“You bastard! Come out!” One man shouted. Kate felt her heart beats faster. She did not bring her gun with her. “I said come out!” She heard their footsteps getting nearer. She scanned her jacket and pockets. Good thing she has her knife. But what can a knife do against a gun? She quickly shifted her position but lost her balance when a strong hand pulled her down. She swayed her hand to stab the person with her knife, but the man quickly grasps her hand, slicing the palm of the man’s hand. Kate’s eyes widened upon seeing the man on top of her.
“R-Rai-“
“Shhh Close your eyes.” Raith shushed her and pin her hands on her side. Kate frowned. This is not the right time to joke around.
“What are you-mph.” Kate gawked when Raith pressed their lips together. It was not gen
“They run a huge illegal business of Arm trafficking. I heard that they trade contraband arms and ammunition to different places. I also confirmed that they kidnap children and sold them.” Oriana reported. It was past eleven in the evening. But the team gathered at the Meeting Hall with Lady Kitori, unravelling the main root of this case, fully awake. “Frank Edison. That’s the name of their boss.” She continued. Olive frowned upon hearing the name. Leon and John turned their heads towards her, bewildered. “That confirmed it.” Kate blurted out of nowhere. Their eyes shifted from Oriana to Kate who’s sitting still, crossed arms. “What do you mean, Lady Kate?” Oriana asked. “Remember when I followed the three men who left your table?” Oriana paused for a moment, remembering what happened, then nod in confirmation. “I followed them and overheard their conversation with someone from the phone. I heard Sir Frank’s voice, yet I thought I was just imagining t
“Brother-“ “Don’t you ever… call me ‘Brother’ again.” Chaster froze with Nathan’s words. He had thought hundreds of times that this will happen and yet, he was hurt and astonished by his response. How much more will it hurt him when he hears her response? “How awful. Is that how you greet your old friend?” He forced a smile as he clutched his fist, fighting back his tears. “What kind of friend leave in times of need?” Nathan’s word struck him. It hurts, but it is the truth. “I’m sorry. But you don’t understand.” “Then make me understand!” He exclaimed. He then clenched his jaw and breathed deeply. “I told you to take care of her, yet you hurt her.” He calmed himself, holding back his first from throwing to Chaster’s face. Chater bit his lower lips. “Do you think it is easy for me? For the past five years I blamed myself. If only I knew my father and Amber’s father’s plan, then I had warned you. But I was too late, Nathan. I tried
The whole trip was filled with silence. After some hour of traveling with the helicopter, they passed the third gate of the Aparctias Kingdom, then they used a limo to pass the border. They are now outside. Ashriel felt uneasy about this trip not only because of her encounter with Chaster for the first time in five years. But because they are out of her territory. “Be on guard. I don’t feel –“ she heard a strange sound when the limo stopped. “What happened?” “I think the tire stepped into something,” Natsuki said. “It’s not. I heard a gunshot.” Ashriel said as she prepared her gun. Everyone was alarmed. “I think I knew who’s behind this.” “Do we have some spare tires?” Natsuki nodded. Then there was another gunshot. “Fix the tires, brother. Let Xieaniel assist you. We will cover you and clear the way. Am I clear?” Everyone agreed and prepared their guns. They all peeked into the window. At the count of three, they came out of the
The whole ride was once again filled with silence. After they crossed the border, two helicopters arrived to fetch them. Everyone is asleep except for Nathan and Ashriel. Her eyes were tired, asking to get some rest as well. But her mind refused to. Who would have dared to attack them in broad daylight? Nathan studied her face. Her eyes are looking outside the window, but her mind is flying somewhere else. Her arms crossed against her chest as she sat straight. Her face was drawn with exhaustion. She signed deeply, then sighed again. Her head was about to fall, but Nathan caught her and gently placed her head on his lap. “Sleep for a while. We still have two hours to travel.” Nathan gently stroked her hair, and without any objection, she curled up on her side and closed her tired eyes. Nathan leaned closer to kiss her forehead when he suddenly remembered Chaster. What will happen now that he’s back? After a few hours of travel, they reach the first border of th
Oriana ran her hand through her hair as she studied her face at the gold-plated mirror in front of her. Soft, light makeup that covered her light freckles, curly light blonde hair, and pinkish lips. It was simple but eye-catching. The two maids smiled as they observed her being fascinated by everything. “Thank you so much for your efforts.” She said, smiling at them. “We are pleased to do this to you, young mistress. We hope you enjoy your night.” They smiled and giggled at her kindness. Their attention transferred to the door that banged open. Leon entered without prior notice. His fitted white long sleeves that highlight his broad shoulders and toned body and his well-groomed hair made him look like a different person. He is often in his uniform, so seeing small changed like this is rare. The two maids bowed down as respect to him before walking out of the room, leaving the two of them.
“Use my car and get your butt off here. Mom and Oriana are waiting for you.” Olive chuckled and tossed her keys to Leon, tapping his shoulders, and jogged to catch up with Ashriel, who is now outside the meeting room. Leon hurriedly went to the parking area and drove back to the restaurant. As the servants opened the door, her mother’s smiley face and a sleeping Oriana greeted him. Her body was covered with a blanket, and her face rested on the table while his mother calmly took a sip from her wine glass. “She just drank one glass. I didn’t know her tolerance was that weak.” She laughed softly. “Take her to the villa, or do you want me to ask the servants to carry her back?” “I’ll do it myself, Mom. You should have sent her to the villa without waiting for me if you planned on asking the servants.” She just shrugged her
“Five years ago, a Great Bloodshed happened at Aparctias. At the main city, Austere City, to be exact. Aside from the Quislings, everyone who was connected to the Quislings - nobles or commoners, was killed. Mother said that there was someone that he failed to protect. They were his close friends, but he could not disobey the high orders of The Ruler. He was so guilty that he could not take it, so he killed himself.”He tried to control his voice. Oriana observed him. He was speaking softly like he was not the cold person she had known for a while now. His eyes were shut, and his breathing was a little heavy. He did not seem to know that there were faint tear marks on his cheeks. “Done with the bedtime stories. Sleep now.” He said without removing the back of his hand from his eyes. “Tomorrow, Raith, Kate, and I wil
Oriana woke up alone in the bed. Realizing she was in Leon’s room, she hurriedly fixed the bed and left. After eating breakfast, she went beside the lake as per instruction. She sat at the stone bench and observed the lake that shone as the sun spread its lights towards it. Besides, I can’t keep myself safe when I am with you. “What do those words mean?” she asked herself. “What words?” Her heart almost jumped out of her ribs when she saw Olive sitting beside her. “What’s with the face?” “L-lady Olive?! Since when did you sit beside me?” She asked her hand on her chest. “Just a moment ago. You seemed lost in your thoughts. Are you thinking about my twin?” She grinned mischievously. Oriana felt heat rising on her cheeks.