TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 18: The Truth (1)

“Grei,” Lily, the one who drew me well last time stood up. I tilted my head, asking her with my gazes. She is a soft and gentle type of a lady. “Please stop. Why are you sounding like a thug right now? You’re scaring us!”

“Yes, Grei, please stop.” Talia overlapped. I wetted my lips and scratched my nape as I watch them protest nonsenses. “You’re a new one here. I thought you’re ki—”

“Do you know that defamation is punishable by law? You’re smearing a name that does not belong to you, calling her a… what? A…” I smiled as I watch their faces grimed and dimmed. I lowered my voice as I continue, “…a murderer?” Almost whispering, but I made it clear. I know I have been hearing this a lot but what the f**k, this thing coming from people not better than Alora doesn’t feel good at all. Mister Park can call her a murderer for he can pay me. I can call her a murderer for she’s my target.

Come on, people. Show it to me. Show how shamefaced and blameworthy you guys are. This is my game and my show right now. How I wish I have my mask right now. I am itching to laugh at this very moment as I observe the guilty ones, trying to hide their sinful nature. I clenched my fist when I recalled what was written on that crumpled paper – Happy death day to your friend, you murderer. How could people threat people like that? It’s so shallow, seriously. And my sense of justice is swaying at the moment.

If you were to treat someone like a trash, do it right by slashing their throat and throw them in the river like a real trash. This is too shallow and it’s pissing me off.

“Grei?”

I flinched as I heard the most familiar voice coming from the front door. I heaved a sigh, pursing my lips. It’s been a while since I last flinched because of surprise for I have been concentrating myself on getting furious. This is my first time that my instinct did not detect its target. Why is she still here?

-

“Prep me some basics.” I uttered as soon as I got to sit in front of my hired background checker. “If I go now, I might beat some art students on my way and I don’t want my debut kill to be cheap.” I added when I noticed that she’s going to say something apropos me staying. I wasn’t born for that kind of crap.

Cool Cat chuckled and opened the folder she was about to hand to me. She’s wearing pure yellow today, summer, and it hurts my eyes. “Hanielyn Park, also known as Hanie Park, is the only daughter of Mister Tylor and Miss Diana Park.” She started and put out a folder from her bag.

I furrowed my brows and breathed, “Tylor? Not Kenshin?” I asked.

Cool Cat nodded and opened the folder to get some papers out. “I knew you would ask that. Here.” She pointed a picture of a man looking so much like Mister Park, my client, except a little younger. I suppose that’s Tylor Park. “Kenshin Park is actually Tylor’s brother, Hanie’s uncle.” She continued. Okay, what the f**k? I blinked in cluelessness. “It was reported that Tylor Park died because a stray bullet hit his head while he’s driving. Hanie’s three when that happened and after some time, Diana remarried to her dead husband’s twin brother, Kenshin.” She added and sipped on her cup of Vienna coffee.

I opened my mouth but nothing is coming out of it. I just feel f*****g played. I sighed and nodded for I shouldn’t rant to Cool Cat. Kenshin Park won’t reveal such trivial thing to an assassin, so I would not take this to heart. I convinced myself and told Cool Cat to proceed.

“Hanie Park was eighteen when she died in her own house and it was summer, this day, last year. Cause of death—” She slid the paper towards me while talking. I picked up the basic information page and read the line that she’s pointed. “Pills overdose.”

Suicide.

If she died because of overdosing herself in pills, why’d Mister Park said that she has a murderer, which is Alora and even Alora herself, said that she murdered her friend? This is too interesting I am starting to hate it. I faked a smile and began scanning the documents. It contains birthday, school, academic records, clubs, hobbies, friends and such. Aside from her parent’s marriage issue, she’s pretty common. I thought and nodded. And this Hanie is a f*****g genius.

“Code 0099.” I lifted my head, looking at Cool Cat with furrowed brows. “Your hair should be…” And she extended her hand, planning to touch my hair but I withdrew myself and she chuckled. Who in the world wants to have their arm get detached in a coffee shop? I glared at her without saying anything. “I felt like you’re uncomfortable with your hair.” She pulled her hand back and sat properly. “You shouldn’t distrust me, though. You’re wearing heavy disguise unnecessarily.” She commented and sipped on her cup again.

I didn’t speak; instead, I began reading the documents again. I am just a one-time big-time client. I thought, ignoring her comments and forgetting what she almost did to my hair. Why would I reveal myself to my possible future rival? Or target?

“You don’t need to wear that next time.” I felt her standing up and looked and watched her fixing her bag and her laptop. She took out a wet wipe from her bag. “Because I will never be your rival, Mister Reisun.” And she wiped her face with the wet wipe and left it on the table. She rushed out after bowing and thanking me.

I shifted my gazes from her to the tissue she placed on the table. She doesn’t wear disguise at all. Her confidence in herself and her skill will ruin her one day. “Buoyant.” I smirked, thinking of how poor her future could be. She did not finish her coffee just for that superfluous exit.

-

I stretched my back while walking my way back to the condo I am currently staying at. “What a weird client.” I sighed, inserting my hands on my side pockets.

According to what Cool Cat has given to me, Hanie Park was a consistent honor student and her only friends were Alora and Manasseh. She was also elected as president from time to time and her vice president would always be Manasseh. Hanie’s birthday was on July 27 and she’s turning 19 this year. Her stepfather, my client, is a politician and her mother has been sick and is undergoing chemotherapy for three months already. Today is her death day, so it makes sense that Alora’s going to a dinner she obviously doesn’t like.

I rolled my eyes and looked up. “I feel deceived.” I exhaled in distress. Mister Park is such a let-down. I thought, shaking my head in annoyance. How could he afford paying me when he’s a politician with a wife undergoing chemotherapy? I pulled my right hand and wiped my forehead with an AG mark. “Let me guess…” I paused when I felt something weird from my forehead. Ah, the powder’s beginning to stick because of my sweat. I thought in disgust and began walking again after fully wiping the excess powder off. “Anyway, Mister Park… Why do I got this feeling of you doing something or have done something illegal to obtain that wealth of yours?” I continued, narrowing my eyes. Being a politician doesn’t count for that amount of money… maybe Parks are secretly billionaires. I should’ve hired Cool Cat to do a background check on Mister Park, instead of the dead daughter of my target. So wrong. I sighed in frustration.

My phone vibrated and I pulled it out of my pocket. Alora. Her name flashed on my screen, indicating that she’s calling me. My brows met, thinking that she’s probably bored. But she’s on a dinner tonight. I thought as I answer her call.

“Yo.” I greeted, waiting for the lady on the other line to talk. But instead of her generic feminine voice, what I’ve heard are distant sobs and shortened breaths. “Alora?” I called her name but she did not respond. “Hello? Why are you cry—”

“Alon…” I heard Manasseh’s voice on the other line, approaching; then footsteps drawing near and a manly sigh after a thud sound. “Please don’t take it to heart.” He uttered with voice now clearer. I would imagine that Manasseh sat down beside her while Alora’s crying because of something. It does sound a bit windy as well; they’re probably in a balcony or rooftop.

“Please leave me alone.” Alora’s voice cracked. “Go inside and just…” She sobbed and stuttered.

Ah, I see. I nodded and continued walking. Alora unintentionally called me. And now, she doesn’t even know that I can hear their conversation. This is something that I can definitely benefit from.

“You know this is not your fau—”

“Please shut up, Manasseh.” I smiled at her counter. She’s been very bold in her words and feelings lately, it makes me proud. “Kindly don’t try to blow my wound, it doesn’t help. I am not a kid anymore.” She tried to sound tough but her cracking voice is failing her.

“The moon is very beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” Manasseh said, probably looking up at the sky. I looked up as well, staring at the bright moon…

Doesn’t look very beautiful to me. I thought, rolling my eyes and just focused on the road, with my left hand still inside my pocket. Maybe that is a freaking joke to lighten up the mood? That’s lame.

“Manasseh, I—” Then I began hearing her feminine sobs, again. “If I could go back, Manasseh, I—” And she was hushed down to stop talking in between her sobs. She sniffed, moaned, and sobbed again. “It was so complicated, Man! I hate myself for killing—”

“Please don’t, Alon!” I distanced my phone for a bit when I heard that guy’s roar. “You did not, okay? Hanie’s just… just you know...”

You know what? You know what? I groaned, furrowing my brows. This is like watching a drama and waiting for them to finally draw out the favorite lines that the screenwriter has given. “Why are these two such cliff hangers?” I irately whispered with an excited face. “Come on, Alora, tell me what…”

“Get inside, Manasseh. They’re probably looking for you, now. I’m going in after ten minutes.”

I clenched my left hand, gritting my teeth. It’s almost there. They almost spilled the tea! I bit my lower lip, stopping myself from grunting and ranting over the phone. It really feels like a drama because I’m wanting for more… “Seriously, it’s so vexi—”

“If it weren’t for this stupid heart, Hanie wouldn’t have died. You freaking suck, Alora. You f*****g fuck.” In between sobs and blubbers, Alora stuttered and cursed. I stopped in front of my condominium building’s main door and extended my left hand to enter my passcode beside the transparent door. “You shouldn’t have pushed her, Alora. You shouldn’t have killed your one and only friend.”

I halted when I heard her last line and slid my left hand back to my pocket. My heart is racing so fast because of what I heard. “Ah, this is so interesting I am getting f*****g elated.” I smirked and ended the call as I pull my phone away from my face. And here I thought Mister Park’s the only suspicious person in this case.

I wonder how you did that, Alora Weller.