Downgrade

Level Three

Third Level: Hamington’s Residence

Jack Rush’s POV

Shedding someone’s blood is a representation of who I am. And it was true that the first time I commit it, there will be a next time. Only an insane one will do the second one, and it was I.

I gaped myself to the long, murky hallway of Hamington’s Residence. She should be at the balcony, taking her calmness again while drinking that wine she got from the negotiator. I hurriedly went left and met some of those officers. I wonder what were their reasons to join when they are just shitty as among the rest? When all they can do is to use those revolvers to defend themselves. Except for those who have been in the training ground, they were just kittens ready to be fed to the hungry lions. I guessed, reality does suck sometimes, but I need to deal with it. They bowed at me as they passed. I twitched as I felt my face tightened. That man really did hit me hard a while ago. I buffed. Shrugging my shoulders off with the cold, sentimental breeze. I surely missed that woman. I sighed.

An almost compact, glassless, rectangular frame with a picture of a fortyish woman, holding a goblin was being portrayed over the high ceiling wall. Her dark chestnut hair was austerely tied into a bun with a white rose on the side. She wasn’t smiling, like her deep-set brown eyes were filled with reserved, thumping rage. She was sitting in a wooden chair as her other hand was damped with the wine that had been splattered to her woolen dress with a red ribbon on her waist. I passed by her and bowed my head. She was Divina Cynthia Mieriando, one of the three Founders.

It’s already night. I went straight to the balcony and recognized her staring in wonder with a view of the whole level. Her eyes journeyed to the Long Range Fountain. I saw her smirked as she distinguished the other levels.

Being at the top will surely be a privileged to those who are at that level. It was a buffet, a stadium where they can see those who are longing for their positions. The woman was standing still, clothed with her purely white evening gown. She swirled her champagne glass. She was drinking again. For what? Of course, to clear her mind and dwell with peace. Being the leader of the Royals is a great role for her, yet much pressure is in the way.

I smelt her dominant sense of beauty engulfed the place as her long sleek snow-white hair gracefully swayed with the thin air. I guessed, she didn’t distinguish my company. With almost a silent walk, I moved towards her and enclosed her around my tough arms. She smelt lavender. I saw her smile as her fingers run feverishly through my hair. I leaned my face and dug it on her neck, planting some soft, shivering kisses.

I heard her called my name between her small groans. She turned and faces me. Her eyes met mine. I smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“How’s your day?” I asked her. My fingers trailed her waist down to her stomach, rubbing it softly.

She gasped as she closed her eyes. “Not as busy as yesterday.”

I was about to kiss her when she suddenly pulled herself from me, glancing over the entrance, as if hoping not to see someone from the shadows. Damnit. She always leaves me hanging. It’s frustrating.

I sighed, brushing my hair with my fingers. I can't have her by myself again. I took quick, tremulous steps away from her. It’s been months that we started this intriguing and cautious relationship. We’re not against by anyone, and I know they wouldn’t mind or do anything to stop us, but her plans…her devious ways, her irrevocable longing for success and control are much bigger than what I wanted for the both of us. And even how many times I would ask her to settle down for a new family, she would say the same answer all over again. No. It rang on my ears several times that I wouldn’t want to ask her again. I became her ally. I became as what they called me, Jack Rush.

I placed my collar well and cleared my throat. We heard low, tottering steps from the other side. Two maids greeted us both with their smiles. I slightly bowed as they passed. As they went away from my sight, I recognized their giggles.

She chuckled, letting me see her deep, pinkish dimples. “You never failed to make them sniggered.”

I pulled her over the waist and whispered. “Not as much as I make you giggle.”

She slapped me a bit on my chest as her faced reddened. Teasing is my forte and she is my subject. I rubbed my nape and said, “So, what are you up to now?”

“Well…” Her lips curved into a grin, now became into a scowl. She was totally having fun of her own games. Man, she’s insane. “I just found a new companion just right now.” She turned her gaze behind me, right through the darkness. I heard some shrilled, overbearing steps. There was a man standing still in taciturnity. His stare was glued on the floor as he held some documents around his arms.

“You can join us now, Benjamin.” She said and offered him a hand.

The young lad slowly lifted his head and his oceanic, blue eyes reflected the lamp’s light beside me. He offered us a smile as he stepped himself out of the opaque darkness. He stood in front of me and she walked beside him. His glasses were thick together with his whopping round curls.

“Jack, this is Benjamin Fintstone, the Linkman.” She introduced the man to me, offering his hand.

I stared at him and almost flinched with his stroppy leer. I coughed, making him blinked twice.

“Nice to meet you. I guess, you already know me.”

The man jolted from his spot and shook my hand directly. “Oh gosh. I’ve been dreaming for this day to meet you and now Ms. Penelope had granted my wish to see you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir! Benjamin Flintstone at your service!” He barked with his salute.

My eyebrow raised for his foreword. I didn’t expect him to be like this…brisk and bold…I forced a smile and shook his hand in return. “Hahaha…It’s nice to meet someone like you…alive and kicking…”

Without taking his imperious smile, Penelope patted the man’s shoulder and looked at me. “As you can see, he’s our new ally. He works in the system. Basically, he knows the drill in that place; the ones to be deleted and the ones to be newly added. Chip implants, that’s it.” She uttered and strolled beside me as she grabbed a sip of her wine.

“I’ve been into deep wary thoughts a while ago, Jack. But I didn’t know that Benjamin...will be an angel to my distress. He got valuable information about Era and where they’re going right now.” She stated. “Thank you, Benjamin.”

The man’s smile became bigger and disturbing. “No problem.”

“By the way, how about the other one? Did she tell you something? Any data?”

“No really. She’s being cautious these days. Are you sure we can trust her?”

Penelope crossed her arms. “I already gave her another chance. I’m sure she doesn’t want to throw it up or she’ll regret it.” She uttered.

“Also, I am curious. What happened to the Informant? Did he give you anything about the flower?”

“No.” I promptly answered which made her frowned. “He didn’t give us the information and also about their hideout. We get rid of him in no time.” I added.

“That’s…disappointing. We still need to find where the flower is. Well. We don’t have to worry about where’s Era right now. Benjamin knows where exactly they are right now, and…we’re going there at dawn to have a reunion.” She giggled.