After a few minutes, she decided to drop her lies.
"I am more than shocked, of course," she said. "But I have to hide it because if Klauss sees me all scared and all, he would surely feel more powerful and would repeat the same thing until he makes me kneel and obey his commands. I do not want that to happen because I have things to do and my world does not revolve around him alone anymore." Her answer actually made sense from the perspective of Hyperion, especially since he remembered the words of Stacey back then. She would often tell him that her sister was one of the strongest people out there. Not only because she could work two jobs but also, because she was so good at hiding her real feelings just for their sake. If only he had not met Shantala in person, he would have thought that she was a saint based on the description of Stacey. Upon reaching the airport, they immediately headed to their assigned flight. But since they still haTheir flight was ruled over by a cold silence since neither of them spoke to each other all throughout the way until they arrived in Maldives. It somehow felt like the topic they last spoke about was some sort of taboo. They were already on their way out of the airport since their ride was waiting for them just at the entrance. Just then, Shantala noticed some men wearing casual clothes who were keeping an eye on them. Even though they were trying to blend in with the crowd, she could still notice their subtle gestures showing that they were having a close watch over someone. She was not really sure if they were enemies or just Hyperion's men.She held his arm and whispered, "Those men watching us, are they yours?""Yes. Don't mind them," he replied. But then, he came to question how Shantala managed to notice them. He would have not been that surprised if she noticed only one of them but since she mentioned 'men,' he started to think again that his wife
She stared at the constant waves hitting the shore and they reminded her of her mother's dark figure as she was devoured by the sea right before her eyes. It was supposed to be a traumatizing event for her but as she grew up, she somehow understood why she chose to drown herself. Heaving a sigh, she turned away from the sunset and let herself float on the water as she stared at the dimming sky. There was no use for her to continue dwelling in the past now but even though she wanted to move on and start anew, it was the past that was coming right at her. And now that she finally had some time for herself, she came to realize that the past few days, ever since she got involved with Hyperion, were so hectic and a lot of things happened. Remembering her conversation with that mafia boss back on the plane, she felt like he would not change his mind about letting her partake in his plan."What if I tell him that I was an assassin before?" That question crossed
Shantala froze in place upon hearing that nickname right from the mouth of the person she wished so hard to keep it from. She set aside the food she was about to eat before looking Hyperion straight in the eyes."I am not Luna," she said, "but I can be the one to bring that ransom."Hyperion simply chuckled. Just as he expected, she denied that she was Luna. Though, he was not really mad about her keeping that secret because as far as he knew, the well-known Luna had long been gone as an assassin eight years ago. And since he also knew of her past with Klauss, he thought that maybe the reason why she quit that job was that she had broken up with the doctor."There is no need to hide it, Shantala. Besides, you actually never caused me any damage when you were working as an assassin so I hold no grudge towards you. But my question is, are you capable enough to handle the situation? If you commit one mistake, then, it will all be over and once that happens, I
The next day, Shantala woke up and saw that it was already 11 in the morning. With Stacey immediately crossing her mind, she sat up only to feel the cold breeze coming from the opened window, embracing her naked upper half. Wrapping the blanket around her, she saw Hyperion sitting behind his desk and facing his laptop. "You're finally awake," he commented without looking at her. "I hope you recover your strength for your mission tonight." Recalling what happened the other night, she looked away from him with her cheeks starting to feel hot. She also could not believe she spent her time last night doing that with that man when she could have gone to the island and saved Stacey. And since it was all too late to do her plan, she had no choice but to resort to the plan of Hyperion. "Hey," she called out for his attention but all she got was a low 'hmm' from him. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"He was not my master," she replied with a low voice, hinting that she did not really like talking about that matter. "He was supposed to be my partner." "So you really did quit because your engagement with him ended." "If you already know what happened, then don't bother asking." After that conversation, Shantala avoided Hyperion all throughout the day and was only able to face him again when it was time to depart. Just like what Mr. Fuego demanded, Hyperion was to stay in his resort and let Luna be the only one to bring the ransom to the negotiation place. Inside their room, the mafia boss continued to remind Shantala of the things she had to keep in mind to make sure that their one-time chance of saving Gina would succeed. "If you need help from my men, simply press this one. It will alarm them and they'll come to back you up," Hyperion said as he showed her the secret button on her clothes located near th
Shantala slowly regained her consciousness and as she moved, she felt her body still in a numb state. Opening her eyes, she found herself in an unfamiliar place with everything almost of the same shade of light gray to white. With the window just across from her, she could tell that she was most likely at a hotel since she seemed to be up in the air and could see tons of buildings around. Her attention was, then, shifted to the door when it slowly creaked open."Madam, you are finally awake," a middle-aged woman greeted with a smile, the crease on her forehead becoming even more prominent. "I shall prepare some food for you. Kindly wait."She tried to get up but it took her quite a lot of strength to even get herself lean on the headboard. The room she was in was rather large but it was almost empty with only several types of furniture occupying it. Shutting her eyes, flashes of memories came rushing back to her at a fast speed that it still took her a few minutes
He motioned Guillard to come in and take care of her. Afraid that Shantala would resort to jumping out of the window, he planned to relocate her somewhere isolated and somewhere she was unfamiliar with."Stay away from me!" she yelled as she threatened Guillard with the sharp piece of glass. "If you come any closer, I will kill you."But Guillard still walked in her direction and yanked her hand upward even though a scream penetrated his ears. Just like the first time he did, he did not hesitate to inject some tranquillizer into her. To let the drug work, he put her down on the bed first until she was once again unable to fight.Klauss stepped in and took the glass away Shantala was clutching in her hand. The middle-aged woman, then, came with a first aid kit and let Klauss be the one to bandage the cut on her hand."I told you to behave. If you do, there would be no problem," he said as he wiped off the blood from her palm. He glanced at her and
Guillard entered the room and brought in a bowl of cereal and a cup of water. Putting it on the side table, he glanced at Shantala who seemed to have regained her original state of mind since she was glaring at him."This time, do not throw your food away because if you did, you won't be getting any after," he told her before turning his back.She glanced in his direction and saw some keys clanging behind his pants and she was quite convinced that one of those keys would be the one to unlock the chains around her wrists. When she was all alone, she got up and sat behind the table. She did not really eat that much back in the hotel because of the disgusting presence of Klauss. But now, she had to fill her stomach so she could have as much strength as she could muster for her escape.After finishing her food, she went to the window and looked below. Several armed guards were standing by the entrance and another pair was just below the master's bedroom. It wa
Upon leaving the stadium, Trevor's eyes were locked onto the stall where a woman was selling some ice cream."Uncle, I want some ice cream.""I'll buy you lots later. For now, let's head back home.""But I want some ice cream from that lady!" Trevor pointed at the stall.Still, Hyperion opened the door in the backseat to let him in, insisting that they must leave immediately. But instead of getting some cooperation from his son, he received a pair of puppy eyes."Dad, please?"Hyperion did not know how to react since he felt like Trevor was obviously coaxing him by using the word 'Dad.' But he cannot deny the fact that to be addressed like that made him happy.He let out a sigh as a sign of defeat. Nodding his head, the two of them walked to the stall. While waiting for his son to choose which flavor he wanted, Hyperion received another call from Guillard."Have you found her?" he asked."We lost track of her whe
Sitting in the living room with only one guard standing behind her, Shantala nervously waited. She clenched her hands upon hearing the gates opening. Her gaze, then, shifted to the direction where she saw a black van that was usually used by Gavin's men. She took a few deep breaths before she straightened her back and wore a poker face."Let me go! If he finds out about this, he will kill all of you! Fuck you all!"The woman's agitated voice broke the silence that long lingered in the residence. The two guards holding the woman down forced her to stand across from Shantala."You..." she said with gritted teeth upon seeing the woman in front of her. When the guards let her go, she glared at them before facing Shantala with a scoff."So it is you, huh." She sat on the sofa and flipped her hair. "What do you want?""Let me get straight to the point," she responded. "Are you Tricia Vexmore?"The woman leaned back on the sof
Hyperion was filled with joy that he could no longer hide the smile on his face. Leaning his forehead on Trevor's chest, he felt like tearing up once again. "Why are you happy, uncle?"The mafia boss' smile vanished in no time and he looked at his son again."Uncle?" he questioned.Trevor nodded."Call me Dad like what you did just a while back.""You already smiled so I'm calling you uncle again."He could not believe what he was hearing. Just when he thought that his very son had finally recognized him as his father, Trevor immediately crushed that without batting an eye. Heaving a sigh, he asked, "So you called me Dad because you saw me crying?""Uh-huh."He simply shook his head, unable to think how he should react to that. But he did appreciate that simple gesture and he did not expect that it would be Trevor who actually came at the time he needed someone. "Where is Mommy?" Tr
Shantala stared at Hyperion, thinking if she should believe his words or not. There was a possibility that it was indeed for that reason, however, she got the assurance she needed from her husband just the other night. That was why whether he went there for another matter or to meet Phoebe, she trusted him that he wouldn't be swayed.As a reply, she snickered. "He won't cheat on me," she said with confidence. "That aside, what kind of play are you trying to do now, Hyperion? Can't we just live in peace without seeing each other? Aren't you tired of all the shit going on?"Hyperion felt envious of Gavin, especially since he just witnessed how Shantala trusted him. He wanted to be the person in his place, however, that could never happen for as long as Gavin stayed with her. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, he could only think of using this chance to fully break the trust between Gavin and his wife. "I won't ever get tired until you surrender
Phoebe, despite being so close to the two of them, felt like she was in another dimension. The way they spoke sounded professionally evil but thrilling as well. She does not really care about how they will separate the two as long as she gets to marry Gavin, she will be more than satisfied. Looking at her father, she bit her lower lip with the anticipation of hearing the plans he and Mr. Devon had come up with.Back at the Devon residence, Shantala left their room when she finally calmed herself. Looking outside the window, she only came to realize that it was already nighttime. Heading to the living room, she saw Gavin seeing the lawyer out while Trevor was in the other room playing.A little while later, Gavin came walking toward her."What did the lawyer say?" she asked.But instead of getting an answer from him, she received a warm caress on the cheek as if he was wiping away her already-dried tears."How are you feeling?" he ask
Hyperion wanted to convince himself that he had gotten the judge to side with him. However, his instinct was telling him to not be so confident, especially since he had not seen Gavin's actions yet. And if he chooses to overlook this matter, there would always be a possibility that Shantala's husband could turn the tables on him."Before the next trial, meet with the judge and make sure that she did not change her mind. And seeing that Gavin is already making a move, make all the necessary preparations to end the case at the next meeting," he said before receiving a nod from the lawyer.After going through the divorce paper, he handed it back to him.He added, "Once Stacey returns, present that to her and whatever she demands like money or properties, list it down and have her sign it as soon as possible. If she asks for something else, then contact me first."After their brief meeting, the lawyer left Hyperion in his study room all alone. He went
Her mother's grip on her loosened, thus, she pushed her to the side and took another dagger from behind her. She pointed it towards Tricia, making sure that she would not interfere as she knelt before her mother.Fully shifting her attention towards her still filled with anger, she smirked."Look at how the tables have turned, mother. If you think you can kill me now, then, you are way too late."Raising both of her hands gripping the daggers, she yelled at the top of her lungs and stabbed her mother for the second time."Y-You..." Those were the last words she heard from her before breathing her last breath while bathing in her own pool of blood.Shantala remained unmoved as she stared at what she had done. With each passing minute, her anger subsided. She gulped at the sight in front of her."What... what have you done?!" Tricia screamed, bringing Shantala back to her senses. "I will have the police arrest you!"Starin
Shantala remained curled behind those closed doors and no matter how much she wanted to think of something else, her mind seemed to be a broken record. It kept on reminding her how she stabbed her mother back then. She could feel her body heat up just like that time but unlike now, she was fueled with so much rage on the day of the murder."What are you doing here?" Shantala could still remember those exact words that her mother said upon seeing her entering Tricia's room without permission. What puzzled her was not only the living presence of her mother but also the seemingly annoyed tone of her voice. "M-Mom?" she stuttered with surprise, obviously plastered all over her face. "How... I thought... What..."There were a lot of questions running through her mind but neither one of them was she able to speak out. She was confused about the situation."Answer my question, Shantala," her mother asked for the second time. However, her
"W-What's the matter?" she asked.But instead of receiving a reply from her husband, she was a bit taken aback when he stepped up and was the one who unbuttoned her dress and removed it. "I can do it myself–"She was cut off when Gavin forced her to turn away from him. Whatever he was doing, she had no single idea."One... two..."Hearing him count, she suddenly felt a sudden cold shiver running down her spine. It felt like her hair stood at its ends every time he counted higher. She wanted to speak but the moment she opened her mouth, she was yet again forced to face him."Gavin, I am fine. You don't have to worry," she insisted. But still, her husband paid her no attention and continued counting every scratch he saw on her."Gavin, please–""I saw 20. That is equivalent to 20 heads," he mumbled but it was still clear enough for her to hear.He turned away from her and was about to leave the