Chapter 33: A risky plan

Late afternoon on the next day, King, Gio, and Leandro arrived. They didn't intend to stay for dinner, but Jefferson insisted on preparing a meal for them.

The four of them sat in the living room. Jefferson sensed that King and the other two, Gio and Leandro were a bit restless.

"Are you alright?" Jefferson asked his little brother when they were alone in the kitchen.

"Yes, Kuya...!"

"But you look restless since you arrived. Not only you but your friends too."

"We're fine..." King responded.

Jefferson wasn't convinced but didn't probe any further. Though King is quite spoiled, he is responsible. He trusts King so he meddles less in his private affairs, but now that he brought Jovanni, he can't help feeling worried.

"So what is your plan now? You are picking Jovanni, is he safe there? You said that Kirt Valdez is persistent."

"I have my plan." King faintly replied.

Jefferson stared at his little brother. "What's your plan?"

"You don't have to know Kuya. Don't worry, I'm confident it will work." King said, but Jefferson was worried.

"King, Jovanni can stay here. He is safer here, don't make unnecessary moves that will harm you and your friends, specially Jovanni."

"I know Kuya. That's why I will prove to that asshole Kirt Valdez that Jovanni is not someone he can fucking toy with."

"Enrique, mind your language." Jefferson reprimanded.

"Kuya, that man doesn't deserve even an ounce of respect!"

"But you don't have to degrade yourself just because of others' unacceptable behavior." Jefferson lectured.

King was quietly listening. When his brother is dropping his full name, it is the time when he should shut his mouth. Jefferson is gentle and tolerant to him, but he is a very principled man. He didn't yell even when upset and angry, but his serious face and heart-piercing words are scarier.

After a brief silence, Jefferson spoke. "It's summer break, our parents are waiting for you to come back. Gio and Leandro will go home too, so just let Jovanni stay here. He is safer here. I  will be on a working trip for a month, so he won't feel awkward here."

"No Kuya, I will bring Jovanni to our hometown the next day."

"Are you sure? What if Kirt Valdez will follow you there?"

"Kuya, our hometown is my territory. He cannot mess me there." King assured. He wanted to brag that Kirt will surely be beaten if he is stupid enough to mess with him and Jovanni in their hometown, but in front of his gentle and peace-loving elder brother, he needs to be subtle.

Jefferson was silent. King was also lost in his thought for a moment too. His elder, though without a doubt is very kind, but he is a cold and reserved person. He's someone who isn't comfortable when there are other people in his personal space, except him and their parents. He even had a hard time thinking about how to tell his brother that he is bringing someone into his apartment. If it wasn't urgent to find a refuge for Jovanni, he won't dare ask his brother. But now, his brother who prefers solitude is insisting to let Jovanni stay in his haven. King thought that perhaps, Jovanni's suffering somehow moved his brother's, aloof heart.

"Okay. But you must go home a day before my departure. I will send you there." Jefferson said later.

King smiled at his brother. "Okay."

Seven in the evening, Jefferson finally allowed them to go after a long piece of reminders. Jovanni spent few minutes thanking Jefferson that King needed to pull him into the car.

While they were on their way back, Jovanni felt a different air inside the car. His friends were unusually quiet.

After a long awkward silence, King turned to Jovanni who was sitting beside him.

"Jovanni, do you want to get rid of that jerk in your life?" King asked referring to Kirt.

Jovanni was silent for a moment. Though he knew it's the right thing to do, he can't help getting stunned for a while.

"Do you still love him?" King inquired that woke Jovanni's lost thought.

Jovanni found King's question difficult to answer because he knew that he still loves Kirt despite everything he did. One week passed, he felt a bit better, but his aching heart was still longing for him. This fact made him hate his dumb self, but he knew very well what he should do.

"...I need to stay away from him..." Jovanni said. His words were faint but determined though evaded King's question.

"Jovanni, I know you still love him, but Kirt is an asshole. He is someone who is just playing everyone while he's still free. Look, his fiancee came back, so he's bound to abandon you, but he isn't satisfied in playing you yet, so he's still chasing you. Will you allow yourself to be played until your whole existence is ruined?"

"No!" Jovanni replied. "King, I know I need to get rid of Kirt in my heart, but...it's not easy to do it in just a few days..."

"I know!" King replied enthusiastically. "That's why I came up with a plan for you to get rid of him."

"What plan?" Jovanni asked. Gio and Leandro were still quiet on the back.

"Jovanni, do you trust me?"

"Yes. I do."

"Then just follow everything that I'll say. It will help you erase Kirt's influence in your senses and we can get rid of him too."

King assured, but Jovanni was hesitant. He looked at Gio and Leandro at the back, but the two evaded his gaze.

Jovanni was anxious, but he trusted King, so he nodded. He owed his friends a lot, so he cannot fail them again this time.