Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Verdict continued to put on a strange face as soon as he was released from the hospital the next day. He looked at Raymond as if there was something he needed to explain in as much detail as possible. He dodged, trying to avoid Verdict's gaze which was getting more and more piercing, making him feel even more uncomfortable about it. The fact that Verdict's recovery process was too fast was enough to surprise the doctor who handled him, because even if he used the latest technology and medical knowledge, Verdict should have been in a coma for up to two months, then continued with the rehabilitation process that Verdict had to undergo until his body recovered to normal. He, who knew Verdict's monster recovery ability from the start, was not at all surprised to see Verdict fully recovered. Without a trace.

But not the doctor who handled it. Over and over again, Verdict was forced to undergo a series of tests, making sure that the man really did recover, not because he forced himself to recover.

As far as he could remember, all of Walter's family had this ability. Except for Arnold, of course.

Because of that, he just let Verdict act as he pleases now. Purely out of sympathy, considering how Verdict had to undergo a series of tests until he got bored.

'Tell me, Raymond~'

Ah, he knew this. When Verdict called him by name, not Brother Ray like he usually used, it meant that his wish had to be fulfilled right away.

'Telling you what?' said Raymond, smiling and greeting the nurses, who immediately screamed with joy when they saw him. He ignored the nurses' screams, refocusing on Verdict.

'About your da-te, of course!' Verdict folded his arms across his chest, looking annoyed at having to explain his point. 'Anyway, it's time to stop giving that kind of charm to other people.'

'Spread what charm? What did you mean earlier?' Raymond pointed back at the nurse, who was now jumping with joy, thinking he was aware of them. Well, half right, though. 'That's just saying hello, Fucking Moron! I'm not the type like you or your brother.'

'Well, Brother's level is different, though,' Verdict shrugged his shoulders, walking after him. 'Me and Brother Arnold did it on purpose. Brother Raymond? You did it without you knowing it. In fact, in theory, Brother Raymond is superior.'

'What're you talking about?'

'Charm, Brother Raymond. Charm. Argh, I'm lazy to explain it. Anyway, you have to stop throwing your charm everywhere! Poor Edward.'

'Why are you bringing Edward all around, anyway?' Raymond took a deep breath as Verdict mentioned the name of his manager, whom he had prevented so much this morning from accompanying him to pick up Verdict. 'Besides, if you mean dating yesterday, it was not a date. Just hanging around.'

Verdict was disappointed to hear the answer, patted his forehead, put on a pity face. 'I feel a pity towards him. Seriously. Please convey my concern to him, okay?'

'Huh?'

The man's eyes suddenly caught Raymond's neck, until he shuddered with horror.

'Um, Brother Raymond?'

'Yes?'

'That, on your neck ...'

'My neck?' Reflexively he held his neck. 'Where? Right? Left?'

'Left. There are traces of redness —oh, I get it now!' Verdict laughed, not continuing what he said earlier, making him even more incomprehensible to the man. 'Save the rest for yourself.'

Raymond held in resentment that Verdict had deliberately cut off his words to provoke him to ask further questions. He decided to heed it.

The hospital entrance opened as soon as sensors on the door caught their movement.

'Where's my girlfriend? And the little kid Thyme?' Verdict ran outside, looking around the deserted hospital. Only a few people walked across this place, and even then, the average patient was elderly wearing their flat, boring facial expression.

'They don't come today. After all, since when she becomes your girlfriend?'

'Yesterday. When Brother Raymond on a date,' replied Verdict, holding up his fingers in a peace sign.

'I told you already. It wasn't a date.'

'You can say that, but how about Edward?'

'He didn't mention nor that it was a date either.'

Verdict patted his forehead, making a concerned face. 'You're really bad ...'

'Raymond! Wow, has your little brother been allowed to leave?'

An old woman walked over to their place—Grandma Anna—greeted them enthusiastically as they walked into the parking area as if they were both that grandmother's grandchildren. Even though he had only met the old woman this morning, when he almost hit the old woman in the corridor near the entrance earlier. He did not ask what Verdict had said, hurriedly walked over to Grandma Anna, who looked pleased to see him.

'Yes. But I'll come here again to visit Grandma,' Raymond took out the chocolate bar he had bought earlier at the convenience store near the hospital. 'Here. For Grandma.'

He was satisfied when he saw Grandma Anna's eyes filled with tears when she received the chocolate bar that he gave. Grandma Anna then watched him closely, until the old woman's eyes turned to his neck.

'Young people nowadays have no shame at all.'

'About what?'

'That, the kiss mark on your neck. It's clearly visible,' the old woman, followed by Verdict, who was now standing behind him trying hard to hold back his laughter, giving an 'oh, what did I say' look. Only then did he realize what the man was trying to say. Immediately he covered his left neck with his hand, looking down in shame.

'So, who is the lucky person?'

'W-what the heck, Grandma!' Raymond dodged, trying to get rid of his memories of when Edward kissed him on the neck by the river yesterday. It must be because of that! Shit, why did not he notice at all? Moreover, he was wearing yesterday's clothes, and it was not clothes that had high collars. 'T-this isn't what Grandma thought!'

'Oh, you're embarrassed now. Already, your secret is safe with Grandma,' the old woman patted his shoulder. 'But about visiting me, you don't need to push yourself to visit this old Grandma. Just enjoy your youth.'

Raymond quickly shook his head. To him, he already considered p the old woman standing in front of him dressed prominently because of her bright hues as his own family now. Even though it was the first time he had met someone as warm as Grandma Anna. 'I was even happy to be able to visit Grandma. Because I don't have a family, so it was great when I met you.'

The old woman's face blushed at his words. 'You're really good at talking. Okay, I'll be waiting for your arrival. Take care of yourself.'

'Certainly.'

The old woman smiled, then looked at Verdict. They exchanged codes with their stare that he did not understand.

'Rest assured, Grandma will be the first to know,' said Verdict as soon as they finished exchanging code.

'What are you talking about?' asked Raymond, curious.

Grandma Anna did not answer his question at all, walked past him after hiding the chocolate bar he had given her in her pocket, entered the hospital building humming a French song he did not understand.

Verdict elbowed Raymond's arm. 'Hence, explain it now. Are you sure you guys aren't dating?'

Raymond shook his head. 'Of course not. Besides, I'm quite satisfied with my relationship now. Already, better stop the gossip. We'll continue our conversation in the car.'

He walked ahead of Verdict, rubbing his neck. Maybe he should consider buying a scarf to cover Edward's kiss, as it seemed so obvious that Verdict and Grandma Anna could see it. He kept covering his left neck until they came to the front of the black SUV, the one he had borrowed from Thyme.

As soon as they got inside, Verdict immediately put the scarf he had been wearing around Raymond's neck.

'So everyone could not see the kiss mark.'

'Thanks,' he said.

'But Brother, are you sure that just being close with him is more than enough? Nothing more?'

Raymond's hand pulled out the car keys, then turned the key and started the engine. 'No. Besides, I also don't know whether he likes me or not. My ex's girlfriend used to say that I was too secretive, so I don't want it to happen again.'

'Your ex-girlfriend? How come I just found out about that!' Verdict was suddenly enthusiastic as soon as he mentioned the word 'ex-girlfriend' immediately approached him. 'When? Who was she? Do I know her?'

'None of your business,' said Raymond, curtly. He turned the steering wheel, running the car whose engine sound was very smooth—compared to the police car he always drove when he was a detective—made him a little happy about it. 'Rather than that, I have more questions about Simon. I think you know better than me.'

'Simon, huh.' Verdict moved away from Raymond, leaning his back against the chair. 'Actually, I'm reluctant to discuss it, but I should just say it. The man is ..., how to say it? Paedophile.'

He was shocked, nearly crashed into the car opposite him, then returned to take their car to the right lane after he regained his composure. 'I just knew that! So that's why he built a child trafficking centre?'

'What else if not to fulfil his sexual need towards underage children that make me feel disgusted? When I helped Brother Arnold attack his base in Morozov back then, I accidentally saw him when he asked one of his pet boys who were around nine years old to serve his sexual need. Huh! Just remembering it gives me goosebumps!' Verdict embraced himself with an expression of disgust. ' If only you can see by yourself how disgusting it was.'

'No thanks. Just listening to your story is more than enough,' replied Raymond. 'That means the possibility of Amanda being targeted not to be killed, then?'

'Exact—' Verdict was silent for a moment, then panic began to swell him. 'Don't tell me Simon was after my girlfriend for that!?'

'It just strengthens my reasons for killing him,' said Raymond again.

Verdict clenched his fists, growled. 'Step over my corpse first if that happens. Speaking of Amanda, how is she?'

'She's fine, safe and sound, don't worry. Lucas did a great job,' Raymond pulled the shift lever, then turned the steering wheel into the freeway.

***