The Blue Eyes

Chapter 8 - PARTNER IN CRIME

A new pair of friends, they both labeled their relationship as friends. Even though they were unwilling and there was a feeling of reluctance, in the end, it was the label that was embedded to describe the relationship between the two. Even though they were like Tom and Jerry that argued every second and every minute, but they still insisted to call themselves friends.

Tick ??tock tick tock, the hands of the clock continued to move, but the two mouths still not produced any sound to break the silence between them. The atmosphere around them was not completely silent. The roar of car engines adorned the streets, the sound of people talking to each other was also heard around them, but they still chose to keep the quiet atmosphere between them.

The two espresso cups in front of them were also still untouched as if they didn't care for the money they had paid to the famous coffee shop's cashier. Yeah, La Tazza was one of the famous coffee shops in the city. They were also famous for their expensive coffees.

"So..." One of the two men finally opened his mouth, causing another man to finally looked up and averted his eyes from his still untouched coffee cup. "You and Blue were the victims of the war seventeen years ago?" He asked after getting the attention of the man sitting across from him at one of the shop tables.

Kevin, the man who had just been asked a question, finally took the first sip of his espresso. "I don't feel the obligation to tell you anything," he said arrogantly.

Kris, the man who grunted in annoyance after hearing Kevin's answer, now also started sipping the expensive drink in his cup. "You act like we both are strangers after you asked me to eavesdrop on the conversation between Blue and the head of the orphanage?" He asked no less arrogant.

"Who asked you to eavesdrop?" Kevin snapped back in a slightly raised tone. "The two of us just accidentally overheard them talking today. We were not eavesdropping," he insisted defensively.

Kris only shrugged at the defense. "Whatever it is, we have just become partners in crime. Can you tell a little so I don't die of curiosity?" He also continued to insist.

"Wouldn't it be better if you just die?" Replied Kevin in a sarcastic tone.

The two tall men didn't look like new friends, they looked like old friends who were so close that they didn't hesitate to drop formalities and politeness. Whether they realized it or not, but they even on a first-name basis since the first time they met.

They even looked like a couple who had been married for a long time and kept bickering all the time. Who would believe if the two of them only knew each other's name last night?

Seeing Kris staring at him with a murderous gaze, Kevin finally gave in. "Yes, Blue and I were victims of the war seventeen years ago," he began to explain. "My parents are a pair of scientists who specifically research werewolves. At that time, they were struggling to find an antidote that could be used to return the werewolf form to humans, but suddenly a group of werewolves came to attack their laboratory. The soldiers on duty were forced to blow up the place because the werewolves were out of control."

"Your parents died in that explosion?" Kris guessed what Kevin's story would follow.

The one who was asked nodded slowly. "Yes," he replied. "They were both in a state of urgency and could not escape. Finally, they gave instructions to the soldiers to blow up the place."

Kris nodded in understanding. "Your parents were willing to sacrifice themselves. They are the real hero, aren't they?"

Kevin just smiled wryly at the question. "I still prefer them to be by my side now than the title of hero attached to them," he replied.

"I understand," Kris chimed in. "But, it's good that you are still alive until this moment and have the opportunity to continue what they haven't had the chance to finish."

This time, it was Kevin's turn to nod in agreement. "You're right, but I almost became a victim in that incident," he said. That narrative made Kris gaze at him in confusion, so he continued, "I was ten years old back then, still didn't understand what danger was. When I heard the news that my parents' laboratory was attacked, without thinking I ran towards the place. But, on the way, I saw a female werewolf who was crying and begging for mercy from the human soldiers. I don't know what pushed me back then, but I tried to protect that woman. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers didn't want to listen to me. He just threw my body and then killed the woman cruelly. I feel so sorry for that woman. I don't think all werewolves are bad, and that woman is one of them."

Unbeknownst to Kevin, Kris's right hand, which was neatly stored under the table, began to clench into a fist. There was a reaction hidden under the table, but the tall man's face remained calm as if nothing happened.

"But, I thank that woman. If I didn't see the woman crying and I didn't intend to help her, maybe I would have died because of the explosion together with my parents. If it weren't for that woman, I wouldn't be able to continue my parents' unfinished work."

This time, a very faint lopsided smile appeared on Kris's lips. "At least, you get a blessing on the werewolf disaster," he said later.

Kevin just shrugged and went back to drink his coffee, which was now cold.

"Then, what about Blue? Is it true that she is the child of illegal immigrants who also died during the war seventeen years ago?" Kris asked again, this time about Blue.

The man who was asked the question put his coffee cup back on the table before answering, "Nobody knows about that. At that time, Blue was still a baby and there wasn't any clue that stuck to her body. The story about illegal immigrants was only an assumption made by people. They don't want to bother to find out the background of a baby which for them does not provide any benefits."

Kris nodded his head a few times, then asked again, "Then, how about you? Didn't you investigate Blue's background?"

Kevin looked at Kris slightly before he replied firmly, "What is the importance of Blue's past? Blue grew up with me since she was a baby, so to me her family is me. I don't care what her background is like. I only care about Blue who has been with me for seventeen years."

Kevin's answer made Kris a little stunned. He looked at Kevin's eyes and found solemnity in those brownish shades. Afterward, he sighed and took a sip of his coffee for a moment before he said, "Honestly, I'm interested in Blue."

This time, it was Kevin who was shocked by Kris's answer. "You like Blue?" He asked in a slightly raised tone.

But, Kevin's question only made Kris chuckled. "Being interested and liking are two different things for me," he replied between his laughter. "I'm attracted to Blue's life, in her character which I think is unique. I'm not a pedophile who likes a teenager who is ten years younger than me," he added at the end.

Kevin heaved a sigh of relief after hearing Kris's honest answer. He now acted like a father who was very protective of his daughter.

"With such an attractive character, I wonder why no one wants to adopt Blue."

Kris's words managed to win Kevin's attention once again. "Do you think so?" He asked, and Kris answered with a nod. "Blue does have a cold and aloof attitude, but she deserves foster parents. I wish my foster parents were willing to adopt her as well when they adopted me. Unfortunately, they only wanted to adopt a son."

Kris nodded after hearing the scientist's opinion. "What if I adopted Blue?" He asked.

The question sounded like lightning in broad daylight to Kevin. "What? You want to adopt Blue? Are you married? Can you take care of her and educate her well? You're not going to ask her to push the car when your car broke down, are you?"

Kris looked down at Kevin with a condescending gaze after hearing the series of questions that sounded so irritating to him. "Can't you ask me better questions?" He asked back.

"Just answer," Kevin replied indifferently. His hands were neatly crossed in front of his chest as if he were challenging his interlocutor.

"I'm like talking to a child," said Kris while shaking his head in disbelief. "The first answer, yes, I want to adopt Blue. Second, I'm not married. Third, I believe I can take care of her and educate her well. And fourth, have I ever asked someone to push my car when it broke down?"

Kevin rolled his eyes at Kris's fourth answer. Was the tall man amnesia or just pretending to be amnesia?

"Financially, are you able to provide for Blue's needs?" Asked Kevin again.

Now Kris was imitating Kevin's gesture, he was also crossing his two big arms in front of his chest. "I have a big shipyard in the seaside harbor. I have never really counted my money, but I think I'm rich," replied the man with full of pride.

'Shipyard? Oh, it's no wonder he compared car engines with ship engines last night,' Kevin thought.

Kevin pondered Kris's tantalizing offer. He was indeed very worried about Blue's future, which was still unclear. He felt that he couldn't afford to adopt Blue, so he needed someone who wanted to adopt Blue and could guarantee Blue's future.

And, after thinking for a long time, Kevin finally decided, "Okay, you may adopt Blue."