THE BAD BOY OF MANHATTAN
Chapter 35. He'll Be Back To Where He Belongs.

James raised both hands, gesturing that he did not want to comment anything about what happened in the room between Elric and Emma. "Sorry, it looks like I'm bothering you both" he said. Although he was not sure what happened as he saw it.

"El, your mother asked me to see you. Looks like they'll be in Rochester for a few days." James forced his smile. "Hi, Emma," she said to Emma.

"Elric's sick. He asked me to come. She ... has a new tattoo," explained Emma. He explains his whereabouts in Elric's room to James without the man asking for it. And the words he spoke were very messy. He was nervous, and also afraid that James would think he and Elric had done indecent things.

"Owh, so?" James walked over to Elric and Emma. "Let's see your tattoo, El," he said after his eyes saw Elric's once smooth back now engraved with black ink and several other colors. "Nice (good)," James praised. Elric put on his cynical face. This man, who was his godfather, had changed his status to become his rival in fighting over Emma's heart.

"You're so spoiled, El. You made Emma bother to come here. Lookie! He hasn't even changed his work clothes." James clucking.

"What's it for to see me? I'm fine" said Elric, wearing his shirt back.

"Alya asked for me" James repeated. "You know, no, I can't refuse her request" he chuckled as he patted Elric on the cheek. He then grabbed the young man by the forehead and chopped. "You're not sick. It's just your skin's reaction to the shock of receiving a foreign object. I used to be that way too. You see this? You can't imagine the pain, El," his shoulder as he flicked his black shirt up to his sturdy side belly and engraved two crossed swords covered in an iron shield was clearly visible. Emma who witnessed the beautiful sight of James' stomach gasped. He wanted to look away, but it was a pity to miss. Too tantalizing.

Gosh darn. Emma swallowed her saliva.

"Emma .. forgive this spoiled child, yes. He always wants to be alone." James looked towards Emma who was still dumbfounded at the spot where he was standing. "You must want to rest after work, right? Let me drive you home."

"No!" exclamation Elric. "Let me drive Emma." Elric jumped off his bed and pulled Emma behind his back. He thought he wanted to protect the girl from the woman, James Howards.

"You're here, El. Play games or watch movies. Or whatever, whatever."

Elric hissing. He stepped towards the nightstand and grabbed his phone. Then she pulled Emma's arm and took the girl down the stairs and into the basement connected to their garage.

"Elric! You don't even have a driving license (you don't have a SIM)!"

Elric paid no attention to James's call. He takes Emma to the garage and tells her to get into his sports car. He was forced to use Nathan's gift a year ago to make Emma comfortable. He did not want to lose to James.

"What's wrong with you (what's wrong with you), El?" emma asked as soon as Elric drove his car out of the garage.

"I want to keep you away from that woman" replied Elric as his eyes focused on the street. He drives his car manually because he wants to look like a real man in front of Emma.

Emma patted her forehead and held on with that position for a while. "I really don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"You've been acting lately, Elric."

"Why my attitude?"

Emma exhaled her rough breath. He leaned his head against the back of the chair. "Snack."

"That's because ...."

Finally, Emma just flicked her hand, thinking Elric's speech was just the wind then. "You got a car this good and you'd rather take the subway?" he said while observing the interior of a sophisticated car. It felt like he was in a spaceship.

"I use this car only for special moments (i use this car only for special times)."

Emma scrunched her eyebrows together. "What does it mean now is a special time?"

Elric raised his eyebrows while smiling mischievously towards Emma. "Introducing a special girl" he said.

Emma shakes. This kid started to slur again. Perhaps the fever is so severe that his brain is unable to think clearly. Emma decided not to continue her conversation with Elric until she reached her apartment in East Harlem.

***

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

The annual event held by the top American rock activists featured side projects from the front man of big bands, not least Nathan who has music projects with his wife, Alya. Three days of festive events were held with a location in Highland Park, a park set in the beautiful hills of the city known as the city of flowers.

That night, after the show was over, Nathan met his old best friend, Benjamin Chevalier, the Rebellion guitarist who also had solo projects outside his band. A few years later, the Rebellion moved their basecamp from Manhattan to Los Angeles, California.

Nathan and Ben, both blond, both blue-eyed, have been among the top hundred guitarists in Rolling Stone magazine, and both became important figures in the metal music industry in America. Of all that, the most made the chatter of the two handsome men tonight so

seriously, they both have a unique child.

"Darren, my son, was in the same phase a few years ago. Not touching a musical instrument at all. For the same reason as Elric, wanted to find his own identity. I'm just letting it go. Now, his first year at university, he's back to where he belongs (he's back to where he came from)" Ben explained with a chuckle as Nathan finished expressing his heart's content.

"How's Darren doing now?" ask Nathan.

"Well, he still lives in Manhattan. Entrance at Columbia. He's got a band and if I notice, he's playing experimental-style guitar."

Nathan sipped his wine glass. The view in front of them was very charming. The lights of the city of Rochester lay down there, looking stunning from where they sat, in a cafe on the rooftop of the hotel where they stayed.

"Darren's a sensitive child. He is introverted and has a hard time getting along with people around him. You know, she grew up without a mother. So actually, music is a great place to express what they are feeling. I think Elric is like that too" Ben said.

Nathan nodded. "I hope Elric can meet Darren one day. That kid has a lot to learn from other people's experiences."

Ben raised both his hands. "It's possible (very likely). Who knows, one day they will join a band and make music. We have to get ready to step down, don't we?" gelak Ben is greeted by Nathan's laughter.

Nathan took a deep breath. "I really hope so (i really hope so)."

***