77

"So, you made off with the money?"

After listening attentively to Oliv's memories, it was time for Lexton to respond by asking a question.

The Alpha listened very well from start to finish, occasionally widening his bead or tilting his head throughout Oliv's story.

Like what Lexton had said before, the man was truly a good listener and brother to one of his fighters.

Oliv breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the end of the story. He thought he had forgotten the story, but it turned out that none of it had escaped his memory about him and Joaquin.

"I did bring the money," Oliv replied, his head now rising slowly. "But there was something I didn't tell Joaquin, that my parents died and left me with too much debt."

Again the Alpha widened his bead. He didn't seem surprised really, it was just that he hadn't expected Oliv to experience all those things at such a young age.

Looking back over the past few years, Lexton still remembered how Oliv had come to his organization, signing up to be one of their clan's fighters with his bare hands.

At the time, so many people scoffed at Oliv's presence there. Because he did not have any certifications, even coming from a relatively small town. He had no money, and no connections.

But it turned out that the man had excellent martial arts skills, with a sturdy and strong body. The sharp glint in his eyes seemed to spew fire, as he was determined to change his life so that he could have a better identity.

It didn't take much effort for Oliv to pass each stage of the screening, until he managed to join as a fighter of the Alfacht clan even on the first try.

It turns out that a person's mentality is not simply forged, but there must be something behind it that is the reason for becoming stronger day by day.

And this fact is very interesting. A love story that ended tragically, peppered with misunderstandings on both sides.

"I couldn't explain the situation to Joaquin," Oliv admitted. Adjusting his hair, the man looked so remorseful.

"I was torn between two difficult decisions, and at the time I kept thinking that our being together would only make Joaquin's life miserable. So the only way I could think of was to let her go. At least by marrying a man of the same caste as her, her life would be assured."

Lexton tried to get to the bottom of this story. During his career leading the organization, Lexton could count on his fingers the number of times he had encountered this kind of situation with his men.

And since Oliv was the one who had been appointed to fill Gama's position, Lexton felt he was now in between the two main players.

"I'm guessing you used the money to pay off a debt, is that it?"

"I had no choice," Oliv replied as he nodded his head. "Back then, I had trouble even finding food for myself, Mr. Lexton. I was just afraid Joaquin would starve if she stayed with me. Because at that time, I really had no future."

This time Lexton improved his sitting position. Seemingly in thought, the Alpha nodded his head vaguely.

"You are at a very young age to make that decision," Lexton commented. "By leaving your lover, what do you feel now?"

Oliver Janson was silent for a moment. His thoughts flew far away, bringing him back to the memory of that snowy night when he and Joaquin parted ways.

"I'm trying not to be sorry," Oliv answered honestly. "I have no idea how she's doing, or how she's been living."

The man sucked in air with difficulty, as if the tightness was suffocating him and making it difficult for him to breathe.

"I thought I had forgotten about her, but it turns out that Jovanka reminded me of that past story."

There it was, the thread that was about to unfold.

Lexton moved his body to sit up straighter. The can of beer he had opened in between Oliv's storytelling earlier was still half empty, as he moved to finish the rest.

"What is the relationship that lies between Jovanka and Joaquin?" Lexton asked to the point. "And did Jovanka use Joaquin as an excuse to try to get you to defect?"

Oliv nodded his head firmly. He wasn't going to hide anything, after all, the story had already been told.

"Jovanka and Joaquin are distant relatives," Oliv said. The man fiddled with his fingers for a moment before he continued.

"I knew Jovanka before I joined the organization, sir," Oliv continued. "But as long as she was around, we agreed not to greet each other. Even though Jovanka knows what happened between me and Joaquin."

Taking a pause, Oliv's explanation was still lengthy.

"I don't know if she told Joaquin what my life was like now or not, but we really haven't spoken in four years," Oliv said again. "And I really didn't expect her to say something like that, as if she knew how to stab me in the back."

Now both Lexton and Oliv took a deep breath, with the red thread almost pulling slowly.

"I understand your situation," Lexton said finally. The Alpha put his beer can back on the table, already emptying one when Oliv hadn't downed anything at all.

The man didn't even feel thirsty, although he hadn't stopped chattering.

"I know this is very unprofessional," Oliver said this time. "I shouldn't have mixed my personal business with the organization's."

Everyone in the organization knew that. Oliv and Lexton were no exception.

"I didn't want to think about this," Oliv said honestly. "How Joaquin lives, I really don't want to know. Because we've parted ways and taken different paths. However, there was one thing Jovanka said that really bothered me."

Lexton's eyeballs rolled, waiting to see what Oliv would say next.

"Jovanka said that she would not only endanger Joaquin's life if I didn't follow her, but would also endanger the child she said was mine."

Lexton's body immediately stiffened, with his forehead beginning to wrinkle. Looking at Oliv who was now bowed limply, as if the facts had just shaken his life.

"Do you have a child, Oliver?"

Oliv blinked twice, followed by a heavy exhale later. His foot tapped lightly down there, indicating that he wasn't at his best right now.

"I don't know," the man almost half-whispered. "It was such a shock, and I've just been thinking about it all day."

Of course Oliv never expected that a situation like this would come into his life. Because after his breakup with Joaquin, he had only devoted himself to growing in the organization.

There was no woman to replace Joaquin, although Oliv did spend some time with women he didn't know.

Both of the man's hands were wringing his hair in irritation, even though he had not confirmed whether Jovanka's words were true or not.

Unexpectedly, Lexton let out a small laugh. He had never faced something like this before, and it turned out that the facts Oliv had presented to him sounded quite interesting.

"You don't have to worry." This time it was the Alpha's voice that echoed throughout the room, making Oliv raise his head again to look into the eyes of their leader.

Lexton's laughter was replaced by a smile.

"I appreciate your decision to remain in the organization," he said. "Also your honesty, and your availability to share that piece of the story with me."

Oliv watched carefully, seeing how the Alpha was looking at him with very sincere eyes.

"Do you still want that woman?" asked Lexton this time.

Unable to give an immediate answer, Oliv hesitated and simply froze.

'Do I really still want you, Joaquin?' he asked himself. 'Would meeting you be the right choice for us?'

Lexton let Oliv drown in his reverie, as the man now moved to reach for the second can of beer.

Still waiting, Lexton took a slow sip of the beer.

"I'm not sure, sir," Oliv said hesitantly. "But if I had the chance, I might want to apologize the right way."

Lexton tugged at the corners of his lips again, maintaining a smile on a face that didn't look fierce today.

"I'll give you that," the Alpha said then. Returning the can back to the table, Lexton rose from his seat and stepped slowly over to Oliv.

Standing up straight, Lexton gripped the shoulders of Oliv who was still seated. Looking up, Oliv found Lexton who was nodding his head now.

"I'll bring that woman to you, Oliver," Lexton said without hesitation. "Not only her, but Oliver Junior as well. What do you think?"

A glimmer of hope rose and bloomed in Oliv's chest as he returned Lexton a smile.

"Thank you, Sir!" the man said. It was a relief that he wasn't carrying everything alone.

"You can count on me anytime," Lexton replied. "Because now I'm not only your leader, but also your brother."