You don’t run from the people who need you. You fight for them. You fight beside them. No matter the cost. No matter the risk.

-Rick Yancey, The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3)

When I woke up, Vegas is no longer besides me. I checked on Venice but he is peacefully sleeping. I carefully changed his clothes and make sure that he will be drinking his milk.

As soon as I arrive downstairs, I was welcomed with Mark who waved at me.

“Good morning.”

How come he has a full energy early in the morning?

I cannot relate.

“Where is…”

“He is at the basement.” Nop interrupted me. “Do you miss him already?” He asked and laugh with Mark.

This two! Every time I see them, they will be teasing me about Vegas. Those sly and teasing smiles from their faces sometimes get into my nerves.

“We caught two spies this morning.”

I take a look at Nop. Spy?

“What do you mean?”

He just shrugged. “Two men are trying to enter the warehouse, we found bombs in their bags that they were about to set up.”

The moment I heard that, my whole body woke up as if the adrenaline rush just slaps me to come back to my senses.

“Vegas is dealing with them.” Mark said.

“Alirght, I will check it out.”

Before I proceed on the basement, Mark called my name.

“What is it?”

“You look cute with your messy hair.” He jokingly said and laugh with Nop.

Damn you. I fixed my hair and leave.

Is it really his hobby to joke around?

Thinking about it. Vegas is dealing with the two men they caught… which means that Vegas is probably doing something to them.

As I arrived on the basement, I can already hear a man groaning in pain, whimpering followed by a loud scream once again.

“Do you really think you can go back alive?” I heard Vegas said that.

I didn’t wait any longer and went downstairs. In a spacious room with all of the red and dim lights, I found Vegas holding a hammer as two men were already weakly catching for their breath.

They’re tied up in a chair with a piece of cloth covering their mouth.

This scene isn’t new to me. I have seen this multiple times and I know that Vegas have done this even before. I am not surprised that he is doing this.

“Who are they?” I asked and approached him.

“Why are you here?” He held my arms and guided me to take a few steps backwards. “Pete, this might trigger you.”

I look at him in disbelief. “Your concern is too late, Vegas. Who are they?”

I understand that he doesn’t want me to remember those times that he once tortured me but what can he do? It’s already done and I’m used to it.

“No idea but probably from Khun Korn.”

Vegas is really that harsh.

The man sitting on the left side is filled with his blood. His eyes are swollen with bruises, face looks so deformed with all of the wounds he received. The most damaged part is his head as I noticed that the part of his head has no more hair, as if it was forced to be removed. His scalp is also bleeding.

On the other hand, the man besides him has his head hung low, several stabs on his neck. It is not the only body part damaged to him, his hands were bleeding, and nails are missing.

I take a look at the hammer Vegas is holding. Did he just smash this man’s hand with the hammer?

“They are P’Chan’s subordinate.” I said when I recognized one of them.

He is with P’Chan when they tried to drug Vegas at the bar.

“Then Khun Korn sent them.” Vegas said and approached the other guy whose face is almost recognizable.

I saw him pulled the man’s hair up and removed the cloth. Between the two caught, he is the only one who is alive.

I doubt that the other is still alive with all of the stabs he received and his hands were smashed already.

“What does he want?” Vegas asked that I only watched, waiting for the answer.

Catching his breath, the man laughs.

His mouth is filled with blood. “Kill… all of you.”

“Really?” Vegas sarcastically asked.

“You… and…” He diverted his gaze and takes a look at me. “and…the traitor.”

After he said that, Vegas grab the gun that was placed on the nearby table and shot the guy directly on his head.

Blood scattered everywhere that his cloth were also covered with blood.

“Khun Korn is already starting his plan.” I told him as we walked together going back to our room.

“I have sent spies long before and I will ruin their transactions.”

“Khun Korn is the only target, right?”

Vegas paused as he gathers all the courage to continue. “Once the members of the Main Family help him then they will be the targets also.”

We spent the whole day checking the files with the help of Mark. Vegas also worked to keep their properties stay on his and Nong Macau’s name in case Khun Korn will mess with those.

As for me, I tried to review the all the files and transfers all the copies to several accounts that Mark made.

With this, the proof will remain and no matter how many times they try to fabricate and destroys it, we will still have the copy.

The sun has set and everything was dark, even though we had our dinner, my heart doesn’t settle. I walked back and forth as I carry Venice.

I have been keeping this feeling of discomfort since this morning.

“Where you going Nong Macau?” I asked him when I saw him carrying several bags.

“Phi Vegas told me to put this on his car.”

“What are those?”

Vegas appear besides me. “Guns, grenades and other weapons.” He answered shortly.

“I am done with my task.” Mark stretches his hand and slightly pinches Venice’s cheeks. “I am going home now.”

I slightly smiled at him. “Thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome by the way you look so cu…Damn fuck!”

We all sat on the floor, hiding at the back of the sofa when the nonstop firings of gunshots were headed to the mansion. Broken mirrors and glass was heard, the bodyguards all assembles as they alerted everybody for the sudden invasion.

“Khun Korn’s men are here.” Nop said as he held his gun.

I covered Venice’s ears when he suddenly cried as the gunshots triggers him. Damn!

There is a fucking baby here who is not even a month old!

“Come here.” Vegas held my hand and we ran towards the back door.

Mark also followed me, dragging the shocked Macau. He might be afraid and confused on what’s happening with the attack.

“Wait.” I told Vegas and still carrying Venice, I ran towards our room and picked up my backpack together with the things Venice needed.

“We are surrounded by the enemy!”

One of the bodyguards shouted from the outside.

The exchange of gunshots makes it more worrisome. Now, we are confined in the mansion as Khun Korn’s men corners us by making sure that none of us can go outside.

“We will distract them.” Nop said and ran outside.

Vegas on the other hand didn’t hesitate to shot all men he saw. I felt that Mark takes my bags and wore it on his shoulders, helping me to carry them.

“The outnumbered us. Come with me!” Mark shouted. His hand was holding Macau and the other was holding the gun to shoot anyone that will be on our way. “Let’s go to my place first!”

The five us all ran towards the back of the mansion where the cars are parked.

Mark went to the passenger seat, Vegas was beside him while me and Macau together with Venice stays at the back seat. I handed Venice to Macau as I picked the gun Khun Korn gave me.

I open the window, firing guns to make sure that no one can chase us. Vegas is the one who shot the men that tries to block our way.

“Hide!” I told Macau and gestures that he should hide himself properly together with Venice.

We may successfully left the mansion but I can only curse when there are more than five cars with all the goons waiting for us.

Damn you Khun Korn.

When did you even get an unlimited bodyguards and men? He is definitely rich that he can hire so many of them. Please share if you even have the

voucher.

Mark drives very fast that it can be compared to the speed of light. He is also good in the directions that he managed to avoid crowded places, and went to an open area so that the exchange of bullets will be free.

“What is that?” Macau asked as he looks outside.

I thought we already escaped but there is one car that blocked our way.

“Fuck!”

I saw Khun Korn holding his gun as he aims for us. P’Chan and his men follow him.

I made sure that Macau and Venice were covered.

I have never been this scared in my life before.

“Come here!” P’Chan shouted and shot the side mirror besides Mark.

I saw Mark looking back but damn, there are two cars that are already blocking the way.

“Pete…” P’Korn called my name that I almost collapsed in fear. “Are you really doing this?”

Khun Korn really sees me now as he enemy.

“I treated you like my son, Pete.” He said and went nearer, still holding his gun. “How can you betray me?”

“Stop saying those fucking nonsense!”

Vegas shouted was about to go outside yet Mark stopped him.

“Someone is here.” Mark said with a smirked.

I tried to look at it clearly. A van stopped beside the car of Khun Korn.

Men started appearing and lastly, a man in his early 50 does appear. He is tall, body is still well-built and has a shoulder length hair and upper part is tied into a messy bun.

“My father is here. Let him handle that.” He said and starts the engine.

“Sol.” I can clearly hear what Khun Korn said.

That is the first time I saw Khun Korn froze. He didn’t even move a bit and just stares at the arrival of Mark’s father.

“Huh?” Mark uttered. “But my father’s name is Sun.”

That’s right. His father is Khun Sun.

Who is Sol?

My eyes are still darted to Khun Korn and Khun Sun. I don’t know if my own brain is playing a trick on me but I can precisely say that the arrival of Khun Sun made Khun Korn stopped.

He even put his gun down.

What is their connection?

Khun Sun looked at our direction.

“Leave now.”

“Yes, father!”

Who is he? How powerful he is that even Khun Korn didn’t do anything? I have never met him before that’s the reason why I don’t have any idea on how powerful he is.

“Someone is blocking our way again!” Mark complained as there are another two cars that blocked our way.

“I’m getting tired of this shit!” Vegas said and went outside and fired gunshots towards them.

“Stop! Stop!” I shouted.

That car… I easily recognized.

I went outside and proceed to stop Vegas. Mark also followed, holding his gun, leaving Macau and Venice inside.

This can’t be.

“Khun No?” I called his name, still unsure if it was them.

The car door opened and revealed Khun No, Arm and Pol. The other car is Porsche with Khun Kinn.

Khun Kinn pointed his gun to us that Mark alertly did the same thing.

“Khun No, why are you here?” I asked and glanced at Arm and Pol who were holding their guns.

“Fuck you, Vegas!” Khun No shouted. “What did you feed him that made him choose you?”

“Pete… what are you doing?” I can sense the dismay in Porsche’s voice.

I am not prepared for this. I am not prepared to face them yet.

“Please let us leave.” I told them. “I’m sorry.”

The guilt is slowly killing me that I cannot even look to them.

“I’m really sorry.” I apologized putting my hands together and asking for their forgiveness. “I’m sorry, Khun No, Khun Kinn.”

“Ai Pete! Why are you crying?!”

I felt someone hugged me only to realize that Khun No hugged me tightly. He patted my head.

Damn. The sudden relief made me too emotional. I cried hugging Khun No.

“I still hate, Vegas you know...” He said. “And I’m still offended that you choose that psycho than us!”

I let go of the hug and wiped away my tears.

“I’m sorry.”

Khun No slaps my shoulders. “You can still comeback with us!”

I smiled at him. “Khun Korn will not spare me and Khun No… this is my final decision.”

I take a step backwards and stand beside Vegas.

If I will die today… I want them to know that this is my choice.

“I choose to stay with Vegas.”

I bravely looked into their eyes. Porsche messed his hair- he is probably disappointed this time. Khun No just rolled his eyes in irritation. Pol pouted and made a sad face while Arm smiled a little and giving me thumbs up.

“They’re slowly catching up.” I heard Mark said.

I don’t have any choice.

I pointed my gun to Khun No as I look at Khun Kinn. “Let us go.”

“You can go.”

I was surprised when I heard that from Khun No. His lips are trembling as the tears are slowly forming into his eyes.

Porsche went to my direction and hugged me. “It’s time for you to choose your happiness.”

I still couldn’t believe on what I heard from Porsche. He rubbed my shoulders and gave an assuring smile.

“You’ve done enough for us. Stay safe always.”

Arm and Pol also approached me giving me a hug. Arm handed me a phone.

“Khun Korn will not detect that. If you need help, you can call us immediately.”

“Pete!” Pol cried. “We will see each other again, right?”

I smiled at him. “Yes. Maybe we will. I’m not sure. If I’m still alive then maybe hahaha.” I laughed to ease the anxiety I am feeling.

“Vegas!” Khun No called Vegas. “I am not siding on you but we are here to protect Pete! If anything happens to him then I will kill you!”

Vegas smirked. “Then tell your father to stop being a lunatic.”

“Let’s go.” Mark proceeds to go back inside.

I looked at Khun Kinn and bowed at him. “Thank you.”

This is the choice I made and I will never take it back. I smiled at them and waved my hand. Somehow it is a relief that didn’t come to hurt me. I stare at the phone Arm handed me.

Are we going to stay as friends or will end up as enemies?

We arrived on the mansion owned by Mark and his men greeted us politely.

Unlike the goons from Main and Minor Family, the men here seem to be easy-going. They also behaves and greeted Mark like a friend.

It is obvious that Mark is kind and doesn’t always have a bad intention towards the other. He prepared two rooms for us, one for me, Vegas and Venice and a separate room for Macau.

“Are you sleepy?” I asked Macau.

“Yes. Can I bring Venice with me?”

I agreed on him and let the two rests now. They are just a kid but already being in trouble like this.

That is one thing I hate about the world where we are in. The younger ones always suffer from the feud of the older people.

Like now, Venice should be sleeping without having the threat in his life if he will be spared or Macau should think about his school and not this- escaping to live.

I sat on the living room. Mark handed me a coffee that I accepted.

Even if I drink coffee or not, I will always end up palpitating with these situations.

Sometimes, I just wish to become a hotdog and chill myself inside the fridge or become a worm and eat fruits and vegetables.

I want to hide myself on the ground. For now, if I got caught, I will be six feet under. Knock on wood.

Vegas is still talking to Nop while Mark keeps on placing sweets on my hand.

“What happened?”

Vegas sat beside me, get the mug of coffee and take a sip. “Their only intention is to hunt us.”

I want to make a suggestion to Khun Korn. Why doesn’t he stop himself in hunting people? Damn. That’s a strange hobby though.

As we were waiting for the arrival of Khun Sun, I watched Vegas digging on the backpack I brought.

Why don’t we just live life like others and create a YouTube channel?

Seeing him checking my bag and looking what’s in there.

Vegas, let’s just create a channel.

What’s on my bag ft. Mafia Boyfriend.

“PFTT HAHAHA.” I covered my mouth when I realized that I am laughing alone.

“Are you getting crazy?” Vegas asked but I can only gesture him not to mind me. “Are you talking to yourself, again?”

I mean, talking to oneself is kinda fun and entertaining.

How I wish we are living a normal life.

Next time or maybe in our next life, we will be.

“What is this?”

That’s right! I saw Vegas picked up a crumbled photo.

“Why did I forget about that?” I panicked and sat nearer on him that our body almost be as one.

Vegas smiled, hugged my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder.

“This is the photo that can give clue on why Khun Korn wants to ruin your family.” I told him and take a look.

Who are they?

It is a photo of the young Khun Korn, wearing an old college style uniform. At the other side is a man with the same uniform as him holding a chessboard and in the middle is a young boy maybe between six to eight years old eating an ice cream.

This is the first time I saw their faces.

“Khun Korn is smiling.” I couldn’t believe in my eyes that I will see the version of Khun Korn with this genuine smile.

I never saw him smile like this even with his sons.

There is no date written but one thing I can noticed is a small hand written names at the bottom part of the picture.

Sol, Eros, Korn

“Do you know them?” I asked Vegas.

“Never seen them.”

“How did you know about them?”