Chapter 5

NEXT DAY

“Senior, I heard that one officer is coming from abroad to take over your case, but we have worked hard for that, how can they simply give him our case”, Franklyn shouts as everyone is startled.

“Can you not shout near to our ears, we are not deaf”, Alex annoyed. He is checking the case files. Revilla chuckles.

Eryx closes the file and looks at Franklyn who is standing behind Alex and gasping hard.

After completing a master degree in forensic criminology, Eryx, Alex, and Revilla joined as police detectives. As talented people like them, their achievements are on a high note.

“Do I care, whoever that person is, just let him take this case. I know it's just a simple case but I'm just annoyed to handle”, Eryx closes the file.

“So, you are going to hand over the files to him. Arghhh... I'm annoyed”, Franklyn pouts.

Eryx is the head of his team. Fortunately, Alex and Revilla become his teammates. Franklyn is their junior who is a super active and dedicated person. He admires Eryx the most.

“Go back to your seat, Frank. I will send you pending documents, you have to go through those before you get off of work”, Eryx passes the file to Franklyn. He unwillingly takes those files.

As they were discussing something in the meeting hall, the door clicked open. Everyone's gaze turns to the side of the door. Someone enters the hall and the aura of that person is very strong like a professional.

“Braylon..”, Alex almost choked. In these four years, he didn't contact any of them and they can't reach him through the phone. They have sent emails but no reply from him over these years. Eryx was stubborn to call him.

Alex and Revilla get up from the chair but Eryx didn't give any reaction to this, it's like he knows everything from the start.

“How are you man, it's been four years”, Alex and Revilla, both hugged him at the same time but Braylon's eyes only fixed on Eryx who was sitting with no facial reaction. Fate has brought both together again after four years but this time, they are like strangers.

Eryx tapped the table and got up abruptly. Braylon's eyes didn't miss any moment of him. They are filled with love and care but Eryx looks indifferent.

Alex and Revilla are so happy to see Braylon after so long. Braylon smiles warmly. Franklyn is dumbfounded, he can't understand what is happening in front of them. As Eryx leaves the meeting hall, Franklyn follows him. Braylon becomes sad.

This is going to be hard for Braylon because he loves Eryx but he has no idea about Eryx's feelings towards him. Secondly, he left the city without a word. The guilt kills him.

“Braylon, let's go out today. Let's celebrate your arrival”, Revilla jumped with joy.

Braylon can't show his grief to them, his face becomes stiff, and nods yes. Alex pats him gently. “Let's go out and find Eryx. That brat didn't change at all”, Alex trapped his hand around his shoulder and pulled it close to him.

They went out of the meeting hall. Even though he looks so tough outside, he became powerless in front of Eryx. Alex drags him out of that place.

“Revilla... Bring Braylon with you to the canteen. I will bring Eryx.”, after saying that, Alex leaves that place.

“Come with me Braylon”, Revilla drags him to the canteen. They didn't speak until they go to the canteen. After settling in their place, Revilla stares at him.

“Don't stare at me like this Revilla. If you want to ask something, ask me. Don't look at me like I am a suspect.”, Braylon rolls his eyes. “You know how to speak huh... You disappeared all of sudden four years ago and now you are here for the case. You didn't even contact us and you didn't inform us before you came. Do you know how worried we are? " Revilla slams the table.

“You know me well, Revilla. I couldn't refuse my dad's request and I wanted to study higher. You have to understand me”, He tries to convince her without telling them about Alan. Revilla sighed.

Alex comes to the canteen with Eryx. There is an unwilling reaction in Eryx. Braylon can tell why he Is like this. But he doesn't know what to do. When he comes there and sits on the chair. Braylon is about to talk to Eryx but Eryx ignores him.

The stabbing pain kills Braylon. There is an awkward silence between them. Alex tries to break the silence.

“Then when did you come back? Braylon.”, Alex smiles warmly. That makes Braylon feel happy. “Yesterday I came back”, he smiles back. “Today is a celebration day for Braylon's arrival. So we don't work today. We have to celebrate. Let's go out tonight”, Revilla shouts as everyone in the canteen looks at them weirdly.

Braylon hesitates for a moment. Because Alan is with Zaneta. He has to pick him up. After all, he can't bother Zaneta for this.

“Guys... I think... I can't accept that. I have to pick up my son.”, He refuses politely. But he didn't think about their reaction when he let out the word son. They are startled by his refusal.

“Son... Since when did you have a son?”, Alex is really shocked. He doesn't even know how to react. Eryx keeps silent. But it is indeed a shock for him too. Braylon realizes his mistake. He scolds himself for his words.

“How old is your son?”, Revilla is calm yet her voice is deep. “About three years old.”, he can't refuse her question. Alex and Revilla sighed big. Suddenly they are interrupted by Braylon's phone call.

He excuses himself and attends the call. When he attends the call, Zaneta starts to scold him.

“You brat... You said you will come soon. But where are you right now? If I catch you, I will skin you alive. Alan is already waiting for you.”, she scolds him without breathing.

“I think I can't make it up today. Can you take Alan home when you finish your work? I am working right now. I can't pick up Alan and will come home only late at night.”, He is calm while speaking and careful while using words.

He didn't use the word sis. If he uses the word, Sis, they will suspect him. He doesn't want that. Before she could respond, he cut the call. Zaneta groans in anger.

Although he used his words carefully, it led to a big disaster. They thought that the one who called Braylon right now was his wife, he was so calm and sweet to her. Eryx gritted his teeth.

Eryx slams the table and leaves the canteen. They can't do anything with that. Braylon becomes sad. He wants to hug Eryx when he sees him in the meeting hall and say how much he missed him. But things aren't normal between them.

They also leave the canteen. Alex and Revilla didn't ask Braylon.

IN NIGHT

They go to a hotpot which is their favorite place. Alex and Revilla convince Eryx to come there. They want to make their relationship normal but nothing worked out. They brought drinks there. Franklyn also comes there with Eryx. After all, his admirable person is Eryx.

But he didn't interrupt them. He stayed silent. He is somewhat annoyed by Braylon because Eryx became sad and emotionless all of a sudden because of Braylon's arrival.

He doesn't know about their special relationship. It will take some time to understand them for Franklyn.

When they are drinking, Someone approaches them.

“Eryx... It's you right.”, Amy looks at Eryx to confirm. “Yeah... It's me... What are you doing here?”, Eryx asks calmly. “I came here with my friends but they left already. I just saw you. But don't know if it's you. So I came here to confirm that.”, She looks at Eryx with love. Everyone can say how she is feeling for Eryx.

She looks around with a suspicious look.

“Who are they? Eryx.”, she asks. Till now, she doesn't know about his friends and his subordinates.

“They are my friends and he is my Junior Franklyn.”, Eryx introduces them to her. “Eryx... Can you drop me at my home? I don't have a car. I came with my friend but she already left me alone.”, She speaks sweetly.

“Ok... I will drop you. Let's go. ”, Eryx gets up from his seat. “But Eryx didn't eat your food at all. Why are you leaving all of a sudden?", Revilla tries to stop him. “It's ok Bunny girl. I have no appetite at all. I will eat when I go back home." After saying that, he turns and starts to walk. While walking, Amy turns and glares at Revilla. But they didn't notice that.

“Who is she? She looks close to Eryx.”, Braylon can't accept his intimate contact with Amy. “She is Amy, the Richardson family's only daughter, and Eryx's fiance.'' Alex sighs deeply.

When Braylon hears the word, Fiancee, he almost chokes the drink. “What... When did that happen?”, Braylon coughs slightly.

“The day you went abroad. They are business partners of his father. So they agreed.”, Revilla sighs again. “But the senior didn't tell us about his fiancee.” Franklyn is disappointed because he didn't say anything to Franklyn.

Alex and Revilla look at each other.

“Never mind. It's his personal life. We can't interfere with his personal.”, Franklyn can't accept that yet he can't ask this to him. While they are talking, Braylon starts to drink. It's been four years since he last drank. Because of his pregnancy, he avoided drinks and also he didn't drink. That night was the last, he got a drink.

“Ok... Senior... I am leaving. It's already late.”, Franklyn says goodbye to them and leaves. Revilla, Alex, and Braylon are only there. Braylon didn't stop drinking.

“Don't drink too much Braylon. Or you will get wasted.”, Revilla takes the glass from him but Braylon snatches back the glass.

“Man, don't die before you could fight for your love”, Alex pats him hard.

“It's been four years since I have had a drink. Don't stop me. I want to drink until I get wasted. You know what Bunny... After that night, I didn't drink at all.”, he pours the drink into the glass. He swirls the glass on the table.

They are really confused. After all, they didn't know the truth and what happened between them that night. If they know, they will get a heart attack. He looks at the glass. The tears are gathering in his eyes.

He sniffles. His ears and cheeks become red because of alcohol. They pity him for his condition. They don't know how to comfort them.

Revilla's phone rings. She takes a look at it. The call is from her boyfriend. Alex's face changes when he sees the name on her mobile. She moves away from them and attends the call.

After one minute, she cuts the call and looks at Alex instantly. However, they are friends, she didn't share her personal life with Alex. After graduating, she refused to get married. She continues her higher studies with Alex and Eryx.

She has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for two years. She accepted his proposal in front of Alex and Eryx. After that, she moved in with him. Alex and Eryx didn't interfere with her relationship.

“Alex... Can you send Braylon back? I think I can't accompany you two today.”, She looks at them. “Is he waiting for you already?”, As he says, she nods.

“Ok... I will take care of him. You can go.”, he didn't look at her. She feels guilty. "Thank you.”, after saying that, she leaves. Now, those two abandoned characters are only there. How did their friendship become like this and when? Alex takes a deep breath and looks at Braylon who has been drinking continuously without a gap.