Saving the Villain

"Your old man. Which hospital is he admitted to right now so I can ask someone to transfer him to a better one," Maxen answered monotonously, and frowned when Remo just looked at him blankly. "Bring out the files of Remo and find out where his grandfather is admitted. Transfer him to a better hospital. If you can, make them prioritize him so he recovers faster."

"Of course, we can, sir," replied the person from the other end of the line. "Is that everything you need?"

"Mhm. That's all."

"Alright." The person Maxen was talking to on the phone added, "he's currently in a public hospital. I will make a quick call to the medical director to request a transfer to Global Health Medical Center."

"Good." Maxen rocked his head, a little used by these people's quick and efficient actions. "Send me the details once everything is settled."

"Yes, sir."

With that being said, Maxen hung up after thanking the person. When he looked back at Remo, deep lines resurface in between his brows. He cocked his head to the side.

"What?" Maxen asked with genuine wonder in his voice. "You're not saying anything, so I have to ask them to do it. It's embarrassing to make them wait."

"You…"

"Mhm?" His brows rose as Remo trailed off even before he could relay any message to Maxen.

"You're transferring him to another hospital?"

"Mhm." Maxen nodded indifferently. "Global Health Medical Center. That's what he told me."

"..."

Remo looked at Maxen blankly once again, rendered speechless by that piece of information. But what surprised him was how Maxen appeared while talking on the phone; Maxen looked and sounded different. He was like someone… who held power.

"Why?" Remo blurted out, not dwelling on Maxen's previous demure. "Why are you transferring him — no, how can you afford it? I don't have the money, and you… did your father already support you?"

"Yes." Maxen nodded. "My father supports me in every aspect of life and opened a ton of opportunities for me. Just like last weekend, I had closed a deal, and I earned a lot — an amount I never thought I'd ever had… through legal means. But in case you're mistaking something, I am talking about a different person. A much better, honest, and wise man. Not that man who claimed to be my father, yet his only interest is his own."

There was a strong sense of pride that shone in his eyes as he thought of Conrad. "So, yes, I can afford to fund your grandfather's medical needs from my own pocket, and yes, my dad supports me."

Another wave of silence fell between them, holding each other's gaze. Remo was a bit doubtful, but Maxen just looked trustworthy, and even if they had a complicated relationship, Remo knew one thing. Maxen would never give his words if he didn't mean it. There were many times that proved Maxen adhered to his words, and that was the most annoying thing about him.

"What's the catch?" Remo inquired in a much more tamed voice. "You will not do this out of the goodness of your heart. What do you want in return?"

"You." This time, Maxen's eyes glinted sharply and without a second hesitation, he added, "you said you're willing to make a pact with the devil. Why don't you work for me? You're already in the legal age, so it won't be a problem to hire you."

"What's the job about?" Remo's expression turned solemn. "Am I going to kill someone?"

"Definitely not." Maxen shook his head sideways. "This is a legal job, but it's very important. You might get hurt a bit, but it isn't anything like what those guys do. I hate them to the core and the last thing I want is to become just like them. I don't hurt people for fun or for greed — I can, but definitely for a different reason."

Remo remained silent, wincing as the unknown nervousness crept into his heart. His body was trembling slightly, and these mixed emotions only made his breathing heavy.

"What do I need to do?" he asked, raising his eyes at Maxen again. "If I am sure my old man is transferred to a different and a better hospital, I'd do anything. I won't mind if I get a few scratches here and there."

Maxen rocked his head in satisfaction at seeing the determination in Remo's eyes. This wasn't always Maxen's plan. Although he had been thinking of recruiting Remo just so this guy won't get taken advantage of by the SIN Organization and deliberately cause trouble for him, it wasn't bad. At the very least, Maxen had a much more valid reason now.

Moreover, whether or not Maxen wouldn't admit it, he owed Remo. It might be Remo's decision to take the blame, but Maxen still remembered the fear in this guy's eyes that night. It was the first time Maxen saw fear in Remo's eyes, yet he was more concerned about Maxen than himself.

It might be because of a very different reason, but that night, Remo was the only person who saw Maxen. Not literally, but saw him, in a way Remo made out his way to pull him out of the abyss Maxen thought he would fall in that night.

"Don't think so much about it." Maxen was calm, shifting his eyes on the bed and on the sofa bed right beside it. On it was Cosette and Luke, sleeping soundlessly and innocently. "I just want you to guard those two."

"What?"

"Hiring security will surely not sit well with them, but if their guard is attending the same school as them, then that will feel less awkward, right?" Maxen slowly set his eyes back to Remo. "Aside from those guys from last year, those delinquents today will surely do something. I am always with Cosette, so I'm more worried about Luke since he lives just around the area."

"If you can move into this apartment, that'll be better. If you can't, find a place that is just around the area," he continued solemnly, only to look in Luke's direction again. "Don't make it too obvious, though. He's a bit sensitive and insensitive at the same time, but protects him if I'm not around. He's very important to me."