Prologue

I drank a shot of tequila. My thirteenth, if I had not lost count of the last three hours. I tapped my forehead and wiped away the sweat before commanding my senses to allow my claws to appear. 

I walked towards the lady in front of me, kneeling and clutching her fist to her chest, obviously in pain. I sighed as I watched her eyes form tears but she was holding it in, alright. She looked pitiful. 

“Natyaramona,” I called her name, pushing her back to her senses while hoping she wouldn't die. 

Because if she does, this clan is fucked for good. It was the higher ups that wanted an experimentation of identities. They said it would vitalize the name of our clan and strengthen our authorities. 

I frowned at the thought. Whilst great power comes with great responsibility, acquiring it also comes with greater sacrifices. Like this one, for example.

I glanced at Natyaramona, a cousin of mine. She’s around the twenty-fifth person to undergo transition. She gasped and tried to respond to my question earlier, but she couldn’t. The pain of transitioning was probably expanding through her insides. 

“Are we still going to proceed with this? Do you not see how it’s dangerous, or do you just refuse to?” Lucianna shouted at her mother, my aunt. 

It was my aunt that was greedy for the family power. The one who suggested that I should bite my cousins that are witches and werewolves and turn them into a vampire, just like me. She argued that with vampirism, witchcraft, and senses of werewolves combined, we will be indestructible. 

“Niklaus was made with witch powers! Powerful with powers at that! And you think a bite from him would produce the same results?” Lucianna screamed once again, seeking for the attention to be diverted to her. 

I hid my claws when I saw my aunt averted her gaze to my cousin, Lucianna. I immediately sat beside Natyaramona and assisted her into standing up. Her breaths were heavy and sharp, panting and almost begging for the last of it. 

“N-Nik…” she muttered. 

I was surprised. Normally, she wouldn’t be able to speak during and after the transitional phase. But Nat was different. She may be on her weakest but the fact that she isn’t dead means something. She might be… one of them. One of us. One of the few members of the Deveraux family to survive the transition.

I gripped her wrist tightly as I helped her stand up. She craned her neck and I followed the direction of her sight. They ended up directly on my face. I tilted my head, asking her if there was anything she needed. 

“Nat? What’s wrong?” I asked. 

She didn’t speak. Rather, she pulled me closer. Her face is now buried under my neck and her heavy sighs are creeping through my skin. 

“Natyaramona!” I called again, probing for the matter. 

“B-blood....” she managed to utter before fainting in my arms. 

My eyes widened as my body froze. Natya is a witch and a she-wolf. Her asking for blood could only mean one thing - she was successfully converted into a vampire. 

It took me a while to process it, and as much as I wanted to celebrate the result, worry crept through my spine as I saw my cousin fall to the floor, unconscious. I scoffed, realizing I couldn’t hold her properly, causing her to drop. 

“Nat!” Lucianna shouted as she flew in our direction. 

Her father was supposed to stop her but she used her witchcraft to freeze him. 

Witches are scary, I thought at the back of my mind. You never see when they attack, unless you do have the keen senses of a werewolf. It’s like they could run away from you but command a tree to fall right at your post. 

Lucianna threw her hand midair, just above Natyaramona’s chest and a beaming orange smoke emerged from her hand. Everyone took a step back when Natyaramona gasped loudly, her eyes vented open with her pupils now red. 

“It was successful!” my aunt exclaimed. 

Two of my other cousins - those who also almost successfully transitioned - abruptly came to us and helped Natyaramona up. 

“B-blood…” Natyaramona asked, louder this time. 

I glanced at Ambrosio. He nodded and used his new vampire speed to get Natayaramona the liquid she wanted. Fabbrician, on the other hand, squatted to level the gaze of Natyra beforing using his compulsione - a skill only vampires can do which allows them to hypnotize other creatures - to test out if Natyaramona truly transitioned well. 

“What in the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?” Natyaramona spat at Fabbri. 

Fabbri smirked and stood up. He looked at me and nodded, an affirmation that Natyramona truly is a vampire. Any other creature would get dizzy and lost in a vampire’s eyes, but Natyaramona did not. For the only creature that could withstand compulsione is another vampire. 

“Natya! It’s successful! Let’s try your powers!” my aunt squealed as she sashayed her way to our direction. 

Lucianna quickly got to her feet and faced her mother. 

“You’re awful! She is not fully recovered yet!” she hissed. 

“Mia figlia,” my aunt trailed off. We all looked away as she addressed Lucianna as my daughter because we knew she hated that. “The vital thing is her successful transition! Did it not glad you?” my aunt continued, asking Lucianna a hideous question. 

Lucianna’s eyes turned red and she blew a fiery smoke from behind her. This is what happens when she’s in rage. 

“Luka…” I called, trying to snap her out of her senses. 

She breathed once, the smoke and redness of her eyes now withering. She’s calming down. She then once again turned to her mother and answered. 

“Oh, for crying out loud! Was that all you can ever wonder of? Powers! Success! We even have no bloody idea what part of her she had lost! Mother, you do not think this is proper, do you?” she fired. 

Lucianna’s words were multiple stabs in my chest. Whilst it was not meant for me, why, I couldn’t help but wonder the delinquency I may have taken part in with all this. 

After all… I, Niklaus Deveruax, is the eldest of the Deveraux cousins. Not only am I the first ever vampire to exist, but also the first vampire that had the power of three powerful supernatural forces combined - a vampire, a witch, and a werewolf. 

It was the early 1700s when a witch, my mother, and a werewolf, my father, fell in love with each other. It was beautiful, and the perfect love - one that is one with nature and a beast that resides and takes care of nature and the other animals living in it. They were living peacefully with mortals and the children they were to bear. But at that time, a virus broke among mortals. Nurses and doctors reported that dead bodies in the morgue went missing. Nikleux, my mom and the most powerful witch ever, casted a conoscenza – a knowledge spell that allows her to track someone just by a piece of her identity – like a fingerprint, strand of hair, or a footmark. Luckily, a bloody footmark was stained on the morgue floor which made things easier for her. 

Mother was pregnant with me at this point of time and it was risky to use her powers. Conoscenza is a tricky spell that requires a lot of force and energy,  and even the most powerful clan of witches usually faints after using it. But it was a witch’s duty to be one with nature – calm, resourceful, and to serve the people’s needs. 

She needed to do it, not minding the risks it had. She did it anyway, and found out that there was another witch that was behind the virus. The other witch was purposely peeing on dead mortals and resurrecting them without blood to be her army. 

When they fought, both mother and father suffered equal and sufficient damage to die. But a witch is a witch. I guess it had always been their nature to be smart, always adaptive and using wit. Mother made sure that I shall be born alive, even if she’s not. 

She casted la resurrezione – a spell to resurrect a dead body – in this case, she casted it upon me. This spell, however, requires more than two sacrifices. My mother, in the last minute of her life, sacrificed hers, the witch’s, and father’s life. 

The witch was enraged but was too weak to even contest. But as another witch, she knew she could still do something. While mother casted la resurrezione, the witch casted maledizione del cuore, or the curse of the heart. It assures that anyone bestowed by the curse shall die once they’ve already found their heart’s content. 

“So Niklaus… always be careful… do not let anyone close… unless you wish death to come over…`` My aunt warned me when I was six years old. 

It was a typical day for me when my aunt broke the story of my origin and history. As a child, I was genuinely frightened. I didn’t know what to feel nor did I have any idea how to react. I was not even close to realizing what my heart wants, and now I have to command it not to get attached. 

But I for over it on my twentieth birthday. I realized there was no reason to fear, all I have to do was keep guard. 

“You headed somewhere?” Luka asked as she saw me headed towards the door. 

“Yeah. Usual place,” I answered. 

“Is it not your birthday? Where are you headed alone?” I heard Nat asked, probably had an earful of our conversation. 

I didn’t answer and they didn’t probe more. I went to the usual spot me and my cousins go to. It was the perfect day to unwind, as I was certain no one at this hour would be present in the said place. But I was wrong. 

Surprisingly, a red-haired girl was already in the swing. I got pissed, but I tried hard to suppress it. My aunt told me that my temper is sometimes uncontrollable, brought on by vampirism. 

I swiftly - using my now trained vampire speed - went behind the red-haired girl. Her shock made her jump and she fell on the grass. A chuckle escaped my lips. 

Mortal, I thought. 

I have been cautioned by my family to never go close to a mortal, as they may be able to sense our differences, and that they may freak out and lash around. But I refuse to believe that it will happen if I talk to this red-haired person in front of me. 

It’s been seconds and she still hasn’t moved from the grass. She only looked at me with eyes that matched a kitten’s. I started to get pissed when I realized she’s not going to get off the ground. 

“Are you stupid? Stand up!” I hissed. 

She only shook her head. 

“I have leg problems,” she whispered quietly, but still enough for me to hear it. 

A pang crossed my chest. I felt bad that I pushed her… is this guilt? 

The guilt I must have felt was overpowered by the worry of allowing myself to feel an emotion. So I did my best to shut it down. 

I stared at her for a while. She had a heart-shaped face, her lips obviously reddish-pink, and her skin pale. Her eyes – a glint of gray and blue – were large almonds that stretched upward, and it was a great compliment to her high cheekbones and sharp nose. But her most distinctive feature was the color of her hair… red. 

I stretched my hands to the girl’s post. She only looked at me and blinked twice. I hissed and looked away.

“I’m helping you, stupid fool…” I said. 

I was about to withdraw my hand when a warm touch enveloped it. Red haired finally grabbed my hand and accepted my offer to help. I stared at her face as she picked herself up. Her cheeks were red. 

“Fucking tomato,” I cursed under my breath, not sure if she heard it. 

I guided her into the swing until she’s seated. I hopped into the other swing just beside it. I had to remove the dust as it seemed like forever since a person ever sat in here. 

“So.. why are you here?” the red-haired girl asked me. 

I was quite taken aback. I didn’t expect her to lead on a conversation, much so speak to me after what I did. 

Mortals are pathetic, I said at the back of my mind. Whether it was brought by our differences in capabilities and power or just our being in general, I disliked mortals. 

Maybe the dislike was also influenced by my family’s thoughts about these creatures. So fragile, powerless… just weaklings, I suppose. 

I don’t know what value they have with their life. Why do they bother trying when death could come a little sooner than they think? What was the point of living? What was the point of striving for the better? It all ends anyway. 

“Why are you here?” I asked her back, emphasizing the word you. 

She looked at me with soft gazes, and I hated it. She feels so… warm. It ticked me off when her lips curved into a smile. 

“Today’s my last day…” she responded, still wearing a smile on her lips. 

I stared at her for a little while, baffled. Her what now? 

“What on the stupid hell are you talking about?” I hissed. 

“It’s my last day. I’ll be gone tomorrow… or I guess later…” she whispered breathily now. 

My brows furrowed as her words sank in my mind. Could she be possibly talking about… death? 

“Where are you going?” I asked, looking away, not allowing her to feel that I’m interested. 

It took her a second to reply. I glanced upon her and saw how her head was facing upwards in the sky. 

“Heaven, they say…” she whispered but I heard. 

Heaven. 

That place was almost mythical for creatures like me, as to how I will never understand. 

“You’re gonna die?” I asked her like its nothing. 

She nodded her head slowly, still facing the sky. 

“Are you wondering why I’m so calm about it?” she asked. 

I stopped for a second. Now that I think about it, I was wondering. Mortals usually clutch all the remaining time in their lives until they lose it. She was different. She accepts it. She’s just waiting. 

I didn’t answer her question but looking away from her gave her the hint that I am truly wondering. 

I heard her chuckle. The sound of her voice echoed through my head. I couldn’t believe it. Her chuckles produced vibrations that crawled into my skin. 

“Might be surprising to see someone as ready as me when it comes to death…” she trailed off. 

I craned my neck to see her. She wasn’t breaking her eyes off the sky. 

“I have no regrets,” she breathed. 

“I lived a life with family and friends I knew I could count on. I played… I cried, I stumbled and got up. It’s boring but I feel like I’ve probably fulfilled half of my life,” she stated as her eyes drifted and stared directly into mine. 

“It’s just a shame I couldn’t love. But who knows?” 

Those were her last words. I couldn’t speak after it, and a guardian of hers came and picked her up in the swing.

It was a short-lasted conversion. Meaningless as it seems. But it bothered me, more than it should. 

I used to shrug and laugh my curse off ever since I reached twenty years old. And it’s already the 1800 centuries and I never felt close to death, not ever. I never once felt threatened, not with the power I have. I am a powerful werewolf, a witch… and a vampire. 

I was feared, and no one ever came close. But what the red-haired told me struck me. She had no regrets. Regrets. 

Will I have no regrets if I don’t find my heart’s content? Will I be satisfied with immortality? 

That was the time I started doubting my powers and worrying about my curse. To keep your heart guarded means to never let the walls down, which is also to be alone and isolated all the time. 

But the rest of the Deveraux admired my power, envied it and believed it would bring our family name legacy. So they bore children and asked me to kill them. They will resurrect them after and let them drink a cup of mg blood, and hope that the results will be the same. But it wasn’t. Some of them lost their powers as a witch, some lost the abilities of a werewolf, and some just woke up with nothing new. 

The only almost successful transitions were of my four cousins – Ambrosio, Lucianna, Natyaramona, and Fabbrrician. 

Ambrosio was probably the second strongest. He might have lost his witchcraft but the new found agility and strength of a vampire made up for it. 

Lucianna, the weakest among us, but still the strongest compared to other creatures, took the speed and vision of a vampire and retained her witchcraft. But the senses of a werewolf withered. 

Fabrrician lost both witchcraft and her wolfness, but his vampirism exceeded mine. And the last one, Natyaramona Deveraux, my cousin that was last to survive, was the closest to success. She gained three powers but all are in moderate levels. 

I fought side by side with my cousins, travelled with them along the world, hunting for prey and running away from enemies. And I was settled with that, I didn’t want anything more. 

Or so I thought. I know for a fact that if I was truly settled and contented with what I have for the past centuries, I would have died by now. 

But I’m not dead, so my heart hasn’t reached it’ contentment. And while I don’t wish to see how it ends, there’s a longing curiosity inside of me that seeks to know what it is could sedate a monster like me. 

There was none, I thought. Until it happened. 

The black and white scene. Flashing an image of a school's playground with two people talking to each other.

One girl and one boy, smiles on their faces as they both let the wind sway their swings. 

An image of a girl with long, red, wavy hair flashed before my eyes and smiled at me, very tender and sweet like it would end my immortality. Then she collapsed into the floor.

The vision went black.

I couldn't see anything... it was dark... yet there were whispers.

"It's her..." 

"Puoi permetterti di perderla?"

"Take her..."

"Sarà la tua morte..."

I opened my eyes and sat down. My hands were shaking and I was having a hard time catching my breath due to shock. Fucking dream! No. It was a nightmare!

I have been coping with all the dangerous and painful whispers of the dark for quite some time already. I dream about the same thing almost every fucking night! I do not get the connection...

In my dreams, I retain seeing two people. And I know for a fact that it's not a reverie. It was my memory. A memory from a hundred years ago! When I was still in the 17th century! 

Centuries have passed and that girl, even when it's tough for me to concede, is probably dead. 

Thus, another girl, a grown-up lady is always appearing. This dilemma has been present for ever since year 2018 started, goddamn it!

I paved my way through the Italian bar. The entrance was covered with beautiful and pink flowers with the neon letters La Fleur. You wouldn't expect that inside it was a bar full of monsters doing drugs, sex, and feeding on people.

I saw a familiar man coming out of the counter and making his way to me. I grinned at him and nodded, letting my red pupil show – a way to greet your co-vampires. He did the same too.

"Niklaus! Good to see you. Come stai?" Fenrir excitedly greeted and asked how I was.

"Sto bene. Passami una birra, per favore," I answered him and asked for a beer.

He swiftly moved back inside the counter and showed me five famous Italian liquors. I chose the third one.

"Ah! Birra Moretti! Nice choice!" he claimed and moved the remaining liquors back to their places. I, on the other hand, opened the bottle and drank my frustration about my unending nightmares.

"The reason you have come to La Fleur, may I ask?" he delved.

I ignored his question and continued drinking, finishing the bottle in one go. Fenrir laughed at me, amused and I bet he finally realized that I am as problematic as everyone here.

"Amico, you know what to do with things that frustrate you," he said cockily.

I drew my attention to him as I put down the liquor battle. He stared at me with red eyes and showed me his fangs. I did the same.

"Morte, kill!" we said in unison.

So I spent fifteen minutes doing the plan I have in mind. In order to stop questions, I must find the answer. And in order to find the answers, I must find the person who I hope will give it to me.

"I have cautioned you, did I not, Klaus?" my cousin spoke in a conversant accent.

I sat down, disregarding his unrelenting bluster about the irresponsible thing I had just finished.

"Goddamn it! I swear to the Heavens I don't even have faith in, I will not assent to you by the time you come and voice to me that you regret what you did when the consequences of your repulsive actions take over!" he warned me.

I scoffed at his warning. As if a verdict like that would fright me into discontinuing the rash decisions I have for myself and for this world.

Above all of that, will I ever acquiesce and come to anyone and seek their help? I have lived hundreds, thousands of years standing on my own. What could possibly make me beg now?

I let my body fall into the room's giant and dark couch and sat contentedly, still not minding what my brother is overreacting about. I crooked my head to my nagging brother's direction and smirked at him.

"When did I ever regret my actions?" I answered him cockily, only with another question.

He shook his head in dismay. But his eyes told me that he was not surprised at all. Knowing myself and one and all, it would rather shock them if I do not do anything against their wants.

I raised my hand in a medium scale and leveled it with the apple in the basket on top of the table across the room. A silent command in my mind to let the red fruit fly, it was immediately in my left hand after one rapid travel.

I took a bite as my cousin walked back and forth from his position panicking and frustrated from what I did. I groaned when he didn't stop even after a few minutes.

I stood up and quickly went beside him using the speed I own, of course, as a vampire. Surprised was etched on his face as he saw me already in front of him. He recovered from his surprise abruptly and then glared at me, probably again with it with all the blaming of how stupid I was for doing this certain thing.

"This is not the first time I have abducted a girl and carried her here, Ambrosio! Now speak to me correctly, what is it that's really bothering you?" I asked him oddly.

Need do I to know what is the cause of my brother who does not care about a single thing I do become anxious suddenly just because I have taken a girl... specifically this girl here.

"Perhaps you are out of your mind, Niklaus! Need I remind you that this girl is the daughter of the newly elected president of this damn country!" he yelled at me.

I could not refrain myself from leering when I saw his veins popping and showing unto his neck. Something that rarely happens. It only occurs when Ambrosio becomes so helpless in his rage.

"And you think I don't know about that, Ambrosio?"

I didn't just hit a nerve when I said that. It was as if I drained all of his patience. He grabbed me by the collar of my blue long sleeves and in just one second, we were at the edge of the room – him holding me as his whole life depended on killing me.

But I know this. I have memorized and have been familiar with this. This is just one of the millions, not even exaggerating, rounds that my brother and I quarrel about.

I licked my lower lip and slipped my right hand through his back, trying to get hold of his head. When I did, I immediately flipped him and it caused him to tumble right into the room's floor. Without even waiting for one second to pass, he recovered and prepared himself for another attack.

But before he could even advance, a shout stopped us from fighting.

"What are you guys doing?!"

Ambrosio immediately twisted his head to see who shouted. But I didn't need to. That loud and high-pitched voice I came to hate for how many years was so acquainted to me I have memorized it.

"Natyaramona," Ambrosio welcomed our cousin.

I exhaled and smoothly fixed my top-wear before gazing into Nat. I grinned when I saw two familiar faces behind her.

"What is this? A family reunion, perhaps?" I was cockily teasing.

The woman behind him moved rapidly and hugged me. I did so, too.

"More like a cousin bonding, Niklaus," she answered.

I sneered at the next male cousin who had finished talking to my brother Ambrosio and now on his way to me. Although he kept me busy with all his stories that were surely much to tell, my gaze diverted into Nat who's now walking languidly to the body of the girl I and my brother were fighting about.

"Rough time in Italy, Klaus. But for sure the country misses you..." Fabbrician continued blabbering but I couldn't focus.

Nat squatted in front of the sleeping body that was lying on the other couch just beside the table. I saw her tilted her head and examined the girl's face. She gasped and raised her hand to remove the blanket just above the girl's neck.

I didn't allow it to happen. Leaving the talking Lucianna, I departed and relocated beside Nat and held her hand. She got shocked alright but my bitch cousin removed my hand from hers and crossed her arms.

"What is wrong with you, Klaus?" she asked impatiently.

Pure annoyance was visible in her eyes. It's like she was ready to put her fangs out but she is aware that she will not win a chance against me that is why I felt how she was controlling herself into bursting into anger.

"Might as well leave the girl, Natyaramona," I serenely supposed to her.

Her brow raised and she eyes me with nothing but suspiciousness. I equalled her stare and a few minutes later, she rolled her eyes and tried reaching for the blanket once again. Then again, I grabber her hand and stopped her from doing so.

She violently grabbed her hand from me and took a step forward. Her eyes were filled with rage already. This little bitch has the thinnest patience and can never take sarcasm. She always wants fights, always needs to get everything she wants. A spoiled, nasty, little half-devil and half-vampire.

"Are we fighting over this unidentified girl, Niklaus?" she shouted as if testing me.

I crossed my arms over my chest and kissed her cheek.

"I and Ambrosio did, Nat. Stop it and I am sorry for pissing you off," I consoled the brat.

She rolled her eyes and walked away from me. I followed her with my eyes and saw that Luka, Ambrosio, and Fabbri were on their way towards me and Natya. The three of them stopped to console the spoiled Natya.

I glanced at the sleeping girl. Her red, wavy, and mid-length hair scattered on her face. Unconsciously, my hands extended out to touch her face to fix the loose strands of her hair. As my fingers were about to touch her face, a picture of a small girl flashed through my mind that made me fall into my knees.

"Shit!" I cursed as I sensed an unfathomable throbbing in my chest.

A shadow went to me quickly and caressed my back. I raised my head to see who it was. Fabbri with his indecipherable facial expression went to me. I quickly stood up and removed his hand from my back.

The son of a bitch smirked and glanced at the girl before glancing at me once again. He also sniffed. He raised his brows at me as if he realized something.

"I smell no blood at all. So I am guessing you abducted her without hurting her. May I know the reason for this captivity then?" he interrogated me.

"I have no time to be interviewed by you, Fabbrician," I answered before leaving him.

I walked through our table when I eyed Nat sitting on a wing chair, arms crossed and pouting. Ambrosio or Ambrose, my brother was standing beside her, probably casting and mouthing sweet words that would calm the devil princess down.

I dragged another wooden chair and sat in front of her. Her jaw straightaway clenched after she saw me. I beamed in amusement.

The image of a sweet girl once again popped on my mind. I looked away from Nat. I was not sure if she used her powers on me and made me hallucinate about something I was eager to forget yet want to remember or was I just pre-occupied by that thought lately?

Besides, isn't that the reason why I abducted the girl and not caused her any bruise nor inflicted any pain? Hurting her was not part of my intentions when I thought about captivated her. As much as I hate to admit, a monster like me actually had the purest objectives when I captured her.

"Stop pissing her off, Klaus. She just killed five people before coming here," Luca amusedly told me.

From looking at Luca, I once again glanced at the stubborn Natya. She raised a brow when she saw me eyeing her.

"Five people? Hell, Nat. What a disappointment," I pretended to be sad for her.

"More like, five per country that we've been to, Klaus."

I peeked at Fabbri who's on his way to us. I glanced at the girl he just left before answering his remark.

"And how many have you been to exactly?"

"Just all the countries in Asia and say, ten in Europe."

Natyaramon gave me a proud face when I skimmed her way.

"Way to go, Natya!" I cheered for her, consoling her of what I did.

Natya seemed a bit consoled but she was trying to keep it and acted like she was still offended. To hide it, she diverted the topic to me.

"Who's the girl?" she started.

I only gave her a grin for an answer so she went to my brother, hoping for answers. And of course, my brother gladly answered.

"Not someone special," my brother sarcastically explained. "Just the only daughter of the newly elected president of the Philippines!"

I heard Luka curse out of shock while a chuckle escaped Fabbri's lips. And as for Nat, her jaw dropped and her eyes twinkled. It was as if the wickedness I did was enough for her to forgive me for pissing her off a while ago.

"You're a fucking douche, Klaus!" Luka added.

"But seriously now, cousin, what are you planning?" my brother questioned seriously.

"Do I need a plan, Ambrose?" I asked him back.

"Tomorrow is the President's inaugural speech! His family shall be present and to what shock will it leave the citizens of the Philippines if they find out she got kidnapped?"

"Their shock is not on the list of my concerns, brother."

Natya and Luka seem to be so amused by what's happening. Meanwhile, my brother groaned in frustration.

He stood up and reached for the remote of the television. He pressed the power button and the news about the most awaited inaugural speech of the elected president, the girl's father appeared.

"Will be held at the Plenary Session Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Metro Manila, President Lavestera will soon deliver his inaugural speech tomorrow afternoon. His family, composed of relatives, wife, and of course his only daughter and heiress of his few small functioning companies will join him for his special day tomorrow..." the news reporter said.

"Her loss will be a huge scandal and fuss, Klaus," he warned me.

I smirked. "Damn straight."