Black Shot: Trapping The King

chapter 5

Lia Rodriguez’s POV

“Good morning, everyone!”

I woke up exactly at eight in the morning. After everything that happened last night, I still couldn’t believe how intense it was. I’m sure you guys were shocked too, right?

I immediately took a shower and started preparing for the day. For my outfit, I wore black wide-leg pants paired with a fitted square-neck double-lined top. I matched it with simple flat shoes and tied my hair into a messy bun.

After getting ready, I left my room and prepared breakfast. I needed to bring the kids back home because I had an important meeting today.

A few minutes later, they finally came out of the room where they had slept.

“Come on, let’s eat breakfast first,” I said.

After we finished eating, I decided to drive them back to their house. Today, I was meeting Theo because he had gathered new information about the Rodriguez family.

After dropping them off, I drove straight to the mall. Theo and I agreed to meet at a coffee shop inside.

When I arrived, I entered the coffee shop and immediately saw Theo sitting at a table. I walked toward him and sat down.

Without wasting any time, he handed me an envelope containing information about the Rodriguez family.

“The news I heard is that Zack Rodriguez’s parents are returning to the Philippines,” Theo explained.

“They decided to come back because their company in the USA is facing bankruptcy. However, their company here in the Philippines is still stable.”

I carefully listened as Theo continued.

“I also heard that they are planning to have a partnership with Mr. Montes’ son.”

He looked at me seriously.

“You know King, right? He has a huge influence. Many people have been helped by him, especially those who are struggling with their businesses. A lot of business owners approach him whenever they need help.”

Theo placed the files on the table.

“This is your chance, Lia. If you want to get close to the Rodriguez family, you need to approach King. I’m sure he can help you. This opportunity might be the key to completing your mission.”

I looked at the documents in my hands and nodded.

“You’re right, Theo. But for now, I need to gain the trust of King’s younger brother first. After that, I’ll focus on King.”

I smiled slightly.

“Besides, I’ve been close with Mr. and Mrs. Montes for a long time.”

Suddenly, I remembered something.

“By the way, Theo… Camille is coming back here, right?”

Theo nodded.

“Yes. She’s coming back. I’ll be the one to pick her up.”

For those who are wondering who Camille is, let me explain.

Camille Valaine is someone we met when we were living in another country. She was fifteen years old when we first met. She had already lost both of her parents and was living in an orphanage, just like me.

I met her because she was being bullied by our classmates. I knew how painful it was to feel alone, so I couldn’t ignore her.

Theo also became close to her because he helped her during those difficult times.

When we turned sixteen, Camille, Theo, and I became members of Black Shot. We trained together and learned how to fight, survive, and protect ourselves.

Now, the three of us are twenty years old.

“Anyway, let’s go back to our conversation,” I said.

“Theo, did you finish the task Boss gave you?”

He looked away.

“Not yet. It’s difficult because you asked me to investigate the Rodriguez family, but it turns out they also have their own mission.”

I crossed my arms.

“I’ll help you. You helped me gather information about the Rodriguez family, so I owe you.”

I looked directly at him.

“So, what exactly is your mission?”

Theo stared at me for a moment before shaking his head.

“No need, Queen. I can handle it alone. I promise.”

He raised his right hand like he was making a serious promise.

I gave him my warning stare.

Theo already knew that look. Whenever I looked at him like that, he knew I wouldn’t easily give up.

But before I could ask again, his phone suddenly rang.

It was Boss.

He immediately answered the call.

I sighed.

“Seriously? I still don’t know what Theo’s mission is.”

But maybe it was better that way.

Sometimes, knowing too much could put someone in danger.

Theo’s POV

I saw Queen’s expression, and I already knew she wasn’t satisfied.

She wanted to know my mission.

But I couldn’t tell her.

Not because I didn’t trust her, but because I wanted to protect her and Camille.

Only Boss and I knew the truth.

My mission was connected to King.

I wasn’t just a simple bodyguard.

I was one of King’s closest people.

King and I had known each other since we were children. Our families were close friends, and we grew up together.

There were eight of us in our group, and King was always our leader.

Yes, I was already part of Black Shot before Queen and Camille joined.

When we were seven years old, the eight of us entered Black Shot for the first time. Boss was my parents’ close friend, which was why we were able to join.

However, when I was fourteen, my parents brought me to the USA so I could continue my studies.

That was where I met Queen and Camille.

They were new members of Black Shot, while I had already been trained for years.

I have to admit, Queen was incredibly talented when it came to weapons and fighting. Camille was also skilled.

But the eight of us were still stronger because we had been together since childhood.

The reason I wasn’t always around Queen and Camille was because I became busy after returning.

Honestly, I missed my old friends.

Especially King.

That guy never changed.

He was still cold.

Still surrounded by girls.

Still acting like an ice prince.

But despite his cold personality, I knew he was someone who truly cared about others.

And soon, Queen would finally meet the person who had always been our leader.

King Montes.

Lia Rodriguez’s POV

After my conversation with Theo, I still couldn’t stop thinking about his hidden mission. I wanted to know the truth, but I also knew that Theo had his reasons for keeping it a secret.

Before I could ask him again, Boss suddenly called me.

I answered the call immediately.

“Lia, I need your help,” Boss said.

His voice sounded serious.

“What happened?” I asked.

“There was a misunderstanding between me and my family. My son left the house, and I need you to find him.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Wait… you want me to find your son?”

“Yes. Please find him and make sure he’s safe. He needs some time to calm down, but I want someone I trust to watch over him.”

I was speechless for a moment.

So now I was supposed to find his son and take care of him?

I almost laughed.

It felt like Boss was asking me to become a temporary mother.

“Wow, Boss. Am I supposed to be a babysitter now?” I joked.

But deep inside, I was worried.

If something happened to his son, I knew it would become a huge problem.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find him,” I said.

After ending the call, I sighed.

“Great… I might get into trouble because of this.”

I didn’t need to search far because I already had an idea where his son might be.

I knew he would probably go to the hotel apartment where I was staying.

So I left the mall and drove toward the market first.

I needed to buy some food because my refrigerator was almost empty.

I bought chicken, fruits, and vegetables. After that, I placed everything inside my car.

While walking around the market, I saw some street food stalls.

Of course, I couldn’t resist.

I bought kwek-kwek, kikiam, tokwa, and isaw. I spent around 250 pesos for everything.

Not far from the market, I saw a 7-Eleven.

I stopped by and bought eight cans of San Miguel.

Don’t judge me, okay? I had a feeling I would need them.

After putting everything inside my car, I finally drove back to my apartment.

Luckily, I still had some paper bags inside my car, so I used them to carry the groceries.

When I arrived at my floor, I immediately noticed someone sitting outside my door.

I stopped walking.

“Seriously?”

It was him.

Kairo.

He was sitting on the floor with his head resting on his knees. His sling bag was beside him, and he looked completely exhausted.

I walked closer and gently shook him.

“Kairo.”

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at me.

“Ate Lia… I’m sorry. I stayed outside because I was embarrassed to enter. Even though you gave me a key, I didn’t want to bother you.”

I stared at him.

For some reason, he looked different.

He didn’t seem like the arrogant person I expected.

Instead, I saw someone who was tired and hurting.

And I noticed something in his eyes.

He had been crying.

A lot.

“It’s okay. Open the door. I need to put these groceries inside,” I said.

He immediately stood up and unlocked the door.

To my surprise, he helped me carry the groceries and placed them inside the refrigerator.

While he was helping, I asked him,

“Have you eaten?”

He shook his head.

“Not yet, Ate. I don’t really feel hungry.”

I looked at him.

I knew something was wrong.

After he finished helping me, he sat on the sofa and eventually fell asleep.

I looked at the time.

It was already almost nine in the evening.

Since we hadn’t eaten yet, I decided to cook.

I prepared chicken adobo and rice.

After everything was ready, I placed the food on the table and woke him up.

“Kairo, wake up. Let’s eat.”

He slowly opened his eyes and sat down.

We quietly ate together.

But then his phone suddenly rang.

He looked at the screen but refused to answer.

“Answer it,” I told him.

He shook his head.

Instead, he turned off his phone.

I didn’t force him.

Sometimes, people just need space.

After eating, he immediately offered to wash the dishes.

I looked at him in surprise.

“You’re doing the dishes?”

He nodded.

“Yes, Ate.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

After that, I told him he could sleep in the other room.

My apartment only had two bedrooms, and his room was right beside mine.

Before he went to sleep, I noticed he was still wearing the same clothes and looked exhausted.

“Take a shower first. You smell like you’ve been outside all day.”

He looked embarrassed but nodded.

I entered my room and prepared to sleep.

But for some reason, I couldn’t close my eyes.

I checked the time.

It was already 1 AM.

I sighed and decided to get some water.

When I opened my door, I saw Kairo was still awake.

He was sitting there, staring into nothing.

I immediately knew something was bothering him.

I took out the San Miguel, kwek-kwek, kikiam, and tokwa that I bought earlier.

I placed everything on the small table and sat on the sofa across from him.

“Want some?”

He looked at me.

Then he smiled slightly.

He didn’t refuse.

That night, we drank and talked.

And around 3 AM, we finally finished.

We both went back to our rooms afterward.

Before sleeping, I told him,

“You can clean everything tomorrow. It’s already late.”

I knew he would clean it anyway.

And honestly, I didn’t want Boss to think I was making his son suffer.

I still wanted my salary.