Chapter Five

The water was boiling. I spaced out moments ago. The onions were stinging my eyes. Though I stopped cutting them now. I broke out of my daze after the sound of the knife falling off of my hands resonated in the kitchen. 

Sighing, I picked it up and put it on the counter.  I turned the stove off as the soup was ready. Placing it on a bowl I took it in front of the man who came in a few moments ago to take shelter from the rain. 

The storm was rising. Nabi told me that she will be staying at a friend's house today. 

Meanwhile, this mysterious man that I met a few times sipped the soup. He smiled and put it down. “I realized, I didn’t give you my name yet.” He said. 

“Yeah,” I said. “Well, I am Gloria Hensler.”

“I am Zohan.” He simply said. He took another sip. 

Though my anxiety was eating me up from the inside I tried my best to remain indifferent. I made a mental note to review that envelope sent to me and hide it from Nabi. I can’t let her know about this. 

I remained quiet at the sound of a soft breeze and rain coming from the window. The sound of trees shuffling on the verge of breaking due to the storm had a vivid sound ringing all around us. Me and him. 

This man suddenly chose this house for shelter. The house of the same girl he saved from drowning and didn’t even let me thank him. The same man who was so very magnificent to look at, who had engulfing darkness surrounding him as if I went too close I’d be sucked in. As if he had a mask on. A mask of purity and innocence but his eyes said differently. Never have I ever wanted to look deep inside the heart of a man but now I do. 

I was curious about him. Curious about what I might find if I get entangled in the darkness. 

I cleared my throat and broke out of my daze. “Thank you,” I said. 

He looked at me while fixing his glass. Confusion wrote on his face. “For?” A man of few words. 

“The other night,” I said. “When you saved me from drowning.”

Realization dawned on his face as he smiled. His nerd-like outfit complemented his charming smile. “Do not mention it.” 

I rubbed my sides. I wanted to ask him about the other night. Why had he left me absent? Why was he different that night? Is it a coincidence that he came across my house leaving every other? Does he know about Carnival?

I felt a strange and overwhelming urge to ask him everything yet I remained silent. He finished his soup. 

“Thank you for letting me in.” He said keeping the cup aside as his muscles twitched. This man was built differently. Though we were silent for the most part, I enjoyed being in his company. We held silence deeper than any conversation. 

“It’s a wonder,” I said looking deep into his eyes.

He looked confused. 

“How you came across my house,” I said. 

“Is it? I mean, every house here looks the same. Though I am grateful for coming across your house.” He said. 

I chuckled slightly. “Did you like the soup?” 

He nodded. “I think your boyfriend wouldn’t like me to stay for too long so I should leave.” He said. 

Did he just assume I had a boyfriend? This apartment had two bedrooms so he could’ve just said roommate yet he insisted on me having a boyfriend. It’s funny. 

“I don’t have one,” I said. 

The side of his mouth twitched. “Really? I beg to differ.” 

“How?” I asked. 

“It’d be a shame for someone like you to be lonely. Perhaps, no man would be fit for someone like you.”

I made a confused face. What is he talking about?

“Then, what kind of a man will suit me?”

“Someone who’d rather indulge in you and keep you away from the monsters. But I guess you having a partner wouldn’t make a difference on monsters not trying to fetch you.”

“What kind of monsters?” I asked. Curiosity getting the best of me. 

“Monsters who are very close.” He said and paused for a minute. 

Maybe I mistook him for someone else for a few moments but when he looked at me I saw nothing but lust. As if he was ripping my clothes off with his eyes. When I was about to talk he changed back to his original form. 

“I mean, Carnival. I bet you heard of them. Scary people.” He said. 

“Oh,” I tried to hold the urge to not ask him about everything. “You know about them?”

He nodded. 

I think asking him about them wouldn’t hurt because what if he can give me a solution?

“Do they hurt people?” I asked hoping he says no.

I contemplated for a few seconds. “Situation-wise, yes”

I shivered. “Okay, if they ever invite someone somewhere should they go?”

The side of his mouth twitched yet again. “Are you invited?” He asked. 

I gulped a lump in my throat. “No, I’m just asking for my friend.”

“Then your friend should go.” He said. “But as far as I know, if that friend of yours refuses to go then tell them this-” He paused and leaned in. His original form turned into dust as I saw his sinful form yet again. His minty breath brushed my lips as he said, “Better go otherwise the monsters will hunt you down and catch you for life.”

-

I made Nabi a sandwich because she had to go to work early today. I had taken a sick leave from work. I couldn’t face Sara without telling her about this. Seeing her confidence I’d become hopeless and beg for her to come with me. I wouldn’t even need to beg, she’d come instantly I tell her about this. 

I talked to Josh this morning. He seemed to be just fine. If there was one person on earth I shouldn’t say this whole incident to it’s Josh first. He’d fly to US and take me back to Japan by today. 

Nabi would report the police or come with me. Sara would come with me or deal with them herself without knowing how dangerous they could be. Steve wouldn’t even let me go. 

I couldn’t possibly ask for help from anyone so I decided to handle the whole thing by myself. I wasn’t going to risk anyone’s life. 

Though, someone had promised they’d be there for me. Zohan. He was the first person I told this whole thing to. I even cried in front of him. He told me to go and said that he’d be there for me. Once I go there, he’d be there for my help. 

God knows, I prayed he’d be there. In this entire world, he’s my only source of help. 

I sighed and as usual, I put a smile on my face. 

“Thanks, bro I always love your sandwiches,” Nabi said as I handed her the box. 

“Sure, now make sure to give yourself some break,” I said smiling. 

“Yes ma’am,” She said. “But I feel bad leaving you here. I mean, you’re sick.” 

“Doesn’t matter, I’ll rest and I’ll be fine.”

–

 I picked a formal dress for visiting the specific address. Though I felt like I had my heart on my sleeve I still managed to make myself confident. Do not cower back, Gloria.

I got this. Zohan said that he’ll be there. I’ll be fine.

I locked the apartment and headed out. Getting into a taxi I waited before we reached the specific destination. I was scared. I wonder what they might do once I get in. 

We reached as soon as I got in. I looked ahead. It was a villa fit for the kingdom of royals. Guards stood broadly on each side fully armed. I took shaky steps ahead, hoping and praying they stop me so that I can go back home, and sleep so that I never had to meet Carnival ever again. 

As I walked in front none of them stopped. I was aware they saw me yet they didn’t stop me. I hesitated in front of the gate when one of them came in front and opened the huge door for me. He didn’t bat me a single eye and looked down walking away. 

The door opened to a big hallway. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling making the place look surreal. It was as if everything was wrapped in Diamond and Gold. Everything shone with glory and luxury. 

An elderly woman approached me. Her face beamed with excitement. Her smile expanded as her dimples deepened. A few other maids were behind her. They looked more shocked than excited after seeing me. 

I didn’t know if I should say something but as soon as the elderly woman opened her mouth to speak, a man in his forties approached with guards behind him. Damn everyone had guards except me when I need protection the most. I walked into the den of devils myself. 

“Miss, Gloria Hensler?” He asked. 

“Y-Yeah,” I said. 

“You are to have a meeting with Young Master.”

I made a confused face. “Young Master?”

“Yes ma’am, should we show you the way?” He asked. 

I lost it. “Hey, look, I don’t what you are talking about. Last night, I received an envelope with a contract saying I have to meet Carnival or something. The thing is I don’t want to meet anyone. I just want to go home.” I tried to sound as firm as I could. I couldn’t even call Zohan for help. He didn’t give me his number yet I stayed fit on his promise. 

He was confused now. “Well ma’am, do you wish not to negotiate?”

Carnival was a gang that liked to intercede in the treaty before killing. It was their principal. Whatever principle it was it scared me to my guts. 

I shook my head. Unable to form words. 

“I’ll show you the way then. Young Master hates waiting.” He signaled me to walk in front of him. 

Young Master was probably the king of Carnival, I assumed. 

I walked ahead. The area was as big as I saw outside. We kept walking and corridor after corridor appeared. I looked around. This place was massive. 

We finally stopped in front of a hallway that lead to a big door. It was painted black unlike the parts of this villa that looked like it was made of gold. 

He knocked on the door and the door opened. The man stayed back as I got in. 

He left me in the room all alone. I was frightened now. I was alone in this dark room. Everything was painted black. There was a table ahead of me and behind it was a door to the balcony veiled by white curtains. I was frightened. This was the time I needed Zohan the most. Where is he?

I squinted my eyes. There was a silhouette standing there leaning against the railings. The figure came out and sat down on the chair behind the desk. “Gloria Hensler, welcome.”

The voice was made of chocolate. So deep and raspy. The voice had nothing but pure venom dripping out of it. I was on the deeper side of the room but I saw the man. But if I could taste the venom I know it’ll taste of sweet betrayal because– why not? It belonged to the man who barged into my house yesterday whom I let in, who existed in front of me in pure disguise

Zohan.

The son of Salvatore, the king of Carnival, and the man of my nightmares, who sat behind that desk in his true form looking at me from up and down. 

Numbness followed after that. I fell to the ground. Sweat beaded my forehead and tears formed in my eyes but I was too shocked to form a word. 

He walked towards me. His every step was calculated. Every step he took made me look like the prey and him– the predator. 

He knelt in front of me.

 “Y-You, w-why?” I asked looking at him in the eyes, helpless yet hopeful so that I know that Zohan who promised to save me from this terror was my terror all along. 

He looked me deep in the eye. Brushing away one of my hair strands from my face he whispered,” Yes, honey, me, always me.”

He leaned in closer. “Because I told you, warned you, but you didn't have a protector so I–” Our lips almost touching each other, “I caught you for life.”