Chapter Two

I supposed it was this whole incident that was driving me crazy because my legs were continuously shaking under the table. Josh was sitting right in front of me. Kye was nowhere to be seen. He was probably drooling in sleep while Josh was here trying to talk. 

After Kye and Josh were done talking and showering, Josh called me downstairs saying he has something important to talk about. 

What’s going on? I beg to know. Josh wasn’t being like himself and that was scaring me.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” He asked as his arms were crossed over one another and his legs were continuously shaking. 

Damn. That’s what he is asking me after all this time. “No, not really. What about you? And who are those people? Why did they try to kidnap me?” I was in haste in case I lose my mind. 

He grinned usually, “I have a debt. I thought you should know about this.” 

“What debt?”

“A few years ago, when I lost my first job I had to invest some money to start my new business. And at that time my pocket barely had anything. So it forced me to go to some people and make them lend me some money. I tried my best to pay it off but the amount never seemed to lessen. They threatened me to hurt my family so I threatened them back and here we are.” 

He said his words all so perfectly. As if he was telling a perfectly made story. “They knew you were my only family here in Japan so they were going to take you away to force me to repay my debt.”

“Are you- are you lying? You hid this whole thing from me?” I was in disbelief. Though I knew I couldn’t be of any help in this case I didn't expect him to hide such a thing from me. 

I never knew what kind of a job Josh had. He never bothered to tell me nor did I dare to ask. Josh might be sick in his heart but he had unfillable wounds on the outside. People look at him and walk away immediately. 

I never thought that he would do such a thing and hide it from me especially when he knew I hate secrets kept between us. 

He was calm. None of this matters to him. “I tried my best not to but you have to understand that I do it for your sake.” He said. “Your life is in danger and those people are still looking for you. Listen to this one last time, please, go to the US.”

“Josh, can you hear yourself? You are telling me to leave you here?” Tears were running down my cheeks. 

“I talked to Steve. You’ll be fine. He said you can share a room with Nabi, your friend, and start a job there. You can finally do the major you’ve always wanted.” His face was lit up as if he was getting rid of me.

“Are you getting rid of me? Do you think I can’t help you in this situation?” I argued back. 

“No, it’s only because I don’t want you to get hurt in this dirty business. Please, try to understand. When I am done dealing with them. You can come back.”

“And you’re going to do that all alone?”

“No, Kye is here and Steve agreed to help me. And I have tons of helping hands. Don’t worry.”

I sighed. Considering his idea for a moment. It’s selfish for me to leave him here in that condition of his health but I can’t help it. If I stay here any longer I’ll put his life in line including mine. I trust Kye to be with him and Steve to help both of them. 

I want to stay and help but I’d be a nuisance if I do so. It makes me feel useless yet still. I should do what is needed. 

I looked him in the eyes. Those brown pools same as mine. “It hurts to leave you here.” I finally broke down in tears. 

Kye emerged from the bedroom, yawning. He got startled seeing me and became awkward at once. 

Josh brushed my cheeks with his fingers. “And it hurts me too.”

When our parents died in a car accident on the night of his birthday, he and our uncle Steve was the one to take care of us. I never felt orphan. I never felt the need to sacrifice my desires in order to have financial stability because Josh had always made sure to treat me as if the world was on its knees. Though I felt a void of my parents Steve and Josh never made me feel lonely.

Steve moved to California and Josh stayed with his job. Josh stayed by my side, making sure I had everything I needed. But when Josh was seven he has diagnosed with cancer. He paid for his own meds growing up but he was the most of my worries.

Now I had to leave him in such a situation where his cancer and debt were eating his soul away.

–

I hate farewells with the people I love most. And having to leave Josh was painful. He was my brother and my companion and I was leaving him. I guess it’d be useful for him. 

I left Japan with too many tears and bags. Kye drove me to the airport because I insisted Josh not come. If I see his face at the last minute I might just not go. I hugged Kye and left as soon as I can. 

Upon arriving I waited for Nabi and Steve. The humidity in the US was quite different. It was much colder. The people looked busy and they always seemed to have to go somewhere. 

I stood at the corner waiting for both of them. Rubbing my sides I looked around. They were nowhere to be found. I called their number again and again yet no one picked up.

I sighed. Steve is the owner of the apartment Nabi lives in. And both of them are great troublemakers. I can’t believe what I have to go through with this duo. 

I heard someone honking at me. Looking back I saw Nabi and Steve in a convertible car. Steve was wearing all the colors there were in the world and Nabi was no different. Honking and hooting me they were being so loud. Showing all of that excitement was no good because everyone at the airport was looking at me. 

“What in the world is this?” I whispered. Covering my face with my hair slightly, I got in the car. 

Here we go. 

—

“C’mon, man. You are such a workaholic person.” Nabi whined from behind me. 

I sighed. After setting in the apartment I quickly told Steve to look for a job for me. He agreed and I was soon recruited in a small cafe. The workers there were so generous and kind. It’s been 12 days exactly since I came from Japan and this is my first day. 

Nabi was nagging me to go shopping with her because my clothes were too little for her liking. When I refused she started whining for the whole day. 

If I was going to be here, I’m going to work my butt off. And when I am done I’m leaving for Japan. 

“Doesn’t matter. Let me go and I’ll go with you at the weekend.” I said. 

“You sure? No excuses on that then?” She asked. 

“No excuses,” I said and headed off for work. 

—

In California, this was the Ojai side. It is a beautiful countryside spread on mountains and pure water bodied. The people were admirable and generous. The hills and the small cafes and bookshops were the epitomai of beauty. 

I finished my first shift today. I was surprised I didn’t struggle at all. Today I had shifted with my colleague, Sara Smith who was two years older than me. Before the cafe opened, we talked about many things and she seemed like a very chill-minded person. Though she had a cold expression on her face, she was very likable to me.

We had many common likes and dislikes. She also told me about her Jiujitsu career. She knows how to fight and she even told me about how she took down a gang of thugs. She had an extremely unbothered attitude which made me feel very safe. She was tall with short hair hanging on her neck. 

I felt really comfortable around her. 

We were walking. Sara insisted to take me back to the house. I agreed. 

“Nice, I love nights here in Ojai. No lights, no people, very quiet.” She said.

“Are there no people here? I’m scared then.” I said while holding her arm.

“What are you scared of? Ghosts?” She asked.

“Yeah, like spirits and stuff. You know.” I said 

“Honey, the only thing people should be scared of here are humans. God forbid, the spirits are afraid to roam these streets because of him.”

“Who is he?” I asked.

“No one. I do not want to scare you so early.” She said,

“Well, you already scared me,” I said scooching a little closer to her. Yeah, I was a scaredy-cat. 

“Did I? Shoot sorry.” She chuckled. 

“Tell me, who are you talking about?” I asked as my curiosity fueled up.

“I’m talking about The Carnival.” She said.

“Carnival? What is that?”

“A gang. Horrifying they are. They’ve been around here and ruled some places in Bhutan, Pakistan, Germany, and China. Their business are all around the world for ages but they live mainly here. These are some real confidential topics for you to know. Everybody fears them yet no one utters their name. They rule here. Though there is peace and they keep a safe barrier between civilians and them.” She sighed. 

“Woah, that is… scary.” This was alarming for me. I’ve always been scared of people like these and prayed to make sure I do not get involved with people like them. 

“I know but forget about it. They are mostly invisible. Anyways, can I take you to a party tomorrow?”

“A party?” I asked. 

“Yeah, a party of my friend. You should find a social circle. I should help you with that.”

“I don’t really like parties,” I said. I hate parties. 

“You are going to change your mind.”

–

I have never been to a party this lavish before because all that caught my eye were shiny necks and cups of expensive wine. The house was everything I could imagine in a life of eternal luxury. Diamonds here and there, costly dresses and suits, and expensive words. I didn’t know if this was a place I wanted to be in. 

Sara dragged me to a corner soon after I arrived and made a shocked expression. “How in the world did you change overnight? Why do you look so magnificent?” 

I smiled awkwardly, “ I don’t know, Nabi chose this for me. She was excited that I was going to a party.”

“Well, you should’ve taken her with you, as well. It would’ve been fun.” She said while handing me a glass of wine.

“Sara, I don’t drink,” I said and shoved the drink away.

She scowled and put it away. “C’mon, it’s just one night.”

“No, I can’t. I have to leave soon as well.”

“Huh? Why–.” Before she finished her sentence she was dragged away by someone into a conversation.

I decided to wait for her outside. I felt kind of uncomfortable as I felt someone was looking at me all along. 

The house was unbelievably big. I lost my way. I kept walking at the same pace but sometimes I found a master bedroom or a garden or a kitchen. I walked here and there and finally, I came across a swimming pool. 

I sighed. This place was so quiet. I could still hear the chaos from outside but they were muffled. The sky was clear. No sign of stars. I looked around me. There were chairs and a swing and in a small corner, there were various flowers. This place was nice and peaceful.

As I was enjoying my own company peacefully, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. Before I could turn around, my legs slipped, and before I knew it I fell into the pool. My eyes were closed but when I opened them, my whole body went numb. I am terrified of water. 

I tried to swim but I couldn’t move my legs. My hands were trying to grab the surface but they fell short as if I was being sucked into the bottom. My throat was burning from the lack of oxygen. My surrounding started to darken. 

A splash!

I felt a hand grabbing onto my arms and pulling me. I opened my eyes but not being able to comprehend the figure I grabbed them as well and tried to push my way out. But their strength alone pulled me out as I breathed all I could. My eyes were closed but I felt a hand on my waist. 

As I opened my eyes, I felt like I drowned again. Two dark orbs were piercing my soul. It was a man and his proximity was enough to make me breathless again. He was very close. His hands were tightly on my waist and the other held my head to keep the balance. As I fully regained consciousness, I tried to move away from him but I almost fell inside again as he held me quickly. 

Those dark steely eyes had captivating intentions on them. As if a sinner was drowned in water. 

His eyes were concerned. Concerned about how stupid I could be. He helped me up. I looked at him still in the water. He was dripping wet and his mullet ran down his neck. He got out of the water. I stood up to thank him but before I could, he took long strides and walked away as if nothing happened.

I tried to remember his details. Black hair, Black eyes, and a huge body. He also had a tattoo on his back which was visible as his white shirt disappeared from his body. Magnificent. 

Who is he? I urged myself to remember the familiar feeling when it hit me hard. He was the guy I insulted. Not really him. But I insulted his men when I was in the street. Why is he here?