Tord's P.O.V

It's been 2 years since Tom left. I could still remember how all of us went looking for him the whole day... Even though I knew he told me that we wanted to rest.

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"Tord, Please don't hate me when I say... I want to rest for now. Like... run away, you know?" Tom says and chuckles bitterly at me. I glance at him in the mirror and saw how he had his attention outside.

I turn back to the road ahead of me and smile, "Yeah, it's good to know you want to rest. How about when we get home. I'll bring you to bed for you to sleep?" I ask and he just pause for a bit before nodding.

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I didn't knew that when he said he wanted to rest and run away he actually meant to go away without anyone knowing where he is. I was too startled and scared when I saw his room was empty. It felt like an empty box.

Every day was the same as the day after and so on. We were all too desperate to find him that we had forgotten how much he needs to heal himself and be away with the people who hurt him.

So we all stopped looking.

It was hard for us to just go back to what we were supposed to be doing when someone important had suddenly disappeared out of your life. It was tough for me that time. To think that I found him then he just suddenly disappear.

Could I really blame him? 

If I were in his shoes I would want to run away as well. Hide myself from all the pain and let myself heal...

"Hey." Edd calls out to me as he waves his hand in front of my face. I blink once unaware how much I was spacing out. I turn to him and smile, "Sup?"

We are inside our hidden base. Walking to the room where our experiment was confined in. Good thing that the hallways are finally upgraded into metal and there's light shining from the ceiling.

"You've been spacing out lately. Over 2 years actually." he comments as he looks at me with a very worried expression. I didn't actually know how to reply to that.. I mean, what he said was right, I have been spacing out. I myself don't even know why.. Maybe because I'm still thinking about....

I turn to him and smirk, "Says the guy who's been thinking about Matt 24/7." I teased and he blushes 50x shades of red. I laughed at how he looks.

"Hey! It's normal to have the person you love in your head at all time!" he defends, playing with a thread of his hair like he was some embarrassed school girl.

I chuckle, "Stop looking like that! You're gonna make me cringe!" I laughed as I crossed my arms. Edd pouted like some kid, I really wanted to slap that pout out of his face.

I just roll my eyes and sighed, "Is it because of Aunt Luce?" he suddenly asked and it made me jolt my ass up. I whip my head to him almost immediately, "What?" I ask. He scratched his nape nervously and looked up to me,

"You know... She.. Passed away recently... So I was wondering if.. You're spacing out because of thinking of her. I knew how close you were.. You were always taking her and the other old lady to dates like you were obliged to." Edd added. I just stared at him and didn't answer.

Aunt Luce passed away just a week ago. She was a sweet woman. She was like a second mother to me. Aunty Rosy on the other hand still 'dislikes' me. I have the same feeling for her too. But we were still good. Even though Tom left, I have been visiting the Home for Aged since I was still guarding Zion in our base here in this city.

"No, I wasn't obliged to take the ladies to dates. I just really wanted to. And about Aunt Luce's death. It has nothing to do with me spacing out. She died in peace.. There's no reason for me to keep thinking about it if I knew she was happy when we were still with her." I finally replied, it kind of left Edd to a shock because he suddenly stopped his tracks.

He suddenly bowed to me, "Please forgive me for assuming! I knew I had no right to!" he yelled. I just chuckled and rolled my eyes, "Just forget it. Come on, we've got an experiment to work on." I said before walking ahead of him.

Soon enough we finally saw a bright light up on the ceiling. Showing a big glass wall with someone inside of it. I walk closer and saw Zion lying his head on the concrete floor.

I reminded myself mentally that we were tasked to be merciless in this job. So I had to put my usual cold expression before unlocking the bar code that makes the glass wall slide up, finally opening the way for me to get inside Zion's 'cell'.

"Hey. Are you awake?" I call out and kneel beside his figure. Zion was awake.. Well, barely. He looked tired and looked like he had enough. He slowly sat up, his limbs were shaking as he was pressing on them. He was so thin and weak now. He couldn't speak anymore because his throat was burnt with a chemical that we had him drink.

He didn't want to eat anymore because his stomach was also destroyed. I knew we were destroying him and his life. But that's why our work was illegal. We give what people want but in return they'd give us their lives and their body for our reckless experiments.

He looks up to me and cries silently. I had to shut my eyes tightly as I call out to Edd and made him bring the last two experiments that we have to test on him. One for some kind of cure for damaged eyes and the other is to make him sleep. Forever.

Edd hands me the tray and I turn to Zion again. This guy was nice and I hate myself for actually saying that but it's the truth. He was one sweet guy. I only hated him so much because he was with Tom. But I could never actually confirm if I actually hated him as a person as well.

I remove the mask he wore and lifted his head up. I took one experiment tube and smiled at him gently before making him drink.

"lo.... la..." he barely choked out.

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We walked to the room where we keep our empty tubes as Edd grabbed the last tube that was on the tray. He looked at it for a bit and looked up to me, "This is the formula that you're supposed to make him drink before..."

"I know. I just thought that he needed the rest now." I interrupted as I grabbed the tube back and threw it on the ground. Breaking it into tiny pieces as the liquid inside splashes on the ground.

"But-- if boss finds out about--"

"I'm ready to accept any punishment he's gonna give me. Probably another burn. But who cares? He was one of the reasons why I've lost someone important anyway." I spat before walking out of the room and back to dispose the body.

When I was almost at the room where the body was, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. I look behind me and see Patryk, "Hey there. Umm... Edd told me what you did..."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "Are you gonna tell on me then?" I hissed waiting to be scolded when suddenly I felt him pat my head. I look up to him and saw him smiling at me,

"Paul is already disposing his body. How about you take this time to take a day off? Since.. Our job in this city is done anyway. How about you take a look around? I mean... We will be sent back to Norway again. So... Take a day off?" Patryk suggested and I just nodded without any disagreements since I am craving to get out of this place because it feels like it's suffocating me.

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I decided I want to visit Aunt Luce's grave before going to the Home for the Aged. When I got there I was greeted by a beautiful bouquet of tulips and snapdragons. It was well arranged and it looked eye catching.

"Did Aunty Rosy had these customized or something?" I kneeled beside the boquet and saw that it had a tag on the black ribbon that was holding the flowers in place.

"Black garden, huh?" I say before looking at the tomb and smile.

"Sounds like some kind of expensive shop right, Aunt Luce?" I joked and laughed by myself. The breezes felt so comfortable and comforting. I stayed a bit, talking to Aunt Luce like I was actually talking to her up front. I just liked the feeling of having someone to tell something to.

After some time, I stood up and bid Aunt Luce goodbye before driving to the Home for the Aged.

There I saw Aunty Rosy who was sitting on a table for two by a window with a bouquet of flowers placed on the table. When she saw me she shot a death glare at me. I smirk before returning her glare as I walk towards her.

I greeted some of the old man and ladies that passed by me but when I was finished. I would go back to glaring at Aunty Rosy. We didn't break our glare as I sat on the chair in front of her.

"How are you, Old hag?" I gave her one of my fake smiles as she did the same. Playfully though.

"I'm doing good. Especially when you're not around." she hissed. It made my eyebrow twitch in annoyance but I still kept a smile on my face, "That's mean, I was the one who took you to dates when no one wanted to." I spat back.

"Not that I really wanted to go with you anyway. I only came because Lucy was there." She said before the two of us fell into a complete silence. We dropped our glares and just stared at each other with obviously pained expressions.

"She must be in paradise now." I said as I lay my hand on the table and hold my right wrist tight. She laughed, "Really, that woman.. She had to leave so soon." Aunty Rosy commented with a pained smile on her face.

"You know... The day before she had to be taken to the hospital. She had told me how much he cared for you as if you were her son." Aunty Rosy said as she rested her head on the back of her hand and she looked out the window,

"She had a miscarriage when she was with her husband and because of that. He divorced with her and married another woman. Having no one to care for her when she was getting older. Her neighbor, Jon, was it? sent her here." She added. This was one of the moments where I'm supposed to cut Aunty Rosy off because I know how talkative she is. Whenever she starts talking about something. She won't be able to stop.

But for now... I just listened to what she was saying, "I was the same as her.. Only... I was abused by my family. I ran away and met my first boyfriend... who.. also abused me. So I was sent here by my grandson who was so so sweet and caring."

I suddenly felt myself jolt up when she mentioned her grandson and I don't even know why, "Your grandson? What's his name? Why can't he just take you home with him?" I spat with anger. Why was I getting angry anyway?

She shook her head slowly and smiles, "No, He was achieving his dream as a model for a company. I didn't want to bother him. You know? The heart that I received years before? I was kind of thinking that it's from him. But.. I really don't know why. His name?...." She paused for a bit and think.

"I unfortunately forgotten his name... But I still remember how sweet, caring, and serious he was. When he was young he had a hard time adjusting to the english language. It was funny how every time he mess an English sentence up. He would cry his eyes out." she giggled to herself and it just made me smile...

"Now, I don't know where he is... I hope he's doing what he wants to do for the good." she finished as she closed her eyes and let the sunlight shine on her face. I was told that Aunty Rosy was Zion's grandma.. And because of that.. I wanted to get close to her which was also the reason why I took her to dates as well.

I am supposed to be here to tell her about Zion but.. Something was holding me back...

"Old hag.." I called out to her, she immediately whip her head to me and glared.

"What?" She asked with a glare. I straighten my posture, "I.. Your-... He...."

Her face turned into confusion. I was just as confused as she was.. I didn't know why I couldn't tell her. I breathed in and out slowly, "I'm.... sure he's in a better place right now and he's doing what he loves." I said. I saw how Aunty Rosy's figure physically relaxed and she sighed in relief.

Mainly, I should be feeling guilty but I actually feel... Happy.

Suddenly my attention was captured by the bouquet of flowers that was on the table. It looked a bit similar to earlier but it was  bunch of ranunculus and daisies. I looked into the tag that was on the black ribbon that was holding the flowers together.

"Black Garden, huh? Seems like a new popular flower shop or something.." I murmured.

"Oh this? It was sent to me by a beautiful woman who also had these beautiful unique eyes!" Aunty Rosy excitedly said. It made me look back to the flowers.. Beautiful and unique eyes...

"Not just that! She also bought some for the entire Home of the Aged! She was so beautiful and nice. It reminded me of someone who used to work here.." She said as she thinks with her hand under her chin. I smiled knowing how she was slowly forgetting things as years pass by.

I stood up and looked at my watch, "I won't stay long. I still have somewhere to go. So take care of yourself without me, Old hag." I said before walking away waving at her as she also did the same. I went to my car and started driving to the model company where Eduardo now OWN.

I parked my car in front of the tall building and just walked inside casually. I was about to get into an elevator when someone suddenly pulled me by my shoulder. I looked behind me and saw a tall dude with a weird-ass looking jaw and yellow hair.

"Umm.. May I help you?" I asked politely, he was panting and sweating as well. He looks down at me, "Are you gonna go to CEO Eduardo?" he asked. I nodded as a response and suddenly he smiled.

"Great! He's actually celebrating in a bar actually. I'll help you go there. Just take me with you as well!" the guy pleads... I don't usually accept shit like these because it feels like kidnapping... But the way around. Nonetheless, I wanted to talk to him anyway so I just accepted and took him to my car.

We drove to the bar. It was actually the bar where Eduardo, Matt, and.. Tom was once working. When we got in, we were greeted with a bunch of people partying and drinking. By the counter I saw Eduardo with Jon obviously flirting with each other. I walked to them and greeted them with a smile.

When Eduardo saw me he shot a glare, "What are you doing--"

"Tord! You came!" Jon interrupted as he pulled me in on a side hug. Confused, I looked at the tall man behind me as he shook hands with Jon.

"I brought him with me since he went to the building looking for the CEO."

"It's greatly appreciated Mark!" Jon said happily. Suddenly something clicked inside of me. He's the guy who helped hide Zion.. Huh.. I wonder if he knew about the guy's death. Jon was suddenly pulled away by Eduardo.

"Please. Hands off." He spat, glaring at me and this.. Mark guy. Mark just laughed, "Finally got engaged, huh? Took you long enough." Mark commented and it made Eduardo growl. I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. Now their attention was on me, "I would like to have some things to speak with Eduardo. Kindly.. Fuck off for now, yeah?" I politely asked.

Jon nodded and walked away with a drink in his hand. Eduardo patted the chair next to him, telling me to sit and so I did. He looks around before looking back at me, "About Zion?" Eduardo asked.

I was about to say something when Mark suddenly sat on the table beside Eduardo, "Edward told us everything already." he said. It made me jolt up from my seat, "I--.."

"Thank you for making him rest." they continued in unison when really I knew they were trying their hardest not to cry. Eduardo chuckled, "It was sad to know someone dear passed on a very special day as well... The same as for Jon. He also have someone dear passed recently as well. His neighbor or something... Why do things have to be in the worse time possible?"

I look down on the counter, "I don't know. That's just how things are." I replied as I turn my attention elsewhere. I mean.. Someone suddenly left me at my worst time..

"Yeah. You're right. But Eduardo, how's your Engagement party so far?" Mark asked Eduardo.

"It's alright. Though.. Jon is still waiting for the flowers he ordered earlier. It still hadn't come." Eduardo replied. Then the two started talking to each other like I'm some kind of a third wheel and that I wasn't there.

I sighed, "Why is everyone talking about flowers. All is about flowers. Was there a war of flowers or something?" I murmured to myself as I look at crowd who were talking and dancing all around me. It's still day time but yet these people are partying like it was night.

"Todd!" A very familiar voice called out to me. I whipped my head towards the voice when suddenly I was greeted by a violent hug that almost pushed me away from the chair.

"Matt?!"

"Good thing you came!!" He shouted excitedly before pulling away.

"Are you busy?" he asked.

"No. I'm on a day off-"

"OMG! THAT'S GREAT!!" He interrupted before he reached inside his pocket and took out a piece of paper.

"What are you doing, Matt?" Eduardo asked but he was shushed by Matt. Eduardo and I exchanged awkward glances at each other before Matt handed me the piece of paper.

"Can you please go to this place and ask if the flowers we ordered for the party is already ready? Pleaaasseee???" Matt pleaded as I look into the paper.

"Black Garden? Why me?" I asked. Suddenly I was dragged to the door by Matt. He smiled at me brightly, "You said you were not busy and since I am busy with the hosting soooo... You check the order out." he finished before I realized I was already outside of the bar.

I was left out there thinking to myself if I should be doing this. I sighed in defeat, "Fuck it. I got nothing to do anyway." I said before walking to my car.

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Finally after a lot of wrong turns and whatever I finally found the fucking Black Garden. It seemed that it was new to the map, so google map messed up the fucking directions.

I sighed annoyingly and got out of the car after I parked it behind a pick up truck that seemed to be the shop's service because it had a lot of flowers on it and it also had a lable 'Black Garden' on each of it's sides.

I walked inside the pastel colored flower house. I looked around the flower decorated room. It smelled amazing like the different fragrance of flowers were mixing with each other, creating such soothing smell. The flowers were pretty unique and the kind that you don't see pretty often.

When I was about to turn I was immediately greeted by a small beautiful woman. Wearing black off shoulders with a blue scarf around her neck and wearing black heels. She looks up to me and covered her mouth, "Oh my! Such a handsome gentleman! I'm sorry but I must be leaving! I have an order to deliver." she said to me as she started walking away but suddenly stopped.

She turned to me and smiled, "But my son is in there somewhere! Please don't hesitate to ask him some questions!!" she finished before hopping inside the pick up truck and driving away. My face expression turned into confusion as I don't know what to do.

I just walked around till I finally found the counter. Just how big is this place is?.. It felt like I was in a maze of flowers.. There were shelves of flowers everywhere.

"uh.. Hello?" I called out and waited for a person or something to greet me. My patience was running out....

"HELLO?!" I called out a bit louder and knocked the counter. Suddenly a head poked out from the doorway beside the counter. She had full black eyes and long eyelashes. She seemed to be looking up to me. Well, staring to be exact...

"Daddy?? A devil is at the counter!!" She suddenly shouts.

I jolted at the fact she actually called me a devil.

"I'm sorry baby. Did he wait for that long?" a person asked as he came out from the door way and carried the little girl in his arms.

"I don't know. But he was shouting and banging on the counter like he was angry." the little girl replied as she hugged the person.

I can only see the back view of the person but something about him was making my heart beat fast...

Like I am unable to breath...

"I-.. I wasn't.. I was just--" I was cut off when the person finally turned to me. My jaw dropped open and my eyes widen as the person walks in front of me wearing a grin.

"You were right, Tam. It is a devil." he says as he smiles at me.

"Thomas.." I was able to call out. He just laughed at me as he puts the little girl down.

"Been a long time, huh?" Tom asked, I just jumped over the counter and pulled him into a hug. I started feeling his hair and skin, smelling his scent, and tightening my grip on him . I pulled away from him and started tearing up, "Holy shit. It's really you! Oh my god!" I happily whispered.

Do you ever get the feeling where you're so happy that you want to scream but the words come out as whispers. I was getting that feeling. And it's amazing.

He giggled, "Come on, weren't you the one who told me that I should stop crying because it's just wasting tears? Maybe you should apply it to yourself right now?" Tom said sarcastically. It made me smile hella wide, "Shut up. Just shut up right now." I ordered as I hugged him again.

I missed him too much that I didn't care about asking him why he left and why he thought about doing it. I was just so happy that he was here with me right now.

He hugged back and I started nuzzling my face on his shoulders lovingly, "You hadn't changed a bit, huh?" he commented, making me sob a laugh out. I could feel my snot coming out of my nose so I wiped it on his shirt playfully.

"eeww! Tord! Don't wipe your snot on my shirt! Gross!" he laughed as he pushes me away playfully. I chuckle as I keep pulling him in for a hug. We were laughing like crazy and I was crying my eyes out as well.

"Daddy, you know this devil?" a cute voice sudden asked. Tom and I pulled away from each other and looked down at the little girl that was tugging on to Tom's shirt. She was looking up to Tom questionably, "Daddy?"

I was looking at the two of them, realizing how the two of them were actually quite alike... Like father and daughter.

I wiped my tears and smiled at the two, "I- I see that you already have a daughter now.. Your wife must be beautiful.." I said as I looked at Tom with sad eyes. He shot glances with his daughter for a bit before turning to stare at me.

To be continued~~