Knox Arden [3]

"Dear passengers, we ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays…"

Knox's tired eyes moved to the small window on his left. From his seat, he watched the night skyline filled with lights from skyscrapers and highways from afar. The view was majestic, but Knox was not in the mood to appreciate such a picturesque perspective.

He leaned his head on the headrest and blinked, his eyes were dull and empty. He should have been exhibiting panic and restlessness after what happened to him, but the following events took all those emotions away and replaced them with something new.

After he flew to another city, a man approached him, already waiting for his arrival as if he had been watching his every movement. At first, Knox tried to run, thinking it was one of Azrael's minions, but then, that man mentioned a name…

'Killian Arden.'

Knox's body stiffened. He slowly looked back at the man who stood still at his spot, as though he knew he wouldn't continue to run away after hearing that name. Is it someone his father owes a debt as well? He asked himself.

The man looked middle-aged. He was tall and his face showed indifference. His black suit and pants didn't have any creases, and his shoes gleamed from the track lights on the trussed ceilings of the airport. His posture is straight and the way he walked was very dignified.

'Don't be alarmed. Your father didn't owe me anything,' the man walked closer to Knox, then fished his wallet and gave Knox a business card, 'I know your father. He used to work in the same company.'

Knox glanced at the card. His brows furrowed after learning the man's name and position, then he gave him a confused look, 'I…didn't know about that.'

The company's name on the card was Horizon Corporation – one of the biggest in the whole country. From what Knox could remember, his father was an office worker from a small stationery company before their lives took a bad turn.

The man nodded his head slightly and answered, 'You were born several months later after he resigned. He probably didn't mention it to you.'

It could be. However, Knox still wondered why an executive secretary would look for him. He wanted to stay and ask further, but aside from his wet clothes and sweaty body, his entire body was sore and he was barely hanging on a thread from collapsing.

He parted his lips to excuse himself, but another man in ripped jeans, an oversized tee shirt, and a denim jacket, someone who looked his age, came running while waving tickets at them.

'Uncle! I bought tickets already! I also booked two rooms at the nearby hotel as you ordered. I checked the GPS and it said that he already exited the plane. Did you—oh! You're already here! Great!'

The younger man pointed at him excitedly and smiled widely. Knox returned the smile with a baffled look. The man was acting friendly but he had never met him, as far as he could remember.

The younger man introduced himself, 'The name's Shawn! I go to the same university as you. Also, I'm the one who texted you about the gangsters waiting for you at the gates, if you remember.'

Knox's eyes widened after he remembered that scene. Of course, how could he forget? He was running away that time so he couldn't pay attention to the matter at hand, but after he was settled, he kept wondering who that number belonged to. He tried calling once, but the service was no longer available.

He looked at Shawn suspiciously, 'How did you know my number…?'

Shawn grinned, 'Oh, that. I asked around your classes but no one seemed to know about you anything at all, except you were ridden with debts, so I sneaked into your department's faculty and looked at your student information. Sorry about that, hehe. But hey! I saved you!'

That's true, but Knox was still doubtful. He took a step back unconsciously. His hands tightened around the only luggage he could bring with him. His head ached and his knees started to tremble from fatigue. He still hasn't eaten anything for three days straight.

The executive secretary seemed to notice his discomfort and defensiveness. He sighed and took the tickets from Shawn, then after looking briefly at them, he glanced at Knox and spoke, 'We have three hours before boarding. I have something I wanted to talk to you about, so how about a warm bath and new clothes before the flight?'

Knox glared at them. He was brave to show them animosity as they were inside the airport, a public place filled with coming and going people. He eyed the older man and spat, 'What made you think I'll come with you? I don't know you…but you, you've been watching me from…when…exactly…?'

The older man went silent. He contemplated whether to tell Knox the truth or omit some part of the story. He replied afterward, 'Not that long. We only found out about your existence a few months ago.'

'Why would you care if I exist or not?'

'You have many questions. I'll answer them if you come with me. Right now, what you need is a long bath. You're entirely covered with an alpha's pheromone.'

Knox flinched at the realization. He glanced around and noticed some people looking at his way with dirty and scornful looks. He quickly lowered his head, but with that movement, he caught sight of Shawn staring at his body. Knox immediately hugged himself and hissed at the man, but the latter took off his jacket instead and gave it to him.

Shawn reassured him, 'Chill, dude. I'm an omega too. You don't have to be so on guard. And you should trust my uncle, I can vouch for his identity! He only looked scary but he's kind. Honestly, you look like someone who would collapse at any time, so why don't you come with us? I book rooms at the nearest hotel here. If you're skeptical about riding with us, I'll hail you a cab and you can follow us to the hotel. You can check the rooms I booked are separated and you have—woah!'

Knox's vision dimmed and the energetic tone of Shawn grew distant and gradually disappeared. The last thing he saw was the older man expressing shock and worry while running to catch him.

When he woke up, he was already wearing new, comfortable clothes, his body nicely scrubbed and scented, his hair was already dried, and he was lying on a bed in a cabin-like place. He abruptly stood and went to the door, but the door opened before he could grab the knob.

The executive secretary greeted him, 'You're awake. Take a seat and fasten your seatbelt first, then—

Knox jumped and grabbed the man's collar. He asked furiously, 'Where am I? What have you done to me?!'

The older man calmly looked down at him and responded clearly, 'You fainted. You slept for three hours. We don't have time so I asked Shawn to wipe you and clothe you. We're now inside the plane.'

Knox froze in shock. Then, he ran to the window and lifted the blinds, only to see the plane was still in the ground. He quickly walked to the door, and demanded, 'Move.'

'I'm afraid I can't. The plane will soon take off, you need to—

'I said move!' He shouted and pushed the older man away, but his arms were caught instead, and he was pushed on the seat.

'Stay put for the meantime. There is someone who wants to meet you – someone who knows your father. Once we're done, we'll send you back. We won't harm you.'

The older man's expression softened which took Knox aback and speechless. He lost the chance to escape as the announcement on the speakers arrived.

'Where are we headed?' He mumbled faintly.

The executive secretary replied, 'England.'

Knox's head turned at him fast, his mouth gaping. The older man continued, 'The flight will be long. I asked for a full-course meal, so eat everything and regain your strength. You will be meeting a very stubborn man, you'll need energy to talk to him.'

'Who?'

The older man took off his seatbelt and stood, 'I wanted to tell you who, but I think it'd be better if he introduced himself to you instead. If there's anything you need, Shawn and I were just in the other cabin. You can call us any time.'

With that, the man disappeared. Not long after, a flight attendant delivered his meal, and without any complaints, he gobbled the food and drank wine. Then, he fell asleep on the sofa until the plane landed at its destination.

A new day arrived.

And just like that, four years have passed.