Jacoben stood restless and kept glancing at his watch. He was standing next to his car while Samantha was busy playing with his tie."Mommy is taking a while, isn't she?" he muttered playfully to the baby in his arms.He can't help but get jittery and anxious. Their most awaited day has come, the Nobles Auction Event that happens only once a year.This is the day when Victor invites some prominent people and powerful groups or organizations to auction off some of his mutants. In this way, NNA expands its connections, power, and wealth.NNA often sells mutants that don't have special powers or monsters with only physical strength added to them after mutation. They were called the defects—people who literally became savage beasts both mentally and physically without extraordinary abilities.Victor keeps the mutants with special powers because he plans to transfer them to his body someday. He is yet to discover how to do that. Until then, they will remain in Basement One.On this particu
Jacoben was about to run to her when someone suddenly pointed a gun at the back of his head."Drop your gun, or I will blow your head!"He halted. He frowned when he recognized the voice. "You're not going to kill me, Shane," he hissed.He hears her scoff loudly. "Oh, really? Should we see about that, brother-in-law?"He slightly shook his head in repulsion as his jaw clenched. He was forced to lower his gun and raise his hands. Shane ordered him to stand up and slowly walk towards Maridona."Make them stop, sister!" Shane hollered, gaining Maridona's attention.Maridona's eyes widened when she turned in their direction. Her mouth opened wide in shock upon seeing him."Jacoben?! What are you doing here?!""Mari, it's you, isn't it?"His wife was in front of him. He could see her face clearly, but it won't register in his brain. His guts twisted. Will he ever see her face again? Can Lucila undo her curse?"You're supposed to escape with Samantha! Why are you here?!" Maridona yelled.
"Hey! Are you listening?" Kieran's deep thoughts were interrupted when Avery tapped him on the shoulder. Her eyes squinted at him, with one eyebrow rising when he gazed up to look at her. "What?" he asked, sounding annoyed. They are inside Catharina's office and studying the missions that his sister left him while she checked on their remaining businesses abroad. "Will you focus? I've been babbling here for several minutes, and you're not listening," Avery complained, crossing her arms across her chest. Kieran darted at the documents that Avery had been explaining to him. It's about the minor operations of Crimson Clan. He sighed. "I'm listening." "No, you weren't. You're not even reading it. We're already on page five, but you're still staring on page one." Avery gently stroked his arm. She was standing behind where he was sitting. "What's the matter? What's bothering you? Tell me so I can help you," she said. "It is important that you are focused on this mission. So tell me
Kieran looked so lost and empty as he stared into space. He sat on the cold concrete floor opposite the emergency room door of the hideout, where he rushed Lesley.He lost count of the minutes as he waited for news from Iston. He felt like his brain is going to explode from too much thinking and worrying.'How is Lesley? Is she going to be all right?' He asked himself again and again.His fingernails dug into his palm as he clenched his fists.Lesley has to live, or else he will lose his mind.He sprang up when the door finally opened, and Iston stepped out. He stood in front of the doctor faster than the blink of an eye."How is she?" he asked.Iston took a deep breath before answering."She miraculously survived."It was as if a very heavy object was lifted from his chest. He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall."Fuck..." He wanted to cry, but he stopped himself. He should not rejoice yet. He still has many mistakes to atone for and wrongs to correct. But he can'
'I don't want to go yet... I want to talk to you... There are so many more I want to ask about you.''Me too, dear, me too. But don't you worry. I know that we will meet again. I believe in you. Always remember our plan.''I will do everything I can to make all that happen.''I know you will. Do not forget how special you are. You're kind, brave, and you're selfless. You are powerful, Lesley. Don't let people's opinions about your origin affect you. You're more human than anyone I've ever met. Learn to love yourself more, all right? Now, go on, my love... I'm so happy we finally got to talk.''I won't let you down. I promise. Thank you for everything... Mom...'The look on Maridona's ecstatic face will be the most special memory Lesley will treasure in her heart. Maridona's entire face turned red in surprise, and her eyes watered, forming tears of joy. All because she called her Mom. The woman's reaction when she called her that was unforgettable and heart-warming. 'Mom...'She thoug
"Are you not busy?" Lesley asked Kieran, who had been tailing her.She rejected his offer of assistance earlier after Iston discharged her. He said he wanted to accompany her to her room until she got there safely. Although he looked sincerely worried for her, she did not need it."I am busy," he answered her."In that case, stop following me. Go back to your work.""I'm busy with you," he clarified.Her lips formed a thin line. "You can leave me. I don't want to waste your time. I can go back to my room alone," she said coldly.But instead of saying goodbye and leaving, Kieran smiled at her."I'm on my break. Don't worry about my job. You're more important than anything else right now."Lesley sighed defeatedly, secretly rolling her eyes. If she were the same girl as before, she would have blushed at those words."Fine," she gave in.What else could she do? He is too stubborn. And she doesn't see anything wrong with his intentions.They walked silently together to her room. She was a
After eating, she walked to the bathroom to take a shower. She took off all her clothes and stood in front of the round mirror.Her face crumpled in annoyance as she examined herself. She looks like a walking skeleton. She has a couple of pimples and dark circles under her eyes too. This is the result of what Gracy did to her. She became too depressed and hopeless to care for herself.She took a deep breath to calm herself. Karma will come to get those girls soon. She knows it. And she will be the one to serve it on a silver platter.After showering, she prepared to carry out the first step in her plans. She needs to test her power and find out its strength and limitations. To what extent can she control a mutant?Iston was the first person that came to her mind, that is if he would agree. But a better idea formed in her head when she saw Gracy's group the day she woke up from drowning.Lesley stood in the middle of her room while taking a couple of deep breaths. She closed her eyes
"Side Effects" "Hey, I've been waiting for you." Lesley was surprised by Kieran's sudden appearance in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. She was so lost in her thoughts she did not notice him immediately. "I got your food here. Where did you go?" he asked worriedly. He seemed to have been waiting in front of her room for a while. She glanced blankly at the tray of food he was holding. It was covered, so she did not know what meal he had prepared this time. But for sure, it would be another fancy cooking. She sighed. What does she care? She wasn't in a good mood. She had no appetite and was unhappy that Kieran had cooked and brought it to her. "Thank you," she said lazily. She opened the door, quickly took the food tray from Kieran's hand, and entered the room, slamming the door to his face. She dropped the tray on the table and sat down. She closed her eyes tightly and frowned as she remembered this afternoon's events. She used her power to control mutants for the fi
Lesley can hear her heart beating loudly inside her chest. Her palms clenched in nervousness as they stared into each other's eyes."I… I got very angry with you, and I was bitter… But I still love you..."She saw his face getting redder. She could feel herself slowly being swallowed by his gaze that seemed to penetrate deep inside her."How about the things you said before I left?" he asked in his low and deep voice. "Do you want me?"She slightly raised his eyebrows at this and pursed her lips."What do you mean?" she asked nervously.The atmosphere is getting hotter. She knew what he was talking about. But it was too embarrassing to admit now without the alcohol in her system."You remember it, right? Everything you said... and what we almost did here in your room," He brought his face closer to hers. "Lesley, tell me honestly... Do you want me inside you?"Lesley can hear the loud beating inside her chest as if she will have a heart attack at any moment. Only one person has the ab
"Why are we here on my bed? There's a table," Lesley calmly asked Kieran, who was comfortably eating on top of her bed, positioning himself in the middle while she was at the end as if she was the guest and he owned the space."Because eating is better when done in bed," he answered with a meaningful smile.Lesley understood the double meaning in his statement. She stared at his face flatly, initially wanting to refute him, but she decided just to ignore him. "Besides, this is where we used to eat. It's more comfortable. I promise I won't make a mess," Kieran added.She sighed. She agreed to talk to him tonight about their relationship, especially those things she said and acted when she was drunk.But is this the right decision, biting Kieran’s bait and letting him into her room?She stared at the tray of food resting on her lap for a few seconds and then at Kieran's food. She frowned, shifting her gaze to Kieran’s face."Anything wrong? Don't you like it?" he asked."I'm just wonder
Lesley stared intently at him for a few seconds before sighing heavily. "Fine," she finally agreed, walking to a table nearby. And then she started to put her things away. "Instead of moving on with each other, I messed with your mind again," she murmured, then looked straight at him. "This is my fault. I'm sorry.""No. It's not your fault!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "It was me. I did this. If I hadn't asked you for that one last kiss, last night wouldn't have happened."She paused, frowning at him. "What are you implying?""I made you feel something in that kiss, and you can't forget me," he answered so casually.Lesley scoffed, shaking her head. "I don't even know what to say. Can you stop assuming?"He walked to her, slightly bending down to put his mouth closer to her ears. "You miss me… And you want me…."Lesley stepped back and glared at him. If only those stares could cut him, he would be in pieces."I'm being serious," he immediately said while holding back a grin. "But
Lesley groaned painfully from the sudden throbbing in her head as soon as she woke up, the effect of the few glasses of alcohol she drank last night. She doesn't feel like getting up with how heavy her body feels until something suddenly occurs to her. She sprang up, sharply inhaling while covering her mouth with both hands. Her eyes widened in disbelief, recalling the events of last night."No... No, no, no!"She grabbed her hair and shook her head, wishing it was a dream.'What have I done?!'She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lips. She bent until her forehead touched her knees, burying her face in shame. If only the ground would swallow her right now. How will she deal with Kieran now? She doesn't even know if she still has a face to show him after her actions last night. "Lesley, are you awake?"Her breathing hitched when she heard the voice of the last man she wanted to see today. Her face lost its complexion as she looked towards the door.She remembered that Kieran pro
"What… What do you mean?" Kieran asked, staring intently at her face. "You're asking me why it has to be the last kiss? Do you... Do you want more?"Lesley's heart was beating so fast that she could hear its deafening pounding.She could not take her gaze off Kieran's eyes, which were also fixed on her, even though she felt like she was melting to the ground.Her expression remained brave and confident even though her thoughts were getting tangled in her brain.'What are you doing, Lesley?!' she scolded herself in her mind.She can already see that she will regret this in the morning. But she can't do anything but continue what she started. And she couldn't stop herself either, as if she had lost control."What's wrong with that?" she continued.There flared a strange sparkle in Kieran's eyes. He was speechless for a couple of seconds before he could respond to her."D-Do you... Do you mean it? Seriously—"He suddenly paused when he realized something. He blew violently and shook his
"Can I kiss you one last time?"Lesley caught her breath at Kieran’s sudden request. Her heart rate doubled and she froze in place."Please?" he pleaded.She gulped as she couldn't take her gaze off his pitiful expression, especially his eyes that had turned gray.She slightly pressed her lips for a split second while trying her best to control the crazy beating of her heart.How can she say no to him with that kind of expression on his face? He looks pitiful, but at the same time, irresistibly adorable."Okay..." she answered absent-mindedly.Kieran wasted no time. He let go of her hand and stepped closer so that their bodies were almost touching. Then he cupped both of her cheeks gently while staring intently at her face as if he had been looking forward to this opportunity for a very long time.She held tightly to the hem of his black t-shirt and then closed her eyes as he slowly brought their faces closer.A second later, she felt his soft lips gently touching hers, and her heart
Lesley took her deepest breath and then looked ahead. She decided to go to the training grounds to warm up. Rio might be there now to start their new training."Lesley!"She scrambled to her feet when she heard Kieran's voice calling out to her."Lesley, please wait!"She ignored him until he finally caught up to her."I swear I didn't mean to eavesdrop," he said.She took a deep breath and slowly faced him."Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter," she coldly responded.Kieran just smiled, then he held out a clean towel familiar to her. "I wanted to give this back to you."She frowned. "Is it mine?""Yes. It fell on the training grounds the last time we talked there. I washed it, so it's clean."She stared at his eyes for a few seconds, and then she averted her gaze immediately as if burned by something she saw in them."Thank you," she said, almost choking on the word."You're welcome," he answered sweetly.Lesley stared at Kieran again, which seemed strange. He appeared oddly dif
The sun had not risen yet, but Lesley was already busy helping Avery inspect the food rations that arrived at the hideout every two days. She volunteered to help because she wanted to know something that would help in her plan."Are you only assigned to food?" she asked as Avery busied herself with several pages of paper containing lists of the rations they had received."Yep," her friend answered without looking at her."What about other things? Like guns and medicines?""We have other people for that. I was only assigned to food rations because eighty percent of it comes from our family.""I see..." she trailed. "How about the gadgets? Where do you get the gadgets?"Avery frowned and looked up at her."Gadgets? What do you mean?""You have a burner phone, don't you? I see some mutants using that.""Do you want one?"She nodded, stepping closer. "Yes! How can I get one?""Is there someone outside you want to call?" Avery asked suspiciously."No one," she answered quickly with a broad
The air-conditioning in the room was cold enough, but a drop of sweat still managed to escape Kieran's forehead. Since he woke up from a wet dream a few hours ago, his body still felt hot. He knew he had to release this heat. But he doesn't seem to have the energy for anything right now. He is too lazy to even get up.Kieran has been awake for a while now. But he hasn't gotten up yet. He rested his head in his hands as he stared blankly at the ceiling, recalling his happy memories with Lesley and intimate moments.He kept thinking about the sexy dream he had last night. He misses her in his arms, her lips on his, her perky breasts, and her hot wetness. He recalled how sweet those tasted, especially the heaven between her legs. But most of all, he yearns for her beautiful eyes that always look at him passionately, and her soft voice muttering words of love for him. Oh, how he longed for that.If he only knew that they would be like this, he would have shown more of how much he loves he