Chapter 1. Hide and Seek

The feeling of fear gnawing at Ailee's body, the girl had not even looked back anymore and continued to run through the deserted narrow alley, ignoring the gravel that occasionally hurt her bare feet or the night wind that greeted her porcelain skin.

Ailee was really running with all her might, not caring about her weakened limbs, her messy dress, and the soles of her feet that were starting to get sore.

"Damn bitch!" The shout of the man behind Ailee made the girl speed up her running even more while occasionally sobbing.

On the other hand, in a place not far from the alley where Ailee was fleeing, a pale-skinned man was seen pointing a gun at the forehead of a man who was kneeling in fear before him.

"S-sir ... I'm ...."

Unconcerned about the trembling voice of the man before him, the pale-skinned man had already pulled the trigger casually. Blood splatters began to stain the pale-skinned man's handsome face.

The deafening sound of gunfire reached Ailee's sense of hearing, the girl gasped, but did not stop her running, she just slowed down her running speed while trying to get out of her shock, her life was being threatened, she had to be able to control herself.

"Damn it! Where did that damn bitch go?!" The shout of the man who was chasing her made Ailee immediately hold her breath, when Ailee arrived at the intersection of the alley, the girl immediately hid behind the unused oil drums that were there.

On the other hand, the pale-skinned man was already showing his cold face at the man who had become a corpse and was lying helplessly in front of him, the pale-skinned man was wiping roughly the blood on his face. "Scum," he cursed in a low voice.

"Sir, they've escaped." Reported the tan-skinned man who was now standing behind the pale-skinned man.

The pale-skinned man was already smiling mockingly. "You know I've never had much stock of patience, don't play games with me, find and kill them."

"Yes sir."

Ailee held her breath, both hands that were stained with a little dried blood she used to cover her mouth tightly, her body moving vigilantly.

Ailee pressed her lips even more tightly together so as not to make any sound when she heard footsteps near her hiding place, she could faintly hear the sound of the breathing of the man chasing her. With her body trembling, Ailee fixed her huddled position behind the oil drums, her petite body making it easy for her to take cover there.

From where she was hiding now, Ailee could peek at the silhouette of the man in the dim light of the street lamps, the stocky man who was chasing her stopped at the intersection of the alley near the drums where she was hiding. Ailee's heart beat faster as she heard the man's footsteps coming closer.

"Damn it, you won't be able to hide from me, hide as much as you want, after that satisfy me like you should, you will also pay for what you did to me."

Ailee's goosebumps instantly bristled when that person said that in a loud voice and then laughed viciously.

Ailee wanted to cry again, but her brain reminded her that no one would protect her but herself, so she had to be strong. Ailee's hand that was smothering her own mouth was getting tighter.

Ailee's heart did not calm down even when suddenly there was silence, no more sound of footsteps, no silhouette of the man chasing her. However, Ailee did not dare to move from her hiding place.

Ailee's eyes glazed over again, her trembling body had not subsided yet.

"Look, that little cat is cowering in fear."

Tears managed to escape down Ailee's cheeks as her ears heard a low baritone voice from behind her, the girl didn't even dare to turn her head and instead cried silently in place, her brain already saying that she would die today.

Aaron Alison Alouvin laughed wickedly, sounding terrifying in Ailee's ears, his sharp eyes staring sinisterly at Ailee's huddled body that had its back to him.

"Just kill me," Ailee said in a trembling voice.

One of Aaron's thick eyebrows rose. Interesting, the girl who couldn't even hide her fear dared to challenge him by saying so.

Casually, Aaron stepped closer, kicked one of the empty oil drums with one of his feet until it rolled, Ailee had to flinch, after the drum moved away from Ailee who was still cowering, Aaron immediately placed himself in front of Ailee.

Ailee who was looking down could see Aaron's shiny black shoes that stood tall in front of her. Her chest beat fast and painfully. Getting goosebumps when Aaron squatted in front of her and touched Ailee's chin, the girl was stunned when she felt Aaron's hand that felt cold on her skin.

Aaron gently lifted Ailee's chin, making Ailee not look down anymore, inevitably their eyes met.

Ailee was silent, this was the first time Ailee saw the man in front of her, the pale-skinned man had a cold look, the sleeves of the shirt wrapped in a black highwist vest showed a small amount of blood stains.

Ailee didn't know what the man who she had to admit was handsome had to do with the man who had chased her earlier. But, the pale-skinned man's dangerous gaze managed to intimidate her.

"A cowardly girl like you dares to challenge death?" Aaron's heavy, mocking voice was aimed at Ailee. The next second Aaron shook his head dramatically and unceremoniously pulled Ailee's chin, making the girl gasp in shock again.

"Tell me, did you have fun today?" Aaron locked Ailee's gaze, he could see Ailee's eyes trembling with fear and despair. Realizing that, Aaron smiled mockingly.

"Handsome," Ailee thought without being able to prevent her honest thoughts, ignoring Aaron's question just now.

"Where's the mouth that challenged me before? Are you mute now?" Aaron moved the hand on Ailee's chin, shifting towards the top of Ailee's head, his large veined hand stroking Ailee's hair a few times before unceremoniously squeezing it.

"Damn it!" cursed Ailee inwardly as she felt the pain in her head.

Ailee shook violently. Her head snapped up due to the grab, the corner of Ailee's eye could see Aaron who was staring at her with a devilish smile clearly printed on his face.

The squeeze on her hair grew stronger, making Ailee inevitably grasp the hand that was grabbing her.

Ailee desperately held back a sob. "It hurts ...." Ailee's voice was choked.

"It hurts?" There was a horrible laugh from Aaron. He had already released his squeeze from Ailee's hair and went back to smoothing the girl's hair. "So, do you know who you're dealing with, Miss?" Aaron pressed the word Miss at the end of his sentence, his eyes darkened, Ailee looked down in fear again.

"Can't you let me off the hook just once?" The courage that was previously urging her was now shattered, Ailee was truly afraid now.

"Sshht... don't cry, you weren't like this before." Aaron made a pitying face full of falsehood. "So, did you have fun today?" Aaron repeated his question, his large hand again gripping Ailee's chin to look back at him.

"I ...." Ailee's voice caught in her throat again as she stared at Aaron's face.

"Yes?"

"P-please ...."

"Please for what?" Aaron again raised one thick eyebrow, his lips showing a smile that was held back, the man was really enjoying every second of courage that was eroded into fear belonging to the girl in front of him.

"Let me go, please," Ailee pleaded.