40: Whole Yet Broken

"You are doing great, Tali!"

Talia smiled at Margo. "Thanks."

After one hour of playing with guns, Talia decided to have rest. She sat in a steel chair and wiped beads of sweats that is formed in her forehead. She roamed her eyes around the room and smile to herself. She did not expect nor imagine that she will end up like this, that she will end up here using guns to protect herself. Thinking that her life is in danger and knowing how to fight is exciting. It makes her feel the thrill instead of getting upset.

Talia looked up at the man in front of her who handed her a hankie. "Thank you," Talia said to the man whom she does not know. She saw him just now and she did not feel the man's presence inside the room.

"I am Billy," the man introduced himself and smiled at Talia. "You are new, are not you? And hey, you are with the Ramirez's."

Talia nodded her head and reached for a bottle of water, She drink first. "Yeah, I am."

"What are you with them? I mean, not to be mean. I was just asking since I have not heard about you." Billy sat next to Talia and smiled at her warmly. Since Talia felt comfortable with the man, she sat properly and cleared her throat.

"Uh, you know, I am with Kiel," Talia started and even shrugged her shoulders. For sure Billy already get when she means, making his eyes and mouth to form an "o", amazed.

"Woah, his girlfriend?" he asked through a whisper. "Wew, you two were lucky to each other."

"Yeah, I guess so?" Talia forced a laugh and drink to her water again. She looked at Margo who glanced at them and even hissed when she saw Billy smiling to Talia from ear to ear. Not to mention Billy is likely and friendly yet flirty person.

"Billy!" Margo called him. "Talia is my brother's girlfriend, better get off before he'd kill you!"

"Woah, woah!" Billy chuckled and raised both of his hands in the air. "You Margo is ruining my mood. I want to befriend Talia. She told me about her with Kiel so no worries."

Talia laughed. "Margo, it's fine! He is nice, actually."

Margo rolled her eyes and wore her gears off. She went near them and faced Billy. "You have assignment to do. Get off here and do your job."

"That's it," Billy said. "I am tasked to train Talia."

"Where is Kiel by the way?" Talia asked, curious. Kiel just told her that he will buy something outside but he never came back early. "And what about training? I mean, Margo can handle me."

"He just bought something," Margo answered her first question. "Maybe he talked to someone out there. And yes, Billy. I got Tali's back. Get off now before I break your bones."

Billy has nothing to do with the woman since she holds authority. He went off of the room, shaking his head. When the two woman left in one room, they looked at each other and sighed. "Where really is Kiel?"

"I don't know actually, but he told me that he talked to someone. Let's just wait for him."

"Yeah, sure."

And just like what Margo said, they waited for him but hours later, he still did not came back. Talia started to get worry about him because what if something happened? Something bad? "Hey, relax," Margo told Talia, chuckling. "He will be here in a minute."

Talia looked at her. "How do you say?"

"I feel it."

"How? How do you feel about it? You know what? I am starting to be dead ass here if he still won't come back after five minutes!" Talia exclaimed and shook her head, not tearing up. "I hate the thought that someone might have hurt him or something. Can we do something, Margo? I... I can't."

"Yes, we can do something," Margo said and sighed. "Sit still and wait for him."

Talia laughed in sarcasm. "That's bullshit –!"

"He will come back, okay? He will never fail you, Talia. Just don't exaggerate. You are stressing yourself, gosh!"

Talia stood up all of a sudden, making Margo to hold her pulse. "Let go of me," she told her, glaring.

"Whoa, man! Where are you planning to go, huh?"

"I will find him."

"You can do that?"

"I will."

Margo laughed out loud and even shook her head. "You can't, Tali. Stay here, and he will come back."

Talia forced herself to get off of Margo but she just would not let her be. It is dangerous if Talia will go off alone. Margo know what is happening to Kiel right now and she cannot tell about it to Talia because she knew, she will freak out. All she can do is to keep Talia calm. 

Kiel will come back, he promised that.

"Food," Margo offered Talia a food. She invited her to the cafeteria but she does not want to. She will not eat until Kiel return. But when, anyway? Until dawn?

"I am full," Talia told her without giving Margo a look.

"Look, Talia. You have to eat, okay? Kiel won't like it –"

"Why can't you just tell me what really happened?" Talia looked at her with a creased brows, making her to raise her brows in amusement. "I want to see him, okay? I need to see him."

Margo shook her head. "He will come back after an hour."

"Hour? How long is that hour? Maybe I should leave now. I can't take it when I will just sit here and worrying about him. I have to do something."

"What can you do anyway?" Margo asked, challenging her. "What can you do, Tali? Can you hold guns accurately? Can you fight alone? What if someone out there around will just kidnap you? All you can do is to yell and seek for help. I told you, let's wait for him because he will come back. Why can't you just wait, huh?"

They looked at each other intensely and even clenched their jaw and tilted their head. They are giving each other a deadly look. 

"First, don't underestimate me. Second, protectors need protection. You understand, hmm?" Talia smirked and raised her left brows, making Margo to bit her lower lip, a bit grinning.

"He does not need your protection," Margo said without thinking any second. But Talia did not care. She would not give a shit especially that Margo is just challenging her, trying of how far can she bear.

"I need to protect," Talia answered and gritted her teeth. "I can protect. You don't know me, Margo. You are not knowledgeable of what I can do."

"Hmm, what are they?"

Talia traced her index finger on her cheek. From sitting, she stood up while Margo is hovering over her. Margo stepped back with her amused face when Talia stared at her lips. She then moved her fingers down to her neck and stared at her eyes with a different look.

"So, all you can do is seduc – ah! Fuck!" Margo groaned when Talia punched her on the face with so much force. "What the fuck, Talia?!"

Talia grinned when she saw a blood beside Margo's lips. Margo looked at her with disbelief but Talia get the knife she is hiding inside her jacket. She played with it while Margo looked so pissed off.

"So, this will be a nice fight," Margo said and lifted her weight. She stretched her arms first and looked at Talia with a grin on her face. She wiped the blood beside her lips and hissed. "You will gonna pay for this –"

"Too much words," Talia muttered and jumped over her. They both fell on the floor, Margo over and Talia on top. Talia dropped her weight over her and pointed the knife in her neck. "Mind if I have just one slice?"

Margo grinned and held her shoulders with her two hands. Margo then pushed her off her and exchange their position, her above Talia. "Would you mind?" Margo said and get the knife from Talia. She pointed the sharp tip of it in her neck just like what she did to Margo.

"I will kill you if you do," Talia threatened while feeling its coldness. "Get off me before I punch your face, woman."

"Well," Margo grinned and did not think for a second. She gave a small cut of Talia's neck, making Talia to groan and pushed her with her gathered force.

"Fuck you!" Talia yelled at her and held her neck that is bleeding. Margo stood up and handed a hand to her to make her stand. Talia did not accept it, instead, she slapped her palm.

"Oh, come on!" Margo hissed and handed a hand again. But they were both in shock when suddenly, a knife darted to the wall next to Margo. The knife almost hit her face! They looked at from where it came from and saw Kiel leaning against the wall beside the door.

Kiel was glaring at Margo before he went near Talia. "Come here, let's stop the bleeding."

Kiel handed her a hand and unlike Margo, Talia accept it while staring at her eyes. She did not expect him to come since Margo said he will come back after an hour.

"That's so unfair –" Margo fired but she stopped when Kiel tilted his head toward her.

"Shut up," Kiel said. "I can't remember telling you to hurt my woman."

Margo shut herself and just rolled her eyes. Kiel dragged Talia out of the room and as soon as the door closed, Talia talked. "Look, this is just a bit –"

"You are bleeding," Kiel cut her off while they were walking fast. "I just went off for a moment and you are already hurt."

"Kiel, I and Margo just had fun!" Talia defended.

"Fun? She hurt you, Talia. There is no fun in there."

"I mean, yeah," she looked down. "I was the one who threatened her first. I was about to cut her neck off but –"

"You should have," Kiel said and hissed. "Next time, do want you want to her."

"Oh, come on. I can't do that to your sister!"

"You can."

"I won't, okay? We were just having fun. I am not hurt. I am strong enough to handle this. You do not have to worry."

Kiel just shook his head and did not listen to her. They went to a room and Kiel stopped the blood from the little wound from Talia's neck. It was just a small cut but the blood won't stop from shedding. Talia sighed while Kiel is focused to putting herbal in the wound.

"Where have you been anyway?" Talia asked, staring at him. Kiel stopped for a moment before he looked at her face. "You can tell me."

"I talked to your friend," Kiel admitted.

"You took so long, huh? You just talk with him? What about it?" she has bunch of questions, making Kiel to bit his lower lip. He finished what he is doing first before he sat in front of Talia. He stared at her for a second and groaned.

"With their clan," Kiel said. Talia was caught off guard and was not able to talk. "I wanted to know what they really want from us. I don't want it knowing that they are always around us and are eyeing us. How can we live with that? I want you to have a better life and this is not just right."

"So, it's all about me?" Talia chuckled nervously and looked down. "I am sorry, Kiel. What did they want? I might can help."

"It's on me."

"Tell me."

"No, enough with the truths. Just let me get this through without you getting hurt or worrying. I did not wish you to live with fear. I hate to give you this life, Talia."

Talia shook her head and held his hand. "This is all because of me, Kiel. I am part of this. If I am to live with fear with you, I would love to live forever."

"Talia..."

She smiled at him and gripped on his hands. "I am with you, Kiel. Always. Now, tell me about it.'"

Kiel gasped and stood up. He shook his head multiple times and went away from Talia. He is starting to step back. Talia stood up, confused. "I am sorry, I won't."

Talia pursed her lips. She can't believe that Kiel will not be telling her the truth. She can live with fear, but she cannot bear curiosity and the thirst of knowing the truth. She looked at Kiel with disbelief and chuckled nervously, turning her laugh into broken one. "Please?"

Kiel stepped back. "I can't..."

"I can live with fear, but I can die with something hidden to me."

Kiel looked at her. Their eyes are slowly forming in tears. Talia knows nothing but she is hurting, they are both hurting. "Talia, I wished to be with you for a lifetime," Kiel said and gasped. "But not this way. I want us together, but not fear amidst us."

"I am not afraid," she said bravely and clenched her jaw. "I am not afraid when I am with you, Kiel. I just want the truth. If you are to fight, then I am with you. We are together here..."

Kiel feel weak. He knelt in front of Talia and he started to sob. "They want us dead..." he stated. "They want our blood. They want us to pay what our parents did to them."

Talia was not even surprise to that. She went near Kiel and hugged him tightly. "It's fine," she whispered and caressed his back. "I am not afraid, Kiel."

"How do you do that?"

"I have nothing to lose," Talia whispered and kissed his temple. "Except you. When it comes to you, I am strong - I will be strong. Let's fight together."

"I am sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because you end up with me," Kiel said and cupped her face. "I don't want you to suffer, but... love just... Love is just too strong. Talia, I can let you go when you don't want this life any -"

"Please, don't," she uttered with a bearing ache inside her heart. Hearing that from him is like death. Let go? He think that she can just let him be? They just be together in this fight. They needed one another the most in the current situation. They need each other. They have to unite. They can't lose each other right now. "Don't let me go, I am begging you..."

***

"I am sorry about earlier."

Talia smiled at Kiel while they were both lying in bed. They were hugging each other and are feeling their warmth. Talia closed her eyes and leaned her forehead on his bare chest. They both sighed.

"I am just grateful you did not break it up with me," Talia said with a small laugh. She felt Kiel caressing her hair and spitting some of its strand to her ear.

"I won't."

"You sure of that?" Talia looked at him with a teasing smile. Kiel chuckled and stared at her face.

"Yes, baby. Why are you so beautiful though?"

"Well," she shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know either. But, wait, do I look like my biological parents? Mother or father?"

Kiel's lips parted with the sudden query. He blinked twice while Talia is curious. She is waiting for his answer. "You don't want to talk about them, right?"

"I want to right now," she simply said. Kiel nodded his head and they both faced the ceiling. Kiel heaved a deep sigh first and started to talk.

"You look like your mother," Kiel stated. "I almost forgot their faces but then, you made me remember them clearly. Your mother is so beautiful and so as your father. The first time I saw you, I was like something hit me."

"Hmm?" Talia hummed.

"I remember the time your mother talked to me. She said, she has a daughter looking like me. I was just a kid back then. I didn't know that she is referring to you."

"Are they still alive?"

"Of course," Kiel said. "Still up and strong. They are like you."

"No, I am not like them. But wait, what again? My real mother told you that she has me? You said, they hate me and why it seems like they are happy to tell it to you?"

Kiel looked at her. "They don't hate you."

"Ah, they don't hate me but they hate having a child? Hilarious. They could just have took care of me or if they don't have time to, they let me dead."

"Don't say that. You have not meet me if that, Talia. This is just fate. This is already planned. Regrets can be just said, but we can't rebuilt it. We just start a new one. We just can restart."

"Yeah, you are right. Sorry. I just feel sorry for my parents, not the real one. They did not have a stable life but still, they raised me well. I should be thankful, but how? I am contented but not at the same time."

Kiel pinched her cheeks. "That is just regrets. You wanna sleep now?"

"Yeah, I am sleepy."

While Kiel is focused watching her sleep, he creased his brows when he heard some footsteps from nowhere. He looked around and clicked his tongue. There is no way someone is here. The unit is locked and a stranger can't be here, except when that stranger is also living in the same building.

Kiel followed the shadow that is from outside their room. He looked at Talia first before he get off from the bed. He slowly walked towards the door. Fast heartbeats, he opened the door and an old woman appeared his sight. The woman was wearing a cloak and is looking down.

"Hello?" Kiel greeted instead of asking who she is. "Why are you here, lady?"

The woman looked at Kiel. He is not familiar with her, yet, he didn't feel any danger. "I am Talia's grandmother," the woman said with her hoarse voice. Kiel stopped for a moment and stared at her. "I came here to fetch her."

"Sorry? Are you a Zanea or a Hernandez?"

The woman smiled. "Zanea." They were referring to the last name of Talia's biological parents. "Pardon me if I sneaked out. I have to take my granddaughter with me."

"N-No," Kiel stands against her, making the grandmother Zanea to crease her brows. "I mean, why? Why are you taking her with you?"

"Because she is safe with me," she said without hesitation. "Her life will always be in danger with she stays with you, Alexandro."

Kiel gulped. "What if she does not want to go with you?"

"It's for her safety and yours. She will go with me."

Kiel shook his head and laughed in pain. "Maybe you should stay here until morning? Until she is awake? Explain everything to her first because she can't live with lies, Zanea."

The woman smirked. "You are telling me this? I will never hide anything from my granddaughter unlike you. You are making her love you with your lies."

Kiel furrowed his brows, not expecting that coming. "I never lied to her."

"But you did to yourself."

Kiel shut himself. He made the Zanea to sleep to the couch and just brought her thick blankets. She can't sleep beside Talia and him on the couch because Talia might freak out to wake up with a stranger old woman.

Kiel went back to lie on the bed and kissed Talia's forehead. Just by knowing that her grandmother from her biological parents is here to get her from him, it makes him to tear up. He is slowly breaking.

But then, it is for good. It is for Talia. He will do anything for her safety even if it will cost him his life. That is how love works in his perspective, anyway. He will choose the better option instead of getting driven by feelings. He will let her go for good. And if he did, he will not regret it because he know, he did the right thing.

Keeping his woman safe and whole even if it'll mean he'd break into pieces and turn into debris that cannot be fixed, ever.