Keifer's POV
They're so loud! What's with these two? Looks like Jay-jay left them alone, and now they're free to argue nonstop. One's a kid, the other acts like one.
I grabbed my secret phone and texted Jay again, but still no response from her. I've sent her several messages but nothing. Most likely, she's not even holding her phone.
She might be the only girl I know who doesn't put much value in phones. Other girls practically glue them to their skin.
Then I heard my stomach growl. I should've eaten more earlier at Sir Alvin's house. The problem was, Ma'am Cindy's cooking wasn't that great. I just didn't want to say anything.
She might point a gun at me.
Speaking of guns, maybe I should start learning how to use one. Yuri knows how, and of course, he has a license. I can't say much yet, but sooner or later, I might need to use one.
My thoughts paused when I noticed the sudden silence outside. It seemed like no one was around anymore, so I quickly went to the door and opened it to peek.
I see no Pokémon—I mean human. I stepped out and made sure the door was locked. I returned the key to where it belonged and started walking away, but just as I reached the stairs— Someone I didn't expect came into view.
Percy…
"What the..." he whispered. "I thought you're in London."
That's it. He caught me. Now all I can do is make sure he keeps quiet.
"Just visiting," I said and looked around to check if anyone else was there aside from him. "Listen. No one must know that I'm here."
Then he suddenly gave me a wide smile. Looks like I already figured out what's running through his head. As always.
"Make me," he said while grinning like a lunatic.
I knew it.
I sighed heavily. "I'm not joking, Percy."
"So serious," he said, pouting his lips like a girl.
I could feel a nerve in my head twitch from irritation just looking at him. What the heck did he eat this time to act like this? Probably lacking in vitamins again.
I pulled the disposable phone from my other pocket. There was a message from Angelo, but I didn't open it yet. I turned back to Percy.
"I need to go. If possible, shut your mouth."
This time, he finally behaved, though a mischievous grin still peeked through.
"What are you even doing here?"
"I already told you, I'm just visiting around."
I started walking down the stairs, and of course, he followed me. It was lunchtime, which meant a lot of students were scattered around. A lot of people could see me.
I fixed the hood of my sweater hoodie. This was one of the items I had Honey bring for me. I put it on earlier before heading to school.
"Aren't you even going to take a peek at Jay-jay?" he asked, clearly teasing.
"I saw her already."Even if just for a moment.
"Ayyiieeehhh... You missed—"
I immediately covered his mouth. With the way he was teasing, someone might hear him—especially here in Section E's building.
"Shut your mouth," I said calmly.
He nodded slightly. I slowly let go of him but didn't take my eyes off him. If he tried anything funny, I'd really punch him.
Try me.
He opened his mouth to speak, so I raised my fist right away. He noticed and stepped back.
"Easy boy," he said, pointing at my fist.
I lowered it and glared at him. "I'm in a hurry."
"Then leave. You're so grumpy," he answered with an eye-roll.
I turned my back on him and walked away. I even saw C-in walking as slow as a turtle toward who knows where. I just passed by him and picked up my pace. Head down as I passed by a few groups of students.
I didn't notice who they were. I reached the gate without anyone greeting or calling me out. As I stepped outside, the guard looked at me. I pulled my hood down to show him who I was.
He nodded and let me go. I hailed the first taxi I saw.
"Just drive," I told the driver, and he kept on driving.
I took out my secret phone and texted Jay-jay to let her know I was leaving. I knew she probably wouldn't notice it again, but I still wanted to do it. Then I pulled out the disposable phone to read Angelo's message.
From: Demon
Message: I already talk to them. Would you like to hear the update?
I called him right away. I can't waste any more time. I need to become a member of his group. Having them as allies is like owning a gold mine.
["Keifer."] he said as he answered the call.
"I want to hear it. Where can we talk?"
["Where are you?"]
"Philippines."
["That fast? I expected you to come back about..."] He paused, as if thinking. ["...never?"]
I chuckled. "That could happen," I smiled wickedly. "If I were with Jay-jay."
["And that will never happen."] I could feel the anger in his voice and his urge to smash my face.
["Let's meet at Kinground. That's where I'll slit your throat."]
He ended the call, and it made me laugh. I immediately told the driver the location. It didn't take long before we arrived. I quickly paid the fare and got out.
I stopped for a moment when I saw the familiar cars. There weren't as many as before, but I knew—it was still them.
I entered the place and briefly greeted the bouncers. I went straight to Tiger's office.
"He's here!" someone announced.
"A round of applause for our new member!" It was Ervin Schnee.
I looked at Angelo when I noticed his gaze on me. He was holding a glass of liquor.
Tiger approached me and slung an arm over my shoulders. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"He's not ready for initiations," Angelo said as he poured more alcohol into his glass.
I turned to Ervin, who was grinning at me, clearly waiting for a reaction. He sipped from his glass before setting it down.
"Unfortunately, we can't start the initiation because you're a minor."
What?!
"Then when? Do I have to wait for my 21st birthday?" I asked in disbelief.
"18 years of age will do," Angelo said. "Here in my country, 18 is a legal age."
Tiger removed his arm from my shoulder and gave me a slight push toward one of the chairs. I kept my eyes on Angelo and Ervin, who were sitting side by side.
"Listen, kid," someone said as they sat beside me. "You're almost 18, so you don't have to worry."
It was the one who looked Korean or Chinese, with soft features. I nodded to him before turning back to Angelo.
"But maybe we can give him the requirements now," Ervin said.
He waited for the others' confirmation. I didn't even know there were requirements.
Angelo set his glass down. He stood up and motioned for me to follow him. I did, glancing briefly at the others before stepping out of Tiger's office.
He didn't speak, so I stayed quiet. He led me to the center of the disco floor and stopped where the glass office was visible.
"Listen, Keifer. With what you're about to do, there are things you'll have to sacrifice to get what you want," he began. "This isn't something to be taken lightly. This is not an ordinary fraternity."
"Just get to the point."
He looked at me sharply. "This is serious!"
"I know. But I don't understand what you're trying to say."
"Once you join this group, there's no turning back. There are rules you can't break—because your life would be the price."
"I-I need this," I almost sounded like I was begging.
He glanced at the glass office before shoving his hands in his pockets. He shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
"The requirements are very simple. First things first, make sure you have enough money to pay for the annual fee."
"I have a company and a bank of gold," I said, but he ignored it and continued explaining.
"You must be legal age—which will happen in a few weeks. You must have a group of friends that are potential recruits for Low or High rankers."
He probably already knows that I'm aware of those High and Low Rankers.
"Make sure you'll be powerful."
"Not a problem."
"Education is a must. Make sure you finish college."
I sighed. Requirements are so basic. Even if he hadn't said them, I was already going to have all of that.
"That was basic. Isn't there anything more serious?"
I saw irritation flash in his eyes.
"Learn to use guns and ready yourself to kill someone," he said in a serious tone.
Kill someone.
Can I do that? Take another life just for this group? I don't know if I can.
"I had more to explain, but like you said, that stuff's too basic for you."
He started to walk away but quickly turned back to say something.
"There's a contract you'll need to sign. At the end of it, there's an empty line where you'll write the name of the person who'll receive whatever you leave behind—if something happens to you. Who will you write down?"
Who will receive what I leave behind? I could put my siblings, but they'd inherit the Watson fortune in case something happened to me.
"You'll put Jay-jay?" he asked.
I nodded. "I think it's fine even if we're not married yet."
Usually, people put family on forms like that. Angelo raised a brow at me.
I smirked. "We'll get married soon anyway. So, I see no difference."
"Too much confidence, Keifer. Too much."
He looked like he was about to strangle me where I stood. But he quickly returned to being serious.
"The name you put there is the one you'll sacrifice to the group."
Horror embraced me.What does he mean?
"What—?"
He cut me off. "If you make a mistake or break the group's rules, they will take Jay-jay from you."
"Then I will put someone else."
"Put your siblings' names, your friends, or any of your relatives. But you can't just put random names."
Dammit.
"Who did you put?"
I was expecting him to say his mother's name—but of course, he's a smart ass.
"Someone that they can never take away from me."
"Because she already ran away," I said, and I saw the pain in his eyes.
He shrugged it off and continued walking back to Tiger's office.
"Make sure you follow what I said or you'll lose her," he said without looking at me.
I looked toward Tiger's office. All of them were watching us. Ervin raised his glass with a smile.
It was clear to me what he was trying to say. He wants me to follow what he told me so I won't lose Jay-jay. But it felt more like he was using Jay to control me.
My fists clenched with frustration. He's up to something. He's planning something—I'm sure he'll use it to get what he wants.
I heard the disposable phone ring from my pocket. It was a message from the pilot of my private jet.
He gave me the flight schedule. In 3 hours, we'll be traveling back to London. I had to go back before Keigan started getting suspicious.
I hadn't received any message from Honey, so I wasn't too worried—but most likely, something was already brewing in her mind.
I decided to leave now since the travel might take a few hours. The jetport was far from the city. After exiting Kingsground, I had to walk a bit to find transportation.
A taxi cab stopped in front of me. I told him the destination and let him drive. As expected, the trip took more than 2 hours.
The fare was high. I didn't have enough money left in my pocket, so I ended up paying with my wristwatch.
That watch alone could buy ten taxis.
I saw the pilot holding a cup of coffee while walking toward the jet plane. He stopped when he saw me.
"You're early."
"Can we leave now?" I asked him before getting on the plane.
He followed me in and checked his wristwatch.
"I'll ready the plane."
Before sitting down, I checked to see if the flight attendant was joining us again. Thankfully, she wasn't. I might've killed Mr. Moskovoski.
I waited almost half an hour before we took off. I decided to sleep for a while. It was an 8-hour flight, and I had nothing to do during that time.
I didn't know how long I'd been sleeping when I was awakened by a phone call. It rang several times, so I took both phones from my pocket.
It was coming from my secret phone. The call ended before I could answer. Edrix had so many missed calls.
I couldn't help but wonder why there were so many.
The phone rang again, and I answered it immediately.
"Edrix," I said.
["Keifer..."] He sounded so distressed. ["Damn it! Took you long enough to answer!"]
"What is it?"
He cursed several times. I couldn't understand—and for some unknown reason, a wave of anxiety hit me.
"Edrix! What the hell is happening?!"
["It's Ci-N and Jay-jay! They were attacked!"]
Fvck!
"Who?! Is it one of the gangs that challenged us?"
My fists clenched. They were just within reach earlier, and I failed to sense something was about to happen. This is my fault! I shouldn't have left yet.
["No! It's Mykel's group!"] he said angrily. ["Bro... Come back! Jay-jay's in bad shape!"]
"I'm on my way," I said before ending the call.
I rushed to the cockpit and it caught the pilot off guard.
"Mr. Watson," he said in shock.
"You have to turn this plane back," I ordered.
"We can't. We're almost in London." He pointed at the clock.
Only two hours left until we reached London. But I needed to go back. Jay-jay needs me.
"Do what I said or I will jump out of this plane!" I said in anger.
He shook his head and turned off the autopilot.
"Go back to your seat," he said, and I did.
I could feel the plane turning.
Just wait for me—and I'll make them pay. I will break them.