Raiven dropped himself on the sofa as soon as he entered his office, beyond exhausted. It had been a long ass day. Defending clients-- genuinely innocent or not-- in court and providing their innocence always exhausted the fuck out of him, but it was satisfying when the result was in his favor-- just like today. Though the family from the other side cursed him to no end after the case was closed and his client was found not guilty, it was not like he cared. For him, innocent or not, as long as his client was able to afford his expensive fee, then he will not stop until his client was innocent.

And to everyone who abhorred his existence, he was nothing but a rotten scum. For Raiven, though, it was better than being righteous. Being righteous would starve you, get you killed, make you penniless. The world was not merciful to heroes, and money made the world go round. That was the horrible truth that many people couldn't accept.

If one wanted to stand at the top, he had to be a rotten scum-- that was Atty. Raiven Valiz's personal belief, and he had been adhering to that since the day he decided to become a lawyer.

Raiven sighed after having those unpleasant thoughts. He suddenly remembered his little brother telling him not defend criminals, but Raiven had to disagree. Those nasty bastards paid well, and money was important. Look at what happened to us before because we don't have money... people always say that money was not important-- as long as you had God and you were a decent human being, you'd be blessed, but that was not really true. It was all a lie, because in the real world, money was God. Money could make people dance and sing.

Who said money couldn't buy happiness? It was full of bullshit. If they had money before, then they'd be very happy now.

Not everybody would agree that money couldn't buy happiness, but Raiven did.

Sighing heavily, Raiven cleared his head before leaning on his seat. He knew he should rest after that draining case, but in days like these, it was always better to end it by enjoying a few drinks at his favorite bar before hitting the day. He wanted to relax before attacking and winning again the next day.

With that thought, Raiven stood up and left his office. After talking to his secretary, he settled himself on the driver's seat of his car and started the engine to drive towards Valec Bar.

When Raiven entered, he immediately occupied his favorite seat at far corner, a place that only had a dim light where no one could recognize him from afar.

As he sat on the stool, Raiven called out for the bartender and ordered, " One dirty martini please."

The bartender smiled and nodded, " One dirty martini, coming right up."

Raiven took a deep breath, and while waiting for his drink, he couldn't help but overhear a conversation from the table behind him.

"Fuck off! I will never accept you! I hate you! do you hear me? You get the fuck out of my life and stop pissing me off!" The owner of the voice was clearly enraged.

But the voice who answered was calm, soothing, and he had a deep voice that made Raiven listen attentively. " Come on, Khai, don't be like that. I know you love me, I'm your b---"

" Don't you dare say it!"

Raiven was stunned for a second and a question was formed in his head in an instant. Lovers' quarrel? Gay lovers' quarrel? That was his first time hearing such argument live and it got him slightly curious, so he continued listening. He couldn't help it anyway. The couple was a bit loud.

"Khai, don't be hard on me, please? I'm leaving for work tomorrow," said the guy with the calm, soothing, and deep voice. Raiven felt lulled just by listening to him. "Who knows when we'll see each other again? I don't even know if I'm coming back alive."

"Just fuck off already!"

"Khai, won't you miss me? Cause I'll miss you."

"I hate you."

"I love you."

Raiven tuned out the two and accepted his dirty martini with a small smile, thanking the bartender. While enjoying his drink, he thought about the couple he tuned out behind him.

What a pitiful guy. His lover clearly doesn't like nor care about him, and he's about to go to work where he might get killed in the near future. Really pitiful, if only breaking someone heart was a crime... then he would probably defending lots of heartbreakers. Meaning-- lots of money.

Out of curiosity, while his lips were hovering over the rim of the glass he was holding, Raiven slightly turned his head to take a peek behind him-- to see the couple, but the table was now empty.

They made up I guess...?

Erasing the couple from his mind, he continued sipping his dirty martini and he ordered another glass after it was finished. Raiven was finding his third glass when someone sat on the stool beside him. He didn't heed the person beside him any attention as he continued enjoying his drink, but he couldn't help noticing the nice scent the person was wearing. A very calm and soothing scent--the kind of scent that could put anyone at ease, even him.

Because of that soothing scent, Raiven enjoyed his last glass of dirty martini. Feeling slightly lightheaded, he was about to send a message to his little brother to pick him up since he couldn't drive while under the influence of alcohol when he heard a woman's voice. It seemed like she was talking to the person with nice scent beside him.

"I've been looking for you everywhere, Keiran!"

"... What are you doing here, Jasmine?"

Raiven stopped typing on his phone when he heard that familiar voice. But this time, it was not calm nor soothing-- just deep and annoyed.

A player, huh? That was the first thing that came to Raiven's mind. And I even pitied him. This is why you can't trust people-- men and women are alike.

"You're leaving tomorrow," said the woman with a pouty face, like she was complaining and demanding at the same time. "Won't you say goodbye to me?"

".... And why would I do that?"

"Because I'm your girlfriend!"

".... Since when, exactly?"

Oh, that's just mean, Raiven couldn't help commenting in his head, but who was he to judge? He treated women the same way when they became so annoyingly clingy, especially when they had a clear agreement about what kind of a relationship they have. He was the same as the guy beside him.

"Come on, Keiran, don't be like that. I'm pregnant with your child. You should take responsibility--"

"It's not mine, Jasmine. We both know that."

"No! It's yours!" The woman, Jasmine, suddenly yelled, making everyone look at their direction, but the guy beside Raiven remained calm. "This is yours! I'm certain this is yours! You have to take a full responsibility!"

It was getting awkward for Raiven and he wanted to leave. He didn't want to hear the two argue beside him, but when he was about to stand up, a strong hand suddenly gripped his arm and pulled him.

Raiven stumbled in shock at the force, but he was even more shocked when he found out that a strong arm was now wrapped around his shoulder and the owner of that arm was none other than the man sitting beside him-- the man with the nice scent and soothing deep voice. And seeing the man up close, Raiven was taken aback when he found him pleasant to look at. He even stared at his handsome face for a couple of seconds, a little dazzled by how attractive he was.

It was Raiven's first time to admire a grown man's face. His eyes were piercing blue, and even under the dim light, he could see them clearly. But it was not just his eyes-- it was all of him. He exuded an aura that said, "Don't mess with me or you'll regret it." The kind of aura that most people were drawn to-- the bad boy aura, as other people called it. No wonder he's a player. His handsomeness and vibes can even dazzle me-- a man.

Raiven forced himself to look indifferent to hide the fact that he was slightly--- just slightly-- dazzled by a grown man's handsome face. He was about to distance himself when the guy's lips neared his ear and whispered. "Please play along, I'll compensate you." He was begging, like he was desperate to get out of this situation.

Raiven scowled a little at the guy who still had his arm wrapped around his shoulder to hide the fact that he had become self- conscious for some unknown reason. "My professional fee is expensive," Raiven whispered back.

"Don't worry, I can afford it." Then he flashed him a smile that Raiven could only describe as charming.

The scowl remained on Raiven's face, the self-consciousness he was feeling is still there, but he stayed. It was money. He would never turn his back on money.

After the negotiation, Keiran faced Jasmine. "Jasmine, as you can see, I have him now, I'm sorry---"

"No! I don't believe you, Keiran! You're just saying that to spite me!"

What a smart woman, Raiven thought sarcastically before he brought his mouth close to Keiran's ear, oblivious to the fact that what he was doing was putting doubt in Jasmine's heart--- that maybe the two were really lovers and she was just in denial. But Jasmine wanted to believe the fact that Keiran would never touch a man. He was not like that! He preferred women! And the woman Keiran should be with was her! Only her! She would do everything to have Keiran forever!

"Could you please make this quick? I want to go home," Raiven whispered indifferently in Keiran's ear. He wanted to tell the man how mean and rude he was towards the woman, but he was a rotten man himself, so who was he to judge? He didn't want to be a hypocrite.

Keiran whispered back, "If you want to go home quick, then help me. Don't just stand there. I'm going to compensate you after all."

Raiven sighed heavily and whispered, "That PF is for staying and letting you drag me to your mess. standing up and defending you is another matter. That means another payment. I don't work for free, Mister."

"Fine, I'll double your PF." It seemed that Keiran was desperate to get rid of Jasmine. He wanted to enjoy his last night before going back to work tomorrow.

Raiven nodded and whispered back, "In that case, let me handle this." He fixed his suit to make sure he appeared presentable and professional.

From an outside perspective, without context, the two men who had been whispering at each other's ear looked intimate, like lovers with secrets to hide, and it was pissing Jasmine off. She was trembling in anger and jealousy seeing how close the two were. Her mind was telling her that maybe it was true, that Keiran was with a man.

But the truth was that the two were just negotiating the payment-- no one knew about that, but them.

Jasmine, who was about to snap, stilled when she saw the man beside Keiran look at her in the eyes. For some reason, she could feel a tinge of insecurity. The man was clearly attractive--gorgeous was the right word to describe him. Not only that, but he exuded a mature aura that made him look sexy and appealing.

"Jasmine, right? Raiven asked, and it made Jasmine snap back to reality. "Look, Jasmine, you keep saying that the father of the baby you're carrying is my clie---" Raiven cleared his throat. What's the name of this bastard again? "--- My Keiran, but he denies it. I'm sure that you know why he denies your claim. I'm sure you have an idea why. But if you are really willing to push through with your statement, show us proof that it's his. A claim like that needs evidence. Instead of making a scene here and chasing my clie--- my Keiran everywhere he goes, why don't we perform a paternity test to make sure? No offense meant, but the test would benefit you if you're telling the truth and it would also solidify your claim, it wouldn't be rebuked by anyone. But..." 'He paused for a second before continuing, "If you're lying and the paternity test comes out negative, we will file a case against you."

Keiran was just staring at the man who was defending him. He couldn't but smile while watching him speak. This is better than I thought. He was fascinating to look at while defending him and offering a solution to the problem with an indifferent expression on his face like he didn't care, but the emotion in his voice told him otherwise--- especially when he was correcting himself and saying 'My Keiran' instead of 'My Client'.

Meanwhile, Jasmine was speechless. She couldn't move or say a word. She didn't know what to say and just stared at the man beside Keiran. Is he threatening me? His last sentence...it was clearly a threat, right?

Jasmine's hands clenched and her teeth gritted. She wanted to defend herself, to shout that it was Keiran's baby, but the man beside Keiran spoke again. "If you're ready to have a paternity test, feel free to call Keiran." Then he moved his mouth close to Keiran's ear, making Jasmine jealous, and whispered words that only Keiran could hear, "I'm done, pay up."

Keiran couldn't help teasing the guy. "What happened to my Keiran?"

Raiven just looked at him indifferently, making him sigh because indifferent people were no fun to tease. Keiran pulled out his phone to open his bank account online, and a few seconds later, he handed it to the man beside him and whispering in his ear, "Go ahead, punch in your account number and amount."

With still an indifferent attitude, Raiven accepted the phone and did as he asked, hitting send. After that, he returned Keiran's phone and was about to leave, but Keiran stopped him.

"Jasmine is still here," Keiran whispered in his ear. "Once you leave, she won't leave me alone. Since you already claimed your payment, can you please be my shield for an hour or two until she leaves?" I might as well take advantage of the situation, Keiran thought while looking pleadingly at Raiven. Keiran learned his name from the bank receipt he received.

Raiven clicked his tongue and sat back down on his seat. He murmured, "so troublesome." To Raiven, a client was a client. He has to defend his client until the end.

With an amused smile, Keiran went back to his seat beside Raiven as well and pretended not to notice. Jasmine still glaring at them, Keiran didn't want to be an asshole to a woman he once had a sexual relationship with, but he was one hundred percent certain that it was not his. He was not a fool when it came to sex, so he always covered his tool. It was important to glove up all the time. Keiran also heard from a friend that Jasmine was just two months pregnant, and the last time they made contact was four months ago because of his work. It was not like he wanted to hide from his responsibility, but how could he get her pregnant when they hadn't seen each other for four months and her unborn baby was just two months along?

Taking a breath, Keiran glanced at Raiven beside him and asked to pass the time and also to thank him for agreeing to help him earlier. "What's your poison?"

"Dirty martini," Raiven answered.

Keiran called out to the bartender, "One scotch on the rocks and one dirty martini, please."

After the bartender acknowledged his order and placed them on the counter in front of Keiran, Keiran pushed the glass of dirty martini to Raiven,who quietly accepted the drink...and together, they drank silently. Well, Keiran wanted to talk to pass the time, but Raiven chose silence.

Raiven was not planning on drinking too much and he still hadn't called his brother to pick him up, so he knew he should drink moderately. However, the bastard beside him kept ordering dirty martini for him until he felt like his surroundings were spinning uncontrollably.

"Fuck!" Raiven hissed. In his drunken state, he couldn't keep the indifference expression on his face.

"I didn't know you can't hold your alcohol," Keiran commented while the side of his face rested on the back of his hand as he stared at Raiven in amusement. There was something about Raiven's face that felt calming. Is that because he looks dependable and fearless? Like nothing fazes him?

The drunk Raiven glared at Keiran-- well, for Raiven, he was glaring, but for Keiran who was on the receiving end, Raiven looked like he was frowning and pouting at the same time. "You have the guts to say that after ordering fifteen glasses of dirty martini for me?!"

Keiran chuckled. He was slightly drunk as well, but he could still hold his own. "I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank you, my ass! I just wanted to relax and have a quiet night, but you dragged me to your mess, you bastard!" Raiven turned to face Keiran who was just watching him in amusement. He pointed his finger at Keiran, speaking like he was scolding him.

So he can make such a face as well, Keiran thought while enjoying the change of emotion on Raiven's face.

"Being handsome doesn't mean you have to be a player, okay? I thought you loved that guy," Raiven was now rambling, not caring about hiding his facial expression. This was him when drunk. He lost all his senses and became shameless. "You even told him you loved him. How could you cheat on him? I even pitied you when he said he hates you..."

Keiran didn't know what Raiven was talking about, and honestly, he didn't care. He only cared about one thing at that moment, and that was to tease the drunk amusing guy beside him. I'm leaving tomorrow, might as well enjoy the night. "You think I'm handsome?"

Raiven gave him a flat look. "Really? Don't you see yourself in the mirror? Even I'm slightly dazzled. And I'm a man."

Keiran had to stop himself from grinning, because he was afraid that if Raiven saw him grin, it would sober him up, so Keiran suppressed it. He liked drunk Raiven. "I'm that handsome?"

The drunk Raiven nodded honestly. "Yes."

"Handsome enough to attract you?" Keiran was just teasing Raiven. He was curious to see different other kinds of reaction from Raiven. He knew, it would be more fascinating than his indifferent face.

Because of his work, Keiran had become sensitive to the emotions on people's faces since it was the first thing he has to see and observe from his scope before pulling the trigger. At work, Keiran based his decisions on the emotion on his enemies faces and other gestures and body movement. As a sniper, it was his duty to oversee the battlefield and to take out key enemies, and to do that and not make a major mistake, he had to be very aware and knowledgeable when it came to human emotions and movements to determine his target-- especially if his target order was vague and the operation was an ambush.

Because of his line of work, watching people's faces to see their emotions had become Keiran's hobby. That was how he absorbed people. That was how he judged them. Maybe that was why Raiven intrigued him-- since Keiran took notice of him awhile back, Raiven's expression hadn't changed--- always indifferent. He always had that indifferent look whether he was alone or not. Keiran had met and seen a lot of people with an indifferent emotion on their faces, but only Raiven could hold that said emotion for a long time without a single crack even under pressure. It was like indifference was a second nature... except for when he was drunk. Keiran knew there was more to Raiven that would intrigue him, and for some reason, it excited Keiran that he'd have the chance to unravel and see every other emotion Raiven was hiding.

"Yeah, I guess," Raiven answered that awaken Keiran's thoughts.

"Hmmm... I don't believe you." Keiran continued teasing Raiven while watching the emotions playing on his face.

Raiven's features contorted in annoyance. "To hell with you, I'm not lying."

"Then prove it."

Just three words and it stimulate Raiven. His eyes narrowed at Keiran. "Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe...."

"Bastard...are you belittling me?" Raiven clicked his tongue and glared at Keiran. "What proof do you want? I'll prove it." Raiven was so drunk that all he could focus on, was proving himself. As a lawyer, if he couldn't prove himself, then he should just bury himself.

Keiran answered with an amused and teasing smile, "Kiss me, then I'll believe you."

Keiran said it as a joke--- he wasn't really serious. He just wanted to see a certain emotions on Raiven's face, and he planned to take it back after he saw Raiven's unsightly reaction. But to his surprise, Raiven didn't react the way he thought he would.

Raiven just stared at him and asked, "That's all?"

Keiran was so dumbstruck by that response, taken aback, when Raiven stood up, cupped his face, and without any hesitation pressed his lips against him.

A light kiss...it lasted a few seconds before Raiven pulled away.

Then Raiven's eyes met Keiran's startled eyes. Raiven could see himself reflected in Keiran's shocked eyes, and slowly, what he did registered on his mind. Like a broken record, the kiss kept playing again and again until Raiven felt an electric shock run through his body, awakening him and sobering him up.

Now, Raiven's eyes mirrored Keiran's, startled, dumbstruck eyes.

The two were just silently looking at each other, like they were waiting for the other to break the awkward atmosphere between them. But nothing happened, because before Keiran could pull himself together, Raiven was already storming out of the bar like he was on fire.

Keiran was left dumbfounded at the bar while Raiven didn't know how he managed to get home.

At that moment, both didn't know that two years later, an amorous agreement would begin between a lawyer and a soldier.

RAIVEN flinched when he heard something that sounded like shattering glass. He immediately went out of his office, but then froze when he saw that the sliding glass door of his office was shattered again. While staring at the shattered door, all Raiven could do was let out a deep sigh.

"How many did this happen this month?" Out of his senses, Raiven asked a question into the void, but it was his secretary, Tiffa, who answered.

"Four times already, Attorney," she said, then gave him a sarcastic smile before speaking again. "You're just so kind, Attorney. That's why so many people love you."

Raiven ignored his secretary, who was also his mother's godchild and then walked towards the door to inspect it. "Shall we make our door wooden?" Raiven picked up the stone that shattered the glass door and unwrapped the paper wrapped around it. He read what was written there without any interest. 'I will kill you.' Raiven sighed, then walked over to his secretary's desk to place the paper there. "How many times has it been now?"

Grinning, Tiffa pulled out a medium-sized box from her desk cabinet, then placed it on top of the table, and opened it to show him the other letters. "The twentieth one already, Attorney, just this month. If not 'I will kill you' there praying for you to die and go to hell. You really are very famous now, Attorney."

Raiven ignored the sarcasms in Tiffa's voice and then pointed at the broken door. "Call someone to fix that."

"Yes, your highness," Tiffa immediately replied to her boss, who gave orders like a king.

Tiffa immediately frowned when her boss wasn't even fazed by her teasing, instead, he calmly went back to his office. Well, there's nothing new about that. Her boss was the most indifferent person she had ever met. It's as if his face can only show one emotion, and that is a poker face.

Even though her boss was a man, that didn't stop Tiffa from describing her boss's face as a 'resting bitch face'--- because it was the truth. Since she started working for her boss after she passed the bar exam, she hadn't seen him with a different expression. It was always the indifferent look-- like he didn't care at all. Well, he really didn't care. That was just who her boss was. He only showed a different emotion to his brother--- and that was frowning.

Just like their broken door. The people throwing death threats will only tire themselves out breaking their door, but the expression on her boss's face will never change.

The face of someone who doesn't care.

Meanwhile, inside Raiven's office, his phone rang. It was an unknown number, but he still answered it.

"Atty. Valiz speaking," he said.

"We know you have the SD card from that car's dash cam. If you don't want your body to end up on the sidewalk, give us the SD card."

Raiven rested his chin on his hand while listening to the person on the other line, then replied, "I don't know anything about the SD card you're talking about. Bye." That wasn't the first time he had received such a call.

But the person on the other line continued the threats, "If you don't return the SD card to us, I will kill you, you bitch--"

"Yeah?" Raiven yawned a little. "If you want to kill me, get in line." Then he ended the call. After a while, he opened his table's drawer and picked up the small SD card inside. After staring at it, Raiven sighed. "How could such a small thing bring me so much headache?"

Raiven placed the SD card in his wallet, then closed the drawer, and began working. He was now handling a homicide case, and of course, he was on the defendant's side and he was hoping that the content of that damn SD card could acquit his client. But it turned out that damn SD card was nothing more than a trouble. If he used it, he'd die--- Raiven knew that much. But even if he didn't use it, Raiven was sure that he was still going to die. He was just pretending not to care earlier, but he did. His life was important after all. Those organized criminals would not stop just because he told them he didn't have that damn SD card. So now, he had to work extra hard to make sure that his client would be acquitted without using it, and also be extra careful not to end up in a ditch somewhere.

Raiven was not a righteous individual, so he planned to keep the SD card to himself as a safety precaution. It was of his best interest. There was no guarantee that those organized criminals would let him go once he gave them the SD card. He would bet his life that those nasty pieces of shits would still kill him just for knowing the content of the SD card. The information inside the card could take down big names from politicians to men in uniform, and those big names would never let him live.

Raiven sighed. "Of all the things I could stumble upon, why does it have to be that fucking SD card?" Ah, my head is aching.

Raiven was still finalizing the best course of actions to take when his phone rang. It was his little brother, Raizen.

Kuya, are you busy? he immediately asked as he answered the call.

Raiven leaned back on the swivel chair then asked, "Do you need something?"

Raiven heard Raizen sigh before he spoke, "Did you piss someone off again?"

Raiven frowned. "I guess...? Do you even have to ask?"

His brother sighed. "There's a black car parked just meters away from your law office. There's someone inside with binoculars. I think they're watching you."

Raiven quickly stood up and secretly peeked outside from the side of the sliding glass window. There really was a black car there. "How did you know they have binoculars?"

"I'm the one responsible for your office's security and I have my ways." Raizen replied and then let out a sigh. "Kuya, how many times do I have to tell you to stop pissing people off? Are you still not satisfied with the death threats you receive every day?"

Raiven breathed out before leaning his back on the wall and sliding his hand inside his pocket. "Little Zen, you know what I do for a living. Pissing people off is part of my job."

Raizen sighed heavily. "That's why I keep telling you to stop defending criminals---"

"They pay well."

Raizen clicked his tongue. "You don't need money, Kuya!" Raizen was starting to get angry at his older brother again. This is always what happened whenever the two of them talked about that. "We don't need money anymore. We're already well off."

"You don't know when you'll need it." Raiven, who was staring at the ceiling, closed his eyes. "You know better than I do how important money is to me. Isn't it better to have it in case of emergency?"

Raizen no longer argued with his brother. He knew why his brother was obsessed with money. "Fine.... whatever. Just be careful, Kuya."

"I am careful," Raiven said to his brother.

"I don't believe you," said Raizen before he ended the call.

Raiven stared at the screen of his cellphone, when his brother ended the call, then glanced outside his office again. The black car was no longer there. Honestly, he was used to receiving death threats and being watched that it didn't bother him anymore, but if those men were from that syndicate who wanted that damn SD card...he sighed heavily.

Is this my karma?No.... I don't believe in such thing.

Raiven stepped out of his office and spoke to Tiffa, who looked like she had just finished cleaning the shattered glass door. "Tiffa, take a leave of absence starting today."

Tiffa furrowed her brows at what she heard. "Why, Attorney? Did something happen?"

"It'll get dangerous here in the next few days or weeks."

"Then I'll stay!" Tiffa said firmly. "I can't just leave you that easily, Attorney. I'm your loyal secretary---"

"Leave with pay---"

"Yes, your highness! I will leave at once!" Tiffa immediately agreed with a grin. Who would refuse a leave with pay?

Raiven crossed his arms over his chest and looked at his secretary with his poker face on. "What happened to' I'm your loyal secretary'?"

Tiffa grinned at her boss. "Money is important, your highness."

Raiven had nothing to say against that and nodded. "Agreed, now leave. I'll call you when it's not dangerous anymore, inform the others as well."

"Yes, your highness!" Tiffa even saluted to Raiven before hurrying to go out of the office.

Raiven shook his head and look at the others who was working on their desks. He has other employees, but they were still outside, working. He planned to send them home as well. This mess was his to carry alone.

Raiven went back to his office, sat at his chair, and immediately started reading, looking for something he could use to prove his client's innocence. The next hearing was scheduled next month, and he had to be prepared.

Raiven lost track of the time while engrossed in reading. When he looked out of the window, the sky had grown somewhat dark. Seeing the night sky, he got up, prepared his things and the book he needed to look into tonight for his case, and then he left his office after locking up.

As Raiven walked towards where he parked his car, he immediately sensed two presences behind, following him. He let out a faint sigh while continuing walking towards his car, pretending not to notice.

Halfway to his car, Raiven received a call from his brother.

"Two men behind you." Raizen immediately informed him.

"I know."

"Can you handle them?"

"Don't worry about them, just secure the CCTV footage for me. I don't want to be set up."

"On it. Bye."

"Bye," Raiven also said goodbye, then ended the call and put the cellphone back in his pocket while continuing to walk.

As he approached his car, he felt the tip of a gun pressed against the back of his head. Raiven had expected that. Some people would've shit their pants by now, but not him.

"Where is the SD card?" asked the man holding the gun on the back of Raiven's head, while his companion just loitered around since Raiven wasn't really a threat to them. To them, Raiven was just a weak lawyer like the others they had taken down.

"Give us the SD card if you don't want us to blow your skull apart," said by the second man, who was casually keeping his hands in his pocket.

"Hands up!" ordered by the man who was pointing the gun at Raiven.

Raiven immediately complied. He let go of the case he was holding along with the bag containing books and a folder, then slowly raised his hands.

The two thought the lawyer was already trembling in fear because he remained silent, but unknown to them, Raiven was perfectly calm.

"Face forward!" shouted the man pressing the gun to Raiven's head. "Face forward, I said!" he barked at Raiven when he didn't comply right away.

Raiven sighed and said, "Okay, don't regret it."

The two men were expecting a slow and scared turn, but to their shock, the lawyer made a quick one, too quick for their eyes to follow. In a blink of an eye, the lawyer had already twisted the wrist and fingers of the man holding the gun and disarmed him. In panic, the guy who was calm earlier fumbled to pull his gun out, but it was already too late. Raiven already used the gun he disarmed from the guy to hit the back of their necks multiple times until both men fell to the ground, unconscious.

Raiven didn't want to kill the two guys, he just wanted to beat them unconscious. After making sure that they were now incapable of fighting back, Raiven calmly disassembled the gun and dropped all the parts on the ground before picking up his attaché case and bag, and then he slide himself inside his car.

Leaving the two men behind, Raiven drove home. But to his shock, he found two firetrucks in front of his burning house.

Raiven parked his car and massaged his temple while watching his burning house. Good thing he didn't have maids and he lived alone. So much trouble for such a small SD card. But he was not surprised that those nasty pieces of shits did this. It was some kind of a warning to him.

Sighing, he started his car again and left the scene. Who knew who was lurking around his house just waiting for him to arrive? While driving towards his condo, his brother called.

Raiven knew that his brother would just scold him, but he still answered the call and put it on loudspeaker while driving.

"Kuya! Your burning house is on the news!" Raizen exclaimed, sounding panicked.

"Yeah."

Raizen was stunned by his older brother's reply. "Yeah? That's all you have to say."

Frowning and confused, Raiven asked, "Is there more I should say?"

"Your house is on fire!" Raizen snapped. "And I'm pretty sure it's not from a normal cause!"

"Yeah, so?" Raiven asked calmly. "There's nothing I can do about it---"

"How about you act like how a normal person would act?!" Raizen was so pissed at his older brother. "That's your house! Don't you care?!"

"I do, but what's the use? I still have a condo anyway," he answered nonchalantly. "I'll stay there for the meantime while you sort out my burn house. Can I count on you on that?"

Raizen calmed himself before letting out a deep breath. "Okay, leave it to me."

"Thanks."

"Lie low for a while," Raizen's plea to his older brother.

"I'll try."

"I'll send security---"

"Don't bother," Raiven stopped his brother, "I can take care of myself. Just take care of my house."

Raizen was forced to agree. "Fine, take care, Kuya."

"I will, you too." Raiven replied, then ended the call and drove faster towards his condo.

WHILE ON THE OTHER SIDE of them country, in the middle of the night, atop the mountain surrounded by a treacherous jungle, a man in a military uniform with a Scout Ranger badge lay motionless on his stomach for sixteen hours straight, waiting for his target to show up. This was going to be his longest shot, and he planned to succeed.

His breathing controlled, hands on the riffle and an eye on the scope, he made no unnecessary movement until his target finally arrived. One of the heads of the terrorist group they had been trying to eliminate for months was now 2,100 yards away from him. His target finally arrived after the long wait. This covert operation was their only chance to take down the target who slaughtered innocent families in the name of their political ideals. if he missed, it was over, and his superior will definitely bite his head off. Not only that---- his whole team was also doing their designated tasks for this operation to be a success, and he couldn't let them down. He had no room for failure. if he did, then he'd endangering his whole team as well.

He was not called Sentinel for no reason. As a sniper, it was his duty to take down enemies and guard his team for the ambush to be a success.

"Sentinel, Sentinel, this is Bishop, over!"

Hearing that from his radio headset secure on his ear, he replied in a low voice, "Bishop, this is Sentinel, proceed."

The voice of his team leader filled his ear again. "Sentinel, we are now in position and enemies on sight, over."

"Copy that, I'll start, over."

"Copy that, over."

After the radio communication, in and out, he calmly controlled his breathing and pulse until he was in a perfect condition to take a shot. He knew he couldn't afford to miss, so he made sure that when he pulled the trigger, it was a perfect headshot. His target fell to the ground, dead on the spot.

And from where he was lying down and taking cover, he heard the sound of gunshots echoing through the forest. He had a perfect view of what was going on at the village through his scope.

After taking out a key figure of the terrorist, he didn't stop there. He shot every member of the terrorist group who tried to flee, those who tried to sneak an attack to his team, and even the ones who tried to pass as civilians. By observing the emotions and movement in every person in the village, he was able to identify who was the enemy and who was not. Every time he pulled the trigger, an enemy would drop to the ground, dead. No bullets were wasted. Every shot were perfectly executed, and all his teammates could do was smile wryly and shake their heads in exasperation.

Sentinel, who was on the high ground and busy surveying the whole place after the ambush, couldn't hear his teammates conversation.

"That's Sentinel for ya," ani ni Bishop habang pinapalibot ang tingin sa kabuohan ng maliit na village na pinasok nila. Their ambush was a success.

Napailing naman si Rook. "I'm more exasperated than impressed."

Tumawa si Cobra. "Magpasalamat nalang tayo na buhay pa tayo dahil sa kanya. Without him protecting our backs, we would've die a long time ago since our boss is a psycho who likes dangerous operations."

Tumango si Prince. "Yep, Sentinel is our guardian angel after all."

Hangga't si Sentinel ang nasa likuran natin, panatag ako," wika naman ni Eagle.

Ghost straightened his back and spoke. "Let's finish up here and meet our guardian angel in our rendezvous point."

"Okay, team." Bishop grinned at everyone. "Let's finish up and head out."

Back at the top of the mountain, Sentinel didn't waste any time after the ambush. He quickly but quitely stood up, packed up, and ran down the mountain nonstop until he reached his team's rendezvous point. His heart was pumping loudly, and his breathing was controlled but ragged, his throat dry. His adrenaline only died down when he and his team reached their barracks.

Immediately after arriving, he was summoned by their superior. He thought it was about their successful operation, but he was summoned for a different reason.

"Ranger Keiran Sanford, you are being summoned back to the base!"

Keiran was stunned. "May I ask the reason, Sir?" Keiran still had operations to complete with his team. This was so sudden that he was not ready.

His superior replied, "Confidential, now go."

Keiran straightened his back and saluted. "Sir, yes, Sir!"

After he left his superior's tent, he immediately packed up, bid goodbye to his team who looked all sullen that he was summoned to the base. A few days after that, he was standing in the general's office in the headquarters, being briefed for his classified assignment together with his usual team when he was on classified mission. His indifferent attitude towards his new mission was replaced with delight when a very familiar name was mentioned by the general.

"You are here to protect Atty. Raiven Valiz."

Hearing that name, Keiran couldn't contain the emotion that welled up inside him.

It had been two years since the bar incident. I wonder if he still remember me....the man he kissed on the lips.

RAIVEN DIDN'T know how to react after receiving a classified letter from the government. It was not just your run-on-the-mill letter, it came from the office of the Secretary of National Defense. Yes, the secretary himself. That damn SD card really turned his life upside down. Everything was now being blown out of proportion. He was hiding expertly from those nasty criminals, and now the government wanted to protect him-- and he knew pretty well why they wanted to do that.

Protect me, my ass. They just want what I know and have.

He could pretend like he didn't know shit, that the evidence the government wanted from him was long gone or that he destroyed it, but could he really deceive the government and come out unscathed? I don't think so. The government takes advantage on its citizens, not the other way around.

But Raiven still wondered how the government knew that he had the SD card. Well, information can be easily obtained nowadays. One just had to have vast connections. Even I have connections. And knowing the government, in terms of connections, they would give him a run for his money.

Raiven clicked his tongue. And what do they mean by protecting me? "Are they gonna send a freaking knight in shining armor to fucking same my ass like, I'm a fucking princess?" Raiven clicked his tongue again. "So troublesome." If I knew how to decline their fucking offer, I would have.

Mas lalong manganganib ngayon ang buhay niya ngayong pumasok ang gobyerno sa gulong 'to. If he thought he had the chance to negotiate with those motherfuckers before to save his own life, it was too late now. There would be no negotiation anymore now that the government entered the picture. All Raiven could do was sigh and stare at the letter he was holding.

Naalis lang ang atensyon ni Raiven sa sulat na hawak nang marinig na nag-ingay ang doorbell ng condo niya. Instantly, he became alert. If it were his brother, Raizen would just use his own key to enter his condo.

Enemy? Probably not. If it were, they wouldn't be using the doorbell to announce themselves. One of his employees? Probably not either, Raizen would've inform him.

Let's stop guessing and just deal with it, isip ni Raiven saka kinuha muna ang baril sa kuwarto bago naglakad patungo sa pintuan para buksan 'yon.

Raiven was ready to aim and shoot when he caught sight of the person standing in front of him. Raiven felt his body froze. His mind went blank for a split second. His brain was having a hard time processing what he was seeing that he actually blinked a couple of times. His body even went cold, but part of him felt hot. His lips parted open in shock. His eyes were sporting disbelief that he was seeing the person he didn't want to see ever again after two years.

Even though Raiven only saw those familiar blue eyes once---it was night at that---- he immediately recognized the owner of those eyes. Raiven knew he couldn't be mistaken, and for some reason he didn't know, he felt nervous and self-conscious all of the sudden. He even thought of how he looked at that moment--- if he looked presentable or not. The fuck is happening? The man in front of him still looked sexy as before, nothing changed--- no, something did. The man looked even more sexy, thanks to his mature looks. And Raiven was hating himself for actually describing the man as 'sexy'.

Raiven pulled himself together and made sure that the expression on his face was indifferent. "What are you doing here?"

"So you still remember me," said the guy with a smile, like he was pleased to know that Raiven hadn't forgotten about him. "It's been a while."

"Yeah," was all Raiven said. Hearing Keiran's voice again, it had become even richer and deeper than before.

It made Raiven remain guarded so Keiran introduced himself. "Scout Ranger Keiran Sanford, sent by the SND to protect you." Inilabas ni Keiran ang dog tag na nakatago sa ilalim ng itim nitong t-shirt para ipakita iyon sa kaharap, at may iniabot pa itong envelope na may sulat sa loob, "I'll be your bodyguard from now on."

Raiven actually read the content of the dog tag and the letter-- the same letter as the one he received, but addressed to Keiran-- before he asked. "Body...what now?"

"Bodyguard."

Raiven blinked at Keiran like he was trying to wrap his head around what was happening, and when he finally did, he shook his head. "I don't need one."

"Not your decision as of the moment," said Keiran in a matter-of-fact voice. "You are in danger, the SND thinks you need protection, so I'm here."

"I want to decline." Raiven said back in a matter-of-fact voice.

Keiran frowned. "Is this because of what happened at the bar two years ago---"

"I was drunk, and I've forgotten all about it." Raiven corrected him.

"Then....," Keiran took a deep breath like his patience was wearing thin and smiled. "Let me in and protect you."

Raiven didn't want to lose this argument. "Can't you protect me outside my home? It'll be very much appreciated."

"I have to check and secure your house first, then I have to secure an escape route just in case of emergency. And to do that, I need to enter your home. No worries." Keiran smiled. "No liquor this time, I'm on duty."

Raiven knew the two last sentences were for him, but he didn't let himself react to that teasing and satisfy this Scout Ranger in front of him. He would never react. If he did, he'd lose. "Why did they send a Scout Ranger anyway? I don't think I'm that important to deserve the protection."

"The government seems you important." Keiran looked around like he was wary that someone might be listening to their conversation, before he said to Raiven, "Can we talk inside? You're a classified mission."

Sighing, Raiven knew he didn't have any choice anymore, so he opened the door wider to his condo. With a pleased smile on Keiran's lips, he entered.

"I can just give you the SD card," ani ni Raiven nang makapasok si Keiran sa loob ng condo nito. He wanted the man out of his life.

Tumigil sa paghakbang si Keiran saka humarap kay Raiven na nasa likuran nito. "Attorney we both know it'll be useless to do that. You will still be in danger whether you have the SD card or not. You can't outrun those bastards. They're everywhere."

Raiven frustratedly run his fingers through his hair and clicked his tongue. "So troublesome."

"That's why I'm here."

Raiven couldn't help breaking his indifferent face to glare at Keiran. "I am not a princess in distress. I can protect myself just fine."

"I know," Keiran smiled, his blue eyes twinkling with something, and then he said. "You're a prince in distress."

Raiven looked at Keiran flatly, but the smile on Keiran's face didn't disappear, like he was enjoying a friendly conversation--- if it could be called that.

"Don't act like we're close," Raiven said to Keiran with disdain.

"But we are.." Keiran wasn't fazed by Raiven's rude words. "I mean..... it's been two years, but you did kiss me."

Raiven wanted to punch the man--- no, more like beat him up, but Raiven knew that it would be impossible. The man in front of him was, after all a Scout Ranger. Raiven was pretty sure that his own combat skills were no match for Keiran's, so he just stared at him indifferently. Is this man not bothered by that kiss at all? Because I was---no, still am actually!

Keiran chuckled at Raiven's indifferent face. "No, I'm not bothered at all. It was actually quite an experience."

Raiven stilled. "What?"

"Your eyes and movement." Keiran looked amused. "It says it all."

Raiven was speechless. No one could see through his indifferent face. Not even his brother. But this man...was it because he was a highly trained Scout Ranger? Could be.

Raiven looked away and walked towards his living room before turning to face Keiran. He was following Raiven, but he stopped when Raiven did. "You can stay there." Tinuro ni Raiven ang kuwarto na inuukupa ng nakakabatang kapatid kapag naroon ito sa condo niya. It was the only bedroom on the first floor. "You can use anything you like."

"And your room?" Keiran asked Raiven.

"Upstairs."

"Can I check?" Keiran asked. "It's for your own safety."

Raiven sighed and nodded. "Go ahead." then he sat on the long sofa and placed the gun he was holding on the center table. He didn't want to stress himself. Ang iniisip na lang ni Raiven ay para rin naman ito sa sarili niyang kaligtasan. Now that the government was in the picture, he was not safe. If Scout Ranger Keiran Sanford could protect him from danger, then he should just accept the said protection without complaint. It was in his best interest. The government wanted to use him, so he should use the government as well. It was only fair.

While still waiting in the living room, after a couple of minutes or so. Keiran finally came back from the second floor.

"Do you still have hearings, Attorney?" Keiran asked.

Yes, I have two. Next week, Friday, and the next week after that, Thursday," Raiven answered, like he was answering his secretary.

"Where?"

Raiven had the court's address. "Why?"

"I need to plan how to protect you, of course."

Raiven leaned on the back of the sofa, "Please don't get in my way."

"I won't," Keiran stood behind the long sofa where Raiven was sitting, his palms resting on the back of the sofa next to Raiven.

And for some unknown reason, Raiven was so aware of the man. So aware that he felt self-conscious.