The Counterpart

Eve opened her eyes to a white ceiling over her head and was inwardly amused that she retained her unique perk of teleportation. Then reality dawned on her when she recalled the kidnapping incident.

[ Where?]

The last memory she had was crouching in the vehicle and waiting for the right moment to escape. Alas, the soft and fragrant comforter and the silent journey seduced her back to slumber. The battle between survival and sleep lasted for a petty ten minutes in which Eve left everything to fate as long as she gets her fxckng rest.

[ If I die, I die.] But she knew she would not in any case.

With that silly resolve, she naps her wearies away.

Eve cast a swift glance around her surrounding. She's in a small bedroom with a high-class interior design. Her paws sampled the texture beneath her and graded the mattress as 9/10 softness attribute.

[Not bad. Their shady business must be thriving to provide such luxury.]

The velvety feeling against her skin reminded Eve of her comfy bed that she unconsciously flips her limbs burying herself deeper within the ink-coloured blanket.

( Host! You finally woke up!) An eager furball filled her mind.

( What happened?) She languidly inquired.

( Host, you've been asleep for five hours and reached two countries while at it.) Halfsie secretly criticized its host. While on the verge of an uncertain, precarious situation, she has the gall to doze off. It has been roaring in her consciousness non-stop. Halfsie thought the amount of summoning calls it growled eclipsed all its ordinary effort in communicating with the host. Nonetheless, it finally rested its over-exhausted throat the moment it detected that person's position. Its trepidation turns into surprise as it knew the host has been thirsting to meet him then out of the blue, he appears.

[ I'm on a plane then, huh.] Eve yawned. She's still drowsy as hell, but her hunger woke her up.

( Host you won't believe it! He's here! The person you're looking for!)

The pleasant surprise electrified Eve. She was about to crucify Halfsie to spill more beans, but the door suddenly opened.

" Awake?" A low husky voice seized Eve's focus.

A pair of glittering azure orbs met a pair of frosty grey ones.

[ Whoa. The legendary can-make-ears-pregnant voice quality. To think that trait is bestowed to the villain. ]

The discovery made Eve ponder further if the young man in front of her has completed his puberty phase. If ever he has not, doesn't that mean his voice will still deepen more? She's pretty confident at that point not only will he be able to make ears gravid, but he'll also induce them to go "kaboom!" on the spot.

[ I think the internet has ruined me.] A fleeting idea passed as she resumed cross-examining the fine piece of specimen leaning against the entryway.

Her gaze traveled upwards, leaving his pair of long legs then stayed longer on his abdomen then further up to the man's broad shoulders. Eve's pornographic memory has rendered her an ability to see beyond his expensive attire. She nodded in appreciation of the villain's first-class genes. No doubt that perfect physical characteristics were given to antagonists as compensation for their nasty underdeveloped morality.

Then Eve's ogling lamps landed on his face.

[ 10/10 plus 1 for that strong evil charm.]

He has a pair of deep-seated eyes, sword eyebrows, a tall nose, thin lips, and well-defined jaws. Eve has no way of expressing his beautiful looks. She only knew that he meets all her prerequisites.

It took all his remaining self-control not to gouge her eyes out. She dares to gawk at him as if grading a piece of meat. If it weren't for her background, he would have killed her in a heartbeat. Thinking back to the moment he discovered the "gift" they sent him; he almost threw her out to rid him of such annoyance. Nevertheless, his current dangerous plight made him act with precaution and thus investigated her before deciding her end.

" You." A melodious sound filled the cabin.

" You look like a snack." Eve has an earnest expression as if nothing was wrong with what abomination she just uttered.

The hardly sustained reason he has painfully withhold almost crumbled. He scrutinized the little girl lying comfortably, flicking her limbs continuously as if making a snow angel. He speculates the possibility that she is mentally disabled. After all, who in their right mind will react to their kidnapping the way she does? Shouldn't kids be weeping their hearts out already, pleading to let them go and what not? She, however, was calm as still water and even had the audacity to lech over him. He has seen ridicule, dread, and apprehension cast on him but never such impertinent gaze. And a "snack" she says? How ridiculous. She is either mentally deficient, innocent as a white sheep, or simply crazy.

He let out a frustrated exhalation and occupied the seat near her.

[ It's better to lessen my enemies.] He reasoned when he recalled the absurd girl's family.

" Let's talk."

Eve sat up and resumed her regal young lady appearance. No way, she has to make a good impression.

" My name is Xaphael Stone."

[ I know. I've received everything about you the moment I laid my eyes on you.] Eve inwardly commented.

" My subordinates took you by mistake. Rest assured that I'll send you back home once we arrived in my domain. "

Xaphael examined Eve who radiates an aura of an immaculate virtuous lady. If she shuts her mouth and stopped talking non-sense, she does appear as a coddled young miss who's sheltered from the winds and storms.

" I am Eve."

" I know. You're the only princess of the Tang and Cross Family."

( Cross who?)

( Host, that's your maternal family.)

( Oh, why am I only hearing about this now?)

( Well, host, because you've never asked?) Halfsie is perplexed why the host is asking the obvious.

If it weren't for the wrong place and inappropriate time, Eve would have loved to enlighten the cheeky beast with a life-changing lesson.

( Are they powerful?)

( Yes, host.)

( Then why didn't they rescue Evangaline?)

( They can't, host because they were destroyed long before the vessel body lost everything.)

" Do you need anything? If not, I'll excuse myself." Xaphael beckoned her preoccupied mind.

Eve has been staring at him unblinkingly, and it was quite vexatious. Since he already cleared the misunderstanding, there wasn't any point in staying further. He braced himself as he prepared to stand and leave.

" There's one thing I want to ask of you."

" Speak."

" Sleep with me."

Xaphael's hands grasping the armchair almost slipped.

" Would you repeat that? It seems I heard something disturbing just now." His long years of maintaining a cold, indifferent exterior hid his confusion. Xaphael was sure he must have misheard her. If not, he is corrupted to the point he gave another meaning to her naive request.

" I said, you and me. Let's do it." Eve stated as decisive and straightforward as she could.

For a long time, she has been curious about what it felt like.

Observing those actors' expression of full bliss, it sparked her inquisitive spirit. However, she only desires to experience it with a person of her choice.

Eve thought that her partner should be deserving of her outstanding features and one-of-a-kind character. Hence, he must be handsome as hell, powerful, and has the same cute personality as her. However, who could perfectly fit her simple standards? She has pondered for a long time and had almost given up. But one day, she realised that the best person on the plane should be the hero. Even so, she doesn't want to use Sarien like that. He's already her faithful guardian and snack-provider. Then she recalled that in different narratives, usually, the antagonists have the best appearances. Thus, her sight shifted to the person standing on the hero's opposite side- the villain. Therefore, Eve tried interrogating Halfise of his location and identity but to no avail. She assumed it would take a long time to find him, but it seems providence has guided them together.

Xaphael roared after hearing her stupid request. A little girl dared to invite him to bed? How hilarious. He has never laughed like this for a long time. The kid's joke entertained him that he chose to humour her to see how amusing she could be.

" A kid like you spouts some ridiculous things. Are you sure you're a young miss and not a comedian?" He sat back down and cupped his chin, not missing any reaction on that pretty face.

" I'm not a kid."

" You're only fourteen."

" And you're sixteen. So what's the point?" Eve's almond eyes stared back at him without hesitation. She was refuting his words as if she's striving for her freedom.

( Host, he said you're a kid but he didn't know you're already over 32 years old.) Halfsie snickered watching its boss dupe a kid.

( Host, he's only sixteen. Is this what they mean by old cow mowing on a tender grass?)

[ Old cow?] Eve recalled her unending reincarnations and thought back to herself.

[ I think I should be considered a living relic.]

" How do you know my age?"

" Nevermind, don't you realize how dangerous your invitation was? If I were a predator, I would have pounced on you."

Xaphael knew well he is a sinful person, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a taboo.

" In ancient times, at this age, I could have been married."

" That's not the point." He kneaded his forehead and contemplated why he was arguing in the first place. Glancing back at Eve who seems clueless why he was reacting the way he is, he felt his non-existent "older-brother" cells miraculously activate.

" Look little girl, why do you want to do those adult things anyway?"

Maybe she genuinely is intellectually deficient leading her to think of such foolish things.

" For one, I'm genuinely curious."

" Kid, don't you know that curiosity killed the cat?"

" But don't you know that satisfaction brought it back?"

Xaphael almost choked with her answer. Was there such a follow-up? The girl must be desperate enough to spout rubbish.

[ Whatever, it's none of my business anyway.] He gave up and chose to let her do whatever she aspires to do.

" Should we begin?" Gibberish words continue to come out of her mouth.

" If you're that thirsty, should I call someone to serve you instead?"

She's done messed up and successfully pestered him.

" Okay. As long as you find the most handsome, most powerful, and most cunning man in this world, then I'd thank you." Contrary to his wishes, Eve even showcased a lovely smile of gratitude. Xaphael didn't know whether to be angry or laugh at her insolence.

In truth, Eve was wondering if he can find others matching her standards. Aware of Halfsie's ineptitude, there might be a chance of unsuccessfully detecting them. On the other hand, the villain may be acquainted with a fellow villain or buddies with them. If so, then there's a possibility to have more choices in the future. Then she'll only have to screen them out and choose the best of the best.

" You mean to say; you only wanted to be in a relationship with me because I am the most handsome, most powerful, and most cunning of them all?" He should feel flattered for the praise that is a perfect description of him, but why does he feel a little disappointed?

Eve was startled when she heard something off with his statement.

" Of course not!" Before Xaphael's ego can sigh in content, a life-changing revelation thunderstruck him.

" Rather than a relationship, I prefer the term one-night stand."

His bewildered expression elucidated how shocked he was to hear such unexpected words from the innocent-looking girl. Xaphael was flabbergasted unable to voice out any comment.

( Host, I don't think that will appeal to the younger generation of this plane.)

The popcorn eating furball kindly reminded when it saw the unfavourable situation.

( Is that so? Then I'll give it a try.)

" I mean, C*m and Go."

Her unfiltered words almost made him suffer a stroke. He started questioning himself if he was actually having auditory hallucinations. After all, how could a fourteen-year-old pampered young lady of a noble house say such distasteful words without changing her face?

Noticing Xaphael's unsightly expression, Eve determined she chose the wrong words.

( Host, maybe he prefers the courteous type?)

Desperate time calls for desperate measures. Eve eventually decided to give it a try and utter words she has learned from her three-month-long "studies".

" I delivered it wrong, let me reword that." She attempted to salvage the situation.

Xaphael felt he was given a chance to redeem his shattered view. His full attention was on Eve, determined to wash his ears off the offensive statements he hallucinated with.

Eve corrected her posture, swiftly combed the unruly hair to the back of her ear, and articulated with all earnestness.

" Good Sir, may we converse using our bodies underneath the sheets?"

Then she watched Xaphael went straight out the door.