COLD DUTY

Doubt & Curious

Ace Pov

He spoke with such conviction, but I couldn't believe him completely. I needed to find out the truth for myself. That was my goal.

I noticed Alexander glancing at me from the corner of my eye, and I felt like gouging out his eyeballs.

"Don't misunderstand me, I don't mean any harm," he said when I glared at him.

I turned away and decided to get away from here for a while. I realized that I had to rely on myself in this life. I had to discover who I really was. I wished I could be normal like everyone else, but the world wouldn't let me. It is tiring.

Alexander Pov

She had a slender figure and graceful movement, her footstep is light and barely to notice , I can't sense her presence, I can tell she's deadly. She had a cold and distant look in her eyes , reflecting her aloof and detached personality . Her face showed no emotion , hiding behind a mass of indifference. She didn't even bother to tell me her name she's dangerous and unreadable , keeping me on edge and i must admit that this is the first time I looked to a lady and I am fascinated by her. She is a mystery. I could tell.

"Don't misunderstand me, I don't mean any harm,"

I said when she glared at me. She turned around and said nothing, leaving me wondering what she was thinking.

I trailed behind her until my sister came running out of the house and embraced her.

She didn't seem surprise and showed no interest yet her stance tells she's ready for a fight or what's coming. I'm impressed.

My sister cried tears of joy and thanked her profusely for saving her.

"I'm sorry for being weird, we don't even know each other,"she said, wiping her tears.

She was so cute and innocent, acting like a child even though she was a teenager.

"My name is Alexandria. Nice to meet you...?" she said and asked.

"She's Trasie," I answered.

They both gave me a curious look.

"You know her?" my sister wondered.

"She's the long-lost daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Llacza," I said as I approached them.

My sister greeted her with excitement, as if she had been waiting for her all her life.

"I'm so glad you're finally here. Kuya found you at last. We were meant to meet." She didn't seem to notice Trasie's displeasure.

My sister turned to me and gave me a pleading look. "Can she stay with us, kuya?" I glanced at Trasie, who looked indifferent.

"If she wants to... sure." I said. My sister squealed and dragged Trasie to her room.

"I'm so happy to have you here. I'll show you where you'll sleep. Okay?" She said.

Trasie looks like she doesn't want to go, but I don't stop my sister from pulling her along.

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I waited for a while, but I didn't hear any sound from their room. I decided to check on them and see how they were getting along. I opened the door and saw my sister stuffing some clothes into a bag.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

She looked at me with a bright smile and said,

"Trasie doesn't have anything to wear. I'm giving her some of mine."

"I see. Does she want to stay?" I asked.

"No." Trasie's voice cut through the air.

She just came out from the bathroom drying her hand , looking bored. My sister's face fell and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why not? Don't you want to be with us? I have so many stories to tell you." She said, sobbing.

"I'm not planning to stay." Trasie repeated, coldly.

My sister broke down and cried harder. I felt a pang of pity and anger. I walked over to her and hugged her gently.

"Let me talk to her for a bit. Okay? You should get some rest, Xandria. It's late." I said. She nodded as a response.

F A S T F O R W A R D

I led Trasie out of the room and took her to the living room. I sat her down on the couch and faced her. I wanted to know why she was acting so cold and distant.

"Kindly don't treat my sister like that? She's been looking forward to meeting you for so long." Trasie rolled her eyes and sighed. Finally I'm able to see different expression on her face.

"That's your problem." She said. I was stunned.

"What do you mean??" I asked. Trasie looked at me with a mix of pity and contempt.

"You are intelligent enough to understand. We're just two strangers who happen to crossed path." She said.

She had a sharp tongue.

"You agree that will work together to find your brother and it seems like you forgot ."

I accused her. Maybe she was lying and manipulating me all along.

"I didn't say yes or no. As far as I recall, I said okay. I don't understand why you're so desperate to find Llacza's son. It can't be just because of your father's wish and you doing him a favor. I get your point, but I don't trust it. There's something else you're not telling. And that's something I'll figure out on my own."

She said, calmly. I chuckled.

"I won't stop you if you want to go. How can you blame my family when all my father ever wanted was to keep the promise he made with your father? You should see a Psychiatrist. You need some help. Your life is full of negativity."

Her guts is something.She dared to insult my family Infront of me. That's something I wouldn't pay attention. I'm a man and I shouldn't be bothered the way she looked at me liked I'm a worthless scumbug. Everyone please my attention yet she doesn't seem interested and ignoring my existence after I offered her a good deed that could help her to find who she was...

" Is this how you showed appreciation?" She said

" What?"

I thanked her already for saving my sister's life. I'm aware it's not enough. I wonder how does she want to get paid.

" I didn't asked and I don't need a help. You didn't found me, I appeared by chance. The time favor you. I'm not claimable, I've my own life and I have freedom to decide. If you need my help spill it. Don't play push and pull method against me. I'm not stupid "

I studied her carefully to see if she was lying or not... She was difficult to handle and please. Even though I was 10 years older than her, she seemed to have more life experience than me. I didn't want to mess with her or she would become my worst enemy.I never felt this before. She makes me shiver down to my spine.

" How do you wish to get paid ?" I asked. I'm down to her terms.

" How do you wish to get paid? " She asked me back while not breaking the eye contact. She's serious. I took off my gazed and speak myself.

" I witnessed how you defended my sister from the attacker. I'm not sure what your motive was, but I'm grateful for your help. My sister doesn't like having guards around her, even though I always warn her about security and safety. She's going to college soon and I'm concerned because the school doesn't allow guards on campus. Could you be her protector?" I said

"Why should I put myself in danger? And how do you know she's safe with me?" She replied.

Ladies is really in details.