Gabriel's "Dad, is there something wrong?" Nathan asked as we all strolled through the aisle of snacks here at the supermarket.I looked at him and he's looking at me intently then I heard Crim clear his throat and saw him giving me a knowing look. And I can't help but sigh before kneeling in front of him and looking at his face. Nathan is a smart kid. He's also observant. That's why it's not surprising that he sensed my bad mood. Especially when he saw that I didn't give Maze a kiss before we left which is really unusual. The goodbye kiss is a thing for our son. It's like an unspoken rule.But since I'm too pissed off of my husband's decision to get a babysitter even though we promised to each other long ago that we won't, I can't even look at him let alone think of him right now without frowning. It was then I felt Nathan's hand massaging the gap between my brows to remove my frown and I'm back to reality. I heard Crimson chuckled as he looked at my son before messing with his h
Gabriel's"Crimson, we're adding more for 4 persons." I told Crimson after I hung up the call with Mew."Noted, Maze's Wifey." I ignored his remark and peeked at the living room where Nathan is playing with his One Piece action figures and I smiled upon seeing how careful he is as he arranges the toys above the centre table.He sure knows how to take care of such collector's items.It was then the doorbell rang and I frowned.I didn't think that Maze would be that fast to arrive home. Today's quite a busy day so I supposed they'll be a bit stuck in the traffic. But then I shrugged off and looked at Crimson who's still busy cooking. Well, he volunteered to cook the steak so I let him. So I dared not to bother him anymore and just went straight outside to open the gate. Not realizing that it would be the most stupid and wrongest thing I did today. I stood frozen as I saw a tall guy wearing black clothes in front of me. And he's certainly not my husband. Nor Jake, First or Heine. Ca
Crimson's"His vitals are now stable. The bullet was removed safely, and luckily, it didn't hit any vital organs or else it could've been fatal." I told Maze whilst putting back my things inside my bag. Becka, whom I just found out to be a registered nurse and not really a babysitter but a personal bodyguard in disguise helped me with the sanitation of the equipment we used to remove the bullet from Gabriel's left abdomen. His body was in a state of shock which is one of the factors why he lost consciousness. Maze didn't answer and just stared at Gab's sleeping figure. We chose to just treat Gabriel's wound at home since I am a doctor and we also have a nurse in the house. That's more than enough to help him. And besides, we know for a fact that the hospital is not safe either. I looked at Maze intently and guilt, anger and pain was written all over his face. I've already asked Heather and Royce to look for more men to help us secure the house, not only Maze's family but our frien
Crimson'sThe next morning, news about a dead body that was found in front of The King's Empire building is everywhere.Nobody dared to talk about it while we're having our breakfast.Maze had invited the three guys to join us for breakfast. But since Gab is still unconscious, Maze said that we can eat without him whilst Becka took care of Nathan who's still a bit scared until now.Well, what can we expect? He just heard gunshots for the first time and his dad was shot and lost consciousness in front of him. That's quite a hard pill to swallow for a young boy like him.But I must admit that Maze made the right decision to hire Becka cause she's able to easily coax Nathan and they get along with each other quite well. And I can see that Becka is really good at what she does. Otherwise, she wouldn't be an in-demand bodyguard based on what Heine said. Though, I'm still skeptical because she's more like a model or a child of a politician. I was about to drink my coffee when my phone star
Gabriel'sMaze and I stared at each other for a solid minute. I'm sure he's still trying to find an answer to my question that would be less hurtful.But that's ridiculous.His dad wants me dead just so he can have him and our son.If that's not painful enough then I don't know anymore. Maybe I'm being dramatic and paranoid cause I feel like everything Maze had told me today were all lies.I'm not dumb. I know it when someone is lying to me and everything that a liar does when they are lying, I've seen it from Maze a while ago. But why would he lie to me? I looked at him intently, waiting for his answer. And yet, I didn't hear a thing. And his silence is enough for me to know his answer. And so, I let go of his hand and nodded slowly as I clenched my jaw. "Gab-""No, it's fine." I beckoned him to stop moving closer and he just stared at me worriedly. "I'm fine. I just need time to be alone." I said and I could feel him staring at me. Funny. How he obviously wanted to go a while
Maze's"Hey, Bro. Are you okay?" Mark asked as we all sat down at the dining room. I looked at everyone and they were all looking at me, too."Heck, no. I know that Gabriel is already suspecting me and I am absolutely not fine with the fact that he got hurt because of my hell sent father." I said while massaging my temple and all they could do was sigh.They are obviously having a hard time dealing with this shit."You know what, I just don't understand why would your father go to a certain extent to try to kill Gabriel just to take you and Nathan?" Top said and even gestured with his hand.Crimson and I gave each other a knowing look and he shook his head."Mr. King has this obsession of making Maze his heir, probably because he's his only family and he wanted him to be the successor of all his properties and businesses ." First said and I looked at him.He's kinda right.But he did miss something, though.He forgot to say that most of those businesses and properties are illegal.The
Special Chapter: Monster Mazon King"Just make sure that you've dispatched the body properly." I said as I took a hit from my tobacco and the guy bowed his head before leaving. I looked at everyone gathered around my office and they were all just waiting for my command. One snap and they would go running to give me what I want. But not just yet. I just did the first strike. It would be too early for strike two. And besides, I already have a plan in mind. Since, it's almost that time of the year. When Maze lost his Mom. And I'm sure that no matter how complicated the situation is, he would go to his mother's grave. For the past years, I've always watched him from afar. I saw how he changed from being a fierce man to being a soft, vulnerable family man, by which I didn't train him to be. I saw how happy he is having Gabriel and their adopted son by his side together with his friends. But that's not what I wanted to see. Especially when I had to back down and give him an i
Gabriel's "Have you seen your Dad?" I asked Nathan as he snuggled up against me carefully just so he won't hurt my wound. I wrapped him inside my left arm as I was lying at the left side of the bed. It's been three days since Maze hasn't slept with me in our room. And I have let him because I'm also not sure if I can have another conversation with him after he lied to me. And everytime that I try to ask where he is, Crimson and Becka would say that he's at the study room and I know very well why he stays there.He filed an indefinite leave from his work and the endorsement for his clients have long been done.He stays at the study room not only because he knows that I'm upset at him and he's probably giving me some space to calm down.He also stays there because that's the place where he had kept everything about his mom.I felt a pang of guilt as I remembered that it's almost the time of the year.Maze needed love all the time and I'm dead sure that I've never failed to make him f
"Maze, the love of my life. I know we had gone through a lot and I've witnessed how you doubted yourself about being a good partner to me and a dad to our son, Nathaniel. But I want you to know that no one can ever replace you.You will always be my person.The one that I trust the most.The one who made me feel like I was never broken.The one who made me realize that I can be someone's home.You made me feel needed.And my life before you, that's all I ever wanted.To be needed and to be loved.And you did all that.You took away all my traumas and tried your best to protect me and our son.And I want you to know that I'm still keeping my promise, Maze.That if there come a time that you wanted to weep and slack off, you can always look for me and I'll be there. Always.I am your home.And at times when you're too weak, I'll be your strength.We're a team. You need not to face a storm alone cause I'll always be with you.I love you with extreme certainty, Maze Johnson-Thornton.We
"I may have kept some things from you, Gabriel. Some things that even I, myself, hated about me. But I will never forget how you made me realize that I can be the most hideous person I think I am, and you'd still love me with every beat of your heart.I will never forget how you managed to bring light in my darkness and how you filled the void in my life with your mere existence.And it was then I realized that I don't really believe in love.I only believed in you.And I can never love somebody else as much as I love you.Cause my love is no one but you.You are my home that I'll always try to protect.The home that I'll always get excited to run to after a tiring day.The arms that I'd love to wrap around me as I sleep.The owner of the lips that I'll forever long to kiss.You're my constant reminder that I am loved.And this heart of mine, my love.It beats for you.I love you Gabriel Thornton-Johnson."
Maze'sI felt my tears streaming down my cheeks as I look at the love of my life, looking as beautiful as ever, whilst he walks towards the predella where I'm standing. I can also see the reactions among our guests and I can really see that they are happy for the both of us. I looked at our friends and can't help but to cry even more because of how thankful I am to them for staying with us and for fighting with us amidst of the danger. I looked at Gabriel's mom and she smiled at me. And I uttered 'thank you' but I know that that's not enough. Those words can't really express how grateful I am to her for bringing Gab to life and for making him such a strong person that I can lean on whenever I'm weak and vulnerable. I looked at my wife again as he reached the predella and he looked at me with nothing but love in his eyes. We were to drawn with each other's orbs and we didn't notice that our son is standing between us. If Nathan hadn't taken my hand to intertwine it with Gabriel
SAVEDGabriel'sMy world's in a blur once I opened my eyes and I was welcomed by a bright light conquering the room. On a split second, I really thought that I was dead and this was already Nirvana. But as soon as I've felt the pain on my chest, I knew for sure that I'm alive and I'm probably in a hospital.I dared to get up but one was quick to stop me and firmly held me back from getting up.It's Michael.He smiled at me softly as if he's consoling me and I couldn't help but frown.The first person that comes through my mind was my husband.And after remembering what happened before I passed out, I went hysterical before frantically looking around."Where's Maze? Where's my husband?" I asked Mike as tears started streaming down my face with the immense fear I'm feeling.That aside from the physical pain I'm feeling from the wound on my chest, the pain I'm feeling within whilst thinking what could possibly be the reason why my husband is not around is much more bigger than any phys
Hitting HomeGabriel's I stared at my own reflection in the vanity mirror whilst fixing the collar of my suit. I took a couple of deep breath as I feel extremely nervous about what's about to happen. And as I stare at myself, I can't help but cry again as I remembered everything that we've been through.I cried even more when the image of Maze lying bloodied in my arms while I called his name nonstop flashed through my mind. I feel like it all just happened yesterday and yet here I am. About to hit home. It was then the door opened and my mom came in. She gave me a warm smile when she saw me crying as she walked towards me. I also smiled at her but then started crying again like a baby when she pulled me in for a hug without saying anything. She just stood and hugged me as if that can soothe me from having all these feelings. And it somehow helped to calm me down.She then pulled away to look at my face and she smiled as she stared at me lovingly.She fixed my hy hair and pa
The Last BeatGabriel'sMy eyes widened when Maze suddenly jumped in front of me to catch the bullet that was meant for me. "Maze!""Daddy!"We both stared at each other's eyes as he fell on his knees while still being tied up on that chair.I feel like I've been stabbed just by seeing him in pain and I couldn't do anything to ease it.It was then another gunshots followed and it wasn't from Mr. King's gun.He frantically looked around only to see some of his men lying on the ground.Suddenly, three figures showed up from the dark part of the building followed by two more.And I almost cried upon recognising who they are.Jake, First and Heine went on full alert while holding their guns firmly. They showed no fear as they went to deal with Mr. King's men. Heather and Royce didn't waste any time and used the three's cover to run towards Becka, Nathan and Crimson. From the other side, there goes Mark, Top, Barry and Marvin. Mark is also holding a gun whilst the other three held a m
LA VERDADMaze'sI woke up with nagging headache. I frowned and grunted as I blink a couple of times wondering why my head hurts so much. It was then I remembered that my fucking estranged father just hit me with a gun causing me to fell unconscious. With that, I immediately went on full alert and tried my best to move. But apparently, Mr. King, being such a fucking coward, had tied me down in a chair. "Maze." I heard a familiar voice calling my name and my eyes widened as my heart started beating painfully upon recognising the owner of that voice. It's my person. I looked up and saw him standing in front of me."Gabriel!" My voice turned hoarse and I felt my throat being dry. "Gab!" I called him again when I saw who was the one standing behind him."Daddy!" I looked at the direction where that little cry came from and saw my son together with Crimson and Becka being tied up together. Crimson and Becka looked at me apologetically and their weak appearance made me more enraged.
Maze'sI frowned upon hearing what he said and even if I don't want to, perturbation suddenly creeped my whole system as I try to register and understand what he just said. "Cause by then, your beloved husband and son's head would be blown cause there's a gun pointed at their heads as we speak."I tried my best to apprehend what he said but God knows how much I wished I didn't. My hands started to shiver but then, I remained aiming the gun at him. To show him that I don't believe him. He's just stalling. But then he let out a dry laugh that seems to painful to hear before he looked at me again. "We may think alike but you should know by now that I am still more cunning than you." He said before fishing out his phone and I went on full alert. I looked closely with every move he makes. Even the way he dialed on his phone makes my heart beat painfully. The way that the dialing tone resonates inside the room just added to the tension I'm feeling. I feel like once the other line
Maze'sWe didn't waste any time at the cemetery since Mr. Alba's subordinates are on their way already.I know that I still have to attend some interrogation but since I've already made a pact with Mr. Alba that I'll help him capture one of most famous dealer in the grey market which is my Dad, there's no need for that cause I've already given him the evidences I've gathered about all the illegal businesses of Mr. King.Mr. King thinks that he's the only one who can control this game.But I when I said that I'll never be his thrall, I mean it.Mr. Alba suggested that we can just perform a sting operation with me as their bait since I'm the one he wants to have in the first place but I know that that's not possible and he can easily get away with it. I know for a fact that he also have connections inside the police forces. In fact, he even tried to bribe Mr. Alba and the Director General not knowing that we have long agreed with each other that we'll catch him no matter what. The Di