Locked Away

. . .

In this world of balance, the evil grows by feeding on the weak. Zeirenne has been well aware of the fact that good people have more to lose than the wicked. The most painful battle heroes have to face always revolve around the people they want to protect the most being put into wager.

Most villains protect no one, not even themselves. But somehow, Miura Takumi was different. He was intelligent but spontaneous—which makes him a tough enemy for everyone. But she knew better. Deep inside her mind, she knew exactly what his weakness was. Even sacrificing her arm just confirm her theories, it was worth the risk because now she knows where she to strike...

"They already found the lady, Miura-dono."

Miura Takumi gritted his teeth before facing Willy with a scowl, "When did you learn how to interrupt me in my business, Willy?" He averted his gun's focus, aiming directly towards Willy's head.

"I have to apologize, Miura-dono but I think you have to see this," Willy stood still, waiting for Miura Takumi's signal. With a flick of a hand from his master, he stepped forward to present a footage.

As if Zeirenne was no longer existent, he played the video without even minding her. Or the fact that she was bleeding.

He averted his gaze on the video and a girl was seen fighting a group of six men. She moved in a swift and silent motion as if she was one with the wind. Miura Takumi found this amusing with his lips arched in a nefarious smirk. He watched the girl as she nonchalantly walked towards a car—not even sweating a bit after the pursuit.

Willy stepped forward, saying, "There's nothing much in the following ten minutes."

Miura Takumi handed him the tablet. He tapped on the screen at an exact time before handing it back for his master's convenience. Miura Takumi started watching again and this time, he watched a familiar face walking towards the car.

"Mr. Argenti," he muttered as if Andrei could hear him from the screen, "Long time no see."

Zeirenne only raised her brows. The clip played and he (as well as she) listened in on the two's small talks.

"Did I make you wait long?" Andrei said to which the girl responded, "No, it's alright. I had enough time to rest, Babe."

Zeirenne had to bite her lips to stop an impending laughter and she cleared her throat and expression just in time. When Miura Takumi brought his gaze up to check her reaction, she was already keeping a straight face.

When the car zoomed away from the camera, Miura Takumi handed the tablet back to Willy, his eyes still focused on Zeirenne. He crossed his legs before slouching his whole body's weight on the back rest. Still shooting daggers towards Zeirenne, he asked a question that was obviously not meant for her, "What can you say about that clip, Willy?"

"It seems to me that Mr. Argenti is oblivious of the fact the this girlfriend of his is actually a trained fighter. If it's not much to think, then we can guess how she lured Mr. Argenti into her trap just to infiltrate our organization. From this short clip alone, it is safe to assume that this is the girl you're looking for Miura-dono," he answered with half of his body bowing down.

Zeirenne had to sit there mentally face-palming herself, thinking, "They're really having a conference in front of me? It's either they think I'm dumb or they already set their minds on killing me, determined to let me take this knowledge to my grave. I hope it's the second thought or I won't sit still."

"Hmmm," Miura Takumi had to ponder on this finding. He felt Mr. Argenti's aura and knew it was not from someone ordinary. Just from the confidence he exudes, Miura Takumi already guessed he might have been playing dumb—just like the girl sitting in front on him right now. But the video he watched surely hit differently this time. The conversation he heard didn't seem like an act. If it was, he'd praise the scriptwriter more than the actors.

"We have analyzed the voice clippings from the Annual Doomsday Gala. This woman's voice fit perfectly with Mr. Argenti's date."

Miura Takumi started tapping his seat as if he was deep in thought. His gaze however, was still focused on Zeirenne. "Voices can be easily impersonated nowadays, Willy. Just a week would be enough time to practice her vocal chords. Don't you think so, Miss Lin?"

Zeirenne simply shrugged her shoulders. She had her face straight while cupping her left arm to stop the bleeding.

"If that's all the proof you can give me then piss off. Or I'll blow your head instead."

"There's actually more, Miura-dono," Willy refuted, "The way she fought with all those men on that dark ally showed her absolute proficiency in fighting. I'm sure she was trained for years. I had all our top executives review the clip and they all said this lady moved just like the one you're looking for."

Miura Takumi raised his eyebrows before fixing himself on the couch.

"If that's true... then I'll have to apologize Miss Lin," he said unapologetically, "But I won't be able to let you walk out of this room now that you've heard our secret agendas." He beckoned one of his burly men over, "Lock her inside the room in front of mine."

"Right away, Miura-dono."

This burly dude then grabbed Zeirenne by the arm—the injured one. As rude as it could get, he dragged her up with his grasp tightening on her wounds. Zeirenne however, didn't even flinch from the pain, thinking, "Hmp. I'm never gonna give you the pleasure of seeing me in pain. You wish!"

With that, Zeirenne was taken out of the room. Miura Takumi then snapped his fingers, "Willy, call someone to fix that stupid wound. There's no way I'll let her die easily."

. . .