|| The Single Father Next Door ||

Chapter 5 || A Threating Promise

     She didn't know how her former family had found her, but she wasn't surprised. (Y/n) wasn't hiding nor really running away. She was just on the opposite side of the city from where she started. So, seeing a black envelope with a red-wax seal with the dragon logo really shouldn't have shocked her. But, it still scared her and still surprised her.

     The contents didn't make her feel any better, despite it only being pleasantries and wishing her the best on her new journeys in the world. That's because (Y/n) could see right through her family. This was a reminder -a threat- that they were watching her very closely.
  "What's that?" Matt looked at her from the kitchen table. He could tell she was worried or frightened about something within that black envelope. But, (Y/n) couldn't tell a child the danger that could be posed by such a letter. After all, Matt was a normal child and had never stepped foot in her world.
  "Just something from my... Father-figure, I guess is the best term..." (Y/n) tried to calm herself down. She smiled at him and placed the letter back in its envelope.
  "Your father-figure?"
  "Yeah, my parents weren't there for me as a child, and he took me without any expectations. He helped me go to school, gave me a job, and taught me some Chinese." (Y/n) kept most of the details to herself.
  "Really? He just did all that for nothing?"
  "Well, he was the hardest boss I've ever had. But, yeah, he said I was like one of his children. He had tons of kids -some he adopted and some were his. I think before I moved out there were 12 children in the house -with only two that had moved out before me." (Y/n) explained.
  "Why don't you see them? You're usually with me or working..." Matt looked back at his homework, trying to hide his emotions about how he felt.
  "Well, he works at nights -so our schedules don't ever align. Also, I love helping you with homework! I'm glad to provide you with a quiet place to study since the library is an hour's walk from here. Also, we got into an argument when I left... Neither of us is ready to apologize, really. So, it's easier to not see him -even if we miss each other." (Y/n) tried to explain. Matt nodded, accepting her explanation with understanding.

     "Hey, can I ask a favor of you?" (Y/n) asked. Her body language shifted to nervousness and more like a worried mother. She placed a hand lightly on Matt's shoulder, looking at him with big caring (eye color) eyes.
  "Depends"
  "Heh, good answer... If someone shows up with this symbol anywhere on them at my house, you stay in yours. Okay? Don't talk to them, just lock the door, and ignore them until they're gone." (Y/n) showed him the wax seal of the dragon. A design Matt has seen on some of the Chinese restaurants and on some people's bodies, but not one he knew the meaning behind.
  "Alright..."
  "If you get taken by one of these people, tell them "我是龙的孩子, 让我打电话给 (Y/n), 我的母亲 (I am the child of the dragon's. Let me call (Y/n), my mother)." Okay? Then, they should take you to a phone, and you can call me to pick you up." (Y/n) explained.
  "我是龙的孩子, 让我打电话给 (Y/n), 我的母亲 (I am the child of the dragon's. Let me call (Y/n), my mother)?" Matt slowly repeated, trying to copy the sounds.
  "Just like that."
  "Why would I ever need to use that?" Matt looked confused.
  "I can't always protect you.  Also, my father figure hates that I haven't apologized yet, so he might do something stupid to prove his point. He isn't a bad man, just deeply complex -like most people. I would rather you know something that would protect you and never use it, than you getting dragged into my problems without having something to protect you, alright?"

~~~

     François Bonnefoy was not a man to be messed with -unless you want to be cut from the lust industry. François owned almost every hooker, brothel, and sex hotel in the city. Those that he didn't, value his opinion more than losing any potential profit. So, when Wang Zao -the owner of every Chinese restaurant and largest debt collection agency in the city- wants a fight, it's a big one. Rival gang owners are always an iffy thing. Men sit around tables fighting all the time, but this was personal.
  "And I told you no deal. You're not the only sin industry I could push Opium through." Zao took a deep break through his crack pipe.
  "A deal that benefits you more than me, but you refuse? You could give me the satisfaction of knowing why." François glared harshly at the man before him.
  "I don't need to explain anything to you."
  "Poor business manners. Whatever, if that's it, then I'm leaving. Don't expect to be let into too many brothels -old man." François got up and walked towards the door -where two bodyguards were waiting.
  "Now, now, 老朋友 (old friend). I wouldn't be too hasty unless you prefer your brat to feel the repercussions of your actions." François froze at Zao's voice, glaring harshly at the man.
  "You wouldn't dare-"
  "Try me. Now, be a good bitch and sit down. We still have more to discuss, after all," Zao smirked, making a gesture for the man to sit.

~~~

     Yue Ming hated the idea of stalking a sibling -even if that sibling refused to be a part of the gang. Ming remembered when (Y/n) lived with them and how motherly she was to all of the younger siblings. So, for Ming, it felt like a betrayal to study her sister.

     But, to Ming's surprise, she found her sister helping a young boy -somewhere between 12 to 14- in her kitchen with homework. While the boy didn't look too much like her, there was a vague enough resemblance and they seemed to act like mother and son that Ming took pause. (Y/n) left a few years ago without looking back or sending a letter, so a child wasn't out of the realm of possibilities of what happened to her. It would also make sense for the amazing job without many qualifications and the nice apartment. Courts in the city tended to favor the parent caring for the child and ensure the child lives a very comfortable life. But this kid would be too old to be her's if that was the case. Maybe a step-child? Or a lover's son? Maybe a child she adopted? Whatever the case may be, they seemed like family.

     Now, the real question was should she report to their father that (Y/n) has a kid? It could hurt (Y/n), who reacted negatively to that letter, to thrust her child into their world. Especially since she clearly has made an amazing life for her son. On the other hand, Zao misses his daughter and sent Ming to learn about what the girl has been up to. To not report the existence of the child would be turning her back on her father in favor of the sister who ran away. Is that really what Ming wanted? Well, she did have a few hours to decide...