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Chapter 2
KEVIN RESTARTS THE MATCH
(Tomorrow)
Kevin opens his cupboard searching for his clothes. He chooses a jacket with long pants for that day. Then, he attains his watch. He combs his hair and get ready to go out.
"Come for breakfast, Kevin," said Mrs. Richardson.
"Sorry, mom. I'm late," Kevin apologizes.
"Isn't this your holiday?" ask Mrs. Richardson.
"I know. But Howie ask me to give a feature with his computer system," said Kevin, rushed.
" But that's his work," said Mrs. Richardson.
"He's my friend, ma. I need to help him, okay?" Kevin walks out of the house. In that moment, Brian walks in and he got quite a surprise to see Kevin run to his car.
"What's happening with him?" asks Brian.
"He need to give a feature about the damaged computer system," Mrs. Richardson answers shortly, "Brian, would you like to have any breakfast?"
"Okay, mom," Brian agrees.
(That evening)
"Kevin, your mom asked you to go back early today," Brian said as he walks into Kevin's office.
"Okay," Kevin nods.
"How's the computer system?" ask Brian.
"It's okay now. We're waiting for the answer for the new password. The Tangs seems had known our old password," Kevin answers.
"What's happening to you? You look worried," Brian sat on the chair in front the table.
"Brian, if I said something to you, would you mind?" Kevin gives a long breath.
"What?"
"Remember General Wright and Howie representing you as my sergeant?" Kevin starts.
"Yeah,"
"General Wright ask me to fetch a think about a boy named Nick to replace you," said Kevin.
"What?!! But you said…"
"I really hope you don't mind, Brian. You're like my brother, I really, really hope you understand. I mean…" Kevin tries to explain.
"Kevin," Brian interrupts, "Stop explaining to me. It doesn't matter,"
"Thanks," Kevin smiles.
Suddenly the phone rings on. Kevin answers the phone call. Brian didn't know what's the conversation is, but he heard Kevin mentioning 'Mr. Carter'. Perhaps that ex-general phoned him.
"Brian, I'm really, really sorry coz I need to go. Have fun, okay. I probably will be back late. Tell my mom I'm sorry," Kevin walks out. Brian didn't say anything.
"I hate this," Brian snorts.
(Later…)
Kevin knocks on a door of a big house. He retied his coat while waiting for the door to open. After a short while, Mrs. Carter opens the door. "Umm, ma'am, may I meet ex-General Mr. Carter?" Kevin try to act as decent as possible.
"You're the captain that night, right? Come in," said Mrs. Carter.
Kevin walks in. He find that house is really big and tidy. Mrs. Carter let him sat on the sofa. Kevin knows that set of sofa would be very expensive. Just look at the art. It's hard to find one like that.
"Mr. Carter isn't here. Would you prefer to wait or stuff like that?" asks Mrs. Carter.
"Maybe I should wait. Umm, ma'am, is Nick available? May I meet him?" said Kevin.
"What do you think about him?" ask Mrs. Carter.
"He's gorgeous. Probably if he tried hard, he could be very excellent in the army.
He's quite a tough man. I'm sure he could fight really well for our country," said Kevin.
"He won't be an army," said Mrs. Carter.
"What? What do you mean?"
"He's going to be a journalist. His brain is really good, you know. We'll send him to Switzerland for his journalist satisfaction," she said again.
"Umm, oh… okay," Kevin grin.
"So, lamb. My husband probably now is in his lab. You may search for him there," said Mrs. Carter.
"Lamb?" Kevin's eyes widened, "Oh… okay, thanks, ma'am,"
Kevin walks out grinning himself about what Mrs. Carter had called him. He quickly reaches the lab and knocks it. He could hear someone allowing him to come in.
"Oh, hi, Richardson," Mr. Carter greet him.
"Hi, Mr. Carter. Just call me Kevin if you don't mind," said Kevin.
"Oh sure. So, how's General Wright?" Mr. Carter sweeps his dirty hand with his handkerchief.
"He's totally alright. So are Howie and AJ," Kevin answers.
"I heard from General Wright that you could challenge Fenbern," Mr. Carter starts his conversation.
"Not really. That's just a fate," Kevin said politely.
"Don't try to protect yourself from the wind, captain. I'd been a captain before being a general. I start from above. That's why I don't want my son gets the captain form easily. If it's my place, I start since I'm a water carrier. But I let my son feel easy by letting him be your sergeant," said Mr. Carter.
Kevin grinned while keep on listening what that man want to say. Sometimes, he feels guilty to Brian. He shouldn't let the job out of Brian's hand.
They'd representing politely for him and now they are like trying to fire him.
"Anyway, captain, I know you would always be able to protect this country. Keep on your good job, sir," Mr. Carter said.
"Yes, sir," Kevin smiles sweetly.
"Bye then, chicken. Remember all my words," Mr. Carter shake Kevin's hand.
"Chicken?" Kevin's eyes widened once again.
(Tomorrow that day)
Nick laughs out loud when Kevin finished telling his story about his visit to Nick's house.
"What are you laughing about? Your mom calls me lamb, and your dad calls me chicken. I don't even know which one is me," Kevin protests.
"That's nothing, Kev. My mom really hates army while my dad is really fanatic about army," Nick said.
"Hmm, that's weird. How could they live together?" ask Kevin.
"They changed their mind after marriage. That's why," Nick explains.
"Oh, so, your mom hates army, your dad loves army. What do you think?"
Kevin stares at Nick.
"Me?"
"Yeah,"
"Hmm, I haven't known an army before. Would you mind to introduce one of them to me?" Nick smiles sweetly to Kevin.
"It's my pleasure," Kevin smiles back.
(That night)
Kevin opens the door and walk in. The clock struck twelve. It's very late now. Kevin could feel he's sleepy. He quickly takes off his jacket and throws it on the sofa. He then runs upstairs to have his sleep.
"Kev," Kevin turns. He saw Brian standing at the kitchen's door.
"Where'd you go? It's really late now," said Brian.
"I went for a huge walk with Nick just now. I'll tell more tomorrow, okay Brian? I'm really, really tired now," Kevin quickly run to his bedroom.
"Nick," Brian said slowly, "The boy is going to take my job and my best friend
away from me,"
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