* * * *
From the moment we arrived at the airport,our search for that Deaon guy had begun and yet, we still don't have a clue where he is. Or had been. The forces backing him are very cautious and powerful. This is stupid. Now we have to comb the whole country for him.
Damn!
There's little time left. I can almost hear Darken's feet shifting impatiently. I wish we were allowed to kill him. Jim is approaching me now.
" Boss, we've searched everywhere for clues but we've found none yet. We're sorry Boss."
I stay quiet for awhile. We have eyes all over the country. Getting him shouldn't take more than three days. How could I have forgotten I had this much power?
" Retreat Jim. Our host is waiting. He will not wait longer. Apply all undercover forces now. All of them. I want results by tomorrow morning."
Jim nods solemnly and carries my orders. Soon, the cars begin moving. Our host, I heard, does not like waiting. He is the Lord of India, one of the biggest influences in the underground world and even at that, his power is mild compared to that of Darken.
Funny thing is, Darken didn't always exist. In fact, nobody knows where he comes from or who he is. He doesn't come from any of the strong family of lords either. He's a mystery who just appeared one day and became Lord through his extreme brutality, extreme wealth, extreme power and extremely good looks.
Yes.
Darken, unlike other devils of his caliber is extremely good looking with a fathomless aura about him. Everything about him is extreme.
For the past eight years I've been in his service, he has never been in pursuit of someone but want him alive.
Never.
The car is slowing down and I know time is not on our side.
* * * *
" You must pay for the soup, and the dress you just ruined. I bet you don't know how much this costs. " Selene hisses.
" I'll help you out with that. It's just 60,000 dollars which is over a million thousand rupees. We want the money now." Pinky chimes in.
I feel like I've been washed with ice cold water. What? Where do I get that amount of money from?
" Miss Selene, Pinky, I can wash off the stains for you, I can also make this dress as clean as new. Please forgive my clumsiness and allow me..."
" Are you deaf? What nerves! How dare you order me around? "
What did I do wrong?
" Miss Selene I'm sorry."
" What is the matter?"
That voice. It's Ma Ona but she really should not interfere. Although she owns one of the most prestigious restaurants here, she can't afford to offend the Rajs.
" Good. I'm glad you're here. Why do you employ incompetent people who don't know how to serve their customers?" Pinky sneers, scowling at Ma Ona.
" I'm sorry esteemed customers, but whatever the issue is, we should be able to resolve it peacefully." Ma Ona sounds calm and I can see she's not pleased but I don't know if she's upset with me or them.
" Well, I'm not a bad person. Selene pauses, seizing me up."
" I will let this issue slid and pretend it never happened if she drinks every drop of soup on the floor and licks the soles of my shoes neat. How about that?"
Bang!
There's a loud sound in my head and I really want to slap that stupid smirk off her face. How can I possibly lick the soles of her shoes neat?
" Miss Selene, I don't think I can do that."
" Ha! You can't? My sister is already merciful enough to let you off but you're too arrogant to do those small tasks? You're really something!" Pinky scoffs, folding her arms.
I look at Ma Ona, but she has a pitiful look for me.
" What is she waiting for? She really can't offend Miss Raj."
" But isn't she the Raj's in law now? Why would they be so rude to her?"
" Shut up, do you want to get implicated? What if they hear you?"
" She's just a cursed child of the Das. She really isn't worth getting involved for."
" What a pity. I guess she has to obey Miss Raj."
I can only listen to the murmuring crowd. No body is stepping out to help. 60,000 dollars is a lot of money anyway.
I kneel on the ground, my face burning with embarrassment. Tears cloud my vision and I feel cursed as I lower my lips to the ground.
" Stop!"
A voice stops me before I can start licking soup off the floor. Who is that?
My heart is pounding furiously and my breath catches in my throat. I can't help but gawk at those deep depths of sparkling gold.
Him?
* * * *
Milk girl is looking at me with awe written all over her face. I glance at the girls.
" I will pay for the dress and the meal. "
Gasps greet me from every corner. Wait. Did they really want her to do those disgusting stuff? Very impressive.
" I don't think this has anything to do with you stranger." The one called Selene tells me with a frown.
" I believe where the money comes from does not matter. I have agreed to pay." I reply.
Really, I have no time for this. Why does she want to make a big deal out of this?
" Who is this young man?"
" Does it matter? He's offering to pay for everything, she should let her in-law go."
" This show is getting more interesting. He must be from a rich family."
" But I haven't seen him around here before. Could he have been abroad all this while?"
" Shh.. Let's see what would happen next."
The crowd are clamoring but I let them wonder. It won't affect my stay here would it?
Selene is watching me with interest but she doesn't protest.
" All right. As long as you give me the money now, I won't hold it against her."
I pull out a wad of cash from my jean pocket. This is the money I had brought with me in my stash bag and I hadn't changed it yet. There was no need to. Rahid had already prepared enough money in their currency for me. I give her the notes.
" It's more than you're asking for but just keep it." I smirk.
Miss Selene does not count it.
" Jinx! You're lucky your lover pai
d for you, otherwise my sister would never let you off!" Pinky glares at milk girl.
" Her lover? I knew it! He looked so familiar."
" When did you say he's familiar?"
" Quiet you two, how can you be so sure?"
I hear the people speculating but that doesn't bother me.
I feel quite smug for helping her out.
She sure should be thankful to me. But I can't believe what she just said.
" What?" I ask, just to be sure.
" I said I don't need your help!"
She storms through the back door, into an area for workers only.
Hmph! Arrogant!
Utterly arrogant!