Chapter 2

　I came around the next morning. Sunlight shone across the window and on my face. I opened my eyes and looked around in the room. It was Ivan’s bedroom. I was on his bed, and he was sitting beside the bed, watching me with worried eyes.
“How do you feel now? Do you feel anything wrong?” he asked me.
“I am fine, but why am I here?” I asked.
“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”
I put my hand on my head and said, “I just remember a little. I gave him some food. After he finished the spaghetti, I put the plate on the table. When I turned my back to him, I felt a sharp pain on my neck. I blacked out then.”
“Well, he is a little different than I thought. Things are going to be difficult. He is clever and brave. He knocked you down and ran away by himself,” Ivan said very calmly. “But I feel sorry for him, because he has to be my visitor again.” He smiled coldly.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault,” I said.
“It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry about it,” he said softly, “But be careful next time. I don’t want you to get any hurt again.”
“I see,” I replied. “By the way, why don’t you try to make friends with Mr. Thomas and then ask him to sell the stocks to you?” I asked.
“Do you ever see a business man who wants to make friends with a mafia leader?”
“No, but I believe you can. You are more talented than any other mafia leader. You can do what the others can’t,” I replied.
“Maybe I can, but it will cost time. I don’t want to waste time. The fastest way is to kidnap his son and ask for his stock.”
“I see, but why do you want the stocks?” I asked.
Ivan gave me a smile and said, “You need not know.” Then he walked near to the window and looked across it.
I looked at him and said nothing any more.
After a while, “Do you think it is a little bright? Should I close the curtain for you?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
He closed the curtain and turned to go. “Take care. I’ll come to see you later.” He closed the door.
Ivan was a special mafia leader. He hated violence and bloodshed. I had been with him for three years, and never saw him hurt anybody. However, that time was different. Ivan used a foul way that he has never used before.
There were many questions in my head. Why did he want the stocks? Why was he sure that Mr. Thomas will give it to him to set Rex free? If things didn’t go on as he expected, would he kill Rex?
Rex, I still remembered his beautiful face. “Is he safe now?” I thought. I didn’t want Ivan to kidnap him again. It troubled me. I was not the same since I met Rex, but I didn’t know that at that time.
One night a week later, I got a call from Ivan. He told me he was at J bar and asked me to get there soon. His voice was cold and unhappy.
I knew it was because that day was the anniversary of his mother’s death. Every year on that day, he made it a rule to go to the churchyard alone and stayed there for a long time.
Only that day, Ivan could be himself and didn’t have to be a mafia leader. He could be sad, and be in tears. However, the next day everything would turn back; he had to be a cold man – the most powerful mafia leader.
When I arrived at J bar, I went straight to the VIP room. Ivan was inside and very drunk. He looked at me and said, “Sit down. Let’s have a drink.”
I took his glass and said, “You drink too much.”
“If you don’t want to drink, just go away.” Ivan took back his glass and chugged the beer at one go.
I didn’t say a word anything else. I sat beside him, watched him drink a glass after a glass. How many did he drink that night? Maybe ten glasses? Fifteen glasses? Or more? I didn’t remember. I just remembered his sad face – a face what looked like that of a child whose toy was broken, but never like that of a mafia leader.
“Until the bell rings at twelve, you can be yourself. Enjoy tonight! I would like to stay with you.” I took a beer and downed it.
Ivan said nothing, but drank of another glass. About one minute later, he looked up at me. “Do you still remember three years ago today?” he asked.
“I will never forget that day. You gave me a helping hand, and took me here. That was our first meeting,” I replied.
“Do you know why?” He looked at my eyes and asked. Without waiting for my answer, he said, “It because you and the guys were fighting near the churchyard. Violence will break the peace there. And also both my mother and I hated violence.” He stopped a second or two, and then said, “But I didn’t know why I took you here, maybe because of your bright eyes.”
“You are drunk, Ivan. Let’s go,” I said. I took up his arm and helped him to stand up. Ivan was too drunk to walk himself. I had to should help him to go out.
It was dark and quiet outside. A refreshing breeze had sprung up. I saw his car was a little way in front. I helped Ivan to walk near to his car, and the driver opened the door for us.
All at once, a man with a knife ran towards us. I hadn’t got a chance to see his face. He had already gone to stab Ivan. I was really in shock at that time. I quickly pushed Ivan a way and kicked the man down. The man soon stood up and attacked me.
“Take Ivan home! Quickly!” I shouted to the driver.
“Take care yourself!” He soon helped Ivan into the car and drove away.
The man was not a good fighter, but he had a knife, so I had to be careful. Suddenly, I felt a pain in my abdomen. I slowly looked down. The knife was in my body, and my shirt turned red. Everything slowed down.
I took it out of my body with a loudly shout. I pressed one hand to my wound, and my other hand pointed the knife at the man. He looked frightened. I wanted to stab him, but I was in a lot of pain with the knife wound, so I couldn’t do that.
He looked at me frightfully, and ran way at once. However, I was in too much pain to run after him.
It was nearly midnight. I went to a quiet back street next to J bar, and sat on the ground alone. I was in pain and my blood was everywhere. “Will I die?” I thought, “No, I can’t let that happen.” I took out my handkerchief and put it on my wound to stop the blood.
I hadn’t been to the hospital since my parents died and I didn’t want to go again. I just wanted to go back to my apartment and then ask someone to bandage me. However, I was too tired to stand up myself just then. I wanted to take a break. And then I leaned against the wall, and closed my eyes.
There were many people’s faces in my head. I could see my dead parents, and my younger brother – who I had lost for twenty years. I also saw my friend, Ivan, and the person I wanted to meet again. I missed them all.
Suddenly, I heard some steps. I was a little afraid, because I was too tired to move. “Has he came back to kill me?” I thought. While I opened my eyes, I saw the person whom I missed just now – Rex. I was relieved to see him.
He walked over to me and helped me to stand up. “Come with me,” he said and helped me into his car, then drove away.


　　– TBC