I'll try to edit this pag gising ko bukas. Thanks everyone for reading! I'm so tired today ≧ω≦

°†° «[𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝟏𝟏]» °†°
꧁༺Zayron Callum, The Fool༻꧂

"O--Ophelia.."

⫷ OPHELIA VIEWPOINT ⫸

Napaahon ako mula sa pagkakasandal sa upuan nang marinig ang umiiyak at puno ng pag-aalala at takot na boses ni Mae. Narinig ko ang hingal sa kabilang linya at mga tunog ng takbuhan.

"Where are you?" I asked gravely but my hands are already working on it, and connected my phone to my laptop.

"W--We don't know, Ophelia! We're b--being chased.." she wailed and her voice is full of panic.

"Tina! Noo!" I heard another voice, it's Desery.

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa cellphone ko.

"Let go! Nooo!"

Mabilis na nakuha ko ang lokasyon nila.

"Listen to me, Mae."

Narinig ko ang hikbi nito sa kabilang linya.

"Mae! I said fxcking listen to me!" I roared and commanded her on the other line.

"Y--Yes. Hic!"

I wear my earpiece while rummaging my closet, at agad na nilabas ang ilang magarang dresses ko na inihanda ko kung may mangyaring di inaasahan, which is a very damn great decision!

Damn, what the hell are these girls up to, when I'm absent?

"Go with them, Mae." I wear a black dress and black heels.

"W--What?" I heard her disbelief, I sighed habang mine-make up-an ang mukha ko ng konting foundation. Sinuot ko ang mask na di ko akalaing magagamit ko agad, kahapon ko lang ito nabili sa kanto.

Oh God, is this a coincidence or what?

I put a red lipstick to my lips. Nilingon ko ang sarili ko full length mirror.

I saw myself.

"I--I'm scared!"

"If you still want to live. Listen to me. Trust me, I got you."

"... But how about yo---"

"Here! The last one is here! Get her!"

"Don't alert them! Throw the phone."

* * *

"Kyaaak!"

⫷ THIRD PERSON VIEWPOINT ⫸

Assistant Secretary Lee, watched as another woman tried to land herself to death---to his young lord.

But before she can even touch the shoulders of his young lord, she was kicked in the... stomach.

"Your perfume. It smells disgusting."

Agad na naglabas siya ng panibagong 'black gloves set' para dito.

"How can you d--" tahimik na pinagdasal ni Lee ang kaluluwa ng babaeng di alam kung ano makabubuti sa sarili nito.

"Throw her on the sea." His young lord commanded, the hall was filled with the panic cries of the unknown woman.

Rest in peace.

Pilit na pinakalma ni Lee ang sarili dahil sa delikado at madilim na aura na pinapakawalan ng amo niya.

"This petty tricks, those old hags... throwing their daughters." he heard the mocking and disgusted tone of his young lord.

The assistant secretary have a ominous premonition once they are done on their business today.

But he's just a faithful subject of this demon king. It's none of his concern.

Tanging siya lang ang nakikitang nakasunod sa kanilang young lord, ngunit ang totoo ay maraming nagkalat na 'shadows' sa paligid at sinisigurong walang kahit anong panganib na mangyari.

"Good day, Young Master Callum! It's an honor to meet you!" puno ng pagbati ng mga taong nasa meeting room.

* * *

Tumagal ng dalawang oras ang meeting, bakas sa itsura ng amo niya na hindi naging maganda ang mood nito, samantalang naiwang namumutla ang mga nasa meeting room. Hindi niya alam ang pinag-meetingan ng mga ito dahil naiwan siyang nakatayo sa labas, dahil confidential ang pinag uusapan ng mga ito.

"To think they plan to hunt that hacker. They sure are gutsy,"

"Master R?" hindi mapigilang bulaslas ng assistant secretary, isang ngisi ang nakita nito sa labi ng amo niya na kinaputla niya.

His idol is going to be hunted?!

Huminga ng malalim si Lee sa nalaman. Hindi na lingid sa kaalaman niya na interesado din ang young lord niya sa iisang hacker.

"Sir?" tawag niya dito nang bigla itong tumigil at nakatingin sa kung saan at sa ibang direskyon ang nilakad.

"All of you. Don't follow me." mabilis na lumakad ito at iniwan siya. Sa ibig nitong sabihin sa 'all of you' ay maging ang mga shadows na nakaaligid.

"...."

He followed a woman in a black dress. She sensed someone's dangerous stare behind her. Her instinct is screaming danger.

Who?

Who's this person, to make her feel this much danger? She's fearless, and she's not easily afraid.

While she's feeling agitated, the man who's following her is watching her. She didn't seem to notice him, is what he thought because of how 'natural' she walked gracefully with her sexy figure.

He don't why he had this feeling that he can't lose his sight of this unknown woman.

"...."

This is the first. The first time he became interested in another opposite sex. Something within him is very restless, like it found what's it searching for, for long time.

Who is this woman... He didn't even know it's face. It's just a back.

He saw her going in the restroom but all of a sudden she screamed like she's scared of what she 'saw'

He saw his self immediately react, he catched her.

He was stunned when he realized what he did. He saw a woman wearing a beautiful black cat mask, her amber eyes was full of fear while looking at a group of men pointing their guns at her. On the floor was three unconscious girls.

"Do you have a death wish!" he roared madly, his anger intensified because he felt the woman in his arms was shaking and very 'scared'

He don't like the thought of her being afraid. What's happening to him?

Sa isang iglap bumulagta ang mga lalakeng dumukot kina Mae, Desery at Tina na nakasuot ng maninipis na tela na balak nilang ihatid sa isang kwarto upang gawing alay sa mga boss nila na naghahanap ng mapaglalaruan.

"...." mas lalong nanginig ang katawan ni Ophelia at puro buzz ang utak sa mga nangyayari. Nagkakagulo ang buong sistema niya sa mga nagaganap.

* * *

⫷ OPHELIA VIEWPOINT ⫸

Why, why, why!! Why is this guy here! Oh God! Oh God!! Whyyyyy!!!

Napahilamos ako sa mukha, sa sobrang stress. Bakit nagtagpo kami ng lalakeng ito? Wala ito sa plano! Tiningnan ko ang tatlong babaeng walang malay sa kama.

"...." at sa lalakeng nakasandal sa pinto na pinagmamasdan ako.

"Do you know these girls?" he asked.

"... No," nanghihinang sagot ko.

Please leave. You, fool.

T___T

I know he's not concerned about these girls. Is he suspicious of me? Yumuko ako para itago ang pagtalas ng mga mata ko habang mabilis na umaandar ang gears ng utak ko.

"...."

No, everything is perfect. From the way I sneaked in to this cruise ship to joining the masquerade party that are still on going.

It's really just a fxcking coincidence.

How are we going to leave this place. Humanda sa akin itong tatlong babaita na ito, oras na makatakas kami dito.

Pinigilan kong mapalunok at umakto ako ng natural at hindi pinahalata ang mga tumatakbo sa isip ko. Matalas pa naman ang lalakeng ito.

Kaya pala ganon na lang ang pakiramdam ko kanina.

"Y--You can leave now." I suggested with a little smile to him. Nagulat ako nang humakbang ito palapit sa kinauupuan ko.

Di ko na talaga napigilang mapalunok na nakita nito.

"Hm.." ngisi nito at tatanggalin sana ang maskara ko...

"Touch it and you're dead." I warned him, I saw his hand stopped in the air.

The room was filled with suffocating silence. I stared at his dark blue eyes with a hint of warning.

"I saved you, young lady."

"And I already expressed my thanks, young man."

"Feisty.."

"You're annoying."

"Pfft. Cute kitten."

What did this fool called me? Kitten? Me?

"Let's go and eat dinner." he suggested and this damn man, naturally place his large hand on my waist!

"I'm not hungry!"

//growl//

!!!

He tried to hide his amusement na hindi nakaligtas sa'kin. Akmang sisipain ko ang paa nito gamit ang heels ko nang mabilis nitong pinigilan ang hita ko.

"Okay, I didn't hear anything. I saved you, so you have to treat me." inayos nito ang tumaas kong dress.

"Wala akong panglibre sayo." kalmado ko ng sagot dito at umuna ng labas. Naramdaman ko ang agad pag sunod nito at ang lantarang paghagod ng mga mata sa akin.

"I'll treat you, then. It's fate that we meet."

Natigilan ako nang marinig ang sinabi niya, na kinahinto ko.

Fate?

This is not coincidence? But fate?

Bigla akong napahawak sa bare shoulder ko at lalong binagabag sa sinabi niya.

Sinasabi niya ba na kahit anong gawin kong pagbago sa kapalaran ko, may mga bagay pa rin na mangyayari kahit anong gawin at iwas ko?

I want to live peacefully. I don't want to live that kind of hell, anymore.

Naramdaman ko ang pagpatong ng kung ano sa balikat ko. Isinuot niya sa akin ang coat niya.

Tiningnan ko ito.

It's not that I hate this man that I'm avoiding him. I don't hate him. Especially, when I remembered my final moments nang lamunin ako ng apoy ng gabing 'yon, kahit na pilit kong sabihin sa sarili ko ng gabing iyon na hindi ako natatakot.

I'm scared. That night. But he came and he embraced me.

I'm a hypocrite, because I felt relieved because he was with me that night.

I'm guilty.

"It's weird. I want to hug you, right now. Who are you to make me feel like this, huh?"

"...."

Iniwas ko ang tingin dito.

"Why are you looking at me sadly?" he asked again at mas lalong nilapitan ako. Napaatras ako hanggang sa maramdaman ang pader sa likuran ko.

"I'm just tired." ito na yata ang pinakatotoong nasabi ko simula ng bumalik ako.

Ang tanging consolation ko sa sarili ko ay kailangan ko lang maghintay pa nang dalawang oras bago makarating ang cruise ship na ito sa susunod na destinasyon.

"I'm leaving." bahagyang tulak ko dito at iniwan ito.

"... Why do I feel like I'm being abandoned?" he mumbled by himself that I didn't have the chance to hear because I already walk away from him.

This is what was supposed to be. I have to cut any interactions or relationship with him. For his own good.

But now that I think of it, this cruise ship is one of his meeting places. It's not that I forgot this piece of information, it's that, I didn't thought of him, coming. I don't have enough time to investigate all the hundreds of people here, alright?

I sighed as I dragged my tired self to the masquerade party. Hindi ko pinansin ang mga matang nakasunod sa'kin nang makarating muli ako sa masquerade party na puno ng mga nobles.

Umupo ako sa malapit na magarang upuan, tsk, kung ibenta ko 'to I'm sure mga nasa 3 millions ang isa.

"...."

I sighed again, I wave my hand at mabilis na nagsilapitan ang 'mga' waiters. I didn't pay any attention with their behavior, maybe they are just this hardworking at walang masyadong inaasika---or not? Doon ko lang napansin na masasama ang tingin ng mga babae sa akin, na kinangisi ko.

"Get me something warm to eat and water, please." I said with a smile.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Nang makaalis ang mga ito ay nakahalumbabang pinanood ko ang mga nagsasayaw. May mga kanina pang nagyayaya sa akin na kanina ko pa nire-reject.

There are others who wants to strike a conversation with me, mapa-girls or boys. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood to entertain their egos.

"She's really attractive. Who is she?"

"I want to try that kind of dress, I wonder where she bought it."

"Her mask match her dress so perfectly. Which clan is she from?"

"Yeah, she's not entertaining anyone. She's kinda... scary, too. I tried to chat her but her gaze is giving me chills."

"I'm sure she's from a prestigious clan. I really admire her elegance and gracefulness."

"A pity, she's not removing her mask."

"Who knows? Magbe she's ugly!"

"That's impossible, I caught a glimpse of her earlier. Even though she's wearing a mask, it can't hide her beauty."

"I want to know her but she has this unapproachable aura, I'm nervous."

"I thought she won't be coming back."

"Tsk. Attention seeker."

"Did you see how those waiters are serving her? They really look faithful servants."

"Right. Just a wave of her hand."

Nginitian ko ang mga pagkaing nakahain na ngayon sa mesa. I'm so hungry. Tahimik na kumain ako, ngunit... Nakakatatlong subo pa lang ako ay may mga asungot na atat na atat na sirain lalo ang gabi ko.

"Hey, beauty. Why don't you join us? The foods in our table are more appetizing.."

Marahan kong pinunasan ang labi ko at malamig na tiningnan ang mga nasa lalakeng nobles sa gilid ko. May dalawang nakaupo sa harapan at may isa sa tabi ko. Four seater ang bawat tables.

"Right? Why don't you joined us? What's your name?" narinig kong tanong ng isang babaeng nangunguna sa grupo ng apat na babae.

I know her. She's Zevella Donovan, from the main branch of Donovan Clan.

The Donovan Clan, that rotten clan who abducted Mr. Green, the clan who is the very reason, a monster was born in the identity of a previously kind man.

I took a sip in the water that was served for me earlier.

My appetite is now damned ruined.

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" I heard her mocking shout na mas lalong nakasagap ng maraming atensyon.

Nothing goes right for me.

I hate it when my plans are becoming a mess.

I hate it when I'm not in control.

"...."

I sighed, at walang emosyong tiningnan itong gaga na siguradong may maitim na balak sa paglapit sa akin.

She hates it, na nasasapawan. Typical self centered noble ladies.

"Shut your mouths." I said coldly.

"What did you---!"

Di na natuloy nito ang sigaw nang dahil sa malamig na boses na dumagundong sa buong paligid. Huminto ang musika at ang lahat sa buong paligid at gulat na nakatingin sa isang direksyon.

"What is happening here?"

Di ko ito nilingon at inis na binato ang basong hawak ko. Narinig ko ang singhapan ng lahat nang tumama iyon sa gilid na suot na long dress ng babaeng dahilan ng pagkasira ng kain ko.

"You---!!!" akmang sasampalin ako nito nang ibuhos ko naman sa mukha niya ang di ko naubos na mainit pang soup.

"Kyaaak!" hindi pa natapos doon ang lahat at binuhos ko lahat ang laman ng mga nasa plato na nasa mesa ko. Nilayuan siya ng mga alipores niya, maging mga nakatabi sa akin kanina ay nagsi-alisan.

"Noo! My skin! It's hot! S--Stop it!"

Nandidilim ang mga mata ko at di pinansin ang pagmamakaawa nito, at ang takot sa mga mata nito. Akmang iaangat ko naman ngayon ang upuang inuupuan ko kanina nang may pumigil sa braso ko.

"Why? Are you going to stop me? Are you defending them?" I snapped at him, who's looking at me seriously. I glared at him hatefully and with dissapointment.

"No, you can beat them to death. If my kitten, wants to. Let me help."

Binuhat nito ang upuan ko kanina.

"...."

"Tell me. Who provoked you, I'll teach them a lesson." he declared solemnly, and at this moment some scene from the past overlapped together with him.

"Tell me. Who wronged you, I'll tear them to pieces."

"Really. You'll do that?" I asked as my emotions is being all over the place.

"You'll do that? For me?"

"Yes, I will." he said while looking intently at me, now.

"Yes, I will." he said while looking intently at me, in the past.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa babaeng nasa sahig. Namumutla ang madungis na magandang mukha nito. Ang kaninang magarang light blue dress nito ay ngayon puno na ng mantsa.

"Y--young master Zayron, p--please..."

Zayron, huh?

"Don't call me by my name." he warned dangerously at her na kinairap ko.

"Tsk. Pathetic." I mocked at her na mas lalong kinapula ng mukha nito sa pagkapahiya.

Naglakad ako papunta sa tabi ng lalakeng buhat pa rin ang upuan ko.

"That guy, and those two who sit with my table, tried to harassed me. Beat them." I whispered to his ear. I saw how his adams apple rolled because of our closeness, but when he heard what I've said. His face became so scary.

Who told them to provoked me? I'm a vengeful person and a very petty villainess.

Now taste my wrath.

BGM, ending: Till the End by Yoo Sung Eun