Chapter 3: Trojack

The room was dimly lit, but the face of a man seated in the shadows was strikingly clear—his features so flawless it seemed as if he was God’s favorite creation.

His fitted, handcrafted black shirt clung to his sculpted physique, emphasizing his perfectly proportioned body. Even as he sat there doing absolutely nothing, his presence was commanding, and his beauty seemed effortless.

The faint sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence, accompanied by the familiar, sweet voice of his grandmother echoing in his mind.

“Just marry Rosa, my dear. I will never accept anyone but her as my granddaughter-in-law. You know me, Trojack. I don’t usually like people, especially those who will become part of this family.”

Trojack clenched his jaw, his thoughts pulling him elsewhere. It wasn’t Rosa occupying his mind right now, but the only woman who had haunted his memories—the first and only woman he had touched in the darkness.

That night five years ago was a blur, but her broken sobs and pleas for mercy were etched in his memory. He didn’t know her name, nor had he seen her face clearly, but her presence lingered in his mind like a shadow he couldn’t escape.

He vaguely recalled drinking something at the club that night—something that left him dazed and unconscious. He couldn’t remember who had tampered with his drink or why, but the one thing he couldn’t forget was waking up to find her beneath him, trembling and vulnerable.

Before blacking out completely, he had taken off his watch, handed it to her, and then lost consciousness.

Now, five years later, the memory still tormented him. He felt immense guilt, knowing he had likely hurt her. He had no idea what had happened to her since then, but he was certain she hated him—and she had every right to.

Just last week, he learned that the watch he had given her had been sold at a secondhand market. It was an engraved, custom-made piece with his name on it, making it unmistakable.

To make matters worse, his grandmother had recently announced that he was to marry Rosa, a woman he barely knew. The idea infuriated him, but defying his grandmother’s wishes was not an option.

His phone vibrated, pulling him from his thoughts. This time, he answered.

“Hello?” Trojack’s deep voice carried a hint of irritation.

“Sir, we’ve located the woman,” the voice on the other end said. “Her name is Sheena. She sold the watch recently.”

Trojack shot to his feet, his eyes dark with intensity. For the first time in years, he had a lead. His heart raced with anticipation, knowing he was one step closer to uncovering the truth about the woman who had consumed his thoughts for so long.

“Give me her address. I’ll go find her myself,” he ordered.

+++++

Sheena had been struggling to keep her women’s clothing store afloat for the past year. Business was slow, and rent payments loomed over her head like a dark cloud. Despite her circumstances, she refused to give up.

Every day, she sold whatever she could just to make ends meet.

Recently, she’d decided to sell an old watch she had kept for years. She had assumed it was worthless, but to her surprise, it fetched ₱50,000 at the secondhand shop. She hadn’t felt any guilt parting with it—it wasn’t hers to begin with.

Five years ago, the club she frequented had contacted her, saying someone had left the watch in the private room she had booked—Room 808. She had taken it without much thought and stored it away, never realizing it could hold any real value.

“I can’t believe that useless watch ended up saving my bank account,” Sheena muttered to herself, staring at the screen of her phone displaying her bank balance.

Suddenly, the door to her store swung open with a loud bang. Sheena jumped to her feet, her heart racing in fear.

Before she could voice her protest about the broken door, her words caught in her throat.

A tall, strikingly handsome man entered, his presence dominating the small shop. He carried himself with an air of nobility, his movements sharp and deliberate.

“W-welcome, sir,” Sheena stammered, her voice shaky. “What are you l-looking for?”

Her eyes darted up to meet his, but she quickly looked away. The man’s tailored haute couture suit and imposing height—easily over six feet—made it clear he wasn’t here to shop for clothes.

“Are you Sheena?” His deep, commanding voice sent a chill down her spine.

“Y-yes, why?” she replied, her voice trembling.

Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. Sheena’s eyes widened in shock as she recognized the very item she had sold just days ago.

He handed it to her, his piercing gaze never leaving her. “Did you have this watch all this time?” he asked coldly.

Sheena hesitated, her legs shaking as she tried to find her voice. “Y-yes, I recognize it,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Five years ago, there was a woman in Room 808. Was it you?” His eyes narrowed as he studied her, his tone sharp.

“Yes,” Sheena replied without hesitation.

Memories of that night flooded her mind, but one question lingered above all else.

Is this the man from Room 808? The man I used to frame Rosa? Why would he come back for a watch he lost so long ago?

Trojack’s expression softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. “Keep my watch, and don’t ever sell it again. I will come back to compensate you for what happened that night.”

He paused briefly, his gaze intense. “Remember my name—Trojack Yddro.”

Without waiting for her response, he turned and left the store, leaving Sheena standing in stunned silence.