CHAPTER 2

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.

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