The 'boss' (Aiden Gonzalez) of the third Street Saints, a 6 foot Hispanic Sociopath, has hardly ever felt empathy towards others, even as a child. This was due to his father(Ron Gonzalez) being shot before him at six years old in Shivington, while picking up some wine for his mother at Brown Baggers. Never forgiving herself, Gloria Gonzalez (a neat and tall woman of, at the time, 35) abandoned her child to start a new life outside of Stillwater and forget about her past. Aiden never heard from her again.
Aiden was raised by his grandmother until he was eighteen, and she passed on. Before she passed on, Aiden's grandmother, Sylvia Gonzalez, asked her grandson did he love her. Aiden replied with a stern "Of course", though he wasn't sure. Sylvia had noticed signs of a lack of communication skills & empathy in her grandson when their dog died.
Aiden joined The Saints at nineteen, and by 23 was the leader himself. There he felt alive, more so than he had ever felt. He had money, a beautiful home, people ready to serve his every need. Though he felt something was missing. What could it possibly be?
Aiden sat in the drivers seat of his brand new Zenith, caught in a daze. He had found himself thinking about Carlos again, though he wasn't sure why. Why did he feel so bad? He had never felt this way before. He coughed a little, having caught a cold fighting some Ronin in the rain the day before, before letting out a small sigh. He switched the car off, knocking the stupid rap song that was blaring off in the process. He opened the car door, threw his legs out and sat there for a moment, running a hand through his thick, black hair that he had cut a few days before.
He locked the car, then jogged up the steps that led to his home. He stepped inside, then found his apartment. Number two of the three apartments available. He didn't really associate with his neighbors. They seemed too bland in his opinion. He did find one of them, Emma, useful though. She was a drug dealer, and she knew Shaundi because Shaundi slept with her ex boyfriend. Nonetheless, if any of the crew ever needed drugs; he could get them cheap enough. He didn't understand why Shaundi was so sexually active. When Aiden had questioned her about Emma's ex Bob, she shuddered and explained she didn't know he was in a relationship. Aiden didn't understand how people did that. Cheat. He didn't plan on being in a relationship anytime soon, but he could imagine he would never cheat while in one.
He twisted his key in the lock, then stepped inside, switching on the main light which illuminated the whole downstairs. He coughed once again, covering his mouth with his arm before closing the door behind him and locking it. He realized he left his gun case in the car, but shrugged. He had more in the safe in the downstairs bedroom, unoccupied of course. He often wondered that if he did ever fall in love, would that room be occupied by a child. He scoffed at the thought. No way. He made his way inside, setting his keys on the counter in his kitchen. He recently had the place renovated. He wanted something more modern. It cost him a lot of money, but he was glad he did it. Though he shared the apartment with himself only, it was nice to have something like that to come home to.
He made himself a ham and cheese sandwich, and covered it in mayonnaise. After finishing, he washed the plate and set it on the drying rack Shaundi had purchased for him. She said it made him look neat, while being too lazy to dry it and put it back in the press. He smirked, remembering that. He took a bottle of water from one of his two fridges and placed it on the counter beside his keys. He lifted his t-shirt over his head and threw it on the couch by the pool table. It missed, and draped over the poor table. His eyes traced the room.
It was one large room, containing a seating area with a pool table and a bright, pink SAINTS neon sign that Pierce had custom made for him while he was making one for himself. Then there was the kitchen area, which had a fuck tonne of counters he never bothered to count, multiple presses, two fridges and marble columns. He also had his cooker, which was hardly ever used, and a massive fan hanging over it. He also had an island in the middle of the kitchen area, where he kept his knives, spoons and forks. Most of the presses/cabinets weren't occupied, they were mostly space fillers. Beside the kitchen was the spare room mentioned earlier. It in there was two small couches, his computer a few plants for decoration, his gun safe and his money safe, and a spare wardrobe in case his one became overflowing, which he doubted. Then of course, his dining area. He usually ate there alone, but sometimes Gat and Aisha would come over for some Chinese or Japanese take-out, or Shaundi would arrive with some Apollo's. It was a massive, pine table with 7 chairs.
Then the bar area. With five chairs lining it, it was the most fanciest bar he had ever seen. Of course, whenever he felt like a beer, he would make some himself. Shaundi usually made herself comfortable with a glass of vodka and coke or slim gin and tonic when she came over.
Over by the massive staircase was his sitting room area, where he watched multiple episodes of Night Blade (his secret guilty pleasure) and Dexter, as well as Criminal Minds. He was surprised to learn he quite liked Criminal Minds. His television was a massive 110 inch plasma screen TV, with built in speakers to make it more cinema-like. His fire was usually always burning when he was watching TV. The main lights were usually out, too, leaving his two wall laps on. The massive windows were covered by dark blue curtains, which complimented the windows, in his opinion. He never had them open, because he just wasn't bothered. It was way too much effort on his part.
He noticed his landline flashing. One new message. He pressed the button. Shaundi. "Hey, boss. Pierce and I are heading out for a few beers tonight. If you'd like to join us, we'll be in the nightclub in Nob Hill. Bye". Aiden thought about it for a moment, before deciding he wouldn't join them. He lived in Adept way, which wasn't too far, but he was way too tired. He picked up his t-shirt and made his way upstairs.
His upstairs he found quite unusual. There was no rooms, the entire upstairs was his bedroom. He had a massive bed, he wasn't even sure what size it was. He had two vanity's either side with his bottles of aftershave in both and a few cans of half used shaving cream. Across the room was yet another 110 inch plasma TV, in case he ever felt like TV in bed. He had a DVD player attached to this one. His Jacuzzi was close to his bed, then his sink beside it. He had a small, boxed off cubicle where his toilet was. His wardrobe and three drawers that contained his clothes and shoes were lined beside the cubicle.
He threw water on his face, brushed his teeth then looked in the mirror. Before him he saw a simple man. Though he was wrong. He was the leader of The Saints, he had killed people. He was the reason Carlos was dead. He shook his head, shaking the thought away, and ran a hand through his hair once more. He took of his track pants and socks and shoes, organizing them neatly on one of his dressers. He flopped down on his bed, picking up the closest newspaper he could reach. He flipped through it. All news about gangs or the local stores that were holding discounts. This was dated three months back. His eyes found the paper that featured Carlos's death. He found himself reaching across to grab it. His eyes scanned the page, it had made it to the front. He read each word twice, taking in the horror in which he had caused. He threw it across the room angrily, throwing himself back and trying to divert his mind.
He decided to think of the people who were alive. The ones he should have been worried about, right? There was Gat. Practically his best friend. Gat hadn't noticed Aiden's fascination with killing. Probably because he had one too. Himself and Gat seemed one in the same. 'Sociopath's' as the news sometimes called them. Aiden knew this was true. He had researched the definition the first time he heard it. Gat had scoffed as they sat on Aisha's couch one rainy morning, discussing their next move on the Ronin. Aiden felt attracted to the word, like it was calling him.
He had found himself in an internet cafe that very day, researching all possible terms of the word. He could definitely relate, and so could Gat. Gat was in denial, Aiden presumed. Aiden was not. He knew people knew this of him. Ever since he witnessed his father's gruesome end, and his mother abandoned him, he hadn't felt much pity on others. His feelings seemed to be washed away. He preferred it like that. Though lately, these thoughts of Carlos had him thinking he was changing. Morphing his entire personality. He wasn't sure what had him like that.
Anyway, then there was Pierce. He loved taking the piss out of him, making him think he was dumb. He knew when Shaundi was taking Pierce's ideas. He just loved Pierce's reactions too much to let him know this. Pierce was a nice guy. He was slightly unconfident because of the jokes, but he was okay. A good aim, too. He enjoyed working with him, and he definitely made a good choice.
Then Shaundi. Aiden found his heart rate had quickened as soon as he thought of her. There was something about Shaundi that made Aiden feel warm inside. She looked cute with those dreads, and her bandanna, and piercings. As a teenager, Aiden had had one girlfriend. He used her, so his classmates wouldn't think he was gay. She was chubby, with a blonde bob and bright green eyes. He hung around with her at school because no one else was interested in him. She fancied him a lot, she made it so obvious. Twirling her hair in her fingers when speaking to him, fixing bits of his black hair that had fallen out of place, calling into his house. He decided she was a perfect candidate. He asked her out and there it was, a girlfriend. He tried his best to fake love for her. He figured he was seventeen, and it was about time he fell in love. It didn't work. He thought maybe it was her appearance. It wasn't, it was because he couldn't feel.
The fact of the matter was, he felt like he was gaining some sort of attraction for Shaundi. Though he wasn't sure. Shaundi liked him, THAT was certain. He was able to tell. He just didn't want to get her hopes up. He knew Shaundi slept around with many guys, he had met a few. She didn't act like the same around them as she did Aiden. She'd sway her hips a little more, and flick her dreads back off her face, and punch his arm, and invite him out or to play pinball. He wanted to invite her over, maybe bring her on a date and treat her right. He felt like this wasn't his style, he was a sociopath. It was probably just a phase.
He had never imagined himself setting down. Like with Denise (the girl he dated in high school). She got tired of never going on dates or being showed affection. She even tried having sex with him multiples times, but he pushed her off, or said he had to go do something. Shaundi would want sex, Aiden was unsure whether he could give that to her or not. He tried to fall asleep, but couldn't. He watched the clock tick until it was half 1 in the morning. He imagined Pierce and Shaundi were still out, but didn't want to go there in case they weren't. He felt the hunger pangs in his stomach. He sandwich was the only meal he'd had all day. He took a sip of his water, before hearing his buzzer go off. He jumped up, jogging down the stairs and unlocking the door.
Before him stood a drunken Shaundi. He could tell she was drunk by her goofy smile. I gazed behind her. No Pierce. She stumbled past me, lifting up a bag labelled 'Apollo's'. "I brought food" she slurred, struggling to make her way towards the round table. Aiden chuckled, locking the door and making his way towards her. He sat beside her, and she pulled out his favorite: a burger and chips. She pulled out her chicken wings and they munched together in silence. Once finished, she took a drink of her diet coke and stared at him. Aiden licked his fingers, before wiping them in his track pants and raising an eyebrow " what?".
"You need a girlfriend" she giggled, sitting back in her chair, her eyes still transfixed on his. Aiden wasn't sure how to respond. His heart rate had quickened the minute she walked through the door, but it was beating faster now. "How so?" he eventually responded. She eyed the apartment "you live here all by yourself, boss. I mean, don't you get lonely?". Aiden thought about how to respond. Of course he did. He nodded slightly "I guess". She eyed his toned torso, grinning widely "you could get a girlfriend no problem. There was so many pretty girls at the bar tonight. Why didn't you come?".
He grunted as he sat forward, causing her eyes to glisten at the sound he just made. His cheeks flushed as he noticed, but quickly replied with "I don't want a girlfriend, and because I'm tired". Her face fell. Perhaps she was hoping he would say he wanted her. There was an awkward silence, before she finally spoke "Pierce met a girl. He brought her home". Aiden nodded "well good for him, I guess". Shaundi giggled "very good for him. This is his first score since we started going out together". Aiden found himself laughing. Genuinely laughing. For the first time in 16 years. He hid his shock, placing his hands in his track pants pockets and forgetting about it. It felt good to feel happy for once.
The pair ended up sitting on the couch watching Dexter together. Aiden was fascinated by it. He could relate to his, I guess, fascination with killing. Aiden was the same. He only wanted to kill people who deserved it. Did Carlos deserve it, though? He shook the thought from his head once more. Shaundi, seeming to sense his , I guess, upset, twisted her body in his direction. "Boss, is something bothering you?" she questioned, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder. The Hispanic boss sighed, debating whether or not Shaundi was the one to talk to about Carlos. She was. Gat wouldn't necessarily listen. He was so caught up in finding the right engagement ring for Aisha, who was picky enough. Pierce- he didn't know Pierce as well as he knew Shaundi.
Aiden let it all out. He spoke softly as he explained the constant nightmares and thoughts of Carlos. How he was just a kid, around her age, actually. He had learned Shaundi was 19, going 20 in a months time. She didn't say anything for a moment. Then she leaned her head on his shoulder and said "It's not your fault. Carlos lived for the Saints, he died for the Saints. Just like his brother, right? He wanted to be in the gang". He felt better. It's not like he agreed with her statement. He asked him to join, he agreed, it wasn't all on him. It was the fact that he had got it out that made him feel better.
Before he knew it, after a few moments silence, Shaundi was sleeping on his shoulder. She was snoring softly, one hand on his chest, the other by her side. Aiden observed her for a few moments. She was beautiful. Beyond anything he had ever seen before. She made him laugh. Maybe just once, but it was genuine. He carefully lifted her up, making sure not to wake her. He brought her up the staircase and placed her under his blankets, removing her shoes. He hoped she wouldn't mind. He made his way downstairs, but not before pulling a blanket out of his drawer, and fell asleep on the couch.