"Do we need to train today?" Vincent asked as he flopped back down on the picnic blanket while Etienne and Jon Cho enjoyed the sunrise. It's Sunday, and the three of them liked to hang out by the lawn close to the pool for breakfast.
They're waiting for the food to get served, but Vincent liked the sweet air and birds softly chirping on the tree branches whenever it's 6 am. Etienne answered, "We have. It's Sunday, but we have to throw knives, to shoot bullets, and to get physically trained."
He's exhausted with studying the locations and passing it over to Jon Cho all the time. It's only the thing that kept him up alive: deadlines. Jon Cho didn't say anything and read a classical book. Etienne turned to him, asking, "Why don't you go read over Mr. Speak?"
"I don't like that kind of genres. I'm not an activist like you, Etienne," Jon Cho rebutted.
It made Vincent jolt awake, sitting up from the blanket, turning closely to Etienne with wide eyes. He got surprised by their long-haired comrade. Etienne pushed his head back, afraid Vincent might stay a little closer to kiss his lips.
"You're an activist, Etienne?" Vincent gasped, nearly covering his mouth.
Etienne licked his lips, and turned to Jon Cho. He pursed his lips silently, and slapped the book down to Jon Cho's face. He got surprised, and the two of them exchanged heated stares.
"Why?" Jon Cho got anxious.
"You shut your mouth about the past life I had. I'm already in Calvorite…"
"So you're…" Vincent couldn't help but to fear about knowing this shocking news. He inhaled a hefty amount of air. Etienne doesn't want anyone to scrap off his privacy and let everyone know about his past.
He liked to be quiet. But sealing his lips aren't enough to make them silent.
Jon Cho threw the book at the side and spoke up for Etienne. "He's an activist. I accidentally saw it when I was reading Leo's files. I was just…"
Etienne gathered up courage and stuffed a tissue paper inside his lips. It's what he wanted at all. Jon Cho got astonished, and choked out the drenched paper out, rubbing his tongue to remove the excess papers.
Vincent backed down from asking questions as Etienne rolled his eyes. He stood up from the blanket and straightened his collar, looking out to the maids piling up, holding the trays skeptically.
Jon Cho got angry with Vincent's remark. He slapped the back of his head lightly.
"You shouldn't have asked. Etienne got a temper right there. He's not going to let it off because you found out his past," Jon Cho mumbled. As Etienne bowed his head down to the maids, helping them with the food, Vincent stared at his tall physique and smoldering features.
Not everyone had the same skillset as Etienne in technologies, but Vincent had an expertise with weapons, so that's a win-win. Jon Cho strategized every freeway they had to escape down a lane, and it's enough for them to throw in themselves on a run to home.
Their skills have been that related with each other. Nothing deviated for a while. Vincent hoped it'll stay the same for the next years.
"Is he really an activist?" Vincent asked. He watched Etienne placing down the paper plates at the long table, and wondered what's going on in that silent guy's mind.
"He's always been secretive with his past, but for all I see, he's an activist who protested against Tina Yunis. It's a surprise no one has found out yet. Our country dealt with the rebels all the time, and it's shocking to see Etienne was still alive," Jon Cho explained. Vincent tucked in his blonde hair, and clasped both of his hands together.
In deep thought of what past they had been holding on.
"How can he get away with Tina for not revealing who he was? Is it because Leo recruited him?" Vincent became nosier. He may be soft, but he's flipped on the other side. It's best to let the scenes flow in smoothly, like it was just natural to deal with it.
"Leo is a mysterious one, too. He killed rebels, runaways, or even fugitives to come, but he protected Zella as if he's his lifeline. I don't know why, but I felt like his past is somehow connected to the woman who lives with us," Jon Cho lectured, turning to Vincent with reassuring eyes. Their kind member has gone nervous down to his heart.
Jon Cho knew all Vincent's worries wouldn't go away.
Jon Cho tapped his shoulders, assuring, "You need to know it's alright to talk behind their backs. Let's do that often, Vincent."
Vincent brushed off his hands, punching his arm, playful around the guys who became his friends. A person he can rely on, someone who can show what is the meaning of care.
"Help me with the foods!" Etienne called out at the lawn while the maids prepped up the wheat bread and all the jam. Vincent slapped Jon Cho's back and he voluntarily stood up from the lawn, running across.
Vincent was left alone in the picnic blanket as he stared between Jon Cho and Etienne. "What would be their pasts?"
…
Leo scrunched up his nose as the cold air must have stayed the whole night inside his nostrils. Someone's arms and legs pinned him down the bed, and Leo quietly smiled as he realized it was Zella. Leo raised his prickly arms and soothed her hair lightly.
He didn't say anything nor open his eyes. He wanted to enjoy the moment for a while.
With Zella's warmth beside him, he felt safe. Leo's day's complete already.
If only Leo could ask for a proper wedding, he'd marry her in a heartbeat. Zella would be the only choice he didn't regret. Leo wouldn't think about the reality at all, but he's been there. He's been on the practical side, and everything would just collapse if Leo didn't pretend that the present is okay.
With the proper wedding he has in mind, it wouldn't be possible. The country is in a borderline crisis of citizens fighting against each other, that'll soon turn to rebellious attempts, and even so, a revolution might spark.
Leo couldn't afford to let his wife received a bullet in the head when it's time for them to exchange vows.
Zella shifted in her place, leaving Leo's arms. She pushed down on the huge pillow on the other side, removing her arms and legs around his waist, then fall back to sleep. As Leo reached out to the back of her head, he felt drowsy.
"But it's already 7 in the morning…" he mumbled. Zella breathed deeply, letting out a snore. Leo chuckled as he pushed himself up on a sitting position, looking at her hair covering up her face.
"She's such a baby," he whispered.
He swung his legs on the side of the bed when a knock came by the door.
"Mr. Leo Luciano and Mrs. Laina Luciano, come down for our breakfast downstairs."
Leo knew already its Randall based on the tone of the voice. He chuckled, not calling out to shout because Zella might get groggy with the sudden wake up.