Dirgantara and Ellam were, of course, surprised by the woman's words. How could she possibly know about Dirgan's conversation with Gio, especially since Ellam had arrived afterward?
"Where's Gio? Look for him. Maybe there's a wiretapping device on his clothes," Dirgan ordered.
Ellam nodded and immediately went to search for Gio in the side room. Dirgan sighed uneasily and pulled out his phone to call Crystal, warning her to be cautious in her conversations if she encountered Gio.
However, the sudden collapse of his two bodyguards silenced Captain Zoger.
"There's no wiretapping device on your brother," she stated calmly. Dirgan stared intently at the woman, bewildered by how she had incapacitated his bodyguards while her hands were cuffed.
"I deliberately allowed myself to be captured, as per your father's orders. Wiretapping devices are installed in every room of the headquarters and your house," she explained.
"Do you know the penalty for trespassing on my territory is death?" Dirgan demanded.
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about something else? Your father… is at home," she said. Dirgan's eyes, which had been filled with defiance, widened in panic.
"He's with your little sister," she continued.
Panic surged through Dirgan, and he sprinted out of the execution room. He raced towards his residence, his hand instinctively reaching for his gun.
It took him only two minutes to reach his house. He paused, noticing his two guards lounging by the back door.
"Captain," they greeted him. Dirgan, still panting, rushed inside, his presence causing his three younger siblings to fall silent.
"Huh? Are you home? Ellam said you'd be home late because there was a new prisoner," Crystal asked. She was still grilling deer meat for her birthday party, and preparations were still underway.
"Is Dad here?" Dirgan asked, confused. His three younger siblings noticed his distracted demeanor. Ellam checked the condition of the execution room after Dirgan had left.
"What do you mean, brother? We just got here because Ellam said there might be a bugging device on my clothes," Gio added.
"Your brother looks exhausted. You should give him some sleeping pills so he can rest tonight," Ellam suggested. The three of them looked at Ellam in confusion. Dirgan approached his adopted brother and glanced at the CCTV footage, noticing that the woman he had captured had managed to escape from the execution room.
"Wow, Dirgan, you were easily fooled? Was the woman beautiful?" Crystal asked. Dirgan clenched his jaw, clicking his tongue in frustration at being outmaneuvered by the woman.
"I'll catch her," Dirgan declared, storming out of the house. He vowed to make her pay for playing games with Dirgantara. He would either cut off her tongue or feed her spiked marbles. He would rip her mouth apart or dissect her brain, ensuring she would think twice before ever crossing him again.
***
"Come on! You can!" Maya stumbled, dragging her feet to get as far away as possible from the terrifying dog cage. Her body went limp as she imagined the cruel tortures that had undoubtedly occurred within its confines.
Since being sold by her servant, Maya has encountered various monsters in this world, including the chilling figure of Dirgan.
Maya looked around, searching for an escape route, but found herself facing an electrified iron fence.
"Damn it, I'm still in his territory," Maya muttered anxiously.
Her steps faltered as she sensed an abnormal gust of wind. It wasn't a comforting sensation; it sent a shiver down her spine. Maya held her breath, unable to run with her already weary legs.
She closed her eyes, straining to hear any sound. Then, she felt something approaching from behind.
Suddenly, a sharp slap sent Maya crashing to the dry ground.
"Do you think you can simply escape from my territory?" Dirgan snarled, rubbing his hair in frustration after striking her. Blood trickled from the corner of Maya's lips, her cheeks flushed bright red.
"This is my playground," Dirgan continued angrily. He grabbed Maya's cheek and pulled out his knife.
"So, which part of your face do I carve first?" Dirgan asked menacingly.
"You won't be able to do it," Maya declared.
"Are you challenging me?" Dirgan pressed the knife against Maya's cheek, drawing a bead of blood. "Think, Dirgantara. Could your father's wiretapping devices have overheard your conversation with your mother before she died?"
Dirgantara frowned, both of them breathing heavily, their wills locked in a fierce struggle.
"Your mother said you were destined to be a good man, an example for your younger siblings. But you've become a monster instead," she said.
Dirgan was stunned. Those were indeed his mother's final words, known only to him. His grip on the knife loosened in disbelief.
Seizing the opportunity, Maya disarmed Dirgan. Though she underestimated his strength, he quickly retaliated with a punch, knocking her unconscious.
Dirgan was left reeling, bewildered by what his prisoner knew. It was clear that she was no ordinary captive of his father.
***
"Argh." Maya winced as she regained consciousness. Pain throbbed throughout her body, and her wrists, bound tightly to the foot of the bed, felt numb. The nylon rope had constricted blood flow to her veins.
Maya sat up, groaning as she felt a throbbing pain in her legs and a burning sensation on her face. Confusion clouded her mind as she surveyed the large, gloomy room. It contained only a bed, two white bedside tables, a four-door plywood wardrobe, a gray sofa, and a round table near the window.
"Finally, you wake up." Dirgan emerged from the bathroom, a white towel wrapped around his waist. He walked towards the wardrobe, shrugging his shoulders as steam rose from his damp hair. He had been soaking in hot water to wash away the blood.
"Who are you?" Dirgan asked, his eyes scanning the contents of the wardrobe.
"How do you know what my mother said?" Maya remained silent, refusing to answer his questions.
Dirgan casually donned an oversized wheat-colored shirt, also pants in the same color
He approached Maya and grasped her jaw, ignoring the lingering pain.
"Answer me, bitch!" he threatened, and a jolt of electricity surged through her body, making her feel nauseous.
"Let go first," Maya demanded, meeting his gaze defiantly.
Dirgan scratched his nose, ready to deliver another, harder slap.
"I can be your lucky card, Dirgantara…" he said, his hands hovering in the air, anticipating her response.
"The key to destroying those three people—is me," she added.
A wave of curiosity washed over Dirgan. This woman knew a dangerous amount about his life.
Maya raised her bound hands towards his face. He had a choice: release her or remain ignorant.
Curiosity gnawed at Dirgan. After a tense standoff, he finally relented, loosening the rope around her wrists.
However, instead of immediately revealing her information, Maya sprang to her feet. She snatched the towel from where Dirgan had left it and rushed into the bathroom.
Dirgan was left speechless. Instead of cowering in fear, this prisoner had boldly challenged him, provoking his emotions.
Dirgan was just about to follow her into the bathroom when his phone rang. It was Ellam.
Ellam had received information that the woman was the daughter of Josen, an entrepreneur who owned a perfume factory. Two years ago, Josen had incurred a massive debt of several billion to Steven, which had now ballooned to six times the original amount. To cover the initial interest payments of fifteen billion, Josen had sold his daughter.
"Brother, do you believe in magic?" Ellam asked, interrupting his report.
Dirgan, who had finally sat down on the sofa, massaged his temples in weariness. "Only crazy people believe in magic. Why are you wasting time discussing such nonsense?" he joked.
"You're right," Ellam replied. Even he couldn't believe what he had discovered: Josen hadn't sold his daughter into slavery or prostitution but as a witch.
The report lacked further details, but it was clear that Steven had desperately wanted the woman. He had even hired soldiers to scour the Darkest Forest under the guise of searching for his missing stepdaughter.
After acquiring the woman, Steven's guards had transported her from the army headquarters, with two cars providing escort. Ellam's men had intercepted them and brought the woman to Dirgan's house.
The bathroom door creaked open. Dirgan observed Maya while listening to Ellam's report.
'Focus, Dirgan!' he mentally commanded himself, forcing his attention back to Ellam's report. Maya's damp body, wrapped only in a towel, was dangerously distracting.
Dirgan struggled to tear his gaze away from the woman as she rummaged through the wardrobe, selecting a large black shirt and a medicine box. After gathering her belongings, she returned to the bathroom.
"Ah, I'll cut off your arm later."
"What? Who—me?" Ellam exclaimed in shock.
"No, just continue," Dirgan replied. Ellam's report that evening had provided him with several pieces of valuable information, including the news that Zoger Company's shares were steadily rising due to Gio's involvement.
"Ensure that Zoger remains clean and free from any association with this organization," Dirgan instructed Ellam. His company must remain untainted by mafia activities, murder, or arms dealing. He wanted his siblings to live normal, peaceful lives, free from the stain of his enemies.
The bathroom door creaked open once more. Maya re-entered the room, her limp noticeably reduced after applying makeshift bandages to her injuries. She sat on the edge of the bed, facing away from Dirgan. Opening the nightstand drawer, she pulled out a knife.
Dirgan snorted in annoyance. This woman's audacity would not be tolerated.
"Where is this?" She asked, initiating the conversation.
Dirgan watched Maya's fingers busy exploring her long hair. Until after she was sure and according to the desired length, Maya roughly cut her hair with a knife.
"Winter City, west," replied Dirgan. He sat down next to her. Tilting his head to see the woman's face who was busy muttering after putting the knife in the drawer.
"Calculating the distance to escape?" asked Dirgan.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation. Dirgan smiled sadly at the ridiculous answer, even though this woman would soon not have legs to walk.
"Maya, my name is Maya," she said. Dirgan was stunned when Maya suddenly looked at him. He was drowning in the beautiful eyes that seduced a million men. It made Dirgan stiff, especially when Maya smiled a charming smile.
Far from before. A shabby, dirty face - full of sweat and stains, now clean and radiant and scented with his vanilla soap.
"Do you believe in magic, Dirgan?" asked Maya.
"No." Dirgan turned his face away. Staring at the door was a diversion, although in the end, Dirgan's eyes returned to Maya who was still staring at him. Dirgan was attracted to the center of the solar system, not wanting to let go of Maya's gaze.
"I'll show you magic," she said. Maya immediately stood in front of Dirgan. Brazenly climbing onto his lap without any rejection. Dirgan was silent when Maya rubbed the back of his neck. Letting Maya dominate and manipulate. The contrasting breaths seemed to make Dirgan forget himself.
"This is your magic... Tempting?" asked Dirgan. Maya rubbed his firm jaw. She rubbed Dirgan's lips who wanted to make love to his prisoner.
"No, but this one," explained Maya. She gently kissed Dirgan. Holding both of this man's jaws, until Dirgan who followed the game also fell into the passion that Maya provoked.
Making the man off guard, until without realizing it, the yellow light came out of Dirgan's mouth, then was sucked into Maya's body when Dirgan was lulled by his adult fantasy.
Dirgan felt his soul strongly attracted by the suction that made him want Maya. Dirgan closed his eyes, it felt dark and delicious with just a kiss.
To Be Continued…