Ace's Point of View
Mr. Sebastian looked at me in disbelief. I could feel the doubt in his searching eyes.
But I had no plans to change my mind. I had decided to stop asking Mr. Sebastian Lee for help.
"I think I know why."
He laughed softly.
"Even if I give you all the information, there will always be something missing. Is that right?"
"Thank you very much for all your help. I will be greatly indebted to you."
"Anything, Mr. Craige. We are also very grateful to your father for helping us when we were down."
I just smiled when I heard those words again. *Father...*
"This all has to do with your long absence. Doesn't it?" he asked with a grin. "What really happened to you? Why did you suddenly disappear?" he asked, still confused.
I didn't answer. Everything that happened to us would remain a part of our past. Everything that happened inside hell would only be known to us—just like we begged the police to help us.
Everything would stay with us and would never be able to leave.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered.
"A mystery that I can't resolve. So far, you're the only one who's given me this much trouble. All the information I've gathered about you... is always wrong... incomplete."
The amazement in his eyes still hadn't faded, and it was as if he was challenging us. Mr. Sebastian was good, but his skills were limited and didn't cover what had happened to us.
"Why did Mr. Valdez die? Why did Lux's eyes turn red?"
"You don't need to know," I replied bitterly.
I wanted him to stop asking. I knew that events like this were what excited someone like him. He enjoyed having a hard time finding answers.
"Oh, sorry. I understand."
I just smiled, because that wasn't what I saw in his eyes. He still wanted to know.
"But you need to be more careful. Your opponent is not afraid to kill."
"I know... We'll be more careful."
He nodded and handed me a brown envelope he had been holding. I took it but didn't open it.
"Do you know a Nicky Colt?"
My forehead furrowed when I heard that name.
"I conducted my own investigation regarding Gardo's death. You know the police are slow. And I found out... her. She's the one who killed the person you assigned to guard Zein."
I opened the brown envelope. It was almost all about Nicky—his background—but there was no mention of Hell University. That information probably never reached Mr. Sebastian.
"Do you know him?"
"Friend of mine," I answered briefly before putting the papers back inside the brown envelope.
I saw the surprise in Mr. Lee's eyes when I said that.
"Another mystery. Why would your friend kill the one who takes care of your loved one? What is his reason? Is it bad? Is it good? For what purpose?"
Whatever it was, I knew he had a reason. Whatever it was, that was what I would find out.
Why did he do that?
I just sighed because my head was hurting from everything that was happening. I didn't know what step to take. I was confused, and everything remained blurry.
"You're scared..."
I was stunned by what Mr. Sebastian said.
I couldn't even look into his eyes. I avoided them. He was right...
I'm afraid.
I'm not afraid for myself. I'm afraid for her—for us.
"Why don't you tell Ms. Shion? She'll understand."
I leaned back in the chair and just smiled.
I thought I could solve this on my own.
It never crossed my mind that the day would come when I would be afraid to say anything. I didn't want to worry her. I didn't want the smile on her face to disappear just because of that.
I was gaining strength.
"Don't be selfish, Ace. You're hiding things from her that she should know."
"I know... I-I just can't... I don't know how or where to start."
"Do you know that woman is in more danger because of what you're doing?"
I was surprised by what he said. His eyes were serious as he looked at me, and I knew he really didn't like my secretive behavior.
"Don't be surprised if the day comes when... she just disappears."
My jaw dropped at what he said. My grip tightened on the brown envelope until I thought I had crumpled it. I didn't like what was coming out of his mouth.
Is he scaring me? Damn! I'm so scared.
"This is not just your battle. This is also her battle. No secrets, no worries."
Should I tell her? I think I must.
"You should not fear your enemy. Fear yourself. Fear the secrets you keep because they will use them against you."
It was undeniable that everything he said was heart-wrenching. He was right, and I was annoyed that I couldn't correct myself. Every time I tried to tell Zein, I was overwhelmed by her laughter and smiles.
"Be brave enough... Your opponent is not just any enemy."
I took a deep breath before letting a smile peek out from my lips. "Thank you very much, Mr. Lee. I understand. I'll try... I'll try," I whispered.
I would try to open myself.
I would take it all little by little until I was free and the fear was gone. For Zein. For us.
"By the way, it's about the new bodyguard you requested for Ms. Shion."
I looked at the smiling man sitting next to me. He took my coffee and drank it. "I want you to meet my son. Cedric," he introduced.
"Uh, nice meeting you... again. Ace Craige."
I wasn't surprised because I had known for a long time that Cedric was his son, but I *was* surprised that *he* would be the one to watch over Zein.
"Is there no one else?" I asked.
I heard Cedric's laughter, but I ignored it.
"He's my best. He's the best at this kind of thing."
"Whoa. Thank you for the compliment, Dad, but you forgot something... I'm Cedric. The best among the awesome."
He laughed again, but I remained serious. I already knew about this guy's rescue of Zein—the times we went to the race car competition and the times he cursed at me because I wasn't keeping a close eye on Zein.
I just sighed. "I think... I've got no choice. Just name your price," I said with a grin.
I thought I could stroke his ego, but I was wrong. "One million per week. Five million per case. That's a pittance compared to my twenty-million price for one person," he said with a smile.
"Cedric." Mr. Sebastian's tone was threatening.
"As long as my future will be safe."
"Then kill yourself now. Zein almost died several times. Were you by her side?"
I felt irritation building inside me, and my fist clenched tightly. I was getting angry because of what he said, but I knew my limits.
"I know your whole secret."
I was stunned by what he said, and I also saw the shock in Mr. Sebastian's eyes. I couldn't speak. I didn't know if he was just threatening or if he had really found out.
"This is the battle of secrets, and I will always be here for Zein. You've united her. When the day comes when the smile on her lips disappears, I... I myself will be the one to keep her away from you."
Mr. Sebastian grabbed his son and pulled him away from me. The other customers screamed.
Smiling, Cedric wiped his chapped lip. Mr. Sebastian calmed him down.
I couldn't calm myself down. I wanted to kick him until his face was gone. I hated his guts.
"I'm a stealer. I can steal when you loosen the bond. I can release someone from a fragile grip. You don't deserve her."
I shook my head to calm my flaming fist.
"I have an ace in my hand, Mr. Craige. Don't let me tell her everything you're hiding."
"Then go. I don't fucking care and will never give a damn."
"S.A.M.A.N.T.H.A," he spelled.
I fell silent and saw Mr. Sebastian frown. He knew it.
"A.L.L.I.S.O.N."
"Shut up."
"Z.E.I.N."
I couldn't speak, and I saw a smile peeking out from his lips.
"H.E.L.L.U.N.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y."
I turned to leave, but he said something that caught my attention. The letters made me shiver.
"T.R.A.I.T.O.R."
---