The next morning I woke up hearing barks and grunts downstairs.

And guess what I came to look at?

An annoyed large man with a machine gun and a dog biting his pants.

It isn’t every day you’ll come to see a muscled man troubled by a 3 times smaller enemy than his size.

Curious, I decided to watch the two of them fight each other back. I leaned on the railings as I rest my chin in my hand to properly witness the show.

They are so entertaining watching from above.

It made me think of a little girl tugging on a large man’s shorts, forcing him to wear a flower crown on his head.

That moment is too precious to think of now.

For a brief moment, I think that somehow, aside from me, the dog made him unaware of what to do.

Like he doesn’t know whether to hold it, grab it or tame it.

Though his annoyance is clearly visible as the dog won’t let go of the fabric no matter how he move and where he tries to go.

I am very sure he won’t shoot, but I started walking downstairs when he decided to aim his gun at my little friend who got terrified in a few minutes, but returned to bite on his pants.

Brave.

And stupid.

“Seemed like you are already welcomed entering the house.”

With a faint smile not fading from the early show, I nod at him before walking towards the kitchen, only to meet a different scenery.

Last night, I remembered feeding the dog the moment we went home. But I am sure I didn’t place his plate in front of the refrigerator. And the kitchen is not messy last night like it is now.

I gritted my teeth and shake my head.

That dog definitely knows how to steal food— and mess up a kitchen.

I think I’ve found someone to look over now.

I am picking the scattered milk box and crackers on the floor to put it in the trashcan when I notice German’s big shoes and the dog entering the kitchen.

“Looks like I am not the only one troubled by the visitor in the house,” he said and sat at his usual chair.

I wiped the poured milk on the floor and stood up to throw the litter, then washed my hands.

“Found him in the middle of the sea,” I said as a matter of fact.

I looked at German and meet his curious eyes.

“No matter how I am curious about why you are in the middle of the ocean last night, I, in my humblest self, will not ask more about that adventure of yours,”

Respecting personal boundaries over self-interest.

Here he is again, making his reasons weigh heavier than his curiosity.

I fixed my gaze at the dog who is looking at me and back to the man he is biting a while ago. His ears are up and his head is slightly tilted.

Feeling my eyes on him, he turned to look at me, then wiggled his tail.

I sigh and tore my eyes at him and proceed to reach a cup, placing everything needed on it to create a black coffee.

I then turned to German and place the cup in front of him.

Suddenly the dog barked and I look at him with a frown on my face. It barked again, and then I thought of why he is barking.

Grabbing the milk and cereal, I place the plate a few meters away from German’s feet. And the dog immediately walks to attack it.

“I was riding my motorcycle last night, saw something, then decided to go fishing,” I said to provide something for his curiosity.

He just sipped on his cup, his eyes wandered somewhere for a minute. He placed his cup back on the table again, before talking about someone I do not intend to hear.

“Sir Luther ended the event successfully last night,” he started talking with that man being the topic again.

I caught him taking a glimpse of me.

“even with a nuisance doing some show again,”

I wasn’t particular about what was he is talking about. Or who is that nuisance he is referring to.

Lies.

I know it is me.

And I know what show he is referring to.

I shrugged and continued staring at the eating dog.

“He seems to love spotlight too much, maybe that nuisance thought of stealing her fair share of the spotlight too. ”

“Sure that nuisance is contented of the spotlight she gained last night. And all the spotlight she gained on the past years,” he said, raising his cup on me as if giving a toast.

I stare blankly at him and he gently placed his cup back in its place. The grin on his face is noticeable and it is hard for me not to roll my eyes on him.

The nuisance has a lot of reasons to not get tired of provoking, I doubt she’ll end sooner.

Will I end sooner?

No.

“Why are you here?” I asked him.

He raised his foot on the other chair and made himself more comfortable in my kitchen.

“I wanted to have a coffee,” he simply said.

He is always here every morning. He is here when he wants to eat lunch. He is sometimes here to watch a movie. He is here to cook some breakfast. He is here to just lay on the couch. He is mostly here because he just wants to. But I still always ask him why he is here in my house, because I just want to too.

And today he is here to grab a coffee. Great.

But at least he is here.

“And to also remind you to attend your class today,” he added.

Yes, I am studying. Homeschooled. Tutors go to my house to teach me, but honestly, they are just for formality because it is me who teach myself some things. Sometimes they are offended by how I do not listen to them talking and preaching things, but I couldn’t care more.

Besides, I am giving them the opportunity to earn without wasting their saliva, they should thank me.

Though I’m worried I cannot even be attentive with them saying their thank-yous because I am always too occupied with the things going on my mind and the agendas I had to do, that no normal student could lend time to.

Anyway, whatever complaint they have, they still give me high grades so that isn’t a problem on my part.

I only attend meetings and orders when I want to. And that want is when it is really needed for me to go. Reason why I have time to study.

Besides, I consider not having any real connection with their leader, and I dare to say I am not a fan of his precious mafia because it is a product of him.

And I loathe everything he has now.

He had to let go of everything he has before to be this man who has everything now.

How rude of him to just leave things behind.

And how bitter life is to take what’s all I have.