The Hunter and the Prey part 3

Several months have passed, and the first semester of the school year has ended.

Some students have stayed at home, and some went to galavant locally or abroad.

All in all, the exhausted young people could now rest and wreak havoc.

One of them is Eve.

She had flown to Saarthal for an important matter.

And now, she is currently in the parking lot being stopped by a familiar person.

" Sister-in-law!" Morienne eagerly called.

Judas, together with the bodyguards her uncle had sent to fetch her, had already taken a defensive stance. They are ready to deal with a stranger if he poses any threat.

On the other hand, Eve surveyed everyone and verified that they were all men, so where is his sister-in-law?

" Sister-in-law!!" Seeing the lack of response, Morienne called anew. The bright smile on his lips started to crumble.

Eve followed his twinkling gaze and looked behind her.

A bodyguard with softer features is squinting back at Morienne.

[ Oh. ] Eve smiled, nodded as if understanding something.

After sensing the smell of unwarranted gossip, the gossipmonger furball also squeaked in. Together they peered over the clueless man.

Eve: Should I call you Missta?

Halfsie: Why are you geh?

The bodyguard felt his soul tremble by a fiery gaze. He glimpsed at the young lady and saw the burning gossip in her eyes. Coupled with her glancing to and fro his cast and the stranger's figure and the ambiguous smile on her lips, he trembled even more.

Damn! I have been a lifelong man with a wife and kids, alright!

Please spare me, young lady!

" Sister-in-law Eve!" Helpless and almost desperate, Morienne could only address her wholly.

Eve ultimately looked at him.

She doesn't recall ever marrying someone, nor, meeting Morienne's brother.

Merely receiving a scrutinizing gaze, Morienne chuckles nervously, anxious Eve still remembered the incident last time.

Recalling the punishment his nasty boss had bestowed made him shiver.

That place... he doesn't want to return to ever.

" Sis-in-law, I am Morienne, Xaphael's brother-in-arms." He smiled wryly, praying in his heart that Eve won't hold grudges. He is to blame for that matter but, she tossed him too, right? Besides, he's still having nightmares both of that day and the punishment he received. Hence, it should be called quits, okay??

" I remember you." Eve smiled, appearing particularly gentle, making him sigh in relief. However, her following words frightened him.

" You almost shot my face." Her voice, calm, as if tackling what she had for dinner.

Morienne started sweating buckets.

[ Fck! Fck!] He cursed in his mind as he swiftly covered the communication device hidden beneath his shirt.

[ I shouldn't have worn this shit!]

If the slave-driver hears her words, he might be sent to the black continent and breastfeed an entire village! The point is, he doesn't have the glands for that shit! If hell breaks loose, then he'd rather choose the latest punishment of pretending as a prostitute in the Hall of fille de Joie to spy, okay!

Morienne still remembers the beginning of his 88th chapter of misery.

After the banquet that day, Xaphael summoned him.

He assumed he was going to be reprimanded for missing the event. Can't blame him since he was lying still, paralyzed in the ancient forest, contemplating life. In addition, the conflicting emotions of fear and appreciation for the lass tormented him more than the mosquitoes that feasted on him that night.

He was terrified but, he found such action refreshing. He thought he had gotten crazy.

Still, how could he ever perceive that his big boss had already learned of the matter?

The worst is, he was the one to elucidate the details.

Well, he can't be criticized for spilling the beans.

That silent torture and fiendish atmosphere as Xaphael glared at him still makes him shiver until this day!

Nevertheless, he, for the love of everything good, sane, and holy, has never revealed he nearly shot Eve's face!

Morienne is panicking as hell, but on the surface, he maintains his carefree appearance. Leaning on the nearby car to support his softened knees, he spoke,

" Heyyy, sis-in-law, what are you talking about? Don't say such a dangerous joke, okay? Hehe." Damn, he could feel his back soaked in sweat!

" Well, fortunately, your aim is off, merely hitting my ear." There was a faint smile on Eve's face as she recalled that day. She doesn't hold a grudge over it. After all, she had punished him at that time, and considering he's El's person, she decided to be benevolent.

Her words mortifed Morienne.

[ It's over.]

The heavy gloom shrouding Xaphael's car could be felt to his location.

He wanted to have one last dying struggle, but hearing Xaphael's dismal voice stopped him.

He could already see himself wearing the flimsy red cloth and hear the ugly bastards teasing him.

It makes him wanna cry every time.

***

Eve is inside the car sitting beside Xaphael.

She has not seen him for nearly half a year.

His wavy hair, which has gotten longer, is randomly thrown back, making him seem a little unruly.

The frost in his eyes has gotten worse but is mixed with the vicissitudes of life.

According to Halfsie, the villain has his serving of tribulation, overcoming them through hell and high water. No wonder the wickedness in those orbs has gotten more substantial.

He has also gotten leaner but, in actuality, gotten stronger physically.

She could tell because he just pulled her a while ago. He wanted her to sit on his lap, but naturally, she slipped like an eel and sat beside him for one reason- the seat is more comfortable.

So, all in all, Xaphael had gotten fiercer, stronger, and more charming.

In short, he is yummier. Eve brazenly surmised

Shame she could not sample a bite until he's officially an adult.

" Why didn't you tell me you'd come?" Xaphael's husky voice woke her up.

If not for his coolies reporting that Eve boarded a plane, he wouldn't have known. Fortunately, he can locate her.

He seems blasé, but his tone contained a little bit of grievance if one listens closely.

" But I came to see my maternal family."

Despite the temperature dropping the moment she uttered those words, she met his glare head-on, not afraid at all.

" You mean to say you wouldn't have come to me, is that it?" His voice got colder and, the glint in his eyes became more dangerous. It wasn't apparent because he appears lax, curling Eve's hair with his fingers.

It's silky and soft, like a cat's mane.

After twirling a wisp of Eve's hair, Xaphael glanced at her, waiting for her reply.

[ If you answered the wrong way, maybe I'll punish your little butt.] Remembering that fateful night, he couldn't help but rub his fingers together as if reminiscing the feeling. He lowered his eyes, hiding the darkening mist within.

" Of course, I will," Eve responded, oblivious to the danger her derriere was about to face.

She will eventually come to him but, he isn't the chief purpose of her trip.

In summary, he is merely a side quest this time.

Fortunately, the villain couldn't hear her thoughts.

Xaphael, quite relieved by her answer, took Eve's hand and played with her fingertips.

They are soft and ruddy-making him pinch over and over as if discovering a new toy.

Then he asked without lifting his head,

" Don't you have anything to say after not seeing me for so long?"

[ like, you missed me?]

A husky voice filled the vehicle. Regrettably, Eve has gotten immunized by it.

Eve: huh? ...No? They just chatted a week ago?

Since the night he acted like a flower thief, Xaphael regularly calls her at least once a week.

For the things they talk about, well, nothing much really.

Merely asking how she was, what has she been doing, and the like.

As if he isn't already aware of her daily routine.

Though some time ago, he asked of something peculiar-he questioned her about Sarien.

She couldn't grasp why he inquired who is Sarien to her. Nonetheless, after telling him Sarien is Sarien to her, he didn't ask again.

Xaphael has gotten a report regarding a particular person who lurked beside Eve.

Based on the first investigation result about Eve when he accidentally abducted her, he learned that Sarien Lu is the person she saved earlier. Following that, he didn't look more.

If not for his men watching over Eve's itinerary, he wouldn't have guessed that that very same person has never lost contact with Eve.

What's worse is that he is showing signs of pursuing her.

Just considering that someone coveting Eve has been clinging to her profoundly irritated him.

He wanted to take him out immediately but, he won't move him for now.

[ Heh, lucky bastard.]

A nefarious light flitted his eyes.

He has been busy dealing with his uncle that he had no time to deal with that man yet. Had it not been the case, he could have visited Eve during the past months and dealt with Sarien.

He'll just use Sarien's presence as a way to ward off other flies.

Might as well utilize him to the fullest before discarding him.

For these evil intentions, both Eve and Sarien didn't know.

Failing to hear her reply, he glanced at her and asked,

" Why won't you answer and just admit it? Honestly, the feeling is mutual." He smiled, reached out, and caressed her cold cheek, trying to warm her with his palm.

He's rather curious why she is cold all over but, her inner thighs felt so warm.

Recognizing his immoral thoughts, Xaphael took his hand back, covered his mouth, and coughed.

Damn, he's gone corrupted, huh.

Eve watched Xaphael, ever clueless regarding what the hell he is talking about?

Admit what?

And he said the feeling is mutual?

What feeling?

Because right now, she feels like rolling in bed to sleep. Despite flying first class, it was still not any better than her bed, alright.

" Okay. I admit it. I am dying to roll in the sheets right now." Eve gazed at Xaphael, trying to convey her innermost yearning.

Her body's gone numb, flying for more than half a day and now thirsting the caress of a soft bed. However, she is now stuck in a car, parked in a lot, having an interview(?) with the villain.

She's dying to stretch her limbs while lying down, but it's kind of rude to do so at the moment.

Not to mention, the environment doesn't permit it.

In any case, since he'd already fetched her, staying at Helios Castle seems the way to go. She already told the bodyguards to give the word to her uncle.

" Ahem!." A certain someone hid his embarrassment with an awkward cough.

[ Damn, this girl has always been direct.] He looked away, trying to hide his burning cheeks.

Unfortunately, it displayed his dripping red ears to a curious soul.

[ !!! ] Sensing a soft and chilly touch, rubbing his earlobe made his bones crisp, electrifying him.

" Eve!" Xaphael hurriedly took her naughty paw and locked it with his. He felt overwhelmed and agitated. Hell, this is like his birthday moment all over again, he mused.

" El, your ear is so red and hot. Is it inflamed? Are you infected or something?"

The sincere appearance made Xaphael condemn his wretchedness.

" Don't talk nonsense. Behave." He retained his calm and asked his chauffeur to start driving. However, he refused to let go of the soft hand enclosed within his.

***

MINI THEATRE

That evening, Lucian, who had been waiting for Eve eagerly, hugged her before she could board off the car.

Lucian: Oh my dear Linlin, Undad missed you a bunch. You don't know that your wicked cousins have bullied your Undad terribly. Bla bla blah blah

Lucian: Linlin, why won't you talk?

Lucian: Wow Linlin, you've gotten so tall..... and muscular? Are you taking steroids?

Bodyguard: *Ahem. My lord, the young lady said she'll play with Lord Stone first.

Lucian: That damn Stone!!!!!