The Loyal Servant

Chapter 13: Shooting Range

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, events and incidents in this story are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

“Now position your arm like this,” Winson said, as he lifted Fernand’s arm.

With a heavy sigh, Fernand followed Winson’s instructions. Just a minute ago, Mr.Calixtro dragged him from his room to the training court. Telling him that he should learn to protect himself. Even though he did complain a lot, Mr.Calixtro turned deaf at him and continued to drag him until they reached the training field, where Winson is standing there waiting for him. Mr.Calixtro leaves as soon as he is sure that Fernand has nothing to do but to follow his orders.

Winson tapped Fernand’s shoulders. “Relax your shoulder,” he said.

Winson starts to train Fernand with his knowledge in guns. Though Fernand has a muscular body, with his innocent face, Winson somehow felt fragility in him. Winson picked up the gun and positioned it in Fernand's hand, “aim for the target,” he said, and guided Fernand. When he felt that Fernand was ready, he let his hand out of Fernand’s.

Without any thought, Fernand's lips formed a mischievous smile with his finger pressing the trigger.

Bang! Bang! bang

Three continuous sounds of gunshots were immersed in the training field. Winson expected Fernand to flicker but to his surprise, Fernand didn’t even close his eyes. His gaze turned to the board. “You’re great,” he complimented as he saw the bullet hit the centre of the board. “First time?” he asked.

Fernand smirked, “no.”

It’s been a long time since Fernand pulled the trigger of a gun. When he was still at Sampaguita’s base 5, Kier always pulled him into his room to do paper work, or just to cuddle with him even though they’re not in a relationship. Whenever he tried to hold a gun, Kier always distracted him or made him let go of it.

“ I see, you’re quite skilled.” Winson frowned. If this person is skilled enough to hit the centre, why would Mr.Calixtro want me to train him?

Winson didn’t bother to ask the question he had in mind and continued to assist Fernand. His eyebrows can’t help but to raise each time Fernand strikes the target with a smile. Never seen someone this happy to shoot a target. He thought. When Fernand finally ran out of magazines, he sat on the chair at the back of the shooting range. “That’s awesome.” Fernand said and drank the water that was placed on the table in front of him. After he emptied the bottle, he took the other one and looked at Winson, “want some?” he asked and raised the water bottle.

Winson just shook his head.”nah, thanks.”

He walked to Fernand’s seat and sat beside him. “How’s your sister?” he asked.

Fernand suddenly froze from his seat. He gulped before he answered, “she’s fine…I guess.” he smiled awkwardly and released a sigh. Months passed after he last saw his sister. After that hospital thing, he never had a chance to see or talk with her. So, how can he answer a question that he also asked himself.

Winson felt the loneliness in Fernand’s words. “Have you seen her, or talked to her?” he asked with concerned voice

Fernand bowed down,”never have,” he said in dismay. “I never had a chance to talk to her since that day she was sent away.”

Winson looked away and groped his pant’s pockets . When he finally felt his cigarette, he put it out and reached for the lighter beside the ashtray. “in Cebu right?” he said after he puffed a smoke.

Fernand Frowned as the smell of cigarette lingered in his nose. He didn't hear Winson’s question since he was bothered by the smell of the smoke. “What?” he asked.

“I mean your sister was sent to Cebu right?” Winson explained.

Fernand was surprised by Winson’s question, How did he know that?. His sister's location is not shared with others, as far as he knows. Only him, Mr.Calixtro and base 5 has the idea. He keeps thinking if he spilled the beans but he wasn’t.

Winson raised his eyebrow as Fernand became silent, he looked at him and asked. “Why?” after he sees the confused face of Fernand.

Fernand stared at him with furrowed eyebrows.“How did you know?” Fernand asked without thinking. He immediately realised that he asked Winson the question he’s been trying to keep to himself. But since he can not back his words, he keeps his mouth shut and silently prays that he will answer.

“Your sister is quite popular, you know?” Winson chuckled. He puffed his cigarettes and smiled as he remembers the days when the whole Phoenix hive shivers when Lisa’s was around.

“Popular?” Fernand frowned and swayed his hand to drive the smoke away.

Winson looked at him in disbelief. “Are you really Lisa’s brother?”. He laughed and shrugged his head. Even the maid would look down if Lisa walks by, how would his brother not know that?

“Wait, Don’t you know?” He paused and observed Fernand’s action. When he saw Fernand was still confused he continued, “Your sister is Mr.Calixto's right hand.”

Fernand seems to become more puzzled, “Jamie just told me earlier, what about it?”

Winson chuckled, “you don’t know your sister, aren't you?” he asked. Fernand face scrunch with a question mark seen all over his face. Winson fixed his clothes and sat properly. He crossed his arms and ready himself to tell a story. “Of course, your sister was popular.” he started. “Lisa can make anyone shiver in fear. She was once called a deadly beauty.”he giggled. He gestured his hand like slashing someone before continuing, “like this, she can do it to anyone”

Fernand slanted his eyes ,” like what?”

Winson laughed hard, “ your sister might not be good with guns unlike you, “ he said pointing to Fernand. “But whenever she gets her knife, everyone will cry in blood.” he said and puffed his cigarette once more.

Is Lisa really like that?. Fernand asked himself. He has known his sister for a long time, but they only have limited time for each other, after she gets her job in Calixtro. He keeps overthinking that he might have missed something from his sister, that he might have not known his sister more than he used to . He released a deep sigh as he kept on thinking.

Winson felt Fernand’s frustration, so he immediately turned the topic down. “By the way,” he said, that made Fernand look at him. Fernand just raised his eyebrows. “When did you learn that?” He pointed the gun .

Fernand followed Winson's hand pointing. He smiled and turned at him. “My friend taught me that,” he said without looking into Winson's eyes.

“When was it?” Winson asked in an attentive manner. He noticed Fernand’s eyes trying to avoid his gaze.

“Would you believe me if I told you … when I was a 14-year-old?” Fernand asked.

It was 6years ago when he accidentally held a gun. His sister was not in their home as usual, so he went to his school alone. He’s a bit late for school but he didn't think much. Surprisingly, he heard a couple of people in a street’s alley fighting over. He didn’t bother to look yet one of them held his arm and pulled him inside the fight. Of course, how could a slim 14-year old boy fight?. He tried to dodge any punches he could see and then used his arms as protection. Good thing he knows some defence by watching the series. It was his first time to encounter such events and much worse, why did someone pull him over?. He kept on defending himself but when a punch landed on his face he fell on the ground. When he was about to crawl out of the fight his hand touched a thing, he looked at it and was surprised to see that it was a gun, a real one.

He looked at the people fighting before he decided to pick the gun up. “Stop.”he shouted and pointed the gun at the people. He has no knowledge in terms of using guns but he thought that watching those action movies is enough for him to pretend like he knew. The fight gradually stop as he walked towards the exit of the alley, “Sh*t!” he said and his feet slipped. Though he managed to balance himself, he accidentally pulled the trigger that shot the shoulder of a guy. He gulped and threw the gun on the floor.”sorry,” he said and ran. He went back to his aunties house and decided to leave an absence to his school.

When he thought that it wouldn't bother him anymore, Miko suddenly appeared with a bandage around his shoulder.

“Hmp.” Fernand sighs.

Winson smirked and put his cigarettes in the ashtray. He crossed his arms and rested his body in the chair, “I held an ar-15 when I was seven, so, yeah. I believe you.” he said and shrugged his shoulders.

Fernand’s eyes widened in shock. How could a seven year old hold a heavy gun?. His mind exploded in surprise. “Seriously?” he asked with his wide open eyes.

“I’m serious,” Winson chuckled. “ You see, My father was once a head guard of Calixtro. I just followed his path” Winson shrugged.

“Your Father?”Fernands Asked, Winson nodded as an answer.

“ Randy Cruz?” Fernand added.

Winson looked at him and laughed, “no!”

“Mr.Cruz is the current head but he was not my father, stupid.” Winson explained and got the water bottle from the table. “My father died, years ago.” he said and drank the water.

“Let’s get back to training,” He said to Fernand without waiting for him to react. He stood up and walked towards the shooting range. “Come here.” he commanded Fernand.

Fernand followed Winson without asking more. He picked his ear protection and the gun then positioned himself. He aimed for the target and Bang!, he shot the core once again.

For hours, Winson and Fernnad continued to shoot as they felt their arms sore. They even had a friendly competition together, which Fernand won.

“That’s unfair,” Winson shouted. He dropped his gun and earmuffs. He walked closer to the target board and pouted when he saw his score and Fernand’s. “Geez, why did Mr.Calixtro want me to train you if you are this good?” he asked. He turned around while shrugging his head. “Tss.”

Fernand laughed as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“Having fun?” a manly voice asked.

The two turned their heads to the entrance of the training field, shocked to see Mr. Calixtro standing in the entrance, they both stood up straight. “Sir,” Winson politely greeted.

Mr.Calixtro walked towards them wearing a black suit and tie. His black shoes compliments his looks and adds class to his fashion. He was also holding a brown envelope in his right hand while his left hand was in his pant’s pocket. He smirked at Fernand whose eyes were glued on his clothes. “What are you looking at?” he teased. instead of Answering Mr.Calixtro, Fernand rolled his eyes and scrunched his face, “Tss,”

“Have you trained well?” Mr.Calixtro asked with his eyes on Fernand. Winson walked towards them and answered, “Well sir, I think he didn’t need it anymore.”

Mr.Calixtro’s eyebrows raised, “What?”

“I mean just look how skilled he was, sir. “Winson said and pointed at the shooting target. “He was way too good for me to train.” he shrugged and muttered, “I didn't even win”

Mr.Calixtro was amazed to see the scores. It was uncommon for beginners to have such a score, except if that person was truly gifted. But to think that Fernand was just a college boy that only cares about his lesson and such, it's unusual. He gazed at Fernand who’s currently wandering his eyes, avoiding to have eye contact with him. He furrowed then turned his gaze to Winson, “Leave us alone.” He ordered.

Winson didn’t ask anything, as he nodded “Yes, sir.” and bid his goodbye to both of them. He walked straight out the field without looking back. Fernand silently prayed that Winson would come back so that he wouldn't be left with Mr.Calixtro.

“Looks like someone has secrets to tell.” Mr.Calixtro pointed at Fernand. His lips form a wicked smile.

Fernand's eyebrows twitched, “What?”

Mr.Calixtro walked closer to him and put out his hand from his pocket. “When did you learn it?” He pointed the gun.

Fernand steps backward as his heart starts to beat fast.

Mr.Calixtro was puzzled by how Lisa’s brother managed to learn how to use a gun. There’s still a possibility that he was trained by his sister. He convinced himself. He sighs as he realises that he was convincing himself that Fernand is an innocent uni boy. He paused and stared at Fernand, “Answer me.” he commanded.

But Fernand didn’t utter a word, instead he focused on moving backwards, even though Mr.Calixtro already stopped walking.

“The hell kiddo? Why are you moving backwards?” Mr.Calixtro murmured.

Fernand doesn’t seem to hear his words and keeps on making the distance between him and Mr.Calixtro. He didn't notice the table at his back, he groaned in pain when his butt hit it. “s**t!” he whispered. He peeked at the table and cursed in a low voice. What the hell.

Mr.Calixtro chuckled as he saw Fernand’s back hit the table. How can he be this cute? He asked himself and smiled. He coughs and starts to tease Fernand’s once again.

“What are you so afraid of?” He asked and walked closely towards Fernand, “Just tell me where you learned it.” he asked in a serious voice. Looking at Fernand, Mr.Calixtro finds Fernand’s worried face entertaining, as he craves more.

“I-I bet you already knew,” Fernand gulped and took a glance at the envelope Mr. Calixtro was holding. He was afraid that the envelope might contain his information and he might have a clue about his identity as sampaguita. If that’s the case, Lisa will be in danger. He tried to calm himself by pressing his thumb with his pointing finger.

“I won’t ask if I knew.” Mr.Calixtro said and put his hand to the table behind Fernand, cornering him.

“f**k off,” Fernand got startled and pushed Mr.Calixtro. ”s**t” he cursed, his hands trembling in fear and currently weak, making his hand grasp Mr.Calixtro cloth rather than pushing him.

Instead of backing off or flicking Fernand’s hand, Mr.Calixtro leaned closer to Fernand. He looked at his eyes and grinned as he saw Fernand’s eyes trying to avoid him. “Tell me,” he whispered, which gave Fernand an indescribable tingling sensation from his ear.

He moved his head closer to Fernand’s ear, he blew a little on his ear, making Fernand goosebumbs. “H-hey” Fernand stummered. Mr.Calixtro grinned and continued to tease Fernand by putting his nose tip to Fernand’s cheek. As he sniffs Fernand cheek , a citrus sandalwood scent lingers in his nose. He chuckled when he saw his ears turning into red paste.

“s**t!” Fernand cursed. He was about to push him away but his hands were already gripped tightly by Mr.Calixtro. When did he… he struggled hard to pull his hand away yet Mr.Calixtro’s breath touched his skin, making him weaker. “Let g-go,” he said. But Mr.Calixtro didn’t bother to give his words attention. He has no idea why Mr.Calixtro Has such an effect on him, however, he was too occupied to give himself an answer. He was lost in sensation when Mr.Calixtro suddenly asked him, “Did Lisa teach you?”.

Fernand immediately snapped back to reality after hearing his sister’s name. “Lisa?” he asked in confusion.

“Though Lisa wasn't good at guns, she might have taught you, right?” MR.Calixtro asked confidently. He knew himself that his servant was not that good at long range weapons, however,she could have been giving her knowledge to his brother. “But looking at your scores, it's kind of hard to believe,” he added.

Fernand frowned confusedly, “ Lisa did not-” He’s about to correct Mr.Calixtro when his eyes suddenly saw a man standing in front of the entrance. HE got startled that he push Mr.Calixtro with all his might.

Mr.Calixtro fell to the ground , hitting his butt on the floor. “f**k,” he cursed as he felt a pain in his ass. He looked at Fernand with slanted eyes, “What the hell??” he snapped. But he was taken back when Fernand gazed at the entrance. He turned his eyes to where Fernand was looking and gradually stood up to fix his clothes, “Ralph, have you been waiting?” he asked the man.

Ralph nodded, “yes sir,”

“Then, why the f**k didn’t you talked?!” Mr.Calixtro yelled.

Ralph remains silent on his feet. He dared not to talk as he had seen the scene earlier.

“This asshole,” Mr.Calixtro muttered. He sighs and takes the envelope that was dropped on the floor. He shook off dirt from the envelope. “Learn to knock if you don’t want to f*****g talk.”

“Yes, sir.” Ralph answered with his head bowed down.

Mr.Calixtro glared at Fernand before he called Ralph, “what is it?” He asked and gestured his hand to tell Ralph to come closer to them.

Without any words, Ralph walked towards them and reported “Sir, Mayor Batumbakal is here,” Ralph paused and took out a phone, “He was with his son.” he continued.

Fernand raised his eyebrows while listening to the two. Miko’s father is here? Why?.

“Good, “ Mr.Calixtro said and whispered something to Ralph.

Ralph nods his head and heads towards the entrance.

“You.” Mr.Calixtro pointed at Fernand, who was still thinking. “Come with me,” he said and held Fernand’s wrist. Without time to react, Fernand was dragged to the mansion’s office room.

“Sir,” Ralph greeted them as they reached the room. He opened the door allowing the both of them to enter.

The room was quite spacious with an office table and chair in the middle and a sofa in front of it. It almost looks like any office in dramas. Fernand was amazed by the size and decoration of the rooms, though he has been in the Calixtro’s house for quite some time. He still haven't seen every corner of it.

“Batumbakal,” Mr.Calixtro called.

A big man in a white shirt and pants smiled at them, “Mr.Calixtro.”. The greediness on his face can be seen by anyone, including Fernand. Though he has never met Miko’s dad in person except for now. He was not surprised to see that they look much alike and how it works to gain power.

Fernand wondered his eyes to look for Miko. He was sure that Miko was with his father as he said that he was the only connection to this kind of thing. But to his surprise, Miko was not there, instead his quiet and handsome brother was there, sitting on the sofa. Goosebumps suddenly crawled to his body when he met eyes with Miko’s brother. It grinned at him and stood up after. He walked directly towards Calixtro and offered his hand.“Good day, Mr. Calixtro, I’m Lois, nice to meet you.”