Wearing a cute blue printed puff sleeve mini dress pair with a white multi thin strap flare heels, I look at myself in the mirror practicing what kind of smile I should wear to please Sain Czar's brother. I am not sure what kind of woman they prefer, will they be please if I act innocent and fragile? Or will they be amused if I act tough and strong? Honestly, I don't know how Sain sees me. I am not sure if he thinks I'm innocent and fragile because he once called me a little tiger who's ready to devour him whenever I'm annoyed. I couldn't say either if he thinks I'm someone who's tough because he always tell me that he will protect me at all cost as if I am someone who worries about my safety since the moment I become his wife.Today will be a big day because I will be meeting the person who's ruling the Averrius Crime and he is also the son of the man who killed my parents. Meeting him will gave me a chance to get information, it will give me a chance to get closer to this family.
Trust? After what his father did to me and to my family, I don't think I would dare to trust an Ildefonso. I loathed them, I curse them to death and I hate myself for feeling something strange to this man when I know to myself that affection has no room to my heart and mind that is filled with anger and vengeance. I must kill him, I can't get attach to him. I was never been attached to anyone before. Everything that I experience right now is new to me. Most emotions are foreign and some are familiar yet I keep it unknown. This was the first time I become a wife to someone that I need to kill. And I am adjusting because I was threw away from real things when I become a Costello. It's been fifteen years and yet I am still stuck on that moment, on that night when I saw how fire swallow our home. Even with my blurry eyes that are filled with my tears, I saw Cesar Ildefonso chase me and my nanny. I saw it with my two eyes how he mercilessly killed my nanny in front of me. If not because
"Nicolai told me you're with someone" I immediately lifted my head when I heard what Sixto said. As if on cue, Sain turn his gaze at me followed by Sixto who tilt his head and shamelessly eye me intently. I bit the inside of my mouth when I felt my pulse quicken because of the weight of his stare, good thing I still manage to flash a smile despite the cold feeling lurking around me. "I'm with my wife," Sain announce and went closer to me. I gulp when he reach my hand and raise it, showing off the wedding ring on my hand as if that is his credible proof to make his brother believe him. His wide smile turn into a haft grin but with a hint of something strange that is lurking on the corner of his eyes unable me to name it. Despite how expressive he is in his emotion, I find it strange that I couldn't figure out what he's thinking. I couldn't read him. "So she's Selena Asli Castania..." He slowly utter my name, emphasizing each word. I can't follow the tone of his voice. Is he ple
"Celeste Astraea Cortezi, I want you to continue finding her" Sain voice is calm yet serious. I could see him through my peripheral vision but I couldn't read what's on his mind. I couldn't see anything in his eyes, all I could sense is his eagerness to find Celeste Astraea Cortezi. Why? What's his reason for finding her? He is not even related to that name. I tighten my grip on the cup of tea I am holding. I keep my eyes focus on my plate pretending that I am not interested with their conversation, by my ears are attentive with their every word. I need to know the reason why he wants to find that Celeste Astraea Cortezi. "I assigned that task to Colesio" Sixto started and lean on the chair. "You're aware how long we been finding her but we didn't find any trace that will lead us to her. It's been fifteen years, but we didn't find any clue about her wherebouts"Sain's jaw clench and his brows furrowed. "You're just basically telling me that she's already dead" I bit the inside
"What is happening?" I ask, voice lace with confusement.I am not someone who easily gets panic because I am used to experience dangerous situation where I need to decide quickly or else I die. But then, that was me when I am Herravie for sure Selena is not like Herravie. I need to act according to the situation we are facing and looking Sain right now, I think something happen."I need to bring you home" he replied as he walk fast, obviously rushing. I am having a hard time to cope up his pace. Our height difference is too obvious, his legs are long and strong. His huge footsteps is nothing compared to mine. If he is not holding my wrist, probably I was already left behind. I look back and there I saw Vencer following us while talking someone through his phone. They are all look bothered but at the same time calm. You could notice that they move fast but they are not panicking. It just prove that they are always ready in unexpected situation because they know what they are doing a
My lips form into a thin line when I saw six men surround us and point their guns on our direction. I felt instantly shifted into the fearless Herravie couldn't stop myself to be protective with my own safety knowing that Sain, my husband is not here with me.I don't trust Vencer, I cannot trust him my safety. There is one thing inside my head right now, I need to save myself. I can't die because I haven't killed Sain Czar yet, I am still at the beginning of my revenge. I can't die while I am on a mission.I silently gritted my teeth and simply roam my eyes around to check the six men that surround us. I narrowed my eyes trying to find something that will lead me what organization they came from, unfortunately, I saw nothing. But there is one thing I am certain about, they planned all of these. I now understand why Sain doesn't want me to go alone. Perhaps he is thinking that its a trap to separate him to me which is true. Everything make sense now..."Vencer, unlock the door" I whis
"This is not gonna happen again" A dangerous low-pitched voice rang around the whole room, it sounded heavy and deep as if it is controlled that made me frown and slowly open my eyes. The smell of antiseptic with undertones of artificial fragrance mix the scent of air freshener that instantly filled my nostril. I roam my eyes around and my eyes narrow, a bit irritated with the bright light coming from the open window. I don't need to ask where I am because I am fully awake right now although I felt a bit weak as if my strength was all drained out from my body. The huge hospital room feels suffocating because of the smell of fresh blood coming from the wound on the side of my forehead which I couldn't remember how I get it. The only thing I can recall is that fucking man who dare to cut my flesh without knowing my identity. I gritted my teeth silently and fisted my hand before I turn to the left side of the room. I wasn't surprise when I saw Sain facing his back at me while talking
"Because Sain Czar Ildefonso promised me that he will protect me at all cost"Apollo's face become serious even more. His dark brown eyes that really suit him turn dead with emotion. I suddenly couldn't read what's on his mind as if he intentionally block me for the first time. I try to reach him but he step back and didn't let me held his arm.His jaw clench. "You trust him?" His voice is lace with disbelief with a mixture of disappoint me. I bite the inside of my mouth and shake my head."T-That's not-""You trust the son of the man who killed your parents?" He cut me off. "Fuck" he blurt out. My lips move but there's no voice came out from me. My mind is screaming, wanting to say 'no' but I couldn't put it into words. I couldn't utter a word and I don't know why. I know to myself that I don't trust Sain Czar but then I felt like I am holding to his promises when supposedly, I shouldn't. "Answer me, Herravie" His voice changes and almost sound like Dad. Displeased is written on
"Where is Sain? Please let me see him" I pleaded as I look at the stern expression of Sixto who's standing at the door not wanting me go inside the room."Celeste enough, you haven't fully recover yet. Let's go back to your room" Zachary said who's standing beside me while holding my arm, giving me support.It's been almost three weeks since what happen. Everything are still fresh in my memory, how I escape the Ildefonso's Residence, how Antonio help me, how I killed Teofilo, how Jaxer try to kill me and how Sain was getting shot by Apollo. It's been almost three weeks and yet I haven't saw Sain even just once. They won't let me, Sixto is always stopping me as well as Zachary who disappointingly siding at Sixto. They doesn't want me to see Sain, they are even updating me about his condition. I am dying with so much anxiousness, I am worried sick how he is doing. "Just a glance. I just have to know how he is" I insist not wanting to go back.I know it was my fault but I never wanted
The car halted in a familiar place. I took a deep breath and rolled down the car window scanning my eyes around the place. It's been a while since the last time I visit here and nothing change despite how my heart change. "Are you sure that you're doing this?" Antonio break the silence that made me look at him."What do you mean by that?" I ask in return."If Enzo is the one sitting here, for sure he will ask the same Hera. This is your enemy's place, you cannot do the first move. You just have to defend" he explain.I mentally shake my head, he almost sound like Enzo. I didn't know that he's coming to me. His loyalty is only for Enzo and I didn't know he will give it to me since he was under Sintti's training. "Have I mention to you that I have a brother? A real one and I just recently find out about him" I said."And what does it has to do with this?""He will save me together with my husband. You know how powerful my husband right? So nothing will happen to me," I confidently sai
"Hera..."I stilled on my spot when I heard the familiar voice of Apollo on the other line. Unconsciously, I turn my head to look at the direction of Sain and his brothers who's occupying the living room while discussing something that I didn't know.The trio doesn't seem to notice that I am no longer on my spot because their attentions are all on the table while Sixto is talking things that I cannot understand and follow. Perhaps it was about his organization and not Ilde Famiglia. "Please Hera, spare me a minute to talk with you" I blink my eyes and took a deep breath before living the trio. I went out and head straight to the gazebo doesn't want anyone to hear me talking to someone from Costello. "What do you want Apollo?" I ask, controlling the tone of my voice.Knowing that Teofilo Romani is the person who killed my parents, there is a sudden anger rooted inside me towards my brother. They all knew and yet they didn't say anything. They all make me look like a fool. They are a
The wind is blowing softly and it gives me a shivering sensation every time it touches my bare skin. I lifted my gaze and breath calmly. I am here in the gazebo hugging myself because of the morning breeze. I did stay but I couldn't find myself to sleep after what I find out. And now that the morning came, I still don't know what to do. I don't know where to start because I couldn't believe that I was been fooled for fifteen years and I am oblivious about it.I took a deep breath and gaze down shutting my eyes close. I am not sure if making a deal with Sain Czar is the smartest thing to do, but then I already did it. I already gave him my word in exchange of a very important information. I am not interested how did he finds out, my whole focus is on Sintti Organization and Mafia Romano. Both of them made fun of me, they made me believe a made up stories and I was such an idiot. I couldn't believe that I work for the man who killed my parents. I already meet him but I didn't recogni
"That's enough!" Sixto's voice filled the whole room, breaking the dark inclement mood that is about to explode. "Celeste is no longer the child we've been searching. She become the woman we never expected, she will not be pleased once she hears this" Zacharias agree. Well, he's right. Everything that is happening right now is not pleasing and here they are fighting as if I can't make decision on my own. Maybe my driven force to live is the vengeance inside my heart, but I stop living as Celeste. I already forgotten how does it feels like to live in the shoes of that innocent girl. "I will discuss this with Father. This is very complicated and I hope we are all expect the consequences..." Sixto added, sounding like a mature brother. "I don't want to see you two fighting about it."That make sense because he is the oldest among them. He has the authority to make the two follow him even the hardheaded Sain Czar. I immediately close my eyes and pretend that I'm still sleeping when Za
My eyes widen."What the hell are you doing?!" I blurt out and pulled my wrist from his grasp.Sain look at me with those serious and tantalizing eyes that never failed to drown me but I keep my distance with him, flaunting the anger that plastered on my face right now. "I am telling them the truth. You're Celeste Astraea Cortezi, and they should know that fact" My lips parted as I look at him disbelief. "What the hell are you saying Czar?" Zacharias suddenly intervene that made me fisted my hand.I stare at Sain Czar sharply hoping that he will stop this nonsense. There is no point even if he informed everyone about my real identity. I was molded and live as a Costello for fifteen years. I killed people, numerous lives die in my hands. That won't change and the fact that I am Celeste Astraea Cortezi will not cover the bloody life I'm living. But Sain ignore my warning gaze instead he turn to look at Zacharias."You heard me. She's Celeste Astraea Cortezi, the woman we've been fin
"What do you really want from me?" I ask before he take his step inside.We're already here, I was not able to stop him because his persistent to bring me back to Ildefonso's Residence is hard to break. But I need to know what does he really want from me. I want to know why he's doing this. If this is part of his revenge then he should stop it because I don't like playing this kind of game. Sain Czar didn't speak nor turn around to face me but he didn't walk away either. I am patiently waiting for his response because I need it. I don't know what he's up to because as I said, Sain Czar is difficult to read. He's hard to predict. I don't know what's on his mind, I cannot conclude any idea. He is that mysterious and I don't want to fall with his mystery."You're not my husband no matter how much you insist. You don't have the right to my life" I added.I step back when he suddenly face me. Standing six feet tall looking so handsome yet dangerous, Sain took a step closer to me causing m
"I am still here,Little. I am still here where you left me and I am just waiting for you to come back"An unknown warmth covers my heart, I didn't know this kind of assurance is what I needed right now. But then, I know that I am not supposed to ask for it. That would be unfair for him and everything will be mess up even more. I fisted hand giving him a void expression despite his pleading eyes. For the first time, I saw a weak side of him. Another part of him that he will never let anyone figure out. I don't want to be his weakness, he should not be swayed just because of me."You don't know what you're saying""I do" he firmly replied. "I am your husband and it will stay that way until my last breath. I warned you didn't I? When you insist to marry me, I told you there will be no turning back. You cannot turn your back at me, I won't let you" he hissed in a controlled tone. He looks determine, more serious than before. I look straight into his eyes, and just like for the first tim
A loud explosion made me cover my ears as I hide myself in the corner, hoping that a piece of wood I am leaning right now could save me from those sharp bullets that trying to kill me. "I should have killed them all" I hissed to myself, frowning while holding my gun tightly.I am now on the run. Sintti Crime Organization is chasing me just like what Luscio Costello told me. They were aware about the tragic death of my parents, they are aware that Luscio is part of the assassination happens fifteen years ago and now that I am aware about it they are hunting me. Things that I don't understand before is now make sense. The council anger is not about me being a woman, it was because I am a Cortezi the little girl who supposed to be dead years ago. They are trying to kill me now after I obey all their rules and commands for fifteen years. My hands are stained with blood because I stand before them, kill those people who tried to ruined the organization because I thought it was my family