♝
MAX REMOVES HIS GLOVES before looking back at his reflection in the mirror. It's been two weeks since the battle with Jokers and Cigarettes, and surprisingly enough, nothing peculiar happened after that, other than the fact that snow has now started to fall.
For the following days, Max was just a regular student. He went to class like normal and then he would go to their company during the weekend. He'd even eat lunch with his protectors, as well as Cj who was now a part of their group.
Max wanted to know what happened between Cj and Krist, but looking at how they are now, it's almost self-explanatory. Whatever happened between them, Max is just relieved that the two are now friends again, and that's all that matters.
"Master Leigh, dinner is ready," Étienne says from outside his bedroom.
Max stares at himself in the mirror for one last time. He was about to grab hold of his necklace, but he moves his hand and touches his brooches instead.
After that, he starts removing his uniform before finally changing into more comfortable clothes. After a couple of minutes, he heads out and welcomes his loyal butler who has been waiting for him.
"Let's go," Max says as he walks past Étienne so he could go downstairs. But just before he could even take a step, Marcus suddenly appears behind him immediately draping his arm around his little brother's shoulder.
"Aww, you already changed out of your winter uniform? You looked really adorable in it. I wasn't able to see," Marcus says, making Max push his arm away.
"What am I, five? And I've been wearing this for almost a week now. When are you going to shut up about it," Max complains as he starts walking down the stairs, Marcus and Étienne walking behind him.
"If you just let me take a picture then I'd shut up about it."
"You're fucking weird Marcus. How about you screw yourself?" Max fires back, making Marcus pout.
"Why didn't you stop growing? You were cuter when you were younger. Can't you just be my little brother forever?" Marcus says as they arrive downstairs, and all Max could do was laugh.
J.S High and the other houses have three separate uniforms. Their regular uniform with the long coat, then their winter uniform, which looks like their regular uniform but it has fur in it to protect them from the cold, and then a pair of white gloves. Then the third one is their PE uniform which they are also allowed to wear during the summer season.
"Exams are next week. Have you studied for it?" Marcus then asks.
"I've read my notes, but thankfully we don't have classes on Monday and Tuesday so we could still study. Ari suggested that we study together so we're going video call each other," Max explains, surprising not only Marcus but Étienne as well.
"Wow, you're going to study with friends now? That's new."
When the two arrived at the dining room, Max stops in an instant when he sees someone sitting in the middle of the table. It was none other than his father, Denzel. But what was more shocking was the woman sitting on his left. It was his now fiancé, Edith Thompson.
Max's eyes were wide from shock, especially Marcus who couldn't believe what he was seeing. Even Étienne was surprised because he didn't know that Denzel and Edith would be there either.
"W-What...what's going on?" Marcus asks as he approaches Denzel.
Denzel takes a deep breath and grabs hold of Edith's hand. "Max...Marcus...sit down first. I have something important to tell you."
"Father—"
"No," Max immediately says, stopping Marcus from saying anything.
Denzel was expecting Max to start throwing a fit like how he would usually do, or maybe even say something to embarrass Edith, but to their surprise, Max calmly looks at Edith and slowly bows his head at her before saying, "I hope you enjoy your dinner in our humble home. If you may excuse me..."
Edith wasn't expecting the response as she turns to look at Denzel who was just as surprised. Max then turns back around to face Étienne to tell him, "Get my coat and my car keys. I'm going to eat outside."
"Yes master," Étienne answers with no hesitation, immediately turning around to get what Max was asking for.
Max was about to leave the dining room, but Denzel immediately called out for him. "Max, eat with us," he says.
Max takes a deep breath to calm himself down. Never in a million years would he have expected to see his father bring his mistress to their very home. Despite wanting to scream or even drag Edith out, Max remained quiet.
He and his father didn't really make up, but after what happened to them, and after what they talked about when Max got his inheritance back, Max wasn't angry anymore. This doesn't entirely mean he will accept this kind of arrangement, but Max just realized that being mature with the situation is currently the best thing he can do for now.
"I would love to, father," Max says before looking over his shoulder. "But I don't want to lose my appetite."
But of course, that doesn't mean Max can't be petty like how he always is. It wouldn't be Max if he wasn't.
"You coming Marcus?" Max then asks his brother.
Marcus, who was grinning because of Max's reply, shook his head and answered, "No, I'll eat in my room. You enjoy your night."
Max smiles and walks away, leaving both Denzel and Edith dumbfounded. When Max got to their lobby, Étienne arrived with his coat and his keys, but before handing it over to him, Étienne helped Max wear his coat instead.
"The valet has parked your car at the front master," Étienne says as he hands Max his keys this time. "Do you not want me to come with you?" He then asks as Max adjusts his coat.
"I would have told you told come if I already intended you to come," Max answers. "Besides, I want you to eavesdrop on that old man and that tasteless woman. I want you to report it to me later. It would be troublesome if they backstab me in my own home after all."
"I believe that would be unlikely, but I'll do as you request," Étienne answers back. He then opens the front door, the cold air from outside making him shiver in an instant.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Étienne continues to ask with a worried tone, making Max chuckle.
"Why are you all acting like I'm a kid? I'll be fine. I'll see you later."
Étienne walks Max to his car and opens the door for him. Max goes in and sits on the driver's seat, but before Étienne could close the door, he leans towards Max and tells him, "You handled the situation very well, master Leigh. I'm proud of you. You really aren't a kid anymore."
Max doesn't say anything as Étienne finally closes the door for him, but Max couldn't help but smile after hearing what his butler just said.
Étienne then steps aside so Max could drive away, but then Max puts his window down and suddenly adds, "Oh yeah, make sure she doesn't go anywhere else in the house. If he dares to bring her to his bedroom, call me immediately. I can tolerate seeing her in our dining room, but if she goes beyond that, I'll grab her by the hair and drag her out of my house myself."
"How terrifying," Étienne mumbles to himself before bowing at Max who now drove away from their mansion where his father and his mistress were.
"The nerve to bring that woman in our house. He's lucky I've been in a good mood lately," Max says as he grips on the steering wheel in frustration.
Max starts brainstorming on where he should go. He was hungry, but he wasn't the type to just go to a restaurant by himself, so instead, Max puts his phone on the dashboard and calls someone to eat with him.
The first person Max calls immediately picks up the phone just after two rings. With a tired and almost annoyed tone, he answers, "What do you want?"
"Hey, you haven't forgotten about our virtual study session tomorrow right?" Max asks back instead.
"Hmm...I already charged my laptop so we could study all day. But make sure you guys don't slow me down okay? I'm a fast learner after all."
"Of course, I'll try my best not to disappoint the great Mr. Aristotle Faulkner," Max answers with a grin, and Ari just lazily laughs on the other line.
"So why'd you call? I'm literally in bed right now so make it quick," Ari tells Max, making Max sigh in disappointment.
"I see. I was supposed to ask you to eat dinner with me but I'm assuming you're going to decline the invitation."
"As much as I'd love to spend more time with you again as if spending all morning together wasn't enough, I must humbly decline your request because I already have an appointment with my bed," Ari answers, mimicking some type of poet, making Max laugh this time.
"It's fine, I'll just ask someone else," Max answers.
"Alright, but why are you eating out all of a sudden? Did something happen to you at home? I'd be willing to eat with you if something serious came up," Ari suddenly says, making Max smile. As tough as Ari may look, he always had a soft side like this, especially to his friends.
"No, it's fine. I just wanted to unwind before our exam week starts," Max lies since he didn't want to trouble Ari with any of his family drama anymore.
"Well if that's the case then that's good. Anyway, Felix said he has to attend some sort of meeting, so why not call Ervin?" Ari then suggests.
"I would, but Ervin told me earlier that he was invited to attend a leadership program at Sierra university. I heard his mom made a speech there once."
"That guy never rests, does he?" Ari then says. "Well, good luck finding someone to eat with. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you."
Ari ends the call as Max stops at a red light. While waiting, Max looks through his contact information again. In his contacts, there were Krist, Hans, and even Cj, but Max didn't want to disturb any of them. He has Cindy and Scarlet on his contacts too but he doesn't want to get into any scandal if anyone spots him eating alone with either of them. Then there's Gavriil, but Max isn't ready to eat alone with him again, especially after their previous engagement together.
Just thinking about it made Max's face heat up.
"N-No...no way am I going to ask him to eat dinner with me again," Max says while shaking his head.
The light turns green and Max drives off again, but while he was driving, he spots a familiar pub that he and his friends went to before. Max thought about it for a couple of seconds, and then he immediately made a decision and parked his car on the side.
Since he wasn't a fan of going to restaurants by himself, he might as well go to a pub that's exclusively for the students of the five brotherhood houses. At least there he would feel more comfortable.
Max heads out of his car and immediately goes to the pub. Despite the cold weather, the pub was packed. There were more people there, probably because examination week was getting close and the students had to relieve their stress.
The students instantly look at him, obviously because Max made a name for himself in J.S High, but they look away after a quick glance. One reason is because they didn't want to give Max much of their attention, and another reason is because some were afraid of him and the brotherhoods that are behind him.
The workers there also stole a glance, but Max was a hundred percent sure that it was because he got drunk here and passed out when Denzel first announced that he was going to marry Edith.
"How ironic," Max whispers to himself since he was here again because he was running away from his father and his mistress.
Max goes straight to the bar area and takes a seat. "Some fish and chips and a glass of cold beer," he tells the bartender, and the bartender nods his head and gets his order ready. While waiting, someone suddenly takes a seat beside him. He was wearing a white polo shirt that was undone till the third button, exposing his chest that had a dragon tattoo.
"One white diamond," he tells the other bartender, and the bartender nods his head and prepares his drink.
Max glances at him but immediately minded his own business. He's only here to eat something and have a couple of drinks, and then he'll leave.
"I haven't seen you here before," a voice suddenly says.
Max looks to his right and sees the man in a white shirt looking directly at him. He wasn't entirely sure if the man was talking to him, but then he leans closer and adds, "Is this your first time here?"
When Max was now sure that he was really talking to him, he slightly moves back and answers, "No, I've been here a few times."
"I see," he says before showing Max his hand. "Uchdryd Rease, nice to meet you."
"Max Sinclaire," Max introduces back, but he doesn't take Uchdryd's hand, making Uchdryd awkwardly put it down. Thankfully it looked like he didn't mind it at all as he tells Max, "I know. I'd be living under a rock if I didn't know who you are."
"I don't think that's something to be happy about, but I'm flattered," Max says, and Uchdryd just laughs it off.
Max's snack and drink finally arrive as the bartender places them in front of him. As Max started eating, he looks back at Uchdryd and says, "If I may ask, what house are you from?"
"St. George Academy, better known as the House of Bishops. I'm a fourth-year there," he answers.
"Ah, faith is strength," Max simply says, reciting their house motto before drinking his cold beer.
"I know, not as cool as the House of Kings' we shall conquer," Uchdryd says back.
When his cocktail arrived, Uchdryd takes a sip of it before looking back at Max and saying, "I've seen you during Mr. Brains & Brawn. You were really good. Boys Next Door must have taught you well."
Max takes a bite of his chips first before nodding his head. "As well as Jokers. They helped me a lot, which is why I was able to win."
"Jokers..." Uchdryd says with an almost bitter tone. "It was a surprise that you were able to make them bow to you. I guess you really know how to tame brotherhoods."
"Everyone says that but I don't really tame them. They're not animals for me to tame after all," Max seriously tells him, and Uchdryd apologizes and takes a sip of his drink again.
"Well, based on how you're doing, I'm assuming you're trying to tame—" Uchdryd stops and immediately corrects himself, "Conquer...Crazy 8 next, am I correct?"
"Well, I guess it's no secret, so yeah, I'm trying to conquer them next. I don't know how though, especially since I don't know them," Max honestly answers since everyone in J.S High and even those in the other houses already know what he's up to.
Uchdryd takes a sip of his drink again. Without even looking back at Max, Uchdryd continues, "They're mysterious, aren't they? But I guess as someone who's silently rooting for you, I want to share you a secret."
Max furrows his brows and repeats, "A secret?"
Uchdryd eventually finishes his drink before looking back at Max and leaning close to him, almost like he was making sure that no one could hear them.
"Have you heard of their brotherhood customs?" Uchdryd asks in a low voice.
"Their custom? It's the Kiss Mark, right? I've heard of it, but I don't really know much," Max answers, matching Uchdryd's quiet tone as well.
Uchdryd leans even closer and says, "Well, students say you'll get a kiss mark, either a light pink kiss mark or a red one. I've actually encountered them before so let me share this information with you."
"You have?" Max asks in shock.
"That's right," Uchdryd answers, moving closer until his mouth was only a few inches away from Max's ear. Max's body then stiffens as Uchdryd whispers at him, "Pink means they know your secret. Red means they'll spread it."
"What?" Max asks, shocked by how absurd such terms are.
"They say pink is a warning, and for you to not receive the red mark, you have to make an exchange. In order for them to keep their mouths sealed with your secret, you have to give them a different secret in exchange. It could be from a friend, a family, anything as long as it can save your ass," Uchdryd explains.
When Max heard of the terms, he somehow felt a sense of relief. "That's good then because I don't really have a secret. I'm practically an open book. Everyone knows everything about me."
"Are you sure about that? If I were you I wouldn't be so complacent," Uchdryd warns back with a grin on his face before pulling out his card so he could pay for his drink. The bartender was about to take his card, but Max immediately stops him and says, "It's okay I'll pay for your drink. It's an exchange for the information you just gave."
"Well, if it's a free drink then why would I complain," Uchdryd answers as he hides his card back before standing from his seat.
Max wasn't entirely sure who he was, and of course, he's not dumb enough to believe him that easily, but any information about Crazy 8 is helpful information.
"I'll have to go. Hopefully, I'll see you again...Max," Uchdryd says as he walks away from Max.
Max watches him walk away, but then he remembered that he forgot to ask him if he was actually a white uniform or a member of the brotherhood. Either way, he'll just have to find out about it eventually.
"I'll have another beer please," Max tells the bartender before chugging the beer that he already has.
While waiting for his drink, Max grabs hold of his necklace and touches it. While doing so, he asks himself, "a secret? I wonder..."
- END -