It was noon, Sun was at its peak, Simon and Jake were sitting across each other in a restaurant. Simon was going through the menu while Jake was looking out through window.
An African middle-aged woman stood before Simon, "What would you like this time Simon?", and asked as she knew Simon. She was holding a pen and a small notebook. "The usual Mama Jenny." Simon replied with a smile. "Okay, the usual.", she scribbled as mama jenny spoke her mind out loud. "What about you boy?", she pointed her pen towards Jake.
Jake was busy looking around in the restaurant. He didn't realize until he made eye contact with Jenny. "Uh—just give me same as him."
"Right!" Jenny teared off the note and glanced at her wrist watch. "Your order will be ready in~ fifteen minutes." She said and left the duo alone. Simon grabbed the newspaper and began reading it. Jake who was sitting across stared at the latter. Sensing a piercing gaze upon him Simon asked lazily, "What is it?" "Sir, I was wondering, are you a regular customer here."
"Why does it matter, whether I am regular customer here or not? I just like it and that's all!"
"For how long you've been coming here?", Jake asked. "Why'd you ask?", Simon flipped the page. "N-nothing, I was just curious when she called you by your name." Jake replied while kept gazing at Simon.
Simon understood the meaning behind Jake's reply. He put the newspaper down on the table, "Mama Jenny, is a nice woman around here. She saved my life in the past."
Jake raised his brows in surprise, "What happened back then?" Jake was interested in Simon's previous life because he knew nothing about him.
"Nothing serious. I was just…a newbie back then who would love to jump to conclusions just like someone I know…and the end result was really disastrous. I was nearly killed by my own delusions in that battle of street kings—but—fortunately Mama Jenny helped me at that time." Simon explained.
"The street kings battle! I heard it somewhere", Jake murmured. Jake pondered for a moment and then his eyes opened wide. He became flabbergasted for a moment and looked at Simon, "Don't tell me you were the one—" Jake remembered something; he read about the notorious street gang wars when he was a student at the police academy. It was one of street gang wars which took place in the Red-Light District more than a decade ago. Hundreds of policemen went undercover to neutralize the battle but only few came out alive. Those who came out alive were said to be the luckiest one because the whereabouts of the missing were still unknown.
Noticing Jake's face, Simon cut in, "Yeah I survived back then. But I wasn't the only one who did that. Anyways, it's all in the past now. I don't want to talk about that." Simon raised his hand, "But… what I learned from incidents like those, is to always remain calm and never lose your rationality. Because—if you do…you pay with your life!"
Jake listened very carefully like. He organized his thoughts and said, "But sir, if we have some clues like back at the hospital, then shouldn't we make a move before our enemy does?"
"Two spicy tacos and beef steaks order is here." Jenny said while placing plates on the table. "Bon appetite! Boys. Eat well." Jenny cheered with a smile and left.
"Sure!", replied Simon. He grabbed the napkin from the table and inserted it around his collar. Simon picked the knife and the fork from the table, "Like I said, do not rush things, keep calm and you'll see things more clearly." He took a bite from his side, "Hmm~~ Eat, before it gets cold."
"Yes sir!", Jake agreed.
...….
Present day, Saint Maria Hospital.
Ring~ Ring~
Doctor Sebastian glanced at the screen of his cell phone which was placed on the table. He read familiar name; his forehead got covered with wrinkles after reading the name. He composed himself and received the call, "Good morning! Mr.—"
"Spare me the pleasantries!", a rough and matured voice sounded in his ear, which belonged to an old man. Sebastian became more tensed and said apologetically, "…y-yes sir, I understand."
"At what time the cops met you?", old man asked straight away. Sebastian became shocked after hearing that from someone who seldom visit the hospital knew about his previous engagement with Simon and Jake. "…Uh—around two hours ago, sir." Sebastian replied.
"What did they ask you about?"
"…N-nothing special sir. They asked me about the cause of the death", doctor replied tensely. Even though just few seconds might have passed but his forehead was already covered with cold sweat.
"And what did you say to them?", old man asked sternly. Sebastian's heart skipped a beat because he knew if he had answered wrong then he must prepare himself for old man's scolding therefore, Sebastian organized his thoughts and answered, "I told them it was due massive blood loss. And it has already been mentioned in the report, sir."
"Good~ well done." old man praised. After a pause he asked, "Is there anything else they asked regarding the issue?"
"…N-nothing in particular, sir… but they did ask me of another possibility of death." replied Sebastian.
"Oh? And what was that?", asked old man with suspicion. He became eager to know. Sebastian gulped and wiped the sweat over his forehead with the back of his hand, because he knew if he said something wrong to upset the old man, he would surely die a painful death.
"T-they said that might it be possible for the patient to die other than blood loss."
"…"
"Sir?", Sebastian said politely. But in reality, he thought he might have displeased the old man that's why he wanted to confirm whether the old man was displeased or the same as earlier.
"—and what was your response?"
Sebastian was surprised when old man inquired. He sighed in relief when he realized that old man was still composed.
"I denied their possibility and asked if they had any other question." Sebastian grinned.
"And what was their reaction after listening to you?"
Sebastian forced smile and spoke, "They just left."
"Nicely done."
"Thank you! Thank you very much, sir! Hahaha! to hear such words of appreciation from you is really an honor." Sebastian tried to please the old man by sugarcoating his words.
"I know! Your hard work you will be compensated accordingly, it will not go to waste." Old man assured in a relaxed way. "By any chance, did you learn anything about their identities?"
"Yes! This servant of yours indeed learned something about their identities. Rest assured sir, their names and faces will be sent to you in a while." Sebastian replied with excitement.
"Good, that saves me time." Old man remarked and asked, "What about that little wrench of her?"
"Your grandson hasn't regained—"
"MOTHERFUCKER! HOW DARE YOU CALL THAT BASTARD'S CHILD MY GRANDSON!"
After hearing sudden curses, Sebastian felt like he was melting away from below. He was absolutely sure that he would die this time.
"I am sorry! I am really sorry! forgive me sir! I am such a dumb person. Please be magnanimous! This servant didn't know that. Please have mercy on this poor soul, sir!", Sebastian knew that he screwed the nice going conversation so he begged for mercy.
"Hmph! I'll forgive you for this once, but if you ever call that bastard, my grandson then that will be the only thing you'll ever say!"
Sebastian took a sigh of relief in his heart after learning that old man gave him a chance to live hence, he expressed his gratitude. "I thank honorable sir for showing mercy."
"Don't waste my time with unnecessary nonsense!", old man reprimanded Sebastian because kept using sugar coated words but in reality, a person of his stature could never be convinced with few sweet words.
"Tell me! has he regained consciousness yet?"
"No sir, he didn't. He's still unconscious— ", Sebastian briefed. "If you say I can take care of this matter", he added.
"…"
Old man remained silent for a moment. On the other hand, Sebastian was waiting for the latter's reply.
"Don't do anything unnecessary until I say so—for now, leave that bastard's child alone. Even if he lives, he can never be a threat to me or my family—regarding those officers I will take care of it soon." Old man ended the conversation and hung up.
"(Exhales)—damn this fucking old man gives me goosebumps all the time. I might die from heart attack someday if I pretended to be his loyal dog!" Sebastian cursed and put the cell phone on the table.
He sat on his comfy chair, closed his eyes and got lost in deep thoughts for a couple of minutes. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and realized something. He grabbed his cell phone from the table.
Beep~
"Hello! this is testing department! How can I help?", a female nurse picked up the receiver and spoke.
"Hello! this is head of surgery department, Doctor Sebastian Hayes. I need to talk to your supervisor Doctor Lee Chang. Get him on the phone right now." Sebastian ordered.
"Right away, sir."
After a moment, "Hello Chief! What can I do for you?", Lee asked. "Cheeky bastard! nothing special. Just run a background check for the patient in the ICU ward", Sebastian said in a sneaky way. "Okay, I'll do it as soon as the atmosphere here cools down", Lee reported.
"Alright. I'll be waiting. And make sure no one finds out." With that said Sebastian hung up and put his cell phone back on the table and muttered with a dimpled grin, "Let's see who is the real bastard here."