Nico stumbled over the railings while grunting.
"Hey. Where are you going?"
I pulled Nico's polo and made him face me. I raised my fist but I noticed he lost his shades.
I now understand why is he hiding his eyes. It's nasty. His right eye socket is red. It looks dented and fleshy. Not a good sight.
"I shouldn't have called you shades man."
"Yeah, you should called me uncle."
"Ddaeng."
I landed a straight punch to his nose. He laid on the floor and crouched.
"Ahhhh my nose!"
"Deserved."
I clicked my gun and he raised his hands in the air.
"Come on, nephew. Are you really going to kill your only family?"
"I have my family, and it's not you."
"I am! What do you want? I can give you an island. A mansion, or perhaps, power?"
"I need neither of that."
"Ohhh look at you, a big cliché. Is it love and peace that you desire?"
I paused and thought, who doesn't want that?
Is an island better than living with your family in peace? Like those simple days I had with Joshua and the gang. Just chilling in the terrace and all I have to think of is what to eat for lunch, where to go after Chan's school, and what new sport can we play.
Also getting married. Hearing Joshua saying that he loves me and he is willing to live the rest of his life with me. Sensing how deep his affection for me. It's pure happiness.
Now I remembered what happened a while ago. Has it really been that long since I've read Joshua's sincerity?
Why is this happening in the first place? I didn't sense an emotion from him when we first met, maybe I have to focus on my ability again.
"You're making that face." Nico was already on his feet.
"Don't move." I raised my gun to his level.
"You know, your mother used to be that terrified."
"What are you saying?"
"Jin-ki. She cut off all ties with us, her own family. She wanted to live forever with your good-for-nothing father. She hoped for that peaceful and harmonious life."
"Sounds familiar. Oh wait, it's what everybody wants."
"As I was saying, she was totally looking forward to it. Until I paid her a visit one day. She was surprised, but not happy, to see me. I was hurt. How can she not miss her brother? I haven't eaten my dinner that night and avoided all the food that reminds me of-"
"Where is this going?" I interrupted.
"Yes. That day, she was thinking a lot. She was also making that same face you have right now. I can't read emotions like you but I am certain that both of you are scared.
She told me that she's frightened and nervous because she can't read your father's emotions anymore."
It's the same thing. We both lost our abilities.
"Maybe we have a time limit? As we grow older, we lose it."
"But you can read mine, don't you?"
I nodded hesitantly. I didn't question his story because I am certain that he's telling the truth.
"I didn't care that time, actually. But I still paid her a visit every now and then. Eventually I realized, as I watched her, that she has a possessive tendencies."
"What? And what does it have to do with losing our abilities?"
"She doesn't want to lose your dad."
"Who wants to lose a lover?"
