Night, Santo Domingo
As Felix walked through the dark streets, he carefully surveyed his surroundings. The night had fallen, and the neon lights flickered in the city, vibrating with the echo of music. The sounds of cars and motorcycles speeding by were occasionally interrupted by gunshots. This was not a safe place—but Felix wasn't accustomed to safe places.
When he arrived at the apartment where Gloria lived, he paused for a brief moment before knocking on the door. It had been a while since he visited Gloria, and after a moment, the door opened.
The door swung open, and Felix was met with Gloria's tired but warm gaze.
Gloria smiled, "Come on, Felix, are you going to stand at the door all night? Get inside!" The door opened wide.
Felix entered and saw David lying on the couch.
David saw him and his eyes widened.
Gloria yelled at David, "Hey David, say hello to my cousin!"
David stood up, walked over to Felix, and stretched out his hand, "Hello, I'm David, David Martinez. Are you related to my mother?"
Felix pulled David toward him and hugged him, "Hey kid, don't act so grown up, just call me bro! Hahaha, look at how much you've grown!"
David freed himself from Felix's grip.
He took a deep breath.
Gloria laughed, "Hahaha, Felix, you haven't changed at all! Seriously, why haven't you visited here?"
Felix responded, "You're the same, Gloria."
Gloria was preparing food in the kitchen.
David's mind was racing because he had seen Felix in a BD, and it was one of the most terrifying things he had ever witnessed.
"Bro, what do you do for a living?" David spoke cautiously, avoiding Felix's gaze.
Felix chuckled, "You look like you already know."
Gloria turned her head and raised her eyebrows, grabbing a spoon and throwing it at Felix.
Felix dodged, "Hey Gloria, what are you doing?"
"Felix, what do you mean by that? David saw you for the first time today," Gloria said in a restrained tone.
David muttered, "Hunter..."
When Gloria heard this, her face turned pale; of course, she knew Felix's code name.
She walked over and pulled David's ear, "Where do you know that name from, David? TELL ME NOW!"
David shouted, "BD! Please, mom, let go of my ear!"
Finally, Gloria let go of David, "I knew it... I shouldn't have let you into BD."
Felix placed a hand on Gloria's shoulder, "Calm down, Gloria. Even if I'm cyberpunk, what does it change? I can help you guys."
Tears streamed down Gloria's face, which she wiped away.
She gave him a smile, "Thank you, Felix."
Felix simply nodded.
Gloria continued to prepare the meal, and when it was done, she called everyone to the table.
They all sat down at the table, and there was a three-person meal.
Rice and stew—this was what they had for dinner today.
Felix took the first bite and laughed, "As delicious as always."
"You always praise me, don't you?" Gloria said with an innocent look.
David, on the other hand, ate as if he had never had food in his life.
Gloria began to get annoyed, "David, no one is going to take your food."
David looked up, his face showing unease, as if the stares could kill him. If looks could kill, David would be half-dead by now, in a position like Yamcha.
And so, the night passed. Gloria wanted to host Felix in her home and gave him a room.
In the late hours of the night, Felix was looking out the window at the view.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Gloria entered with two bottles in her hand.
She handed one to Felix.
Felix took it and saw that it was vodka.
Gloria smiled, "You're grown now, it's okay for you to drink this."
"Come on, Gloria, I'm a mercenary. Come sit next to me," said Felix.
Gloria sat next to Felix and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"You know, Felix, you're one of the few people I call family, and I really care about you," Gloria sighed.
Felix replied tiredly, "I feel the same way, Gloria, but please, don't work so hard. If you keep this up, you're going to kill yourself. I can't bear that."
"Everything is for David, Felix. I want to see him at the top of the world. Do you know? He's a really smart kid," said Gloria.
Felix chuckled and took a big gulp from the bottle, "I know, Gloria, but have you asked David about his dream? Maybe he doesn't want this."
Gloria's voice was shaky, "I know, Felix, but what should I do? I want a good life for my child. Is that wrong? All I ask from you is to keep Felix away from this path."
Felix didn't know what to say. It was the first time he had seen Gloria in this state. "Gloria, I'll make sure you and David live in the best conditions. Trust me. Don't worry about the Arsaka Academy, I'll take care of it. Even though I don't want David to be involved in the corporate world."
Gloria couldn't hold back her tears and began crying. Felix hugged her and comforted her.
Felix promised to himself that he wouldn't let her die. Then Felix looked down and saw that Gloria had fallen asleep.