Red Ink

Story Name: RED INK

Genre: Romance and action

Episode 1 (The beast within)

The tall, dark and masculine man assessed the newly bought dagger in his hand, feeling the blunt edge with the tip of his index finger, his enigmatic eyes void of all emotions but one, 'Sai will love this. I have to give it to her. No one else's.'

With that one thought in mind, he placed the dagger back in its belt, tucked it in his pocket and walked into the just drizzling rain.

He walked, but walked without emotions. His face, carrying a blunt and aloof expression. Because then, everyone with an umbrella watched him as he strolled comfortably under the now heavy and cold downpour of rain, a blur as he walked down the road to the only place he wanted to be, at the Villa, Shafts Mansion--his mansion. He smirked.

Sai looked out the window to the place beyond, a dark cloud forming at the horizon and the droplets of rain hitting the closed windows-- hoping for a day she would be able to step out again, view the ocean and laugh like she used to.

Thinking about how long she had been here, she tore up with emotion and tears formed in her eyes.

Just then, her room door swung open slowly and Clara, her personal maid, came in with a tray of food, used her foot to close the door before placing the tray on the dining table made personally for two; a total ancient wood but fine and smooth to the touch.

"Sai, your lunch is ready. Don't you want to eat? You've been sitting by that window since morning" She placed both hands on her waist and observed her.

Sai didn't move. She was stiff like a stick.

Clara sighed and walked to where she sat, pulled the curtains shut and waited for Sai to give her a response.

Then, Sai slowly turned her head to her, her eyes red with tears falling down like water, uncontrollably.

" Oh my dear Sai," She dabbed the tears with the tip of her gown. "Stop crying. Stop crying. Crying isn't going to help you. The young master must not see you like this. You know it will break him... it will break him. Do you want to see him broken?" She looked at Sai but the tears were still dropping. The only response was her black pupils contracting and then she looked away from Clara.

"Common Sai, you can't be snubbing me. I am your only friend here...and young master's too." She cleaned her tears again and tried standing her up. "Sai, you need to eat to have strength. Come on."

With that, Sai slowly walked with the help of Clara to the table and sat gently in her seat. Her hands were shivering but she clasped them together, closing her eyes and praying for courage.

Clara opened the plates and arranged a smoked duck on spaghetti and sauce before her and went ahead to eat -- just then, the door opened.

...the presence of that man's intense stare swept over the room. Even though Sai didn't turn back, she could feel his stare at the back of her neck, she slowly dropped the fork of spaghetti that was going to her mouth and swallowed a big gulp of saliva.

"Young master Dillion" Clara acknowledged and stood up with her head a bit bowed.

He winced. "Leave us" He ordered.

"Y-yes sir." She clutched the Hem of her dress nervously, took a quick look at Sai who was now more composed than before and then headed for the door.

When the door was closed behind her, she did the sign of the cross and prayed for Sai in her heart while holding back a huge heart lapse.

Clara was far older than Sai, ten years older and she knew and have had her own share of life experiences. She'd been working in the Shafts Mansion for five years, of which Sai came in two years ago. Ever since, day in and out, she became the only joyful soul around her as Sai was not permitted to pass the room door. Ever! If she did, it was going to show on the cameras and Clara would be the one to suffer it. She knew the kind of temper Young master Dillion had and she only prayed he'd be in a good mood today-----For Sai's sake.

Thinking that, she walked away from the door and went to the sitting room nearby.

When the door closed behind him, Dillion walked slowly to where Sai sat and took the other seat, sat opposite her. He observed the table slowly and intently and then looked up at Sai, she was staring right at him, with those same haunted eyes of two years ago.

"Did you sleep well?" It took a while before he spoke.

Sai looked at him without saying anything, and also not bothering to answer his question, she picked up her fork and poked a cut piece of duck. She put it in her mouth and chewed slowly, the sweetness lingering in her tongue.

Dillion watched her every move and his pupils contracted and his eyes narrowed, focusing on her lips.

She knew what she was doing. She was taking her time and she knew what she was doing. But not today! No Dillion, not today!

He fought back his andrenalin and showed no expression on his face. "Did you sleep well?" He asked again.

Sai looked up at him, straight in his eyes and poked another piece of duck without looking away, she put it in her mouth and chewed. She watched his every eye emotion and ate on them, even though his face remained unchanged.

She picked up the jug of water and poured herself a glass before gulping it all down. When she was done, she belched internally. "Yes, I slept well"

Dillion's eyes brightened, because that was the first time she said she did. But then, his happiness quickly flew away when she added,

"You know why? Because I didn't sense your presence this morning. And in my mind, I was hoping YOU'D DIED!"

"You!" Dillion took her briskly by her hair, she could have shouted due to pain but she didn't. She endured it and that made the beast in him rage wildly.

He pulled her face closer to his. She was a petite young lady, and beautiful, with thick black hair and black eyes that shone brightly but were now dull. "Sai, I warn you not to provoke me! Never! I won't hesitate to hang you by the rope if I ease. Don't you ever have the mindset that I can't do anything to you because you hold a picye of my heart. I won't hold back if I want to. Are we clear, huh?"

Sai fought back the pain with a lot of her strength. She was used to this. She shouldn't break down in front of him. Shouldn't. Never!

She looked him straight in the eyes with all the hatred she had left in her and more that were still bubbling.

"Sai!!" Dillion roared, "I asked if we are clear?!" He pulled her stronger by her hair, felt like it was about pulling from the root.

Sai couldn't hold the pain any longer. She yelped loudly and burst out crying, but she couldn't admit she was in pain.

When Dillion saw her tears, he instinctively pulled away.