The Real Beginning: Fateful Encounter
Akane takes another stack of chips, pushing them forward into the pot and then continues, with an unreadable and stone cold face. Ngayon ay nasa Entertainment District siya at abalang naglalaro ng poker sa isang Casino Hotel.
Sa totoo lang ay hindi niya talaga alam kung ano ba ang pinunta niya sa lugar na 'to. Maybe she was bored and wanted to
unwind for a while. She really find this place awesome, Entertainment District has it all. O 'di kaya naman marahil ay dahil hindi niya magawang makalimutan ang mga nangyari noong isang gabi kaya heto siya at muling bumalik sa lugar na ito.
Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi niya pa rin maialis sa kaniyang isipan ang misteryosong lalaking nakilala niya noong gabing iyon na walang iba kun'di ang mismong nakalaban niya rin sa isang pangmalupitang karera. Sa totoolang ay pag-uwi niya ng gabing iyon at hanggang pagdating sa kaniyang pagtulog ay ang lalaking iyon ang patuloy na gumugulo sa kaniyang isipan.
Hindi niya nga alam kung bakit mayroong parte sa kaniyang gusto siya ulit makita kaya naman muli siyang bumalik sa Entertainment District, umaasang muling magkukrus ang landas nila. At heto nga siya ngayon, napadpad sa isang casino at kasalukuyang naglalaro ng poker.
Napabuntong hininga si Akane, ang mukha ay nananatili pa ring blanko. She remained calm and focused. She's not letting her opponents read her while she is silently observing her opponents' faces, feelings and reaction. Poker is one of the games to which the player shouldn't just focus on the game but also on her opponent. She needs to read them, that what's she's doing right now. She needs to know what is going on inside their minds so she would be able to assume what card they're holding.
Of course, she just can't put all of her money into the game without holding onto something. She shouldn't be reckless in her decisions. She should think and observe. Her decision must not be baseless or else she will lose before she realizes it. The gambler's power is not only money, but also her ability to read and think throughout the game of cards.
Poker isn't a money game. Poker is a game of mind. Poker is a strategy game that has a lot to do with presence of mind. Playing poker half-heartedly or emotionally will only ruin your pocket.
Wealth is meaningless if the player is unable to defend herself and her assets. If she does not use her thinking wisely and carefully, she will lose all of her money. The smartest and sharpest always come out on top. It's not about who's the strongest or who has the upper hand first.
Her opponent donated to the pot adding a prepared set of chips, that way her only move was to either forfeit or buy into his trap, the bluff her opponent was pulling.
But to her opponent's surprise, Akane bought his raise and kept a poker face. Tow men following down the line, folded their cards to the host as a sign of forfeitue.
The man calmly proceeded to add to pot. And it seemed endless with the amount of times the repeated raising between her and the man, the tension building up for the attendees just by watching how cautious the both of them were being.
Her breath hitched, giving into his act and folding her cards towards the host. Words left her opponent's body completely, the moment he realized he misinterpreted her actions and just won the game.
Hearing her opponents sigh in defeat, she hid her victory praise in her head and gathered her earnings in the pot. There are still brave players who stayed that's why she decided to continue and play for few more rounds.
And fortunately, she won in a straight flush, four to eight, and has the highest hand. Kaya naman masaya at may malapad na ngising tagumpay siya sa kaniyang labi ng umalis siya sa casino. Kasalukuyan siyang nagmamaneho nang biglang may tumawag sa kaniya.
Pinindot niya ang earbuds na suot at konektado sa kaniyang cellphone. "Yes, hello."
"You need to prepare for tomorrow." Iyon ang kaagad na bungad sa kaniya ng kausap sa kabilang linya. Seryoso ang boses nito at mukhang napakaimportante talaga ang kung anoman ang tinutukoy niyang kailangan niyang gawin mamaya.
'Seems like something's up, huh?' She smirked. "Why?"
"There will be an auction that will be held in Regiis Tower tomorrow. I heard one of the items will be the Substance 0X1. You need to get it."
Saglit siyang natigilan, ang mukha ay biglang naging seryoso. 'Ang Substance 0X1? Damn!' Ibig sabihin lang nito ay hindi magiging madali ang lahat. Kung totoong isa sa mga item sa auction ang Substance 0X1 ay siguradong dadagsain iyon ng mga bigating tao o maging mga malalaking organasasyon sa iba't-ibang bahagi ng mundo at gagawin ang lahat maangkin lamang ang bagay na iyon.
Napabuntong hininga siya at napatango-tango na animo'y nakikita siya ng kausap. "Alright," seryosong sagot niya.
"You must get it no matter what, Akane."
"Yeah. I will bring it to you no matter what."
✒✒✒
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Hindi napigilang mamangha ni Akane pagkarating niya sa venue kung saan gaganapin ang auction. Richness and extravagance screamed in the whole place. The immense resplendent and voluminous crystals of the chandelier in the high ceiling screamed richness and class.
The high circular table were ornately made. It was like made of ice and was sculptured delicately. Ang taas nito ay halos abot hanggang dibdib at sa ibabaw nito ang nakalagay ang mga designated numbers ng bawat isa.
The whole place is so mesmerizing. It was gleaming. The atmosphere were nothing but formal and lavish.
Everyone inside looked so sophisticated and grandiose. The ladies were dressed with fancy gowns while the gentlemen were wearing expensive suits and branded tuxedos. It was jaw dropping. High class people from different kingdoms were gathered in the place just for the auction.
Akane on the other hand, was wearing a red gown and black butterfly mask that covers her face. Kakaiba at hindi basta-bastang auction ang mangyayari dahil ang lahat ay nakasuot ng maskara at walang ideya ang bawat isa sa kung sino ang mga kasali auction. Itinago sa isa't isa ang pagkakakilanlan ng bawat isa at sa paraang iyon ay mananatiling misteryoso at tago ang kung sino mang makakakuha ng mga item ngayong gabi.
Bukod doon ay may mga guwardya at butlers din na nagkalat sa loob at labas ng venue. Hindi na kataka-taka ang mahigpit na seguridad dahil ang lahat ng dumalo ay pawang mga makapangyarihan at kilalang tao.
Nagpunta si Akane sa pinakaharap na table kung saan naroon ay kaniyang designated number. Maya-maya pa ay nagsimula na ang auction. The bright light suddenly became dim and only focused on the main stage. The atmosphere of abundance, became heavy and pervent. Then the spotlight shined on the middle of the stage near the podium. A man entered and everyone grew quite.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. This night is very special night to all of us so I would like to welcome everyone in this auction," he said and they all applauded. "I would not want to make the agony of waiting any longer so might as well start the auction," he declared and everyone felt like they were ready to grab and bet anything they have just to get something from this auction.
This auction is not that simple because VVIP's are here in this place to get exotic, original and antique items. Whether it was for power, richness or other intention, they will surely do anything to take what they want. Kaya naman kinakailangan talagang maglabas ni Akane ng limpak limpak na salapi para makuha ang bagay na kailangan.
She focused her eyes on the stage an the item placed on a high table slowly rose from the floor. It was covered with thick velvet fabric. Everyone anticipated the first item on the table.
"Now let's do this!" the man announced as he pulled the fabric, unveiling the item. Napanganga ang lahat dahil sa nakita sa loob ng glass box. It was a sword.
"Damn, that one is nice," Akane murmured absentmindedly while staring at the sword but unfortunately it isn't her target. The Substance 0X1 is what she needs to get no matter what the price may be.
After explaining and saying the description of the sword the people started naming their price until it was sold for twelve million dollars. After few minutes, another item for auction started again. This time it was a sculpture. Na-sold iyon sa halagang fifty million dollars. The auction continued for different things. Some our paintings, jewelries, weapons and etc. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang auction hanggang sa maya-maya ay lumabas na ang item na kanina pa inaabangan ni Akane.
She was flabbergasted and stoned on her spot as her eyes landed on the newly unveiled item. It's the Substance 0X1.
"30 million!" agad na wika ng isang lalaki bagamat wala pang sinsabi ang auctioneer tungkol sa item.
'Ohhs' filled the place because of that. Lahat tuloy ng mata at atensyon ay napunta sa kay number 07. The guy was wearing a black suit and gold mask with tiny black diamond details that covers his face. At halos matulala silang lahat sa kaniya nang mapansin nila ang kulay ng mata nito. It was a pair of crimson lifeless eyes but shinning uncannily. The high and mysterious air around was palpable.
Lahat ay nakaramdam ng kilabot sa kaniyang presensya. They all felt the coldness with the aura he was emitting. It was like everyone was frozen because of the icy feeling that was coming from him.
The danger and the whole new mystery filled the air. The crowd was still staring at him but the guy seemed not to care at all. He was actually enjoying every bit of their eyes devouring him.
"What people? Is this the first time you've seen a demon ascended from hell?" he asked coldly and ohhs filled the whole place again.
"I-I'm sorry number 07..." anang auctioneer na bahagya pang yumuko sa lalaki. "Let's continue this. 30 million dollars, anyone else?"
"33 million!" mabilis na sabi ni Akane napatingin tuloy sa kaniya si number 07. Sinulyapan din siya ni Akane at hindi nakaligtas sa paningin nito ang bahagyang pagngisi ng lalaki.
"35 million!" sambit ni number 07 at halos mapanganga at malula namam ang lahat dahil sa laki ng presyong sinabi nito.
Pero tinaasan pa iyon ng isang matandang lalaki na may number na 93. "37!"
"40!" wika naman ni number 77.
"41!" Another person yelled.
Halos mapamura si Akane dahil sa laki ng mga presyong sinasabi nila. Pero hindi siya pwedeng magpatalo, kailangan niyang makuha ang item. "50 million!" wika niya.
"60!" Number 07 stated another amount.
"65!" mabilis na sabi ni Akane.
"70!" singit ni number 51.
"80!" sabi ulit ni Akane.
"85!" ani number 07 dahilan para mapa 'whoa' ang lahat maging ang auctioneer
"Tss." Akane rolled her eyes and glared at the guy. "90!"
Pero hindi rin nagpapatalo si number 07. "100 million!"
"Oh, I didn't expect that one of the item will be sold for hundreds of million tonight," namamanghang wika ng auctioneer. "Wala na bang hahabol?"
"150 million!" ani Akane saka pinagkrus ang mga braso at taas-noong nginisan si number 7.
Matapos niyang sabihin ang gano'ng halaga ay wala ng naglakas loob pang magsalita, masyado silang nalula sa laki ng presyong sinabi ni Akane at wala ng may kayang taasan pa iyon. Even number 07 didn't raise his number.
"Anyone?" medyo awkward na tanong ng auctioneer. "Okay! Going once, going twice, sol---"
"200 million!" putol ni number 07 na dahilan para muling mapanganga ang lahat.
Awtomatiko namang nawala ang ngising nasa labi ni Akane. Nanlamya at halos manlumo siya dahil sa laki ng halagang sinabi nito. She doesn't have that amount. Ibig sabihin lang nito ay hindi mapupunta sa kaniya ang Substance 0X1. She almost drooped at the thought of it. She gritted her teeth. 'Shit. No way!'
"Anyone?" tanong uli ng auctioneer at wala ng nagtangkang sumagot pa. "SOLD!"
Paulit-ulit na napumura si Akane sa kaniyang isipan. Hindi pwede. Hindi ito pwede. Kailangan sa kaniya mapunta iyon. Kailangan niyang makuha ang item na iyon. Matapos ang auction ay dumiretso si Akane sa washroom at saglit na nagkulong sa isang cubicle. Sumandal siya pinto n'on saka napapikit at nag-isip-isp.
'What should I do? Come on, think. You have to do something!'
Halos isang minutong rin siyang nasa gan'ong posisyon hanggang sa naisipan niya ng lumabas at pumunta na sa parking lot. Bagsak ang balikat ni Akane nang makarating siya sa kaniyang sasakyan. Sumandal siya saka kinuha ang cellphone mula sa kaniyang bag at dali-daling tumawag.
"How's the auction?" agad na tanong ng nasa kabikang linya matapos sagutin ang tawag ni Akane.
She sighed. "The Substance 0X1 was sold for 3 billion. Hindi ako ang nakakuha," she informed.
"What?!"
Akane sighed again. "I'm sorry---"
"Fuck, no!"
Napapikit si Akane at bahagyang nilayo ang cellphone sa kaniyang tainga dahil sa sigaw nito. Hindi man niya ito kaharap ay dama niya mula sa boses ang galit at pagkadismaya ng kausap.
"You have to do something, Akane... You have to get it from who the fuck
She rolled her eyes lazily. "Tss. Seriously? And how am I gonna do that? I don't even know him. I don't know anything about him aside from his number. Our identity was kept hidden from each other. So paano ko iyon makukuha sa kaniya?"
"Gumawa ka ng paraan!" anito pagkatapos ay saka na siya binabaan.
"Wait---" habol pa ni Akane pero tinapos na ng kausap ang tawag. Inis niyang nahampas ang manibela at basta na lang ihinagis ang cellphone sa katabing upuan. "Bullshit!" she hissed through gritted teeth.
Nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na buntong hininga saka tamad na sinandal ang ulo sa kamay, ang isang siko ay nakadantay sa bintana ng kotse. Samantalang ng mga daliri naman ng kabilang kamay ay tinatapik-tapik ang manibela.
Matagal siyang nasa ganoong posisyon nang maya-maya ay bigla siyang napaayos ng upo nang sa 'di kalayian ay namataan ang niya ang isang pamilyar na kasuotan ng lalaki at kasalukuyang naglalakad. Hindi naman nag-aksaya ng panahon si Akane at dali-daling lumabas sa sasakyan habang maskara ay nananatiling suot pa rin.
"Number 07!" walang pag-aalinlangang tawag niya rito. Paminsan-minsan talaga ay kailangan mong maging makapal ang mukha.
Huminto ang lalaki pero hindi ito lumingon kaya naman si Akane na mismo ang lumapit sa kaniya. "Ikaw iyon, 'diba? Number 07, the one who got the Substance 0X1?" she asked casually.
"Yes, why?" the guy answered in a bored yet formal manner.
Bigla namang napalunok si Akane at bahagyang napaatras sa hindi malamang dahilan. Marahil ay dahil sa lakas at tindi ng presensya ng lalaki. Kakaiba ang pakiramdam niya rito. Sa tindigan at paraan pa lang ng pananalita ay alam mo ng hindi siya basta-bastang taong kaharap niya ngayon.
Akane licked her lips as she sighed deeply. May parte sa sarili niya na nag-aalangan sa naiisip niyang plano. Hindi siya sigurado kung magtatagumpay siya pero kailangan pa rin niyang subukan. Kailangan niyang gawin ang lahat ng makakaya niya. The Substance 0X1 is her priority. She needs to get it from this guy. She will get it by hook or by crook.
"Come on. Don't waste my time, lady. You have seven seconds to discuss your whatevers," he said authoritatively that brought her out of her reverie.
Akane quickly gathered her wits. Palihim siyang napairap. 'Seven seconds? Wow. Very specific.' Muli siyang bumuntong hininga bago ito hinarap. She crossed her arms, lifting her chin and faced the guy with so much poise and confidence.
"The Substance 0X1," panimula niya. "Would you mind selling the item to me? I'm willing to buy it twice the price, just give me one week."
"No," the guy answered straightforwardly, wiping out the confident look on her face. "Now, if you'll excuse me," aniya at pagkatapos ay nagsimula ng humakbang at nilagpasan siya.
Akane was left jaw dropped, unable to move for a second. Hindi makapaniwalang napakurap siya. Wait a minute, did he just turned his back on her?
She smirked sarcastically. What the actual hell? He turned her down just like that? That guy, that guy didn't even give a second to consider? Tumalim ang mga mata at kumuyom ang kamao ni Akane gayunpaman ay pinilit niyang kumalma. Pagkatapos ay saka muling hinabol ang lalaki na hindi pa naman tuluyang nakakalayo.
"Wait!" aniya at basta na lang itong hinawakan sa braso para pigilan siya sa paglalakad. "Pwede bang makinig ka muna?" Damn, sa totoo lang ay nauubusan na siya ng pasensya. Bakit pa ba siya nag-aaksaya ng panahon na kausapin ito? Mas mapapadali kung patayin niya na lamang siya.
"I'm not interested in anything you want to offer, Miss. You can't have the Substance 0X1," he retorted bluntly.
"But---" Akane was cut off when the guy raised his hand and pointed out her his watch on his wrist.
"Only seven seconds, remember? It's already over. Enough of your whatevers. I don't have time for that." Sa kabila ng kalamigan ay naroon ang kapangyarihan at awtoridad sa paraan ng pagkakasabi niya.
"But I need it badly!" desperadong aniya, hindi na napigilang hindi magtaas ng boses.
"So? Dahil ba kailangan mo sa tingin mo papayag ako sa gusto mo? Kailangan ko rin ang bagay na iyon. Kung gusto mo pala talagang makuha iyon, sana nagdala ka ng maraming pera para ikaw ang nakakuha," aniya at muli siyang siyang tinalikuran.
Bahagyang tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Akane. What did he say? Damn. The nerve of this guy. Pero sabagay, kung tutuusin ay may punto naman talaga ito sa sinabi niya. Kung hindi lang naman talaga niya kailangan ay hindi naman siya lalapit dito para pakiusapan at magpakadesperada. Of course, that's so out of her character.
She rolled her eyes and bit her lip in frustration. Paano na 'to ngayon? Kailangan niyang maiuwi ang Substance 0X1. Saglit na napapikit si Akane at napabuntong hininga. She guess that leaves her with no choice. Kung hindi niya rin naman siya makukuha sa maayos na usapan mabuti pang daanin niya na lang siya sa dahas.
Nilabas ni Akane ang patalim na nakatago sa kaniyang bag at bago pa man tuluyang makalayo ang lalaki ay agad niya na itong sinugod. But because of the guy's fast reflexes, he felt that someone was going to attack him that's why he was able to dodge the blade immediately.
He smirked dangerously. "I know you'd do this. Nice try," he remarked sarcastically.
Nagulat man ay agad rin namang nakabawi si Akane. Tinuhod niya ito pero bago pa man iyon tuluyang tumama sa sikmura ng lalaki ay nagawa niya ng sanggain agad ito. However, Akane didn't stop there, she threw consecutive punches, be it straights, hooks, jabs and combination. Lahat iyon ay sobrang bilis at walang palya. Patuloy siya sa pag-atake pero walang kahirap-hirap lamang iyong naiiwasan ng lalaki.
Napagtanto ni Akane na gaya niya ay mukhang may alam din ito sa pakikipaglaban. Magaling ito at mukhang mahihirapan at matatagalan siyang mapabagsak ito lalo pa at hindi siya makakilos ng maayos dahil sa suot niyang gown. Kaya napagdesisyunan na lamang niya na gumamit na ng baril. She immediately crept towards her right thigh where she tucked her gun. Pero awtomatiko siyang natigilan nang walang makapang baril doon. Fucking shit, her gun is gone.
"Are you looking for this?"
Napatingin siya sa lalaki at gano'n na lang ang gulat niya nang makitang pinaglalaruan ng kamay nito ang baril niya. Shit, he got her gun without her knowing. Hindi niya namalayan, ni hindi man lang niya naramdaman.
But having no gun doesn't mean she already lost. Akane was determined to get the item. Kaya hindi siya titigil hanggat hindi iyon nakukuha. And she's willing to do everything just to get it. She landed a kick aiming at his side but he immediately blocked it with his hand. She's pretty sure she kicked him as hard as she can but the guy dodge the impact. Akane clicked her tongue knowing that the guy is strong. Muli siyang sumugod pero gaya ng kanina ay wala ni isa sa mga atake niya ang tumama sa lalaki.
"If you can't even land a single hit on me, you might as well give up now. You're just wasting your energy," the guy told her while coolly dodging her atttacks.
"Shut up," angil ni Akane na patuloy pa rin sa pag-atake.
Clenching her fist and aiming to punch him in the face, he dodged it. She smirked knowing that he fell for her trap. Akane prepared her left arm already by the time she punched her right hand and launched the left hand straight to his jaw.
The guy was taken a back. Sa lakas ng pagkakasuntok nito ay muntikan pang matanggal ang suot nitong maskara. But Akane's smirked fell when he only looked down and move few inches away like it was nothing.
The guy spit blood on the ground and lift his head up to look at her. "Impressive," he commented, wiping the blood on the side of his lips.
Hindi siya pinansin ni Akane at akmang susugurin sana ito ulit. But the guy suddenly caught her both arm and twisted it behind her back. Napingiwi si Akane at halos mamilipit sa sobrang sakit. Pakiramdam niya ay para siyang inalisan ng braso. At mas lalo pa iyong nagdagdagan ng marahas siya nitong hilain papalapit sa kaniya dahilan para tumama ang likod niya sa dibdib nito.
"You really want the item so bad that you are this desperate to get it from me huh?"
Nagtindigan ang mga balahibo ni Akane at halos manginig siya nang maramdaman niya ang hininga nito sa kaniyang leeg. Damn it, their bodies were so close, ni maski hangin ay ayaw yatang padaanin. And damn it, despite of the coldness, his voice sounded so nice and sexy.
'Damn. What am I thinking?!' singhal ni Akane sa sarili. Sinubukan niyang magpumiglas but to no avail, the guy is strong. Kaya naman sumipa siya mula sa likuran at nagawa naman niya itong tamaan sa tuhod. Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak nito sa kaniyang braso at sinamantala niya iyon upang sikuhin siya.
Nataaman niya ito pero bago pa niya magawang makalayo ay muli na naman siyang nahablot ng lalaki. And before she knew it, she was already pinned on the nearest wall. Nagsalubong ang mga mata nilang dalawa dahilan para biglang maestatwa si Akane. Tila bigla na lang nablangko ang utak niya nang magtama ang mata nila.
Ngayon na malapitan niya na itong natitigan ay tila may bigla siyang naalala. His eyes were familiar. His emotionless and unreadable bloody red eyes easily caught something deep inside her. She felt like she was under his spell. She can't take her eyes off him.
It feels like she just suddenly forgot everything after meeting his gaze. His eyes were perfect, breathtaking and captivating. She bet every girl would drag themselves just for this guy's glance.
Why does she have to be stunned? Are his eyes really that powerful that it can make her lose her mind in an instant just by staring at it? His beautiful crimson eyes were just so emotionless and unreadable. It seemed like a mysterious door that even if she has the right key, it will never open and she wouldn't know what's inside.
"You're so damn thoughtless in your actions. You should have thought carefully first. Do you even know me? Did you know who you just approached huh? Did you know who you just rushed to? It's the death, you fool..." mahinahon ngunit nakakapangilabot na sabi niya.
And it brought shivers down her spine and he just intensified the whole atmosphere into another degree, when he calmly glared at her and her lips form into a very small smirk. Akane pursed her lips. Just by staring at him and just how the way he said those words, she can already feel it -the danger, the power, the authority and the blood - the blood of the ruler.
"Now, you have no escape. I just hope you are ready for the consequence of your stupidity," he said dangerously while playing her gun on his fingers and with a click, the gun is pointed between her eyes.
Buong tapang na sinalubong ni Akane ang mga mata nito, hindi man lang nababahala sa baril na nakatutok sa kaniyang noo ngayon. "Tell me, who are you?" mariing tanong niya. Bigla siyang napapikit ng bigla itong lumapit sa kaniya.
"Hel..." he whispered to her ears. At mas diniinan pa ang pagkakatutok ng baril sa noo nito.
Natigilan si Akane at awtomatikong napamulat dahil sa gulat. "H-Hel?" hindi makapaniwalang aniya at halos kapusin na siya ng hininga nang makita kung gaano sila kalapit sa isa't-isa. "So it's you huh?" makahulugang aniya at dahan-dahang napangisi.
Ngunit awtomatiko rin iyong nawala dahil sa hindi niya inaasahang sunod na ginawa ng lalaki. Dahil habang nakatutok ang baril sa kaniyang noo ay walang babalang tinanggal ng lalaki ang suot niyang maskara.
Her eyes widened in surprise. Fuck.
And suddenly, fucking shivers travelled down her spine again when the guy smirked and chuckled. Parang may kung anong kakaibang kilabot at matinding pakiramdam ang gumapang sa buong katawan niya. Even though it wasn't literally a creepy laugh, in fact it was simple and almost a quiet chuckle but that made her feel that he controls everything.
Dahan-dahang binaba ng lalaki ang baril saka umatras ng kaunti. "So it's you again..." he stated in alow voice, almost a whisper. "We meet again, Akane," aniya kasabay nang pagtanggal ng suot nitong maskara. At mas lalong nanlaki ang mata niya gulat nang makilala kung sino ito. Her jaw literally dropped while her eyes were fixed on his face which almost gave her a heart attack.
"K-Kamahalan...?" hindi makapaniwalang sambit niya. "Emperor Ar---"
His hand abruptly covered her mouth. "Say my name and you'll die," nakakapangilabot na banta nito.
She gulped when their eyes met again. He's staring at her coldly and menacingly with his vampire-like eyes. His eyes were like a ruby gemstone that shows different kind of beauty. But she has a feeling that those eyes weren't as what they seem to be. She knows that there's more to it, it was more like a maze, in which you'll be lost if you stare too much into his crimson eyes. And before she can ever be lost, she looked away.
'Damn. Damn. Damn.' Gustong sabunutan ni Akane ang sarili. de Vil Kahelius Arren Apxfel is the one behind the mask. Siya ang nakakuha ng Substance 0X1. Shit. Bakit nga ba hindi pumasok sa isip niya ang posibilidad na narito rin siya? Malamang, isa itong malaking auction dapat ay inasahan niya na ang bagay na 'to. Isa ang Substance 0X1 sa mga item, maraming tao ang maghahangad na makuha iyon at hindi malabong pati siya.
Paano na ito? Paano na niya makukuha ang Substance 0X1 sa Emperador ng imperyong 'to? Siya ang nakakuha, anong laban niya? At ano na lang ang mangyayari sa kaniya? Si Emperor Arren ang binangga niya, dapat niya na bang kalimutan ang tungkol sa Substance 0X1 at intindihin na lang ang magiging kamatayan niya? No way.
"You know what, I really like your boldness, Akashi Akane."
Sinubukan niyang magpumiglas pero mas lalo nitong diniinan ang pagkakahawak sa bibig niya. His eyes were piercing through her and she suddenly felt uncomfortable. He moved and suddenly leaned in closely to her, which caught her off guard. His face was only few inches away from her. She tried to look away again but something in him was compelling.
It's like he casted a dark spell to magnetize her in the edge of the cliff. She knew it was dangerous but she kept going. It's like she was ready and willing to fall for the trap. She can't take her eyes off him. And damn it because she could not stop herself from noticing how handsome His Majesty was close up.
She had never seen anyone who looked so beautiful like him. Pakiramdam niya ay walang sinuman ang makakapantay sa kagwapuhan ng Emperador na nasa mismong harapan niya ngayon. Oh, God, His Majesty is just so perfect. No he's actually beyond perfection. He looked ethereal.
Hindi siya makapaniwalang nasa harapan niya at personal niyang ngayong nakikita ang Emperador. Kung ganoon ay siya ang lalaking nakilala niya noong gabing iyon at siya rin ang nakalaban niya sa karera. He's Hel. Bloody hell, that was mind-blowing.
Sinubukan niya uling manlaban ngunit agad siyang natigilan nang isang malamig na bagay na ang naramdaman niyang lumapat sa kaniyang leeg at kahit hindi niya iyon tignan ay nasisiguro niyang isa iyong patalim.
At agad na nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang mapagtantong ang dagger na nasa leeg niya ngayon ay ang kaniya mismong dagger na kanina lang ay hawak-hawak niya. Hindi niya alam kung paano nangyari 'yon. Hindi niya alam kung papaanong napunta iyon sa kaniya. Paano niya nakuha iyon sa kamay niya nang hindi man lang niya nararamdaman?
Damn, de Vil Kahelius Arren Apxfel is really the most dangerous person. He is no joke.
Mas inilapit pa nito ang mukha sa kaniya kaya hindi niya mapigilang mapalunok. Ngayon ay magkatapat na ang mga mukha nila at sobrang lapit nila sa isa't-isa. She hardly breathe. His scent reached his nose and he smells so nice and addicting.
"Go ahead, try to move again and see what happens," he whispered darkly.
Pagkatapos ay saka nito dahan-dahang pinadausdos ang patalim mula sa kaniyang leeg pababa sa tapat ng kaniyang puso at saka iyon tuluyang inilayo sa kaniya. Tumindig ang mga balahibo niya at hindi maiwasang mapapikit dahil sa bahagyang kiliti na idinulot niyon sa kaniya.
He slowly removed his hand on her mouth. Pagkatapos ay saka siya humakbang ng kaunti palayo sa kaniya dahilan para kahit papaano ay makahinga siya ng maluwag.
"Satte, Akashi-san, (Now, Miss Akashi) how am I going to punish you for this?" Emperor Arren asked gravely while playing the dagger with his fingers. "Should I kill you?"
She bit her lips and bowed. "I apologize, Your Majesty. Please spare me. Forgive me for my rude behavior towards you." Sinubukan niyang humingi ng patawad pero mukhang hindi iyon umepekto.
He scoffed. "Nah." Pinagkrus niya ang mga kamay at mariing tinitigan siya. Pagkatapos ay saka siya nito hinawakan sa baba at biglang inangat ang kaniyang mukha paharap sa kaniya.
Napapiksi si Akane dulot ng mainit nitong palad. It was like there's a sudden volt all over her body. And her breathing almost stop when he lowered his face to leveled hers. Gayunpaman ay nagawa niyang salubungin ang tingin nito
"Tell me why should I keep you alive," he demanded.
Napalunok si Akane pero hindi niya iyon pinahalata. Sa halip ay tinapangan pa nito ang kaniyang ekspresyon at nilabanan ang kilabot na hatid ng taong kaharap. "Because..." she trailed off, she fearlessly raised her chin and look at him straight in his eyes, giving him a cold stare. "You can't kill me..." she said those in a very slow manner, emphasizing every word without lingering fear.
The Emperor was taken a back. He's surprised. He sure didn't expect it. Tila ba biglang naging ibang tao ang kaharap niya. Her aura and her eyes suddenly changed. It became dark, terrifying and threatening. It seems like there's a fire in her eyes that can burn him alive anytime now. Matagal na napatitig sa kaniya ang Emperador pero kalaunan ang maliit na ngisi sa labi nito ay unti-unting lumapad. His cold-hearted expression suddenly changed into amusement.
"Akashi Akane..." banggit nito sa pangalan niya sa paraang animo'y isa itong babasaging bagay na kailangang ingatan. "You really are unpredictable huh? You keep surprising me," he said menacingly with a subtle amusement in his tone. "And what's makes you think I can't kill you?"
Akane boldly leaned closer to him, looking closely into his cold and emotionless eyes. "I'm telling you, Your Majesty, I can be the most interesting person you can ever meet and most valuable person you can ever had. So there's no way you can afford to kill someone like me. I'm confident about that. Hindi niyo gugustuhing masayang lang ang buhay ko. At hindi rin naman ako papayag na mamatay ng gano'n-gano'n lang, I can't just die a meaningless death," mahaba at taas-noong wika niya.
Akane didn't know where she found the courage to say those words in front of the most powerful person in the empire. Hindi naman sa pagiging walang galang, sadyang wala lang talaga siyang inuurungan, maski isang Emperador pa iyan o kung sino pa man.
Alam niyang delikado ang ginagawa niya at mas lalo lang niyang nilagay sa alanganin ng sarili niya. Pero anong magagawa niya? Sadyang ganon yata talaga siya. The more she was thrown into an uncertain and dangerous situations, the more bold and brave she became. Ni wala na nga siyang pakialam kung isa mang Emperador ang kaharap niya. Wala rin siyang pakialam kung gaano man ito kademonyo.
Basta ang alam niya sa mga oras na ito ay wala siyang nararamdamang kahit anumang takot ni wala rin siyang pakialam sa kung anuman ang maaaring maging kahihinatnan niya.
Emperor Arren stared at her for a while before giving her a devilish chuckle. It was as if it was the most interesting thing he had ever heard. "Akashi-san, I think you are right. It will be a waste to kill you this early. Bakit kita papatayin kung pwede pa naman kitang pakinabangan?" wika niya dahilan para si Akane naman ngayon ang matigilan.
Her forehead creased. "Pardon?"
"I personally think you are qualified and
worthy to be my servant, that's why I will appoint you to be one, and you will serve
and be with me until you die," walang paligoy-ligoy na sambit ng Emperador dahilan para si Akane naman ngayon ang matigilan.
Halos mapanganga siya at hindi makapaniwalang napakurap. "S-Servant?"
He nodded. "Personal servant."
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
"You are going to be my secretary and personal assistant."