King Cobra

King Cobra Chapter 9 Part 1: Same but Different

Here is the next chapter, one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it!

King Cobra Chapter 9 Part 1 "Same but Different"

Coming back at night, Pierre couldn't eradicate the smile from his face. He finally felt a sense of family. Like he was going down the right path, and he began a journey that was getting him somewhere.

Shutting the door behind him, he heard a cough in the dark of the night.

Turning on the light, he found his mom seated on the couch.

From her face, he could guess he may have walked into some trouble.

"You were out late?" She noted, sitting up in her seat. Her tone left no room for excuses. "Later than me even. Busy evening?"

"Dinner at the Hamiltons," Pierre specified. "An all night event. Wouldn't want to miss."

"Becoming a part of the family now?" Mary derided, her tone showing suspicion. "Are you going to change your last name too?"

"It's not much of a family in here," Pierre said back, glancing to the side. "I mean, when was the last time we had dinner together."

Mary opened her mouth, but was plucked for words.

"I just don't want my little boy or my little man," She placed pressure on his shoulders, "forgetting his roots. You're not built out of diamonds and gold."

"I work for my earnings, I know," Pierre agreed. "But don't I deserve a break. Something good for once. Don't we both, Mom? I'm tired of carrying the weight of doing something good...can't I receive the good for once?"

"Just don't get lost in what's not you," Mary advised him. "That's all I care about."

"I won't mom. I was built to be me. And nothing and no one will change that," Pierre ensured her confidently as he then walked off.

As he walked away he couldn't help but feel like he was hiding a part of himself from Mr. Hamilton. His true identity. His history. His core. Eventually it would come out. Just not now.

As he thought of it he got distracted, and slipped on a random placed object. He went tumbling forward. Pierre tried to catch himself, and he ended up upside down.

Before he knew what he was doing, Pierre was in the karate stance Mr. Hamilton had told him about.

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After that eventful night, the morning brought its own share of chaos upon the Hamilton household.

"William! Come here!" Angelica and John ran after their little brother as he ran around dressed in nothing but his socks.

"Boys, don't make me come in there, please," Eliza called from the kitchen, her voice being aimed at AJ and James who were scraping on the couch.

"You lost, give me the controller!" AJ screamed, punching his brother.

"I said 2 out of three!" James punched him back.

Yup, chaotic morning. It was fine for Alex who was just sitting at the dinner table, drinking his coffee. Today just felt like a new day, and Alex felt refreshed. Last night's dinner with family was just a gem. One he would treasure for days to come. Not to mention Pierre felt like the family's newest member. It wasn't like he replaced Philip, but it did feel like the absence and pain of an older son was being filled.

So despite the worry of King Cobra debuting in the All-Valley just weeks away, Alex felt superb. His business was thriving. His family was vibing. Everything was picture perfect.