CHAPTER 1: We are being Kill

Articus's Point of View 

December 2001

I sat on the couch in the living room while waiting for my dad, I'm bothered. I am still scratching my palms as I used to do while I can't calm myself. 

" Nanny?" 

My heartbeats race abnormally, I am nervous. Maybe it's my last time to live in this world. As I heard my Dad knocking at the door, I swallowed deeply and my hands shivered. 

" Oh Articus, what are you doing there?" He sees me while he's entering the door and I can't answer him quickly, I'm scared of him. I am afraid to do anything wrong that might kill me. Yes, he is my Dad but no one can tell that he can kill his own child for the sake of his business. 

" Uh--ummm" I'm stuttering, I don't know what I will answer. I looked like a kid that was missing in a place and couldn't say a single word but to cry instead. 

" Where is Nanny? Call one of the Nanny, I have something to ask. Bye, I'll go upstairs if you don't have anything to say"

" Dad!" I unexpectedly shouted, because of agitation I can't hold it back anymore. I want to open it with my dad. He stopped walking upstairs and this is the real time to confess. 

" Let's talk, I have something to tell" I exclaimed, my heart stopped beating for a while. I see my dad's eyes after turning into me. I'm ready for the consequences after I tell him everything. I'm ready, I wouldn't regret it.

Dad seated on the couch in front of me, I feel the tension, of course he also feel that I'm afraid to open up something, he's not stupid, he is quick witted. 

" Tell me, hurry up. I have something to do" He is just acting, he acts like there's nothing wrong. I'm not that stupid to feel the way he fake his action. He also can't stop wondering what I will open and he knows that it will cause trouble to his business. 

" I and Lorelei, we are officially couple" I vigorously closed my fist and it hurts me to indulge myself from being nervous 

" What? Again, what did you say?" He's starting to be pissed off, he asked me again with his exasperated voice. I am favored that my dad didn't fix my marriage to anyone, but it's my choice who will be my future wife but the confirmation is in my dad. 

" I love Lorelei " I answered while I bowed and can't detach the feeling of frightened 

" Articus! No! I'm not agree with that" he stood up and went back to the upstairs but I already found my lifetime couple. I will never hesitate nor change my mind to lose Lorelei in my life. 

" But Dad I will never ----" 

" Stop it, Articus! If you never stopped to meet Lorelei, I'll kill that girl! Remember my words Articus! Don't provoke me!" He furiously answered, that's what I'm talking about. He can kill anyone for the sake of his business, for the sake of the image of his family. I don't know what family he is talking about. I didn't feel that I belonged in the word family. 

My dad continuously walked upstairs. I'm cranky and thinking about Lorelei, what if my dad will send his personnel to Lorelei's house and fire a bullet in their house? Lorelei might be killed. 

I walked back and forth and thought about what my plan would be. 

I checked my watch and it's already Eight O'clock in the evening, I suddenly went outside of the house to call Lorelei. 

Articus: Lorelei…. 

I'm worried, I'm afraid and I knew that it would happen after I confessed it to my dad about me and Lorelei. I have one plan and it's about to protect Lorelei and continue our relationship no matter what happens. I may sound crazy but I will do it without doubt. 

Lorelei: Why? There's something wrong? You sounded like worried

Articus: Where are you? Are you okay? There's something suspicious you feel outside of your house? 

I am paranoid right now, I might fix my clothes and leave at my house immediately and I will be Lorelei's beside to protect her. 

" Let's meet Eleven O'clock, prepare your clothes. Let's leave" I stuttered exclaimed 

Lorelei: But why? Why will we leave? What about my dad? 

Articus: There's no more buts and whys. I will tell you later, you must fix your clothes now! 

Lorelei: Okay, okay. Bye, I'll go now 

I hang up the call, I looked around if someone's heard what I'm talking about through the phone. I went back inside of the house calmly and normally so no one can tell that I acted suspiciously. 

Two hours after… 

I finished packing my clothes in my baggage, I peek on my door to look outside if my dad's personnel or Nannies are there but there's no one. I'm still nervous to do this, I'm afraid I might be caught off guard but I'm also afraid about Lorelei's life. 

I grabbed my baggage and quietly went outside of my room. I walked soundless and tried to be aware of my surroundings. I was close to the door to go outside but I heard stridently slamming the door. 

" Nanny?!!!" I widened my eyes and I panicked, I dashed to go outside and I hope my dad didn't see me. 

Luckily, there's a taxi and I hop in and I went Lorelei's way. My phone rings and it's my dad, he's calling me. I need to be ready because he will send his personnel to look for me and Lorelei and he might kill her. I'm a man of my word, I already accepted the consequences. 

Articus: Yes Dad? 

Dad: Where are you going? You think I wouldn't see you? 

Articus: Dad please… please… Let me ---

My dad cut me talking and he shouted furiously and it made me afraid, I imagined him right now. I imagined my evil dad, my killer dad. I don't know if he was my dad, I don't know if he's the same dad that I played before. He changed, he completely changed. He's not the same anymore. 

-Flashback - 

December 1990

"Articus!!! Let's play!" I saw my dad's smile while I'm with my mom arranging our food for later. We are in the picnic place, we are happy, playing and relishing this time. We did it everytime my mom and dad didn't have work. Family time, they said. 

" I'm coming dad " I smiled, I stood up and my mom is buoyant as I left her and went to dad to play with him. 

" Stay there, catch it and if you catch it I'll give you a reward!" Dad explained, we're playing freebie. I cherish those moments we play, I see how handsome my dad is, his smile, his attention is in me. " Okay dad, I'm ready!" I answered and waited for my dad to fly the disc towards me. 

My dad threw the disc," It's coming" My dad shouted, I see it's coming to me. I'm thinking what strategy I will use to catch it but sadly it went to my forehead. I had blood, it's my first time to see blood. I don't have a reaction, I'm just looking for it until… 

" Articus!!!" 

I see how worried he is, I just smile at him and ask. " What is it?" 

He chuckled and patted my head, " Are you really okay?" 

" It's like the bite of the ant, hehe but I can endure the little pain" I answered and my dad guided me to go back to our place for a picnic and he dashed to go to the store while my mom wiped the blood on my forehead. 

I smiled, I see the effort of my parents just to entertain me when they don't have work. I appreciated and relished at the same time. 

-End of Flashback - 

Dad: Articus! Go back! You are in danger! Please listen to me for once! 

I'm crying, literally dropping the tears in my eyes. I'm hurt, I'm hurt to recall the time that I was so happy before when my dad was cool. He is my superhero before, but he acted now as villain. 

Articus: But you will kill Lorelei! I can't lose my love anymore! 

I'm sobbing, I can't act like a strong person anymore. I can't stand with my dad. 

Dad: You and Lorelei are not meant to be, Lorelei dad will kill you also! I'm sorry! Lorelei's Dad and I were business partners until we had a misunderstanding and it turns out that Lorelei's Dad planned to kidnap you and I kidnapped Lorelei in advance before. It's my fault, It's our fault. So please go back! 

Articus: Can you two talk about it? Can it be settled ? 

Dad: There's no more communication about us Articus, he's now crazy and I can't face him. He will kill you! 

Articus: No dad, If you can't, I will! 

I hang up the call, he's totally as cowardly as I thought. I don't care if Lorelei's Dad will kill me, I'll try to talk to him. 

Articus: Where are you? I'm on my way