Chapter 12

ENCHANTED'S POV:

"Your place or mine?" The man asked beside me while he was driving. We just finished our investigation today and we just have to combine all the data and evidence to find the real culprit.

I look at him and rolled my eyes.  "I am not cheap so we are going to my house instead," I answered boringly and crossed my arms.

He twitched his lips and looked at me in disgust. "I am not that kind of guy, I still respect women especially my mother. I may look carefree and dumb but I am more than that, Enchanted." He mumbled calmly and looked back at the road.

I don't know what to say to this since I am not really good with people. I am harsh, straightforward, and not friendly since I grew up with trust issues but I managed to trust my foster parents since they really earn for it.

I bite my lip guiltily. "Sorry," I mumbled and look at the window.

I heard him chuckled. "It's okay, just remember that not all people were the same. Some may be bad but some aren't, you shouldn't generalize everything." He stated which made me frown.

"I know but trusting other people isn't easy. Some of them were snakes and will be going to bite you once you lower your guard down." I mumbled unconsciously.

"I understand. In this world, you can meet with people who are genuine but they are just a few of them since the world needs its balance. Not all people are there when you need them so it's better not to depend on others if you don't wanna disappoint yourself." He responds calmly and I smirk because of it.

I thought this guy was just a dumb, lazy ass and a goofy person who doesn't care about others but every day that I am with him, I learn a lot and it makes me amused to him. You will never realize that he was a softball with so much wisdom in his pocket if you didn't spend time with him every day. Well, too bad because I get to experience this even though we are always arguing.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Where's your address anyway?" He suddenly asks and I frown again because of it.

"I was living in ZAEH compound," I answered and I saw how he stiffened. He gulped but nodded anyway. What happened to him?

I just shrugged at that but I can't stop myself from glancing at him from time to time because I'm not used to him being quiet.  What is the problem with our compound?

We stop at the big red gate and I was amazed since he really knows the address. After all, this place is famous for a whole bunch of Everhart's families.

The door suddenly opened and a guard went out. He walked near the window and when Light opened it, the guy looks shocked at first before running back inside. I was furrowing my eyebrows because of this but I didn't say anything.

After a few minutes, the gate opened widely and when I look at the direction of Light, his face was just emotionless. This is another side of him that I just discovered again.

We drove silently on the never-ending road since the center of this compound is too far from the gate. In short, if you will just going to walk this road, it's fucking hell and you will arrive there while panting like a maniac.

When we reach the fountain in between the houses, he suddenly stops and motions me to go out without even glancing in my direction. Now this already weird but I still got out of his car.

"Where's your house?" He asked calmly while looking at a specific house. It was a house of the most wealthy family among all the Everhart.

I cleared my throat which made him look at me. "Come with me,"  I told him and he nodded as I turn my back from him.

I walked to the third mansion and entered there. I felt that he was also walking behind me so I did not look at him anymore.

"Good afternoon, young lady."  Nanny Mildred greeted me with a smile and immediately lost it as she turned her attention to my back. "Good afternoon to you, son." She greeted him with a calm but strange tone that I could not understand why and for what.

It's been this weird since earlier, why do they all seem so weird? Do they know Light?

"Good afternoon too." Light's polite response to her.

Nanny Mildred just smiled awkwardly to him before looking back at me. "Is your guest going to do anything with you, young lady?" She asked softly and I nodded my head. "All right, I'll just prepare you a snack and I'll bring it to the library." She stated to us.

Nanny Mildred and the two maids including me were the only people here in our house since momma and poppa were on the business trip. The others were busy in their own businesses that's why their houses were silent.

"Thank you." Light replied and nanny just nodded before leaving.

Although I was confused, I just didn't gave any attention to it and we just walked to the second floor where the library is.

I open the door and get inside. I look at him but he was just busy looking around while entering too so I just let him and sat down at my study table located at the center of the library.

This library isn't that big but it wasn't that small either and I like it that way. It has a six small sofa in every corner, a study table with four wooden chairs around it at the center, and the bookshelves were glued at the walls.

He looked at me and smiled before sitting down at the chair beside me. He picked up the papers we need, his MacBook along with his cellphone before placing his bag on the floor.

I did the same and open my MacBook too before looking at him. "Do you still remember the people we just asked earlier?" I asked and he nodded. "Do you remember their names?" I ask him again.

He nodded again and smiled.  "Yes, they were Adrian Salva, the victim's best friend. Anamae Cruz, Adrian's girlfriend. Lastly is Marvin Jose, the janitor who discovered the victim's body in its room." He answered calmly and I hummed to agree. This guy was good at interrogating them all and I already suspect someone but I can't say if I am right without analyzing his opinion too.

"So, what do you think about this whole situation?" I ask him and he looks at me with a serious expression.

"I know that you already knew the culprit and I am too." He stated instead of answering me and I just smirk at him. "When we ask them one by one privately, there's a hole in someone's story and I figured it out because of the time. According to Adrian, he was in a club around 7:00 PM in the evening when the victim died and some people witness this also. Anamae was in the club too with her friends and she saw Adrian entered that club at 7:00 PM also but she did not see him after that which Adrian stated that he was just in the comfort room that's why Anamae didn't saw him. Marvin Jose stated that a guy wearing a black mask, black cap, black hoodie, and black pants was walking away from the victim's room. The culprit did not see him since he was in a different direction while the guy was obviously in a hurry drifting into the other side also. When the guy was out of his vision, Marvin entered the victim's room and saw his bloody body and he immediately calls for help." He stated and I nod in amazement. Should I expect more from this guy?

"So, what's your conclusion?" I ask and look at him with amusement.

"Well, according to my research, Anamae has an affair with the victim and maybe this guy knew about them and was furious about the whole situation. Jealousy is lethal and because of this, it was dangerous since this Adrian guy was a member of a  notorious gang and who knows if he was also using some drugs. Also, I conclude that there was a heated argument between the two before he killed the victim because of what the victim's room looks like after Marvin saw the body, it was complete chaos  According to the autopsy too that the victim's head was broken at the back and I could say that he was being hit to something which I conclude that it was the glass table in his living room since it was a field with blood when I saw the police pictures. So, it was Adrian Salva for me. Maybe he did go to the club at 7 p.m. but he didn't stay there, instead, he went to the victim's room and he killed him. To avoid suspicion, he changes his clothes and goes back to the club as washing happened." He answered with a serious tone and I couldn't hide my grin because of this

"Then?" I ask him to continue which he gladly did.

"There are no fingerprints since he uses gloves to do the crime and the CCTV cannot distinguish him due to his clothing." He answered calmly and sighed.

I clap my hands and smirk at him. "Wow, I was amazed that you knew the right culprit and you even remembered their statements. You are not a dumb after all, I could say." I told him and he just frowns.

"I'm not dumb, just lazy." He mumbled and was about to laugh when the door suddenly opened and nanny Mildred entered with a smile. She was holding a tray with two orange juice and a sandwich which I assume that it was for me but I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw her putting the same juice but with lasagna to Light.

She put my food in front of me and smiled at us. "Eat up, children. I'm leaving." She said calmly and I just nodded at her before she came out.

I look at her retreating back before looking at Light who was now eating happily with the Lasagna and it seems that he notices my gaze so he looks at me questioningly.

"Did you knew each other?" I ask loudly which made him quiet for a few seconds before smiling at me.

"No, this is just my first time coming here." He answered calmly before continuing his eating session but I can't help it.

"Then why did the guard look so shocked seeing you? Even nanny Mildred became different, she even gave you Lasagna that was out from today's menu. Tell me, what is the meaning of that?" I ask curiously.

He chuckled. "Maybe they are just shocked because they saw my handsome face or they saw you, knowing that you are scary sometimes. About the lasagna, maybe because I was a visitor and they pick this food because it was good." He answered boringly without looking at me and he seems to enjoy the food.

I wasn't convinced but I know that I can't gain an answer from him. He maybe was a carefree man but I know also that there is somewhat hidden behind those innocent smiles and personality.

SOMEONE'S POV:

I looked at the big secluded building in this area surrounded by many trees with no neighbors at all. This place was build at the top of the secret and private mountain with big and high gates. The security was tight too and no one can trespass here except if that person wants to die.

I sighed and slowly walked inside wearing an emotionless face. All of them were looking at my direction with shocked, amused, and confusion. I can't blame them, I haven't really come back here for a long time.  Who wants to go back to the place where the traitors live?

I took the elevator and hit the top floor. When I arrived and the door opens, I immediately step out and turn left where the conference room is located.

I immediately opened the door when I arrived and all of them stop on their tracks. They looked at me with wide eyes except for one person. Of course, she will not be surprised anymore because she has always followed me since I left here.

"Good morning everyone, I am here to take my position now," I told them coldly.

They immediately out of their trance and bowed at me.

"Good morning, emperor." They all greeted me.  Some were shaking while others were just calm while mentioning the greetings but I immediately turned my attention to someone.

I smiled sweetly at her but my eyes say otherwise. "Wouldn't you even greet your nephew, aunt?" I asked mockingly.

She scoffed. "Why would I? You don't deserve it." She spat at me.

"Alena! Don't talk to him like that!" Tito Alfred scolded him angrily. I could say that Tito Alfred was a good man. I am investigating them all but I did not find anything wrong with him.

She snapped her head onto him and smiled sarcastically. "Why? Isn't that right? We should be the ones in charge of this place. Not that kid!" He replied to Tito while his hand was still pointing in my direction.

"Alena, he is the child of our sister and her husband. If anyone should inherit this place, it is him." My other aunt, Aunt Merlin, calmly stated. She is a calm woman but good at fighting especially in combat, or guns.

She was one of those who taught me when I was a child and I did not find anything wrong with her. She always supports me except for the woman who is irritated now and also my Tito Wilman.

"Alena, just leave that child alone. If something bad happens here in the Empire, we will not be blamed." He mumbled calmly but I can still feel the bitterness in its tone.

She looked in the direction of Uncle Wilman. "Are you out of your mind!? I can't give it to him especially now that I know his deep secret." She responded to what the person said and smiled at me.

I just rolled my eyes and looked at the other members of the council. This empire was split into four categories. First in the list were the Emperor and Empress who ruled the entire organization or empire.

Second were the members of the council who were judging or helping to provide the ideas that would be needed for the goodness of the organization.

The third was the elite Army which consists of the reapers, technology geeks, and many more who are good in combat, swords, computers, chemistry, and so on. In short, they are the ones who were being thrown if there is an operation or even mission.

Lastly or the fourth were the underlings, simple members, newcomers, and trackers.

I just shrugged my shoulder and looked at her boringly.  "Of course, I knew that you already figured it out since I killed that girl last time. She told me everything, dearest auntie. Don't worry about it anymore." I mumbled. She gritted her teeth and closed both of her fists while looking at me with a deadly glared.

"How dare you!?" She shouted at me angrily.

"I did that to stop you from interfering between my life and my son. Yes, I already had a son, and all of you don't have the right to touch him." I stated coldly which made some of them flinch and shocked including Tito Alfred and Tita Merlin. I didn't tell them also because I don't want them to be in danger especially now that my enemies were not one but four people already.

"You have a son? But how did it happen? Who is your wife?"  Uncle Alfred asked in shock.

I shook my head. "I can't tell you, I'm sorry but maybe it's better if you will just know it at the right time," I answer calmly to him.  They both just nodded and smiled at me.

I smirked. "By the way, don't ever try to be in my son's sleeves because I am telling you now. If I am a devil, my son was worst than that. Be careful in dealing with him, you will never know what things he can do to you without you noticing it." I told all of them especially those two and the other people who have the tendency to fired back at me.

"I will make sure that this place will be in your hands no matter what." Tita Alena said in a firm voice.

I chuckled and got serious afterward. "Well, think again and it's your choice. After all, I will not get shocked anymore if some of you will come out as a traitor. I am already used to it anyway since this is not the first time in this family and in this empire that someone close here betrays his own flesh and blood." I stated and turned my back but I felt that someone was about to attack me so I gracefully put my two hands at my pockets and swiftly turned one of my legs in the air and kick the attacker.

"P'Wilman!" Aunt Alena's eyes widened as she looked at her brother.

He groaned when he fell on the table and I just looked at him boringly while my leg was still on the air. Tita quickly approached her brother worriedly.

"Wilman! What do you think you are doing!?" Aunt Merlin shouted angrily. This is the first time that I saw her became angry like this. I slowly drop my leg and looked at them calmly.

"Don't blame our brother, P'. This is not his fault but that kid is."  Aunt Alena retorted angrily.

"Oh, shut up already, Alena. Don't provoke me too." Tita Merlin scowled back in a dangerous and serious tone which made her quiet.

Tito Alfred was furious too but when he looked at me, his face softened.

"I'm sorry about this. I will fix this mess for you." He apologizes but I just shook my head.

"You shouldn't say sorry because I am not blaming you but thanks for the both of you, I appreciate this. By the way, I will be going to visit here from now on every Friday in a week depends on my schedule." I mumbled softly and he just smiled in return. I smiled a little also before turning away and leaving them there.

When I step my foot outside, I glance once again at the building before picking up my phone and typing a message to them.

To: Everyone

Our operations will continue again this time.  Prepare yourselves.

After I send that message, I immediately put it back in my pocket and leave the place.