Chapter 5

I also look in the direction he is looking, and for some reason, the pressure in the air rises.

"What do you mean? Have we met before?" I ask, watching the scene in the distance; I have no idea what's going on, but the way they're standing up, it appears a fight is about to break out.

I knitted my brows and chewed on my lower lip. Why am I still talking calmly to a stranger when there is clearly something wrong at this party?

"What's going on there?" I can't help but wonder, not caring where we met before. Perhaps at some business banquets? That’s also why I feel familiar with him.

The tension from the distance can even be felt in our deserted area; some of the couches on the side are also surrounded by what appear to be bodyguards in suits. This scene is something I can’t understand at all. What really is going on here?

"So you came here knowing nothing?" I turn around and look at him, his eyes calmly watching the scene in the distance. He is looking around as if even if a fight breaks out, it has nothing to do with him. Indifference, no, it’s beyond that. More accurately, he is uninterested.

Then, as if sensing my gaze, he shifted his gaze back to me. The look he had before vanished in an instant and softened a lot.

"I'm not sure, I just came here because I'm curious about what's keeping my husband busy," I said, and his demeanor changed and his jaw tightened visibly at the mention of my husband.

I raise my brows and inquire directly. “Do you know my husband?”

His face darkens slightly, he frowns, and replies, "It depends on who's husband if it's... Zacharia, then I do know him."

Dissatisfied with what he said, I clicked my tongue. “What are you even saying, Zach, is my only husband.” I purse my lips, he’s rude. With what he said, he basically already said that I’m a cheater. How could I possibly do that to Zach?

As we stared at each other, I noticed something flash in his green eyes after I finished speaking, and he averted his gaze before I could fully catch it. However, his brow furrowed and he frowned, clearly upset about something.

"Are you Zach's enemy?" I asked again, seeing how he had no intention of saying anything. My gaze remained fixed on him, observing his features.

He gives me a serious look while arching his brow. "What will you do if I am?" he asks, almost provocatively.

I am unable to respond immediately. Yes, what will I do if they are indeed enemies? I’m at a loss for words. Seeing me this way, the man’s expression ease and his expression soften.

"Don't worry, even if Zacharia is my enemy, I won't do anything to you," he said softly as if he truly meant it. Even the way he looks at me seems sincere.

I blink, trying to process what he said. I turn away from him, afraid to look him in the eyes. “So, you really are enemies.” I only utter those words and nothing else.

After that, silence enveloped us, and while our side is somewhat peaceful, the situation not far away from us is not. If the tension was visible before, it is now becoming obvious.

There are no yells or curses, but their mere presence and stature are enough to create tension. Even though I am still clueless, I am aware that the situation is becoming dangerous.

I watch them from a distance, my hands clasped, but my heart remains calm. I'm not sure where this security comes from... . was it from this man?

My gaze returns to the mysterious stranger beside me, who only also watches the impending fight that is about to occur any minute now.

"Are you curious? Actually, you shouldn't have come," he said calmly.

"Why? I... I have no idea what's going on," I honestly admit to him. My curiosity overpowers me.

"Well," he turns to face me, amusement filling his eyes as if something has clicked on him, and he laughs unexpectedly in front of me. I furrow my brows at his perplexing reaction.

"Why are you laughing?" I ask, wondering if he's mocking me.

He shook his head, his smile never wavering as he mumbled, "I bet he never expected this to happen." The stranger's eyes shone with delight in stark contrast to the gloomy atmosphere in that room.

"What... can you tell me what's going on?" I snap at him, completely enraged. I'm completely oblivious to what he suddenly realizes while staring at me earlier.

“I’m sorry,” he apologizes, but the smile on his lips remains, and even his demeanor returns to that of easygoing. "I realize that this night might not be as insignificant as I thought, after all. I didn't think that old man had some uses. Really, big surprises came at unexpected situations," he said, laughing again as he stood, while I'm dumbfounded that I didn't understand anything he said.

What surprise? What old man? This seriously is making me crazy. Why the hell I even think of checking this place?

I lifted my head to look at him now that the stranger is standing up, and with a grin on his face, he extends his hand in front of me. "Why don't I show you a different world from the one you know? Perhaps you'll make a big discovery as well," he suggests with an expectant grin. His voice was almost accompanied by an evil enchantment.

I look at his face, then at the hand, he is offering, then return to him. I bit my lower lip, unsure about his offer. My heart was pounding and I was trying to make a decision.

He doesn't seem bothered by my slow reaction, and he holds his position as he awaits my decision.

Somehow, I had a premonition that if I didn’t turn back now, I wouldn’t have a chance anymore in the future. As if it’s some kind of Pandora’s box that will turn my whole world upside down.

Nonetheless, curiosity triumphed over my reservations. Or I can say that his evil whisper is effective as slowly I accepted that hand as he held mine. A different kind of feeling invaded me as if it was something forbidden. My other side refuses to but the other is willing to take the risk.

Our eyes met, with hands holding each other. It seems strange to be holding the hand of a stranger this early on, let alone an enemy of my husband. For some reason, whenever I'm with him, the thoughts I had about Zach, as well as the murmurs, vanish.

His grin widens, and he grasps my hand tightly. The dim surroundings obscure our figures from others; moreover, as the tension creeps into the air, everyone’s attention is on the other side.

He leans slightly closer to my ear, my gaze ahead, the men in suits spread out with someone in the lead. Others in the crowd are also being guarded on the side. This appears to be some sort of movie set.

No one is doing anything excessive yet; if I’m even more naive, I won’t even suspect that something is wrong since they were only awfully quiet.

However, deep within me, I'm aware that everyone is wary of each other and waiting to see who will make the first move.

"Are you wondering where your husband is?" he asks, his hot breath brushing against my ear. "In a moment, you'll see," he pauses again and draws back slightly, his green pupils darkening, "the world that we live in."

As soon as he said that, the situation, which was already on the verge of exploding, escalated. The room became chaotic and loud, and guns were suddenly exposed as they pointed at each other.

This... My lips parted and I looked around with wide eyes, this isn't a party... This is war.