VegasPete : Chess Room (The Way You Taste sequel)

51 - High Bids

Pete looks up. "That's the stage, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"The arena...your grandfather named me the second white knight in one of the illegal boxing tournaments...in Thailand...while watching one of my fights."

"Do you remember us now?!"

"It took me a while...although I wouldn't know if I've seen your grandfather or not. Probably a face in the crowd."

"I didn't watch one fight. I watched them all. I watched all your fights...some in person...others broadcasted when we are back to Taiwan."

"Why such an effort, Mr. Wang? Is this how you select your staff?! In clandestine fights? Poor children being beaten to survive?!"

"Sometimes...low positions in the clan...but not key positions. You were an exception."

"Why did he choose me!? I won some...but frankly I lost a lot...I even got knocked out several times to make money."

"But you always got ready for the next fight, didn't you?!"

"I'm not that special. I'm not the best fighter like Porsche."

"Don't underestimate yourself. You have your qualities."

"You know me this better just watching my fights?!"

"I was not there just watching every single fight of yours."

Pete got silent for a moment.

"Every match I was knocked out... was it you who was there with me?!...The water boy?!"

"Since you were twelve to sixteen, when you got a job as a bodyguard."

"You always wore a cap. You were a blurred face in my memory."

"Every time you saw me, you were about to pass out."

"Why you helped me?!"

"To make sure you would not die."

"Why did you care, Mr. Wang?"

Lian's POV (memories) – Thailand

"Stop the fight, master. He's not going to make it."

"Enjoy the fight, Lian."

My grandfather ignored my protests.

"That is a boy fighting a beast, sir."

"His technique is good."

"But not like ours. Why didn't the white queen let him train with me?"

"Think of it as hardcore training, Lian. Right, Khun Kan?!"

"Sure, Master Wang." Khun Kan approaches us with satisfied smile.

The fights were organized by Khun Kan...a business that the Theerapanyakul Main Family didn't care much about. When my grandfather attended fights, Khun Kan made a point of accompanying him.

I stare at them, firmness in my voice.

"Let Lee train him along with Tianshi. He will learn to fight faster and smarter."

"What street fighter fights like a professional assassin, Lian?!" Khun Kan retorts me.

"Think with your head, child. Don't you want to be the next white king?!"

"But, grandfather..."

Suddenly, a startled noise from the audience and the following silence makes me quickly turn towards the arena.