[KARRIN]
The air crackled with tension, thick as the storm clouds gathering overhead. His words hung in the charged atmosphere; a challenge flung across the abyss that separated us. . "You think this scares me?" I retorted, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Today had been a series of unfortunate events—a cascade of misfortune that left me questioning my own luck. And now, here I stood, facing a man who seemed to know more about me than I cared to admit. Was it curiosity or something darker that drove him? Perhaps he sought my true identity, but I wasn't about to reveal it willingly. Dream on, stranger.
His presence exuded power, a possessiveness that sent shivers down my spine. Yet, trust didn't come easily to him. . He leaned in, his lips grazing my ear, and whispered, "Fearless. Even with death whispering across your skin, you stand strong."
Startled, I almost flinched away. But I held my ground. This wasn't the time for temptation, no matter how magnetic he appeared. Swallowing my anger, I challenged him. "You're good," he conceded, his breath mingling with mine. "But not good enough."
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Did anyone ask for your opinion?" I tilted my head, our faces really really close. His mask concealed most of his features, but his eyes—they held a depth that drew me in. Against my better judgment, I admitted to myself that even with that mask, he was extraordinarily handsome. Lost in those enigmatic eyes, I wondered what secrets lay hidden behind them.
The room crackled with tension, our actions echoing like thunder in the confined space. His right-hand man—known as consgirlie—had materialized silently, a shadow in the periphery. We both retreated to our respective positions, stunned by our own audacity. The stranger, the enigma who had cornered me, swiftly excused himself, claiming a restroom visit. But I knew better; they wouldn't leave me alone so easily.
My mind raced, seeking an advantage. He must have a weakness, a chink in his formidable armor. What was it? I sifted through memories, searching for a clue. And then it hit me—a risky gambit, but worth trying. A smile tugged at my lips; I cleared my throat, feigning nonchalance.
"Okay," I said, my tone casual. "Free me. We can talk normally."
His eyes bore into mine, suspicion etched across his features. "You'll give me my answers?"
"Yup," I replied, my gaze unwavering. He released his grip, allowing me to step away. My fingers closed around the cold metal of my gun—the one thing that had kept me alive in this dangerous game. With calculated confidence, I moved toward him, my pulse racing. I reminded myself: No seduction this time, Karrin. Focus on the plan.
Closing the distance, I leaned in until our faces were inches apart. "Alright," I murmured, my breath mingling with his. "Tell me, what do you want to know?"
He gulped, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Bingo. My plan was working. I made him nervous, disrupted his control. Swiftly, I loaded my gun, aiming for his leg—a shot that wouldn't kill but would incapacitate. The trigger pulled, and the room echoed with the sharp report of the gunshot.
His anger flared, words caught in his throat. We'd danced on the precipice, mocking and underestimating each other. But now, the room crackled with tension as I aimed my gun at the window. The glass shattered, and I stood on the windowsill, my gaze locked on him. My wave was both a taunt and a promise.
"See you soon," I whispered, my voice swallowed by the wind. "Or perhaps...see you never."
And then I jumped, leaving him astonished and alone, his leg bleeding, and his plans unraveling like the shards of glass below.
...…..
"Hello?" I said, my tone casual
"Hi, red," … "Did you see your clients?"
"Yup," I confirmed.
"So when are you starting the mission?" The question hung in the air.
"I'm not going to work with them," I stated matter-of-factly. My lollipop swirled in my mouth as I parked the car.
"Huh? Why?" Concern laced the voice on the phone.
"Just because I don't want to," I replied, unbuckling my seatbelt. The reasons were layered, hidden beneath the surface.
"Are you sure?" Doubt crept into the conversation.
"Yeah, pretty sure." I swung the car door open and stepped out. The pavement felt solid beneath my boots.
"They're not normal clients, you know," his voice lowered. "I heard they're not only from L&P, but the person negotiating is from the Drogan clan. I guess the Devil King himself."
"Yeah, I know," I murmured. The Devil King—the enigma who held sway over shadows and secrets. He was the main reason I'd declined the mission.
"So, what do you—" .
Brother was leaning against the door, eyebrows raised.
"Umm, I'll talk to you later," I cut him off, ending the call.
"You're quite early," he said, his tone unpredictable. "It's only 10 PM. You should have stayed outside until at least midnight."
I feigned nonchalance. "Oh, should I have? Shall I go back?"
"Come inside," he commanded, leading the way to the living room.
"Everyone has gone to sleep," he continued. "Even Sam. And here you are, this late. Was this your routine when I was away?
I stumbled over my words, weaving a web of half-truths. "No, it's just today. What are you going to do?"
His eyes bore into mine. "Making dinner for us."
"It's okay; I'm not hungry." I tried to change the subject. "Did you also not have dinner?"
"Of course," he replied matter-of-factly. "So why are you late?"
I grasped at excuses. "Well... I was with my friend."
"You have no friend."
"By friend, I mean Emile. We had to sign a contract with L&—"
"It was at 2 PM, and wasn't it canceled?"
Caught again. My mind raced. "Oh yeah, I forgot. Well, I had class—"
"You had no classes today."
"well,..i was looming around."
"no , you were not." He faced me.
Defeated, I rested my head on the table, eyes closed. Fatigue weighed heavily on me.
"How do you know everything about me?" I blurted out. "Did you ask someone to spy on me?"
He stirred, returning to his work. "I don't do such dirty things."
In that hazy moment, my eyelids surrendered to exhaustion, and I slipped into sleep. The world faded, leaving only the echo of my brother's question hanging in the air:
"So you are not going to…Karrin?
The day's escapades—the devil king, the bruises—weighed on my shoulders. And so, without warning, I dozed off, my head resting on the table, dreams and secrets swirling together.
.....
I was in pain so much pain like something was being ripped off me without anesthesia…but yet deep in my heart it felt like I already knew this was coming…I was screaming from the bottom of my lungs it seemed like the land and sky was screaming with me
I could hear laughter, gasp of people. From the side of my eyes, I could see people gathered around me
Are they sympathizing with me? Or are they here to enjoy?
Who is my friend…who is my foe? I didn't know
Or perhaps all of them are my foe?
The pain lightened I could open my eyes and see properly … in front of me a man was standing he was gasping too. I could feel hate for him in my heart…
But why would I hate a stranger?
He turned his back on me and said, "let's take a break."
.....
The world shifted, and suddenly I was plummeting through open space. Beside me, a child clung to my hand. Above, faces peered down, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. How had I ended up here? Why were we falling?
But then, my gaze locked onto him—the man who had caused my pain, who had torn reality apart. His eyes met mine.
"I will be back," I vowed, the wind swallowing my words. "No matter how long it takes, I will return"
.....
The scene changed
The grandeur of the moment enveloped me—the stairs, the thrones, the three figures who stood before me. Strangers, yet not. Their presence tugged at something deep within, as if threads of destiny wove us together.
The man's hand on my head carried weight—a silent blessing or a solemn charge, I couldn't tell. The woman guided me to my throne, her eyes holding secrets. And the child—his smile held innocence and ancient knowing, a paradox in miniature.
I settled onto my seat, its carved wood cool against my palms. The other three took their places, and the air crackled with anticipation. Around us, voices rose, a chorus of loyalty and awe:
"All hail to king and queen!"
"All hail to prince and princess!"
"All hail to the northern realm!"
....
The scene changed
The garden's tranquility shattered as a stranger's grip closed around my hand. I turned, and there he stood—a man whose familiarity defied reason. His eyes held secrets, and his warning cut through the air like a blade.
"Are you really being engaged?" he asked, urgency etched into his features.
"Yes," I replied, my brow raised. "Why should it concern you?"
His words were a whisper, a plea. "He is not a good man."
But I dismissed him, pulling away. None of his business. My name echoed—
"Katarina"
"Katarina"
"Karrin"
"Karrin."
"Karrin, wake up.", Someone was shaking me.
And then, abruptly, I woke. Brother's concerned face hovered above me.
"Dinner is ready," he said, settling into a chair. "Were you dreaming?"
"A really strange dream," I confessed.
Dreams were foreign territory; I'd never ventured there before.
"But you said you never dream", Brother prodded.
*First time today," I murmured, fork poised.
" Hmm, anyways …I think it's a good idea to sign with L&P."
"Kelvin, L& P's chairman "Brother said, showing me a photo. The man from my dream stared back, and my heart clenched. "Have you seen him?"
"No way..." I whispered. But I had—in the garden, his grip unyielding.
"What?" Brother's curiosity flared.
"Nothing," I replied, returning to my dinner. But the battle within me raged.
How could I dream of a man I'd never met?