Chapter 9: Ivee

Embracing the hot breeze in summer, he pondered about how this type of weather could easily roast someone alive. With his hair swept backwards. Lee stood unfazed.

Amidst his capacity of paying attention to his masters at the same moment he was listening attentively through his earpiece at the pointers given by his colleague stating to him the directions of every the fire exit, safe passage ways for escaping, and the stationed places where the rest of his kind are assigned.

Diego, the head of the security team expertly organized the plan sheets along the blueprints of the theatre on his small black painted oak desk inside the customized backseat of the van. As his hands were busy with the files, his forehead creased seeing the repeated blinking of two green dots in the same position at his radar, “The subjects aren’t moving?”

Hearing his brazen voice blasting in his earpiece, Lee had his eyes over the young boy, wondering when will they shelter themselves from heat at this rate. “Well, we’ve come across trouble," he responds.

His palms beside his thighs were already sweating and his fingers were twitching at such relentless day, “Just a bit misunderstanding,” Lee added.

There was a long span of silence on the other line before Lee heard a faint scoff. The soft sound rang to his ear in lighting speed and left him baffled at his shoes, hesitating for a minute if what he heard was real.

Just like a programed bot, Diego responds, "I see,” not a drop of life added to the empty void of his voice. It sounded as lifeless as the man is in person. Was he mistaken? Did he really heard him laugh for a second, No?

“Sucks to be you,” said Diego

The nerve of this guy! “Certainly.”  

Lee wished this prick was rather eliminated at the evaluation test the other day than hearing the news the higher ups not only offered him to stay but also promoted him. This lucky bastard. If he was in his shoes, he would know that quitting his job is a life changing decision than waiting for his next salary when he’s putting his life on line.

Diego cleared his throat at the silence from the other line. Slumping his elbows on the armrest he asks, “Need assistance?”

“Would you offer to do so?”

Inside the quiet van, Diego paused hearing the odd softness of his colleague’s voice inside his headset. The corner of his lips lifts, but soon dispersed when he receives the soft copies of the printed data he requested from their operators, the notifications desperately popping inside the screen of his laptop.

He clears his throat, all emotions washed out off him. “I apologize my capabilities has limits. You’re on your own regarding that matter,” he declared, hesitating if he should press the button to turn his microphone mute or not, but in the end he chose the latter.

A person as him doesn’t need to shove stated facts to his colleague’s face. This man knows well neither of them both have the power to restrain the boy's temper.

“Everyone listen up. Just as what we’ve planned, I will stay on guard. Team one will patrol and I expect no delayed reports given. The rest will move to your assigned sentry position—Sir, the sanctuary basement is clear—Prepare to head out," Lee heard different voices and faint footsteps in his earpiece before it went into dim silence.

His colleague muted himself. How sly. Well, it’s for the best. His unusual breathing does make him uncomfortable.

After everything seems back to normal, Lee bid their heiress and young master farewell, got back inside the car, and maneuver the Bentley away, heading straight towards the empty path that leads to the underground sanctuary for VIP cars to park.

When the Bentley disappeared, the other cars continued moving fluidly without any further interruption. Looking up, the clear blue sky gave her the slight reassurance as she breathes through her nose then exhales through her mouth, feeling herself mentally beaten by exhaustion. Her eyes settled down at the whimpering boy beside her who felt distant at the moment, making her brows furrow in worry. He might tire his neck from hanging downwards for too long, "Kieran, I—" Her sentence put to cease.

Not too long Hillary heard another stern cough behind her, causing her to step aside to create a clear path towards the entrance. Her body, sheltering Kieran from heat as her guard went up. She remained silent, waiting for the person to walk past them.

She was cautious since a while ago knowing the person’s identity in the next car in line especially now that they were standing behind her. As much as possible she doesn't want to be in close contact with anyone who's actively participating social gatherings.

"It's nice of you to make a way now."

Hillary assumed the great Madam Solomon, the general's wife would eventually reach out to her to complain such inconvenience, but she clearly didn't expect a graceful voice of a maiden would speak to her instead.

Her head lifts abruptly, looking behind her only to see two emotionless pair of eyes examining her. She was too stunned to response, but nonetheless she took courage to face them fearlessly with no hint of discomfort in her calm eyes. She was careful enough to hide Kieran behind her shadow with her fingers gripping unto his little ones behind her.

A woman was standing proudly with too much confidence in front of her with her chin held up high, clearly looking down at her. Hillary knew she was not just an ordinary woman as she was dressed with customized clothing of fine silk and priceless jewelries adding to her powerful presence. Behind the woman was a young gentleman, clearly obvious what he stands by just seeing the military badge in his vest and the huge LX bag he held in his wrist while a feminine designed suitcase occupied his hands, the very same one she had in her collection.

Hillary met the woman’s eyes not intimidated by her presence of wealth and luxury. She was never the person who would back off by seeing material things. Despite her absence in attending banquets she was knowledgeable enough to know the bag was latest edition and the suitcase was hand made from a famous designer whose identity alone can capture the attention of the wealthy people awaiting his works to be sold to the highest bidder.

No doubt this woman should be running away any second after their eyes met, but Ivee was amused. Her irritant turned into curiosity and wonder upon staring at woman standing strongly in front of her, unfazed by her prideful stare. The woman didn’t even waver nor flinch the slightest bit.

Their staring contest only broke when her eyes landed at the sulking child behind such daring woman.

So these are the people who had the audacity to not just yearn for grand entrance but also attention? Ivee restrain her eyes from rolling as she felt utterly insulted. Looking at the woman in front of her who had dressed humbly from head to toe, not enough luxury to even top the heels she just bought, but the rare watch on the woman's wrist didn't miss her examination.

“Well, I shall say waiting in the car wasn't tiring,” no matter how formal and well-spoken others say she is.

 No one can ever see through the true glint of her eyes and the wicked intentions behind her smile.

Hillary grits her teeth. How unfortunate is it to come across another wicked vixen? It was only now she remembers her. Ivee Solomon, a woman with words and elegance they say.

But to her she was rather a woman with a huge ego, "I'm glad it wasn't. I hope we didn't hinder you from any important matters," Hillary finds it amusing that she had made this person who thinks highly of herself to wait. She wore a proper smile that didn't reach her eyes.

The fury kept within her opponents eyes was entertaining to her. Besides what's more important in attending movie theatres?

"If you excuse us, the sun's hot headed today don't you think?" Hillary speaks with no ill intentions as she refers to the weather.

Well, that depends on how it sounds to one's ears.

Her innocent phrase echoed inside Ivee's head as she read between her lines. On that point, she has to praise this woman’s nonchalant way of irritating her because it’s working really well. It was clear, this woman dared to insult her.

Ivee scoffs inside her head, her eyes examining the woman’s bare face. A beauty indeed, but it’s a pity she haven't seen such pretty face in the tabloids yet. Not even once when she mingles around the socialites in her twenty four years of existence and a whole year reigning her title as she was crowned queen of socialites by the end of November in the previous year.

No matter how this woman uses her face in the entertainment circle she would never excel things apart from that. If this woman wasn't one of the big five, it's clear that she was whichever company's guest she is and perhaps these two are foreigners.

One's too young to realize and one's too dumb to notice the identity of such respectable woman as she is.

This woman should have read the forums and latest headlines, but considering they were visiting Yuro, a city filled with ordinary people without much status, Ivee can see why.

Furthermore a grim smile escaped Ivee's lips, "Certainly be safe on your way. Pests numbers these days had risen. You should be cautious especially when . . ." she paused, looking at the child who had stood in silence with his head down, far from the errant child he was earlier, ". . . most of their victims are children."

The child looked much more to be pitied at this state. She’ll be praying in hopes this damn child will certainly be one of those children occupying the hospital beds by mid-October. Ivee gave the woman a sweet smile at her sudden silence. What? Cat got your tongue?

Where’s the woman who shamelessly look at her as if she was in her level?

Bumptious of her victory, Ivee was supposed to walk away from the fun chitchat she encountered when an eerie voice interrupted her to do so.

"How fascinating, I didn't know pests had already tried the advancement of communication."

The young boy's head finally lift towards his mother, ignoring the lame peasants before them, not even sparing them a glance. Only if he could shoo them away himself, but what he do? Luscious fruits do attract annoying pests.

He hated standing behind in silence, but that’s not the point, they were thieves, daring thieves who robbed his mother’s attention from him. His mother finally initiated to talk to him first without his calling, but got interrupted by mere people.

Was speaking about the weather and the spreading disease much more important than him?

“If you want to speak with my mother, reach out to her secretary for a scheduled meeting as you like. I don’t care,” Kieran clench his fist looking down to hide his reddened cheeks, “Stop meddling my appointment with her.”

"..."

Despite how high-pitched the child’s voice was as he’s young, the coldness of his words was strangely familiar. The person she has in mind was already in the back of her head but she couldn't find the soul to assume trivial things.

This child . . .

Is beyond fascinating, is it legal to have the sculpture of his young face in the museum for history to ever known he was created as human? Her eyes went to search more of his refined charm, but before she could, the child's back faced her and walks away.

Kieran drag his mother’s soft hand, how he loves holding unto them but now he has to thug them with force due to upsetting circumstances, "Come now, mother. Staying would only start a plague." Just as what he had expected, people with hidden motives are insects in the society, more annoying than their two-faced relatives.

Hillary could only bat her lashes as her child continues to drag her towards the entrance, leaving two puzzled eyes behind them.

Ivee’s lids relaxed, her mood soared to heavens and not thrown into pit.

"Young miss, should I report what happened to the general?" Her butler whispered from her side, worried at her silence. Never had he thought the young miss would receive such a blow from a child.

Entertainment glisten over her eyes, it’s been a while since she had fun with just talking, “That’s not necessary, but do set an appointment.”

The butler’s eyes bulge in surprise, “Y-Young miss?”

Ivee look at him from behind, restraining her smile, “With my brothers"

"Ah, y-yes. Understood," the butler went on, tapping on his tablet for preparations, flustered. He thought it was about what the child said.

Step after step. Breath after breath. As they walk pass a person after another, Kieran was continuously dragging her hand and her mind was set elsewhere. When they arrive and blend in with the crowd only then he halts his steps. Hillary’s lips thinned. This time it was her who's leading and dragging him towards the corner, causing his small head to turn up towards her in wonder.

Upon arriving in one of the secluded and empty hallways, she kneels on the carpet, leveling her head against his. Her hazel eyes were furious than usual.