Chapter 8

I returned to my life. I got up early the next morning. I went to Ivan’s villa after my breakfast.
“I’d like to talk with you a few minutes. Come with me,” he said.
We went in his office. He asked me to close the door.
“I’ll have some business on November third. It’s dangerous. I need you to come with me,” he said.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Arms trade,” he replied.
I was a little surprised. I knew he dealt in, but not himself. He always asked someone to do it, but never did it himself.
“You never did that yourself, did you?” I asked.
“No, I never did it myself before. But from now on, I’ll do it myself.”
“Why?”
“I think that there is a spy in our mafia. I’ll take care of all the important business from now on, no matter what kind.”
I was surprised and a little afraid. Did he know anything about me? I was afraid of looking at his eyes. “But our arms deals never had any problems. Maybe you think too much,” I said.
“Anyway, I’ve decided,” he said.
“I see. I’ll be with you on November third,” I said.
“I am very tired these days. Let’s go to enjoy the hot springs after the deal.” He smiled.
“It sounds good,” I said.
I went back in the evening. When I arrived at my apartment, Mr. Thomas’s driver was waiting for me outside.
“Good evening. Mr. Thomas wants you to come to his villa. Please come with me,” he said politely and opened the door for me.
“I don’t have time.” I went past him.
“Mr. Thomas said you must come. Rex is very weak now,” he said.
“What?” I turned back and asked.
“He tried to kill himself that night when you asked us to come get him.”
I was shocked by his words. How stupid Rex was! I wasn’t sure whether I should go to see him or not.
“Please come with me,” he said.
I thought of Bruno’s words, I was able to break off contacts with Rex. However, how could I let him die for me? I got in the car.
When I arrived at the villa, Mr. Thomas took me to Rex’s room. Rex was on his bed and his face was pale. I felt so sorry. If I had known he would kill himself, I would have asked him to go away.
“He stabbed himself in the chest and lost a lot of blood. Once he came around he called your name,” Mr. Thomas said. “Let him rest. Come to my room. I want to talk with you.”　　He left, I was after him.
“As you see, my dear son tried to kill himself because of you. I really want to kill you. But I can’t, because Rex wouldn’t be happy with that.”
I was still. I had no words in return.
“I asked him to go abroad. But he told me he won’t go without you.”
I wasn’t surprised to hear that answer. I knew his love: the purest, supreme love. He just wanted to stay with me. But I wasn’t able to make his wish come true.
“Lawrence, go with Rex, please. He needs you.”
“I am sorry. I am not the person who can give him happiness.”
He took out a necklace and said, “Once I looked at this necklace, I felt sorry for him. If I hadn’t adopted him, he would have an ordinary life. He would not have been kidnapped more than ten times. He would be happier than now.”
“There is no ‘if’ in this world, Mr. Thomas. You did enough for Rex. Rex must be happy to be your adopted son.”
“I never told him about his birth family. It’s because I don’t want to him to think he was an orphan. This necklace is his, maybe from his birth parents. But I never showed it to him.”
“May I have a look?” I asked.
“Here you are.” He gave me the necklace.
When I looked at the necklace, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was the same as mine, and there was a V on it. “Is Rex’s birth-name Victor?” I asked.
“How do you know that?” Mr. Thomas looked at me in surprise.
I took out my necklace and showed it to him. “These two necklaces are a pair. There is a V on this one and an L on mine. It means Victor and Lawrence.”
“You’re brothers!” Mr. Thomas’s eyes were wide.
“If the necklace is Rex’s, he is my long-lost younger brother.”
Suddenly the door opened. “Tell me you’re just kidding. Tell me I am not your brother.” It was Rex’s voice.
“Rex!” Mr. Thomas said in surprise.
I slowly looked back. Rex stood beside the door with tears in his eyes. We looked at each other silently for a while.
“I found you. Thank God that I found you.” I hugged him tightly.
He pushed me and said, “No, it’s unbelievable. You must be joking. I don’t believe you.”
I put my hands on his shoulders. “Rex, you should be happy. We were apart for twenty years, and now we meet again. You’re my dear brother, my only relative in this world now. Do you know how I missed you? Nobody can take you away from me now.”
“Don’t touch me.” He pushed my hands away. “You know what I need is not a brother.” He went back his room and locked the door.
I stood outside and knocked at the door. But he didn’t answer me.
“Give him some time. He will need time to accept that you are blood relatives. You know how deeply he loves you. He can’t accept it right now, but he will accept it some day. Until that day come, please wait patiently,” Mr. Thomas said.
“I see. He doesn’t want to see me. I’ll go back. Take care of him, please.”
“Think about my advice again. If you’re brothers, you have a reason to go abroad with him now. I’ll wait for your answer.”
I nodded and left.
That night, I went to Bruno’s place and told him everything—both of Ivan’s plan and the whole story of Rex and me. I said I wanted to quit my job and stay with Rex after I finished my work. Bruno asked me to think again. He didn’t want me to quit the job. But he said if I insisted, I would be able to be free once they arrested Ivan on November third.
Three days had gone by, and I hadn’t met Rex again. Mr. Thomas told me Rex didn’t leave his bedroom for those three days. I knew Rex needed time, so I had to wait.
The next day was November third. I was ready. It was very dangerous and might be my last work. I might not come back again. Even so, I hoped the next day would come soon. If I could come alive, I would go to see Rex. I also hoped he would want to see me. Then I would go abroad with him.
When I went to bed that night, I couldn’t sleep. When I closed my eyes, I could see Rex in my head. Then I got up and called him. However, he didn’t answer my call. I had no idea what to do, so I send a message to tell him what I was thinking. I hoped he would be happy with my decision. After a few minutes, I slept.


— TBC