when she heard a familiar voice. Her eyes widened as her attention diverted to the driver, and her mouth gaped when she realized who it was. "Kn-Knight?"

Knight smiled at her. "Evening, boss."

Her eyes blinked fast in disbelief. "W-what... You're a taxi driver too?"

"Yep," he replied before driving. "I need money, so I have to work harder. I'm a taxi driver, a DJ, a waiter, and I even tend gardens." He smiled, proud of his part-time jobs. "Not to mention that I'm a baggage handler in my friend's port too. It's actually so much fun."

SM couldn't believe a word he said. She thought he was well-off! The way he talked, he sounded like a rich man. The way he dressed himself, he seemed like a rich man.

Maybe he's lying again.

SM took a deep breath before speaking. "You have a lot of part-time jobs. Do you even have time to rest—"

"I'm okay," Knight instantly replied, his face emotionless.

He was not okay, she could tell. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he looked weary.

"Knight?"

"Hmm?"

"When was the last time you had enough rest?"

Knight slowed down and casted brief glances at SM while driving. "Yesterday, or was it two days ago? I'm not sure."

What the... "Are you okay?"

Knight nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry. I'm used to this, so I'm really fine. I can't sleep these past few days, and I'm really having a hard time resting, so... yeah. I refuse to take sleeping pills just to be able to sleep. I just wake up groggy."

SM couldn't move. She just looked at Knight in shock. Her chest got heavier by the minute.

This man... What kind of life is he living? she thought before taking a deep breath. A smile escaped from her lips. She didn't want to burden him with her worries about his health. "Have you been driving for a while?"

Knight nodded. "As soon as I left the café."

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. I'm not in the mood to eat. Maybe when I get home."

"Y-your back, how is it?" she asked, almost a whisper. She was getting more and more worried about Knight, and she knew she might already sound like a broken record, but she could not stop herself from asking. "Is it healing okay?"

"It's fine." He sounded convincing.

"That's good!" she exclaimed. "I'm glad you're fine." But in truth, she was less than relieved. What was the point of asking him when he was just going to lie?

"You should stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Stop worrying about me," Knight demanded, his hand tightly gripping the wheel. "I might misinterpret it."

"What do you mean? I treat everyone like this—"

"I know, and that pisses me off." Knight blew a loud breath. "I'm just saying... don't be too nice to me."

SM stilled. From what he said, she could deduce that this man was not used to kindness. "Okay. I won't."

Knight didn't utter a word afterward, and so was she. The car was enveloped in silence the whole trip until they reached SM's residence.

"We're here."

SM nodded and paid her fare. When Knight refused, she placed it on the dashboard of the car.

"Thank you," she remarked before getting out of the taxi and then headed toward the door of her house.

Knight didn't want kindness from her; maybe it was making him uncomfortable. Meanwhile, SM was convincing herself to respect Knight's decisions and stop being worried about him. However, when she turned to him, she knew she ultimately failed. But her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him leaning on the hood of the taxi while looking at her.

He smiled. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I thought you don't like me being nice to you?" she retorted.

Knight sighed loudly before walking toward her. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for you."

Confused, she asked, "What does that supposed to mean?"

"It's a song," Knight cheekily answered, dodging her real question. "Don't mind me."

SM paid no mind and invited him in. "I'll make you some coffee then."

Knight followed her into her home. She then requested him to sit, her hand pointing at the sofa, before setting her bag down on another. She removed her shoes and walked to her kitchen in bare feet to get a slice of cake inside her refrigerator and make coffee for her sudden visitor.

"Eat first. I'll change clothes," she said as soon she returned to her living room, placing the cake and the cup of coffee on the center table. She grabbed her bag afterward and then headed to her room. After tidying herself up, she went back for Knight in her usual loungewear.

Her eyes turned to the now empty plate and half-filled cup. "That was fast," she remarked cheerfully.

"I want to take advantage of your niceness," he said out of the blue. Then, he tapped the vacant space on the long sofa. "Sit here."

Wondering what this man was up to, she followed. It didn't take long before she realized what he was up to when she sat on the sofa...

Knight lay down and used her lap as a pillow.

She was startled. She felt uncomfortable. She wanted to push the young man away from her, but realizing the exhaustion, restlessness, and hunger he had to endure the whole day, she remained still and let him be.

She allowed herself to get used to the feeling, to the intimacy, so she would feel more comfortable and less awkward, considering how close they were.

"Let's stay like this for a little while," he murmured, his eyes gradually closing. "Feels good..."

She lowered her gaze to Knight. Being this close to him, she could see that he already dyed his hair brown. She couldn't see his blond roots anymore.

To make herself more comfortable, she lifted her hand and then gently caressed his hair. It felt soft. It felt good to touch. But just as she was starting to feel at ease, Knight grabbed her hand. She let out a gasp.

Knight placed her hand on his chest. SM wanted to pull away, but he appeared so relaxed that she couldn't make herself do it.

Maybe this can help him rest? she thought. She wanted him to recover. The weariness on his face was worrisome.

I can't sleep these past few days, and I'm really having a hard time resting... That was what Knight said earlier. His eyes were now closed, but was he truly sleeping?

"Knight?"

Knight crossed his arms in front of his chest. He wasn't asleep yet. "Don't make me go away. I know you're uncomfortable but... maybe just for a minute?"

SM took a deep breath. "You will strain your neck if you lie on my lap. I will get you a pillow so you can rest better."

"It's okay. You feel better than a pillow," he whispered. "You feel warm. When was the last time I felt like this? It's always cold. Wherever I go, whatever I do... it's cold."

SM did not insist. "Fine, just rest."

He opened his eyes once again to look SM directly in the eyes. "Can you endure being this close to me a little longer? I know it's selfish and you're uncomfortable but... just a little more time?"

She continued caressing his hair in the hopes of clearing his mind. "Just rest," she repeated. "I will tell you if I'm uncomfortable."

Knight shut his eyes. Seconds later, he was fast asleep.

That's good. Rest well, Knight.

SM didn't move an inch. She relaxed against the back of the sofa until she felt sleepy. Her eyes slowly closed as she let out a yawn. Not long after, she was oblivious to the world, uncaring even when there was a stranger in her home.

KNIGHT WOKE up feeling satisfied. It felt as if something warm was draped over his chest, and it felt good. He had never felt this good after waking up. He was either irritated or drained.

When he opened his eyes, his heart almost leaped from his body. He realized almost immediately why he felt that way.

It was SM.

She was asleep. Her head was now resting on his chest, and her face was toward him! So, fucking close!

Would she hear my heart beat pounding?

He bit his lower lip while thinking of ways to adjust their positions. Her face was so close to his, he was having dirty thoughts.

He knew SM's position wasn't comfortable, but maybe she was so sleepy that it didn't matter to her.

Fuck! How can I be selfish?

He looked at his wristwatch. It was 4:40 a.m.

Motherfucker! How did I get to sleep this long?!

He was used to sleeping for only an hour or a half—without sleeping pills. And he didn't take any last night.

He stared at SM's sleeping face.

I actually fell asleep on her lap as my pillow. A good sleep at that. That's new, he thought. What is with this woman?

Knight sighed and carefully removed SM's head from his chest. He was thankful when she didn't wake up and continued sleeping soundly.

He quickly got up, still holding SM's head, and then carefully carried her. He froze when realization hit him.

"Where the fuck is her room?" he asked in a whisper before going upstairs, toward the second floor of her house.

The second floor had three rooms. He sighed and opened the first one. The room smelled like SM.

This is her room for sure.

He carefully laid SM down. His breathing almost stopped when she moved. He thought he had woken her up, but she only tossed to the side and continued sleeping.

He let out a deep sigh before looking at the clock on her bedside table. It was 4:42 a.m.

He bit his lower lip and returned his gaze to SM. The hem of her shirt was slightly raised, so a portion of her waist was exposed. Immediately, something caught his attention. His blood ran cold when he figured out what it was.

A healed cut wound. Three inches long.

His cold hands trembled as he reached for the hem of her shirt to slightly pull it up. He knew it was wrong, but he could not stop himself.

And then there were more. Many more stab wounds.

They were already healed, but it still shook him to the core.

He weakly sat down on the edge of the bed as he stared at the face of the woman who was sleeping soundly in front of him. Here he thought that SM didn't suffer anything horrible in life because she was always kind and nice... but he was wrong.

Those cut wounds... what happened to her?

His chest tightened.

"Fuck..." he uttered, his hands now clenched. "Fuck... who did this to you?"

He quickly got up and went out of the room in anger. He didn't want SM to wake up hearing him cuss over and over. After locking the door and then her gate, he got in his taxi and furiously drove off toward BV.

He was fuming mad! He needed to calm the fuck down!

His heart was still beating so fast, his fists remained clenched, when he entered his house. He could feel his blood boil in anger.

Who the fuck did that to her?!

He went straight to his minibar and grabbed a bottle of rum. He drank directly from it; though he disliked the taste of this liquor—he preferred beer—but he needed it to calm his nerves. The wounds on her waist and back occupied his mind. Then he wondered if he would see more if he lifted her top up to her shoulders.

"Fuck!" he shouted as he punched the counter of the minibar. "Fuck!"

He grabbed his phone from his pocket, unconcerned if his knuckles were bleeding, and called Valerian despite it being so early in the morning.

Valerian answered after five rings. "This better be important, you moron—"

"I'm angry," he said while gritting his teeth.

Valerian sighed and ended the call without saying anything.

He placed the cellphone on the counter and continued drinking. Minutes later, he heard footsteps approaching.

It was Valerian. In his pajamas.

Valerian sighed heavily as he walked toward him. "For fuck's sake, Velasquez, I slept late last night."

"I'm pissed."

"And what do you think of me? Your anger absorber?" Valerian said irritably while pouring himself some whiskey. "Seriously, Velasquez, what happened?"

His grip tightened around the bottle of rum. "I met this woman. She helped me... She was very nice to me, Val. She wants nothing in return from me."

"And?" Valerian sat on a stool beside Knight. "What's wrong? You're disappointed because she turns out to be a bitch?"

Knight turned to his friend with deep, fuming eyes and gripped his collar in anger. "Take it back!" he hissed. "She's not a bitch!"

Valerian froze, his eyes wide, shocked at his hostility. "Woah... fuck... what's her name?"

Knight regained composure and let go of Valerian before looking away. "You don't need to know."

"Really, Velasquez? You will withhold even her name? I'm married, you know." Valerian asked flatly. When Knight remained silent, he chuckled. "Fine, fine... keep the name. Fuck. You got it bad. Should I call the gang?"

Knight shook his head.

Valerian sighed. "So... what made you mad?"

He was about to open his mouth and tell Valerian about SM, but he paused, thinking that he saw her wounds by accident. What would SM think of him if he told this to others? If he himself didn't want others to see the wounds on his back, what more SM? He couldn't embarrass her like that.

"You can leave now."

"Motherfucker..." Valerian tsked. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me, but calm down before I go home, for goodness' sake."

"Just go. Grace might be looking for you—"

"I told her about you, and she's okay with it," Knight replied before pouring another round of whiskey into his glass. "So... what are you up to these days?"

"Waiter."

His friend shook his head. "You and your jobs."

He just smiled. "Yeah..."

"You know I can help you, right? If it's money—"

"Don't," he argued, shaking his head. "You know my father."

Valerian let out a loud breath. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

Knight's expression darkened when his ear picked up the sound of footsteps. In one swift motion, he put his palm on the counter, pushed himself up, and flipped midair, landing his feet inside the counter. He quickly grabbed the gun hidden under the counter and cocked the gun before pointing it at the newcomer.

"My lord..." It was Cloud, his hands raised in the air. "I came in peace."

Valerian set the glass down on the counter before tucking his hands into the pockets of his pajamas. "I'll go."

Knight nodded and watched Valerian leave and tap his butler's shoulder. When he and Cloud remained, he asked, "What is it?"

"There's a Triad movement here in the country again. We still have no information about it, though. The Triad seems to be cautious with their next actions."

He massaged his temples. "Pieces of junk. They're giving me headaches! Cut off one head and two will grow in its place! Can't I rest for a few weeks or so?" He tsked. "Tell the trackers of the Organósi under Asia to do their job right or I'll kill them all."

"Yes, my lord."

His face turned cold. "I need information by tomorrow morning."

Cloud nodded. "I will disseminate your orders to the trackers. I'll make sure that they'll have the information by tomorrow."

He gave no reply and emptied the bottle of rum.

"Would you like two slices of cake, my lord?" Cloud asked. "To wash your sour mood."

Knight picked up the gun from the counter, pointed it toward Cloud's direction, and quickly pulled the trigger consecutively.

Fifteen bullets. Cloud didn't budge nor blink. He stayed calm and collected as he looked at his master firing every single bullet of the goddamn gun.

Knight puffed a loud breath when he saw the bullet holes behind Cloud, only missing an inch from his butler's head.

"Fuck."

"Still mad, my lord?" Cloud asked coolly.

"A little," he answered and exited the minibar. "Clean the wall, Cloud."

"Yes, my lord."

Knight then went upstairs, toward the second floor of his house, where his room was at. Instantly, he felt a presence inside. He subtly reached for the light switch and turned it on.

His eyes widened in worry and fear when he saw his brother sitting on the sofa, bleeding and unconscious.

Fuck! "Night!"