CHAPTER 7: TRAP
1017 Words
Zero is still focused in his observation inside the crime scene— the study room. He is eager to end the mission that's why he is really trying his best to solve the mystery of this mission.
He knows that he is being hasty and rash. But, he is not a fan of spending his birthday for the sake of his father, indirectly. It's already almost 25 years since he was abandoned by his father. Its already almost 25 years since he started to suffer alone with his cold poison.
He hates his father for being selfish. He hates his father for being a scumbag who only know is making money even though the reality always says that money cannot accompany us in the afterlife.
Zero always wonder why do people loves making money even it'll cost them with eternal loneliness? Why do they seek power even though they have short lives? Why do they do the things that is inhumane and immoral for the sake of fame and the two previous external wealth?
"Life is unfair." He mumbled as he stare outside the glassed window.
"Zero?" He turned to Cloud who is watching him with worried pair of eyes.
"Hmm?" He hummed.
"What are you mumbling about?" Cloud inquired.
"Nah! I just want to end this soon. I don't want to celebrate my birthday in work." Zero lied. Well, that is half truth and half lie.
Cloud smiled and shook his head. He thought, 'too honest.'
Zero chuckled then turned to go out the room when he met a pair of amethyst gaze from the doorway. He stared at the girl who is still standing there, also staring to the masked butler.
Cloud's chest is thumping loudly. He prayed countless times that no one can hear the crazy sound his heart is making due to the anticipation and nervousness he is feeling in every seconds that is passing by. He do not know what to do, or what he will do once his friend realized who the girl is.
"Uhm. Z-Zero, this is—"
"Who are you?" Zero asked.
The girl smirked and answered, "Your client."
Zero stared at the woman in front of him. Realization finally hit him. He bowed in front of the woman, then look at her with his cold gaze.
"I apologize for my ignorance. I have eyes but failed to see. If I offended you in anyway, I hope that you'll be benevolent to understand me." Zero apologized with flat voice.
"It's okay. I understand. If I'm not mistaken, you're the Zero, right?" She inquired as she walk toward her table.
"Yes, I am." Zero replied.
"And this one is Zyro?" She asked with sarcasm hidden in her voice.
"Obviously he is." Zero also replied with equal hint of sarcasm.
The girl is amused with Zero. But, her focus is on Cloud who is looking at her with contempt. She then thought of something 'fun'. She brought a list of items from her drawer. She handed it to Cloud who is still looking at her sharply.
"Buy that. But, you mustn't spend more than fifty thousand pesos. You must come back before dinner. I am still looking forward to eat your desserts."
Zero opened the list. It rolled so fast up to the carpeted floor. His eyes slightly widen as he saw the content of the list.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you that, I still need Zero to discuss skmething. So, technically, you're doing it 'alone'." She said highlighting the last word.
Zero turned to Cloud who is also looking at the list with pale face and parted mouth. He do not know why but he feels rage with the woman's arrogance. He wants to attack the girl and strangle her. He isn't an i***t to not know that the woman is just making difficult to his best friend.
But, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He turned to Cloud that is biting his lips and shaking his head slightly. He heaved a sigh and silently accepted defeat.
"I will do it right away." Cloud said then offered his salute toward the lady.
The both of them turned and leave the study room. Cloud with a heavy heart, and Zero with fury in his golden eyes.
A loud bang against the wall was heard inside the house, in the alley toward their rooms. Zero pinned his partner, breathing heavily and trembling limbs. Desperation and fury can be seen in his eyes as he watch his partner that being bullied but he cannot do anything against it.
"She must doing this on purpose! She is humiliating us! Why did you stopped me?" Zero asked in rage.
Cloud can't look at Zero's eyes because of two reasons. First is because he is guilty and second is because he is happy. Guilty because he also played his part that resulted for this 'task', and happy because he knows that Zero cares for him.
But, no one knows except himself that he succeeded in trapping that woman. He made her look so bad to Zero to the extent of not forgiving her no matter what. He needs to play the victim to ensure his place to Zero's heart.
'Sorry Zero, if I cannot have your full attention, then no one can have it too.' He thought while watching the angry face of Zero.
"I-its okay. She is our client after all. We are bound to follow her and keep her safe." He said pitifully.
"But, that's too much!" Zero complained.
"I said that its okay. Appease your anger and investigate thoroughly while I'm away. Okay?" Cloud coaxed Zero.
Zero sighed and stared at his friend, he knows that its unmanly, but, he hugged Cloud that made the other party froze.
"Don't worry. I will be always here for you. No one can bully you once again under my nose. Or else, I will make them suffer what you've suffered a hundredfold." Zero stated.
Cloud, who is drowning with anticipation and happiness nod as his reply and the stayed at that position for a while.
- Writer
