Sit, Stay, Roll Over ✓

Special Chapter: ROLL OVER

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JONATHAN WAS HUGGING ME, and for a moment I thought he was going to cry, but he kept it all in like he always does. When we parted from the hug, Jonathan clears his throat and takes a deep and heavy breath. And when we looked back at each other, the two of us couldn't help but laugh.

     "Thank you...thank you, Jonathan," I say, and Jonathan takes a deep breath and pats my back, but he doesn't say anything. I knew he didn't want to say anything because he'd end up actually crying if he did.

     My case was finally resolved. After five fucking years of investigation and looking for loopholes that might justify my case, the judge has finally declared me as not guilty.

     I was f r e e.

     Freedom was right in front of me and I couldn't even believe it. Maybe everything that I've done could never be forgotten, and it definitely cannot be erased. But this feeling...this new and amazing feeling...

     It's too much for me to even handle.

     "I'm so sorry it took this long Damien," Jonathan finally says.

     I give him a reassuring smile and held his shoulder, "No, if it wasn't for you I might never have been free. Thank you Jonathan...thank you," I say again.

     Jonathan nods his head and hands me my suitcase. "Your car is waiting for you downstairs, as well as your identification and credit cards. I also have given Mr. Holland his payment for watching over Day. He will be moving out from Day's apartment complex tomorrow."

     "Wait, what do you mean? What car? What credit card?" I asked confusingly.

     Jonathan couldn't contain his happiness as he says, "All your properties and all the money you earned from working with Hael was not added to the case. To be specific, the millions of dollars you own, and the Companion's Mansion...is back in your hands."

     My eyes widened from shock. "W-What...how did this—"

     Jonathan cuts me off and explains, "The jury found no reason to take it from you since you were mistreated and practically used. The things you owned were given back to you because they think that was the right thing to do; to at least pay back the hardship you had to go through for the last 15 years."

     A tear fell from my eyes again after hearing the news, and I couldn't help but hug Jonathan again. "T-Thank you...thank you so much."

     At first, I was so worried about what I was going to do once I get back to Dane. I was a broken man with nothing to give. I wasn't even capable of helping him with my previous state...but knowing this, my confidence in meeting the love of my life again made me so eager.

     "Now go..." Jonathan says as we parted from the hug.

     I gripped the strap of my suitcase and thanked him again. I thought he was going to say goodbye, but to my surprise, Jonathan suddenly bowed in front of me. "We might never get to see each other again but...It has been my greatest honor to serve you...Chairman Damien Nicholas Collins." He then stood up straight and continued, "Hael would be so proud of you. Really, really proud of you."

     I forced myself not to cry from Jonathan's parting words. "I hope he is Jonathan, but I know for sure that he's proud of you too."

     I looked at Jonathan for the last time before turning around. Then I took a deep breath and opened the door of my hotel room. I was ready to leave, but I quickly stopped when I saw Neil, Christine, and dozens of other Companions lining up on the sides of the hallway.

     "Thank you for everything, chairman Hunter," they all said in unison, honestly making me teary again.

     Neil walks to me and pats my back. "Congratulations Hunter," he says.

     "Thank you," I replied, and then I looked at Christine who nodded her head to congratulate me too.

     "The Companions just wanted to see you before you leave," Neil explains. I looked at my companions, all looked free as I was. These men and women were my family; they knew what I was going through because they themselves had experienced it. My life would never be the same, but I would never ask anyone to undo my life so I could start a new one.

     The scars, the pain, and the tears...they were the reason why I became Hunter.

     "Thank you, everyone," I say with a deep bow.

     Then I walked away and never looked back, putting the whole Association behind me, and starting a new life again with the person who made me the happiest.

     "Dane...your daddy's coming home"

END