KNIGHTS 04

The morning sun streamed through the window, painting Aza's room in a warm, golden light. She was lost in a dream, a beautiful, swirling dream where she was dancing with Ashlan, the second Knight. His eyes, a captivating shade of blue, held hers as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a tender, lingering kiss. A soft smile played on her lips, even in her sleep, as the warmth of his touch lingered in her memory. But the dream was shattered by a gentle tap on her cheek, a persistent voice breaking through the haze of slumber.

"Aza, you need to wake up!" Lena's voice, laced with a hint of urgency, sliced through the remnants of her dream. Aza turned over, burying her face in the pillow, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Lena, five more minutes, please. I'm still tired," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. Lena, however, wasn't having it. She shook Aza's arm, her touch insistent.

"Lena..." Aza groaned, her voice a sleepy protest.

"No! You need to wake up, Aza. Get up, now! Hurry!" Lena's voice was tinged with a frantic edge, a sense of urgency that finally pierced through Aza's sleep-fog. She could hear the panic in Lena's voice, a stark contrast to her usual calm demeanor. But Aza was still clinging to the remnants of her dream, the warmth of Ashlan's kiss still lingering. She pulled the covers over her head, trying to shut out the world.

"Lena, I want to sleep. I stayed up late last night. You can wake me up later," she pleaded, her voice muffled by the blanket. Lena, however, wasn't taking no for an answer. She stood up, her movements swift and determined, and yanked the covers off Aza, her expression serious.

"Lenalee Perez, give me back my comforter! I'm still sleepy!" Aza protested, her eyes finally opening, her gaze meeting Lena's. Lena, however, ignored her complaint, her hands firmly gripping Aza's shoulders.

"Aza, you need to wake up. Get dressed, and go back to our province. Hurry, and get moving!" Lena's words were a stark command, her voice filled with an intensity that left Aza bewildered. Why was Lena sending her back to their hometown, and why was she so insistent? Something was clearly wrong.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Why are you packing me up? I need to go back to our province? Why so suddenly?" Aza's voice was laced with confusion, her brow furrowed in bewilderment. Lena sat down on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on Aza's face, her expression serious.

"Listen, Azalhea. Wilton called Mia. He's on his way here. He wants to take you back, and if you don't go with him, he'll take Oz," Lena said, her voice barely a whisper. The words hit Aza like a physical blow, jolting her awake. Her heart pounded in her chest, a wave of icy fear washing over her.

"What?! Why would he take me? He's using me?" Aza's voice was filled with a mixture of disbelief and anger.

"He's furious that you left him at the restaurant yesterday. So, go get dressed and pack. Go back to our province. We'll handle him. Just save yourself, okay?" Lena's voice was a mixture of concern and urgency. Aza's heart ached for her friends, for the burden she was leaving them with. She wanted to stay, to face Wilton with them, but Lena's words were a stark reminder of the danger she was in. She had to go. She had to protect herself.

"But Lena..." Aza's voice caught in her throat, a tremor of fear and desperation lacing her words. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, a suffocating blanket of anxiety. Leaving felt like abandoning her friends, like betraying them in their hour of need.

"Don't think about us, okay? Just think about yourself. Everything will be alright," Lena said, her voice a soothing balm against Aza's rising panic. A brave smile touched her lips, but her eyes held a flicker of worry that Aza couldn't ignore. Lena moved with a practiced efficiency, grabbing Aza's suitcase and swiftly packing her belongings, her movements a silent testament to the urgency of the situation.

Aza stood frozen by the bed, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. Her face reflected the turmoil within – sadness, worry, and a deep sense of helplessness. "Lena..." she whispered again, her voice barely audible, a plea lost in the suffocating silence of the room.

"Hurry up and pack your things. Wilton will be here any minute," Lena said, her voice firm but gentle, a stark contrast to the rising panic in her eyes. The words were a stark reminder of the danger Aza was in, and Aza, with a heavy heart, began to help Lena pack, her movements mechanical, her mind racing.

Aza rushed into the bathroom, the cool water of the sink a momentary respite from the storm raging within her. She splashed water on her face, trying to compose herself, trying to quell the rising tide of fear. She dressed quickly, her hands trembling slightly, each movement a testament to the urgency of her escape.

When she emerged, Lena was waiting, her gaze filled with a mixture of concern and determination. The suitcase was closed, ready for the journey. "Don't come back until we tell you, okay? And don't worry, nothing will happen to us," Lena said, her voice a low murmur, a fragile shield against the fear that threatened to consume them both. Aza reached out, taking Lena's hands in hers, the warmth of her friend's touch a lifeline in the face of impending danger. She fought back the tears that threatened to spill, the dam of her composure teetering on the brink of collapse.

"I'll find a way to save Oz, and to stop Wilton. I'll come back to you and Mia as soon as I have a plan—"

"Aza, don't make any decisions that will put you in danger. If you're thinking about the Knights Advertising Company, please, don't," Lena interrupted, her voice laced with a desperate plea. The worry etched on her face was a mirror of Aza's own fears.

"But..." Aza started, but Lena cut her off.

Lena swiftly picked up the suitcase, placing it in Aza's hands. Aza bit her lip, the metallic taste a stark reminder of the turmoil within. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision, but she refused to let them fall.

"Go to the province. Be careful, okay?" Lena's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She embraced Aza, the hug brief but filled with unspoken emotions – worry, love, and a desperate hope for their friend's safety.

"I'm so sorry this is happening. None of this would have happened if we hadn't agreed to Wilton's proposal," Lena whispered, her voice thick with regret. The weight of their shared guilt hung heavy in the air.

"Lena..." Aza managed to choke out, her voice breaking.

"Go now. Be safe. Call us when you get there," Lena said, releasing Aza from the hug. They both turned as Mia appeared in the doorway, her face pale with worry.

"Guys, hurry! Wilton's almost here. He might catch Aza," Mia urged, her voice sharp with panic.

Lena's eyes met Aza's, a silent exchange of fear and determination passing between them. "Take the back exit. There's a bus stop just around the corner. Be careful," Lena whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she watched Aza leave, a silent promise hanging in the air – a promise of reunion, a promise of hope, a promise of survival.

"I'll be back, Lena. I'll come back with a plan to make Wilton leave us alone," Aza promised, her voice a tight whisper, laced with a desperate hope that resonated in the silence of the room. She clung to this promise, her heart clinging to the fragile thread of hope it offered. Lena, her eyes mirroring Aza's fear, nodded, her silent affirmation a testament to their shared belief in Aza's strength.

"Go! Go now!" Lena urged, her voice a desperate plea, a mix of urgency and a painful sense of helplessness.

Aza tightened her grip on the suitcase, the weight of it a physical manifestation of the burden she carried. She and Lena moved with a silent urgency, their steps echoing the frantic beat of their hearts as they slipped out of the apartment and into the relative safety of the back exit. As they reached the hallway, Aza turned, her gaze searching Lena's face, seeking a flicker of reassurance in the storm of fear that threatened to engulf them both. But their moment was shattered by a sudden, sharp sound from the front of the building, a jarring intrusion into their tense silence.

"Go, Aza!" Lena shouted, her voice laced with a raw, desperate urgency. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision, but she held firm, her gaze fixed on Aza, urging her to escape. Aza, her heart heavy with a mixture of fear and guilt, started to walk away, her eyes lingering on Lena's face, a silent promise of return hanging in the air.

"Lena, tell Mia I'll be back. I promise!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the empty hallway, a beacon of hope in the face of mounting fear. Turning, she broke into a run, her footsteps a frantic rhythm against the unforgiving concrete.

But before she could gain any distance, a chilling voice cut through the air, a voice that sent a wave of icy fear coursing through her veins. "Hey! Stop!"

Aza whirled around, her eyes widening in terror as she saw two men, their faces obscured by shadows, running towards her. "Shit!" she gasped, her breath catching in her throat, her heart plummeting into her stomach.

She sprinted, her legs pumping, her suitcase a heavy burden against her legs, a constant reminder of the danger she was fleeing. The men were gaining on her, their footsteps pounding on the pavement, a relentless pursuit that echoed the frantic beat of her own heart.

"We told you to stop!" one of the men yelled, his voice a menacing growl, a threat that sent shivers down her spine.

"Leave me alone!" Aza screamed, her voice raw with fear, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her lungs burned, her legs screamed for a break, but she couldn't stop. Not now. Not while they were still chasing her.

Focused on escaping her pursuers, lost in the desperate need to outrun the danger, Aza didn't see the car. She was crossing the street, her eyes fixed on the men, when the screech of brakes pierced the air, a deafening warning that sent a jolt of terror through her. She looked up, her eyes widening in horror as she saw a car hurtling towards her, its headlights blinding, its horn blaring a desperate plea for her to stop. The car screeched to a halt, inches from her, the sound of the brakes a deafening roar that seemed to echo in her skull. Aza collapsed to the pavement, her body drained, her mind reeling from the sheer terror of the near-miss. The world spun around her, the sounds of the city fading into a muffled roar.

"Shit! She almost got hit!" The men, their pursuit thwarted, cursed their bad luck, their voices laced with frustration and a hint of fear.

They couldn't reach her. A crowd had gathered, drawn by the screech of brakes and the commotion. The driver of the car, a man whose face was etched with concern, was already rushing to her side. He scooped her up, his arms strong and comforting, and carried her into his car, her limp body a testament to the terror she had endured.

The opulent mansion seemed to hold its breath as three strikingly handsome men gathered in the grand living room. Their attention was riveted on a young woman, unconscious on the long, plush sofa, her stillness a stark contrast to the vibrant energy that usually filled the space. Onyx, the one who had brought her home, knelt beside her, his expression a mixture of concern and a hint of something else—a flicker of fascination perhaps?

"Oi, Onyx, are you sure you didn't actually hit her?" Hideki, a captivating man with eyes that slanted slightly upwards, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern, addressed his friend. His tone was light, but the underlying tension was palpable.

Onyx sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "I'm pretty sure, Hideki. I was inches away. She just fainted. I didn't take her to the hospital; it would be a whole mess. I don't want my face plastered all over the gossip columns. Ruin my image, you know?" He explained, his voice a low murmur, a hint of self-preservation coloring his words. His gaze drifted back to the unconscious woman, a subtle shift in his expression hinting at a growing intrigue.

"Maybe you brought her here because you found her attractive, huh? She's gorgeous!" Hideki teased, his voice playful, but his eyes were sharp, observing Onyx's reaction closely.

Onyx scoffed, a slight curl of his lip betraying his irritation. "Tss! I'm a playboy, Tomi, but I have taste. Yes, she's beautiful, but she's not my type!" He retorted, his gaze shifting to Zild, who remained impassively seated, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken tension.

"Zild, what do you think? Was it right to bring her here?" Onyx asked, breaking the silence, his voice a low rumble, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his usually confident tone. He sought validation, a confirmation that his actions hadn't been rash.

Zild finally looked up, his gaze sweeping over the unconscious woman before settling on Onyx. He shrugged, his single gesture a silent commentary on the absurdity of their situation.

"You don't have anything else to say?" Onyx pressed, a hint of impatience in his voice. His eyes then flickered to Hideki, who, to Onyx's annoyance, was leaning closer to the woman, his gaze intent.

"Hey, Japanese, leave her alone. Is this the first time you've seen a beautiful woman?" Onyx's voice was sharp, a warning laced with irritation. Hideki grinned, unfazed by the reprimand.

"She's just so interesting to look at, though. Should I draw on her face?" Hideki's voice was light, almost playful, but his eyes held a glint of mischief that hinted at a darker intent.

"Tomi, stay away from her, and spare her your childish pranks," Tyre's voice cut through the tension, his tone firm, his words a clear command. He entered the room, carrying a small basin and washcloth, his movements precise and deliberate. He approached the woman, his concern evident in the gentle manner in which he placed the basin on the table.

"Oi, Tyre, when I carried her in, you mentioned knowing her, right?" Onyx asked, his voice softer now, a hint of curiosity coloring his tone.

Tyre nodded, his gaze fixed on the woman. "Yeah, I remember her face, but I don't know her name. She's the one I told you about – the woman I helped yesterday. That's why I was late for the meeting." A strange mixture of recognition and concern clouded his features.

"Wow, what a coincidence. Look at that, I'm the one who almost ran her over. Why was she running across the street?" Onyx mused, a hint of lingering unease in his voice. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.

"Her face would be perfect for drawing on," Tomi said, his voice a low chuckle, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Then, a gasp escaped his lips as the woman stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The air crackled with anticipation, the unspoken question hanging heavy in the air.

As Aza's eyes fully opened, she found herself staring into the mischievous grin of Tomi, the man with slanted eyes. Her own eyes widened in alarm, and she shot upright, a gasp escaping her lips. Tomi, startled by her sudden movement, scrambled back, seeking refuge beside his silent companion.

"Where am I? Who are you?" Aza's voice trembled, a mixture of confusion and fear coloring her words. She was disoriented, her mind struggling to piece together the events that led to this moment. The last thing she remembered was being chased.

She looked around, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar yet somehow strangely familiar faces. As she scanned the room, her eyes landed on one of the men, and a jolt of recognition shot through her. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Are you okay, Miss? Do you remember me?" The man's voice was calm, his smile reassuring. He was the one who had helped her, the one who had become her dream crush just last night.

"Y-you?" she stammered, pointing at him, her voice barely a whisper. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, a gesture that sent a shiver down her spine.

"It's me. Good to see you remember. How are you feeling?" He asked, his concern genuine. Aza, still reeling from the shock of seeing her dream crush in the flesh, could only stare at him, her mind struggling to process the surreal situation.

Was this real? Was she really standing in front of her crush? Or was this a dream? Her thoughts raced, her heart pounding in her chest. But the moment was shattered by a sharp whistle.

"Looks like Tyre's charms have worked their magic on her."

Aza turned to the voice, her eyes meeting the smirking gaze of the speaker. She then looked at the man who had been silently observing her earlier, his gaze intense, his expression unreadable. He sat beside the man who had just spoken, a silent observer of the unfolding scene. Her gaze returned to her crush, her mind struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. Then, her eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw dropping as the pieces clicked into place.

"Y-you? The Five Knights..." she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Her crush smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That's us."

She was standing in front of four of the Five Knights, the owners of KAC, the company that had become the focal point of her life. Was she dreaming? Her mind struggled to comprehend the surreal situation. She was surrounded by the men who were, until this moment, just names on a screen, figures in a plan, and now, they were real, breathing, and standing right before her.

Before she could process her shock, their attention was drawn to the right side of the mansion, where a man emerged from a room, his bare chest a testament to his sculpted physique. Aza's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat.

"Holy eight packs of abs..." she murmured, her gaze glued to the man as he approached them, his expression serious, his presence commanding.

"Good morning to you. Why are you awake?" The man greeted her, his voice a low rumble, a hint of amusement in his tone. He was Onyx Samaniego, the playboy of the Five Knights, a fact that Aza had gleaned from her research.

"I heard some fvcking noise, that's why I woke up," the newcomer said, his voice devoid of emotion. He turned his gaze to the man with slanted eyes, Tomi Hideki, who had been observing Aza earlier. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken questions and anticipation.

She ducked behind the silent man beside him, the third Knight, Zild Benitez.

"We apologize for the intrusion," Ashlan Tyre Davis, the second Knight, said, his voice laced with a polite apology.

Aza couldn't believe she was in the same room with the Knights, the men she had been reading about online just last night. Her eyes darted from one to another, her gaze finally settling on the man who was staring at her with an icy intensity that seemed to freeze her in place.

"Who is she? Why did you let someone into this house?" he asked, his voice cold, his gaze unwavering. Aza couldn't tear her eyes away from the handsome man in front of her.

Shit! The first Knight, Raizen Titus Yvanov, the Prince, the cold one. Don't tell me I'm in the midst of the handsome Knights! Aza thought, her mind reeling.

Am I dreaming? She questioned, her disbelief bordering on panic.