POSSESSIVE 21: Knight Velasquez

INTRO

(SEGUNDO)

KNIGHT WAS packing his clothes when someone knocked on the door. He paid no mind, though, since he thought it was just Cloud offering to help pack his things. He preferred packing his bag alone. He didn't like anyone touching and going through his stuff.

But the person outside knocking on the door was persistent. Definitely not Cloud. His butler knew that one time was enough and another meant refusal.

"Come in!" Knight exclaimed so the person outside would hear.

The door slowly opened. Knight was zipping his trolly bag before glancing toward the incoming visitor. When he saw Midnight looking at his luggage by the door questioningly, he was momentarily shocked.

"You're leaving?" Midnight asked.

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Ah." His younger brother lowered his gaze. "I'll get going then. Sorry for disturbing you."

"Wait," Knight said, stopping Midnight, and then walked toward him. "How's your back?"

Midnight smiled. "I'm okay."

Knight, however, could see through his brother. He was not okay. "I told you not to lie to me."

Midnight looked away. "It still hurts, but I will endure. Father even allowed me to go here, but I didn't know you were about to leave. See you again when you get back."

He sighed and messed up Midnight's hair. "Something's bothering you. What is it?"

Midnight shook his head and smiled. "Nothing. Have a safe trip, Kuya."

Knight sighed. He knew Midnight was forcing a smile so he wouldn't worry, and he knew it more than anyone else because he was an expert at it. As much as possible, he didn't want his brother to ever learn how to fake a smile—especially not in front of him. He didn't want Midnight to control or hide his emotions from people, just like what he was taught.

He didn't want his brother to be a fake... like him, even though Midnight was pretending to be him.

Midnight, his little brother, existed only to be his shadow—to be him when it was needed. Other than their height, they looked very much alike, almost like twins. Knight was a bit taller than Midnight, though, but it wasn't that apparent if they weren't standing next to each other. Their father used this to his advantage.

During dangerous situations where threats were inevitable but Knight still had to make a public appearance, Midnight would come out as him—as Count Knight—so Knight himself would be protected; he was the firstborn, after all. Only a few people knew that Midnight Velasquez existed. To the outside world, there was no Midnight. Except for the people inside the palace, everyone knew that Lord Kelleon Velasquez had only one son.

Him. Knight Alastair Minrod Gutterez Velasquez.

Whenever their father would feel that Knight's life was in danger, he would order Midnight to stand in his brother's place. This way, if Midnight were to be shot, his firstborn Knight was still safe.

In other words, Midnight was Knight's double.

This was why Knight would keep on asking himself, how could his father do that to his own blood? How? Midnight was a good kid!

This motivated him to further his agenda to be powerful. This could only be the way to relieve Midnight from the fate their father had chosen for him.

He would give him his identity—no matter what.

"Midnight," Knight said in an authoritative voice. "What is it? Spit it out."

Midnight looked at him and hesitatingly said, "Don't... leave?"