Heart Stealer

Chapter eleven: Is it fate?

LUCAS

I've been having trouble thinking about lots of things these past few days, though I knew that, as a boss, I should be used to this kind of situation. It was so damn clear to me back then that the only thing which kept me going and breathing was to finally avenge the murder of my family and also my late wife.

Yes.

They were also the ones who were responsible for my late wife’s death. It was just a normal day of work back then. We fought about something personal before I went out to work. She wanted me to convince my grandfather as well as my parents to surrender themselves to the hands of the policemen, because according to her, it’s never right to kill anyone for the sake of revenge. Back then, I couldn’t give her what she wanted and kept on asking her if she would do something like that to her own family if she happened to be in that situation.

I was really calm and careful towards the words I responded to her, but then she told me, “I would never have a terrible family like that. You are such a coward, Lucas. I fully regret being your wife.”

How is that being a coward? That was the question I asked myself back then. I can still vividly remember how I lowered my head after taking a really deep breath and then left her alone in our house to go to work. Even now, I still regret doing such a thing. Because maybe, if only I chose to stay and make up with her the same night, then I wouldn’t have to go home, witnessing her lying on the ground with blood spilled around her.

“Lucas.” I heard the familiar voice of a woman calling my name, which snapped me out from having that terrifying flashback once again. “Are you still with me?” She asked.

I nearly forgot that Search and I were actually in the middle of something important. She was sitting in front of her computer while I was standing beside her waiting for her discussion regarding the next transaction of the Alpha.

“What is it again?” I coldly uttered.

I saw her rolling her eyes and then she took a deep breath after that, “Please focus, okay?” She sounded really annoyed, something I really don’t care about. “According to my source, the Alpha will be trading young girls in exchange for money and drugs. It’s going to happen here,” She uttered while pointing at her computer screen. “It is an abandoned place near the village where the female snatcher lives.”

At that moment, Search began to act weird. She was staring at the monitor for a few seconds. Her expression was kind of blank but then I could tell through her eyes that she was being emotional towards this matter. Maybe because she experienced being in the same situation as those teen girls. The time when she’s still with her foster parents who push her to sell her body to a rich man even though she doesn’t want to. That was also the same day when we first met each other again after so many years, that day when she asked me to kill her mom and dad for her to finally be free.

“Those motherf*ckers deserve to die in a very painful way,” she urged.

“When will this transaction happen?” I wondered.

“Today, afternoon.” She responded.

CASSANDRA

It was indeed a very long day for me and all the things I have experienced and seen on this island seemed so unrealistic. I kind of started to think that maybe I had already died after jumping off the cliff and all of this was just a part of my very long dream.

After we had our lunch together, I decided to take a long walk here on the seashore, to, of course, enjoy every peaceful moment that I knew I would only get here. The waves were really pretty and calm. I know I might sound weird, but it’s like talking to myself and asking myself to go there and see the end of the sea.

I got tired even after walking for only a few minutes. It seems funny though, ‘cause I tend to run a few miles just to get away from the people I get away from without getting tired, but I suddenly get tired after a short time of walking.

I decided to sit beside a huge rock and slightly dip my feet into the cold water. During that time, I couldn’t stop myself from watching the waves and staring at the seeming end of it, wondering what lies behind them or on the other side of them.

“Enjoying the view?” I heard someone ask me from behind. I slightly tilted my head to check who it was, then I saw Austin heading towards me.

“Yes. I do.” I responded while flashing a slight smile.

He sat beside me and the moment I looked at him, he was already looking at where I was staring at a few seconds ago. “I’m a fan of that sight as well.”

Hearing that from him makes me think that he’s actually a wonderful person. I mean, my mother often tells me that a person who loves nature always has a kind personality and a soft heart as well. I doubt that thing applies to me as well.

I move my gaze back to the sea. I started smiling with my eyes closed and while taking the fresh air in. “You should be because this is really beautiful.”

“Yes it is.” He quickly responded.

I opened my eyes, still wearing the same expression I had.

“Beautiful,” he added. At that time, I caught him staring at me and his expression was kind of weird for me. He was flashing a serious face yet it still looked so bright. And what makes me even more confused is why he would look at me saying that word even though we were talking about the sea in front of us.

“Hey, what’s the stare at?” I asked and then I began to look away from him.

“Sorry. I just thought I needed to compliment you for being as beautiful as the sea we were both looking at.” He suddenly responded, which made me stare back at him.

What happened was awkward enough for me, but then what he said now even made the situation worse. I didn’t know he could be so careless about every word that he said. On the other hand, I also couldn’t help but to think that maybe he was trying to tease me again and that it was all just a part of his act.

There was nothing much I could do at that moment other than to land my palm on his forehead. I wasn’t actually planning to do it in a hard way, but then his forehead started to turn red.

“That was painful.” He complained.

“You deserve that. Will you please stop teasing me again? I told you, that kind of lame thing would never work on me.” I seriously reminded him.

Who would have thought that the person behind the word “Master” would be this immature, careless and jolly? It was the exact opposite of what I was thinking him to be.

“Alright, I apologize.” He chuckled.

“You should be.” I quickly responded while glaring at him.

“Anyway, you can go swimming anytime you want to. Only if you badly want to explore that beautiful sea,” he happily suggested.

“Well, I don’t think I can do that.” I responded to him.

“Why? You don’t know how to? I could teach you though,” he urged.

I shook my head and said, “No. It’s nothing like that.” I took a deep sigh and continued, “I’m afraid that I might forget all the things I needed to do, just because I’m happy now.”

“What does that mean?” He asked me. I looked at him and saw him furrowing his brows.

As I was looking at him I couldn’t help but to wonder if it was worth sharing my doubts and troubles with someone I barely knew. Or I will end up being disappointed once again, just like what I felt before towards Grey. I knew this could be the perfect time for me to get out all the problems I had, he seemed trustworthy and reliable though my trust issues kept on holding me back like a thick chain wrapped around my neck and stomach.

“Um, Austin.” I uttered. He started raising his eyebrows while constantly staring at me. “Will you give me a ride out from this island?”

I was eagerly waiting for his response and I could tell through his eyes that he was actually surprised about what I had just said. “I’m sorry for asking a favor all of a sudden-”

“Of course.” He interrupted my response while nodding his head.

“Are you serious?” I asked him with my eyes both widened in surprise.

“Yes. I’m serious.” He said and then he chuckled after a few seconds. “It’s not like I’m planning to trap you here for the rest of your life. I’m not that desperate.”

Actually, I’m not quite sure why he suddenly said something about being desperate.

“So, when are you planning to leave?” He asked me. His once lively voice turned different and slightly cold.

“Um, now?” I quickly responded.

He gave me that confusing look and then he told me, “Do you really hate being here that much?”

I shook my head and responded, “No. That’s not the reason.”

“Then why? Do you find me uncomfortable to be with?” He wondered.

“That’s not it either.” I responded. “Look, I have many valid reasons for that, but it’s just that I couldn’t tell you anything about it and I’m deeply sorry for that.”

It took him a few seconds of silence before finally talking back to me, “Okay then, get ready because we’re leaving early this afternoon.” He uttered as he stood up.

He left me first after saying those words. It makes me feel bad though, because I feel like my favor is having a negative impact on him. But what can I do? I need to leave now because I’m afraid that the man who gave me a task would hurt my people. Also, I’m deeply worried about our little Lily.

I went back to the house and wore the clothes I had seen on top of my bed. After that, I went out and headed towards the shore. He was already there by the time I got there and, as promised, Austin drove the motorboat towards the nearest town and I bet that was the place near our village. The reason why he wanted to leave before afternoon was that it would be hard to travel back once the sun is down.

He was unexpectedly silent the whole time until we finally reached the town. When I got off the boat, I turned around and said, “Thank you for doing me a favor. I promise to pay you back for all the help you gave me.”

“There’s no need for that.” He responded while flashing a smile on his face. “Just be safe. That’s all that matters.”

“So, take care on your way back,” I urged. I paused for a second and pressed my lips together before saying, “Goodbye” to him.

I turned around and started walking away from the seaside. As expected, this town was still filled with people struggling to make a living. Many people were selling food, clothes and even things that they weren’t allowed to sell.

I continuously walk, thinking about how I am going to start doing my task which is somewhat impossible for me to get done now. I mean, I could still do something to kill him, but then luring him and manipulating him, just like what they told me to do, would be really impossible in this situation. Especially now that I don’t have the necklace he was looking for.

I was lowering my head the whole time I was thinking about that and when I decided to raise my head I suddenly saw a car with an open window heading in my direction. My vision of the familiar guy who was sitting at the back of the car was still unclear, but the moment it got nearer I suddenly figured out that it was really him.

“Lucas?” I uttered to myself.