Ruler of the Mask

Chapter 6 - Punishment

They were silent, only their breaths could be heard and the fast beat of Sky’s heart. Why could Maui hear his heartbeat? She moved away, taking small steps backward. No one dared to speak except Jonathan Mayers who knew a lot of things about Maui Harper. They were colleagues back in college, he couldn’t believe that Maui still love doing violence. Jonathan took a piece of tissue and brought it to Sky Miller. Sky was moving his head upward; looking at the ceiling to somehow stop the bleeding.

“Tell me, Miss Harper. What is your problem with Sky? You cannot just harm Sky, he’s from the FBI, higher than our organization, remember that. He can sue you for this! I can’t believe this is happening,” Jonathan Mayers couldn’t just shut his mouth. He adores Sky as a rookie detective because he has solved a lot of cases and he is not just someone she can mess with.

“Sir, you know what he did to me at the bar. Why would I let that slip? You know what I can do and I will do everything to get my revenge. It was just a punishment, something he should look forward to when he makes a mistake,” Maui explained herself as if she was a five-year-old kid complaining to her parents. Jonathan Mayers is older than her, and she thinks of him as her older brother.

“Sky, are you okay?” Jonathan asked worriedly.

“Yes, sir. I’m fine,” he said shortly after wiping his nose. Then he sat on his chair without taking a glance at Maui.

The lad doesn’t have any words to say to a woman who was as badass as a lioness. He acted as if nothing happened but the clenched fists screamed it all. Who was that strange sadistic woman? He knew he made a mistake but it was an accident and he would never dare touch, harass, or assault a woman.

It was a long day for everyone as they had a lot of work to do. They could only get rest during lunchtime and after that, they have to go back to work regarding an unsolved case that was transferred to them from the Special Crime Unit of New York City. It was a puzzle-like case that Maui’s group couldn’t solve.

Awkwardness hit her for she was sitting next to him, she cleared her throat and pretended that she didn’t notice him. Maui could not escape the boredom she felt so she kept on looking at him from time to time. She wondered if the punch she gave was painful to him, however, she couldn’t open her mouth. It was her mistake, so she must accept this predicament and shut her mouth. The young man was just silent as well. She couldn’t read his face; he wasn’t smiling or frowning.

As she scrolled through her phone, Jonathan announced. “Okay, that’s a wrap everyone. We should go home for now. Mr. Franco said he will be present tomorrow for another meeting.”

The other members left except for Maui and Sky. Sky was finishing his paper works such as the memo Inspector Franco asked him to do, while Maui had to log in through their system to get information on what they are doing and her assigned task. Through Flora’s help, she was finally signed in. Sky stood up and walked away, leaving Maui behind. She stared at his sexy muscled back and took a deep sigh. She didn’t regret what she did to him but it made her hate the idea that perhaps if she didn’t hit him they would be friends by now. Now, she felt alone and sad.

“Why would I feel bad for hitting that p*****t? He deserves it,” she mumbled to herself.

The last person who left the office was Maui but she didn’t think that she would see him outside. He was leaning against the white wall with his eyelid closed. The lad looked so attractive that she couldn’t stop staring at him. His symmetrical face, plump pinkish lips, the perfect jaw he has, he was perfectly sculpted by the Almighty God. She was almost drooling at the beautiful scenery with his muscled arms. She slapped her face. What was she doing? She forgot that he was her enemy! Perhaps he was exhausted with all the paper works he did. His kissable lips formed a smile that caught her off guard. Why was this man so freaking sexy with that kind of smile?

“Stop staring, I might melt,” he uttered jokingly.

Maui was perplexed. She looked down at the floor and walked away. Before she could even escape, he immediately grabbed her wrist.

“Hit me again and you'll see what I can do,” he whispered, enough for her to hear clearly.

Maui tried to take her hand but he was stronger than her. She couldn’t even find a way to escape his grasp and it frustrates her. She was ready to burst her anger.

“Let go of me, you p*****t!”

He gently let her hand slip with an unwavering smile on his face. He was mocking her. This man is not afraid of Maui. The only man who is not afraid of this woman’s drastic attitude.

“I don’t know why you hate me this much. But I don’t want to work with someone with hatred against me. If I did something wrong that made you act like a crazy woman who just got out of a mental hospital, then I’m sorry. I can’t take this anymore, okay? If I did something wrong, I am sorry, Miss.” Sky wasn’t playing as a weak boy anymore.

Maui was left in the hallway. The conscience she felt was inevitable not unless she forgives herself. She couldn’t even walk properly, thinking of the actions she made against him. The man has a pure heart but she triggered the bomb inside him. She thought, ‘I guess everyone has their bombs ticking inside of them. The more you trigger their temper, the more damage you’ll get.’

She drove her car on the road of Brooklyn Street in New York City. She arrived at her apartment with sleepy eyes. She drank a bottle of beer, then she sat on her sofa and closed her eyes. But her prideful heart could not accept it.

“It was his fault for touching and kissing my thigh and now he made me feel this bad! Such an arrogant man. Who does he think he is? Well, he is a lone wolf who doesn’t know how to socialize. An introvert but attractive one.”

Maui seemed crazy as she was talking to herself with a drunk face; her cheeks were pinkish and smiling innocently. Not long after that, she fell asleep.

On Thursday morning, she didn’t want to leave the comfort of her bed and the fresh air coming outside the windows. She knew she will meet Sky again at their office. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing the arrogant man again who acts soft and innocent in front of other people. However, the alarm kept on banging the bells in her ears, making her rose from her deathbed. And of course, as a detective, she must be on time because today is her second day at work. She must leave a better impression to make up for the incident yesterday.

She headed to her bathroom, cleaned herself, and made a simple breakfast. Afterward, she rode in her Audi car. As she was walking in the hallway, a young man who seemed familiar walked next to her. She looked intently at him and realized who it was.

Anger wasn’t dissolved yet, and it burst into her mind. All she just wanted was to leave the area. However, she must not turn away and be a coward, for in cowardice you get nothing but shame and regrets.

She let him walk inside the office first. Thankfully he didn’t notice her, he seemed busy scrolling through his phone.

As she was inside, the chief inspector and Sky were talking in front of her. The forthcoming of Maui took their attention. The inspector smiled at her as she saluted.

“Sky, Maui, I want you both in my office,” The chief announced. They have no way out as they have to follow their superior. The chief walked into the office first, followed by Sky, and then her. No one dared to speak between them. Nevertheless, Maui was thrilled and was looking forward to the case she is going to solve alone. It would be lovely and challenging for her. She would love to work on a case alone rather than collaborate with the other members.

Mr. Franco sat on his office chair while the two were standing straight in front of him. The reverence they showed to their superior was overwhelming but the silence consumed the room. The inspector broke the silence while observing them.

“Now, here’s your punishment. In this case, you are partners in crime. No buts, understood?” The serious look on Inspector Franco’s face says it all. No complaints, just do what needs to be done.

“What’s our mission, sir?” Sky asked.

“This is an undercover mission. Your target is Azrael Licauco, an American-Chinese who smuggled drugs all over the country and abuse his wife and mistress.” Mr. Franco gave a photo of Azrael and compiled files of evidence of his violence against the law. “He was convicted before, but sadly the evidence was just too shallow to pin him down in his destined jail. You must find strong evidence so that he cannot escape his demise again. Detectives, you’re all dismissed.”