CHAPTER 35

NAPALINGON SI BLAZE sa hagdanan nang marinig ang mga yabag na nanggagaling doon habang nililinis niya ang baril at nilalagyan ng bala ang magazine. Si King ang bumababa. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tumuon ang tingin sa kama kung saan mahimbing nang natutulog si Happy.

Natulog ito agad dahil siguro napagod sa sparring nila kaninang hapon. Oo, magaling itong makipaglaban pero kailangan pa nitong mas maging magaling. Hindi biro ang mga makakalaban nito. At tutulungan niya itong mas mahasa pa lalo ang galing sa pakikipaglaban.

He was not just her fiancé, he was also her protector and it was part of his job to hone her skills in combat and trust her not to get hurt.

Ibinalik ni Blaze ang atensiyon sa baril na hawak at ipinagpatuloy ang paglilinis niyon. Thankfully, this place was not just safe house, it also had guns and bullets stacked on a secret door behind the vault.

He discovered it yesterday when he and Happy was counting the money inside the vault.

"Bakit lumabas ka na naman ng disoras ng gabi?" tanong ni Blaze kay King na kabababa lang ng hagdan. "Don't you know that smoking is bad for your health? Trust me, I'm a doctor."

King chuckled before dropping himself on the sofa opposite to him. "Yes. I do know that but secondhand smoke is also dangerous they say. I can't let my masters die now, can I?"

Blaze tsked and put the bullets on the magazine before holding the gun tight and pointing it at King who just looked at him. "I have a question."

He shrugged. "You don't need my permission to ask, I am your butler."

Ibinaba niya ang baril na hawak, saka inilapag iyon sa center table. "Why?"

King frowned. "Why what?"

"Why become a butler to me and Happy?" 'Yon talaga ang tanong niya na wala siyang maisagot. "I mean, you are King Zabat, heir to a business empire and it's just unheard of. I mean, I know a butler who's also rich but he has a reason. His master saved him that's why he's loyal. While you... I can't figure you out and it makes me uneasy around you."

King nodded like he understood where his question was coming from. "When I was a teen, I saw Dad running errands for Master Von Per and Master Dominick. He always said that it's important, that's its for the best interest of all. Dad is always busy doing their bidding, he barely has time left for me and my mom, and I promise myself that I would never be like him. That I would never do anyone's bidding. Never."

Tumaas ang mga kilay niya habang nakatingin dito. "What happened then? You're doing my bidding now."

"Well, shit happened." King chuckled nonchalantly. "I got into some some bad stuff with bad people. Drugs, gambling, drinking, stealing, etc... I have so many priors."

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig siya rito. "You were a juvenile?"

"You could say that." King chuckled. "The police calls my record a resumé... a perfect resumé to prison. The police said that a time will come that my dad can no longer protect me. And I told him that that would be my wish too."

"I assume you didn't get your wish," sabi niya.

King smiled and shook his head. "Every time I got into trouble, Dad always pulls me away. I'm always arrested but I was never convicted."

"You're lucky."

King let out a small laugh. "Yeah. And then few years later, I was twenty-three when someone decided to take me away from home."

Napatigil si Blaze sa paglilinis ng isa pang baril na hawak at napatingin dito. "Na-kidnap ka?"

Tumango si King. "Me and Mom. And I couldn't even shout for help or fight them to save Mom because I was so fucking high. In my head, I thought they'll ask money and we'll be back home in a jiffy, but they didn't ask for money, they asked for Dad's life and a lot of information to spare me and Mom."

His lips parted. "Let me guess, it has something to do with the Org?"

King nodded. "Dad didn't break though and I saw those monsters ripped my mom's dress in front of me and Dad and they were laughing like it's nothing. Like my mom is not screaming for help and not begging for mercy." Gumalaw ang panga nito. "I already lost my hope, I already accepted that we're all gonna die there and it's my fault, but out of nowhere, men came and rescued us. They were badasses." He smiled, then it turned into a chuckle. Admiration was clear on his face as he talked about the men who saved his family. "They fight so skillfully and they kill those men who tried to violate my mother like nobody's business. The other man, even took a bullet for me and defended me with his life

"I wanted to see their faces, to thank them—to thank him, not just for saving me but for saving my mom, but they're wearing face masks so, yeah... no luck there. But I remember what that man said to me before he left... he said, 'don't you know that doing drugs is bad for your health? Trust me. I'm a doctor.'"

Blaze chuckled when he remembered saying the same thing to everyone he knew who was doing drugs back at the time. "Well, whoever that man was, he's a genius."

King laughed. "Yeah. I guess. After that, I keep asking around if someone had seen these men who saved my family and a week later, Dad called me to his office and told me to stop asking around. I asked why and he said because he knew those men. I got so excited. I asked Dad who they are. But Dad replied, 'you're not worthy to be in the same room with them.' That was harsh but... it was a wake-up call for me.

"I mean, that man took a bullet for me, he was limping when he left because he saved me, a jackass who had done nothing in his life but messed up and fucked up. I didn't deserve to be saved but that man, he thought I was worth saving. I owe that man my life, he gave me a second chance, a chance to redeem myself. And I did. I pulled myself together, I stopped drinking and doing drugs and I enrolled myself into self-defense class and I spent half of my week in the shooting range, learning how to shoot."

"Geez, King, you idolize that man too much." Blaze tsked. "Baka iniligtas ka lang niya kasi inutusan siya? Baka miyembro ng Organisasyon 'yon kasi kilala pala ng daddy mo."

"There's that but I didn't see it like that." King looked so earnest. "In my own perspective, that man saved me and someday, I will thank him, face to face, him, with no mask on, and me, proud of what I have become."

Blaze chucked. "Nahanap mo ba ang nagligtas sa iyo? Napasalamatan mo na? I assumed that your dad finally sees you as worthy. I mean, you're doing his job now."

Umayos ng upo si King, saka bumuga ng malakas na hininga. "Two years after I cleaned myself up, Dad told me to pack some clothes. He said that we will go visit an extended family. Dad brought me to a club where drugs, liquor and women are everywhere. I thought he was testing me if I have changed but he pointed a man and told me, 'he was the one who took the bullet for you, son,' and I laughed because apparently, the man I put in a pedestal is a drug dealer, a pimp, a killer and just bad, very bad man."

Blaze grimaced. "Man... that was fucked up. Who is that guy? Maybe he was hired to save you... money and all that, you know. Apparently, the world revolves around money these days."

"I thought about that." King sighed. "But however bad he is, he still saved my life. Nothing can change that. Even if it's for the money, I still owed him my life. So, I faced Dad and told him, 'I don't care who and what he is, I'm thanking him because he saved my life.' Dad actually smiled... it's the first time he looked at me proudly and he said that I'm ready."

Blaze frowned. "Meaning?"

"Meaning that I'm old enough to see the truth behind every masks. Yes, that man was a bad man from the outside but he did save me and others too," sabi ni King. "Dad taught me everything he knows after that, explained to me why he does things, why he is a butler to Master Dominick and Von Per. How important he is to both families. Why is it necessary for me to take his place... to be like him, a loyal servant, to continue the family's legacy. I am a Zabat, it's in my blood to assist the Quinn and the Vitale for the greater good... Our ancestors, they are best of friends, our grandfathers are inseparable, our fathers, they are brother in arms, us? I don't know yet. Maybe time will tell if we become friends too. Who knows?"

Napatango-tango si Blaze. "So... did you get to say thank you to that man who saved you?"

Umiling si King. "I feel like it wasn't the right time. He was in the middle of something back then, but I promised myself that I will someday."

Napatango-tango uli siya. "Good thing you pulled yourself together." He assembled the gun. "Wala sana akong susuyuin ngayon na ikuha ako ng beer sa ref kasi tinatamad ako."

Napailing si King, saka ikinuha nga siya ng beer sa ref. Bukas na iyon nang ibigay nito sa kanya.

"Hindi ako magpapasalamat kasi marami pa akong iuutos sa iyo sa mga susunod na araw, buwan at taon."

King just grunted as he sat back on the sofa.

Inubos ni Blaze ang beer at tinapos ang paglilinis sa dalawang baril bago tumayo habang dala-dala ang mga iyon. He tapped King's shoulder using the gun he was holding. "Good night, Butler. Sleep tight."

Nilampasan pa niya ito. At malapit na siya sa kama nang magsalita si King uli.

"Thank you."

Kunot-noong nilingon niya ito. "For letting you become my butler? You're very much welcome, King. It's an honor, I am Prince Blaze after all," nagbibiro niyang pagmamalaki.

Tumayo si King mula sa pagkakaupo sa sofa, saka humarap sa kanya. "Thank you, Blaze Vitale."

Blaze waved his hand dismissively to King as he laid beside Happy who immediately wrapped her arm around his waist.

"Off the lights, King," sabi niya.

King did what he asked before saying, "Good night, Your Highness."

Napailing na lang siya, saka yumakap din sa kasintahan at ipinikit na ang mga mata.

Tomorrow... was there fourth day here. He hoped that nothing would happen until their fifth day... but life has a twisted sense of humour.

But a man could hope.

HAPPY AND BLAZE were in the middle of sparring when King spoke while waving his phone at them.

"The Count is outside," imporma nito sa kanila.

Napatigil sila ni Blaze sa pag-atake sa isa't isa at sabay na napatingin kay King.

"Paano niya nalaman na nandito tayo?" tanong ni Blaze.

"He's the Count," sabi ni King na para bang sapat na 'yon na kasagutan. "And he is the boss of Asia so... he has contacts I guess."

Nilingon siya ni Blaze. "Papapasukin ba natin?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Bakit you're asking me?"

Blaze shrugged. "You the, ahm, our boss?"

Natawa si Happy at nilapitan ang kasintahan, saka hinalikan ito sa mga labi, "Blazey, I'm not your boss. I'm your girlfriend—"

"Fiancée," Blaze corrected her.

Nakangiting napailing siya. "I'm your fiancée and it doesn't mean that I'm an Arkhon, all the decision will come from me. The Count is your friend, whatever you decide, I'll support you."

Blaze took a deep breath before facing King. "Let him in."

Tumango si King, saka umakyat sa hagdanan pabalik sa garahe para papasukin si Knight.

Samantalang niyakap naman siya ni Blaze sa baywang, saka hinalikan sa noo. "Have I told you how amazing you are?"

Natawa si Happy. "Pinapakilig mo ba ako, Your Highness?"

Blaze groaned at what she called him. "Not you too!" reklamo nito na lukot ang mukha. "Noong una masarap pakinggan ang Prince Blaze, pagkatapos na-realize ko na parang ang sagwa palang pakinggan."

Malakas na siyang natawa. "You're such a drama king."

Blaze shrugged before pressing his lips on hers. Akmang tutugunin niya ang halik nito nang makarinig sila ng tikhim.

Naghiwalay ang mga labi nila ni Blaze at bumaling sila sa pinanggalingan ng tikhim.

It was King with Knight.

"Hey," sabi ni Knight. He still looked like a mess.

Blaze grimaced at him. "Have you showered?"

Umiling si Knight. "I'd been busy."

"Kaya pala ang baho mo." Itinuro ni Blaze ang banyo. "Take a bath. There's an unopened shaving kit there. Fucking clean your self, man."

Knight just grunted before walking towards the bathroom.

Si Blaze naman ay kumuha ng bagong damit sa closet, saka iniabot iyon kay Knight na nasa banyo.

"He looks like a mess," komento ni King.

Tumango si Blaze. "May nangyari sa kanya. Sigurado ako roon. Hindi ganyan ang Knight na nakilala ko na walang buhay. I mean, he is wicked and manipulative but he's a lunatic. At hindi ako naniniwalang nagpapanggap lang siyang sinto-sinto, I know he's crazy and it's the other way around. Nagpapanggap lang siyang matino."

Nagkibit-balikat lang si King, saka kinuha nito ang first-aid kit. "Your Highness," tawag nito kay Blaze. "It's time to clean your wound."

"Ayokong ikaw ang maglinis ng sugat ko." Naglalambing ang mukha na bumaling sa kanya si Blaze. "Ikaw ang gusto ko."

She smiled. "Okay."

Binuksan ni King ang first-aid kit at hinayaang siya ang maglinis ng sugat ni Blaze. Panay ang ngiwi ng kasintahan at paminsan-minsan ay napapamura. Nang takpan niya ang sugat ng gauze at inililigpit niya ang first-aid kit, bumulong si Blaze kay King.

"Ang bigat ng kamay niya. Ikaw na ang maglinis sa susunod."

Lihim na natawa si Happy at ibinalik ang first-aid kit sa kinalalagyan. Kumuha siya ng bagong T-shirt para kay Blaze at siya na ang naghubad sa suot nitong pang-itaas. Ginamit niya ang hinubad nitong T-shirt para tuyuin ang pawis nito.

"Come on," sabi niya, saka isinuot kay Blaze ang T-shirt. Naglalambing na namang yumakap ito sa kanya. "What is it?" tanong niya.

"Sinabi ko na ba sa iyo ngayong araw na mahal kita?"

Happy let out a small laugh. "Yeah. This morning. When I woke up."

Tumango-tango si Blaze, saka ngumiti. "I'll say it again then. I love you."

Nangingiting napailing siya. "You're such a big baby."

"Hmm-mm..." he hummed and he puckered his lips at her. "Kiss me."

Umiling si Happy. "Tinatamad ako."

Lalong humaba ang nguso ni Blaze. "Baby... kiss me."

"You're gross." Si Knight 'yon na kalalabas lang ng banyo.

Agad siyang napatingin sa Conde. He looked fresh with clean face and clean clothes.

Blaze grunted. "Judgemental," sabi nito. "Para namang hindi ka rin nagpapa-baby sa asawa mo."

Natigilan si Knight, saka mahinang natawa. "Yeah... I like it when my wife is babying me. Fuck, I miss her."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Blaze. "Nasaan siya?"

"Safe with the kids," sabi ni Knight, saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "Together with Val and Shun's family."

"Where?" Blaze asked.

"Italy," sagot ni Knight. "Duke Von Per visited me and gave me two choices." Namulsa ito. "Be an animal who's on a leash or be a man who puts a leash on the animal. I pick the latter."

"Good." Blaze handed him a gun. "Welcome back, bud."

Knight's jaw tightened as he nodded. "I'd been in a leash for far too long because of my family, but not anymore. He took my brother from me, and now he took my friends, and he will take my family away, it's time to show him how much of an animal I can be."

Looking at Knight, Happy had a goosebump. The look in his eyes... it was not livid... it was more than that.

It was pure hatred.

"Nasa safety na ba ang family mo?" tanong niya kay Knight. "Nasa Italy na ba sila?"

Tumango ito. "Yes. The Duke accompanied them to Italy and he's now on his way to Pennsylvania."

"I don't take you as a man who trust so easily," King commented. "There must be something in there."

Knight nodded. "Niccolo Raccini promised to keep my family safe, Shun's and Val's family too. And if there is one thing I know about Racini, his house is a fortress. And I have no choice. I reached my limit. This has to end."

Blaze took a deep breath. "Kailan pa umalis ang pamilya mo, ni Shun at ang pamilya ni Volkzki?"

"The same day Blake and Lucky left," sagot ni Knight. "A day after Val and Shun was taken hostage. And by the way, your mom and Bailey, they're on their way to Pennsylvania as we speak. I told your mom what happened and she told me to tell you to be safe. Always."

"Thank God." Parang nakahinga nang maluwag si Blaze sa nalaman. "'Buti naman nakaalis sila. Akala ko talaga dito mo lang sila itinago. Pero sinong magpoprotekta sa kanila roon? Blake is busy with Lucky. While Dad and Happy's dads are—"

"Are legends." Knight smiled. "Your fathers are legends. Together they took down more then twenty Triad's headquarters. Trust me, they can hold their own."

"So why are you here?" King asked as he moved to sit on the sofa. "I'm guessing you're not here to just fill us up on what's happening out there."

Knight blew a loud breath. "My dad sent me a message. I will surrender myself and he will let Val and Shun go."

"And?" Blaze urged the Count to say more when he paused.

"I know my father. That's not gonna happen." Humilig si Knight sa mesa na gawa sa asero. "Sina Val at Shun ang pinakamalakas niyang baraha laban sa akin. Hindi niya basta-basta pakakawalan ang dalawang 'yon hangga't hindi ko ginagawa ang gusto niya."

"Ang parusahan ako," sabi ni Blaze. "Why don't you just do it? Maybe we can save them if we play your father's game."

Sinulyapan siya ni Knight at ibinalik ang tingin kay Blaze. "Do you want me to die? Because I'm pretty sure your girlfriend can arrange that when she becomes the second Arkhon."

Matamis siyang ngumiti. "Yes. That would be my first order if you harm my baby."

Blaze whispered over her hair. "Stop it. You're making my heart raced and my cheeks blushed."

Mahina siyang natawa, saka ibinalik ang atensiyon kay Knight. "Ano'ng plan mo ngayon? Wait for me to finish the rite of passage? Tomorrow is my last day. And when the clock strikes midnight, I'll be the second Arkhon and I can help you."

"That would be great but my father gave me an ultimatum." Knight looked nervous now. "Twenty lashes if I don't surrender myself until tomorrow midnight."

Napabuga siya ng marahas na hininga at hinilot ang sentido. "I'm still useless at that time."

Knight frustratedly combed his hair. "Kakayanin 'yon ni Shun. Pero si Val? It could kill him. Hindi siya katulad natin. I don't want to lose my best friend." He looked at Blaze, her and King with pleading eyes. "Help me, please. I'm desperate."

Ipinagkrus ni Blaze ang mga braso sa harap ng dibdib nito. "What's the plan?"

"Broke them out," sagot ni Knight.

"That's it?" gulat na tanong ni Blaze. "Wala nang karugtong ang plano mo?"

Nakangiwing ngumiti si Knight. "Guns blazin'?"

"I don't like that plan," sabad ni King.

"It's better than don't die," sabi ni Blaze, saka napailing. "Fine. I'm in. You, King?"

King stood up. "I'm your butler, you decide for me—"

"You decide for yourself. It's your life," sabi ni Blaze, saka uli tumingin kay King. "Are you in?"

King smiled. "Count me in."

Happy knew how overprotective Blaze was when it came to her that was why it came as a shock to her when he asked her.

"Are you in, baby?"

Gulat siyang napatitig kay Blaze. "Hahayaan mo talaga ako?"

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa tattoo niya. "They won't hurt you and this is gonna be your world and your mess after tomorrow. So, yeah, better get used to it. Mas gugulo pa 'to kapag kinalaban na natin ang Triad, kaya dapat masanay ka na. Nasa likod mo lang ako. Poprotektahan kita."

Mas lumakas lalo ang loob niya dahil sa tiwala sa kanya ni Blaze. "Thank you for not treating me like a damsel in distress."

Blaze looked at her with intensive conviction. "I won't cuddle you when it comes to the Organization. We have a bed for that... At hindi ako komportableng iwan ka rito nang mag-isa. Mami-miss kita agad."

Mahinang natawa si Happy bago bumaling kay Knight. "I'm in."

Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi ni Knight. "Let's call the gang?"

Blaze chuckled. "Hell, yeah."

CECELIB | C.C.