Chapter 23 - Chosen ones

Uno was in disbelieved living in this grand mansion. What more— the people he was living with were all unique in their own ways but seemed to be living pretty harmonious. It has been a week since he moved in this mansion but their 'boss' still hadn't showed up.

Uno was looking at his reflection on the placid water of the pool. He was deep in his thought as he was wondering what did he signed up for. Probably due to the betrayal of his foster father, he never let his guard down around his 'housemates'.

"What are you thinking?" Startled at the voice that came from nowhere, Uno almost fell off the pool. Luckily, Leon got a hold of his shirt and pulled him back. Although Leon had a petite body, the way he pulled him back didnt seem he exerted much effort.

"Easy man. Leon didn't mean to scare you... why are you staring at your own reflection in the water anyway? We have mirrors everywhere." Said by the half-n_a_k_e_d man who was perched reposing at the tanning ledge near the pool side with his glasses on.

Uno even with his egotistical attitude still knew that these people aren't ordinary thugs. He too need to admit that they're on a different level than him. Therefore, when he came to this place —he never felt at ease.

Being in this place for a week, Uno didn't understand what this mansion for. He did strolled around the mansion and found out that aside from a few people, no one else lives in this huge mansion. What more is they never trained but only slacked off.

"What is this place? Who are you people? Why are we here?" Uno for the first time spoke his mind.

"This is a big house. We are the chosen ones. We are here hmmm... why are we here again Riggs?" Leon answered him in a trivial manner as he turned his head at the half n_a_k_e_d Riggs who was reposing on the tanning ledge.

"We are here to relax." Riggs answered languidly.

"Ahh. Right, relax." Leon repeated Riggs words as he turned his head to Uno.

"Chosen ones?! Do you think your boss is God to call yourselves chosen ones?" Uno sarcastically sneered at Leon.

"No. He ain't God. And don't listen to Leon he sometimes talks nonsense but you get use to it." Tito said as he entered the pool area with a bucket if beers in his hand, behind him was a tall man wearing a formal black suit.

"You can say that we are... family". Tito continued as he placed the bucket of beers in the near table beside the other tanning ledge. He threw a bottle of beer to Uno which he caught without a problem.

"I don't have a family member that looks like a certain someone." Without turning his head, Riggs commented. Tito threw another bottle of beer in his direction which he caught whilst in his reposed position. On the other hand, the man in a suit quietly perched at another tanning ledge beside Tito.

"Family? Huh..." Uno scoffed as he let out a bitter smile in his face.

'How could they say that easily' He thought.

Without giving much attention to him, Leon stumbled at Tito's direction and grab a bottle of beer.

"Why did you not give me beer?" Leon with his dull expression spoke as if he was wronged.

"You're not good at catching things." Tito said in a matter-factly tone.

"Hey kid, there's still another ledge here. Why don't you join us." Tito invited Uno who was still standing near the pool side. Uno hung his head as a bitter smile crept on his face. No one could blame him to be skeptical about the idea of family or friends. He never had one or rather he never had a real one.

Uno felt he was wasting his time in this place thus, he planned to leave as soon as possible. But before he could leave the pool area he heard the man in suit with a stoic expression spoke.

"To be precise, we are friends for hire. But you'll understand what does it mean someday." He said.

"So we are not the chosen ones anymore but a friends for hire.. I like that Rex." Leon seriously commented as he nod in agreement.

Uno felt those words were silly.

'This people are no doubt strong but lacked of intelligence. They seemed to have no idea what they signed up for.' Uno scoffed as he went straight to his room. He felt that if he stayed another day with those people, he'll might become weird as well. He still have to deal with those serpents. Thinking about his previous organization, Uno's blood boils in anger.