Chapter 31.2

"All right," Alina said. "Why don't we all introduce ourselves first, hm?"

"Excusez-moi, where are my manners," Raphael said. He raised his hand and shook Alina's as he spoke with a dazzling smile. "My name is Raphael, thank you for looking after my petite soeur."

Alina gazed at Raphael dreamily appreciating his good looks. He had a well-sculpted face, blue eyes, shoulder-length blonde hair, and the gentle smile only enhanced his pretty looks.

"Wow, you're hot," Alina said with a bit of a sigh. Jason and Michelle's faces both changed and Alina gasped when she saw everyone staring at her weirdly. "Ah, oh god! Did I say that out loud?"

Jason narrowed his eyes and took a quiet photo of Raphael holding Alina's hand with his holo-lenses. He then sent it, along with GPS coordinates, to an unknown number with the caption: "Your boyfriend is hitting on my sister, get here ASAP! Before I kill him."

"Hah, uh … thanks?" Raphael gave a strained laugh while quickly withdrawing his hand; he was unsure of what to say or feel. Should he feel flattered that he was being complemented and stared at by a high schooler, a child who was literally the same age as his sister? Feeling awkward, he turned to look at Jason and the latter looked back at him murderously.

"Can I kill him? I should kill him," Jason muttered while Alice held him back, digging her heels into the ground as the former took a few steps forward menacingly.

"No, daddy, you can't!" Alice cried as she dug her heels into the ground and tried stopping Jason.

"Daddy?!" Raphael looked at Alice with shock. There wasn't a shed of Jason's features in her looks, which was why it surprised him. Not to mention, Jason was very young to have a child her age. Abruptly, while studying Alice, he frowned deeply when he saw her features.

Strange, He thought. She looks familiar, but … from where?

He turned to Jason but the latter blocked his sight to Alice and quickly, Raphael realized that he wasn't planning on introducing his daughter to him.

"Careful kiddo," Jason said carefully as though he was facing a dangerous foe. "Don't get close to him or even talk to him or even look at him. You might get cooties like your auntie."

"Alright, sis," Raphael rolled his eyes and turned to Michelle. "It's time to go. This week I'll be helping you in AKEERA training while Junco will teach you your shooting lessons."

"Qu'en est-il mama?" Michelle asked. While she knew that Watson was busy, she couldn't help but feel despondent at knowing her mother wouldn't train her: she had been looking forward to spending time with her mother, even if it was for training.

"She's dealing with … international issues," Raphael answered evasively, deflecting her question. He didn't wish to elaborate any more than this. "Well, it's nice meeting you and ... you. Have a good day."

Raphael said his farewells to Alina and Alice but ignored Jason who, in retaliation, stuck his foot out while Raphael passed. Raphael tripped and turned back to glare at him and Michelle turned around and stared at both with confusion; because she was walking ahead, she didn't notice how Jason tripped Raphael.

Jason sniggered while Michelle asked Raphael what was wrong. Placing his hands in his pocket, he leaned sideways on a post while asking Raphael in mock concern. "Yeah Raphy, what's wrong?"

Raphael ignored Jason this time and walked away with Michelle while Jason called out behind him. "Careful not to trip on your ego again!"

"You are bad," Alina shook her head and said with a small smile and Jason chuckled evilly.

"Oh, kid, you have no idea," Jason said while raising his hand and showing it to Alina.

"Is that …" Alina hesitated to ask, but her curiosity got the better.

"Yep," Jason nodded. "Wanna bet on how fast he'll run back?"

"No," Alina stepped away from Jason, keeping her distance. "Don't involve me in your petty squabble."

***

"Raphaël, où est Junco?" Michelle asked.

"Back at HQ, sorting through our briefing reports," Raphael answered.

He opened the car's door for Michelle but stopped and frowned when he noticed how light his back pocket was. Placing a hand on his back pocket, Raphael's face changed and he began checking all his pockets, including his jacket, frisking himself at Michelle's confusion.

"Frère?" Michelle asked and Raphael froze in place, the previous scene of him attempting to punch Jason flashed through his mind.

"No way. That son of a …" Raphael muttered as he turned around slowly to look back at Jason.

Alina was keeping her distance from Jason, pretending not to know him while Alice watched Jason in silenced amazement: currently, Jason was shifting through a brown leather wallet, a smirk on his face when he went through the various IDs inside it. Pulling out the cash, he tossed the wallet aside and began counting the money, a satisfied smile on his face as he licked his finger before going through every bill.

"Hey! HEY! You sunvabitch! That's my wallet!" Raphael shouted startling Jason who dashed away when he saw Raphael running back towards him.

Michelle sat shellshocked in the passenger's seat, unsure of what to do while Raphael slowed down to a jog only to pick his wallet up before chasing after Jason with all his might.

"Gimme back my money!" Raphael shouted, interrupting Jason who was in the middle of counting while he ran off.

"Fuck off! It's - it's reimbursement for … for mental trauma!" Jason yelled back as he refused to stop and instead picked up speed.

Michelle walked back to Alina as the two disappeared past the garden. Shaking her head, she pinched herself before she turned to Alina.

"What do we do?" she asked her and Alina laughed.

"Of course, we bring in the big guns," Alina answered. "I'm betting Jason sent a text to someone important about Raphael. But just to certain, let's get backup. Ms. Silvia, duh."

Alina clarified when she noticed Michelle's bemused look.

"Ah, oui, bien idea," Michelle muttered and the two, along with Alice, headed back into school and straight to Silvia's office.

***

"Goddamnit, stop interrupting, I can't count!" Jason yelled as he dodged Raphael who went to tackle him.

"The fuck you're counting! That's my money!" Raphael bellowed.

"Uh-huh, says you!" Jason shot back. "I just happened to find a wallet and just happened to reward myself for picking it up when you came after me! This is police brutality!"

"The fuck it is! That's my wallet!" Raphael shouted. "And I'm not even a cop!"

The two ran past crowds, ducked and rolled over tables while running. Eventually, after a whole lap around the school, they reached the gate again and Raphael managed to tackle Jason to the ground. Grabbing him from behind, Raphael tried to climb over Jason and take the stack of money away from Jason but the latter, with the help of height difference, stretched his hand away from Raphael.

"Gimme back-"

"No!"

"My money-!"

"Get-off!"

"You-!"

"No!"

The two continued wrestling when a voice overhead interrupted them.

"Uh, what the fuck?"

The two turned around to see who was speaking while still struggling amongst themselves. In front of them were two women, one which Jason knew very well: Selena Mintz.

The other made Jason almost freeze in place with his outstretched arms. Her flaming hair and biker like outfit screamed rogue. An apt description, considering who she was.

Katherine Rogue … Jason thought grimly even as he pretended to be bemused. CEO of Rogue Industries and Alina's cousin sister … well, fuck.