Chapter 3

"The wound is not caused by any gunshot nor an act of stabbing. Based on the sample weapons that we tried to perfectly match the depth and shape of the cut, it can never be a bullet nor a knife, but an arrowhead." 

Jeremy reread the email which he received this morning. It was from Scott Ford who works at the Medical Department at Lewis Crime Division Office.

The deep cut on Serin's right shoulder has also been troubling Jeremy. It has already been more than a month but it hasn't healed yet. Even Dr. David and the attending doctors to Serin are totally puzzled why that deep cut has remained terribly serious despite their best effort to cure it.

And because of that, Jeremy asked Scott Ford to have that deep cut examined. 

Jeremy is really eager to know how Serin's right shoulder got a deep cut. But the result he received is another haunting oddness.

Those inexplicable questions surrounding her pushed Jeremy to demand Serin to stay with them. He went against himself when he decided to oblige her to work as their house helper just to pay for the hospital bills he had paid when she got discharged before. 

He had no intention to use the hospital bills but he didn't have any choice. He has been troubled because of her. He needs to find out who Serin is.

As soon as Jeremy entered his unit, he went straight to Serin's room.

He just finished his class and has been dying to talk to her since she received the email from Scott Ford. He wants to confront her about the deep cut she has on her right shoulder. He is desperate to find the answers to his questions, especially the name Heron and the sketch of his face.

He knocked on the door.

"Serin is not here." Chris is standing behind him.

Jeremy turned his back. "What?? Where is she??"

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Campbell Park.

An ornamented and recreational park situated between Tiffany Blue and Fermone National University. People from all walks of life can be seen here.

The park is covered with lush trees but Tiffany Blue is high enough to be seen, towering whoever is at the park.

Serin looked up at it, letting out a deep sigh.

She went out to enjoy the afternoon breeze at this beautiful park. Serin feels free while sitting on the wooden bench. The gentle wind is caressing her hair, dancing with it. 

She is always in Jeremy’s unit and it is suffocating for her.

Her stay in Jeremy’s place is catastrophic. How she gets treated by Jeremy feels like she is the most pathetic fool in the whole universe. The only thing that can help her cope with Jeremy’s grave treatment is Chris and Ken’s warm gentleness and kindness.

With the cool breeze that is embracing her, she has never felt this calm and relaxed. Since she got confronted by Jeremy the day after she was discharged from the hospital, she has always been intimidated by the guy's coldness. 

She has only stayed in that building for just two weeks but she feels like it has been ages already. It is because of Jeremy’s presence. Rather than physically, it is emotionally and mentally draining.

"Who gave you the right to go outside?”

That familiar voice snapped Serin out of her deep thoughts.

Jeremy is already standing in front of her.

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Serin hurriedly rose up from sitting. As soon as she faced Jeremy, the guy avoided her eyes. She apologized and hustled back to Tiffany Blue.

The elevator stopped and she got out. She is rushing, chest wanting to burst.

“Who are you?” Someone, who went past her shoulder to shoulder, asked.

Serin stopped for a while and turned her back. “Umm.. me??”

Serin's answer annoyed Gail. She is standing in the hallway.

Long curly blonde hair. Light make-up. Low neckline top. Short and tight blue skirt flashing her long and straight legs. A white clutch bag. High black heels.

Gail's elegance is making Serin feel so small.

“Anybody else here?” Gail’s voice sounded irritated.

Serin forced a smile. “I’m Jeremy’s housemai—”

“What took you so long?” This time, a guy’s voice.

Serin glanced behind her. Her eyes grew bigger to see Jeremy who had just gotten outside the elevator.

“Do you know her?” Gail raised her perfectly trimmed eyebrow. She made her steps towards Serin.

“I have been waiting for you but I did not know you already got here.” Jeremy said, walking to where Serin is. 

His voice is totally different from his usual annoyed, sarcastic and cold tone.

Serin looked at Jeremy with confusion. As soon as he faced Serin, he reached for her hand.

Without any warning, he locked fingers with hers. 

Serin is unable to move, frozen. “W..What are you doin—”

Jeremy cut her in by facing her intimately close. He let go of his hands from Serin's and gently caressed her hair. 

Serin felt numb because of an extreme shock. There is a sudden rush in her heart. 

But, Jeremy has remained composed while standing so close to her. Serin faced down in embarrassment, feeling completely lost.

“Let’s go?” Jeremy asked Serin with his sweetest voice.

Gail’s jaw dropped seeing how Jeremy has been acting sweet and gentle towards the girl. 

She hates to ask his friend but she has to know who she is. "Jeremy?? Don’t tell me she is—”

“You're right.” Jeremy cut Gail in.

The guy proudly looked at Serin and continued. "She is my girl." 

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Jeremy pressed Serin against the door. Looking down, he spoke. “If you just stayed here, she would not see you.”

The guy's annoyed expression. This is something Serin has always wanted to avoid to see. But, it is too late now. She is expecting the guy’s wrath in a second.

And she is right. Jeremy punched the door with a strong force. 

But she did not flinch. Though he is not looking at her, Serin can feel Jeremy that he is burning in anger.

Serin feels wronged. It is really upsetting for her to get treated like trash just because she was found by him lying on Desf Road.

“If you don’t want others to know that someone like me is staying here in your place, then let me go.” Serin said with a firm voice.

She tried to sound calm but the truth is, she wants to explode in frustration.

“What??????” Jeremy’s voice thundered all over the room.

Jeremy gritted his teeth, still looking down. He made a step closer to her again. He wants Serin to disappear right before his eyes. Her presence has been tormenting him.

He hit the door for the second time, aiming fear to creep on Serin. But Serin is firm on her desire to anger the guy in front of him.

Motionless, clenched fists. She is eager to give Jeremy the kind of insult she has been receiving from him. The guy’s infuriation is satisfying her at the moment.

“You know who is more pathetic here? It is definitely you, not me.” Serin took her courage to anger Jeremy more, voice almost cracked in anger and frustration. 

Recalling the day she got confronted for the first time, a great attack crossed her mind. This is a perfect chance to use that against Jeremy because that will surely torment him with agitation.

She faced him, fearlessly. “Heron.”

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Absurd agony struck Jeremy when he heard Heron. Of all the names, Jeremy hates to hear Heron. That name is like a bruise in his ego and a recall of that horrifying rainy night.

He got aimed flawlessly. He wants to confront Serin eye to eye but he can't. He clenched his jaw and looked up, tears wanting to come out from his flaring eyes.

"Who is he? That name you called me." Jeremy tried to hide his anger in composure. 

But he could not fool Serin. She is certain Jeremy is in the line of fire already.

She has been fighting back her tears, too. Breaking down should never be an option.

It is against her heart to inflict torture on the guy who saved her from dying. But, Jeremy has crossed the line countless times already.

'I won't let myself get crushed on your feet anymore.' Serin thought to herself while shooting Jeremy with her glare.

She knows Jeremy’s weakness now. That mysterious name. Heron.

And there is one thing she just realized. Jeremy can't look into her eyes, as if doing such is giving him a tormenting shock. 

Serin found a silent victory by taking her last move.

With unwavering boldness, she spoke. “Be a man. Look at me.”

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What Jeremy heard slapped him real hard, like a cruel attack. But Jeremy refused to give Serin the pleasure of insulting him. 

He took a big step towards Serin, making him face her. He lifted his hands and pressed them on the door where Serin is leaning on.

Jeremy's alluring scent has never been this bewitching. Serin closed her eyes. It is too much to handle without getting pulled on to him.

Exchanging heartbeats, racing. They are facing intimately close. Serin got frozen, locked in Jeremy's arms.

It is the first time he is facing Serin with intimacy. He can't understand himself. Anger had just fired him but why is he almost free from fury now?

Jeremy found himself gazing at her mystic beauty. Serin's presence is too luring to ignore.

His heartbeat is pounding through his ears. Jeremy can no longer escape from her enticing charm.

Snowy skin. Long dark brown hair, big curls. Perfect eyebrows and eyelashes. Pointed nose. Scarlet cheeks. Small cherry lips.

Deep in his stare at Serin's beautiful face, tears suddenly dripped from her eyes flowing on her apple-like cheeks.

Jeremy feels strange that he got choked up seeing Serin cry in silence.

Though he has tormented her with his monstrous-like attitude, he has to admit he feels bad for betraying his parents. Growing up, he has been imparted values to treat those around him with respect, gentleness and kindness.

"Heron.. I miss you.." Serin, with her longing voice, suddenly uttered.