Montediore's Legacy: The Forgotten Son's Return

Chapter 7: I Meet The Mad Bear Once Again

“Are you sure you are gonna leave already?” 

“Simon, I told you I have to do lots of things”

Walking with Clark as he guided him out of the hospital, Simon thought that his visit to the Montediore would end just like that. But it seems like Clark’s plan changed.

“You are not gonna stay here? How about Grandpa Holmet?”

Clark looks back at him as he pats his shoulder. 

“You would be here for him, right?”

“Yes, but… Grandpa Holmet would be glad if he know you are here”

A small smile escapes his lips. But there was a strange look in his eyes as if… he was uncertain about something. It was the same eyes he had when they were a child… when Clark would do something he hates.

“Will… will you be all right?” he added. Worried about his dear friend. 

“I can manage. Please take care of Grandpa for me”

Nodding his head, Simon just let out a smile. 

‘Simon, the very person that helps me stand up when my world shattered. He was there to wake me up, to help me keep going. Now that I remember, didn’t he also got a great affinity with medicine? What do you call it again? Elixir master? That’s the element he got… right?’

If it was Simon, he knew that his grandfather would be all right. Since he can trust that person more than anyone else. Even if the very person being said doesn’t trust himself much more. 

Soon, the elevator opened. 

“I got to go”

“Take care”

But before the door closes, Clark shouted to call Simon’s attention.

“Hey! Catch!”

“Huh?! Hey wai- why did you-“ luckily, Simon managed to grab a hold on the small brown leather pouch bag that was thrown at him.

And a smiling Clark was the only thing Simon can see before the elevator closes. 

“What was that for?” Simon mumbled not knowing what is wrong with Clark. But as soon as he opens the bag, he can’t help but have his eyes widen.

“What the…”

Looking at the elevator, Simon called Clark immediately.

[Clark! Why would you give me… t- this!!]

Shouting on the other line, Clark moves the phone slightly away from his ears. Simon surely is loud, he can’t deny that.

“Just use it whatever you like”

[Y- you… this is a fuckin… oh shit I curse- oh damn- what-]

And laughing as Simon can’t find the right words, Clark knew too well that he won’t accept it if he didn’t give it in that way.

The two are good friends since they were little and one can say that they are each other’s best friends.  But in their friendship, it would always be Simon who would do things for Clark than the other way around. 

“It is just a simple present I can give you”

He mumbled and the elevator opened

[And you call this simple??! Get back here and bring it with you. I don’t need your money]

“I told you it was a present. Give it back and you are definitely telling me you don’t want me to be your friend”

[You, how can you do this… I hate you]

“Do you mean it?”

And just like what Clark thought, as soon as he step out of the hospital, someone was definitely watching his steps. 

“Bye, take good care of Grandpa. And don’t forget to give uncle a treat”

‘It is not even enough compared to those things you have done for me. I just hope… I can change the future. But for me to do that, I need lots of cash. Building the safest place that nothing can ruin it… I will save you too, Simon, Uncle… I promise’

[Yeah yeah, I still hate you but if you ever change your mind you can get this back anytime you want]

“That is all yours, idiot. But Thanks, Simon”

Friendship is something that is hard to find. But enemy is something you could easily gain. 

Dropping the call, soon as he put the phone on his pocket, Clark felt a hand touching his shoulder. He was about to head on his car. Luckily, he manages to grab a hold of that hand that touches him, pinning the person on the ground as he scoops its feet out of his balance.

“Hey! Hey! Calm down!”

A guy with the blue jacket mumbled as he raise his hand. Slightly laughing, his bonnet almost fell out of his head. 

“Mind telling me who you are?”

He asked. But the tattoo it got on the side of his nape was some sort of tattoo he will not be wrong to recognize. 

‘West Eleven…’

‘Is he… Oren?’

And a smile crept on his lips. Before Clark could realize it, he was too late in looking back. A sack was placed on his face and an unfamiliar scent entered her nose.

“You damn… “

As much as he wanted to stay awake, his body won’t listen to him. 

‘Really? To think I would fall in such a trick??!’

Thud

And his body fall down, earning yet another bump on the forehead that was a bit swollen. 

…

“Are you certain that this guy is that Clark?”

“Yes boss, he is indeed the Clark Montediore”

Slightly shaking his head, the said man finally gains his consciousness. 

“Oh, look. The main man is finally awake. Good, good. I just need a bit of his time after all”

Standing up, it was then Clark realizes how his hands are bonded from behind.  All in all, the man in front of him surely is someone that brings danger.

Huge physics, arm full of tattoos, But even if Clark can see the man’s nape, he was certain that there was a W overlaying in the number 11. That mark was tattooed as a sign of his gang.  With his shirt that shows his muscles, one can say that even just one of his hits could be fatal. 

“What do you want from me?”

Clark mumbled. But even so, his head spins a little. ‘Maybe it was the effect of that thing I inhaled’ he thought. 

“Straight to the point huh, great. I like it” and as he leans on him, Clark isn’t really surprised by what he said. “Help me in my little revenge on this guy… I am sure you’ve heard of the name… Miguel Montediore. Right?”

A big grin escapes his lips as he waits for Clark’s response.

‘Just as I thought, I have something to do with that damn Montediore. But to think I would be the one they would choose… do I look like a lamb or a rabbit?’

Remembering the reason why he even met Ashton in the future he had, it was also thanks to these guys. The hatred they had towards Ashton’s only brother.

“You never change…” he mumbled earning confusion from those guys. 

“But if I help you, what can I get in return?”

A chuckle escapes the man’s lips. 

‘How bold of him’ he thought.

“Do you think you are in the position of setting tabs?”

“So you wanna kill me?”

“Sounds fun”

But at this point, it was Clark who let out a chuckle. 

“What’s your name?”

“Shanx- wait, why am I even answering you?”

Annoyed, Shanx can’t help but glare at Clark. Although he really makes sure to let Clark feel frightened, his expression isn’t something he expected.

“I am Clark”

“Or course I know. You wouldn’t be here if you are not Clark Montediore”

That very tone of his voice, for some reason, Clark can’t help but find it nostalgic. 

‘It was you who taught me many things. Even how to act calmly in such situations. Or even how to make sure to get your gains… the you in the future is much more frightening compared to the you right now. Sorry Shanx but I am not frightened at all’

Sitting back on the chair, Shanx just listen to what Clark said. For there was something odd in him. For some reason, he feels like, Clark would say something interesting.

“Why kill me if I have much use than that? I am a Montediore after all. That means I have money. Lots of it”

A grin can be seen forming on Shanx’s lips. 

‘Clark… I know you are the lost son of..  Henry? Right?-’ he doesn’t care much about those people that is why he was a bit uncertain about it. All he cares about is Miguel, since that guy needs to settle some tabs with them. ‘-and most of all, the cousin of Miguel.. that damn shitty brat! But I didn’t know you are so different from your cousin. Let’s see what you got’

“And surely you won’t decline the favor of being sworn brothers with me”

“Yes you would pay me for your life that-“ not being able to finish his words, Shanx was surprised at what he heard. 

‘Did I hear that correctly?’

Looking at the guy a bit far from him, he stare at him and mouthed.

“What did he just say?”

Even that guy was surprised as he mouthed back to his boss what Clark just said.

“Boss, he wants to be your sworn brother”

And as he looks back at Clark, just as what he was, he stays calm despite of being in that kind of situation.

‘He wants to be my sworn brother…. Is he fucking out of his mind? This guy… doesn’t he know who I was? A Montediore… a Montediore wants to be my sworn brother… is he nuts?’

“I know you can’t believe what I said, you don’t need to think much. As you have heard, I am the lost son of Henry. I grew up so far from your expectation. I don’t give a single damn about any of those people”.

‘Aside from Ashton since he is quite a good person’

Shanx’s continued to listen to what Clark said. But still, he can’t understand what Clark wants from him. 

‘It is surely not for his life… he has money…  power since he is a Montediore, and what else does he want from a small gang leader like me?’

“I need your strength”

“You wanna crush someone?”

Shaking his head, that makes Shanx question his ears. 

‘He needs my strength yet… if it is not crushing someone… then what else? What else can strength be used for?’

“I want you to protect someone. In exchange, I will provide you with anything that can be bought with money”

And reaching his hands to him, Shanx can see the red line on Clark’s wrist. 

‘To protect… it is not my forte at all but… Isn’t he tied? How did he…’

“So Shanx, what do you say?”

‘This guy surely isn’t normal. His conditions are not bad. Not bad… ‘

As he reaches Clark’s hand, a smile escapes Clark’s lips. 

‘Shanx, I know, if it is you... you can do that. After all, you manage to keep me safe for so long. You have a skill in protecting someone’

Gulping, there was a grin to be seen on Shanx lips. ‘Not bad… not bad. For some reason… I don’t feel like I would regret this’

“Sure, from this day onward, I Shanx of the west 11 gang”

“And I, Clark of Montediore”

And as they said it in unison, a bond between the two was made

“Are now brothers. And that will remain till I meet the end of my life”

Can’t help but remember the very scene he had in his memories, just like back then, under the tall roof with not much light, the two of them said the same words. 

‘I didn’t know that I would meet you this soon, Shanx. I am glad… really glad’