Chapter 5 - Fear and Fearless

KEISHA has been brushing her hair for half an hour while staring into oblivion. She needs to find a way to kill him quickly without raising suspicions but it’s far too risky for her to take this path. She has to play the waiting game, nothing she can do is safe. 

“M-Miss, the master has informed you to finish getting ready. I shall do your hair for you,” the maid approached but she raised her hand for her to stop. 

“No need, I’ll keep my hair down. You may leave.” 

She looked at herself in the mirror and found her face too thin. She needs to get back to her usual weight and gain her strength back if she wants to even have a chance to kill him. Avoid emotions, and focus on the mission.  

"Emotions are what makes people weak…" she whispered to herself. 

As she made her way down the long staircase of hell, she heard a loud bang downstairs. Her brows furrowed as she tried to figure out what had happened. She picked up her pace and her eyes landed on a woman wearing the same outfit as the maid earlier on the ground as Eros stood over her. 

The woman crawled to his feet but he kicked her away. The woman screamed and cried as she struggled on the ground. "P-please–" she tried begging but the words would not form. 

"Do you want to die?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. The woman whimpered and crawled back to his feet and tried to stand up and beg. Tears were flowing down her cheeks but his gaze was cold and ruthless. He was void of emotions and he can do as he pleases. Not a single one in this mansion can go against his will. 

So this is the mafia boss everyone fears. 

He raised his hand to slap her away but Keisha grabbed a hold of it. Her firm grip stopped him from abusing the poor woman again. He would not even bat an eye in her direction. "What is wrong with you?" Upon hearing her voice, he turned to face her.

His breathing was heavy and his eyes were sharp. He was a predator, dangerous enough to kill ten men. 

Eros was half naked, the buttons on his shirt were undone and she could see his bare chest and muscles. Keisha clenched her jaw and kept her eyes on his. "Abuse of power? No wonder everyone fears you. No one respects you, Eros. They follow your command only because they fear their death." He almost laughed at her remark yet he kept his composure. 

The nerve of this woman. He dares to speak in such a way to the mafia boss himself? She's brave yet her bravery can get her killed if she was anyone else. But she was not just anyone, she is Keisha Lexington. 

Eros might be the mafia boss that everyone fears but Keisha is the assassin that fears no one. 

"What do you know? You only got here a moment ago." He paused. "Take her away for interrogation." A man wearing black appeared out of nowhere and dragged the maid out of the mansion. Her screams echoed until it all faded. 

Keisha was too tense to notice. Only now that she saw he was injured. His left chest is bleeding with a cut on it. "She was a spy and tried to end my life." Keisha's grip on his hand loosened and he pulled himself away. He fixed his clothes before turning around and walking away. 

Her mouth was open as she realized what happened. That woman could've been her if she tried to kill him outright. That would be her future if she fails her mission. 

The mansion was dark and the mood was gloomy. She forgot her place and acted outright. Emotions should be avoided yet she went against her own words. "I just couldn't stand someone being abused." She sighed heavily, remembering the trauma that chained her to be what she is now. 

"Is that an excuse for me to forgive you?" Keisha almost jumped when she felt his breath against her nape. Fascinating. She didn't even notice him, he was one with the mansion. "I don't need your forgiveness." She avoids all emotions and never lets her guard down. 

She took a step forward and he scoffed. "Forgetting I saved your life?" he asked as she turned her head with glaring eyes.

"Forgetting you locked me in this marriage?" she asked, annoyed. He chuckled lightly and stepped closer to her. He held her chin up as he looked down with a smile. "No, darling. I know exactly what I did and I have no ounce of regret." He's the most handsome man she has ever seen yet the most terrifying. 

"Why me?" she asked, anticipating the answer. 

He paused for a moment. He stared deeply into her eyes before answering, "The more I spend time with you, the more I want you. Tell me, Keisha, what makes you special?" Her brows furrowed in confusion. Why is he asking her?

"Special? I'm no such thing." (The only special thing about me is I'm a killing machine and trained to kill a mafia boss such as yourself), she thought to herself. 

He let go of her and put his hands in his pocket. "Your little lover is coming over for dinner, I hope he enjoys the food." She tensed as she felt like it was a threat. Did he poison the food? 

"He is not my lover," she answered with irritation. He raised an eyebrow and leaned his face close to hers and she backed off. "He's like a brother to me…" she murmured. 

"But he loves you, that's why I'm taking you for myself. I'd love to see him go crazy at the thought of another man stealing his beloved away." Their conversation was interrupted when a maid announced that the guests have arrived.