Pitbabe S2, Chapter 17 pg3

 Pitbabe S2, Chapter 17 pg3

   “Charlie was the kindest guy. He compromised on everything, but even someone that kind couldn’t stand me. So, you think you can handle it?”

   This isn’t even a threat.

   I’m just berating myself and praising my ex to him.

   “Then why not give me a chance to try?”

   “Nope.”

   “Man, Phii Babe,” Willy whined. He seemed way more serious than I’d expected. “Think about it.”

   “I have,” I replied flatly, locking eyes with him just as seriously. “Stay out of my business.”

   Don’t say I didn’t give him a chance. Letting him plead like this is already a chance. It’s the most mercy I can muster as a heartbroken guy.

   “If I can’t find someone as good as my ex, I’m not taking anyone.”

   

   KENTA:

   “Sir.”

   “Right on time,” Big Boss Tony looked up from his tablet, his usual calm demeanor intact. Despite all the recent chaos, he still held his composure like always. I assumed his latest “death” must’ve taught him something. Learning new things is always worth celebrating, but it’s a bit of a shame that the most crucial lesson someone like him should learn still hasn’t sunk in. “I was just about to send someone to fetch you.”

   “Sorry for being late, sir. I just got back from outside.”

   “Oh, is that so?” Tony just nodded slowly, showing no sign of annoyance, as if he completely understood. Since when did he become so flexible? Did it really start that day? I’m still not sure. “No worries. Traffic’s bad out there. I get it.”

   “Thank you, sir. I’ll plan for more time next time.”

   “Yeah, that’d be good.”

   “You called me urgently. Is something up?”

   “Guess.” Tony stared at me. He was like an adult talking to a small child. Instead of getting to the point, he played games. “Go on, guess.” His attitude was annoying. I felt like I was constantly being tested, but I couldn’t tell what the test was even about.

   “Something about Charlie… maybe?”

   “Hmm… well done.” The boss nodded with satisfaction, tossing out praise like it was nothing, even though it wasn’t a hard question. Over the past week, Charlie’s name had been everywhere, non-stop. Not just in racing circles but in entertainment, all kinds of media, social activists, even politicians. His appearance in a “new form” was getting way more attention than anyone expected. I bet even he didn’t think it would blow up this big at first. “Told you, you should stick with me, Ken.”

   Tony spoke kindly, acting like he admired my skills and trusted me completely. But I knew better. He’s not a fool. Someone like Tony would never trust a dog that bit him once before. He only kept me around because I knew things others didn’t. I’d been loyal to him the longest, and there’s nothing safer than keeping your enemy close. That way, if anything smells suspicious, he can cut me down fast.

   Even now, I don’t get why he hasn’t killed me yet. But it can’t hurt to make the most of this unexpected chance at life.

   “I’m glad to be back with you, sir.”

   “You’re the one who gets me the most.” Time and again, he gave me that smile—a venom-laced grin. Back then, he only put on a show for the media. Now he’s started acting in front of me, too, and it doesn’t feel good at all. “Right now, Charlie’s making me uneasy. He’s making our work harder.”

   “Understood,” I said with a nod. “He’s drawing more attention to this. Even politicians are starting to debate it now, holding backroom meetings, both supporters and opponents. Every time Charlie makes a move, engagement nearly doubles, and it’s trending to keep rising.”

   “Charlie’s smart. I knew it from the start, ever since he was a kid. He and Jeff were the sharpest kids in the house,” Tony said slowly, rubbing his hand over the glossy teak table, his face distant, like he was reminiscing about a decade ago. He acted like a proud father who’d raised his kids through hardship. “Kids like that, if they’re not useful, they become a liability. It was my mistake to let them go. I was too careless.”

   “Do you want me to bring them back, sir?”

   “No,” he replied instantly. “It’s too late. Even if we dragged them back, it’d be useless. We messed up by letting them grow up outside. We can’t control them anymore.”

   “But we can’t just let them go, can we?”

   “Never planned to,” Tony said, turning to lock eyes with me, as if issuing a command through his gaze. It was like he was saying, “You know what to do.” And he’s right. I knew what he wanted. “Just make sure they can’t mess with our house.”

   Tony’s demands are simple.

   What’s hard is my own desires.

   “We just have to protect our home… you get that, right, Ken?”

   “I get it.”

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