"I'm sorry, Zack. But I've made my decision" his cold voice came in at last, and Zack was stunned.
He never expected such response from Khalid. Never.
"She's not even a member of your clan yet. You have no right to withhold her" he said.
"And you have no right to take her ass well. She's in my custody and in a few days from now, l'Il be signing her into my clan" Khalid replied and sighed.
"Zack... let's just let this slide".
He wanted so badly to add "please". But fot someone like him, he can never beg - never.
"Not even in your dreams, Khalid" he said with gritted teeth. "I'll never let this slide, not when it involves the death of my brother".
"Punishing her won't bring Lewis back".
"Damn you, Khalid! I don't care! I can't even believe you're saying this. You've killed without reasons, Khalid. How dare you question me?"
Another silence.
"I'm asking you one last time, Khalid, to hand her over. Don't support my enemy"
his voice was rasped, but Khalid said nothing.
"I'll bring you down, Khalid, if you decide to fight against me". He said again and Khalid scoffed.
"I'm sorry, Zack. But you know me, I don't go back on my words" he replied and ended the call.
**
**
**
Becca was standing outside the door the whole time, feeling so mad already.
"I said let me in! I need to see him!" She said at the top of her voice, yelling at the guards who wouldn't let her go in.
"We're sorry, ma'am. But the Master was specific. He really doesn't want to be disturbed". One of them answered.
"Well, I don't care! You have no right to stop me!!"
Khalid could overhear from the balcony where he stood and the blaring sound of her voice was adding to his ache.
His hands fisted around the metals as he leaned over and groaned, gritting his teeth hard.
He could feel it - a big problem ahead.
He knew Zack too well. Zack knew so much about him - too many of his secrets and he knew he was definitely going to use them against him.
The door burst open as Becca barged in, and with the incongruous sound, they affected Khalid so bad, he turned towards the room.
"Get out, Becca!!" He yelled at her, and some items came crashing on the floor.
Becca was stunned and shivered a little at the cranky situation.
Instantly, all the energy she felt died down as Khalid's actions drained the life out of her.
"I'm... I'm sorry" she muttered and ran out in tears.
**
**
**
Octavia sat alone in the room, her drawing book on her laps.
It's been so long already and she's cried enough... smiled a lot...
The Master saved her. He listened to her please and saved her...
Oh! How could she ever thank him enough? How possible?
She looked at the book on her laps and took up her pencil.
For the first time, she was going to attempt something she never thought she could do something she's always been so scared of doing. And that was going to be.. drawing a human for the first time.
And that human would be her Master.
She smiled ruefully as she started moving the pencil on the plain paper, drawing the lines of his face first.
His charming image kept replaying in her head - his dark but cute eyes, slightly bushy brows, average lips...
She focused so much on it, putting in her very best and as she did, a tear came rolling down her cheek a tear of gratitude.
She couldn't imagine what would've happened if Zack had succeeded in getting her. She couldn't imagine it.
Finally, she can be at peace for the meantime, not having to hide herself or worry about escaping. She was fine and hoped it was going to last.
**
**
**
Long minutes passed and almost an hour...
And finally, she was done with it.
She gasped when she looked at her creation, astounished by it.
Oh, Christ! She had really done it! Drew it so perfectly.
Not 100% perfect, but it was amazingly cool, especially for a first timer like her.
She sniffed as she smiled at it - the face of the guy that saved her.
And suddenly, an idea struck at her...
What if she gives the drawing to him?
As her own way of thanking him?
She cogitated on the idea, wondering if it was a good one or not. And then, she came to a decision.
She tored out the drawing from the page and rolled it up neatly.
Then, she sniffed again as she stood up and left the room, headed for the Master's room.
*
Octavia stood in front of the Master's room, but the guards were really not making it easy for her as they had refused letting her in.
"Please" she said to the guards.
"I really want to see the Master".
"You can't see him. He doesn't want to be disturbed" the first guard replied.
"Please...Tell him I won't take long. I just want to give something to him" she held the rolled paper firmly to the side of her leg.
"Stop wasting your time, young lady and leave. The Master cant see anyone at the moment. So, leave before we force you too" another replied grumpily.
Geez! Why was he sounding so angry, huh?
Octavia felt disappointed and downcasted. And sullenly, she turned around and walked away.
Khalid had been in the room, and he could tell when he heard Octavia's voice.
He couldn't exactly get what she was saying with the guards, but after some minutes, he didn't hear form her again and figured she had left.
A little while, and he called on one of the guards.
"Santa?"
He didn't have to yell hard for them to hear him.
The door opened and Santa rushed in.
"Yes Master" he bowed.
"Was that Octavia?" Khalid asked after a
little silence and Santa answered "Yes".
"What did she want?"
"She wanted to see you; said she had something to give to you".
Khalid was silent for a while, not having any expression on.
"You can leave" he said at last and the guard bowed and left.
*
*
*
To be continued!