Sold?

[Present]

The setting sun was giving out the last of its rays as I finished my story. This was the first time I had ever told anyone my life story. I never felt like there was any need to tell anyone, it wasn't like it was going to make any difference. Moreover, I didn't want anyone to know either but with Caesar, it sort of felt different. I told him not because there was any need to or anything, I told him solely because I felt like I could confide in him.

Somehow I felt at ease while telling him my story, like I knew I wouldn't be judged for my life and the decisions I made and deep down I knew I was right.

Soft wind blew as night began to dominate the sky and one could see the stars painted on the dark canvas.

Caesar and I sat on the slanted roof as I told him my story. He didn't say anything throughout the story telling journey, but well it's Caesar we're talking about, what else can you expect from him?

"And you know what I did after the funeral?" I scoffed, "I couldn't cry." I looked at the distant stars, "I felt so empty I just wanted something or someone to fill me." I stared at the night sky with an empty expression, "So I went back to the bar."

I felt Caesar's gaze on me the entire time he listened. It was an indication that he was listening to every word I was saying very carefully.

"I couldn't bring myself to quit even after my original purpose for joining it was gone." I continued, "I wanted the attention. It was all I had left. I couldn't bring myself to let that go too."

I took a deep breath and looked at Caesar, "I worked there till you guys kidnapped me and brought me here." I shrugged at him, "That's it. That's my story."

I gave him a smile.

He moved in closer and opened up his arms for me. It was sort of unexpected, I'm not gonna lie, I was not expecting this.

"Come here." He invited me in his embrace.

"Are you seriously trying to comfort me?" He nodded at my question. I snickered and moved into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"Thank you for sharing your story with me Nora." I snuggled against his chest. He felt so warm and cozy, "Someday I'll muster up the courage and tell you about mine."

I smiled. I knew my decision was right. I knew telling him everything was the right thing and it would bring me no harm at all. Other than that, I think we've grown a lot closer with this. Enough that he's talked about telling me his story too.

The way he says it makes me wonder about a lot of things though, "Is it worse than mine?" I asked.

"You can be the judge of that." He answered pretty calmly.

I smiled, "Okay. I'll be waiting then." I closed my eyes and enjoyed his warmth.

"It's not a pleasant story."

I wanted to make a joke to deviate the topic and said, "Why? Were you raped?"

"..."

I opened my eyes in panic but didn't move. He didn't deny it. He's always corrected me when I said anything wrong.

I didn't say anything about it and regretted trying to make a joke of such a serious thing.

I should wait till he decides to tell me.

****…

A lot of things were coming to my mind.

Come to think of it Arius and Caesar both hate it, even the word too. And they've been together since they were young. Caesar's very loyal to Arius.

I remembered his words. He said he would always stand by Arius. Even if the whole world stood against them.

I glanced up at him.

I shouldn't jump to conclusions. There might be something similar to it that happened.

I will wait till the time he tells me his story on his own.

I snuggled back in, "Is Huang-fei feeling better?" I asked.

"Better than before."

"He's not completely well and he already started working."

"Arius is going to be furious when he finds out." He smiled.

He sure cherishes both of them. It always feels like there's a special bond between them. Something no one can ever sever.

"Arius and Azalea will be back in a few hours right?"

"Yes."

Suddenly we both heard a commotion inside the house.

I sat up straight immediately.

It felt like someone had broken it.

Caesar stood up immediately, "'Let's go!"

We both ran inside.

***

Everything was a mess.

Caesar was beyond mad. He was beating up the assassin he had caught with his bare hands, deforming his face.

The blood sputtering out and staining his clothes and skin.

I had never seen him this angry and I never imagined he could get this furious.

The other assassin was unconscious on the ground, barely alive.

"C-caesar…" I said but my voice came out as a mere whisper. I was scared but I had to stop him. He had killed the man already but he wouldn't stop hitting him.

He was hurting himself at this point.

The members were terrified too. They all just stood in the corner, no one dared to try and stop Caesar.

I took a deep shaky breath and Jogged up to him, "Caesar stop! He's dead!"

He didn't so I grabbed his arms, "Caesar!" I went in front of him and placed my hands on his cheeks, "Look at me. He's dead."

Caesar calmed down after looking at me but then shook his head, "Nora…" He may not have received any major external wounds but he was breaking inside, "I've failed." It seemed to me like he would break at any time, "What will I say to Arius???"

It hurt me to see him like that but there was nothing I could do to comfort him.

I wrapped my arms around him.

"I'm so sorry Caesar…"