Chapter 5

WHILE PUTTING HER red lipstick, Nina couldn't help but remember what happened in the garden that night. Even a few days later it was still etched in her mind. And because of it, she hasn't been able to sleep for a few nights.

Little by little, she seemed to see that monster in the mirror. Its eerie eyes, wet fur, and scary fangs that's why she was so shocked when someone knocked on the door of her walk-in closet, and then Soleil peeked at the door.

"Miss Nina—" Soleil stopped when she noticed her reaction and the redness of her face. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

She immediately gets inside while her face is full of concern. Nina cleared her throat and before Soleil could even touch her, she backed away.

"I'm fine, Soleil. Why can't I be okay, right?"

She went back to putting lipstick on her lips but her hands are still shaking. That's not true, of course, it's not true. But why does it feel so real?

When she asked Soleil how she ended up in her room after that night, she said a maid called them and said she was already home. She even said that they even went to her room to check her and saw that she was fine and that she was sleeping well.

But the truth is, she can't remember how she got home. The only thing she remembers is what happened in the hotel garden and that monster. So how in the hell did she get home?

"Miss Nina, your father has a visitor. They're having breakfast together while your mother left early."

She just nodded. She's wearing a soft and light-eyed dress while she lets her naturally curly hair loose. Of course, all of that is impossible to happen. There are no such things so that's not true. Maybe she's hallucinating or seeing crazy things.

"You told me that my father has a visitor, Soleil?" She asked as they went down the stairs.

"Yes, miss—"

"Nina, come here and I will introduce you to my guest." Her father calls her.

It's so weird to see her father smiling so wide at her but she knew she wasn't the reason why he was happy.

They were in the living room and when the man stood up and faced her, her mind was completely blank. She couldn't believe the man who was the reason for her sleepless nights was here, standing in front of her.

"This is Hayes Xavier, one of the new shareholders of the company. He's here because he also wants to be a benefactor of the foundation."

His eyes are deep like how she describes him that night, it is still the same. His lips were thinner and even redder than hers. His nose is pointed and he's fair too. He was staring at her like he wanted to know what she was thinking. She even thought he was smiling but he wasn't.

"This is my daughter, Mr. Xavier. Nina Celestine."

Nina's eyes dropped to the paper she was holding and she saw Xavier written there. That's not just a coincidence. She always carries the paper because she does not know the explanation of everything that happens to her.

And she doesn’t even feel the difficulty of breathing like those times she sees him. It's so weird!

She also had a checkup and her doctor said she had no health problems. He even said she's too healthy.

When she looked up at him, she caught him also staring at the paper and she was so sure that everything that happened that night was real.

"Accompany Mr. Xavier to the company, Nina, and explain everything to him about the foundation."

Nina was riddled with fear.

"B-But, Dad-"

He looked at her with a warning but when he gazed at that guy, he smiled.

"Can my daughter ride to your car, Mr. Xavier? You can talk about the foundation while you're on the way to the company."

Subtly as it seems, it was noticeable how his facial expression changed. At first, Nina thought it was because of the idea that she would go with him but that doesn't seem to be the reason because his treatment with her father has changed.

THEY WERE BOTH silents the whole ride. He had his own driver so they were sitting in the backseat. While Soleil and Argus were behind them and following his car, Nina was already comfortable at that. But even though she knew that what happened that night was true, she was still not afraid of him and that's what she was wondering to herself. But there's a part of her that says everything that happened that night wasn't real.

With his good looks and dignified stance, he can't be a monster. He looks so aristocratic in his suit. But his frightening eyes will never be erased from her memory.

Maybe he was just a dream. Like those restless nights. Those nightmares and troubled sleep.

"Relax, I won't hurt you."

She was playing with her fingers and trying to relax but because of what he said, she was even more uncomfortable. She wanted to ask him a lot of questions but what if he denied it and laughed at her?

She gathered herself and put aside all her fear and worries. Not just someone like him would cause her to lose her poise and self. It's not her, she's not like this but this man brings out her weaknesses and personality that she tries to hide.

As her father had instructed, even though she was not comfortable being around this man and his stares made her weak, she ignored that and accompanied him as she toured him around their company.

"I will prepare your contract, Mr. Xavier. Do you want anything? Just tell me—"

"Call me Hayes, that's all I want." He said with a growl.

"But Mr. Xavier—"

"Call me that again and I will kiss you."

She stopped walking because of what he said. Even those who heard gasps, Soleil as well. Good thing Argus wasn't there otherwise he might have gotten into trouble.

If Titus is too straightforward then he is bold.

He turned when he noticed that she was no longer following him. His eyes are serious but full of mischief.

"I'll sign the contracts now, Miss Gabriel. I don't want you to get tired anymore." Then he even has the guts to wink at her.

"SIR DIETHER CALLED earlier, miss Nina while we were with the new benefactor of the foundation. I'm sorry that I forgot to tell you about it."

Nina just nodded to Soleil and when she sat comfortably on her swivel chair, she picked up her phone and as she said, Diether did call.

"Just don't answer it, Soleil. One of these days, he will visit me too."

She has known Diether since they were a child, he's too stubborn and full of ego and pride. If he thinks that he can control her and manipulate her to follow him without a question like how he treats his women then he still doesn't know her that much.

She began arranging the contracts that Hayes Xavier signed earlier. He stayed there for a few more hours, the whole company was a mess because of his presence. And she no longer wonders why women in their company are talking about him. Well, he's worth being the main topic of all women because of his looks and charm.

So she is thankful that he finally left, but the commotion in their company has not been reduced.

"You might get hurt for what you're planning, miss Nina."

Nina smiled at Soleil, a smile that she was scared to witness.

"You know why I'm confident to do this, Soleil? Because I have you. You and Argus. You two both gave me strength and I trust you both. You two are the only ones I trust the most. I can do everything and impossible things as long as you two are by my side. "

Soleil's face softened but the worry is still etched on her face.

"All Argus and I care about is what your parents will do to you once they find out about your plans, miss Nina."

"Don't worry, Soleil. Once that happens, they can't do anything and they can't hurt me either."

"But what if that woman won't agree with your terms?"

"She will. I will make sure of that." Nina said with so much confidence and trust in herself. "A person who is already stuck in a situation where he doesn't know how to get out has no choice but to do everything even if it's against his will."

She knew that it's bad to threaten someone who is suffering already and used them for your benefits but what can she do? Whether that woman knew about her and Diether or not, she would still use that situation for her own cause.

And she only hopes that in the next life of that woman, she will be lucky.

NINA WAS SURPRISED to see Hayes Xavier outside their company. He was leaning against his car while his hands were inside the pocket of his trousers and it was as if he was waiting for someone. They had just left the building, Soleil and her waited for Argus there because he would get their car that was in the parking lot.

"Do you want me to ask what he's doing here, miss Nina?" Soleil asked, she seemed to have noticed her staring at the man.

She shook her head. "Please just wait for me here, Soleil."

As the heiress of the Gabriels, she should learn how to be nice to the man. Add to that, he gave fifty million to the foundation. She was sure that her father would be very happy about it and she's not be shocked anymore once he threw a party.

She hadn't even taken a step when he looked in her direction. He stood straight, facing her as if she was really the one that he was waiting for.

Nina shouldn't feel this way, she never felt this even before. Even when men try to court her or flirt with her. Even Diether. He even flirted with her a few times before, wooed her, gave her everything, and took her to her favorite places. But no one made her feel like this. And to think that he's still a stranger for her.

And he's not even doing anything. He was just standing there while staring at her but she was already anxious. She will remember not to wear such high heels when facing him because she almost lost her balance and tripped a few times.

While she was not yet sure who he really was, she shouldn't have felt that way. And what she should also keep in her mind is the frightening appearance of him that night so that she will not be disturbed by this confusing feeling she started to feel for him.

"Mr—"

Nina immediately stopped when she remembered his warning this morning. He even raised an eyebrow as if he was challenging her. She mentally cursed herself.

"Hayes, what are you doing here? Waiting for someone?" Nina said in her friendliest tone but a fake smile plastered on her face.

"I'm waiting for you." He said directly, looking straight at her.

She could not understand why what he said seemed to have a different meaning.

"Have we met before?" Unable to restrain herself, she asked that because she would go crazy if she kept that to herself.

He just looked at her as if he was saying that she had known the answer to her question for a long time.

"Who are you?" She asked like how she asked him that night.

His jaw tightened but even so, the expression on his face remained cold. His hypnotic eyes were sucking her deeper, melting all of her strength and destroying her walls she didn't even get the chance to start building.

He's somewhat scary, too grand. He's oozing with power. He was even greater than her father. He has soft features, but his eyes and gazes make him more ruthless. His thick eyebrows alone can intimidate someone.

"I only came here to ask you for dinner but I guess some other time maybe."

She didn't expect that he would be this effortlessly honest. She gets it, he's bold but still, she's really surprised and she knew it reflected on her face. Many men are eager to date her so why would she be surprised now? Wake up, Nina Celestine Gabriel!

"Nina," Argus called her, causing her to clear her throat.

She thinks that's her wake-up call. But she didn't know what to do next.

Hayes cocked his head. "See you again, Miss Gabriel."

Nina slowly nodded, stepped back but also stopped.

"You haven't answered my question yet," Nina said eagerly.

"I am Hayes Xavier."

"'The second one I asked." She murmured impatiently.

"Yes. We already met."

If he tells her about the party, it is impossible for him to get inside because he is not on the guest's list. Unless someone brought him to the party.

"Thank you for helping me that night, Hayes."

And she said that sincerely.

His face lightened up, giving her a soft genuine smile. "You're welcome, Miss Gabriel."

She almost rolls her eyes. "Do I also have to say I'll kiss you too if you keep on calling me Miss Gabriel?"

"Why don't you try it and let's see what will be the outcome."

Her cheeks turned crimson when his eyes dropped to her lips. And there was again the warm feeling that enslaved her system.

She should be afraid of him but why does she feel differently about him? She feels comfortable around him and even though he doesn't look like it, he's easy to talk to.

"Miss Gabriel." He teases, challenging her more. "Miss... Gabriel..."

Even though she tried to hold back, that made her smile. A real smile that hadn’t been studied. A smile that is not strained and forced. A smile that she only did just now. And only now has she joked like this with anyone, especially with a man.

Suddenly, he became serious.

"You're more beautiful when you smile." 

Her heart skipped a beat. She also seemed to squint a little as she stared at him.

"Thank you, Mr..." She intentionally paused, teasing him too. "Hayes Xavier."

He chuckled softly. "About the dinner, I hope you think about that, Miss Gabriel."

"Miss Nina," Soleil called as well and she heard her approaching step.

Nina just nodded at Hayes because she didn't know what else to say to him, and with a heavy heart, she turned his back on him.

ARGUS IMMEDIATELY ANSWERED his phone when it rang. He was sitting on the sofa in his room for an hour now with papers and pictures lying in front of him while waiting for that important call from a close friend.

He also worked for a few years and was part of the investigation team before he resigned so he knows how hard it is to spy on someone and find out things about them.

"This is Argus speaking." He said seriously with his deep voice.

He stared at the printed old picture of a man on the table. Maybe the original is a painting and very antique. The man has long hair and also wears old-fashioned clothes.

"I didn't know that you're into these things, Argus. The one you asked for me to investigate again, it's still the outcome. Nothing has changed. He died a long time ago, Argus, and that's a thousand years ago. It's really hard to find information about that person, especially if he was a thousand years old dead. "

"How can he be dead when I've seen him a lot of times?"

"Maybe someone who looks like him, Argus. Because what you're saying is impossible. For sure, his body is already bones on the ground. Who can live a few thousand years like that? What are you? A God?"

He tilted his head and massaged his neck before he stood up then got out of the veranda. It was adjacent to Nina's room.

"Then I have someone else I want you to investigate."

He heard him snarled on the other line. "Please just make sure it's someone who I can possibly find, Argus, or just use a historical book, maybe the ones you're looking for are written there. If only you weren't my friend, our comrades would think that you are crazy."

He frowned at him, gaze at Nina's room again before looking up at the sky.

"So who do you want me to investigate? What's the name?" After a few minutes, his friend asked.

"Hayes Xavier."