Chapter 26
With that, she walked straight to her car, opened the door, and got in without looking back.
About half an hour later, Aline arrived at the funeral home-the place where her parents’ ashes were kept. She stood silently, staring at the urn nestled inside the display case.
A national flag lay draped neatly over the top.
“Mom, Dad,” she murmured, “I used to think Clayton owed you both an apology. I even wanted him to come here and pay his respects… to say he was sorry. But now… I realize it’s not necessary, is it?”
The only reply was the quiet stillness of the room.
She bowed deeply, reverently, before the urn.
“Just a little longer,” she whispered. “I’ll take you home soon.”
“You’re leaving?” came a voice suddenly from behind her.
Startled, Aline turned-and was met with the familiar, striking face of Mitch.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, clearly surprised.
“Well,” Mitch said with a small smile, “since you turned down my secretary, I figured I’d come invite you myself.”
Aline’s lips tightened slightly. If Mitch had shown up in person, it seemed dinner tonight was no longer optional.
He glanced at the names beneath the urns. “These are your parents?”
Arturo, Nita.
“They are,” she nodded.
“Not just anyone gets a national flag draped over their urn,” he said. “They must’ve been extraordinary.”
“They were ordinary people,” Aline said quietly, “but also martyrs.”
Her parents had served in the military for three decades. From the moment they enlisted, they knew sacrifice might come with the job.
As a child, she used to be terrified something would happen to them. She would throw tantrums, cry her heart out, and beg them to quit the army.
She remembered Arturo holding her close, saying, “Aline, your mom and I serve because we believe in something. We’re not just protecting our family-we’re protecting a bigger family. That family is our country.”
It wasn’t until she was older that she finally understood what he meant. What it meant to have true conviction.
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That was why she’d chosen the National Defense Academy. Why, after graduation, she followed in her parents’ and brother’s footsteps and joined the military.
If it weren’t for the news of her parents’ deaths, she’d probably still be a soldier today.
“Well, since you came in person, Mr. Fuentes… let’s go,” Aline said softly. She turned back toward the urn and added, “Mom, Dad, I’ll come visit again soon.”
She turned to leave, but noticed Mitch was still standing there.
“You’re not-” she began, but stopped short.
He had already stepped forward, coming to stand in front of her parents’ urns. Then, without a word, he bowed deeply.
Aline was stunned.
Mitch’s expression was solemn. Each bow was slow, deliberate, and full of respect.
Only when he’d finished did he turn and walk over to her.
“Let’s go,” he said quietly.
She opened her mouth, hesitating. “Why did you…”
“You mean the bow?” Mitch replied. “They were martyrs. It’s what they deserve.”
An emotion stirred in Aline-one she couldn’t quite name.
People always said Mitch was crazy-volatile, unpredictable. She’d seen it firsthand. She remembered the time he sub- dued a man who tried to kill him, then held a gun to the guy’s temple without a second thought, completely ignoring the law.
And yet, just moments ago, that same man had shown her parents the deepest respect.
The one who should have done that… was Clayton.
But in the end, it was Mitch who did.
As they exited the funeral home, a sleek black Maybach was already waiting at the curb. The moment they stepped outside, a bodyguard opened the rear door.
They got in, and Mitch took Aline to a private dining club.
“Have you been here before, Ms. Moore?” Mitch asked casually.
“No,” she replied.
“The food’s pretty good. You should give it a try,” he said.
Soon, an array of beautifully prepared dishes was brought to the table. Without much small talk, Aline started eating.
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Partly because she was genuinely hungry-and partly because the sooner she finished, the sooner she could leave.
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Thanks to her years in the military, she’d developed the habit of eating quickly. Once she felt about 80% full, she set her fork down and glanced up-only to find her gaze resting on Mitch’s hands.
They were striking: long, elegant fingers holding fork with a natural grace. There was something oddly captivating
about them.
Beautiful, but sharp-like a weapon wrapped in silk.
Even the fork looked like it could become deadly in his hands.
“Ms. Moore, you’ve been staring at my hands for a while. Is something wrong with them?” Mitch asked lightly, as if making idle conversation.
“No,” she said honestly. “I just think they’re… very beautiful.”
Like a perfectly polished weapon, she thought, but didn’t say aloud.
“Is that so?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Then if I happen to die before you, I’ll have them cut off and preserved as a specimen. I’ll make sure they’re delivered to you.”
Cue choking.
Aline nearly spat out her water. She coughed hard, grabbed the lemonade at her side, and took a sip before finally managing, “Mr. Fuentes, you’re joking… right?”
“I’m not,” he said matter-of-factly.
She stared at him, momentarily stunned. She thought, ‘Is he seriously planning to have his hands sent to me after death?
‘Who even thinks like that?’
People called Mitch crazy-and right now, she was starting to get it.
“No need,” she said quickly. “I prefer hands that are… still attached. Not cold, lifeless specimens.”
“That’s a shame,” he said thoughtfully. “I thought it would be a meaningful way to express my gratitude.”
Aline was once again at a loss for words.
“I’ve already told you,” she said, regaining her composure, “if you really want to thank me, donate a Hope Elemen- tary.”
At her words, Mitch raised his hand slightly. A nearby bodyguard stepped forward and handed Aline a folder.
She opened it-and froze.
It was a completed donation certificate for a Hope Elementary.
In that short span of time, Mitch had already finalized the entire donation. Now all that was left was for the local gov-
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ernment to build the school.
“If you want to rename it, now’s the time,” he said. “You could even put your name on it.”
“No need,” Aline said softly, her gaze falling to the document. A genuine smile curved her lips. “Thank you.”
That simple, heartfelt smile made Mitch pause.
Her
eyes, clear and bright, held none of the usual calculation he was so used to seeing.
All that over a school donation.
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He’d met more than his share of people who chased fame and fortune-people who tried every trick in the book to win his favor, hoping to shortcut their way to success.
But Aline didn’t want any of that.
So he wondered, ‘What does she want?’
“Ms. Moore,” he said suddenly, “are you interested in becoming my bodyguard?”
“…What?” Aline blinked. “You want me to be your bodyguard?”
“You’ve got skills-and you already saved my life once. I think you’d be perfect for the job,” he said. “If you’re willing, name your price.”
“Sorry,” Aline said, shaking her head. “I’ve already joined Wonder Tech, and I don’t plan on changing jobs anytime soon.”
