Chapter VIII: The Past Leaves Deep Traces

The dawn of a new day begins to emerge. This time, for me, the day comes with the feeling of joy that I am still alive after the previous night. Well, although I haven't escaped unscathed, I can still say that thanks to Cesare, everything ended well.

Speaking of which... Cesare sleeps so peacefully that it amazes me how good he can look. Well, I don't know what the future holds, but I hope I can continue to be friends with Cesare.

"Antonio, have you woken up?"

How lovely... Cesare has finally woken up. I wish I could learn more about this world. The days pass, and the first week since I've been here is almost over. Honestly, I've even started to forget about the meeting with the Cardinal. All I do is enjoy the present in front of me.

"Sorry if I woke you up in any way."

"No... I was planning to wake up soon anyway."

"Well, what are we going to do today?"

"I have nothing in mind... Maybe you have something?"

"Considering we are injured, I would say let's sit and get to know each other better. What do you say?"

"An excellent idea. Of course, I think something to drink would be perfect in the meantime, right?"

"I don't usually drink, but if you insist..."

After taking a bath and changing into something comfortable, we went to Cesare's office. In a few minutes, Sister Caterina came with a bottle of wine and some snacks.

"I really don't want to bore you with the story of my life... Honestly, it's a bit sad and uninteresting."

"Don't say that... I want to learn more about you."

"Alright then..."

-Four years ago-

Finally, I left my parents' house for the first time. I am about to arrive at the school where I will study to become a priest.

"So, Antonio... For the next 4 years in this school, you will prepare yourself physically, intellectually, and emotionally for the life of a priest. We hope you feel good in these years, and in the end, we can be proud of you!"

"I hope so too!"

I don't know how I will be able to adapt in such a place, but I will try...

"Hello, you're the new student, right?"

"Yes... I am..."

"I'm glad to meet you. My name is Benjamin."

"Nice to meet you... See you around!"

"Wait a moment!"

Oh, come on! I've just arrived at this school and people won't leave me alone. Thank goodness this school has a huge library where I can hide from people... People have always wanted something from me or my family. My father is the director of the national bank, and my mother is a judge at the capital's court. Well, being home alone all day, I haven't had real friends. Most people befriended me for money or other reasons...

"Antonio, what are you doing here?"

And this guy again? I think his name is Benjamin... Honestly, I'm really tired of people like him who try to get close to me for material reasons. I can't even find peace in the library anymore...

Time passed, and after a few months, something changed in the behavior of others...

"Look at the school nerd... This guy spends more time in the library than the librarians."

"Shut up... Don't you know his father funds our school? Do you want to mess things up?"

"Guys, I have an idea!"

Suddenly, one of those who gossiped about me approached.

"Hello, dear classmate! What a beautiful day it is today, isn't it?"

"Do you need something? Spit it out!"

"Oh, come on... We're classmates, aren't we?"

I tried to avoid him when suddenly that person tripped me, and I fell, to the amusement of everyone present.

"Hey, cut it out!"

"Guys, run!"

Damn... I knew it wasn't a good idea to study outside my house... Now I have to be more careful and avoid trouble from my classmates... Why can't I be as open as they are or like this guy?

"It's okay, get up!"

That person I couldn't stand just reached out his hand to help me up. Well, I refused and got up on my own. I don't need anyone's help.

"Don't mind them. That's just how they are..."

"Are they your friends?"

"No, let's just say they're my classmates. My friends would never pick on people, don't you think?"

"I don't care!"

How does this guy look, you wonder? Well, he somewhat resembles Bright Vachirawit, that Thai actor who starred in the series 2gether... How do I know that? I had already watched the series at the time I'm talking about.

After several weeks of peace, a strange event occurred while I was in the library. One of my classmates asked for my help with something, and when I followed him, I felt a blow to my back and passed out. When I woke up, I was tied up in a very dark and cold place. Of course, I wasn't alone...

"Antonio... You know, we need something... If you could help us with the modest sum of $10,000, it would be wonderful. Don't tell me you don't have it. After all, your father is the director of the national bank, right?"

"Do you think you'll get away with this?"

"We don't believe so. We already know that!"

"I can't help you with such an amount, so you can untie me, and let's go our separate ways."

"So, you won't help us? Well then... Guys!"

Well, you can imagine what happened next... After being the victim of a rain of blows, I started crying. Why? Because I realized that I was alone and would remain so forever... Until...

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Benjamin... You know, we were just about to untie our classmate... I think the big guys tied him up down here..."

"Stop lying... I've already told you not to touch him! He's my property, right?"

Wait, what? I'm nobody's property... What is this weirdo talking about?

"I'm sorry, brother! You see, I didn't know that..."

"Well, for that, you'll face the consequences!"

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this guy starting to beat up the others just because they had bullied me... I can say that those guys became like lambs within minutes.

"Antonio, are you okay?"

"Yes... How are the others?"

"They're fine, just some minor injuries... I think you should be more worried about yourself than about them! Come on..."

I couldn't believe it... I walked out with him, and he took me to the doctor's office where he disinfected my wounds and bandaged me.

"T-Thank you, Benjamin!"

"You're welcome... Do you like pancakes?"

"Yes, I love them!"

"I was just about to make some... Do you want some?"

"S-Sure!"

After a few minutes, the peanut butter-filled pancakes were ready. To my surprise, they were even better than my mother's. Seeing how happy I was, he smiled, satisfied with the result. I can only say this... After that event, we became best friends, and...

"Antonio, are you okay?" Cesare said after I finished talking.

"Hic! I can't believe I won't see him anymore! Why? Why, Cesare? Tell me!"

"Antonio, calm down!"

"No! I won't calm down! Cesare, I had feelings for that guy... I would have even broken my vows for him! Now what do I do? I'm devastated..."

"Antonio, what do you mean by that?"

"He was the first person who saw me for who I am, not for my financial status or anything else... We were so different... He was the center of attention and strong, while I was ignored by everyone and weak... But he didn't... Even though he did..."

"Antonio! Antonio, are you okay?"

"My little brown-haired lamb... You actually resemble Benjamin a bit... Well, he looked more Thai than Korean, ha ha ha!"

"What Thai? What Korean? Antonio, snap out of it!"

"I'm fine! You can't tell me what to do! You should have told me what to do when I started drinking too much, not now..."

"Antonio put the glass down... Enough..."

"Don't tell me what to do! Even though you're a pervert, you're a good person. I'm telling you this now because I'm drunk, but that's what I think... If you were Benjamin, I would... No, forget it!"

"Antonio, it's the third bottle... I barely drank anything, and you've had too much! Calm down!"

"Suddenly, it got warm... Do you mind if I undress?"

"Antonio, no!"

"No? What's wrong? It didn't bother you before... So now that you know my past, you hate me, right? All I can say is... You're the second person who saw me as I am... I'm indebted to you, and I hope to repay you someday..."

"Antonio, I didn't know you went through so much... But how did you become so warm and kind..."

"Here's the thing... After I was ordained as a priest, I was sent to a parish... Only troubled people there... Sick people, elderly people, victims of physical violence, and others. I was their only refuge. The only one who could listen to them. And that's how I became more open towards others... And thanks to Benjamin, I became an angel for so many people... Including all of you here!"

"But, you were also a victim of others' violence, weren't you?"

"I was, but I had a very strong protector, Benjamin. And now I have my other great protector... You!"

Cesare's POV:

I can't believe he's saying these things... It's like he's a different person now. It seems like it was a good idea to let him drink. Anyway, he won't remember anything tomorrow, but it doesn't matter.

Wait, what is he doing? Why is he kneeling?

"Antonio, what are you doing?"

"You are my guardian angel from today, and I bow before you, kissing your feet in gratitude for everything..."

"Antonio, get up! Come on, go to bed!"

"I won't go to bed... I'm awake, and I have no reason to sleep, right?"

"Come with me..."

"Where are you taking me? I'm afraid of the dark... Mommy, mommy!"

"Antonio, snap out of it!"

"Mommy, is that you? Are we going to bed?"

Oh no! It seems he's already starting to lose his lucidity... Well, at least now I know the truth about him...

"Cesare, promise me something before we go to bed, can you?"

"Sure... What is it?"

"Promise me that you'll protect me and won't leave my side... Even if I have to go back, I don't want to lose you as well..."

"Antonio, you're so sincere today, why?"

"Enjoy it, tomorrow I'll probably forget everything..."

Antonio's POV:

I don't know what happened and why my head hurts so much... I think I drank too much yesterday. It seems like I told Cesare some things about myself, and then... What happened next? I don't remember anything... Wait, why am I undressed? Oh no, this can't be...

"Cesare, wake up!"

"Just 10 more minutes..."

"No... Now!"

"What's wrong?"

"Why am I undressed? Wait, you're dressed... Cesare, what happened?"

"N-Nothing, I think..."

"What? Do you think? I hope I didn't..."