"It's not what you think, Boss. I just turned on the shower, and he started to freak out," Armani hurried to explain, holding Nixxon tightly, who was now hugging him.
Vernon's eyes locked in on Nixxon's expression and he realized that he really did look scared, and it pissed him off.
"Take his clothes off," Vernon said, leaning beside the door, his brooding presence dominating the room.
Armani nodded, "Yes, boss." He faced Nixxon, "I've turned off the water; you can sit still now," He said to Nixxon, steadying him on the stool.
"I need to take off your clothes," Armani pointed to Nixxon's hospital shirt and pointed to his clothes, pulling his shirt halfway up to show Nixxon what he meant.
"No -"
"You have a death wish, you -"
"B-boss..." Armani protectively stood in front of Nixxon, who was hugging his arm, scared.
"Please, calm down, boss; you know he has amnesia, and scaring him would make it worse. If you want to get any information out of him, I suggest you let him heal. I've promised to help, and I'll keep to my words," Armani reasoned.
Vernon scowled, seething in anger and frustration. "He's testing my patience, Armani; he should be dead by now. You know this," He growled, glaring at Nixxon, who shrank further away from him.
"I know, cousin, but he's a different case... If he's really Raja's man, then you've got a huge advantage on your side; you can't risk losing him; just go; I'll bring him out in a minute," Armani suggested, looking at Vernon's cold face.
Vernon glared at Nixxon, his eyes filled with malice. He clenched his jaws and stormed out of the bathroom.
Armani sighed, turning to see Nixxon's pale face. He was about to say something when he heard a loud growl from Nixxon's tummy.
"You're hungry?" Armani touched Nixxon's stomach and pointed to his mouth, "Food?" He questioned.
Nixxon understood Armani's question; he was dying of hunger. "Yes, food." He nodded.
"Okay, let's hurry with the shower. I'll find you food to eat." Armani pointed at the shower above.
Nixon suddenly shook his head and pointed to the side of his neck, "No, water hurt," He replied.
Armani's eyes widened when he realized that Nixxon's skin looked like it was scalding, "Damn, but the water wasn't even hot, just a bit warm," He stared at Nixxon in shock, not knowing what to think of his reaction.
"Cold water," Nixxon mentioned while pointing at the shower.
"Oh? Oh! I understand you don't like hot water; you prefer cold water, fine. Then, let's get you out of your clothes, okay?" Armani asked, making sure his eyes were calm as he stared at Nixxon.
Nixxon nodded, "Okay." He replied.
After a successful but weird shower, Nixxon found himself sitting on his small bed, dressed in white clothing; the shirt was quite loose and loose pants.
"Okay, so..." Armani looked at Nixxon and then at the door.
"Damn. Okay, let's go." He went and lowered himself in front of Nixxon, turning his head to the side so he could speak to him.
"Arm around my neck." Armani raised his hands above his head to show him the part of the body he was talking about.
Nixxon quietly placed his arms around Armani's neck; he blinked in confusion when Armani raised his legs and wrapped them around his waist.
"Hold on tight," Armani said, grunting as he stood with Nixxon's weight pressing down behind him.
Nixxon understood that Armani was trying to help him move around, so he held on tightly, but not too tightly; common sense told him that he'd be choking the young man if he held him tightly.
Nixon was staring at the white walls as Armani carried him down the stairs; he wondered if Vernon hated colors too; maybe he hated people and colors. Nixxon concluded that Vernon was officially a bad human.
He started to tense as he started to see the familiar living room; it meant that he was soon going to meet with Vernon again, and he didn't want to.
"Oh my, would you look at that, Baby? How pathetic. I think he's pretending. Amnesia doesn't make anyone forget how to walk; look how stupid he looks," Linda pointed to Nixxon as she sat beside Vernon on the sofa.
Vernon, who was busy looking at his phone, immediately raised his head after hearing Linda's words.
He stood, staring at Nixxon as he tried his best to hide his face from him.
"Drop him," Vernon said, watching Nixxon closely.
Armani nodded and walked over to place Nixxon down on a couch, but Vernon stopped him by blocking his path.
"I said, drop him, on his damn feet," Vernon's face was set hard, his dark eyes piercing right through Nixxon.
"He can't -"
"Drop him!" Vernon barked, angry veins popping out on the sides of his neck.
"Just drop him already, Armani; I don't know how you can carry that criminal; don't make Vernon suspect you, or are you working with the enemy now?" Linda asked, her voice cunning and suggestive.
"Don't be crazy, Linda. Fine, I'm going to drop you now, Nixxon. Ready to come down?" Armani asked, turning his head to look at Nixxon.
Nixxon gulped, his chest already vibrating with how hard his heart was pounding. "Yes," He replied.
Vernon didn't move; he stood beside Armani, watching as he slowly lowered Nixxon's feet to the floor.
Nixxon didn't let go of Armani's neck; he knew he'd fall if he did so.
Armani sighed and gently turned to face Nixxon while holding his hands, "I'm going to let go of your hand -"
"Leave him already." Linda suddenly drew Armani away from Nixxon, causing gravity to pull Nixxon sideway, right into Vernon's arms.
Vernon wasn't expecting the fall toward him. Instinctively, he reached out his arms and caught the person falling toward him, feeling two smooth arms around his neck.
"Ah!" Nixxon grunted as his nose collided with Vernon's broad chest; blood oozed out, and his face was red.
Vernon was frozen in place; he couldn't explain what he felt as Nixxon's arms wrapped around the skin of his neck; all he knew was that the urge to push him away wasn't there anymore; it was more of a strange curiosity and confusion.
Linda was surprised when she noticed that Vernon wasn't making any moves to push Nixxon away, so she made a move.
"Get off him, you bastard." She went and drew Nixxon's arm off of Vernon's neck, pushing him onto the sofa.
"You idiot!" Linda raised his hand to slap Nixxon, who was still trying to understand what was going on, but Vernon held her hand from behind, stopping her.
"Enough, Linda. Leave; I need to discuss something confidential," Vernon said, his eyes not leaving Nixxon's scared face; the blood had dripped onto his white shirt, staining it.
Nixxon looked tired, and for some strange, annoying reason, Vernon wanted to give him a break for a second.
"You're sending me away because of this -"
"Linda!" Vernon's voice thundered all over the room, scaring Linda.
"Linda, just go," Armani warned, seeing the darkened look in Vernon's eyes; he knew Linda was about to see the other side of Vernon if she didn't obey him.
Linda's lips wobbled as tears brimmed her eyes; she scowled at Nixxon before stomping out of the house.
"Damon and Dane," Vernon said in a quiet voice.
Armani immediately nodded and slid his phone out of his pocket. "He's asked for you." He simply spoke into the phone and ended the call.
The living room was quiet after the call; Vernon's eyes hadn't left Nixxon since Linda left, and his curiosity was growing each minute.
He started to question if he'd really made the right choice by bringing Nixxon home; what if he was really a nobody? He should have just left him to die, but now Nixxon had become his problem, a liability.
A growl suddenly came from Nixxon's tummy, making him snap his head to Vernon in fear.
"Not me... here," Nixxon pointed to his tummy, looking at Armani for help.
Vernon was less concerned; he didn't care if he ate or not; it wasn't his problem; the only thing he wanted from Nixxon was a freaking confession.
"He's hu-"
"It's not my problem," Vernon cut Armani off.
"Yes, boss," Armani replied and walked away.
Nixxon grabbed Armani's hand as he was about to walk past him, shaking his head at him before glancing over at Vernon.
"He won't hurt you, I promise, he needs you...alive." He tapped Nixxon's head before leaving.
Nixxon was left with Vernon, who was staring at him with dark and deep gray eyes; he looked away from him, staring down at his non-functional legs, and felt like the room was closing in on him due to how intense Vernon's eyes were.
Vernon had two thoughts: shoot Nixxon and kill him once and for all, or follow the doctor's advice.
Following the doctor's advice was the more feasible option. Rajas were hard to trace, and if Nixxon was really one of their men, then he needed to keep him alive.
Nixxon might just be the key to his key to many years of plotting his revenge.