Kenji leaned with his head against the cold window of the driving car. He could remember the day he met River as if it was yesterday. What he wouldn't do to go back to those old days and cherish them more.
The small Asian man's closed his eyes, mustering all the courage to open the door in front of him. "I can do it," he encouraged himself. "I have to do it. " I'm here just to pay off my debts, he thought.
Kenji took a deep breath, opening the door.
"Hello..?" He called out quietly. But he was quickly taken by surprise.
In the middle of the gym, in the boxing ring were two men sparring. But, instead of at a nice steady flow.
It was.. horrifying. Even though, both men were wearing heavily padded boxing gloves, there came blood spewing from the guy in front of the muscular man.
They were both muscular. But Kenji could tell from just one look that the other man was build better. His heavy muscles were popping out of his shirt. Even the track trainers he wore showed off his incredible muscular legs.
Kenji couldn't help but watch with mouth agape at how the man's muscles flexed every time he struck a punch fiercely. How his eyes were only focused on the man who couldn't even let out a hit. Red blood started to come out the opponents nose. But, he didn't stop. It was like he was in a trance. He kept throwing hit after hit.
"Enough! Enough!" One of the coaches yelled out. But it didn't help. The man didn't stop. He didn't even slow down his pace.
"River! Get a fuckin' hold of yourself!"
The three other men who were training ran their direction, grabbing the muscular man apart from his opponent. They held him back as the others walked up to the other guy who lied curled on his stomach.
"You okay?" One of the men asked, helping the man sit up. "Erggh," was the only only thing the man could get out. He touched his head, flinching as he felt a new fresh wound.
"Let's freshen you up, brother," the man sighed, helping the lost opponent up and to the office.
"What's wrong with you?!" One of the men who had let go of River spoke angrily. "Free sparring doesn't mean you should actually try to kill him!"
"Little shit wanted to spar, so I sparred. I don't see the issue," River shrugged the other man off of him.
He got out the ring, his intense chartreuse eyes immediately connecting with Kenji's soft brown orbs.
"Who are you?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. He didn't recognize the man smaller than him. He took off his gloves, inspecting the Asian man. He looked too small to even be fighting here.
As the man's words left his mouth, other peoples gaze shifted to Kenji who looked down for a moment. He could barely handle the heat of attention on him.
Next to Kenji the man was huge! Kenji's head just barely reached River's shoulders.
Kenji wished he had drunk more milk in his childhood. Maybe he could've gotten that physique instead of just being the skin and bones he was.
He's so scary! Terrifying, actually, Kenji thought.
Kenji looked back up, plastering a smile he had been practicing the entire day.
"I..I'm the physical therapist!" Kenji spoke hastily. He had a feeling he didn't want to rub River in the wrong way. Maybe he'll actually kill him!
"N-n-nice to meet you!" Kenji added in a nervous tone.
"I thought we already had one," River muttered to himself. "Where'd the last one go?" He glanced at the coach who rolled his eyes in return.
"You don't remember? " The coach sneered.
"You beat him up because he rubbed you the wrong way!"
Kenji coughed. He actually choked when he tried to swallow his spit, but because he was actually surprised by what the coach had said, he almost unalived himself right then and there.
That would actually be better than to be killed by the man standing in front of him. Kenji wondered for a second how he would kill him. He probably didn't need to do his best. Rather, if he would step on his neck for even one second; it would surely kill Kenji.
River mumbled something under his breath before turning around, walking away.
It made Kenji's eyes jump almost out of his eye sockets. River had a fat dump trunk. With his eyes plastered to the plump butt of the fighter, Kenji followed him from afar.
"We have arrived," the tired voice of Silas made Kenji jump out his thoughts. He looked next his seat. Valentine had fallen asleep. Her head was pressed against the car window, softly snoring.
Kenji frowned. He was still hurt. He hated how cute she looked whilst sleeping.
It was unfair.
The least she could do for him is look ugly while sleeping.
Kenji opened the car, taking a deep breath of fresh air. He had never taken such a sniff of crisp, fresh air. The Asian man stretched, feeling his bones snap in place. He hummed happily to himself.
That didn't last long, though.
Because he noticed too late he was standing in front of the biggest and most ethereal castle he had ever seen with his own eyes.
With his mouth hanging wide open, he continued to look at the castle.
Kenji wondered why River would even run away. Hell, if he lived in such a place; he would've stayed.
"Took you long enough," Silas smirked. He enjoyed people being blown away for their castle. It was his pride. It had been in the Caine family for many generations.
"I'll let the head maid give you a tour once you've settled in," Silas said. He walked back to the car, waking Valentine gently up.
"My lady," he spoke softly. "We are at our destination." Silas helped Valentine get out of the car.
The pregnant woman smiled weakly at him, stifling a yawn.
The second she turned around, she too, stifled a breath. She had never expected such a beautiful view. But, she was glad she could be still alive to witness this.
Silas threw an arm around Valentine's shoulder's.
"It's getting more chilly out here," the man commented. "Let's go inside."
With that, he escorted the two inside.
As if they knew they were coming, there was a line of maids and a butler, welcoming them back. Though, upon seeing the only member of the Caine family that came back was Silas; the worried expressions on their faces assumed the worst.
"Sir Silas," the butler spoke up, his voice shaking. The butler was an rather old man that almost pushing his seventies. The glasses he wore ever since his vision got bad, were resting at the tip of his nose. His once black hair had started to turn grey, confirming his prime years were over. He was holding onto a cane, his hand shaking a tiny bit.
"The rest arrives later. Instead, meet the woman my brother River impregnated."
The grin Silas wore never faded away as he pushed Valentine a bit forward, putting all the spotlight on her.
"I think she's tired, how about bathing her and prepare a room in where she can rest? Hm?"
The maids bustled around Valentine who shyed away from the attention. Only, to be pushed back by Silas.
"I would also like a bath and room," Kenji spoke up, feeling left out.
"Of course!" Silas looked back at the man. "This is uhm.."
Kenji glared at Silas. "It's Kenji," he hissed like a cat.
"Right. This is Kenji's. He's River's.." Silas turned back around to Kenji. "I'm sorry what are you to my brother, again?"
Kenji's hand furiously messed with his hair. He didn't know what to say. They were a wealthy and powerful family. But, they looked old fashioned. He didn't want them to think any different of him; or River.
"He's River's boyfriend," Valentine declared. She thought she was doing right, immediately brushing away any thoughts of her and River being together.
She was met with a silence room. The maids tried to hide their bewildered expressions, some even putting their hands in front of their mouths to hide it. Even the butler quickly dropped his veil that was always neutral. As quick as it slipped, it disappeared.
"Knew it," Silas muttered under his breath. He always knew something was different about River. Mainly because he never even payed attention to the girls that were fawning around him. Or the way he stood his ground when his father showed him his many marriage proposals options.
"Well, " the butler cleared his throat. "Nita," show the guests their rooms."
A younger maid stepped out, nodding. Her black hair that were in two braids moving along with her motions. She walked away, looking back.
"Please follow me," she softly called.
Kenji and Valentine walked behind the maid, their eyes wandering in awe by everything every second. There were beautiful, and seemingly expensive art displayed in the hallways.
Valentine commented on it, making the maid turn her head.
"Most of these that are displayed have been in the Caine family for many generations," the maid started, looking proud as she also looked around. Of course, she had been on cleaning duty almost every day; making sure there was no dust to be seen anywhere. It was not only the Caine's pride but also hers.
"The Caine family has a very expensive taste after all. And they're very proud to show it off, too."
They stopped by a huge painting displayed. There was the man Valentine assumed to be River's father. The one that was there.
There were many teenagers displayed in the painting. And three full grown women touching the father in a way to confirm their place.
A brown haired woman was holding a baby, sitting next to him, leaving his hand on her thigh.
A blonde woman was standing behind Eden, her hand placed on her shoulder, looking straight ahead with a smile plastered on her face.
And the black haired woman sitting next to Eden, her hand placed on his thigh.
Kenji immediately spotted River. Though, he was younger. He had the same grim expression on his face he still had. Though, his bronze brown hair was a tad longer and lighter.
All the teenagers in the painting wore what seemed to be elegant school uniforms.
The three older women wore beautiful dresses themselves. They carried different energy around them.
Valentine couldn't help but ask Nita who they were. They looked too old to also be his daughters.
The maid suddenly stammered, flushing red by the sudden question. "Oh, you don't know?" She asked awkwardly, looking around her to see if anyone saw her caught off guard.
"Those are Sir Eden's wives."
"Wives?" Both Kenji and Valentine asked at the same time.
"As in plural?" Kenji confirmed, just to be sure.
The maid nodded.
Nita pointed to the black haired woman. "This is Mrs. Victoria. His first wife. She herself came from a rich family. So their families proposed their marriage for their businesses. Together, they have four children.
Rogue, Rain, Raven and Red."
"The second wife, Lydia is... dangerous. No matter what you do, don't get in her way or get her attention." The maid pointed to the blonde woman who was standing behind Eden. Her eyes visibly widening as she warned the two.
" Nobody knows where Eden had found her.
He just returned home with her beside him one day." the maid shrugged.
"Rumors in the mansion were that Eden had found the second wife in a loony bin."
"At first gaze, she looks like your ordinary house wife, walking elegantly, holding onto a umbrella to protect her from the sun as her loose fitted dress danced along with the wind. But, to be fair, she is a crazy bitch. " Nita looked around her once again, scared the woman was near.
"She turns people into life dolls. She enjoys playing with them, experimenting on them. Watching the fear in their eyes intensify. Her green eyes would light up with excitement. She loves to torture too.
In fact, she is the only wife of Eden who learned their children the pleasures of torturing subjects.
It also doesn't help that she is Eden's favorite wife. Her children's names are: Sage, Salem, Scarlett, Sinner, and Silas."
The maid pointed to the teenagers in the painting.
The two could tell even though the second wife was Eden's favorite; she was no else's.
"And what about her?" Kenji pointed to the brown haired woman holding a baby.
"That's Eve. She's the most gentle soul that's ever walked on earth." The maid sighed, smiling to herself. The woman has always been kind the second she walked through the doors.
"She's one of a kind," the maid commented. She didn't know what made Eve fall for Eden. except the money, power and looks.
"Her children are Riddle, Ruby, Reign and River," the maid finished off with a smile.
"Now, let me please bring you to your rooms to rest," she turned around, walking already.
"My head hurts trying to take this information in," Kenji sighed, massaging his temple. "I really need to sleep.."