Chapter 5: Chapter 5

BLUE

My eyes flutter open slowly as I wake up. They feel extremely dry. And my face hurts. 

“You’re awake.” 

I tense right away at the cold, low voice as my eyes widen. I turn my head and I see him… Zero, the gang leader. He is sitting beside the bed on an armchair, smoking. I immediately sit up but regret it as I feel a rush of discomfort. 

I remember now. Well, most of it. Getting attacked by Terry and Zero… he saved me. Then, I passed out. I glance around the large bedroom with its expensive looking furniture. Zero… did he bring me back to his place? Why did he help me? 

I glance back at the intimidating man who is still smoking calmly while looking at me with his dark eyes. The air between us is awkward. But I know I have to say something. 

“Thank you.” I whisper. 

Zero inhales another puff and simply nods. “I owed you.” He glances at his bandaged arm, which is visible since his sleeves are rolled up. “I do not like owing anyone. Call us even.”

Ah… so that was why he helped me. Even though he hates trouble.

I nod, accepting it. “I… should go.” I say quietly, feeling like it is not safe to stay here another second. I do not want to overstay and annoy this man. After all, he is my boss and someone very dangerous. 

My eyes widen when Zero puts out the cigarette in the ashtray on the table and stands up before approaching the bed. I shrink back instinctively. His next words make me speechless.

“Take a shower first and have breakfast outside. Nic prepared some new clothes for you. They are in the bathroom. After that, Nic will send you home.”

“Uh…” What? I am completely baffled. He is making me feel like a guest which feels weird…

Zero does not even give me a chance to say anything or ask questions. He turns and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.  

This man… maybe he is less scary than he seems? 

x.x.x

After showering and changing into clothes which really fit me, I have an extremely awkward and quiet breakfast with Nic sitting opposite me. He just sips his coffee and uses his phone. I do not see Zero anywhere and I wonder where he went. I do not dare to ask. 

As I eat, I use the chance to glance around the large house. Everything looks expensive and there are guards standing everywhere! Well, it is expected of a mafia leader’s house.

When I am done eating, a staff comes out and takes my plate away politely. Nic instructs me to follow him out of the house. I quickly put on my shoes which have been left by the main door. Nic leads me to an expensive black two-seater Audi. “Get in.” He tells me as he slides into the driver’s seat.

I quickly comply. Although Nic seems nicer than Zero, he still works for a gang so I do not want to piss him off either. As Nic starts the car, I wear my seatbelt and decide to ask hesitantly. “Um… Boss Zero…”

“Zero has other matters to attend.” Nic answers me quietly. “If you have something to say to him, you can tell me.” 

“Oh. Well, I just wanted to thank him again for saving me.” I say in a small voice. 

Nic glances at me and eventually nods. “I will pass the message. Here, these are painkillers and antiseptic cream prescribed by the doctor. Keep them.” Nic reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out a small plastic bag from the pocket within. 

I take it with a soft thank you. Nic starts the car and I do not dare to say anything more. The drive is a quiet one and I keep my gaze out the window, my hands clutching the plastic bag. 

But when Nic exits the expressway, I frown slightly. “Errr Nic, my apartment building is that way…” We seem to be heading towards the club?

“Sending you to your new place instead.” Nic answers.

WHAT?! I am in shock and very confused. “What new place?” 

“It is a condominium owned by Zero, near the club. Some of our staff live there including Dash and Palm. We had your stuff packed and moved there last night by some men.” Nic answers but it does not really feel like an answer! I mean, why am I being moved there out of the blue?! 

Nic glances at me. “Zero says it is part of repaying his debt to you. Besides, I do not think your current place is safe, right? Especially with your ex still looking for you. Our building has security.” 

I am still shocked even with the explanation. Especially when Nic’s car reaches an extremely extravagant looking condominium! 

“I can’t afford this place…” I shake my head as Nic parks the car at the carpark. 

“Don’t worry. Since you work for us, rent is part of your staff welfare. You will need to pay for utilities on your own.” Nic informs me. “Now come on, I have another meeting to attend to. I will show you up and that’s it.”

“I…” I wanted to protest a little further but Nic’s impatient look quickly gets me scrambling out of the car and following him into the condominium building. 

I guess I have a new place to stay from now on. 

ZERO 

I swipe my iPad screen, checking through the accounts of all our gambling dens that Guy sent me this morning. After the nuisance created by Tak’s gang last night, I wanted to check out the accounts to ensure everything is in order. I know our dens have been earning more than Tak’s and he has been sour about it. I tighten my jaw, knowing I will need to deal with Tak soon if he gets more brazen. 

There is a knock of my office door, making me look up. “Come in.” 

Nic enters and greets me with a nod. “Boss.” 

You are reading story [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue at novel35.com

“Is he settled in?” I ask as I set my iPad down and pick up my cigarette box instead. 

I gestured for Nic to sit down in one of the chairs before my desk. Nic nods and sits down as I light up a cigarette. 

“Blue is settled in one of the apartments in the condominium building.” Nic answers me. “Boss, can I ask a question?” 

I raise a brow but allow it since Nic has never bothered me with a stupid question before. “Go ahead.” 

“Why… are you so nice to the kid?” Nic asks, with some caution to his tone. 

I pause in smoking my cigarette. “You think so?” I ask back.

Nic nods slowly. “Are you offended, Boss? I am sorry if I asked...” 

I shake my head as I put out my cigarette. “It’s fine.”

Nic’s question got me thinking again. It has been bothering me since this morning. 

Why am I so nice to the kid? I have repaid my debt by saving him yesterday from his loser ex-boyfriend. It could have stopped there. Yet I brought the kid back to my own private place and even hugged him to sleep when he cried. 

The most troubling thing is, I actually slept properly, with my guard down. When I woke up this morning, the kid was still in my arms, face in my chest and I was smelling his hair which smelled good and comforting.

I felt rested but bothered. I do not want to develop a soft spot for some unknown kid. I quickly got away and took a shower to clear my head. After getting dressed, I was all ready to send Blue away but Nic came over. He reported that our intel said Tak’s men saw me in their territory last night and how I personally carried Blue into my car. 

I could send Blue back to his old apartment in Tak’s territory. Yet that tiny part of me started telling me it won’t be right. He might be targeted by Tak’s men, with them thinking he belongs to me. Belong to me. Once again, I feel conflicted by the idea. So to my own surprise, I end up ensuring the kid gets fed and a new place to stay in my territory. 

I keep telling myself - This is the extent of it. I can’t develop a soft spot for some kid. I do not get attached to anyone or anything. So getting him a safer place to stay is the last thing I would do. I would not get involved anymore. 

“I just wanted to repay the kid once and for all. I am not being nice to him.” I say to Nic who nods, accepting my answer. Why does it feel like I am convincing myself instead?

However, I have one last thing about Blue to ask Nic. “The kid’s ex. What happened to him?”

“When our men went to the apartment to pack Blue’s stuff, his ex was gone.” Nic answers. “Do you want me to deal with him?” 

“No. He is not our business. I need you to schedule a meeting with Tak for me. I think I need to set some things straight.” I move on to business right away to focus away from the kid. 

At this, Nic does not even look surprised. “I will get it done right away, Boss.”

BLUE

“Fuck! I am going to kill the bastard!!!” Bew yells after seeing my face.

I quickly grab his arm to stop him from rushing out of my new apartment. I called my best friend over since he was so worried that I did not reply to any of his texts last night. “Bew, wait.. Wait! Please! I am okay!”

Bew gives me an incredulous look. “How are you okay?! He attacked you again, Blue! As your friend, I can’t just let this go!” 

“Yes, but I am fine now. I told you the Boss helped me…” 

At my words, Bew calms down a little and lets me explain. I tell him everything, but purposely leaving out the part of Zero being injured and me tending to his wound. I do not want to get into trouble with a gang for spreading such news. I make it sound like Zero saw me waiting for a taxi and offered me a ride out of kindness. 

When I am done explaining, including how I get this new apartment, Bew is more amazed than agitated now. “Seriously, I think you’re one lucky guy to have a mafia leader save you and make sure you have a new place to stay. Well, this place is hell a lot better than the crap box you were living in.” 

I glance around the two bedroom condominium unit which is fully furnished. My minimal stuff is in two boxes by the door which I have yet to unpack. “Yeah I guess…”

“But are you sure you do not need me to kick Terry’s ass? I can go look for him.” Bew scowls. 

I quickly shake my head. “Please don’t. Besides, I think the punch he received yesterday was enough. It knocked him out. I think he will stay away for awhile.” I still remember how effortlessly Zero delivered that swift and ferocious punch. 

“Well… you’re not like… part of the gang now, are you?” Bew asks cautiously. 

“What? No! I am still just a bartender for the club. Um, I told you. The boss is a nice guy, well sort of, despite his status.” 

Bew shrugs. “Maybe, I would never know. No one other than Nic and his gang members have really seen him. Well, there’s only you.” 

“Oh.” Why does that make me feel kind of special? And with him being so nice to me… 

I shake my head. I didn’t want to think about Zero anymore. Before Nic left, he said that since Zero has repaid his debt, I am not to bother the boss anymore. I could just continue working at the club as per normal and stay out of trouble. 

I decide to change the subject with Bew to shift my thoughts away. “I called you here to help me unpack and enjoy my new apartment alright. We can order some food and chill since we are both not working tonight.” 

Bew sighs. “Anything for you, buddy. But are you sure you’re okay?” 

Suddenly, I find myself thinking of Zero again. I am safe now because of him. “Yeah, more than okay.” 

You can find story with these keywords: [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue, Read [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue, [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue novel, [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue book, [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue story, [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue full, [BL] Club Monday – Zero x Blue Latest Chapter