THE UGLY DUCKLING ©

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

(Kurt's POV)

I didn't know how to deal with the fear I was feeling. This was the most dreadful day I had long hoped for but was growing uncertain about, the closer it got. And now, only hours separated me from my fate...

'Blag!'

I was startled from my reverie with the loud thud from the store's backdoor. I went over to check on it and saw a man being rammed and beaten against our door.

'Good thing I always kept it closed," I thought to myself, "otherwise the fight couldve escalated inside the store. Now that would scare some customers for sure.'

I went closer to the door to check for whatever I can do to stop and intervene but was surprised to recognize the attacker as he also turned to look at me. He smiled and jerked his victim away. The poor guy ran as fast as he could as the attacker knocked on our door. I didnt get a good look at him but he seemed to me like a homeless person.

"Hey old friend," he said, walking straight past me and looking around. "hmmm, impressive. You really did good with the place, Kurt."

I surveyed him as he was facing away from me. He had become even more toned from the last time I saw him. He was good looking then but now, he was even better with his buff physique. Although I must say, he looked way mature than his age. He looked tough, and basing on what he did earlier to the poor bum, he's probably as bad ass as he looks.

"C'mon now Kurt," Francois said while flicking his fingers in front of me. "Are you checking me out man? Dont tell me you've gone gay?!" he laughed.

I punched his chest and laughed with him. "What the fuck man?! Me? gay? Its you that I am worried about. Dont you know that nowadays, the more buff a guy is, the gay-er he is."

He laughed even harder. "Gay-er? thats not even a word! You havent changed man, youre still lame at jokes."

"Whatever Francois," I said as I motioned him in the store and offered him food.

"So, whats your deal with the bum earlier?" I asked him as he was chugging down the lemonade as if he hadnt drank for weeks. The fight earlier really got him worked up.

"Well nothing much," he looked at me with a sly expression. "You thought he's a bum?" I nodded him to continue. "For one thing, he's not a bum. He's a member, or shall I say one over privileged member of the brotherhood- a lawyer. I guess I had given him much of a good beating for you to think he's a bum," the same eerie laugh resonated from him. "you see, he owed me one million dollars, so, I guess he's lucky I'm in a good mood today because I had been reunited with mah old friend here, otherwise, I wouldve... you know, ended his suffering," he winked. "In which case, I think it would have been justice served, right?" I nodded again although I dont agree with him.

'Who is this cruel man in front of me? Where is the old Francois I know?' I thought to myself. The guy I knew way back was kind and dependable, in fact, he was my only friend then. He even protected my honor in my absence. Just then, memories of 'that' day flooded my mind...

{FLASHBACK}

.....

"Uhm, Lissey," she turned to face him, "dont be offended but-" he hesitated. Lissey cocked her head to the side as if telling him to go on. "Well, you see, I have been friends with Kurt for the longest time now," he swallowed hard, "dont you think he preferred this place to be a secret between the two of you? See, if he wanted me to know this place, he wouldve shown this to me sooner right? I mean, wouldn't he feel betrayed by your bringing me here? Especially without him or his consent perhaps?"

{END OF FLASHBACK}

I shook my head slightly and it was enough to snap me out of my thoughts, "so Francois, how are things back in the city?" I guided him towards my office and closed the door.

He looked at me again as if studying my face. "Kurt, if you want to know about your beloved Lissey, you could just ask me straight away you know." he shook his head. "And to answer you, last time I saw her was at the funeral."

"Funeral?! Who died?" my heart went frantic, 'Is she dead?' I refused to entertain the thought. Somehow deep inside, I just cant accept the possibility of it being true.

Francois chuckled, "you shouldve seen the look on your face. You were paper white and your eyes were bugged out!," after he regained composure from laughing, he turned to me again and asked, "Do you still care for her after she abandoned you?"

I bowed my head and pretended to be busy with paperworks to try and hide my expression. 'Yes, I do. I will care for her as long as I live,' was what I wanted to say but of course I couldnt tell him that. "Not really, I was just surprised to hear about a funeral. So, who died?" I tried so hard to sound as casual as I could and thankfully he believed it.

"Dana died four or five years ago, Austin commited suicide shortly after. He was such a spineless mama's boy, " Francois explained. Its weird looking at him talk about death without even a hint of sadness. Apathy, yes thats how its called, "she was killed during a robbery at their home."

"Oh, how tragic," was all I could say. Somehow, I felt that there's more to the story than what he was willing to tell me. I made a mental note to check on it later. "How did the rest of the family took it? Mike never mentioned it to me."

He shrugged. "You know Mike, I mean, my dad, he cares about money and power more than people. As for those traitors, Alain and Charice, after the funeral, we no longer heard from them. Alain turned 'good' which is worst for him and best for me. I became the sole heir to Mike, I mean, dad's kingdom. Oh, and by the way, your beloved Lissey disappeared. Rumors escalated before about her running away with a very rich dirty old man. Who wouldve thought that she's also a wise b*tch like her mom. Yeah, thats the last thing I know."

Lissey? My Lissey ran off with a D.O.M.? Its just not her but maybe the death of her mom and brother took its toll on her. If there's one thing I know, its that 'tragedy changes people.' I regret the fact that I hadnt been there when she needed me most. If I had, maybe things wouldve been different for her, for us. But I didnt have time for regrets. I am on a mission-the brotherhood must fall and its gonna happen tonight.

Francois and I talked for hours. During that time, I asked also about our other friends, Steven and Jack.

"They wanted out, like Alain did. Only, they were stupid enough to have asked me," he took a deep breath with his cigarette and continued as he blew the smoke out, "you still remember the pledge we made when we were recruited?" he turned to me.

I nodded, "I remember a line that says, 'if I want out, there is none. Only death will sever the bond I made with my brothers-"I had to stop and looked at him for confirmation and again, Francois laughed.

"You didnt, didnt you?" I had to ask as I looked at him with inquiring eyes.

He stopped laughing and stared at me. His eyes felt cold and were peering to my soul. "They wanted out Kurt. I was more than glad to grant their request," his voice bear no sign of remorse, or any emotion for that matter.

I nodded. "You had always been a good friend Francois," again, I had to pretend to agree though in reality, I wanted to beat him up for killing our friends.

"I'm glad you really get me, Kurt," he smiled as he patted my back. We went into the details of how the brotherhood meeting will go down tonight at 11pm. He confirmed that all members would be attending. After all essentials were discussed, he bid goodbye and left at around 5pm.

I looked at him as he was walking away. Francois had become a heartless killer. He had become consummed by greed and power just like his father, Mighty Mike. I felt sadness with the realization that the friend I knew in highschool was no more. The old Francois was as good as 'dead'.

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A/N

Hello there! I know its been a while but I promise from now on, I will be updating sooner okay. keep reading and tell me what you think.

lovemuch,

Lynne♥♥♥

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