New Life : A Second Chance

[You sound pretty happy, brother]

Kyle's hands paused for a while and he resumed stacking the shelves, the ghost of a smile still on his face.

[Yeah, thought of a few things. Met Lianne today. She called me 'Abang']

[How are you?] Kay asked worriedly, as she sat up on her bed in her room, worried for her brother's mental health. Even though he was humming (even mentally), it may be hiding something darker underneath.

Also, it was strange that he had met his kids today, since it was a public holiday in Country M. It had been Diwali on Sunday, which meant that the holiday was replaced on a Monday.

[I'm fine] Kyle replied [In fact, better than fine. I was just thinking that I can be in contact with my kids, so long as I don't meet myself. Or be interesting or dangerous enough to warrant them to talk to me about it]

[That sounded confusing but made sense at the same time] Kay replied wryly [Do you think that's a good idea, though?]

[It certainly helps ease the future. If I can integrate myself into their lives before my first death, then coming into their lives after that should be easier]

[But, brother. Your initial plan was to be their scholarship sponsor thing. How are you going to say that, using your identity right now as a part-timer at a convenience store in the morning, and security guard at night?]

[It makes it even better!] Kyle replied excitedly [Imagine this. The missing Smith Heir working part time undercover, meets two kids and gets attached to them. Hence, upon their mother's death, decides to 'adopt' them as his younger siblings]

[You ... managed to adapt your plan to incorporate this variable so fast?]

Kyle closed the cooler cabinet door and flattened the boxes the drinks had been in originally. Going to the storeroom, Kyle asked, [Is that even a question?]

Kay sighed.

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[So how was your first day at school?] Kyle asked.

[I wish I can do the accelerated degree online like you, brother] Kay whined, lying back down on her bed and hugging her bolster [There were just sooooo many people and it seemed like all of them wanted to be my friend]

[It'll get better] Kyle said consolingly [Right now, you're a novelty. After the weeks pass by and the assignments pile up, I'm sure the hype will die down by then]

Kay sighed [I hope so. I know going to school is better for me to learn to adapt to people, but I didn't think it was going to be this hard and overwhelming]

[Well, you're taking the accelerated degree too, so you'll be swamped with work to bother too much about it, I suppose] Kyle said [Just make sure you don't hole yourself up too much. The purpose of you going to school is to learn how to mingle]

[I know, I know. Doing a four-year course in half the time will certainly mean I'll be busy but I will go out one in a while]

[That's good. Any problems so far?]

[Nah] Kay replied [Just wish you were here.]

Kyle sighed, leaning against the wall in the storeroom.

[I wish you were here, too]

They continued chatting for another hour, with Kay telling him how their parents were doing. She couldn't tell him what the other Elite Five were doing, as they weren't in daily contact with each other.

Still, since there had been no SOS of any kind, Kyle wasn't too worried about them.

?.?.?.?

That night, Kyle changed disguise.

Instead of the sloppy, grunge-like teen from the morning, he was a well-built young man in his early twenties patrolling the site.

It wasn't a dangerous job as it was mainly a mind-numbing walking about the entire building three times in the night. Rex Industries wasn't a high risk area, and the area was locked down during the night. It was more of 'for show', Kyle supposed.

Kyle took this night job to familiarise himself with the building and get to know the workings of the inside, from the inside. Even though he already had a few MIB people working here, their positions were of the executive and managerial level.

There were things that happened at the lower level that the higher ups may never know.

It also served as a training ground for him. He noted all the security cameras, slowly got himself into the trust of the security officer-in-charge and worked hard.

Hard at finding out more things, that is.

Kyle went up again to secure the building. He was being watched by Dan, his boss, who was in the security room.

"How long has he been working here?" Dan asked the others who were there, busy looking at all the camera feeds.

"Six months, at least?"

"And during these six months, he's never slacked off, has he? He even takes up other people's rotation duties when they're not up to it," Dan mumbled. Though 'not up to it' here meant they were too lazy, not that they were sick.

"Yeah," the same person answered, "He said it's good exercise for him. Look at that. He's running like always. Crazy guy."

Dan thought about this boy that came up to him, begging for a job. Dan took pity on him, so he accepted him on probation. The kid had the basic fighting skills, and adding him in wasn't a problem.

After all, Management had only provided him with the barest minimum number of people to patrol the building, rather than the optimum. Thus, though they weren't short-staffed, it didn't mean that they weren't pushed to their limits.

The arrival of Rex not only helped them ease their burdens, but he was also so gung-ho about it. His enthusaism and sincerity made him became a fast favourite of all the security guys here, and the canteen aunties kept feeding him, too.

Darn. He was jealous over that last bit. The food was good.