TAKANG tinitigan ni Kamden ang kaisa-isang larawan na nakita niya sa abandonarong kahon ng Daddy niya, his dad never mentioned Thanatos to him, not even once. Pinagkatitigan niya ang larawan na iyon, sa makikita niya sa larawang hawak niya nakatakip ang kamay ng lalaki sa kalahati ng ibabang mukha nito at tanging ang mga mata at kilay lang ang makikita sa mukha,the man in the picture was wearing a black hoddie and black gloves. Kamden happened to look at the man's eyes, his forehead knotted he'd seen those eyes before-- kanina sa café. Magkakulay ang mata ng lalaki sa letrato at ni Thanatos.

"Imposibling siya 'to?" Aniya, ang lalaking nasa larawan ay di maihahawig kay Thanatos, medjo gentle kasi ang lalaking nasa picture hindi tulad ni Thanatos. Bumuntong-hininga siya saka inilapag ang picture na hawak niya sa mesa, isinandal niya ang likod niya sa swivel chair at kapagkuwan tumingin sa kalangitan. Malapit sa teresa ang mesa niya kaya kitang-kita niya ang liwanag buwan at kislap ng bituwin, biglang pumasok sa isipan niya ang Kamahalan.

"What the hell? Bakit ko naman iniisip yun?" umiling-iling siya at muling tinitigan ang larawan. "Who's this man?" Tanong niya sa hangin, gusto niya itong makilala dahil konektado ito sa daddy niya na matagal ng pumanaw at hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin na bibigyang hustisya ang pagkamatay ng ama niya. He want justice for his Father, not just justice he also want to get rid of the man who killed his Dad.

Meanwhile, Thanatos was having a peaceful dinner when Jared placed a two colored cream folder im front of him.

Binitawan nito ang kutsarang hawak at masamang tinitigan si Jared.

Isa sa pinaka-away nito ay ang istorbohin lalo na kung sa oras ng pagkain. Bumuntong-hininga si Thanatos sabay pinunasan ang gilid ng labi at marahas na itinapon ang handkerchief na yun sa plato nito.

But Jared didn't bother to look nor to say a word.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Thanatos asked him, calmly.

"You ask for that." Wika ni Jared na ikina tingin ni Thanatos sa kulay kremang folders sa mesa.

Napansin kaagad ni Jared na mukhang nakalimutan nito ang ipinagawa rito. "Nakalimutan mo?"

Kumurap-kurap si Thanatos dahil nakalimutan niya ang pinagawa niya rito.

"I see, you forgot." Nakangising tugon ni Jared sabay umiling-iling. "I'll read it for you." Dagdag nito.

Hinayaan ni Thanatos si Butler Jared. Sa halip na magalit ito sa lalaki, pinagpatuloy nalang ni Thanatos ang pagkain niya, kumakain siya habang pinapakingan si Jared.

"This documents holds the personal information of Kamden Salvorte the only son of Mr.Kelleon Salvorte." Jared uttered.

Thanatos looked at Jared. "And?"

Jared continued reading words containing the document.  "Full name: Kamden Marques Salvorte
Age: 27 years old
Work: Owner and CEO of the Salvorte group.
Siblings: None.
Father: Kelleon Hanji Salvorte
Mother: Hannah Mary Santos Salvorte.

He graduated at Ateneo de Unibersidad with a degree of Civil Engineering. On the day of Mr. Kamden's graduation, it was said here that his mother was murdered the same day... Mrs. Salvorte was brutally raped and killed by her rapists. The police statement did not bring justice to mrs. Salvorte death. When Kamden learned about what happened to his mother, he mourned for years and could not even talk to his father, his mother's death devastated his well-being, as for mr. Kelleon Salvorte he could not bare to live where his son could no longer find sanity, so decided to send Kamden to London to study the art of Law and later, he succeed and became one of theost successful attorney. Kamden wanted to bring justice to his mother after all those years, and at the age of 25 he won the case and the murderers were sentenced to die... Three men raped and brutalize Mrs. Salvorte and the other two were the one that killed her."

Jared cleared his throat then he looked at Thanatos who is now looking at him. Dangerously. "S-should iI continue, your grace?"

Kung nakakamatay lang ang titig ni Thanatos matagal na siguro itong pinatay.

"Yes." Maiksing tugon nito. Muling tumingin si Jared sa binabasa nitong dokumentaryo tungkol kay Kamden Salvorte, even Jared couldn't imagine the pain that Kamden go through. His mother was raped and murdered after that. That just so painful.

"After winning the case Kelleon had decided to send his son to Japan where Kamden can have a peaceful life and forget the painful death of mrs. Salvorte, he stayed in Japan for three years until he found out that his father was killed by an unknown man.  Umuwi siya sa pilipinas para sa pumapayapang ama, he didn't get the chance to his father face nor could he attended the funeral. When he turned twenty-seven the only trusted man in Salvorte Group had announced to the public that Kamden Salvorte is the new owner and CEO of the Salvorte grou--"

Thanatos stood up and left the dinning room, kaagad namang kumilos ang mga katulong para iligpit ang pinagkainan ng binata. Jared took a deep breath.

Hindi manlang siya pinatapos nito, he understand why. Jared looked at the documents containing the pictures of Kamden. May picture ni Kamden na naka tuxedo at ang picture na nasa kurte ito pinapanalo ang hustisya para sa ina. Such a painful past. Jared feel sorry for him. He doesn't deserve it.

Nang makapasok si Thanatos sa silid mabilis nitong inihubad ang coat at inihagis iyon sa sahig, naglakad ito patungo sa banyo para mahimasmasan ang pakiramdam nito kahit papaano, nang makapasok ito hindi na ito nag-abala pang  hubarin  ang mga damit na nakasout sa katawan nito. Kaagad itong pumasok sa bathtub at nahiga roon.

Thanatos blew a loud breath as he closed his eyes.

Losing someone you love could turn your world into something dark and unpleasant.

Kinaumagahan, nagising si Kamden na katabi ang pusa niya, pusa pa iyon ng kanyang Ina  pinangalanan niyang itong Kelhan.

He combined his father and mother's name. He looked at the clock and it's seven o'clock in the morning he stood up and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Pagkatapos no'n ay nagsout siya ng suit na kakaplancha lang siguro ni Mr.Kang, matapos niyang magbihis binuhat niya ang pusa saka sabay silang lumabas ng kuwarto at nagtungo sa kusina.

Hindi ganon kalaki ang bahay niya, simple lang ang pagkakagawa, gawa sa kahoy ang sahig nito at salamin naman ang pader. He walked to the kitchen and behind the counter table he saw Mr.Kang cooking a pancake for him. As always mr.Kang is everything he needs.

He smiled at Mr. Kang. "Good morning." He greeted him as he always does.

Mr.Kang happened to looked at his direction and said. "Good morning to you, anyway..."

"What?"

"Tinanggap na ni Thanatos ang business proposal mo." Wika nito.

Gulat ang ekpresyon at halos hindi makapaniwala si Kamden sa kanyang narinig, kagabi niya lang iyon ginawa at hindi pa siya nakakasigurado kung wala bang typo at errors ang business letter proposal na ginawa niya kagabi. "Are you serious?! alam mo bang hindi ko pa naayos iyon? I haven't even check if --"

His word cuts off when Mr. Kang laughed. "Why do you think I'm here? I've already checked it. Syempre binasa ko muna ang ginawa mong business letter proposal at inedit kona rin yung mga errors don." Sabi nito na ikina hinga ng maluwag ni Kamden.

Mr. Kang then, placed the plate with a pancakes in it and butter on the top of the pancakes. "Breakfast muna bago trabaho." Saad ni mr.Kang saka hinalikan ang noo niya.

Ngumuwi siya sa ginawang paghalik nito sa noo niya. "Creepy old man." He whispered.

"Hindi ako sasabay sayo ngayon, I still have to meet Eren." Pagpapaalam ni Mr.Kang sa kanya.

That made him looked at Mr. Kang. "Eren? Eren Ferlisto? yung lalaking humalik sayo noon?!" he shook his head in disbelief. "You gotta to be kidding me, Pietrios."

Mr.Kang chuckled. " May I emind you, that Eren is a married man now. And i I m a married man too."

Naibula ni Kamden ang kapeng iniinom niya nang marinig iyon, may asawa na ito?! He was shock because he didn't know that. Wala siyang kaalam-alam na kasal na pala ito. "Are you kidding me?! Ikaw, kasal kana?!"

Hindi siya makapaniwala lalo't hindi naman ito nasabi sa kanya, is he keeping things from me?! is he hiding his wife because I'm so handsome? well, whichever the two hindi niya alam na kasal ito. Sa tinagal nilang nagsama at magkakilala hindi niya iyon alam.

"Yes." Maiksing sagot ni Mr. Kang.

"What? You never told me that." Kamden said.

Mr. Kang laughed. "Maybe, because you didn't ask." He paused and grabbed his key car and coat. "Anyway, aalis na ako. Mag-ingat ka saka ilock mo yung pinto, don't drink latte for god sake Kamden allergic ka don."

Umiling lang siya at tinoun ang atensyon sa pagkain.

"Bye!" Mr. Kang shouted and left.

Nang makaalis na ng tuluyan si Mr. Kang, bumuntong-hininga siya at tumingin sa bintana, nawalan siya ng ganang kumain. Biglang pumasok sa isipan niya ang nangyari sa Ina niya noon, every time he goes to bed he keeps on dreaming the painful past of his graduation day, it was the same day his mother was killed. He can still remember how the murderers look likes. Halatang mga lasingero ang mga pumatay at gumahasa sa ina niya, kahit na bigyang hustisya niya ang pagkamatay ng Ina niya hindi parin sapat iyon para mawala ang sakit na dala-dala niya araw-araw. The pain was still fresh even till now. 

When his cat meowed, bumalik siya sa realidad at napatingin sa relong sout niya. "Oh shit!" Mabilis niyang isinubo ang kalahati ng pancakes at butter pagtapos ay uminom ng kape saka tumakbo patungo sa sala para kunin ang case niya at coat, then he stopped in front of Kelhan. "See you tonight." He kissed his cat forehead. "Bye!"

Kapagkuwan nang makaalis siya sa bahay niya, halos mawalan siya ng pasensya dahil sa haba at tagal ng traffic sa edsa, tinawagan niya si Mr. Kang dahil may tatanongin siya rito. Ilang oras na siyang nasa kalsada pero hindi parin umaandar ang mga sasakyan.

"What the fucking fuck is wrong with this people?!"

Napaigtad sa gulat si Kamden nang sumigaw ang lalaking nakamotor na katabi lang ng kotse niya. "Hey! you!" Nakuha ng lalaki ang atensyon niya, napatingin si Kamden sa tinuturo ng lalaking naka motor, he was pointing at the traffic police officer.

Lumapit ang police sa lalaking naka helmet. "Yes sir?" The police asked politely.

The man chuckled. "What the fuck is going on? I'm getting late."

"Sorry sir, pero may aksidente kasing nangyari kanina at hanggang ngayon iniinbistigahan parin ng mga police--"

"That's bullshit." The man said while starting the engine of his ducati.

"What a jerk." mahinang sabi ni Kamden sabay tumingin sa cellphone niya, Mr.Kang has already answered the call.

"It's me." He uttered.

"May problema ba?" Tanong ni Mr. Kang sa kabilang linya.

"Can you ask someone to pick me up? I'm stuck at the traffic... " He said.

Bumuga ng hangin si Mr. Kang. "Okay, just text me the place. I'll send Arkin."

Kamden hang up and texted the place and zone kung saan siya na stuck.

Meanwhile Mr.Kang was busy talking to Eren but he needed to excuse himself to call Rdj, hindi sinagot ni Arkin ang tawag niya kanina kaya si Rdj ang naisipan niyang sumundo kay Kamden. Even though his busy he needs to keep Kamden safe he doesn't want anything to happen to Kamden, that guy is precious to him. Precious than gold.

After a two rings Rdj answered the call. "This is Ream Dylan Jr. speaking." Wika nito sa kabilang linya.

"And its me. Pietros Kang, anyway can you pick Kamden? na stuck kasi siya sa traffic and I'm busy right now. I'm having a business meeting with Eren." Saad niya.

"Kamden? who's that fucking guy?"
Huminga si Mr. Kang ng malalim,  nakalimutan nitong hindi pa nagkakilala ang dalawa. "He is my boss, I'll send you his picture and the traffic zone area...Please bring him safe and sound to the Salvorte group company."

Rdj blew an annoying breath. "Na stuck rin naman ako sa traffic!"

"Come on Ream, I need you to pick him up." He demanded.

"And you're demanding me." May inis sa boses nito.

"Just do it." Then he hang up at sunod na sinend sa binata ang picture at lugar kung saan naroon si Kamden.

Ream couldn't believe Pietros, he shook his head in this belief matapos nitong matanggap ang message galing kay Pietros napagtanto nitong  nasa pareho lugar lang naman sila ng Kamden na iyon. They stuck at the same place.

"He must be here... Somewhere." He said while wandering around. Umalis siya sa ducati at hinanap ang nagngangalang Kamden Salvorte, he doesn't want to disappoint Pietros. Lalo't alam ni Ream nakakatayin siya ng lalaking iyon kung sakaling hindi niya gawin ang pinapagawa nito. Ilang sasakyan na ang nasilipan ni Ream pero ni isa sa mga iyon ay wala siyang namumukhaan sa hawak niyang picture nito. Kamden is a gorgeous man. He can tell by looking at the picture his staring at right now.

"Fuck this, ang hirap hanapin." Pagrereklamo ni Ream at naisipang bumalik sa motor na iniwan nito sa puwesto kanina.

The moment he sat on his ducati he removed his helmet and brushed his fingers through his hair while still thinking of finding Kamden Salvorte. He looked at the picture that Pietros sended to him. He texted Pietros again.

To: PiKang🥠
'Your fucking boss is hard to find!'

Then he clicked the send botton.

Minutes later he received a message from Pietros.

From: PiKang🥠
'Find him or I'll fucking ruin your ducati.'

Now he got threaten by this old man. He sent a message again.

To: PiKang🥠
'Fuck You 🖕'

After that he didn't get a message from Pietros. He swear to god if he finds Kamden, he will drag that man to Pietrios.

PINAGPAPAWISAN na si Kamden dahil sa sobrang init sa loob ng sasakyan niya, wala rin namang aircon ang kotse na ito dahil ginamit ni Mr.Kang ang kotse niya na may aircon sa loob. Pinunasan niya ang pawis niya sabay ini-open ang window car niya. Inilabas niya ng kaunti ang ulo niya nang sa ganon malamigan siya.

"Where can I fucking find this fucking guy?!"

Nagulat siya sa narinig niya dahilan para mapalingon siya sa nagmumura.

The guy was looking at the phone and keep on cussing. "Fuck this shit!" The guy cussed again and its irritating him.

"Alam mo bang masama ang magmura?" Aniya rito. Bigla siyang tinitigan ng lalaki at masama ang tingin nito ng magtama ang mga mata nila. Ngunit hindi pa siya nakakapagsalita ng mag-iba ang ekspresyon nito, biglang lumambot at nawala ang pagka-inis sa mukha nito.

Kumunot ang noo ni Kamden ng mapansin niya ang ginagawa nito. Matapos nitong tumingin sa hawak na cellphone, titingin ulit sa kanya na para bang sinusuri ang buong angelo ng mukha niya.

"May problema ba?" Mahinahong tanong niya.

"You're Kamden Salvorte?" Biglang sabi ng lalaki na ikina bahala naman niya.

He nodded his head but how did he know my name?. "Indeed, I am. Magpapa-autograhp kaba?"

Itinirik nito ang mga mata sabay sabing. "No, I'm here to pick you up because Pietros asked me too." The guy said in a cold voice, wait he know my Manager?

"Mr.Kang?" he asked. "How did you know him?

The guy nodded his head. "I'm Ream Dylan Jr. you can call me Rdj or Ream." Pagpapakilala ng lalaki sakanya. Hindi siya ang tao na basta-basta nalang naniniwala.

"Liar." Wika niya at akmang isasara niya ang window car ng sasakyan niya biglang hinarang ng lalaki ang kamay nito sa window car niya.

"I'm not lying. Here." Ibinigay ng lalaki ang cellphone na hawak nito, he stared at it and saw his picture-- his gorgeous sexy picture, pinagmamalaki talaga niya iyon. He looked at the guy again. "How can I  make so sure that you're telling me the truth?"

Ofcourse Mr.Kang thought him well, he need to make sure that this guy is telling the truth kasi kung hindi bahala na ang kamay nito na nakaharang sa window car niya at isasara niya iyon.

"Fine. I'll prove it to you."  Anito at nagtype sa cellphone na hawak niyo at mukhang may Narinig ni Kamden ang pagring ng cellphone at maya-maya ay may sumagot rin. Pinindot ng lalaki ang speaker nang sa ganun ay marinig niya iyon.

"Tell me that you found Kamden, Rdj."

When Kamden heard that familiar voice he glanced at the guy who is now smiling at him.

"See, I'm telling the truth." Ani nito sa kanya. "Yeah I did found him." Sagot ng lalaki sa kabilang linya pagkatapos ay pinatay na ang tawag.

"He didn't mention you to me." Saad ni Kamden. "Si Arkin ang susundo sa akin."

Ream rolled his eyes at kusang binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan ng binata. "Come on, aalis na tayo."

Gulat naman si Kamden nang hawakan siya nito sa kamay.

"Ayaw mong umalis?" Tanong ng lalaki sa mahinang tuno.

"Gusto." Maikling sagot niya at lumabas ng sasakyan.

Nang makalabas na siya sa kotse, pinalibot niya ang daan, ang daming sasakyan at sa kalagitnaan niyon may isang ducati, motor iyon ni Ream.

"Wear this." Binigay nito sa kanya ang helmet na kulay pula.

"Hindi ako sasakay d'yan." Mabilis niyang sabi.

Ream stared at him. "I'm not asking you. I'm demanding. Aangkas kaba o mananatili ka dito?"

Sumulyap siya sa relo niya at sobrang late na siya sa work. I had no choice but to ride with this stranger.
"Fine." Aniya saka umangkas sa motor ng lalaki.

"Humawak ka sa matigas." Wika ni Ream na ikina tigil ni Kamden sa pagsosout ng helmet.

"What?"

"Sabi ko humawak ka sa matigas."

Hinampas niya ito sa ulo. "Sira kaba?!" sigaw niya na ikina tingin ng tao sa kanila.

"You fucker! humawak ka sa beywang ko napaka malisosyo nito."

Kamden lips formed into 'O' when he gets what he meant by that. Ang akala niya ang ang matigas na tumatayo ang ipapahawak sa kanya. Hindi naman pala.

Biglaan ang pagpunta ni Thanatos sa kumpanya ni Kamden kaya naman hindi alam ng mga empleyado ni Kamden ang gagawin lalo't wala rin si Mr.Kang sa opisina, hinihintay nilang dumating ang boss nila pero hanggang ngayon wala parin, mahigit tatlong oras ng naghihintay si Thanatos sa opisina ni Kamden at nawawalan na rin ito ng gana kakahintay.

He came here to talk about something-- to discuss the business proposal pero nagtataka ito kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala parin ang CEO. He was told that Kamden is always on time. Pero mukhang hindi naman ata totoo iyon.

"Emperor, we've waited enough, you still have to meet your brother and he is waiting." Wika ni Jared.

Umiling si Thanatos. "We'll wait."

"But emperor, your brother---

He glared at Jared. "I said, we will wait."

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Jared, matapos iyong sabihin ni Thanatos tama rin sa oras dahil kakarating lang ni Kamden sa opisina niyo. Pumasok si Kamden sa loob ng opisina habang inaayos ang necktie na suot nito.

When their eyes meet, Kamden immediately stopped and looked at Thanatos. "Emperor..."

The Emperor stared at him. "Mr. Salvorte."

He blew a breath and approached Emperor Thanatos. "I--I'm s--sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Emperor Thanatos waited for you for three hours, sir." Jared informed.

"I apologies, well... I am here, let us all sit down." Kamden said.

Thanatos wasn't paying attention to him, na kay Ream ang titig nito ngayon. He couldn't tell if Thanatos was trying to recognise Ream or something.

"Shall we start, emperor?" Jared faced Thanatos who is still looking at Ream.

"Who is this man?" Biglang tanong ni Thanatos at tinuro si Ream na nakatayo ngayon sa tabi ni Kamden.

"Oh, this is Ream Dylan Jr but everyone calls him Rdj... He's one of our associate." Aniya.

Thanatos glanced at Jared, signaling him to leave the office room. Without saying a word Jared walked closer to Rdj who is now standing next to Kamden. Jared whispered something on Rdj left ear. Takang tinitigan ni Kamden ang dalawa.

"We'll leave you two alone so you can discuss the things that you needed to discuss." Wika ni Jared at iniyuko ang ulo saka ito umalis sa opisina niya.

Nang makalabas na ang dalawa ng opisina, tumayo si Thanatos na ikina tingin niya rito. "The business proposal." Thanatos said while putting his coat on the sofa.

Biglang naalala ni Kamden ang business proposal niya rito. His manager had already passed the business proposal to the Emperor but seem like the Emperor didn't read it.

"Of course, the business proposal pero ang akala ko na ipasa na sayo ni Mr. Kang iyon, haven't you read it?"

Umiling si Thanatos sabay inayos ang buhok niya. "Nabasa ko nga, pero hindi ko alam na gano'ng klasing proposal ang i-aalok mo sakin. I was expecting more exciting and worth investing."

"Pardon?"

"Hindi ako interesado sa gano'ng proposal pero dahil anak ka ni Kelleon I accepted your proposal I also wanted to help your company to get on the top list. As you all well know, the Salvorte Group is always in the Top list for being the greatest and independent conpany in asia and I know you don't want to let your father down, I feel your pain I do... but." He paused and walked towards Kamden. "In exchange of that, you will have a dinner with me tonight."

Napakurap-kurap si Kamden. "A dinner...with you?"

"Yes." Tumayo ng matuwid ang Emperador.

"Just a dinner?" He asked again. Confused. He could not say what the Emperor is planning but this is new to him.

Thanatos nodded. "But if you want something else, I'll grant it."

This is his first time. Ito ang unang beses na may nagyaya sa kanyang magdinner sa labas. "O...Okay" He accepted.

A small smile appeared on Thanatos lips. "Just tell me which restaurant you wanted to go and I'll be there in time." Kamden said and went to sit on his swivel chair.  

"I don't like restuarant food. We'll have dinner at my house. 7:30." Thanatos uttered casually.

"A-at y-your h-house?" Uutal niyang tanong.

"Yes, I don't like eating outside. Photograhper can be savages."

Oh right, Kamden almost forgot, Thanatos is famous, just a single dinner in restaurant could be more risky.

"If that's what you want, sige."

"Kaano ano mo si Ream?" Biglang tanong ni Thanatos kay Kamden.

Bahagyang na tigilan si Kamden sa pag-bukas ng kulay kremang folder. "He is not related to me. He's my mangaer's friend."

Thanatos red-electric eyes stared deeply into his chocolate ones. "
And?"

"And there is nothing more. Anyway..." Kumuha siya ng gummy bear sa maliit na jar puno ng gummy bear, paborito niya iyon kahit na alam niyang hindi puwede sa kanya. Kumuha siya ng isang gummy bear at ibinigay iyon sa Emperador. "Here."

Takang tinitigan ni Thanatos ang inaaloo niya rito. "A gummy bear?"

He nodded with a smiled on his face.

"Why are you giving me this?" Emperor Thanatos curiosly asked.

He smiled. "It'd a peace offering."

"Peace offering?"

"Uh-huh."

Hindi na nagtanong pa ang Emperador sa kanya at sa halip ay tinanggap nito ang gummy bear. Tinitigan ni Kamden ang Emperador at hinihintay niyang kainin iyon nito.

Emperor Thanatos blew a deep breath before eating the gummy bear. 

Emperor Thanatos grimaced, because of the taste of the gummy bear, he is not a funny of eating gummy bear.

"It delicious, right?" He asked.

Thanatos slightly nodded his head as he forced himself to swallow it. He would rather eat ampalaya again than to taste one of these. "Taste good." He lied.

Thanatos hates eating gummy bears. But now he's eating one.