07

“Sir… Yes, he’s here… Wait a moment, Sir…” I heard the muffled voices of Uncle Ino.

I’m here in the unoccupied room, reading a book while waiting for the time to pass by. Also, I’m waiting for Creed’s visitor. It’s already past 6:30 PM and we cannot go home not until he comes. Those elites were really raised in a silver spoon. All the glory belongs to them, and all the hardships belong to us.

If the visitor said he’ll come any time soon, that means he’ll come without notice. So, for us to let him visit Creed, we need to wait here.

I decided to stop reading and just go out to assist Uncle Ino. I bet he’s done with the caller since the vague sound of his voice was gone.

Just when I got out of the room, I saw Uncle Ino.

With the visitor.

I thought it was just a phone call. I never knew that I’d see him as soon as I left the room.

He’s farther away from this room but I can see him through the slightly opened door from Uncle Ino’s office.

It was an old man, wearing a suit, and his head screams supremacy. It’s as if he’s the highest-ranked elite.

His brows were furrowed and his eyes speak no emotion as he was blankly talking to Uncle Ino.

He looked like Creed.

This is how Creed looks like. The furrowed eyebrows, the cold, monotonous voice, and his inexpressive eyes.

Are they somehow connected? Like a family relative?

I have not yet seen this man anywhere. As far as I remember, I saw him neither in the tribunal nor in the court of justice before.

“Nix, just on time. Ah, Sir, please meet Nix. She’s the one in charge of your prisoner.” Uncle Ino said and the old man extended his hand in front of me. “Please assist us with the prisoner,” Uncle Ino added. I saw them walking towards the cell that was at the opposite door of mine.

“Duncan.” Says the old man. I shook his hand in return.

That’s quite familiar.

Duncan?

An elite…

Where have I heard that name before?

I’m sure I’ve heard such a name beforehand.

“Nix,” I went back to my senses when Uncle Ino called me. He must have noticed me zoning out.

I just nodded as I saw Mr. Duncan walking his way to the cell.

I turned to look at Uncle Ino who seems to be calm while we’re on the back of the old man.

“This is not allowed, right?” I whispered and Uncle Ino looked at me. His eyes showing uncertainty.

“I’ll tell you later,” he mumbled and I nodded in response.

Later that moment, I went to grab the key in my pocket when he spoke. “No need.” He said.

I saw how Creed changed his expression when he saw who his visitor is.

“Ayah.” He uttered, looking at Mr. Duncan.

What’s ayah?

The old man then looked at us, asking for privacy that we abruptly understood.

While Uncle and I were walking out of the cell, he sighed. “That man. He’s the highest among the elites.” He blurted that made me completely speechless.

My eyes widened at his sudden exclamation that I couldn’t answer at the moment.

“He never said about his connection to the prisoner,” he added.

“But, why is he visiting him?” I stuttered, struggling to form words when I’m utterly surprised.

“Well, whatever the reason is, it’s between the two of them.” With that, Uncle Ino told me to guard the exit while the elite is still around.

Heading to the side of the gate, I heard the chirping sound of crickets and the solemn of nature.

It’s been a while since I guarded the exit.

Being here in a more serene surrounding soothes me. I could unleash all the thoughts in my head without even saying it.

“Dad, why did you choose to help people?” I asked Dad out of curiosity.

He caressed my hair and gestured me to come near him. He enclosed me with a hug. “You know what, Aerin? Your Dad has always been selfish.” Says he.

My brows furrowed at his statement. “Why are you selfish, Dad? You always help other people.” I defended when he called himself selfish.

“Because when I was young, I didn’t want to give people what I have. I’m afraid to lose. I’m scared to let others be ahead of me.” He then let me sit beside him. “But you know what? I had your Mom. She taught me how selfishness would eat me from reality. She got mad at me once, I was so afraid of losing her. So I said, “To hell with it, I’m not losing the girl I love just because I’m selfish.” I smiled at that.

I’ve always lived by the thought of not being afraid to help but being afraid to be selfish.

It was always hard for me to be selfish and I’d rather help. But now, I felt like I’m the most selfish person out there.

I shut all doors closed just because I’m afraid of what the future can bring me.

Just because of a single mistake, I gave up.

“Attorney Zarahi, what can you say about the accusations of you letting the suspect have his freedom?”

“It is said that you failed three consecutive cases. What has happened to the Zarahi’s advocacy?” Reporters, media, and people. They were all surrounding me.

I came to my senses when my phone beeped. A name popped up.

It’s the elite who’s been bothering me for a week. He sent a message.

My brows furrowed when I saw his registered name in my contacts.

Wait.

Oh my God!

H-He’s a Duncan, right?!

I stood up in shock when I realized that he’s a Duncan. So, that’s why it was really familiar to me! I was so sure that I somehow read it or heard that name somewhere.

“Have you thought of helping me already?”

It says in the message.

My mind was building up to conclusions that seem impossible but actually are not. I unconsciously started to connect the dots that I’m not sure if it’s accurate.

Inquisitively, I dialed his number and he immediately answered in a single ring.

“So, I guess you changed your mind?” The caller said as soon as he answered the call.

“May I know your brother’s name?” I asked politely.

“Sure,” says he.

I hope what I’m thinking is wrong.

“His name is Amadeus.”