Two Of Hearts

6.2 - Eye's Don't Lie

Seyren's POV

The next morning, I woke up early, preparing for the day ahead.

I made sure Neome wouldn't be left without breakfast, so I picked up a meal from Jollibee: chicken, rice, and fries.

I also left a note explaining my departure, a small gesture to soften the abrupt end to our previous night.

Upon arriving at headquarters, the usual chaos greeted me.

I approached my desk while Detective Skyler was already addressing the team.

Her voice was authoritative, cutting through the noise of the office.

"We have a missing person case and three murder cases. We're swamped, so I need everyone to pull together. Some will stay behind to handle reports and other paperwork, while the rest will be working outside, searching the entire country if necessary." Her tone was firm, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

She continued with additional instructions before dismissing the meeting.

Detective Skyler then called Detective Guerrero into her office.

Despite the prohibition against eavesdropping, I couldn't help but listen.

The two detectives often worked closely on cases like this, and their dynamic was one I was curious to observe, especially given their current struggle.

"I suggest we involve Detective Valencia in our mission to ensure we have additional support. Clearly, this is the work of a psychopath. The more alliances we have, the better," Detective Skyler proposed.

Her words caused me to frown in concern.

When Detective Skyler mentioned wanting to call me in, I quickly returned to my desk, pretending to be absorbed in my work.

I felt a mixture of anxiety and curiosity about what was to come.

"Detective Valencia, please come over here," Detective Guerrero's voice was cold, though it was subtle enough not to be immediately noticeable.

My keen senses picked up on the slight tension.

I stood up and entered their office.

Detective Guerrero shut the door behind me, locking it with a deliberate click.

"What can I do for you?" I asked with a tone of respect, trying to mask my apprehension.

"Sit down, Seyren," Detective Guerrero instructed.

The use of my first name made me uneasy. I settled onto the couch, keeping my hands firmly on my knees.

Both detectives stood before me, their expressions a blend of concern and determination.

Their combined presence was imposing, adding weight to the conversation that was about to unfold.

"How do I put this... Uhm... Do you enjoy watching basketball games?" Detective Guerrero's question seemed oddly casual amidst the seriousness of the moment.

I shook my head, unsure of its relevance.

"Let me be direct, Seyren. Do you remember our discussion about the psychopath I mentioned?" Detective Skyler's tone was serious as she looked me in the eye.

I nodded, bracing myself for what was to come.

"Didn't I tell you that such individuals live in a world devoid of emotion and can blend in with people seamlessly, appearing perfectly normal?" Detective Skyler continued.

I nodded again, the gravity of her words sinking in.

"Well... I think you've just encountered a psychopath. It's still just a suspicion for now," Detective Skyler revealed.

My eyes widened in shock, and I instinctively covered my mouth, struggling to process the revelation.

"What?!" My voice rose, the shock rendering me momentarily breathless.

It felt as if the oxygen had been knocked out of my lungs.

"Calm down. It's only a suspicion at this stage, okay? But if I manage to gather proof, I need you to observe him closely," Detective Skyler said, trying to reassure me.

"Him?! Who are you referring to?" My eyes widened even further, a mixture of fear and confusion overtaking me.

Detective Skyler pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, while Detective Guerrero looked at her with a pleading expression, silently asking her to be gentle with me.

"Hold on, Detective Skyler. Remember, Seyren has a weak heart," Detective Guerrero said, his voice tinged with concern.

He was right, both in the literal and metaphorical sense.

My heart is unusually weak, beating slower than that of an average person, making the situation even more overwhelming.

"No, just tell me. I can handle it," I insisted, trying to steady myself and appear ready for whatever was coming next.

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Yes."

"I suspect that Liam Alcantara is the son of Red Bull. Do you know who Red Bull is? It's Verick Lim Jeon," Detective Skyler stated.

The name hit me like a thunderbolt, and my mind went blank.

"V-Verick J-Jeon? The Korean actor from the 90s?" I stuttered, and both detectives nodded in confirmation.

"I-I've been idolizing a psychopath?" The realization was overwhelming.

My shoulders slumped, and I felt as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs.

"Why wasn't he introduced to the public? People still idolize him to this day."

"To protect his relatives in Korea who are unaware of his true nature," Detective Guerrero explained.

I nodded, absorbing the gravity of this information.

Detective Skyler continued to elaborate on her findings, explaining how she came to suspect Liam was also connected to the psychopath.

The pieces of the puzzle I had collected about the killer began to align, revealing a clearer picture of the dangerous individual we were dealing with.

"Psychopaths tend to proliferate when they have children. There is a 99.9% probability that the child of a psychopath will also become a psychopath. So if I can provide proof that Liam is indeed a psychopath, I want you to keep him under close observation," Detective Skyler said.

I nodded as she spoke, absorbing the gravity of her words.

She continued explaining in detail, and I strained to fully grasp everything she was saying.

The information was overwhelming, and by the end of her explanation, I felt drained and disoriented.

I sat in stunned silence on the couch for several minutes, trying to process the enormity of what I had just learned.

My mind was racing, and the weight of the situation left me feeling emotionally exhausted.

Eventually, I pulled myself together and returned to my work, the reality of the task ahead settling heavily on my shoulders.

That evening, I got home earlier than usual.

I made a conscious effort to adjust my demeanor, trying to mask the stress that had accumulated from the day's work.

My goal was to ensure that Elowen wouldn't pick up on my anxiety.

As I approached the house, I noticed Liam's car parked outside, which immediately brought Detective Skyler's words back to the forefront of my mind.

The memory of her stern warning about psychopaths echoed vividly in my thoughts.

"Psychopaths don't have any real emotions; they can mimic them, but their eyes are always hollow, like a void," her voice resonated ominously in my head.

When I stepped into the living room, the sight that greeted me was unsettling.

Azara was perched on Liam's lap, feeding him strawberries with an intimate familiarity.

The scene was jarring, a stark contrast to the tension I had been feeling.

As soon as our eyes met, Azara's gaze locked with mine.

We held eye contact for a few seconds that felt much longer, a silent standoff filled with unspoken words.

Azara quickly composed herself, standing up and adjusting her posture as if to assert her space.

Liam looked confused but followed suit, shifting his position slightly.

"Good evening," Liam greeted, his voice carrying a note of warmth.

His smile was genuine, but I couldn't help but notice a hint of unease in his eyes as he tried to bridge the awkwardness.

I returned his smile, trying to mirror his friendliness.

As our eyes met, however, I found myself scrutinizing his expression more closely.

The smile that had been there began to wane, replaced by a shared understanding of discomfort.

"Stop staring at my boyfriend, creep," Azara interjected sharply, breaking the moment.

I blinked in surprise, feeling a sudden, soft yet painful impact on my forehead.

I realized that Azara had thrown a strawberry at me.

My initial reaction was one of disbelief, but as I looked at her, she averted her gaze quickly, avoiding any further confrontation.

"Aw, are you jealous now? She's not doing anything. Selos ka naman agad e." Liam said, trying to downplay the situation.

He reached out to embrace Azara, but she recoiled and pushed him away, her actions clearly demonstrating her irritation.

Azara threw a glance in my direction, but I chose to look away.

Their presence was uncomfortable, and I found myself wanting to distance myself from the scene.

I walked away, heading up the stairs with a sense of urgency.

Before I could reach the second floor, I glanced back over my shoulder, my gaze inadvertently meeting those piercing ocean-blue eyes once more.

The intensity of her stare added to my unease, making me question the unsettling reality of the situation.

I finally reached my room and closed the door behind me.

The day's events had left me feeling disoriented and emotionally drained.

I need to take a bath.

---

No one's POV

"I'm going to the bathroom, don't you dare follow me." Azara warned her boyfriend before she walked away and left Liam alone.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of brown eyes watched them from a distance, concealed behind the shadows.

Elowen had been observing their movements ever since Seyren arrived home.

"Liam... Liam... Liam," she whispered the name repeatedly, her voice soft and contemplative, like an angel calling out to a fellow celestial being.

From her hidden vantage point behind a wall, Elowen watched her sister ascend the stairs to the second floor.

Her gaze lingered on Azara for a moment, then shifted back to the young man left alone in the living room.

"Who really are you, Liam?" Elowen mumbled, having her suspicion.

It was clear that Liam was uneasy being by himself.

His eyes darted around the room nervously, constantly glancing toward the stairs as if expecting someone to come down at any moment.

Feeling the tension, Liam stood up and moved hesitantly toward the staircase, his steps tentative.

He seemed to be debating whether to go up or stay put.

After a moment of indecision, he decided to remain in his seat, though his restlessness was palpable.

Several minutes passed, feeling like an eternity to both Liam and Elowen, before Seyren finally reappeared.

She was dressed in a fitted shirt and black sweatpants, her usual choice of pajamas.

The outfit accentuated her small waist, broad chest, muscular arms, and broad shoulders.

Her wet, tousled hair added to her appeal, making her look even more attractive.

The young maids couldn't help but steal glances at her as she walked by, their admiration evident in their eyes.

What puzzled Elowen, however, was the way Seyren walked with a slight limp, holding her waist as she moved.

It was unusual and immediately caught her attention.

As Seyren passed by the doorway to the dining room, her eyes met Elowen's.

There was a moment of silent communication between the siblings, a mix of concern and curiosity in their gaze.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Seyren asked her sister, her voice tinged with mild surprise.

"Nothing much. Why do you look like you're struggling to walk?" Elowen inquired, noticing the discomfort in her gait and the way she favored her side.

Seyren smiled, though it was a shy, embarrassed smile.

"I slipped in the bathroom," she explained, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Elowen chuckled softly at her younger sibling's explanation, her eyes catching the sight of her reddened elbow.

The bruising confirmed her story, making her laugh a little more genuine.

"Put some ice on your elbow," Elowen advised, her tone caring yet slightly amused.

Seyren nodded appreciatively and headed straight to the kitchen to follow her advice.

Elowen turned her attention back to the living room, where Liam still sat.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Azara descending the stairs.

Azara had changed her clothes and removed all her makeup, presenting a rare, bare-faced look.

"She took off her makeup? Is she that comfortable with Liam now?" Elowen thought incredulously.

She knew her sister well.

Azara was meticulous about her appearance and never showed her bare face to anyone, not even to her closest friends.

It was shocking to see her sister without any makeup on, and it raised questions in Elowen's mind about the depth of Azara's relationship with Liam.

Azara's behavior seemed to signal a level of trust and intimacy that was unusual for her.

Azara returned to Liam's side. Without a hint of shame, she sat on his lap and began to kiss him aggressively.

They shared a heated make-out session that Elowen couldn't bear to watch.

She left the living room and went to the kitchen, where she found Seyren staring silently into space while sipping her favorite drink.

"Let me do that," Elowen volunteered, approaching her younger sister and gently applying ice to Seyren's bruised elbow.

"You're so clumsy, and still so innocent. Are you sure you were really a police officer once?" Elowen teased.

"Of course. You even saw me patrolling at night before" Seyren pouted and nodded.

Elowen gazed into Seyren's eyes, scrutinizing them.

"I love your charcoal eyes."

"Why? Because it's hollow like a void?"