Chapter Five: Jachrimo Reyes

"Do you think he is going to investigate us?" the man that Dark was talking to spoke. "I feel like his target is you, sir."

"Hmmm," Dark hummed, "Mr. Dela Vega is very devoted to his job and to the people in this country. I will not doubt that one day, he will be one of the candidates to run for the presidency."

"If he becomes the president, do you think we will be in danger? Our operations and missions would be at risk if he meddled in our jobs."

I rolled my eyes. What operations and missions? Killing people, smuggling, and doing illegal business?

"We are still not sure about that. The majority of the senate is on my side. He could never drag me down that easily," Dark assured his companion.

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth inside my mouth as I eavesdropped on their conversation about my father. With my slow steps towards the grand staircase, I peeked at Dark Vergara and his companion. They were both wearing corporate attire as if indicating that they were from their company. Dark was sitting casually on the sofa, while the strange man was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

That man might be one of his mafia gang. It seems that they are confident my father is as stupid as they think about him. No one describes him like that, or I will slit their throats in no time. 

As I was glaring towards the living area to where they were, Dark's eyes suddenly went in my direction, sensing where I was. I immediately changed my frowning expression into an enthusiastic one to mask my identity. A forced smile was plastered on my face as I started stepping down the staircase. 

"Uhhhh, hi?" I greeted him awkwardly and waved my hand like a child. "I did not know that you had a visitor, sir."

Dark did not say anything, while his companion curiously hovered his gaze over me from my head to toe. He blinked and looked at the mafia boss amusingly. 

"Sir? Who is this pretty lady?" the man asked. 

"Rose," Dark simply said and stood up with his hands stashed in his pockets. "Come to the dining table. It's time for dinner." 

After he said that, he just rolled his eyes and turned his back on us. He is very cold and austere, as if displaying that he cares less. But if he did not care, he would not have bothered himself to let me inside his home. That was my advantage.

"Your name is Rose, am I right?" Dark's companion asked beside me and peeked over my face when Dark was nowhere from our sight. He smiled hugely and realized that he was also charming. He stretched his hand and tilted his head to motion it. "I'm Jachrimo Reyes, Dark's closest confidante. I am also his cousin!"

Hmmmm, cousin and confidante? 

I smirked behind my mind as I slowly accepted Jachrimo's hand. 

Then he will be a huge help to me. He must know a lot about Dark Vergara. He seems very approachable and outgoing, so it will be easy for me to find information from this man. 

"Hello!" I greeted him sweetly. "Yes, I am Rose. Nice meeting you, Sir Jachrimo."

He released his hand and slightly observed my face in astonishment. "You know what, this is the first time Dark has brought a girl into his mansion."

"Really? Ummm, I did not know about that," I said.

"I'll just ask him about you later. You should go to him now, since he is an impatient one of a kind," he said, and made an entertaining salute while stepping backwards. "I have to go. I still have work to do. See you around, Rose."

I did not say anything and just watched him leave the mansion with a poker face. 

Jachrimo Reyes, huh?

I turned in the direction towards the dining hall. When I arrived, Dark Vergara was chopping onions skillfully on the counter with a maid beside him. He placed the chopped onions in a white bowl of sauce. After that, he licked his thumb and index finger, because there was sauce on them. The maid beside him just dropped her jaw in amusement because Dark looked hot at what he did as he took the bowl of sauce towards the dining table. 

Why is my target so attractive like this? Am I not going to mess up just because he is hot and handsome? 

Dark must have felt my presence, so he lifted his head and arched his eyebrows.

"What are you still standing? Come here," he invited me. "I cooked the steak myself, so we could both eat now." 

What?! He also knows how to cook?!

I closed my eyes to calm myself down. Okay, Caroline. It is not you that should be attracted to him. He must be the one to be attracted to you because that is your job!

Clearing my throat, I slowly went beside his capital chair while venturing my eyes around the dishes that were placed on the table. Was the garnished steak at the center the only one he cooked? Or all of these delicious side dishes that I only see from five-star restaurants and YouTube, too?

"Eat," Dark briefly commanded, and gave me the spoon and fork. 

"O-Okay, sir," I said and politely accepted the utensils. 

He avoided his gaze and started eating. "You can stay here as long as you want. Unless I tell you that you are permitted to go outside, you cannot go alone. If you want to buy something, just tell me and I will be the one to buy it," he said.

"But, ummmm...." I said and bit my lower lip. "I am just curious why you let me inside your home. I mean, I am no one, and you are obviously rich."

"Because I have no one to talk to here," he said abruptly, and chewed the meat in his mouth. "So as long you are here, the only payment you can do is to be there for me."

"What about Jachrimo a while ago? Is he not your cousin and confidante that you can talk to?"

"So you now know him..." he said and shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly, Jachrimo is a trusted friend of mine. We have the same dedication, mind, and purpose in life. But because my world is already harsh, I would want someone who is a gentle talker with only innocence in her mind and heart - and that is you, Rose."