Man at Arms

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Well met

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

People dressed in their expensive clothing started to fill the expanse of the banquet hall. Powerful Al Capone shook hands with their allies as their wives pranced the jewelry around their necks and wrists. The hired orchestra fingered instruments in the middle corner, creating a gentle tune that sounded expensive and inviting. 

My men carefully mingled with them, dressed to conceal their mission. I saw Bonano in his all-white tuxedo, and suddenly I wanted to vomit. He caught me looking down from the shadows of the balcony, and he saluted before he continued to rate women's asses with his eyes. I could have punched him in normal stances, but unfortunately, it's part of his freaking job to be a creep. 

"H-hindi ko alam kung kaya ko itong gawin..." nangangatog ang mga tuhod na sabi ni Psalm habang nakamasid sa mga tao sa ibaba namin.

I scoffed and turned to my twin.

"Can I punch his face?" I asked in Italian, but Callus slapped the back of my head. What the fuck? I was asking nicely! I rubbed the back of my head and glared at him. "I'm starting to notice you're being physically abusive to me these days. May I remind you that I'm the older brother here? Show me some bloody respect — "

My donkey ass brother ignored me and stood at Psalm's side, placing his hand on our cousin's shoulder comfortingly. "Psalm, it's alright," he said in a gentle tone that was only reserved for Psalm. "I know you're scared, but remember, we were just right behind you. We have complete trust in you."

"Paano kung magkamali ako?" Psalm asked, biting his nails. Despite the darkness that blanketed us, I could make out how pale he looked.

"You won't. Just remember why we need to do this. For Gab, for Luciana, and for us."

There was only one thing that disgusted me before: green peppers. Now Callus is adding to the list. His soft, gentle voice made me want to kick him back to our mama's womb, it was disgusting and infuriating. I don't understand why he was being a pussy around Psalm. Sure, Psalm was innocent, but sometimes I felt like my skin was burning when he was around me, and he was nice too, which I hated because every time he smiled at me, I felt like he was cleansing my soul.

Psalm has an air of holiness that even the devil like myself was starting to question what was good and right in this work. He was making me a person, and I don't like it. But as much as I wanted to be anywhere but near him, I couldn't. He relied on the protection I gave him, and I bloodily need him to overthrow Lucian. He was my only chance of freedom from that monster, so I had to stretch my tolerance around him.

Just a little more, and I'll be on my way again.

"Tama ka. Para kay Gab. Para sa kalayaan nating lahat," he said, determined.

For the weeks that he was with us and the many dangers that challenged us, Psalm has proven to me one thing. He was more than meets the eye. He was unbreakable. Ilang beses na siyang na-ambush, pinagbantaan, tinangkang i-assassinate, i-kidnap, pero hanggang ngayon nananatili pa rin ang buhay sa mga mata niya. Normal kids could have been traumatized, but Psalm remained the same. Nagniningning pa rin ang pag-asa sa mga mata niya at ang mga ngiti niya ay may lamyos at kabutihan palagi.

I hated it. And I hated it more that he started to grow on me as well. Lucian was adamant about feeding lies and doubts into his heart, corrupting him to do evil deeds, but Psalm was a shield. He was mentally stronger than I think. He was more determined and desperate to overthrow Lucian when he saw how evil his grandfather was. Psalm sees the lies even I failed to notice. His heart was shielded by purity so that even darkness could not consume it.