Keira pushed him hard, and she successfully escaped from the rough kiss as she angrily shouted at him, "What do you think are you doing?!"
Lucas did not let go of her and just looked at her with a cold gaze, and blurted out random numbers, "0908022512"
Keira flinched and got nervous when he blurted out the passcode of Rylan's apartment door. She even got cold sweats and called herself an idiot in her thoughts.
Lucas caressed one side of her face and asked, "Why use those numbers in sequence to another man's apartment? It was supposed to be ours. Did you forget?"
Keira shut her eyes out of her embarrassment, and she immediately explained, "I-I'm sorry… it was a huge mistake of mine! But I told Rylan many times---"
Lucas forcefully shut her mouth by kissing her roughly again, biting her lower lips until it bled before he rubbed his thumb on her bruised lower lip and coldly said, "Don't use these lips of yours to call another man's name while you are with me."
Keira thought, "This body is damn weak on this man's touch! Too weak!"
Keira, who is being swayed right now by the words and actions of Lucas, as if she was being bewitched by him, looked at his emerald eyes that lost its glint and unconsciously touched it. Lucas crazily missed her touches, grabbed that hand kissed it, and whispered her name, "Mariam… return to me."
When Keira heard the sudden confession, she got conflicted and pulled her hand that Lucas just kissed, and said with a dejected tone, "Sir Aguero, it is better if we do not meet again."
Lucas' grip on her shoulder loosened, and Keira took this chance to escape and run away from him, leaving him in a state of shock and fury.
When Keira returned to her apartment room, she silently walked to the bathroom and washed her face. She looked at herself in the mirror then touched her lower lip, and murmured, "It hurts."
Three days after, the Special Division of Veritas called an urgent meeting of all the members. Rylan entered the conference room in his casual wear of black button up polo and white slacks paired with leather shoes, all in luxury brands. The room consisted of eight Exorcists, fifteen Clairvoyants, twenty-three Elite-Range Mediums, and fifty-two Normal-Range Mediums, awed at his magnificent look.
He stood in front of these people with an aura that everyone would respect him as an Exorcist and as a person. His smile that can give a peaceful environment, as if they are in a forest with such lively greeneries, and calming sound of the river and the birds, complements his pretty handsome face.
"It's good to see you all." He warmly greeted and everyone gladly returned their greetings. Some female members even squealed and blushed at his greetings.
He looked around and noticed an unfamiliar yet familiar face, and said, "It seems like we have a new member. Would you mind introducing yourself?"
The man wearing an army combat shirt that shaped his fit and muscular body stood up on the front row and everyone held their breaths because he is well-known in the Veritas Detective Agency as Mr. Ace of Veritas, Lucas Aguero. His handsome face, perfect built, cold demeanor as well as his individual accomplishments that lead a great help to the police force and safety of the country made his popularity among men and women regardless of age, gaining the title of Mr. Ace of Veritas.
"Lucas Aguero, Vice-Captain from the 4th Division will now serve the Special Division effective today as an Elite-Range Medium, Commander." He formally said like how military do. His deep voice made the hearts of the ladies jump out of their chests.
Rylan smiled and happily replied, "As expected of you. Welcome to the Special Division, Lucas."
After saying that, his expression changed from happy to being serious while looking afar. At the entrance, Keira is sneakily walking towards an empty seat, but she halted when she realized that everyone's attention was diverted to her. She straightened her body and shamelessly sat on the empty seat. Her appearance is her casual look, white tracksuit and casual rubber-soled shoes.
Rylan despises people who are late, especially in urgent matters, so he asked in a serious tone, "Why are you late again, Keira? I even personally sent my secretary to you to inform you about this meeting."
Keira stood up and casually replied, "Sorry, Commander. I overslept."
The crowd found her adorable for being honest as she had puffed eyes, evident that she had just woken up.
Rylan's undereye twitched because of stress and suppressed anger, and said, "Overslept? The meeting is 4 in the afternoon though."
Keira lazily replied as if she was sulking and complaining, "Yes, Commander. I cannot help it. In the last three days, I was confined and my body got used to the routine of eating, sleeping, and waking up. I was not even allowed in the underground training room, so all I do is to procrastinate."
Everyone laughed out loud at her honest reply, dissing their Commander. All Rylan could do was to heavily sigh, and commanded in a gentle tone, "Alright. Come here."
Keira lazily walks towards him, but she stopped at the familiar face standing in the front row. Their eyes met, but Keira's eyebrows subtly furrowed before she took another step and looked at Rylan.
Rylan, who once had a serious face is now smiling again, and excitedly said, "As a tradition of the division, new members must choose one of our honored Exorcists and fight against them to showcase their strengths. If they luckily won against their chosen Exorcist, they would have the right to either demand one request from the defeated Exorcist or become an automatic member of the Exorcist's family. Now, Lucas Aguero! Choose one of us!"
Lucas stepped forward towards Keira, but she stepped back with a displeased look before he spoke, "I choose Exorcist Keira Silvestre." He paused for a while before he continued, "If you lose, return to me."
The crowd murmured with each other, questioning the relationship of the two as well as the expression shown on Keira's face.
Keira immediately replied with a fierce look on her face, "I refuse."
Everyone was shocked by her reply and by the fierce expression on her face.
Rylan then replied with a sly smile, "Refusal is rejected. As a major rule, those who are absent or late in a major meeting must follow the Commander's instructions until another meeting, regardless of the scale, has been conducted. Hence, the fight will proceed."
Keira clenched her fists, suppressing her anger, turning her back to them as she started to warm up her muscles.