Treasure Hunt

Malia's P.O.V.

"Ugh! This is what happens when I drink!" My head was pounding mercilessly.

I woke up to the gentle touch of sunlight, its warm rays cutting through the fog of my hangover. In the midst of my groans, Cheska's voice broke through the haze, calling out to me.

"Hey, Malia, are you awake?" Cheska's voice echoed from the door. "Callisto has been looking for you."

Rubbing my temples, I regretted every sip of alcohol from the previous night. How could I have let myself lose control like that? Trying to gather my thoughts, or at least attempting to, I replied, "Tell him I'll be out shortly, Cheska. "I just need a moment to freshen up."

Cheska's footsteps fade away, leaving me alone with my pounding headache and disheveled mind. I stumbled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, hoping that splashing cold water on my face would bring some much-needed clarity.

As droplets cascaded down my face, memories of the night flooded back. Laughter, conversations, and my feeble attempts at seducing Callisto replayed in my mind. A blush tinged my cheeks as I recalled my audacity. Would he think I was foolish? Regret mixed with embarrassment, leaving me flustered.

With determination, I gathered whatever composure I could muster and ventured out of my room.

I headed to Callisto's study, my hands trembling with nervousness. When I entered, he greeted me with a laugh that weakened my knees. I could feel myself blushing as he reminded me of what had happened.

"Last night was quite something, Malia," he said with a charming smirk.

I couldn't bear to dwell on it any longer, so I quickly interrupted him, my face turning red with embarrassment. "Let's not talk about that, please. I'm terribly shy about it."

He smirked. Then Callisto's expression became serious once again, revealing a shocking truth to me.

"I'm actually Mr. Marcus," he said in a composed and classy tone. "I've been using that name as a disguise."

I couldn't react for a few seconds. Although I had thought about it, I didn't actually believe it was true. I was shocked to hear this, and I couldn't help but ask why he needed a disguise. Callisto's response only added to my confusion.

"I'm a mafia boss, Malia," he calmly admitted. "And there are certain things I must do that require anonymity."

Damn it. My gut wasn't lying to me. I knew it.

"Can I ask you something?" I inquired, my voice filled with curiosity and trepidation.

He nodded.

I took a deep breath before posing my question. "Are you, by any chance, the man I met at the bar that night? You know, the one who won the bidding or whatever? Please tell me that's not true."

"Yes," he confirmed.

Damn.

"Oh, okay," I replied, my nervousness consuming me. So, from what I understand, the Callisto I met at the bar is his true self.

"Does this mean you're actually not nice?" I blurted it out, covering my mouth aggressively after realizing what I had said. Damn it. Why did I say that?

Contrary to what I expected, he chuckled.

"You'll have to figure that out for yourself," he said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

As I couldn't say anything more, I decided to leave the room, but he tilted his head, confusing me.

"How about a kiss before you go?" he asked with a serious expression.

I stared at him, taken aback. He was serious.

For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But the allure of his presence, coupled with the undeniable attraction between us, was too strong to resist. I closed the gap between us, my lips trembling as they met his.

What started as a gentle, tentative kiss quickly deepened, with our desires overpowering any rational thoughts. The room seemed to fade away as our passion ignited, and I surrendered myself to the intoxicating sensation of his lips on mine.

But just as the flames of our desire threatened to consume us, Callisto abruptly pulled away, his composed demeanor firmly in place. He held me at arm's length, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

"A kiss is enough for today," he said with a hint of mischief.

****

"I'm here again."

I took a deep breath, trying to settle my racing mind. Callisto had ended the kiss by telling me he was busy. So, with no other choice, I left his study and found myself wandering in the garden.

I was about to search for a bench to sit on when something caught my eye. There, under the shade of a tree, lay Spine. His eyes flickered open as he sensed my presence.

"Hi!" I greeted him with a smile.

Spine barked playfully, his tail wagging with excitement. He bounded towards me, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

For a while, I forgot about my hangover and the complicated circumstances surrounding Callisto. It was just me and Spine, enjoying a moment of pure joy and simplicity.

"Oh, hey! Hahaha," I laughed as Spine playfully nipped at my heels. I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with this loyal companion.

Eventually, fatigue caught up with me, and my pounding headache reminded me of my need for rest. Reluctantly, I bid Spine farewell and made my way back to my room.

I was just about to settle into bed, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep after my encounter with Callisto, when a man burst into my room with an excited grin on his face.

"Malia, you have to come with me! It's the birthday party of one of the servants, and it's going to be epic!" he exclaimed.

I groaned inwardly, realizing that sleep would have to wait.

"Alright, alright," I sighed, my voice laced with sarcasm and discomfort. "Lead the way, I guess?"

****

We arrived at the same place where we had been drinking the previous night, and the atmosphere was electric with laughter and music. Beer flowed freely, and I found myself once again succumbing to its intoxicating allure.

As the night wore on and the drinks kept flowing, a male servant named Daniel seemed to take a particular interest in me. The other servants, mischievous as ever, wasted no time teasing us.

"Ooh, look at Malia and Daniel! Could there be a spark in the air?" one of them teased, nudging Daniel playfully.

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool but feeling a mixture of discomfort and desire swirling within me. "Come on, guys, let's not start any rumors. We're just having a good time."

In truth, I couldn't afford to involve myself with anyone here. I reminded myself of the deal I had made with Callisto and the boundaries we had agreed upon.

But the night took an unexpected turn when a game was announced.

The organizer, Oliver, a lively and charismatic servant, stood before the gathering, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Gather 'round," Oliver announced, capturing everyone's attention. "We have a thrilling treasure hunt ahead of us!"

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Oliver continued. "Here's how it works. Each one of you will be given a kit that contains a set of clues. Follow those clues, and they'll lead you to the hidden treasure."

A wave of anticipation rippled through the crowd, and I couldn't help but join in the excitement. The promise of adventure mixed with the thrill of competition fueled my eagerness.

Oliver grinned mischievously as he revealed the ultimate prize. "Now, listen up, folks! The first person to return with the treasure will be crowned the champion and walk away with a couple of dollars!"

Laughter and cheers filled the air, accompanied by a chorus of playful banter and good-natured taunts. The prospect of winning a few dollars may have been modest, but the spirit of the game and the camaraderie it fostered were priceless.

After all those details, the thrill of adventure took hold. I eagerly grasped the key, ready to unlock the hidden treasure. Navigating the labyrinthine corridors, I followed the clues with tipsiness fueling my determination.

It was when I stepped into the room filled with guns that I finally realized the perilous situation I had stumbled into. My intoxicated mind failed to grasp the danger, though, as I chuckled to myself, my voice laced with sarcasm and obliviousness.

"Well, well, Callisto. You sure know how to decorate a room," I mumbled, my senses dulled by alcohol. "Just how many secrets do you keep locked away?"

As fatigue washed over me, I found solace on a nearby couch, surrendering to the blissful embrace of slumber amidst the dangerous weeping.