Chapter 5

"Gulf!"

Shion's voice stopped him.

"Gulf!" The three yelled.

Gulf fainted. Shion carried him and when they try to follow, Shion stopped them.

"You're not coming. I'm taking him with me,"

"You can't do that!'" Brent yelled trying to get Gulf but Shion's men blocked them.

"I will not let him stay with people who are lying to him from the start," he told them. Brent scoffed.

"And you're not?" He mocked the don. But Shion smirked only.

"He knew who I am. You know how to contact me when you decided to come clean and do remember who you vowed your loyalty to. To Gulf who is also become your brother or to his grandfather that's paying you?" With that, Shion left them. They are shocked to hear it.

***

The three are inside the café. Miko and Will are not talking to Brent.

"He knew everything but he didn't tell us," Will said.

"Maybe he wanted us to tell him ourselves," Miko answered him.

"I, I can't see him like that. Hurting and he is right, we are his family but we..." Will didn't finish because he is crying hard and Miko is crying as well.

"Are you happy now?!" Will burst at Brent. "You promised that we will come clean when he's stable, but you didn't!" he added. He is mad and disappointed with his lover.

"Will-

"He is so broken can't you see that?! He knew it already but he gave us a chance to tell him but we blew it and it's because of you! It's because of your fucking pride!" Will yelled.

"William!"

"What?! Am I wrong? We almost lost him before and we did too today. Do you consider him as a family? He endured so much already. Isn't that enough? Was your pride that important than him? Have you ever thought that it's not a failure if we told him the truth and we can protect him without leaving him in the dark?" Will said dejectedly.

"Why are you so afraid to be a failure in front of his grandfather? Was it because of your family? I understand if it's because of your father's reputation but Brent, whether Gulf knows the truth or not, it will not define if we failed or not. If we keep him alive and out of danger even if he knows the truth, it's still a success for us. At least he will be aware that there are enemies out there," Will continued.

"Will, that's enough. Let's just think about our next step and as for me, we need to face Mr.Trion before we talk to Gulf," Miko said.

Will nods and left the café with Miko.

*****

They arrived at the mansion. Shion hurriedly brings Gulf out of the car.

"Who is she son?" Lia asked her son. She thought that it was a girl because of Gulf's long hair.

Shion didn't answer her and go straight to his room. Her mom just followed him.

"Heighten the security," He commanded. Zeke followed his order.

"What's going on, son? And who is she?" This time it was his father asking.

He put down Gulf gently on the bed before facing his parents.

"I'll tell you everything later but, Mom..."

"Yes, son?"

"Can you look at him closely?" he asked. He wanted to see if his mom can recognize Gulf. His parents' faces show confusion.

"She's not a girl?" Lia asked as she checks the sleeping figure.

"No, Mom," Shion answered.

Lia went slowly near the bed and sits beside the unconscious Gulf. She's looking at him closely.

"He's very pretty for a boy," She complimented

"Look closely, Mom," he told his mother.

"What are you trying to do-

*Gasped*

His father was cut when Lia gasped.

"What is it, hun?" Alex asked his wife.

"Could it be?" Lia ignored her husband and looks at her son. Shion smiled at her and nodded.

"Oh, my!" Lia exclaimed covering her mouth.

"What's wrong, hun? Shion, who is this boy and why is your mother crying?" Alex asked. He's about to go nuts.

"Hun" Lia called for her husband stretching her hand. Alex took it and stands beside her.

"Look at him," Lia told him. Alex looks at his wife first before looking at Gulf.

"Look at him closely and tell me, who do you see?" Lia said.

Alex stared at Gulf's sleeping face for a while then, the realization hits him. Tears start pooling in his eyes too.

"Derek, Alice...

We, we found him. Finally, we found your little... Kanatha."

*****

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At Gulf's grandfather's mansion

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Brient, Will, and Miko are now at the mansion of Gulf's grandfather.

"Sir"

The three greeted the man.

"I heard what happened," Alaric Trion said calmly.

"We are sorry, we failed," Brent said.

"No, you three didn't. He's alive and that's what matters." The old man said.

"What do you want us to do, sir? He wanted to meet you," Brent informed him.

"I don't think it's a good idea. He'll be in danger if we meet," The man replied

"But sir-

"He said no, Will," Brent stopped Will. Will glared at him.

"Then with all due respect, Sir... *the man nods at him to continue* ...I would like to withdraw on this mission," Will said boldly. Brent's eyes widen.

"You can't do that, Will! You promised to protect-

"I can and I will. Yes, I promised to protect him and I will do that. Not because it's my obligation but because he is my friend," Will answered back.

The old man is happy inside that his grandchild has a friend like him.

"Uhm, Sir, I want to withdraw too," Miko said.

"You too?" Brent asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Will is right. We can protect Gulf as his friends. We will protect him just like how a friend should protect one another not because of something else. And we don't care about your opinion." Miko said.

"So, sir, please let us go. Let us be free from this mission. We want to stay with our brother Kana," Will told the man.

Eric smiled at him.

"I'm happy that you care for my grandchild. So, go ahead. You are free," Eric agreed.

Will and Miko bowed respectfully. They left without sparing a glance to Brent.

"What about you, Brent? Do you not care for your friend?" Eric asked.

"I do care but, I have responsibilities," he answered politely.

"So, what's your plan?" The man asked.

"I will continue watching over him even from afar," Brent said.

"Very well. Go on, you should take a rest," Eric said dismissing Brent who bows before he left.

"Stubborn. Just like his father.' Eric sighed...

The old man will do everything in his power to keep his grandson safe even if he needs to sacrifice himself.