Chapter 8: Invitation To HomeEltan Storm"See you tomorrow then, Faith," Mark said before he stepped out of the car.Faith tried to roll down her window to say bye, but I locked it. Assuming the button was broken, she started waving at him. So I drove off, cutting her off mid-wave.Besides, I pinned Mark's location in my GPS. With the way Faith and he chatted all the way while making me feel like a third wheel, I didn't think I would feel comfortable keeping him alive very long.Once we were out of Mark's lane, Faith turned her gaze at me and earnestly said, "Thank you for dropping Mark off.""It was no problem." As long as I got to see you."Sorry if we made you feel left out.""It's okay. It's not like we three have anything in common to discuss." What was I saying? Where was this understanding side of me coming from? Didn't I throw this side of me under the rug when I took over the gang?She smiled. "That's very understanding of you. Thank you.""You know, you have to stop thankin
Chapter 9: Tough ChoiceEltan Storm"Hey, Eltan, what's up?" asked my eldest sister-in-law, Alena."Hey, Xian. Oh, my God, he has grown up so much!" I gushed over the little baby boy in her lap.Alena shot me a flat look through the laptop screen. "You could at least acknowledge his mother," she muttered."What's to acknowledge about you, Big Sis? You're as pretty as ever, but Xian has grown up," I reasoned, my hands itching to hold my nephew in my arms. But they were now temporarily staying in New York as Elian was expanding our business there."Sure, sure. What do you want? I'm busy.""Busy doing what exactly? It's the weekend."Alena rolled her eyes. "I'm a mother and a wife, Eltan. I'm always busy.""Sure, that's why Big Bro is surfing Netflix for a movie to watch with you guys." I could see the black and red reflection of the Netflix display on the cup Alena was drinking from.I heard Elian laugh and say, "Busted."I watched as Alena threw a cushion at her husband from the couch,
Chapter 10: Unexpected DevelopmentEltan StormI'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I'm letting you guys down again.I couldn't board the jet at the last moment. More like, I didn't.I tried to force myself to go to Arizona tonight, but the continuous flashes of Faith's sad and disappointed looks made me order my driver to take a U-turn from the airport.After that, I went home and grabbed my birthday present for Faith. And here I was right now, at the Berserkers' casino bar counter, trying to get Faith's attention as she busily served drinks to the customers."Hey, Faith," I called out, but she didn't pay me any heed and flashed a smile at the customer to whom she served a drink. "Hey?" I tried again, but she rushed to make another drink for a new customer.I was starting to get annoyed—annoyed at the fact that she was paying someone else more attention than me.I stood up from the stool and went to stand right in front of her."One Faith's special," I ordered."Just a minute—""Faith, who am I?"
Chapter 11: Fever PanicEltan StormIt had been a week since Faith's birthday, and things between us were better than ever. It truly felt like she has given me a place in her life, and I never wanted to lose that.However, the fact that I let my parents' murderers get away kept nagging me. The men I sent to Arizona instead of me couldn't get them. If it was me, I could have caught them and finally brought peace to my parents. The guilt of that ate away at me. I didn't know what I was doing. Getting revenge had been my purpose for the last two years.But now... I was totally off-tracked.Faith was consuming my every thought. It wasn't good for me. A part of me wanted to stay away from her, but a bigger part of me wanted to stay close to her. That's why once again, without fail, I was present at Berserkers at night to meet Faith.I was sitting at the bar counter waiting for Faith, but she was nowhere in sight. When I ran out of patience after ten minutes, I texted her, asking where she
Chapter 12: Morning With HerEltan StormI was sleeping on the couch when I felt something warm cover me. Being a light sleeper, I jolted up, ready to reach for my gun under the coffee table and shoot whoever was near me."Oh, sorry to wake you up," a familiar apologetic voice stopped me.I looked at the red-haired woman standing next to me and blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. She looked like a goddess with her bed hair and rumpled bartender uniform. It sure made some fantasies arise in my mind—like how much better she would look with a few red hues on her collarbone and neck.This was too good to be true. But she was still here even after rubbing my eyes.Why is my dream girl the first thing I'm actually seeing in the morning— oh, that's right. I brought her home last night.I sat upright and ran a hand through my face to get rid of the dirty thoughts in my head. "No, no, it's fine. It's not your fault. Even the littlest sounds can wake me up."Faith hummed half-he
Chapter 13: DangerousEltan StormIt had been two days since I dropped Faith at her place after she spent the entire day with me at my place. We regularly texted each other, and she told me that she was fine, but I still yearned to see her. I couldn't sleep at night because I kept thinking and worrying about her.Was she eating well? She didn't faint again, did she? What was she doing with her time now that she had a whole week off? Was she missing me like I was?Finally, having enough of my thoughts driving me nuts, I grabbed my car keys and decided to drive to Faith's home. I debated on texting her or not, finally deciding on surprising her.On the way, I got confused over get-well-soon flowers or chocolate. So I decided to get both of them. After all, she deserved the world at her feet. Compared to that, these were just small things.Stopping in front of her apartment building, I got out of the car and grabbed the small bouquet of flowers and chocolate. I was smiling ear to ear whe
Chapter 14: A New LeadEltan Storm"I feel so bad, Faith. I kind of feel like it's my fault. Especially since it happened the day after I turned him down. Maybe I was too harsh on him?""No, Candy. It wasn't your fault. It was just an accident, not a suicide."I listened to the conversation between Candy and Faith while leisurely sipping my drink at the bar counter. Today was Faith's first day back at work after her week off, and Candy was expressing her sorrows to Faith."I think someone may have cursed him," Faith added, giving me a narrowed look.I simply continued enjoying my drink, not a shred of guilt tugging at my heart.Candy nodded and said, "I should go now. Or else, Boss might think I am slacking off.""It's alright. You're allowed to mourn as much as you want, but just don't hog Faith when I'm here, okay?" My expression was normal, but my tone was only an edge below threatening.Both Faith and Candy seemed like a shiver ran down their spines. Faith too because she now knew
Chapter 15: Road RacingEltan Storm"Hey, Dr. Parkins, I thought you were dead," I greeted my family doctor sarcastically over the phone."Sorry for ghosting you with Ms. Mabel's reports, Eltan. Some family emergency came up, so I was unable to check her reports and brief you on them," he replied."It's okay. She seems better now. I have been making sure she's eating healthy.""That's great. But um..." he paused ominously. "By the way, I checked the reports just now. Do you think you can drop by my chamber?"My heart dropped. "Why? Is there something wrong with her reports?""It's not life-threatening. Just some issues. Why don't you pay me a visit whenever you can and we can talk it over?""Since you are so chill about it, I guess it is not life-threatening," I said to myself. "Anyway, I think I can visit you tomorrow afternoon.""Sounds perfect. See you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Eltan.""Goodnight, Dr. Parkins."After hanging up the call, I stared at my dark phone screen and wondere
Chapter 40: Crazy LoveEltan StormA year has gone by since Faith and I moved to New York—a year of us living together. To say it was an understatement; it was bliss."Where are you right now?" I asked over the phone. "Weren't you supposed to have dinner with Mrs. Martin?""I was having dinner with Anna, but then, duty called, so I rushed over. I have to hang up now. I'm busy.""Which duty—" Before I could ask, she cut the call.I let out an annoyed sigh.It was ten at night. It could be either of the duties since she maintained two jobs—one as the manager of the second branch of Berserkers, and the seco
Chapter 39: Best For YouEltan Storm"C'mon, Faith, don't be stubborn," I huffed, grabbing a handful of clothes from the closet."No, I won't go," she declared, dumping out the clothes I just put inside the luggage."We need to go. We won't get a second appointment if we miss the first one," I reasoned out."I still won't go. Why didn't you ask me beforehand if you are so concerned about missing the appointment?""Because I knew you would say no."We were currently back home in Vegas at Faith's apartment.After we returned from New York two weeks ago, Faith saw a psychologist here since she
Chapter 38: Two Sides Of A CoinEltan Storm"I'm so sorry for being careless, Big Bro. You can hit me if you want," I sincerely said, closing my eyes and waiting for Elian to hit me.But instead, I was wrapped in a tight hug. "Thank you for finding him," was what he said, contrary to what I expected of him."But it really was my fault—""It doesn't matter. You returned Xian back to us safely. You did your job well," he said, and I became quiet.I watched Xian who was hugging his mom and crying. It was obviously a little too much for such a young kid.Mutiny was standing in the corner, distancing herself from my family.
Chapter 37: Protect HimFaith MabelEltan was freaking out.It was the first time I was seeing him like this, and knowing I was partially responsible for it made things worse.If only I had told him that I was going to the pharmacy, he wouldn't have rushed to look for me while leaving Xian alone. And right now, we couldn't find him anywhere.Eltan already called his men to send out a search party. They were going through the CCTV footage around the park. Whoever took Xian even threw away the phone Eltan had given him."Shouldn't you let Alena and Elian know?" I asked hesitantly while Eltan was pacing around in front of the house.
Chapter 36: Family For A DayEltan Storm"Eltan, you have bags under your eyes. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?" Faith asked in concern."Yeah, something like that," I said.After Faith fell asleep beside me, I stayed up all night researching DID and how to date someone with it.It wasn't going to be easy; that much was obvious. But I was all in for a hard challenge.So far what I understood was, I had to be gentle for Faith like I have always been and rough for Mutiny because that was the only way to deal with her unpredictable actions.I needed to talk to Faith about it as well. I needed her permiss
Chapter 35: A Single SystemEltan Storm"Why did he call you Daddy?" Mutiny asked, still not believing and holding Xian hostage."Because I told him we were going to meet his daddy," Alena giggled. "Technically, I didn't lie, though. Because we are going to meet Elian after this.""Mommy, you didn't tell me we were meeting Eltan," Xian complained with a pout."That's what you call a surprise, baby!" Alena cooed. "Also, call him uncle," she added a little sternly."It's fine. I will feel old if he calls me uncle." I turned my gaze back to Mutiny who was still skeptical of the entire situation. I
Chapter 34: New ConflictEltan StormThree days passed by since I told Faith the truth.She was taking it well, surprisingly. She was putting up a smile constantly, and I couldn't tell if it was a hundred percent genuine or not. Surely, she was struggling inside.But I tried my best to make things easier for her.Since we were going to be in New York for a week, I took her sightseeing to keep her mind off going into dark places.Due to my shoulder still not being fully healed, she wouldn't let us stay outside for long. However, only at that time, I could be sure that she was truly smiling from the bottom of her heart. Because it showed on her face how much she liked having fun wit
Chapter 33: She Is StrongEltan Storm"Do you want something to eat?" Mutiny asked, peeking inside my room from the doorframe."No, I'm feeling drowsy because of the painkillers. I'm just gonna change and lie down," I replied, standing in front of the dressing table and unbuttoning my shirt with one hand."Do you need some help with that?" She waltzed into the room and slapped my hand away to start working on the buttons."Why did you even bother asking?"She shrugged her shoulders and helped me take off the shirt. "What about your pants? I'll be happy to help with this too." She licked her lips and ran her index finger over the edge of my slacks with a mischievous glint in her ey
Chapter 32: Underworld QueenEltan Storm"I swear I will chop that piece of a shit limb by limb," Mutiny grumbled from the corner of the room while a medic took the crumbs of the bullet from my left shoulder.When we were outside the mansion, one of the members of Charles and Andrew's gang happened to survive despite his grave injuries and shot at me from the window. He aimed for my heart, but he missed and hit my shoulder.I chuckled lightly at her fussing. "He's dead already. Remember, you emptied your magazine shooting at that guy?""Not enough! I'm still going to cut him into little pieces, then I will burn them," she declared, her arms crossed against her chest."Just please