Chapter 26

He recalled the day those eyes stared at him, only him as Raiden was being dragged away to juvy by the police. He could remember the look of disbelief and pain in them, the betrayal that marred his face.

Hiro regretted it. He regretted it so much. But then, why couldn't Raiden take no for an answer? Why did he have to stalk him and take disturbing pictures of him? If Raiden had just left him alone, there wouldn't be so much bad blood between them.

Anyway, that was in the past. He needed to focus on the present. He recalled how happy his sister was when he told her she was getting the transplant. He could remember his Big Brother crying and begging at Ginro's feet for money. And then worst of all, his brother signed a contract to be a pornstar.

He didn't want that. He didn't want any of that. He had to save them all. He didn't care if Raiden didn't want him anymore. He'd have to make Raiden want him again. He'd have to. Everything, their livelihood, their respect and honour, the little of which they had left, everything was at stake.

It was up to him to make things right.

Raiden stared at Hiro whenever Hiro wasn't looking. He was incredibly relieved to see that he was alright. He wanted to hug him, to squeeze him in his arms and plant kisses all over his face in happiness but he couldn't. He couldn't show Hiro that he cared. It would ruin everything. He'd have to be patient and from the looks of Hiro, he wouldn't have to wait long.

Besides, he had been waiting since he was 14 years old. Since he knew what it meant to love.

He could wait longer.

Hiro was done in less than 10 minutes. He had wolfed down everything. Not a single morsel remained on the plates. He also took the painkillers. Even the bottle of water was completely emptied.

Satisfied, Raiden cleared his throat. "Speak."

Hiro raised his head and stared at Raiden. Raiden was well aware of his problem. Why was he making him repeat them? "Raiden..."

"I haven't got all night, Hiro" Raiden said impatiently. He glanced at his wristwatch, pretending to be busy. "I have a date and I'm running late."

Hiro recalled the elegant man he saw with Raiden some days back. Was that the person Raiden was seeing? He shook his head. It wasn't his concern. Still, there was a subtle ache in his chest and a question at the back of his mind which was; 'Did Raiden truly have no feelings for him anymore?'

"It's my sister, Raiden." He said, lowering his head as hot tears pooled in his eyes once more. "Today is the last day. I couldn't get any money. Big Brother did but it was taken from us. Sister's surgery is supposed to be tomorrow. If we do not pay tonight the-"

"I already gave you my answer, Hiro," Raiden said, cutting him off. "We have nothing more to discuss." He made a move to stand up but Hiro quickly went on his knees, clutching Raiden's suit pants.

"Raiden please," Hiro sobbed. "Please help us. I can't watch my sister die. Please Raiden. I know you can help. If it's about the past then I'm sorry. I'm so sorry but don't punish my sister for my actions. Please."

He just wanted his sister to be healthy. He wanted his brother's honour to remain intact. He wanted his siblings by his side like old times. He wanted them to be happy and without worries.

Hiro gazed down at his worn-out clothes and his shoes which were littered with holes. His skin had gone so pale and dry. He thought back to their home. The wind howled at night, blasting through the windows and slamming open the door, chilling them to the bone. The roaches he could always hear when he was about to sleep, feasting on the greasy pots and plates. The landlord keeps threatening to throw them out if they don't pay their rent. The neighbours that didn't give a shit about them.

He thought back to all the kinds of work he had done before. All kinds of delivery, newspaper, milk, pizza, he had done them all. Washing cars and motorbikes, cleaning small restaurants, washing clothes, cleaning toilets. He hated them but he had slowly learned to appreciate them all. He and his family had survived on those menial jobs.

But he was tried. He was extremely exhausted. if he had a chance to never do them again, he would go for it in a heartbeat. He knew it.

"P-Please," he cried desperately. "Please, help me. I'll do anything. Anything at all. Please Raiden, I just want my life back." He raised his head and gazed up at Raiden with tears in his eyes. "I'm tired of living like this. Please, help me, Raiden. Please."

Raiden couldn't describe the kind of joy he felt. It was a dense rush of euphoria. Like being high. Something stirred in his eyes and he looked at the crying boy kneeling by his feet. "You'll do anything?" he asked, raising a perfectly arched brow.

Hiro nodded vehemently, clutching Raiden's pants tighter. "I'll do anything you want. Just please, get me out of this hell that is my life. I don't want to live like this anymore."

He had to do this. Not just for himself but for his family too. He couldn't let his brother whore himself. He also couldn't let his sister die. No one was going to help him except Raiden. The real reason he was begging was for his siblings but Raiden didn't need to know. If Raiden knew, he may not help him anymore. Raiden seemed interested when he started begging for himself.

"Oh poor Hiro. You already know what I want." He bent low and pinched Hiro's chin, raising his head and staring into his beautiful champagne-coloured eyes.

"But didn't you say that you don't want me anymore?" He asked Raiden, his tone bitter as he recalled the way Raiden threw his shirt at him and sent him out. "I-I gave myself to you that day. You rejected me. You said you didn't want me anymore. Why do you want me now?"

His heart skipped a bit. Did it mean Raiden still had feelings for him?

"I changed my mind." Raiden shrugged. "Instead of working you to the bone to repay me, I figured it'd be better if you just became my partner. It'll be easier for me too because I'm tired of sleeping with random people all the time. Don't worry, it'll only be for a year. Less than that if I get tired of you." His tone was nonchalant, like it was a simple thing anyone could do.