They Are Hypocrites

“...What?”

“Yes, Cheska.” he leaned his head to the cue stick while watching how the balls roll across the table. “I heard her friend calling her. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

“And it’s not surprising that you heard it,” one of them said. “You don’t know when not to use your ears.”

“Huh?” he stood properly. He sensed the insult. “It’s not like I can shut them down? They work involuntarily, Xander. Were you even listening to the Science teacher?"

"No? Why would I?"

He didn’t mind him anymore especially when his eyes darted in Kenneth’s direction.

He’s completely frozen from where he is standing, the hand is still on air and dart still between his fingers.

Even Lorenzo is looking at them, with a hint of a surprise but then looked away when he met their confused eyes.

“What’s the matter?” Alex asked innocently. “You’re frozen like ice?”

That’s only when he dropped his arms and sighed deeply. His eyes are tightly closed.

His mood is totally ruined and he doesn’t feel like playing anymore. Even his focus is lost.

“I’ll just buy a drink.”

He left the room without turning his head to any of them. The two were completely dumbfounded while Lorenzo and Ralph know exactly what made him react like that.

Ralph looked at Alex. “Have you already forgotten? They have a friend named Cheska.”

“Now that I remember,” he said, averting his gaze looking guilty. “…again.”

“You shouldn’t have mentioned her name.”

“That sounds like it’s my fault? He asked and I only answered it!”

Lorenzo left the room afterward. Her name might be mentioned again accidentally. He doesn’t want to hear it or else he will only be in the same mood as Kenneth now.

He didn’t know that girl’s name until now. Of all the names existing all over the world, why does he have to meet someone sharing the same name as the girl more than a decade ago?

Funny how the world is trying to make fun of him. Not just him but also Kenneth.

“But the girl is dead for almost a decade, right?” Alex opened the topic again as soon as Lorenzo closed the door. “They’re still hurt?”

“You can’t still say that. We’re not on their places,” said Ralph, staring at the door where Lorenzo made his exit. “Besides, when the girl died, they didn’t have the chance to say goodbye. There wasn’t a proper burial because the body was never found. Even when she left, they weren’t there. The hardest people to forget are the ones whom we never thought we need to forget.”

Alex only sulked at it. Now he feels more guilty for speaking that girl’s name.

Actually, he forgot about that story and he only remembered it just now right after Ralph mentioned it.

They only continued their game as if nothing has happened. They know them. At times like this, they want to be alone. They know when to be with them and when to leave them alone.

“Please mister driver…please don’t tell this to mom…”

“We will be screwed if I don’t do that, Ms. Park…especially me! I am the most person who will be screwed if I let you go! I might get fired too!”

Her shoulders dropped with her slightly pouting pinkish lips. She keeps tugging down her driver’s uniform hoping it would convince him but not even her pitiful face is working.

Honestly speaking, she’s ready to go but she has to hear his yes first.

“I really am sorry, Ms. Park. You know how strict your mother is. You shouldn’t be asking me that!”

She sighed. She calculated it wrong. She thought if she’s going to do it on the spot, her driver will be left with no reason but to say yes.

And that is not what’s happening now. She guessed it wrong. She should have done it earlier.

Her eyes quickly darted to the gate when she heard a car beeping. Surely that’s Lorenzo.

According to him, he’s going to pick her up and take her himself to the casino. She had no objections to that.

He really has to take her there himself. In the first place, he’s the one who asked her to come along.

“Mister driver…please…just this time…” she dropped the thought of the waiting Lorenzo outside and continued her persuasion. She won’t be able to go knowing her driver would sell her to her mom later on. “You know this is the first time I’m doing this…”

He sighed, pressured. “Ms. Park—”

“Hey, do you really want me to pick you up from here—”

“Just a minute.”

She didn’t even bother to turn her head to him. He’s just right at the gateway with his crossing arms and furrowed brows.

Even the driver had to take a glance at him only to see who made Arnie’s daughter leave their house at times like this.

But as soon as he realized who it was, his eyes widened.

Lorenzo is only looking back at him, looking annoyed. He can’t believe he’s waiting for someone and he still has to leave his car only to get her. He thought one beep is enough.

The driver bowed his head making Cheska stepped back a bit. “M—Mr. Young!”

His brow raised. He ignored him and his eyes went to Cheska. “What’s the problem here? Can’t go?”

“Yes—”

“You can go, Ms. Park.” the driver cut her words short. “I won’t tell your mom. Just be safe! Don’t put us in a tight situation!”

Her lips slightly parted. What’s with the sudden change of decision?

Could it be because he knows exactly who’s the guy in front of them? Lorenzo is that famous?

He slowly pushed her towards Lorenzo. Finally, their eyes met. Again.

Though it didn’t last for long. Lorenzo was the first one who looked away.

“Did you tell him my name?”

But he’s the first one to break the ice inside the car.

Cheska is sitting at the shotgun seat, attention is completely on the outside too shy to face forward, she might see Lorenzo from the side of her eyes.

“No,” she shortly answered. “but perhaps he just knows who you are. Didn’t know you’re that famous.”

He has no comment about it. He doesn’t know about his popularity outside the university. It’s not like it’s interesting anyway.

“Where are your friends? They’re not coming?”

“They’re already at the casino. Waiting for us.”

She swallowed the lump of her throat. She actually asked that hoping the awkwardness would vanish into thin air but it didn’t happen.

Another flock of angels went past the car. Even the radio is off. She doubts Lorenzo is into music.

Well, it’s not like she loves music too. She listens to it. That what she does if she has nothing on her plate. And even if she’s not in the mood for reading.

“Why aren’t you asking anything about this?”

“It’s not like you’ll answer it anyway.” she mentally rolled her eyes.

If only Lorenzo knows she has questions on her mind.

“That depends on the question.” he gave her a slight glance. “You really don’t have any?”

She only sighed at it. Her guess is right then. At least she did not shut her mouth for nothing.

Thanks to Brittany and her schoolmates who informed her that asking too much from a Mafia might put her life in danger.

Innocence is the most precious gift that they can give to anyone who is not part of their world. It’s better to know nothing about them than to know that much.

“What is this game all about?"

“Pass.”

That’s when she rolled her eyes. Thank heavens she’s facing the opposite direction.

She just hopes he didn’t see it at the reflection—though she doesn’t think Lorenzo is even looking at her. His eyes must remain on the road.

“Just a little information? I just find it inappropriate. You’re asking me for this yet you’re not giving me anything. At least give me a tiny bit idea of what I am getting into.”

Lorenzo fell silent for a while. Cheska thought she was ignored. “The game wasn’t actually the main idea for this day. It’s just an appetizer.”

Her brows furrowed. Appetizer?

“The real thing is the combat fight. We, my friends and I need to win.”

Right, she had a talk with one of his friends. He wasn’t lying at all when he said this day is so much important for Lorenzo.

She didn’t bother to ask why they need to win. It’s not like it’s not obvious.

Who would want to lose? Who wouldn’t want to win in a game?

She doesn’t want to dig more. It’s enough now that she knows the flow of this day.

Out of nowhere, she sighed and tapped her forehead. She still can’t believe what she is doing. She’s really inside Lorenzo’s car and she’s on the way to a casino.

To a casino.

“I have another one.”

“Spill it.”

“Why are you even studying? As far as I know, Mafias aren’t required to attend schools or even graduate from universities. You have your own education. You’re already done studying by the age of fifteen. You’re not even going to class every day so why bother?”

There’s like a relief inside her body. She finally asked what she wanted to ask ever since. But the question is, will Lorenzo answer that question?

“It’s because of its name. Lee University.”

“Huh?” she finally turned to him. “But…you’re a Mafia and number two? Why do you still need their name?”

“I don’t need their name. I need the information. I’m only studying there for that information.”

“Information?”

“I’m looking for them. For the Lees.”

Her lips parted. She knows, she was told before how Lees don’t show themselves to others.

What she thought was…they never show themselves to other people—literally to other people, like them. But now…even their fellow Mafias aren’t an exemption?

Just who are they? Are they even real? Could it be they’re actually fictional? Just a phantasm?

“They’re not the owner of that university, right?”

“I can’t just dispose of that idea. Those people…they are so good at mystifying others.”

Her brows furrowed. For some reason, she heard something strange in his voice. His tone suddenly changed.

“I’m holding to that tiny possibility. I’ll gather any information I need so they would finally show up to my face. And make them pay.”

She flinched to his last sentence. She’s not just hearing things. There’s anger in his voice.

Now that she’s sure of it, even Lorenzo is gripping tightly at the steering wheel. She can tell it from the veins manifesting to his hands throughout his arms.

“Why are you…mad to your fellow—”

“It disgusts me to hear I belong to the same world as them.” he glared at her. “So don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

She pressed her lips together. She should have stopped right there. She didn’t even realize her questions not until now.

She’s not just asking…she’s also prying.

“They’re hypocrites. Those people are hypocrites.”

She looked away, returning her attention on the road. She still wants to know more but she must not.

Curiosity really kills. Curiosity sucks.

She wants to know how. She wants to know why.

But she knows…she knows that it’s not her business anymore and she has nothing to do with it.