One Night

Episode 6

(2 days ago…)

Alistair was looking at all the list of bodyguards that was handed to him for review. He leaned his back on his chair and sighed loudly.

“Have you made your choice, sir?”

He looked at his right-hand guy named Min Ho Park and shook his head. He closed the file folder and stood up to walk towards the mini-bar of his office. After he poured whiskey in a glass, he turned around and walked straight to the sofa and sat down.

“I don’t get it, hasn’t Phoenix had enough of all his crazy antics by now?” he said while looking at the glass of whiskey.

“It seems like he still has more up his sleeves, sir,” Min Ho answered.

“I don’t know what to do with Phoenix anymore. How does he f*****g get away from his bodyguard all the time? Is he really that clever or did I just hire dumb idiots?” Alistair muttered angrily.

“I’ve known your brother for quite some time now, sir. And I strongly believe he is very clever. But…”

“But what?”

“If I may, sir?”

Alistair looked at him, “Yeah go ahead, what is it?”

“Have you ever considered sending your brother away to another country so you could focus on the senatorial race?”

Alistair looked up, “even if I’m the president of this country already, I will not send Phoenix away. You need to understand that… and I don’t need to further explain myself.”

Min Ho quietly sighed, “of course, sir. I will find you another list of highly skilled men from other agencies then.”

Alistair didn’t respond anymore. He suddenly thought of something when Min Ho was about to leave his office.

“Hold on, Min Ho.”

His right-hand guy turned around, “Yes, sir?”

“Aren’t you from special forces before? I mean you know people, right? Very highly skilled people?” Alistair asked.

“Well, I do, sir. Do you prefer bodyguards with military training and skills this time?”

“I think that’s the solution to this mischievousness of Phoenix. Someone who is trained more to follow protocols and not be afraid of him. Someone may be more dominating and not scared of him.”

Min Ho suddenly thought of someone, “I’ll see if I can find someone like that sir.”

“Okay. If you find one, let me know right away and we’ll get them started right away.”

“Will do, sir.”

Min Ho left Alistair thinking of his stepbrother Phoenix. He sighed deeply. He remembered the first time he met Phoenix. He sighed, thinking deeply to himself, and sipped his whiskey.

He stood up and walked back to his mahogany desk. He sat back in his chair and turned on his laptop. He opened a software system showing him the security footage of the entire mansion. He picked up his phone and dialed the head butler’s number. It only rang one time and it was answered immediately.

“Hamish…”

“Yes, Master Alistair.”

“Is Nix home now?”

“Unfortunately sir, he hasn’t come home yet.”

“If he is-”

“Oh Sir, Master Phoenix is here now.”

“Tell him to come to my room.”

“Will do, sir.”

He decided to turn off the security camera access and instead waited for a few minutes for his stepbrother to knock on the door. He kept his eyes on the door but minutes passed and there wasn’t any knock.

Alistair got irritated so he opened the security camera access and looked into Phoenix’ room. He saw his brother lying in bed while browsing on his phone. He zoomed in on his stepbrother’s bed and watched him quietly.

“Why did I have to be so proud of myself for telling you what I feel? Now I just want you to be by my side all the time,” he said to himself.

Phoenix sat up and did some stretching of his body. He stood up and suddenly took off his shirt. Alistair was surprised by what he did but he kept his eyes on the screen. He didn’t realize he had been leaning closer to his table when the apple of his eyes was unbuttoning his pants.

He gasped when he saw Phoenix take off his pants. He had to quickly avert his gaze away from the screen. He waited a few minutes and when he turned he saw Phoenix already in bed. Alistair sighed deeply and closed down his laptop. He stood up and walked towards the door to get out.

He walked upstairs and towards Phoenix's room. He knocked on the door lightly but his stepbrother didn’t answer. He opened the door and peeked quietly inside. The room was dark and very quiet.

He went inside and walked quietly towards Phoenix's bed. He sat down at his bedside and watched him sleep. Alistair leaned close to his face and from his distance he could already smell the stink of alcohol on him. He gently held Phoenix’s hand and kissed it.

“Where did you go again at this time of the night, Nix?” he whispered.

He took his time looking at how beautiful he was in his eyes. Alistair brushed the hair that fell on Phoenix's cheek as he slept on his belly all the time.

Alistair chuckled quietly when he heard him snoring softly. He moved closer until he could press his lips on his forehead. He stared at him and brushed the back of his hand on his cheek.

“Phoenix, I lo-...”

He stopped himself before he said the words that could forever take Phoenix away from him. He sighed deeply and instead pulled the duvet to cover his body. He took another look at his stepbrother before he left and closed the door behind him.

(The next morning…)

Min Ho, Alistair’s right-hand man, drove out of town far from the big city. He promised his boss that he would find someone that would be Phoenix's next bodyguard.

He got out of his car an hour later and walked towards the beach shore. He looked around and saw a serene ocean and white sand shore. He walked towards the only beach chair in the middle with its huge umbrella covering whoever was seated on the chair.

Min Ho looked at the person seated, who was reading a book he didn’t understand the writing on.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked, pointing to the empty chair next to the man.

The man looked at the chair and then looked at him, “no. You can have it.”

Min Ho sat down and looked at the ocean gently waving its water towards the shore.

“It’s been a long time,” he said.

The guy kept his eyes on the book he was reading but he answered, “what do you need?”

“I need someone to be a personal bodyguard for my boss’ younger brother. Someone with skills and military training can follow protocols and doesn’t get distracted with anything,” Min Ho said.

He was waiting for the guy to respond but he didn’t say anything. He turned to look at him and saw a gun aimed at him instead.

“What makes you think I’ll give you what you’re looking for just like that?”

He stared at the gun and muttered, “my boss is Alistair Montcroix.”

The man looked at him and slowly withdrew his gun, “your boss has you. Why not guard his younger brother yourself?”

“It’s only going to be temporary. After the senatorial race and Alistair wins the campaign, you can pull out your man. We will pay in advance,” Min Ho said calmly.

The guy snorted, “I stopped doing that a long time ago. You need to find someone else to do that.”

Min Ho just stared at him and then pulled out a check with no written amount on it but only the signature of Alistair Montcroix. He picked up the book the guy was reading and inserted it on one of the pages. He handed the book to the guy but he didn’t take it.

Min Ho sighed, so instead he put it down on his lap, “whatever the cost, just write it down.”

He turned around and was about to walk away when the guy said something that made him stop, “You’re still doing dirty work for Alistair, huh Min Ho?”

He turned around and smiled, “Just send me the details. I’ll make sure Alistair sends you his payment.”

The guy chuckled as he watched Min Ho walk away from him. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“This is destiny after all.”