Two Of Hearts

1.2 - The Devil

"So what were you doing with Mr Alvarez last night?" I directly asked once her family leave.

She turned her gaze towards me with a scowl and then, with a sudden and almost theatrical gesture, lifted her shirt and turned her back.

"You see this?" she said, pointing at the gauze pad on her back.

"This is what happened last night."

"Lucky for you," I said, trying to remain calm.

"the guy got his genital cut. Now, tell me, what were you doing in an unpaid room with him?" I asked with a nonchalant tone, fully aware that she was trying to elicit sympathy.

When she looked at me, I swiftly covered my eyes with the clipboard I was holding. Her hospital gown was still bunched up, leaving her body exposed.

"Boohoo," she said dismissively.

"You already got the answer, so now just leave."

"I won't leave until you've answered all of my questions. I'm doing my job, so please cooperate with me," I responded, my irritation growing.

"Urghh nakakainis!"

I heard her groan, and as I gradually removed my hands from my eyes, I saw her lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"I just wanted to have s*x with him, but I don't know what happened. I was in the bathroom doing my business when the killer arrived and did their job. When I came out, they just stabbed me and, voala! Here I am." I nodded in acknowledgment and wrote down her words.

"Did you recognize the killer?" I asked.

"Obviously not. I was backstabbed. How could I see them, i***t?" she retorted, and I chose to ignore her derogatory remark.

"What do you think their height was?"

"About 6'4 or 6'5. I don't know and I don't care."

"You should care because you're the one who brought that old man into that room," I said, continuing to write.

When I looked up, our eyes locked, and she raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed.

"So you're blaming me for his death?" she asked, her tone laced with defensiveness.

"Did I say that?" I mimicked her voice and raised my own eyebrow in response.

"Do you know Mr. Alvarez is 60 years old?" she asked, glaring at me.

"Obviously, I know. And that's not a big deal because I'm already in my 30s."

"FYI, you just turned 30," I corrected her.

I continued the interview for a few more minutes until we had covered everything. In the end, I kept writing on my clipboard.

"Congratulations, by the way," she said with heavy sarcasm.

"You've made my parents proud once again. What a perfect little daughter you are." Her tone was dripping with irony.

I chose not to react to her taunt, maintaining a professional demeanor.

"Thanks," I responded with a hint of philosophy in my tone.

"Thanks," I heard her mockingly echo.

She repeated it several times before letting out a final, disdainful "tsk."

I was about to voice my frustration, but before I could, a man abruptly entered the room.

Great, the good guy has arrived

---

No one's POV

"Azara, are you alright?" As Liam stepped into the room, his face was etched with concern.

His eyes scanned the space, looking for any sign of distress from Azara.

"Liam!" Azara's face lit up with relief and joy at the sight of him.

She adjusted her seating position, her movements reflecting her eagerness to greet him.

The warm smile she flashed him spoke volumes about how much she appreciated his presence.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she saw the bouquet he was holding.

"I'm okay," Azara said, her voice carrying a gentle, reassuring tone.

Her words were meant to comfort him, though her expression showed her genuine pleasure at the gesture.

Liam, visibly relieved, approached her with a soft smile.

"Thank God you're okay," he said, his voice filled with sincere concern.

"I brought you roses because I know you like them," he continued, his words tender and filled with affection.

He carefully placed the bouquet beside her, his gesture reflecting his thoughtfulness.

In the corner of the room, Seyren observed the interaction with a detached, almost resentful air.

Quietly, she muttered to herself.

"Actually, asters are her favorite flowers" before standing up to leave.

Her comment was an undercurrent of frustration, hinting at her awareness of details that seemed to be overlooked by others.

As Seyren made her way towards the exit, Azara's gaze followed her.

Her initial joy began to wane as she noticed him leaving.

The change in her demeanor was palpable; her face fell, and a look of confusion and worry replaced her earlier smile.

"You're leaving already? Are you done interviewing me?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of reluctance and anxiety.

The way she spoke suggested that she wasn't ready for the interaction to end and that she felt unsettled by her departure.

Seyren did not respond to her inquiry. Instead, she continued to walk out of the room, her silence amplifying the finality of her departure.

The lack of response only deepened Azara's sense of abandonment, and her previously bright expression was now shadowed by sadness.

She felt a lump form in her throat, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil she was experiencing.

Liam, noticing the shift in her mood, couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness himself. He turned to Azara with a sympathetic look and asked,

"Have you still not made up with her?" His question was gentle, reflecting his concern for the strained relationship between Azara and Seyren.

"I would never make it up with her," Azara replied with a tone of resolute finality.

Her words were spoken with a sense of firm conviction, indicating her unwillingness to reconcile despite the sadness it brought her.

"Nice wristwatch btw" she said, effortlessly changing the subject.

"Thank you, it's Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime" Liam smiled, unaware that he got distracted.

Outside the hospital, Seyren's demeanor was in stark contrast to the emotional tension inside.

As he stepped out into the fresh air, he encountered an elderly woman struggling with her shoelaces.

Her difficulty was evident, and Seyren's immediate reaction was one of compassion.

She approached her without hesitation, offering her assistance with a kind and gentle demeanor.

"Tulungan ko na po kayo" she said, kneeling down to assist her.

"Naku maraming salamat hija" It was as if a block of ice melted in the heart of the old woman because of what Seyren did.

"Wala po 'yon. Happy to help po"

The act of kindness she extended, though simple, resonated deeply within the old woman.

She had grown accustomed to the indifference of others, especially in a bustling city where people were often too preoccupied with their own lives to notice someone in need.

But Seyren's genuine concern and assistance were like a warm ray of sunshine piercing through the cold.

Even though she didn't know the girl, she managed to smile widely at her.

It was a smile that hadn't graced her face in a long time, one that came from a place of sincere gratitude.

Seyren's simple act of kindness had a profound impact, reminding the old woman that there were still good people in the world.

After helping the old woman, Seyren said her goodbyes.

She felt a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing she had made a difference in someone's life, no matter how small.

This act of kindness lingered in her thoughts as she made her way to the headquarters, where she worked.

Upon arriving at the headquarters, Seyren immediately immersed herself in her tasks.

The workday was long and demanding, but she found a strange sense of peace in the routine.

The hours passed quickly, and before she knew it, evening had arrived.

A peaceful night had come, but Seyren knew better than to assume all silence was tranquil.

For Seyren, however, her life was indeed peaceful.

The chaos of the outside world seemed distant, and she found solace in her own little bubble of serenity.

She finished her work and headed home, looking forward to a quiet evening.

"The headline news for tonight: A millionaire named Jerome Alvarez was found dead at the Okada Manila Hotel at 3 AM. According to the investigation, he was attacked at 9 PM and also became a victim along with model and actress Azara Cameron, who sustained two stab wounds in the back. The crime is currently being investigated due to its gruesome nature. It was remembered that Jerome Alvarez announced on April 15 that he was a confirmed Satanist." The reporter's voice echoed throughout the room while Seyren ate quietly at home.

"Satanism? What's that bullshit?" Seyren whispered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief.

"People nowadays don't know how to respect god anymore." She mumbled.

She couldn't comprehend why anyone would get involved in something so dark and destructive.

She continued eating, trying to push the disturbing news out of her mind.

In an unexpected turn, the same news was unfolding for Azara.

In her hospital room, her eyes were glued to the television, taking in every word the reporter said.

Her family was with her, providing support and company as they ate and talked.

"There's a religion called Satanism now?" Elliot said, seemingly displeased with what he was hearing on TV.

His face was etched with concern, unable to fathom how such a belief could exist.

"Dad, there are a lot of religions now," Elowen said with a laugh while continuing to eat dinner.

She found the situation somewhat absurd, the idea of Satanism as a religion bewildering her.

"With so many, they no longer know who the true god is," Azara whispered to herself, her mind drifting to the complexities of faith and belief in the modern world.

"By the way, I received a text from Seyren. She said she has been assigned to be Azara's guard, so once she's out of the hospital, Seyren will move back into your mansion," their mother announced.

The news was met with mixed reactions.

The reaction from her eldest daughter was one of annoyance and anger.

"Does she really have to live with us? I can hire plenty of bodyguards, right?" Azara commented, frustration evident in her voice.

"It's necessary, and no, you can't hire a bodyguard. Your father and I will find one for you. But it's better if your adopted sibling is with you. You can trust her more than any bodyguards you might hire," their mother replied, her tone firm yet understanding.

"It's fine with me. It's boring at home with just Ate Azara," Elowen said excitedly, smiling widely.

She was looking forward to Seyren's presence, hoping it would bring some liveliness to their home.

"Urgh, I really hate being the center of attention with issues like this," Azara said, her irritation growing.

She didn't like the idea of her personal life being scrutinized, especially under such circumstances.

"Well, you are the center of attention now. Do me a favor, Azara. Be nice to your little sister," their father said, almost pleading.

His concern for their family dynamic was palpable, hoping for harmony among his children.

"She's not my little sister. I don't even think we should consider her a girl since she has that man's private part under her pants," Azara commented harshly.

Elowen stifled her laughter, knowing the tension that would follow.

"She's still a girl, Azara, and I adopted her, so she is your sister. She's nice, Azara. If only you weren't so rude and hostile to her, you might be closer than you expect," Elliot replied, his eyes showing concern about the situation of his three children living in one house without their parents.

"Yeah, sure, whatever." Azara rolled her eyes and continued eating, dismissing the conversation.

The night passed peacefully, with the moon casting a serene glow over the quiet city.

The next morning, Seyren woke up early, feeling a sense of urgency.

She had been summoned to work earlier than usual because their lead detective needed her assistance.

Arriving at the closed hotel, Seyren could feel the weight of the previous night's events hanging in the air.

The lobby was eerily silent, with only the faint hum of air conditioning breaking the stillness.

As she stepped inside, she immediately noticed Skyler, the lead detective, standing motionless in the main lobby, her eyes fixed on the mini stage.

"Uhm, Detective Sky," Seyren called softly, trying not to startle her. The call drew Skyler's attention, and she turned her cold, focused gaze towards Seyren.

"Nandito kana pala.' Skyler acknowledged, her voice devoid of warmth.

She then turned back to the stage, her eyes narrowing as if piecing together a complex puzzle.

"What are you looking at?" Seyren asked, her curiosity piqued.

She followed Skyler's line of sight to the stage, wondering what had captivated the detective's attention so completely.

"Didn't the victim die during Cameron's performance?" Skyler stated more than asked. Seyren nodded, remembering the chaotic scene from the night before.

"Because everyone was busy watching the performance, the killer managed to do what he wanted. There were no people around that night because everyone was focused on the performance. In my opinion, all of this was planned, and Jerome Alvarez was deliberately invited here to be killed," Skyler explained, her voice steady and analytical.

Seyren could only nod in agreement, understanding the detective's perspective.

Skyler's demeanor was intense and unwavering.

She was known for her sharp mind and meticulous approach to solving crimes, qualities that Seyren deeply admired.

Seyren's eyes drifted to what Skyler was carrying, noticing a small, clear zip bag.

"What are you carrying?" Seyren asked, her curiosity deepening.

"This?" Skyler lifted the zip bag slightly.

"I found the other missing fingers of the victim. Where did I find them? In another corner of this hotel that has a saint statue." she explained, her voice calm despite the gruesome discovery.

Seyren felt a chill run down her spine.

The methodical and almost ritualistic nature of the crime was unsettling.

"Scratch the killer; let's call him a psychopath or devil," Skyler added, her tone cold and detached.