(FROM A BROKEN PROMISE)
SOMEONE told me that everything existed by the will and plan of the heavens. That everything from the day that you are born, your heart is entwined for someone that will care, long, and will be your everything, but what if, the pair that the heavens meant is an accident and a tragic fate brought by the Devil with the deal to make and break everything? Will you still forgive the heart that forgot because of the curse?
'The one that I've been looking for, the one that I kept dreaming of, but I could not recognize if she is that same girl, then, should I restrain myself again?'
Somewhat being drag into a corner, I faintly hear a voice whispering those words just behind my subconsciousness as I am pin in place facing the person I deem to be my enemy, yet my heart and a small part of my consciousness are telling me not.
"You."
I wanted to curse yet turn facing on his arms, I fall face to face into the one I reluctantly hated.
"I caught you then again, Miss del Lionore, or would you prefer I call you by the name, Miyu."
Caught stupidly in the moment as his smile completely turns my entire world around, my heart is struck, somehow falling into a dangerous pit that if I fail to snap back up, I will lose in his dangerous façade. The information that I receive a while back and the truth that surrounds me should be enough to take me out in the delusion of his gaze. Yet. With his smile that put me down on the ground helplessly, being trapped in a glass cage of his eyes is a thing I did not expect to be.
'The thing that you are been looking for all these years is not in that place, but the one behind that place, if you really want to know everything, start with it, and maybe one of these days, you will eventually meet her,'
"Mika."
Somewhat corrupted like a computer that malfunctions when a dangerous virus of some sort enters my system, my thoughts jumbled in a disarray of wanting and not. I once more heard a peculiar whisper, yet unlike a while back, it's a voice of a girl I knew and gave me the warning I should have heeded a long time ago. Smiling as his eyes completely took my thoughts away, everything spins into a moment of pure silence as his face draws near, tightening his grip holding my hands, and his arm that wrap around my waist that drags me closer and near. His lips come whispering an inch away from my ears
'What do you think you are doing, 'STUPID' Miyu?'
Hearing the last word, he just said, fleeting beat claims me once more as my heart thumps with the beat I knew, but somehow, I could not remember. Again, caught stupidly in a gaze. His words and the very same thought came rushing. But this time as it bounces back, the fleeting wants became the un-wanting heartache.
"What do you think you're doing, 'STUPID' Miyu?"
Here it goes again, the same voice of the young boy who always calls behind my back and whispering the words that only brings me with the agony of longing for someone I even could not recognize who or should I be remembering. With those words, pain speeds up, reaching the scar that I unknowingly had, and from the second of the worst nightmare that somehow gave me a glimpse my tears wanted to escape as I want to fall weakly from my knees without even knowing why.
'Miyu, do not worry I'll be back, I promise!'
Did I just hear him say that? Did I just saw something too vague to be real yet something that is not a lie nor a dreadful dream?
"Let go!" snapping out as my original aim kicks back, realizing that drowning into a stupid daze out of the words and flashes of a picture-perfect scene from out of nowhere is not an option. I push him back, taking my still weak and forced self to escape, falling over almost in a split second as I stand regaining my strength standing up, panting while I calm my stupid heart eyeing him in return demanding a distance and answers for everything.
"You should not be out here,"
Facing him back as I put my palm in front of him and silently yelling for him to stop. He looks straight at my eyes as I regain my breathing warning him immediately as I ask the five questions counting in return.
"How did you find me?"
I firmly ask in an interrogation tone as I stop him from answering the first question by folding my thumps, asking for the next one.
"What do you want?" as I fold the index finger. "Why are you doing this?"
Now panting as I somehow lost my calm breathing as it gets heavier by the moment, my knees wobble as exhaustion is reaching my limit. Worn out from everything, I ask another and the following. "Where is all this heading too?" closing almost everything in, the last words kick out. "Just who are you, the real you?"
Somehow easing the pain that for a while is going wild inside my heart and with the tears that wanted to escape, my weakened self finally gives in, as my sight blurs blacking out. Falling weakly, as he caught me into his arms, my still half-conscious self hears him with the words.
"Someone, I am someone who should not have left you behind from all those years ago, the stupid one who created that deal, and the one to whom should recognize you earlier as of now."
With those words that sounded more than a simple confession, my weak state fails to understand everything. Drifting asleep, the voice of a boy whispers once more unto my ears, but this time with the words as it is a promise.
'I promise, I will come back for you, on my 13th birthday, the same day of your 12th birthday, the day that the Sakura tree will bloom let's meet there, and by that time our star pieces will become one.'
Dream, yet not, as my subconscious somehow brought me back to a place and moment I recognize but fails to name the boy in front of me, but I fail to call and hold him. To the small house and his pleading voice for someone behind the closed door, I can only watch as he cries with the promise.
'Take this as a sign of our promise and the very thing that will lead us back to each other. The half of the star that will temporarily be away, but soon will become one again, by that time, your half star necklace of 'Spica' and my 'Rigel' will see each other again. Until that time comes, promise me that you would not ever forget about me. Will you swear?'
"MIKA!"
Walking up as my panting breath echoed the room, I found myself again in the four corners of my hospital bed.
'Someone, I am someone who should have not left you behind from all those years ago, the stupid one who created that deal, and the one to whom should recognize you earlier again then and even now be the first.'
"Someone?"
Whispering as I ask myself if the words that I heard from him or not, as it might be my hallucinating dream. The puzzle piece that I am trying to collect to solve the grand picture got even more complicated, as my questions pile even more than before.
'I promise, I will come back for you, on my 13th birthday, the same day of your 12th birthday, the day that the Sakura tree will bloom let's meet there, and by that time our star pieces will become one.'
"Just who are you?"
Asking as I think of the facts that I knew now that somewhat turn in between the lies and truth, my lost memories, the things that I have done then, what is happening now, and the real tangible thing in between are adding more from the burden I am puzzled right now.
"If you are Zero, then you are someone that I should not trust, the one who runs the Black Casino, his ally and my enemy, yet, the times you save me, and the way you acted. Are they all just a play, and if it was then, what do you want from me?"
Hearing the door slides open, I look beside to see Yuna enters as she walks towards me smiling, with a mix of worry and relief from all the drama that went through the other day.
"I have already taken care of everything as you can discharge anytime you want today, as for Vince, he is now working on the information that you wanted to have, but it looks like he is having a hard time hacking their system."
Informing me about the operations and the depths of everything of the underground business of the 'Black Casino.' I nod in approval, wanting to know everything once and for all.
"It is not that easy even for me back then in the states, the day that I learn the connection of my father to that organization, even I that can pass through my father's name was not even lucky. Only the shallowness of the smoke was the only thing that I have gathered. Their system is encrypted with formidable codes and security that even with their members pass cannot get through, but I know Vince can."
Believing enough in my team as I know how they work knowing that we grow up together. My mind is incomplete dissolution for the connections and the truth behind everything and especially about him, as it may be connected to my life and the questions, I am looking for the answers to all my life.
"But the fact that you did not tell anything of this to us is very disappointing, Mika."
Disappointingly worried about me from the days and the past years to where I move alone to my own risk defying my father behind his back without them by my side, I only replied with a smile with the assurance that everything will fall to where it should be.
"We know you wanted to know what happened then. The truth behind that accident. The secrets that the president is hiding from you. The connections that might lead you to your lost memory and the murder behind your family's death, but remember we are in this together. We promise you that we will help you no matter what, and until the end, all you have to do is trust us and nothing more."
Holding my hand as the ticking bomb that we four are trying to detonate and unravel is losing at its final countdown, I nod in response, apologizing.
"I know, but for now you first have to come back to the company before any suspicion arises. If what I think of Hiro Altamira is true, by this time, my father knew where I am and what happened. I do not want to put you three in danger. I already send Leo back to see if anything is off for, but from here I will move temporarily on my own. I need to make sure that the Village is safe as we need to take full precaution for our actions. To the things that happened, we need someone who can help us, and if the Villagers trust that person, then it is the right time that I met him." As I lay the details and the steps that we should and needed to take, as I believe and think that it would be all for the best.
"But that person is more than a mystery, to begin with."
Taking a warning to the mysterious guardian that the Villagers talk about in vague to my team, neglecting to say a thing or two of who he maybe not until I will be the one to ask in the flesh. Those five years that I was not there, the one who is protecting them, the guardian they spoke of, and the elder claims to be someone important is enough to at least for me to trust even just a little.
"I understand your sentiment but if the Villagers trust him enough to call him as the Village guardian, is enough for me to gamble a trust off. Besides, this is not the time to be vexed, as we needed anyone who can help us, but rest assure that I will be cautious."
Nodding in defeat and quite in agreement, Luna's eyes still mark the lingering thoughts that everything might be something I should back away to.
"I understand yet, that is not what concerns you more, right?"
Reading my thoughts as puzzling worry jives in, I look back at her, confirming her thoughts with a nod.
"Though we are almost there, and the truth is just a few steps more. The past few days and everything that happened, I felt like its dragging me down to a different path that I could not figure out. The questions that I thought that we could finally answer in an instant came crushing, adding more with the great mystery because of him."
Thinking of the days and the times he saved my life, the things that he did, and the reason for everything. Though, I wanted to believe and think that he only did it as a play that he runs wearing a mask to lure me in. The lingering question haunts me of why?
Knowing that he is Zero and the most powerful one in the underground business and the shark behind the company who wanted to hurt and take the village out, makes me ask the question of why. Playing with the two identities he has, I do not know how should I guard myself up from the enemy this big, worst that he is the boss my father has on his back as a support.
"The things that I still could not understand, why is he playing a facade, and had to wear two masks at the same time? What's more, if he knew who I am, my connection to the Village, and everything that is me, then why does he have to take that action? If all he had to do is force me back, force me to give in, and even confront me directly, right? Yet, he did not."
Taking the facts, I currently analyze and knew only adds to the worry I have inside. To the person that turns out to be the biggest mystery and enemy I could have, his connection to my father, his power and wants to the Village, and worst with him deliberately giving me the hint of who he truly is. It is making me think that he is playing a joke at me and deliberately toying my feelings with the façade and lies he is wearing from the goal that I still do not know what.
'Someone, I am someone who should have not left you behind from all those years ago, the stupid one who created that deal, and the one to whom should recognize you earlier again then and even now be the first.'
"If he only wants the Village, then why does he have to go through pretty much in lengths like what he did? With the possibility that he knew who am I through my father. Yet, why did he act like he did not?" asking the next and both possible and impossible things as it leads to nothing but more vague answers and another wondering thought, it all leads my entire being to keep wary and more of him. Yet.
"What if he is not?"
As Yuna caught me red-handed, and expectedly reading my thoughts and what going on to my taunting mind right now.
"That is what you are thinking, right?"
I evaded her stares as my thoughts draw me deep with Yuna deliberately telling me the if's I am asking deep within my mind. With the possibility that my heart somehow is asking for that hope, hope, and a wish that I should not feel for the person that could be my doom.
"That what if everything is just a coincidence? That knowing you are all but a background knowledge of him about your father. That's saving you is beneficial, for you are someone he can use against the president, besides you are the only heir. Or perhaps he knew you deeper than we ever know and that includes the Village."
Laying the negative side and a fact that is not far from the truth, Yuna continues with the possibilities.
"But what if he did not know?"
Somehow giving me hope as I quickly look back at her earning her with a smirk, knowing that I am somehow swayed. I glance away, knowing that I just gave myself away stupidly.
"What if he did not know that you are behind and the one who owns the Village, besides you are using a fake name in return. All four of us did the perfect job in concealing your real identity that even the villagers have no idea, except for Elder Peter."
As she taunts me more pinning the possibility that deep within my subconsciousness is hoping to be true.
"That everything is just a mere coincidence and an inevitable thing. That he did not mean to cross path with you, it is just somehow destiny lead him to you."
Left with the agony and thoughts Yuna added, my protesting mind and heart come to the side note of I do hope that everything of the IF'S is the truth.
"Then, what we all work for the past and the truth I'm chasing for years was all, but a lie."
I crumple my fist as those thoughts gamble between what I am fighting for so long and the growing feelings I should not have for the enemy I call him.
"Innocent or not, I cannot trust him, but if the ifs are the truth, they might be someone in the shadows that is formulating everything and that someone is far more dangerous than we could ever encounter. For now, let us take everything as little by little as possible. You must go back first as I will do what I need to do."
Determine to know the truth and the surrounding mystery of the person that is him. I took a card out as 'her,' words echo.
'It is better to know less than be curious and be hurt in the process, but everything will always be as one of you is needed to take that toll to make the rest fall to where it should be.'
Should I trust the person whose life revolves around a mysterious lie, but the one who is playing a huge part in my lost memories.
"WELCOME, miss. Mikaella del Lionore or should I call you, Miyu?"
Standing before the person who is either an enemy or an ally, I took a step entering her den as her invitation still stands.
"I knew that you will come. Please do sit down. What do you want, coffee or tea?"
Asking politely, I take a seat in front of her as I ask for tea to whom her servant immediately obliges, giving me one. Pretending to give my full attention for a while, as I attentively study with my eyes the corners of her office that are located in the city's grandest hotel. Armed security swarms outside taking their post guarding just as the door closes, and we both are left alone in the room.
"Protocol, a rule is a rule after all."
Noticing my wonder, yet somehow intrigue, she answers my question like she can read my thoughts. Looking directly at my eyes as halfway smiles she layout everything.
"Let me be frank and allow me to jump immediately to business, from those 'five years that past as we bought this very place', Miss del Leonore."
Short, but detailed information that I notice and understand immediately as she pertains that everything that happened is not a mere coincidence, but something that deals around the past that I forgot.
"Eight years ago, the period that we came here, five years as everything went to this day and fall into action for the deal that we wanted to win no matter what. The deal in exchange to that thing, that same truth, the only one, which you wanted to, am I right, Miyu?"
Smirking as her mind game is kicking in, I took a deep breath before taking the fight as I look at her with the conviction to know everything.
"But that is not what you came here for, isn't it, for if it was, I mistakenly invited you into a death den?"
With her words and voice that threaten to crawl and eat me alive, the game she is playing, the reason behind the invitation, and the tempting words she said then, are now turning into the test she wanted me to take.
Smirking as I look at her directly in the eyes marking my thoughts as I am not the fool in this mind game, but the protagonist of this play, her face changes as her intimidation stops giving me in return a relaxed, but still full of warning tone of a smile.
"Do not worry, I will not dare lay a singer finger to the only person who is keeping him alive now, yet, you sure both had it tough as everything of this will surely end up again in that same cycle. Until one of you realizes, and he will understand."
Somehow giving me the answer, yet I could not understand, she changes the topic right before taking a sip of her tea. The lining in between hit me like a mixed edge of fear, worry, hurt, love and longing, yet, with my conviction and determination to take what I needed to. I set it all aside as I slid a sealed document on top of the glass table of the information of what I knew so far about them, creating the screaming reason and the risk that I just took to know the truth.
"As you said it yourself, allow me to take everything out directly into business."
Un-wavered as I mask a doubt, I held a breath in and ask, "Five questions, who, what, why, where and how, those are the things I wanted and the only reason I am here. Now answer me in a direct un-wavered one as I wanted to where he failed off."
Taking all my courage out as I am at a disadvantage if anything will go astray as the rabbit who is foolish enough to jump inside the den of the hungry lions, I'll take the credits wanting the only left thing.
"Then let's make it fast, shall we?"
Taking the files out of the envelope as she read it, she took a page as she slides a particular document towards me with the information written all about him.
"Five questions, five facts, and one hell of the truth, but the real question here is, can handle that same pain, Miyu?"
Howling another warning, I crumple my fist as I held my head high, answering her question with a determined gaze to know everything.
"As you wish, first, who? Hiro Altamira, this world-raising top business royalty and the youngest bachelor who everyone admires for his brain and skill in the industry. Owns the Altamira Empire and is this generation and the future top dragon in the business field. Second, what? He is the most powerful person anyone in this line had ever known as everything that he wants he will get, as no one can and would dare to cross his path. A boss, a master, but my student. Third, why? Like any other, he wanted everything that can give him money. Anything without a particular reason, for a business is still a business after all. Fourth and last, where and how? From the start as he only wanted power and money more than anything, to this place, to own land and have his way. But this is not what you wanted to know, right?"
Still playing her game, I stand on my ground waiting, without the slightest gaze of backing up even a second. Not until she answers those questions as perfectly and honestly as it all should be.
"Well, it looks like you did your research, but one thing." Tapping her finger thrice to the name written on the document, she smirks, looking back with a satisfying tone. "The black organization, the underground business, is known only to the members specifically to the ones who are powerful enough in the same league. Looks like president Lionore's only heir is quite something, but, as you are since, smart, but reckless." Smirking as she crosses her feet, looking amused, she smiles again and back. "The Black Casino, a perfect façade, a mask everyone is wearing, the real empire of the man behind the name Zero, to which is a Hiro."
Ringing as I clutch my fist confirming the riddle that she gave answering a thing or two. It is like a domino effect that fires my anger knowing the enemy that is standing before me.
"His desire to take everything away from everyone who leads him onto this hellish life is the thing that fires his existence. The thing that he wanted is the place where everything started, and the one he is searching for is the one he cannot remember. Yet, to the one he is protecting unconsciously and stupidly without knowing is someone who needs to remember him first but is a threatening enemy now. He desires to be free. The thing he wanted is the Village, the one he is searching for and wanted to protect, but forgot is a threat now, are you, Mika?"
Detonating the bomb right in front of my face. The facade that runs from everything into a circle and this, my heart and mind now turn into a complete mix of an upside-down truth and lies from the fact that burry the pain she warns me off in the very first place.
"You want to know the truth, but seeking is both suicide and salvation. Now, what path would you like to choose to start from this cruel fate you both run into?"
Somewhat cat caught my tongue, her words and the fact that she screams in front of me that 'he' is someone dear in my past is taking the worst feeling of agony inside of me. Maybe I am wrong to ask those things, as it only gave me another pile of questions rather than the answer that I wanted as it worries me somehow. That looking for the things I wanted for years will only bring me pain in the end.
Looking back as everything came in a jiff, turning the person to whom I discovered to be the worst nightmare of an enemy. His mysterious identity is keeping me on both sides to trust him and not. Yet to the one who saves me multiple times, the stranger he once is and becomes not in many circumstances and ways now. His real motive is making me warry of him, but somehow from everything of this. Should I trust the person whose life revolves around a mysterious lie, but the one who is playing the biggest part of my lost memories as what she pertains to be?