Pitbabe S2, Chapter 14 pg5

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 14 pg5

   He’s not even fit for that word. I don’t think a lowlife like Tony and the concept of love could exist in the same world. If you said the only thing he loves is himself, I wouldn’t even dare claim that. In my eyes, having been by his side for so long, I’ve always thought Tony sees his body as a vessel—a vehicle, a container, a tool, or anything but a human with flesh, blood, and a soul. He’s just a host for some spirit. He’s never feared death or pain, like a demon possessing a human body to exact revenge or commit some vile act.

   “No need to make that face.”

   He laughed again.

   “I was just curious. You’ve seen how much my kids worship love—Charlie, Babe, Jeff, even Way. Those guys all changed because of love.”

   That’s one way to put it, but their hatred for you has nothing to do with love.

   I could only think that to myself. No way I’d ever say it out loud—that’s obvious.

   “Probably, sir.”

   “I wanted to talk to someone their age, but it seems like you don’t have any answers for me.”

   “Sorry, sir,” I bowed my head in apology, still clueless about what he wanted from me. Why was he suddenly bringing this up? Why would a heartless guy like him care about understanding love?

   “No need to apologize. It’s my fault for working you so hard you didn’t have time to fall in love like other kids.”

   I didn’t know how to respond. Saying, “No, sir, I had plenty of time. I just didn’t want to,” would sound too contrived. So I stood there quietly, waiting to see if he had any more orders.

   “Well, that’s all then. Go do whatever you need to.”

   “Yes.”

   I bowed and turned to leave again, thinking this time there’d be nothing more.

   “If you can ask any friends to come, make it Dean.”

   But there it was, a request trailing behind me. My legs froze, my heart skipping a beat for a split second. His words sounded casual, like a half-hearted task assignment, but to me, it felt like he was deliberately tugging at the chain shackling my ankle—lightly, not to make me fall flat on my face, but to remind me he’s the boss who provides food and water, and he knows everything about me, no matter which way I turn or step.

   “Yes,” I replied without looking back, quickly opening the door to escape the room filled with that strange, heavy atmosphere.

   My breathing was still uneven. It’s hard to believe I’d been around that man all this time without feeling anything. The air surrounding him was so suffocating, so hard to breathe, and I never noticed until now. Even the prison I spent two years “resting” in, that so-called hell on earth, wasn’t as repulsive as this mansion.

   “If you can ask any friends to come, make it Dean.”

   Friends… he’s talking about my friends?

   This isn’t looking good.

   

   CHRIS:

   I barely got anything done all day despite getting to the lab early. I was stuck in that overly sterile room the whole time. It seemed like something might work out, but in the end, it was a bust. I’m pretty sure I’m wandering in an invisible maze, and it’s frustrating enough to make me want to slam someone’s head against a wall. I hate problems where the knot is right in front of you, clear as day whether you dodge left or right, but you still can’t untangle it. So, I just left the knot as it was. I’m done fighting it.

   If you think a complex, headache-inducing problem would keep me obsessed and focused until I solve it, you’re dead wrong. I’m not Charlie. I’m not crazy, and I don’t enjoy banging my head against something that might be a waste of effort. When I’m tired or annoyed, my brain shuts off automatically. Forcing myself to keep going doesn’t help—it might even make things messier. So, I left Charlie to sift through the muck for diamonds with the others and stepped out to rest, not caring about anyone.

   Speaking of Charlie, I’ve got some new thoughts about him. As everyone knows, a few days ago, there was a lightning-fast breakup between the famous racing couple. Honestly, when I first heard the news (because Charlie called to tell me), I was stunned for several minutes. I bet others felt the same. Babe and Charlie seemed like a deeply bonded couple. They had some kind of connection I can’t quite explain, but it seemed so strong I couldn’t imagine them cutting it off. This is one reason my view of Charlie has shifted a bit.

   Though we haven’t known each other long, I can see Charlie’s true nature. Maybe because I don’t care whether someone’s good or bad, talented or useless, or even lacks basic human instincts. I find it boring to judge who’s what. So, when he’s with me, Charlie seems more open than usual. It might not be wrong to say I’ve seen his darker side, but trust me, even the darkest parts of Charlie aren’t as bad as some people I’ve met.

   The point I want to bring up is that I don’t really like this version of Charlie without Babe. This might sound surprising and a bit embarrassing for me (of course, I’d never let Babe hear this). It took me several days to crystallize my thoughts and realize just how much this current version of Charlie annoys me. Sure, he’s still as smart as ever, his golden brain still works flawlessly, but what’s missing is confidence. That’s what I think, anyway. Before he broke up with Babe, even if he wasn’t as annoyingly boastful as his boyfriend, Charlie was brimming with confidence. He believed in every step he took without needing anyone to validate him. But after that disastrous birthday incident, Charlie turned into a kid riding pillion who eats with his bare hands. The more I see it, the more it irritates me, but spoon-feeding him feels a bit too simplistic.

   Bang! Bang! Bang!

   Even with ear protection, the gunshots still rang clear in both ears. I don’t even want to imagine how loud it’d be without them. Ever since I took up shooting as a hobby, I’ve never fired without ear protection and safety glasses, and I’ve only ever shot at the range. It’s not like I want to take this dangerous thing outside and start shooting people. But I can’t help wondering how those guys who carry guns around like wallets feel. Does their hearing shatter when they fire without ear protection? And what about the casings—do they ever fly back and hit them in the eye?

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