Chapter 26: Secrets

Salima was clicking on the button 'Send' when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Oh, Garland," Salima started.

"What are you doing, Joan?" Garland asked testily.

"Just sending an e-mail to a friend," she answered.

"Really?"

Garland edged closer to the chair on which Salima was sitting. He was so close that their heads were nearly hitting.

"What do you want?" Salima backed away.

She had been at Garland's apartment a couple of times now, but Brooklyn was never there. She pretended that she loved his CDs and always had to come and take a peek at them while searching for some clues. During all her stay, Garland had never acted this way before, meaning rather seductive.

"What do you want, Joan?" Garland asked back.

Salima blinked.

"Stop being so mysterious," she snapped.

"Oh, but I think you are." Garland traced her upper arm with his finger. "Salima."

Her mind wasn't working properly. Salima? Did he just say her real name? But how could he know?

"I prefer your red hair, you know," Garland backed away, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Damn it, Garland! I just want you to shut up!" Salima yelled, frustrated, not only because she was discovered but also because he was playing with her. Again.

Garland smiled.

"I'm not afraid of you," he said quietly. "Boris knows about you. He knows about your headquarters too and I bet it's already in pieces now along with your ninja friends."

"You-"

Salima raised her hand as if to slap him but Garland caught it in mid-air.

"It's a shame," he whispered. "I liked you a lot. But you've never gave me a chance."

Then, without warning, Garland stooped down to lock his lips on hers. Salima gasped through the furious embrace. Her wrist slowly slipped from his grasp but it lied itself reluctantly on his shoulder, pulling him deeper. What am I doing? Salima snapped her eyes open and pushed Garland away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Salima yelled.

"Proving to you I'm not gay," he shrugged.

"Just that?"

Why did she feel so hurt?

"No, I'm asking you to trust me."

Salima couldn't help laughing.

"You? I've trusted you and you've hurt my friends."

"Yes but that's because I'm under Ming Ming's orders. I can't just save your friends then. It'll be too suspicious. But I'm helping you now. Your friends are in danger. We must go to the Wind Storm Island where Boris is holding them captives-"

"Wait, wait a sec. Why are you helping me?"

This time Garland smiled sadly.

"Because I want to mend what I broke."

"Oh, and you think you've broken my heart? How egoistical is that? I've never-"

"Fine, but I think I owe you an explanation anyway. When you found Brooklyn and me in the same bed, it was because we were drunk last night and Brooklyn didn't bother pulling out his own bed. Nothing happened, I swear."

Salima stared into his eyes testily.

"And you're going to betray your master for that?" she asked slowly.

"I was never into politics."

Salima laughed.

"It's just you, isn't it?" she teased.

Garland grinned, as if hoping that she would forgive him. Fat chance.

"So, are you saying that you'll trust me?"

"Trust you, no. But come with you to save my friends, fine. On one condition," she said as he was looking too hopeful. "That you won't touch me or do anything stupid like that again."

Garland shrugged.

"If you wish."

There was a silence during which Salima considered if what she did was right or wrong.

"Come on," Garland finally said. "We have many people to rescue."

Despite herself, Salima followed him out of his apartment.


The bus dropped Hilary in her little town. Her wages had afford them a house and now she was making her way to it. Her mother was waiting at the doorway, looking happy to see her daughter. Hilary didn't know how to explain to her mother how she had lost her job. But it seemed that explanations were not needed.

"Hilary, dear! I missed you so much!" her mother grabbed her in her arms.

"Mum!"

"Look how you've grown!"

"Mum, I'm nearly 19, you know."

Hilary glanced nervously around her in case the neighbors were out or something. Her mother led her into the kitchen. It was also a dining room with a cheap plastic table and rubber chairs.

Hilary's mum placed two coffee mugs on the table before settling herself opposite her daughter.

"Mum-"

"I know, Hilary. Giovanni told me about everything. I just can't believe I'm seeing you alive!"

Hilary was startled.

"What did the master tell you?" she asked, breathless.

"Why, about the Angelico mafia and how you've became one of his ninjas. Giovanni had been taken care of you on my account. The poor man must be tired after what happened."

"What? You knew about all this?"

"Why, of course, I do! I used to be Giovanni's ninja as well when I was a little bit younger than you are, only we were more like partners."

"So how come you've stopped?" Hilary asked, unable to contain her surprise.

Her mother smiled over the mug.

"Because I had you."

There was a small silence.

"I don't really understand," Hilary said slowly. "You were a ninja but stopped because of me. So how come you're so poor?"

Then Hilary felt ashamed of uttering such a word, but her mother only kept on smiling.

"I had a son before you," she said. "He was your father's and my joy. But not long before you were born, an old mafia, rival of Giovanni's broke into our house and took everything, even your elder brother who was only 3. I've found out later that they were under the command of a man named Voltaire who is your grandfather. He wanted his son back, ashamed that he had married someone of the opposing camp. We were forced to divorce and I am left with you with no more than a penny. Your father went back to Japan without any more word of him or Kai."

"Kai? Is that my brother's name?"

Her mother nodded.

"I remembered that you and he had the same burning scarlet eyes. Just like your father."

Scarlet eyes? Suddenly a distant memory occurred Hilary's mind. Could it be…
?

"Mum, you've never heard of my brother and his becoming, have you?" Hilary asked, half fearing the answer.

"No, not since you were separated."

"Do you think it's possible that he's working for Balkov?"

Her mother didn't seem surprised.

"Your grandfather and Balkov have a very close link. It is much possible. Oh, my poor boy, having to work for someone like that… Hilary? Where are you going?"

Hilary had picked up her baggage and was heading to the door.

"But you've just arrived!" her mother shouted after her but she wasn't listening. The only thought tat occupied her mind was that Dranzer, Boris Balkov's bodyguard was in reality, her own brother.