WARNING:

Just a heads up. There is a discussion here that tackles sensitive topics. I just wanted you guys to know so you can anticipate it. Thank you and happy reading.

♞

THE KITCHEN WAS ENGULFED with noise coming from people frying meat and fish and chopping vegetables. The head chef was shouting something too, but despite all that, Max felt like he and Cj were the only people there after what he heard from him.

     "The Mills...they killed her."

     Max almost peeled his hands because of shock. Thankfully he was able to stop himself, and thankfully all the chefs were too busy to even listen to what they were talking about. They might end up burning something if they heard it too.

     "What do you mean—"

     "Actually it's not literal. No one pulled a trigger, no one assassinated her or whatnot, but what happened to her was far crueler than that," Cj says before putting the peeled potato in another sack.

     "I started high school late because I had to study International Economics and Trade in Beijing, so I was already seventeen when I enrolled in J.S High. During my second year, my family had a party that I couldn't attend because I was trying to make a brotherhood at that time and was extremely busy," Cj says, wiping his hand on his apron before taking another potato.

     "Since I wasn't there, Alessandra had to help with the party. All of the guests were well-known partners of our company. They were very powerful people..."

     Cj pauses and takes a deep breath. When max saw that he was doubting himself on whether or not he should continue, Max grabs his hand and says, "You don't have to continue if you don't want to. There's no need for you to force yourself."

     "I'm not forcing myself, don't worry. It's not really an untold secret. All my members know about it too," Cj says before pulling his hand away from Max. "I tell this story to people I find worthy."

     "Worthy or trustworthy? The two things are very different you know," Max tells him, making Cj chuckle.

     "Oh, I know. I don't trust you if that's what you're wondering. The people I trust the most are my brotherhood and nothing more. They were the ones who were with me when things fell apart. I can say that I am alive now because of them. Krist and the others didn't do shit for me," Cj reveals, honestly surprising Max.

     "I thought every one of you was close? That's what Krist and Hans told me before," Max says, but Cj shakes his head before taking another potato.

     "That's a very different story, but I'm not going to reveal everything to you, you sly little fox," Cj says, and Max doesn't try to force him about it anymore since they were talking about a different thing anyway.

     "Do you even want me to finish the story or not?" Cj stubbornly asks, immediately making Max nod his head so he could attentively listen to the count again.

     "This parts a bit heavy so prepare yourself," Cj warns him, making Max nod his head again, thinking that he'll be prepared for what Cj is about to say, considering how he has been through a lot himself.

     While the two continued with their task of peeling potatoes, Cj takes a deep breath, looks away from Max, and finally continues, "During the party, Alessandra was tasked to assist the guests. This particularly old chairman...he got interested in her. He always called for her, and when everyone was enjoying the party, he forcefully took her to a room and—"

     "Alright, stop right there," Max immediately says. He thought he was ready to hear what Cj was about to say, but apparently, he wasn't.

     Max takes a deep breath and looks back at Cj.

     "Shall I end our storytelling session?" Cj asks.

     Max was genuinely thinking about it, but he knew that this was going to be the only time when Cj would tell this to him. If he ends this conversation now, he'll never understand what happened to Cj's past. And if he doesn't find out about it, he'll never understand why Cj's the type of leader that he is now.

     "Sorry, you can continue," Max says.

     Cj looks back at him to check if he really was ready, but when he saw that he wasn't lying, Cj did continue with his story.

     "Alessandra was sexually assaulted, that's what she told us. I was furious and I wanted to do something to that old fucker, but you know what my family did?" Cj asks, now clenching on the peeler that he's holding.

     "Did they not believe her?" Max asks back, assuming that that was the case, but Cj shakes his head as a reply.

     "Oh, they believed her. They believed her because that disgusting fucker told my father all about it like it was some kind of accomplishment," Cj reveals, almost making Max cover his mouth because of shock.

     "He fucking told my father about it but father didn't do anything. He told me that we couldn't go against him. He was a powerful man. There was no way we could do anything about it," Cj says, almost crushing the potato that he was holding with his other hand. "I practically begged my father. I told him we were the Mills, that we shouldn't be afraid of someone like him. But what my father told me was that that's the exact reason why I should understand the situation. It was because we were Mills. We had a reputation to uphold, and such a scandal will ruin us."

     "T-Then...what happened to Alessandra?" Max asks even though he was terrified of hearing about his answer.

     "My father paid Alessandra and her family a large amount of money to keep quiet about it, but Alessandra changed after that. She became distant; I couldn't do anything for her and that made me feel so pathetic. Eventually, she just gave up...she killed herself two weeks after that incident," Cj finally reveals, and Max drops his peeler.

     Max couldn't believe that something so horrendous could happen to a woman like Alessandra. A woman who was kind enough to take care of a lost boy who had no love left in him. But what surprised Max more was the fact that Cj didn't look sad. He looked like he was filled with anger and regret instead. It's what Max pitied more.

     "When she died my family didn't say anything and even held a grand funeral for her, trying to cover up the fact that they silenced her when she was dying inside. During that same time I was angry, and I was so lost. That's when I became distant from Krist and the others. They didn't understand what happened to me but they still blamed me for breaking our friendship. It was just stupid."

     As Max was listening to what Cj was telling him, he couldn't help finally understand why Cj is so distant from Krist and the others now. Even though he was close to Krist and the others, he could tell that they were at the wrong that time. It was never Cj's fault. For someone who went through a lot, they could have been more understanding.

     "When I finally had enough, I told my father that I was going to take my revenge on the chairman who practically killed Alessandra. My father told me that I'd be dead before that ever happens, so I challenged him and told him I'd make a company of my own, and then I'll be powerful enough to finally give her the justice she deserves. At that same time, my father disowned me, and that's why I'm in this situation now," Cj finishes before finally looking at Max.

     "So that's why you made Kings Tobacco Company," Max says, understanding everything now. At that moment Max's admiration for Cj grew even more. How could someone be so strong-willed?

     "Anthony was my right-hand-man in Cigarettes and he was an heir of their own company too. When he heard what happened to me he told me that he'd help me start up a company. That's why I owe a lot to him," Cj says before finally calming down after looking so angry.

     "I have a lot of regrets, that's why I want to make things right. I have no time for anything else, that's also why I'm studying hard and at the same time doing my best for the company. I need to become rich and powerful so I could get that fucker behind bars. I don't care how I'll do it, but I'll do it," Cj says with determination, and that honestly almost made Max tear up.

     When Cj saw Max's reaction, he finally smiled like how he always does and asks him, "So, now that you've heard my story, are you going to give me advice? I heard from Krist and Hans that you're good at that."

     Max tries to laugh it off and faces Cj. "That was a lot to take in. If you want advice I don't think I can give you one right now."

     Cj laughs back and continues peeling potatoes. "I'm just kidding, you don't really have to say anything. You don't have to comfort me, you don't have to pity me, you don't even have to use that as an excuse to forgive me for what I've done to you. I told you about it because I wanted to tell you about it. Nothing more."

     Max wanted to agree otherwise but he knew that Cj was serious. Nothing he says now would change anything.

     "Well, thank you then, for sharing that story with me," Max says. "And for finding me worthy of it," he adds.

     Cj chuckles and doesn't say anything about it before looking back at Max and saying, "Well then, let's continue peeling these potatoes. You're way too slow. I've already finished about ten and you're still on your third one."

     "How was I going to concentrate?! You were saying something so serious. It would be rude if I didn't listen to it attentively."

     "If you used your right hand you would have finished faster..."

     "I'm left-handed. What did you want me to do?"

...

After hours of peeling potatoes and washing large pots and pans, the two suspended students were finally done with their kitchen duties. After Cj's storytelling, the two's relationship somehow became more...relaxed. Before there was some time of barrier between them, but now it felt like it was demolished. The fact that Cj even told Max about his past made Max believe that maybe the two of them could already be considered friends.

     "The fun is finally about to begin," Cj says as he wears a waist apron and a pair of gloves.

     Max does the same and looks back at the hundred dishes that are ready to be served to the white uniforms and brotherhoods of J.S High.

     The bell rang a couple of minutes ago and the Great Hall was already filled with hungry students. The head chef told them to help serve food. They were tasked to serve tables seven and eight, and then they were tasked to serve the Royals at their private balcony.

     Of course, Max wanted to complain, but he knew that he didn't have that privilege. He'd only be scolded by the head chef again since he was doing a bad job with kitchen work earlier too.

     "Alright. I'm ready."

     Now they were standing at some type of waiting area just outside the kitchen that would directly lead to the Great Hall. There were about fifty waiters lined up inside, and they were holding carts filled with ten dishes for ten students at one table. They also have different beverages that the students can pick from.

     Earlier, one of the head waiters explained to them that they make special dishes for specific students. Those are plates with red linings, and they're dishes made for students who can't eat pork, those who have allergies, and those who are vegetarian or vegan. Thankfully they weren't assigned to that because Max doesn't want to mix them up together.

     Another thing is that white uniforms use clean white plates, while the brotherhoods have plates with gold lining. Max didn't even notice that before. It just made Max appreciate the chefs and the waiters more. They were really meticulous with their job, it's almost unbelievable.

    "If I accidentally spill food on a student, just knock me out so I could save myself from the embarrassment," Max jokingly says while he and Cj lined up with the other waiters who looked way too serious.

     "I would gladly do that for you little Maxy," Cj answers, making Max look at him with shock because he answered him so seriously despite it being a joke.

     Right after that, the head waiter rings a small bell, and all the other waiters hurriedly head out to the Great Hall, Max, and Cj following behind them.

     The job they had earlier was practically child's play (despite Max fucking up a couple of times). The real punishment happens when they're finally facing the other students. Now that they have no title, other students can easily target them. It even helps that they're not allowed to take revenge against them. That's the reason why students don't want to get suspended. It's for this exact reason.

     "There's table seven and eight. That's what the head waiter told us earlier," Cj says as he points at a table where fourth-year and third-year gaffers and dwellers were seated.

     "Great," Max says with a sarcastic tone as they approach the table.

     As soon as they were in full view of the other students, everyone's eyes were automatically on them. There were even Lighters there who looked at their dear leader with such sad expressions, almost like they pitied him, but Cj didn't mind it at all. He just looked like he always does when he's walking at the Great Hall.

     "Can't believe Cj is wearing a white uniform," a student whispers to the other student sitting beside him. When Cj looked at them, the two immediately looked away. Even though he was suspended, it looks like there are still a handful of students that are still scared of him.

     "I'll handle the fourth-years at table seven since they look like assholes," Cj says, making Max look at him with his right eyebrow raised.

     "Wait, is the great Charles Justin Mills being considerate now?" Max jokingly asks, making Cj roll his eyes.

     "Just go for god' sake..."

     Max laughs and heads to table eight where the third-year students are like what Cj told him to. Surprisingly enough, Max was expecting something crazy, like maybe someone was going to stretch their legs so he could trip, or maybe even say something witty, but no one did.

     He doesn't want to admit it, but maybe Ari was right when he said that the students were slowly recognizing his hard work now. The reason why he was suspended wasn't really because of something stupid or ridiculous either, so maybe that's why they're not making fun of him.

     But then again other students already pick on him on a regular basis so it doesn't really do much now that he's suspended.

     It also helped that the table that was assigned to him was all busy talking about their classes earlier and how they should work on their homework together. They didn't give him any mind.   

     Max's task as a waiter went smoothly, and he didn't spill food on anyone like how he feared. But as lucky as he was, the other person who was suspended with him got the worst table possible.

     "I fucking told you that I want lemonade, do you not understand that?" one of the white uniforms in table seven says with a loud voice, making the people surrounding their table look at them. Even Max had to check what was happening.

     "And I fucking told you that we only have tea, coffee, water, and soda. Are you fucking deaf?" Cj answers with an annoyed tone, immediately making the white uniform - who was apparently a fourth-year gaffer - stand from his seat to grab Cj by the collar.

     "What the hell did you say? Do you even know who I am?" the gaffer threatens, but Cj doesn't answer the obvious trap this guy was trying to pull.

     "If you don't want anything then let go. I still have to serve those bastards at the balcony," Cj answers while looking at where the royals are, not even bothered by the fact that a student was holding him by the collar. Cj wasn't stupid after all. He knows that if he does something now, his suspension will only get longer, and more severe punishments would fall upon him.

     This obviously pissed the student more, so without any warning, he punches Cj on the gut before letting go of him.

     "Know your fucking place. When I said I want lemonade, you should head to the kitchen, look for one, and make one for me. You serve me, you useless cigarette," the gaffer angrily says before kicking Cj this time, making Cj's saliva spill out of his mouth. This finally made Max run to his side to help him.

      "Cj, are you okay?" Max immediately asks when he got to where he was, but Cj tries to push Max away instead of answering him.

     "Don't try anything funny. Look around you," Cj suddenly whispers, and Max looks around and realizes that everyone at the Great Hall was finally looking at them. There were even some Lighters who were already standing from their seat. If one of the members of Cigarettes didn't raise his hand to stop them, they would have done something to that gaffer that would have given Cj more problems.

     So Max finally stands up and takes a step away from Cj. Cj then takes a deep breath and grabs hold of the table so he could stand. When he was now standing back up, he looks at the gaffer again and tells him, "As I said, sir, we can only serve you what we have here. If you're craving for lemon so much then..."

     Cj pauses and pulls something out before looking at the gaffer again. "Here's some lemon-ginger tea. You'll be fine with that, right?" Cj asks, carefully handing him the hot tea.

     The gaffer's expression changes as he takes the cup from Cj's hand. "See, you could have done this earlier instead of bitching about it earlier."

     Max practically sighs in relief when the gaffer looked like he was finally going back to his seat. But when he saw the grin on his face, Max's instincts instantly kicked in. Without even thinking about it, he runs back to where Cj is, and as expected, the gaffer looks back at Cj and suddenly throws the hot tea in his direction.

     Cj's eyes widens, and even the other students were shocked at the sudden action. But just seconds before the tea could spill on him, Max grabs him for a hug, causing the tea to hit Max's back instead.

     The entire Great Hall falls in silence. Even the students who threw the hot tea took a step back from shock.

     "M-Max...are you fucking crazy?!" Cj angrily asks as he grabs Max by the shoulder to look at him.

     Max's body was trembling, and he was practically biting his lower lip because of how painful it was. But despite that, he looks at Cj and fakes a smile before saying, "H-hot water...doesn't compare...to the pain you felt from...everything...you went through. A-Alessandra will be sad if she finds out your face got burned...right?"

     As soon as Cj heard what Max said, his eyes instantly widened from shock. He couldn't believe that Max was worried about that instead of his own safety.

     "Take a seat. I have to do something first," Cj says as he assists Max to an empty seat on one of the tables. As everyone was watching them closely, Cj suddenly looks back at the gaffer with a menacing expression.

     The gaffer's smug look instantly changes to fear when Cj starts to approach him. But before Cj could even throw a punch, someone cleared their throat, immediately making him stop before he could even do anything.

     He looks back and was ready to pick a fight with them, but to his surprise, the people who were standing behind him were actually Jokers and BND.

     Krist, who was clearly pissed off, cracks his knuckles and says, "You're still suspended so don't do anything stupid."

     Hans then stands beside the Baron and adds, "Don't worry. We'll handle it from here. It doesn't really say in our rules that others can't take revenge on your behalf, isn't that right...white uniform?" 

- END -