It has been almost two weeks since the incident regarding Hans and the Female Blood happened. And Hans never came to work after that. All the Hunters were too busy as they focused themselves upon tracking down more Female Bloods while some continued investigating the forbidden bottle.
After Hans's absence, it became hectic for the agents since he usually organized everything to make it easy for them to handle their work. Everyone was so busy minding others business, however, that didn't settle Head Benjamin's mind. Everything was still too clear for him; he knew that there's something going on.
He thought to himself, 'To start off, how did he become part of this clan? Although, the young master and I knew him earlier than the other Heads, but still. How could the Director welcome a human like him? Where did he find him? We knew nothing about him to begin with. What triggered him back then? And that glow…'
Head Benjamin started to lose his focus while walking his way to visit his pair, Emma. He accidentally hit himself on the wall as it cracked from the impact. The hunters that went past him were startled by the Head. He snapped back to reality without feeling any pain when he finally got an idea and said to himself, 'Ah! I should ask the Young Master then,' while he placed his right fist on top of his other hand.
He immediately went to Emma's room to see if Jasper was there and he was right; he saw him sitting on the sofa while scrolling some magazines. One thing Head Benjamin knows about Emma is how she loves eating strawberries and how she adores Hans like a big brother.
It would be a lie if he says he wasn't jealous, but seeing her so happy made him happy as well. The reason Jasper kept visiting Emma was because she kept asking him to tell her more about Head Kelly. She wanted to learn how to heal other people, because it was her dream to become a doctor.
And so, Jasper didn't mind keeping her company. Sometimes Emma would ask about Hans that made Jasper glee in sharing some things he knew about him. However, there would be times where he avoided answering any personal question regarding Hans.
Head Benjamin went to where Jasper was, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
He asked in a low voice to prevent the sleeping Emma from waking up. Jasper stood up as both of them walked out of the room.
The moment Jasper closed the door he asked the Head, "So? What do you want to talk about?" as he placed his one hand inside his pocket.
He slightly tilted his head, waiting for the Head to say something. Head Benjamin suddenly stared at Jasper intensely that made him jolt nervously.
"When is Hans coming back?" he asked.
The young master sighed and thought to himself, 'Yes…I knew he's the only one who couldn't keep his curiosity to himself. He's unstoppable.'
"Maybe tomorrow?" he conveyed his prediction to him.
The Head Benjamin then goes for another, "Back then…What was that, really?"
Jasper tried to act dumb, giving him a hint that he knew nothing of whatever the Head was asking. Head Benjamin being firm to his resolve, stated.
"Don't play dumb. Everyone knew that there's something going on. And it's been two weeks but Hans still hasn't come to work."
He then continued, "First, why is Hans not staying in this mansion? Is it because he's a human? Everyone here knew that already. According to our protocol, we must keep our tradition that everyone whom we consider part of our clan, stays inside this mansion."
Jasper was about to interrupt, "But some of us refused to stay in the mansion, right? Also, since whe—" however, Head Benjamin overwhelmed him.
"Let me finish first, Young Master. Second, why is it only you and the Director knew exactly where he lives? Why wouldn't you allow anyone to visit him? Third, what did you do to him? What was that glow all about? And lastly, why are the three of you being so secretive? How did you and Director Harlow meet him? What is his background anyway? He was only five back then when the Director found and trained him. Who is he, really?" he added.
"Woah, woah! Hold your horses, buddy. No need to rush." Jasper felt overwhelmed that he needed to stop him for a moment.
The Head couldn't stand his questions being ignored, so he asserted, "Please get to the point, Young Master."
Jasper sighed, "Sigh…I wish I could, but…sad to say, I can't."
"Why?" he asked.
Jasper just concluded as he shrugged his shoulders, "It's for everybody's sake."
Head Benjamin became more and more suspicious of everything. He was about to say something but got interrupted when someone walked towards them.
Hans went near them whereas Jasper said, "Speak of the devil."
"I thought you'll start working tomorrow. So why are you here? I was about to check on you this afternoon."
"I got bored just because."
Hans gave them a puzzled look as they kept staring at him. He was about to ask why they kept staring but decided not to go through it, so he asked a different question.
"How's Emma?" as he looked at the door beside them then back to the two hunters.
"Well, she's fine and stable. Soon enough she can start detouring the mansion and do whatever she likes," Jasper reassured him.
"That's good," he complemented.
Hans had been noticing something since he arrived. Head Benjamin kept staring at him for a while now, "Is there something on my face?" He asked him as he touched his face to see if there was dirt.
Head Benjamin didn't hesitate to ask him back, "Where have you been?"
Hans immediately replied, "Doing errands."
"That's not what I meant," Head Benjamin cleared things with him as he gave him a stern look.
Hans asked, "What do you mean?"
Head Benjamin sighed in disappointment then rephrased his question, "Where have you been for the past two weeks?"
And that's when Hans clearly understands everything; he suddenly remembered his master's words given to him.
Hans gained his consciousness, his eyes scanned the place and found that he was inside his room. He sat up from his bed and felt a sting of pain in his head as he slowly remembered everything. He looked around to see if someone was around but found no one.
He suddenly heard noises in the kitchen, so he stood up from his bed and went out of his room. He saw his master chopping some ingredients, by the smell of it, it must be porridge.
Dir. Melvis noticed him and said, "You're awake. Go back to your room and wait for the porridge."
"I'm fine now," Hans declared as he rubbed his arm.
Dir. Melvis point at him with a ladle on his hand and apologized, "By the way, sorry couldn't change you because, you know, too lazy to do it and beside—"
Hans immediately responded to him, "I know."
Hans stared at his master feeling guilty of what happened back as he went to sat on the chair while Dir. Melvis gave a finishing touch of his porridge. After the porridge was cooked, the Director handed some to Hans as he placed the cup of coffee from his hand and sat on the other side of the table.
He watched Hans silently enjoying his meal with his hand supporting his cheek that made him smile. Seeing his apprentice—who he considered his own—ate the porridge he made. He then asked Hans
"How's your body keeping up? Want some?" as he sipped and offered his coffee. Hans was too busy eating his porridge to even face his master.
"I'm fine now and I don't drink coffee," he replied.
Dir. Melvis continued sipping his coffee with delight, "Oh, sucks to be you then."
He placed the cup again on the table and professed to Hans, "Don't come to the mansion today and for the next three days."
When Hans heard his master's declaration, it made him stop from eating. He raised his head and gave him a puzzled look.
"Why, Master?" he asked.
The Director took his cup and said as he sipped on it, "Just because. Also, your unconsciousness took way longer now than before."
The reason Dir. Melvis couldn't let Hans go to work because he was still unsure of his condition. Also, the mansion was still in chaos when they heard of what happened to him. He wanted Hans to return till the tension and heat died down, for he might not be able to handle it, considering his health. He also wanted to protect the secret they can't share.
Hans couldn't approve his master's declaration. The thought of not being able to work wasn't because he was workaholic but rather, to repay what he owed to his master. And he had already been absent for days, so no matter what, he had to convince him to go back to work.
"But I have—" Hans was immediately cut off by his master.
Dir. Melvis said in a firm voice, "That's an order."
And with that, the silence went on and on. At first Hans wasn't bothered by it since he didn't want his master to nag at him regarding the incident between him and the vampires. However, curiosity betrayed him in an instant. He put down his spoon and met his master's gaze.
"Aren't you going to ask me, Master?" he asked, feeling a little distressed.
Dir. Melvis gave him a poker face who was now gobbling some gummies from Hans's snack cabinet.
"Ask what?" he asked back.
Hans glooms in disappointment and deadpanned due to how his master looked like a monkey who just stole his favorite candy. Hans raised his spoon till below of his chin with a soup in it.
"Aren't you going to ask me about the incident? Also, stop stealing other people's food without their permission. You'll get karma from it," he asked as complained while feeling pissed by his master then ate the porridge.
Dir. Melvis pointed at him with a gummy in his hand and sarcastically asked, "What? Ya' gonna curse me or something?"
Hans then thought as he gripped his spoon in annoyance, 'Wish I could.'
"And are you even gonna tell me?" then bit the gummy he used to point at his apprentice.
He continued searching some gummies inside its wrap as he muttered, "I won't force nor ask you to say anything regarding that matter. It was your choice to begin with. Luckily, the Demon Lord… Ya know, the Emperor didn't force the issue and spare you, saying it was your first offense."
When he couldn't find any gummies, he peeked inside it then threw it aside then he added, "However, I hope you won't do any more reckless things from now on. Especially, without my consent. You were the one who proposed the contract, so, you should know better than anyone that you cannot go against it."
He stood up and marched his way to the door, Hans placed his hand on his thighs as he stared down then clenched from anger and frustration.
"Well then, I still have tons of work to do. I'll go ahead and finish it. And three days from now, Jasper will check on you in that afternoon," the Director informed him.
When Dir. Melvis about to reach the door, he suddenly turned his head to face Hans again, "Ah! The Goblin…I mean, the Grand Duke said that you should thank his youngest nephew for asking to spare your life. If I remember, Prince Nikolai? I don't know. Just thank that kid for saving you," then walked out of the room.
"Tsk."
Hans's tongue flickered from exasperation of not being able to do anything, and worst putting the clan in danger. He contemplated but anger kept him from thinking straight. Then all of a sudden, someone opened the door.
His master revealed himself with glee and a childish look, "By the way, thanks for being absent! I will continue being able to enjoy the chaos. It would be better if you just lay in bed forever though. Bye then!"
Hans's anger directly went to his master for some reason. However, thanks to that, his mind became clear and he was able to think straight. After another minute of contemplation, he was able to make his decision. He closed his eyes as he stood up and cleaned the dishes.
He immediately went to his room and took some clothes from his closet. After he changed his clothes and fixed his hair in the bathroom, he went to get his car keys then locked his apartment. He rushed towards the parking area then went inside his car. He drove out of the apartment building as frustration and anger filled his eyes.
...