Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 24: Kaelan (11)
[Alexander?]
Alexander was seen curled up while holding his stomach. Blank's voice reached him, and the boy turned his body. "Oh... hello, bro."
Blank approached. "Why are you sleeping here?" Alexander sat up. "Oh, it's nothing, bro, hehe..." Alexander's stomach growled.
Blank shook his head. "Alexander, come with me." The boy tilted his head. "Huh... Where to, bro?"
On the other side, the driver was seen picking his nose and looking in the mirror at his mustache. "Hmm... That kid is taking forever."
The door opened. Blank and Alexander got into the car. "Oh dear, are you kidnapping a child again?"
"Sir, are you hungry?"
"Huh? I already ate." A stomach growled. "Huh, Alexander, you're really hungry, huh?"
"That was my stomach!" shouted the driver. Blank chuckled softly. "In that case, let's eat. I have a recommendation for a good place."
The driver gripped the steering wheel. "Hey, do you think I'm not busy? Being a taxi driver is tiring, you know. I still have to pick up passengers—"
"I'll treat you."
"Oh... hehe." The gas pedal was pressed, and the car started moving again. "Which way, son!"
Blank sighed. "Go straight ahead, turn right, then at the intersection turn left, go straight until I say stop." The driver was enthusiastic. "Okay!"
The taxi stopped at a restaurant called 'Chicken Wings', and the three of them got out. "Come on, let's go in." As they entered the room, Natalia waved. "Oh, hello, bro El."
"Hello, Natalia. I'll order 3 portions of rice with iced tea." Natalia smiled. "Alright, wait a moment; I'll bring them over."
After paying, they all sat on the plush red sofa. The aroma of chicken reached their senses. The driver looked at Blank. "Why the sudden invitation to eat? How unusual."
"Just happened to be hungry too." The driver nodded. "Oh..."
Blank looked to the left. "Alexander." He looked at Blank. "Just Alex, bro."
"Oh, okay. Alex, why were you lying there? Where's your home?" Alexander shook his head. "My parents' house is almost up; I can't pay the installments."
Blank bit the flesh inside his mouth. "Hmm, is that so? Then where will you sleep later?" Alexander chuckled softly. "Hehe, I don't know yet, bro."
(This kid looks relaxed even though he has almost nothing.) Blank patted Alexander's shoulder. "Can Souza take you in at his place?"
"Souza has family problems; that would be difficult." Blank held his chin. "Can you still stay at your house?"
He bit his index finger. "Hmm... should be possible for another 4 weeks." Blank patted Alexander's hair. "You can stay with me for a while if you want."
Alexander was startled. "Really?" Blank smiled. "Yes, it's okay. That's still 4 weeks from now."
The NGNL Collaboration Event starts in 2 weeks. He intended to move to an apartment because Blank's finances were already sufficient. But the real reason was: (If I live in an apartment, at least there's 24-hour security outside.)
"In that case... what should I do, bro?"
"You can learn from me later to earn money."
Alexander's eyes sparkled brightly, as if seeing a beautiful, shining diamond. "Really!?" Blank covered his lips. "Haha, just prepare yourself."
Alexander raised the corners of his lips high with closed eyes. (He really resembles how I used to be.) Blank raised his head slightly. (Do I look like Brother Kaeri now?)
The driver's eye twitched. "You said we'd chat, but I'm being ignored."
Blank scratched his temple. "Eh... oh, the food has arrived." Natalia came with the order. (Perfect timing, Natalia.)
All the orders were served. "Enjoy your meal." Blank clapped once. "Thank you." Natalia's teeth showed. She turned her body and returned to her workplace.
The two of them began eating the food on the table. Blank and Alexander giggled, while the driver's nostrils flared. "I'm thankful for being treated... but, why? You two get thighs, and I get the butt!"
Alexander held his chin. "Well, if there are two thighs, there's a butt above them, sir." Blank chewed. "He's right."
A vein slightly appeared on the driver's forehead, his brow furrowed, but he still opened his mouth and enjoyed lunch together.
Bite after bite passed. The three of them finished and got back into the taxi. "Sir, go to where this kid was earlier for a moment. Something was left behind." The driver scratched his neck. "Oh dear..."
The gas pedal was pressed. Upon arrival, several people were already enjoying drinks from the ice container Alexander brought.
Alexander's mouth hung open. He opened the door and walked quickly toward the spot. "That's my ice!" He was panting heavily.
Four people were enjoying the refreshing drink belonging to Alexander. "Huh? What are you talking about? We found it first." One of his friends also spoke up. "That's right."
Alexander's eyes welled up, his hand extended slightly trembling. "But, bro, it's really mine."
One of them scratched his leg. "Weird. This drink was just lying here earlier."
Blank stepped forward. Instead of calming Alexander, Blank opened his phone, showing a photo of Alexander before approaching him earlier that afternoon. "Look. This is the same kid. You should be ashamed of your behavior."
Everyone was startled. They started blaming each other. "What's wrong? You said this belonged to no one. It's that little kid's." The debate among them continued until Blank reprimanded them again.
"At least pay for it. Do you want to be thieves from a little kid?" Everyone fell silent. They took money from their pockets and gave it to Alexander. Instantly, they all ran away with red faces. Alexander asked, "What did you do just now, bro?"
"It's just a photo. I'm used to taking pictures. Who knows, it might be important, like just now, haha."
After the problem was resolved, Alexander carried his container and walked along the sidewalk, his hand waving. "Thank you, bro! See you later."
"See you later too, Alex." The two parted ways. Blank got into the taxi. "Let's go home, sir." The taxi driver just nodded silently. Blank gave him money. "Oh, and this is a tip." The driver was startled and looked at him, smiling. "Haha, thank you."
Finally, Blank returned to his rental room. Days passed, and this time his work would be carried out tonight. Everything was going well for now, and elsewhere...
The penthouse elevator opened. "Hello, Uncle Robenson, long time no see." A 30-year-old man held both hands behind his back. The man with white hair and beard glanced. "Hi, Rama, finally we can meet again."
The two sat facing each other on the living room sofa. "Why did you call me? Is there a mission?" Mr. Son, or Robenson, answered, "Well, there's a little kid I want to—"
"AH, NO WAY!" Rama, who still had a firm body and face, raised his leg. "I already destroyed 2 subordinate organizations of the Family Association, and now you want me to babysit a kid? I don't want to end up like Kaeri."
Mr. Son clicked his tongue. "Just 2 weeks. Just to observe his daily life." Rama took a glass of plain water. "Ridiculous. No."
"He's Leonardo's child." Rama froze instantly. "Really? That senior's child?" Mr. Son raised his hands, leaning back on the sofa.
Rama grinned. "What should I do?" Mr. Son threw a flash drive. "That's a recording of Kaeri's training. Drop it off and observe his development for 2 weeks." Rama laughed. "So I'm a stalker now?"
Mr. Son's face leaned closer. "If anyone bothers him, do as you please with that person." Rama crossed his legs. "Haha, that's good. So what's his name?"
That night, Mr. Son discussed with Rama for some time. Hours passed, and now the sun shone over Chean B City. Blank, who had already cleaned himself, was now taking something from under the cabinet. (I left my phone.)
Blank took his shoes, a jump rope, and also the prepared barbell. (I have to exercise today.) Blank put on his shoes. Because his rental area was in the hills, he ran back and forth in the morning.
For an hour, Blank ran up the hill and back down. This time was his final set; he intended to sprint as fast as possible. His eyes looked at the uphill road. (The distance is about 150 meters or more.) Blank put on a serious face and began bending his knees.
He closed his eyes and opened them again. Quick movement along the sloping road quickly drained his energy, and his breath became short. Blank reached the finish line in 20 seconds.
Blank leaned his body against an electricity pole. "Phew... Tired..." He was panting heavily. But suddenly...
"I didn't see..." A teenager was being choked by a man. The teenager was thrown down. "Tch, it's so hard to find him."
Blank stared sharply, full of bewilderment. (What's wrong with that guy?) His eyes looked around. (There are no CCTV cameras in this area.)
Then another man approached him. Their bodies were larger than Blank's, even though their heights weren't that different. They wore leather jackets like thugs.
"Hey, did you find anything?" The other man shook his head. "Nothing."
"Oh dear... Joe might get angry if that person's descendant isn't found. It's already been a day." Blank watched them from afar, but one of the men noticed Blank's position.
Blank's heart stopped instantly. He ran into a hill alley, looking for a safe place. (Damn, those thugs are scary.)
Footsteps began to be heard in his ears. (Huh? Am I being chased?) Blank ran as hard as he could in any direction to find a safe place, but his condition wasn't good; he had already done over 20 sets of running on an uphill road.
Blank hid at a narrow alley intersection. He was panting rapidly, thinking of a way to get back to his rental room.
But a hand grabbed and squeezed his shoulder. Blank looked with weak legs; a sharp gaze was now staring at him.
"Hey, kid, I'm looking for someone." Blank swallowed his saliva. The man was larger and taller than him. The wound on his hand made Blank freeze. One sentence was uttered, and his eyes widened completely.
"Do you know Elon Halan Davea?"
Blank turned his head quickly, his eyes narrowing. (Huh?) The man before him was searching for a different Davea name. Blank shook his head. "I don't know..." The man approached and choked him. "Show me your ID."
Cold sweat soaked his face. (Damn! Why is this guy suddenly...) Blank was thrown to the ground. His throat hurt. (That guy choked really hard.) One of his friends came. "How is it?"
The man pointed at Blank. "This kid saw us and ran, right? Ask him." Footsteps approached. Blank stood up and tried to run, but his stomach was hit by a strong kick. "Ugh..."
Blank fell. Now two men were standing before him. "Hey, why does this kid seem a bit suspicious?" One of the men grabbed Blank's hair. "Hey, do you know the person I mentioned earlier?"
His jaw dropped. "N-no..." A punch from the right hand landed on his face. Even though Blank tried to block with his left hand, Blank was still thrown and fell on the slightly dusty gray paving blocks. "Ugh..." A kick hit his knee until Blank's leg went numb. "Ack!"
The man lowered his head and tried to take Blank's wallet. "At least this money can be for food first." Blank's face paled. Inside that wallet was his full name; clearly, it would be very dangerous for him now.
Blank grabbed his pocket and covered it. Blank's left leg kicked upward toward the face. One hand quickly caught his ankle. "Hey, kid, are you fighting back?" The other leg kicked the stomach, but... The man's hard stomach showed no impact from Blank's kick.
"Kid, you're still too young to fight a senior from Underring." One punch landed on Blank's face, making him weak and helpless. (Damn... Who are these guys?) The man took Blank's wallet. With the remaining strength, Blank punched with his right hand, but...
Thud.
A kick from above hit his head; it belonged to the other man. Blank's eyes began to blur, and his vision became unclear. (Bastard! I have to get up...)
Blood came out of Blank's mouth. The two large men took Blank's wallet. "Let's eat first. The money is enough." His gaze changed. "There's an ID card too." Blank gritted his teeth. (Bastard! Don't open it.) Blank tried to stand up forcefully, but quickly a punch hit his stomach, throwing him backward. "Ackk..."
Blank stared sharply. His wallet was being opened, and the card was being taken out. (Bastard!) Blank tried to crawl. (Don't open that!) The hand of one of the men began to lift his ID card.
[NO!]