Kraius was at the center of the ring punching hard the bag that was in front of him. He was all sweaty but he didn’t care. His endurance was steady. His muscles were protruding in every move he made while his reflexes were fast, as if he was in a fight. Throwing hard and strong punches that made the bag bounce to its further distance.
Kraius needed some steam to release his frustration from all the fucked up things that had happened to him, and boxing was one of his hobbies aside from Mixed Martial Arts. He was skilled and trained for his self defense aside from the fact that it was his way of maintaining his body health and his physique to always be in good shape.
Kraius looked serious and deadly when his phone suddenly rang. His attention instantly shifted to the bag that hit his face hard. He cursed because of the impact it did and punched it after. It was as if through it, the pain it gave to his pretty face would fade. He even glared at it like it was someone he knew and that it could fight him back.
Kraius hissed and walked out of the ring when the satisfaction filled his being. He headed to his phone that was on top of the table and saw his informant’s name on the screen. He abruptly took off his boxing gloves and answered it quickly.
“Yes?”
Kraius sat down on the vacant metal chair beside the table while panting hard. He was inside his private gym in South Ridge Village and he was alone, as usual. He also didn’t get to work because he’s been irritated.
“What is it?” Kraius asked after he answered the call. His eyebrows became one line while his forehead creased.
“Rhezaliza Bailey, Mr. Montreal,” the caller answered back on the other line.
Kraius’ face became serious as he listened to his informant. His jaw clenched and gritted his teeth. He even formed his hand into a fist while his other hand that was holding the phone tightened. A disgusted expression was evident on his face upon what he had heard.
“We are still confirming it, Mr. Montreal,” the informant said back.
“What do you mean? Rhezi has a son? H-How?!” Kraius unbelievably asked him.
He was clouded with so much emotion. Frustration and confusion was evident and hatred did not even falter. It became intense, which made his anger boil into Rhezi.
“As I have said, we are still confirm–”
“Dig deeper. Pay everything or even anyone that needed to be paid. I am counting on you,” Kraius abruptly interrupted him. The informant just sighed on the other line like he’s being seen by Kraius.
“I will. No need to say that,” he said full of determination.
Kraius nodded as the informant said goodbye. He also massaged his forehead after the call was dropped. He left the place then walked directly to his private pool at the back of his house. It was a customized pool that the woman who had hurt him wanted.
“Dammit!” Kraius cursed and shook his head. He tried to forget the past. It was in the past but it was still vivid. Something that he didn’t even know why things turned out that way. Why did they end just like in the movies?
He smiled bitterly and harshly took off his black sleeveless and cotton shorts, leaving his boxers on. He looked at the water first and the whole area before finally plunging into its depth and feeling the coldness crept in his every muscle. To keep him fresh and to keep his sanity back.
Kraius spent several hours soaking in the pool. He stoked and swam from edge to edge to calm his senses. He may have looked stupid but he was glad that he did. It was effective. He even remembered to visit Andrius and his offer from last time.
When Kraius got out of the pool, he quickly went to his room. It was only on the first floor and in the middle part of the house next to the room that had once witnessed what had happened to him and Rhezi in recent years.
Kraius changed instantly to his usual white V-neck shirt and denim pants. He even wore his dog tag necklace that has an engraved name on it. He also put on his favorite sneakers and quickly left. He decided to visit Andrius and talked about business. He knew that the latter was still in the office because of his problem in Germany.
Andrius was a well known hotelier in Germany. Monterio de Germania was the biggest and the most luxurious hotel in the place. All hoteliers in Germany wanted Andrius as their son in law. For wider connection and power. One of them was its opponent, Don Edward Dietrich, who wanted to marry off his daughter to the young man. But, Andrius was smarter and the most hard headed man he knew. He declined the offer. So even Kraius was busy figuring out how Andrius could get through its problem.
Kraius was driving fast around Makati when he saw a mini supermarket. He immediately braked his car and parked nearby. He quickly got out and headed to the store.
The place was quiet. It was just a normal store that had food and other stuff. The store looked strange but Kraius just shrugged the thoughts off. He walked and roamed around the place looking for something he wanted while playing with his car key on the other hand. He was obviously busy and hooked when someone bumped his thigh.
“I’m sorry, Mister” Kraius immediately looked at it. It was a kid with long hair and was holding an ice cream. The kid was almost half of his height. He obviously has a foreign blood because of his sharp nose and brown eyes. He also looked very clean because of his white dress and denim pants paired with Vans sneakers.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly again.
A smile suddenly appeared on Kraius’s face. He bent down and put his hand on the kid’s shoulder while looking at his face intently. A warm hand seemed to touch the young man’s heart with the look of the kid in front of him.
The kid’s eyes were weary. He looked apologetic while his lips were pouting. He seemed to burst into tears too. He was still holding the ice cream in a cup but his gaze was fixed on Kraius. It was a cute sight for Kraius. Especially when he saw that he also has a mole under its sharp nose. Just like the cute and chubby Rhezi from way back.
“It’s okay. You should be careful next time, okay? ” Kraius said and nodded to convince the child. He smiled after he saw him nodded too. “Good!” he added.
“Shukran!” (Thank you!) He replied with a smile.
Kraius smiled. The kid also knew Arabic. “Afwan.” (You’re welcome).
“Dos!” Kraius looked at where the voice came from. He was stunned seeing the same face of the kid that he was holding, the same clothes and the same haircut. Kraius even had to squint his eyes to confirm that he was not being enchanted because of what he saw.
He was busy trying to figure out everything and he didn’t notice that the kid was already walking towards the other kid. Kraius just saw his back with another child and at the same time ran away.
Kraius shook his head and continued what he was doing. He also tries to forget what he saw. Though, everytime he remembered it, he decided to shrug it off.
The moment he saw what he needed, Kraius quickly left the store. He bought Jack Daniels for him and Andrius. He knew the latter was still in the office because he was too hard working when it came to work. Andrius ‘life revolved around business and his women which made them alike for some aspect.
Playing One Direction songs in his stereo, he tried to calm his senses and be back on track. Kraius quickly maneuvered the vehicle towards the Monterio Empire. It was close to Makati so the trip didn’t take long.
The Monterio Empire was quiet. As quiet as its owner. There’s not a lot of employees around there except for those who like to work overtime for extra wages. Kraius continued to walk to Andrius’ private elevator and went inside. After a few moments, he had already reached the twentieth floor of the building. Particularly in Andrius’ office.
“Hey, fucker!”
“What the hell!” Andrius replied in shock to Kraius. He was seriously reading the papers when Kraius arrived. He glared at him and raised his middle finger.
“Sorry. I thought it was just Anya who could surprise you! ” Kraius said while laughing.
Kraius just shook his head when Andrius stood in front of him. He knew that Andrius did not consider Anya just a simple secretary. He was even happy even though he is just a new employee of Andrius. He seldom teased both of them and made Andrius jealous. He just laughs when he does that to his friend.
“What do you want?” Andrius asked softly.
“Drink with me Mr. Monterio, ” Kraius replied then presented the Jack Daniels he was holding.
Andrius nodded and stood up. He took a glass from the pantry and sat down on the vacant sofa just inside his office. Kraius followed and placed the drink on the glass table.
“Are you happy Kraius?” Andrius asked out of nowhere. He looked at Kraius seriously while he was holding the whiskey.
“Aren’t you thinking about having kids and settling down?” he added.
Kraius’ forehead creased looking at Andrius while his heart hammered from the words he heard. Flashes of images came rushing in his head. His grip on Jack Daniels also tightened and his jaw tightened. Obviously, he is not comfortable with the conversation.
Then, he uttered, “If I hadn’t been left, my children would be grown ups now.”