Pretty

Pretty.

I lay on my bed, arm over my eyes soaking in everything that had happened.

I don't, ever in my life, think I've been referred to a pretty. I was told I was good looking and that's honestly the only thing I had going for me...and the only reason I got so many dates in high school. Girls were into that quiet mysterious guy type, and I fit that bill to a T. But pretty...I was a man and yet just thinking about the way he said it made my cheeks burn.

I removed my hand, the darkness around me swirling in the swampy room. Shades began to dance around me as I slide my hand on my chest, the same place Ray touched. It was weird, how tingly it made me feel. Even the kiss...it didn't seem like it was half assed. I guess we had to put on a show...but why go to that length with someone you barely met.

I sighed, tired of thinking about him and not wanting to delve more into the Cobra's grasp. This was a means to an end, that was it.

I got up from my bed and retrieved the envelope from my nightstand. I opened it up to see a debit card for Mihuzo Bank. There was a small note on it that had a pin, 3255. I suppose I wanted to make sure the money was all there...that this wasn't a trick. That maybe this was just all a bad dream that I'd get a laugh out of and go back to my normal life. However, by that time I was halfway down the road walking to the nearest ATM.

There was no one around at this hour. I honestly couldn't sleep after everything that had gone on and the cool air was a nice break from my apartment. I pulled out the card, inserting it into the ATM and put in the pin. I waited patiently, requesting a receipt for the amount on the card. I had half hoped, when the receipt began to print, that the amount was $0. Yet, my eyes widened as the receipt was held in my hand.

$20,000. It was all there.

"Had to double check, huh?"

I quickly turned, seeing Ray smoking behind me. Where did he even come from? I looked left and right, not seeing a vehicle. Did...did he follow me?

He smiled, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and dropping it to the floor. Stomping it out, he shoved his hands in his pocket.

"Don't be too surprised. I didn't follow you; I was just on my way home."

"Sure, like I'm going to believe you live in Ueno." I said, snatching the card out of the machine and walking off.

Ray annoyingly followed me. "No, I don't."

See! I was growing more and more agitated being with him. Initially, I thought that he was an interesting guy. Albeit an attractive one...but now he was budding into my personal life.

"However, this is one of my districts. I had a situation I needed to handle, went for a walk and there you were."

I looked at him then, as he was looking ahead toward the deserted street. It was only then that I saw the blood stain on his collar. I heard my heartbeat inside my eardrum. What he meant to say is that he killed someone...maybe even multiple people. Did he mean to scare me?

My silence made him turn to me. We locked eyes and seeing him, after everything that had happened, made me turn away. My head was hurting the more I was around him.

"Mind if I come over."

"What?" I shrieked, a little louder than I intended.

I knew my cheeks were red when he asked me that. We kissed and now he thinks, just because he's in a gang, that he can do with me whatever he wants?!

Ray laughed, throwing me off guard. His smile was off-putting, not in a bad way. It was just...nice to look at and that only made me more embarrassed at my response.

"I'm not asking to sleep with you, I just need a shower and to get a nap in. I guess that was too much to ask."

I felt completely flustered. I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Oh," I stammered, looking down at the ground, "yea...sure. That's fine."

"Great!" He smiled, putting an arm around me.

---------------------------------------------

We walked to his car, which was about a mile away from my house. I was shocked when I saw it. I mean, I knew that people like him had a lot of money but...I guess I wasn't expecting to see a Maserati Alfieri. It was sleek and the silver paintjob sparkled under the streetlight. The license plate on the back just had the image of a Cobra...it didn't even have any characters. I suppose the cops didn't even think of bothering the Venom Gang...or try to interfere with any of their dealings. I suppose that's what happens when you have power.

On our way home, Ray didn't say much. He carried a backpack over his shoulder with his spare clothes inside. I suspected it wasn't a suit, even though that's all I've ever seen him in. However, his clothes were too nice to be shoved into a bag. I began to wonder what he normally wore...and then I felt myself getting embarrassed for even thinking about it. We were just two guys...well a gangster and a kid just trying to start over.

I fiddled with my key when we got to my apartment. I opened the door and turned on the flickering light. I half expected Ray to say something. Coming from his brother's company, I had a feeling that where he lived was rather nice. He probably never had to stay in a dump like this before.

"Where's your bathroom?" He asked, taking off his shoes at the door.

"Oh, uh...it's to the right of the kitchen. There are towels and wash clothes under the sink."

"Alright," he replied, putting his bag on the mildewed sink counter as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"Um..." I started, kind of shocked he'd take off his shirt here.

Let's be honest. I was kind of a private person. I never really was the type of guy to rip off my shirt amongst other guys. I had an ok body, but it wasn't anything to show, and most of the time I felt like jocks just did that to make other dudes jealous. Or to show off to a pretty girl. Only place that ever happened was the gym locker room because where else was I going to go.

However, when he pulled off his dress shirt and turned to ask me a question, I only heard noise. My eyes were fixated on his chest. I didn't care about his muscles. He was in really good shape. It was the tribal tattoo with snakes that looked like they were shooting out from the pits of hell that caught my attention. It was entrancing...and one of the most beautiful pieces I'd ever seen.

"Niko." Roy said, patiently: folding his arms and smirking.

I snapped out of it and looked up at his yellow eyes that gleamed in the mildly lit room. "Yea?"

"It's my mark," he said, leaning on the counter, "every member of the Venom gang has a tattoo associating themselves with our gang. I have a thing for tribal. Each snake represents the bosses I've killed from rival gangs."

My heart started beating faster. One...two...six. My eyes began to widen in fear. He was young, well older than me but...young, and he's already killed that many people?! That...that was almost unheard of?!

His eyes sparkled as he turned away from me, getting his clothes from his bag. "They're not mementos, they're reminders of the life I've chosen and the sins I've committed. Got any soap?"

I looked at him then, hearing the tone of his voice change. Sins...it sounded less like he was proud and more like he was...sad. Yet, I couldn't make an accurate assumption. I still knew nothing about this man.

"Uh...yea, it's in the cabinet above the sink."

"Thanks...anyway, all I'm trying to say is if you do your job well, you'll have nothing to worry about."

He turned to me before he opened the bathroom door, "Normally, we cobras don't bite."