Coalition point 2

MARGAUX

I had to hold it in. I had to hold in the emotion that was beginning to stir inside me. I stared at Kevin and had to clench my hands.

He should be grateful I needed their help. If I didn't, I would have landed a punch on his face for what he had just said about the Russian guy who turned out to be someone whom he considered a friend.

In all honesty, I was partly disappointed that he had taken his 'friend's' side. Although if I was in his shoes, I would probably do the same. But still, my dignity was on the line and he had the audacity to say that it was an accident?

Ugh. I was disgusted. But, I had to hold it in. I need them. I need their help and as I had promised, I was willing to gamble. I would take the risk, no matter what it takes.

"As long as I don't cross paths with your 'friend', I'll be fine with any place," I stated, making sure to emphasize the word friend and make him understand the gravity of it.

"Trust me, he feels the same way," I scoffed, staring at Kevin.

"Good to know. The feeling is mutual,"

"Come on then," Kevin said, gesturing his head. I looked at Mary. She shrugged, I took a deep breath and followed him.

The streets were like coming to life as lights were turned on and several people were loitering around. Some workers, some students and most are just simply going on and about needing to buy a few things here and there. I can't help but think that I used to be one of those people.

I used to be one of those people who had a normal life. I used to be one of those people who only had to worry about trying not to get caught by my mother for pulling another antic. I used to be one of those people who used to walk these streets, carefree and not thinking of anything else.

But that's the thing. It was now only a part of my past. A past that cannot be re-written.

Mary caught my stare, I gave her a small smile letting her know that I was alright.

I was fighting off the memories of the past inside my head, blindly following Kevin. I hardly noticed Hanabi, the Japanese lady from Takahashi's men coming our way. If not for bumping into Mary, I wouldn't even know that even Kevin had stopped walking.

"Hanabi," I said, locking eyes with her. She smiled lightly as she approached us.

"Am I interrupting something?" I glanced at Mary and Kevin, the three of us exchanging glances like we were conveying some secret message. I cleared my throat, belatedly realizing that if Hanabi was to call me out on my real name, I would be in deep trouble.

"No, we were just… going out for dinner," Hanabi raised her eyebrow, her eyes assessing me up and down.

Great. I looked like trash and I just told her that we were going to have dinner. I wanted to land a heavy slap on my forehead.

My brain must have stopped working for this instance. I mentally sighed. Well, it was kind of exhausting to keep thinking about things here and there. Kind of, but no matter how exhausting it would get, I have to keep them going. If I stopped, I might have to start all over again.

"That sounds fun," I looked at Hanabi. I didn't want to think what she was trying to emphasize by saying it was fun. She was waiting for an invitation. This time, it was only Mary whom I locked eyes with. She was the only one whom I know would understand.

I held her gaze as she held mine, the two of us having a silent conversation. I know she probably did not feel comfortable to have Hanabi join us, neither was I.

In all honesty, I was still trying to figure out what her true motives were. Although, I was beginning to see how gutsy she was being if she was truly going against Takahashi's back. If she gets caught, the consequences were very grim and I could already picture out a tragic ending for her inside my head.

I shook off the memory of both my father and my brother from overpowering my thoughts right now. I need to focus and thinking about them would not be helpful.

"Actually, some street food would be great. Would you like to join us Hanabi?"

Hanabi stared at me. She was probably thinking what had gotten into me or if what I was saying was a trap or not. She was most likely trying to analyze whether it was genuine or a test.

"Street food?"

"Yes," Kevin said in response to her, catching my attention. "You may find the taste weird but I can guarantee that you would love them once you get to have a bite,"

I had wanted to make a comment regarding what Kevin had said. However, I held my tongue instead and forced myself to smile.

"Indeed. What do you say, Hanabi?" Mary stated, saving me from having to open my mouth and force myself to speak some nice words instead of letting my sarcasm out and have both Hanabi and Kevin suspect that there was something that I was not telling them.

Well, there was. However, I will be saving myself from all the trouble of having to make any explanation of some sort.

I'd rather we suffer in silence than open my mouth and try speaking as of the moment.

I mentally sighed. This day was just getting better and better.

--

HANA

If I was not desperate enough to talk to Margaux Cortez, I would not have inserted myself in the middle of what I would assume was a date together with a guy who seemed familiar.

I had a feeling that I had seen him somewhere, however, I can't seem to pinpoint where I had seen him exactly.

To say the least, it was the first time for me to try this street food which they had mentioned. At first, I had thought of some low key restaurant food. However, we did not even walk that far before the three of them came to a halt.

There was no small restaurant as I had expected. Instead, a small stall was what laid in front of me and some strange looking assortment of food was to be seen displayed on it.

I watched the three of them as they pointed out an assortment of what I believed was raw pieces of this street food and the person in charge then placed them in a big pan where a huge amount of oil was frying the items.

Margaux Cortez then turned to me and handed me a thin stick.

"Trust me, you will love it," she stated, smiling. I reluctantly accepted her offer and slowly followed what they were doing. I picked one of the frying item off using the stick she had given and dipped it in the sauce with a red cap that says spicy.

I took a bite while the three of them looked at me with anticipation.

"Oh,' I said, my mouth was exploding with something spicy and a wonderful taste I can't even describe. "This is pretty good indeed,"