S2 Chapter 43 : Negative

The Ace And the Four Kings

Xyrine Jean's POV

"Spade?" I whispered in disbelief.

"I think I'm a bit more handsome than him," he smirked.

I rubbed my eyes and stared at him more intently. "Jacob?"

"Bingo." He grinned again, and all I could do was return a faint, bitter smile.

Spade had saved me from situations like this countless times before. Maybe I had gotten too used to it.

What are you thinking, Xyrine? Wake up.

I pushed away the heavy feeling in my chest and snapped back to reality. "I think there are more than fifty of them," I stated.

"Don't worry, I'm not the only one here."

What does he mean?

"You brought the Black Brothers? Does he know about thi—"

BOOM!

I froze as the wall near the entrance exploded, sending debris flying in all directions. Through the thick dust and smoke, four silhouettes emerged.

Wait... those stances look familiar.

"Hold on, don't tell me..." I trailed off, wide-eyed.

"Yes, I brought your friends with me," Jacob confirmed, and my heart pounded in my chest.

I stared at the three figures standing at the doorway. Louren, Ten, Ren... they're really here?

Tears almost welled up in my eyes when I saw a familiar person that I less expected the most.

It's Spade. 

But the moment I met his gaze, an unfamiliar pain twisted in my chest. He stood there, expressionless, not a single trace of concern in his eyes.

"Of course," I told myself bitterly. "Things are different now."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, pushing aside the ache. I reached for my katana, knowing full well that now was not the time to dwell on emotions. They were here, which meant I had to fight. But just as I was about to move, I realized something—I couldn't let Spade see me fight.

"Don't worry, Xyrine. We'll handle this for you," Jacob reassured me.

"But some of them are assassins. Do you think you can—"

"Don't you feel it?" he interrupted.

Feel what?

I sharpened my senses, and a chill ran down my spine. The entire building was surrounded.

"The Black Brothers' assassins have already taken their positions," Jacob added.

"And outside, the Montreal guards are waiting," he continued.

"What."

"You really are something, Your Highness. Look at all the soldiers fighting for you," he teased, amusement lacing his voice. "But now, it's time to get serious. Let us finish what you started." His tone shifted, turning deadly serious.

Before I could say anything, Jacob stepped forward, raising his katana.

"NOW!"

His command echoed through the air, and from the shadows, the Black Brothers' assassins emerged. Chaos erupted in an instant. The thick smoke from the earlier explosion cloaked the battlefield, making it impossible to see clearly. But the sound of clashing steel, desperate cries, and swift movements filled the space.

Within minutes, the battle was over. As the smoke cleared, bodies lay motionless around us.

"Are you alright?" Louren asked as he approached me.

"Why are you here? How did you find me?" My voice came out weak.

"I had a bad feeling the moment you left earlier. I had to find out where you went, and with Jacob's help, we tracked you down."

I turned to Jacob, who was quietly cleaning his katana.

"I can't believe you, Monique," Spade's voice cut through the air, laced with irritation. "Has your life become so meaningless that you just let yourself get kidnapped? Look at the mess you made. We're all here because of you."

Meaningless? Kidnapped?

His words stung deeper than I expected, but I let them slide. I wanted to apologize, but before I could, Louren gently took my hand and shook his head, silently telling me not to.

Then, a furious voice rang out—

"Hand XJ over to me!"

All of us turned toward the man standing near the door, gripping a woman tightly in his arms. Our eyes widened in shock as we realized who she was.

It was Monique. She was his hostage.

"I swear, I'll kill this woman if you don't hand over XJ!" he bellowed as he stepped closer to us.

"Xyrine? Why did you get out of the car?" Spade's exclaimed. 

"Uh-oh," Jacob murmured with an amused grin.

"Go, Xyrine. Show that fool exactly who you are," Ren added, smirking, which only made Monique's eyes widen in disbelief.

"Shut up, both of you!" Spade snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

Monique trembled in the man's grip, her voice barely above a whisper as she pleaded, "P-please… help me… I-I don't want to die…"

Spade took a step forward, ready to intervene, but I blocked his path. "Stay back," I ordered.

The man holding Monique was still an assassin. With a single wrong move, he could sever her head in an instant.

I glanced at Spade, waiting for a response, but he remained silent. For some reason, he just stood there, staring at me, almost as if my words had stunned him into a daze. Then suddenly, he clutched his head as though in pain.

What's happening to him? Did something trigger a memory?

A faint flicker of hope ignited in my chest, but I quickly pushed it down.

"What are you talking about? What chance do you think you have against them?" he snapped, his frustration evident.

"They want me," I admitted softly, lowering my gaze.

I turned, ready to walk toward the hostage taker, but Louren grabbed my wrist. I pulled away gently, meeting Jacob's gaze instead. He shook his head slightly, wordlessly telling me that I couldn't fight, not while Spade was watching.

I took a deep breath and smiled reassuringly before stepping forward.

"You've lost your mind, haven't you?" Spade muttered behind me.

I turned back, flashing him a grin. "I think so," I said lightly, and for a moment, he just stared at me, frozen.

As I walked toward Monique and her captor, I slowly raised one hand—a silent signal to the Black Brother members to stay out of it.

"Let her go," I said emotionlessly as I stopped in front of them.

Without hesitation, the man shoved Monique aside and seized me by the throat, his grip tightening.

"You think you'll walk away alive? Both of you are going to die!" he sneered, his gaze shifting to Monique, who had collapsed onto the floor, trembling.

He raised his double blades, ready to hurl them at her, but I stepped in front of her.

"XJ!" Jacob and Louren shouted in unison.

I lifted a hand, signaling them to stay back, then locked eyes with the man before me and gave him a chilling smile.

"This should be enough for tonight," I whispered as warm blood trickled down my shoulder.

"It's not enough," he spat. "Not for what you did to my men!"

"Ahh—ugh!" I groaned as I yanked the double blade from my shoulder, causing blood to pour freely from the wound.

"This should be worth enough… in exchange for your head."

He flinched at my words, his expression shifting from fury to unease.

I took a step forward, gripping the bloodied weapon tightly.

He scowled. "You'll die first!" he roared, unsheathing the katana strapped to his back— But he was too late.

I had already lifted a single finger.

A silent command.

The Black Brother assassins, who had been waiting for my signal, struck.

For a moment, silence filled the air as we all watched the man before me get torn apart, piece by piece.

"Xyrine!"

I turned at the sound of Spade's voice. For a brief moment, a smile tugged at my lips. But then I saw who he was running toward.

It wasn't me.

It was Monique.

Something in my chest twisted painfully.

I quickly averted my gaze as Spade lifted her into his arms and carried her away from the building.

How pathetic. Despite the wound on my shoulder, the pain in my chest hurt far more.

"XJ, you're bleeding!" Louren's voice snapped me out of my daze. He moved to lift me up, but before he could, a sharp pain twisted in my stomach, and I immediately doubled over, retching.

"XJ?" he called, concern lacing his voice.

I wiped my mouth and glanced at him, ready to tell him I was fine—

But suddenly, the world around me spun.

"L-Louren…" I whispered. 

Then, everything went black.

I woke up to an unpleasant scent wafting through the air. My nose crinkled in discomfort as I pushed myself up, only to be met with an unfamiliar sight—I was in a hospital room.

I instinctively brought a hand to my mouth as that awful smell assaulted my senses once more. My gaze darted to the bedside table, where a plate of oranges sat innocently. Confusion settled in—I never used to mind the scent of oranges before.

What's happening to me?

I was about to get up and remove the plate when the door suddenly swung open. My breath hitched the moment I saw who had just walked in.

"Are you okay now?" he asked, his eyes refusing to meet mine.

How could I be okay when just seeing him again was enough to reopen wounds I had tried so hard to mend?

A part of me wanted to smile, to run into his arms and hold him tight because I had missed him—missed him so terribly that it hurt. But I knew better. He was no longer mine to hold. My gaze dropped to my lap as I fought against the tears threatening to spill.

"I'm feeling better now," I murmured, barely above a whisper.

I felt my heart race as he stepped closer. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating yet intoxicating all at once.

"Tell me, why did you do it?" His voice was low, almost demanding, and I knew exactly what he was referring to—the moment I had thrown myself in front of Monique to take the hit meant for her.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I just thought… maybe by doing that, I could atone for the sins I committed against you both."

He scoffed, his tone laced with frustration. "Do you really think that erases everything?"

His words cut deeper than I expected. My lips parted, wanting to say something, anything, but before I could respond, that sickening scent filled my nostrils once more. My stomach lurched violently, and I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying to hold back the nausea.

"Are you okay?" His voice had softened, laced with genuine concern now.

"I—I don't know… but can I ask for a favor?"

He frowned, puzzled. "What is it?"

I hesitated, feeling foolish for even asking. "Never mind… I'll do it myself."

I attempted to stand, but he swiftly reached out, his fingers wrapping around my wrist. "Just tell me. What do you need?"

I bit my lip, feeling embarrassed. "Can you… take the oranges away?" My voice was meek, almost childlike.

A flicker of confusion crossed his face, but he didn't question it. Without hesitation, he grabbed the plate and moved it away. Yet, even with the fruit gone, an unpleasant smell still lingered in the air. My gaze drifted toward the air conditioning unit, and I instinctively waved in its direction.

"Can I ask for one more favor?" I asked hesitantly.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "What is it this time?"

"Can you… turn off the aircon?"

He let out a small sigh but did as I asked. The moment it was off, I exhaled in relief.

"Are you messing with me, Monique?"

"No, I just…" I smiled a little.

"Then what is this?" His brows furrowed as he observed me with suspicion.

"It, it just the aircon made me feel worse."

My smile faltered when I caught the change in his tone. His voice had risen slightly, startling me. I felt an inexplicable sting in my chest.

"Wait, ere you crying?" he asked, alarmed.

"You didn't have to yell," I muttered, hastily wiping my tears away.

In an instant, he was in front of me, reaching into his pocket. To my surprise, he handed me a handkerchief, his gaze averted. "Here. Stop crying."

"T-thank you."

As I dabbed my eyes with the fabric, a pleasant scent drifted into my nose—something intoxicatingly familiar yet foreign at the same time. My gaze flickered to the cloth, then to Spade. I swallowed thickly.

Why… why does he smell so good?

An inexplicable urge washed over me, an impulse I couldn't fight. Before I knew it, I had stood up.

"Spade… don't move."

No, Xyrine, control yourself.

"What are you doing?" he asked, a hint of nervousness in his tone.

But I barely heard him. I was already stepping closer, drawn in by his scent. "Spade, I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling with something even I couldn't understand.

He was about to say something when I suddenly grabbed his collar, pulling him close. My eyes fluttered shut as I took in the scent lingering on his skin. It was strange, unfamiliar, yet utterly addictive.

The moment I opened my eyes, I found him staring at me, his expression unreadable.

"Monique… are you really okay?"

Reality slammed into me. I immediately pulled away, stumbling back to my bed. I threw the blanket over me, but it only took seconds before I tore it off again, gasping.

Why do I feel so out of breath?

"What's wrong?" he asked, stepping forward.

I opened my mouth to answer, but a sudden pain twisted in my stomach, nausea hitting me like a wave.

"Tell me, what's happening to you?" His voice rose again, filled with panic.

Tears pricked at my eyes once more. "I—I don't know… I feel sick."

"You feel sick? Why?"

"Well, it's a normal symptom for a pregnant woman," a new voice interjected. Spade and I turned toward the doorway, where a doctor had just entered.

Pregnant?

I turned to him, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you pregnant?" I asked him and he answered me with blank stare. 

The doctor smiled. "Congratulations to both of you. You're going to be parents."

"What do you mean?" Spade's tone was laced with disbelief.

"Your wife is five months pregnant. You should schedule an appointment with the OB-GYN for further checkups. Again, congratulations, Mr. Sy."

A suffocating silence filled the room as the doctor left. My body felt numb.

Five months?

That was the night Spade proposed to me… That means… that night… something happened? But how did I not realize until now? And why is my stomach so small?

"Who's the father?" Spade asked coldly, his aura shifting entirely.

"I am."

We both turned toward the doorway.

"Louren?" Spade sounded shocked before letting out a laugh, but there was no humor in it. "I didn't know you and Monique were together. Congratulations, then. You're parents now."

He turned to leave, but before stepping out, he hesitated. "Don't give her oranges; she hates the smell. And keep the aircon off unless you want her to be sick." Then he walked away.

Louren sighed. "He still cares, even if he doesn't remember. His mind may have forgotten you, but his heart still knows."

I felt a pang in my chest, the joy in those words quickly overshadowed by fear. "I'm scared, Louren. This baby… it wasn't supposed to happen. Not when his own father doesn't remember me."

Tears streamed down my face. "What if I give birth, and he still doesn't remember? Will my child grow up without a father, just like I did?"

Louren pulled me into a tight embrace. "If that day comes… don't worry." He looked me in the eye, his voice steady.

"I will be the father of your child."

After two days, I was finally discharged from the hospital. No one knew I was pregnant except for Spade and Louren.

For the past two weeks, I had been confined within the walls of the Montreal mansion, doing nothing—just like now, merely watching TV.

I kept flipping through the channels until a commercial featuring a pineapple suddenly appeared on the screen. The sight of it made my mouth water. Without thinking, I sat up abruptly from where I was lying.

"Baby, does Mommy want pineapple? Do you want some too?" I murmured softly, resting my hand over my belly. A slight pain throbbed in my stomach, making me smile.

"Ah, so you want it too," I said, chuckling to myself.

I got up and left my room, heading straight to the kitchen in search of pineapple. The house was dark, the lights turned off since it was already late at night. I moved carefully, my footsteps light against the marble floor.

"Ugh! This mansion is enormous, yet not a single pineapple in sight!" I grumbled in frustration after searching every possible place.

A sharp pang twisted in my stomach, and tears welled up in my eyes. "Please, don't hide from us, I beg you..." My voice cracked as I continued searching, desperation leaking into my words. Eventually, I sank to the cold kitchen floor, hugging my knees while sobbing.

"Life so unfair! I just want to eat, but why are you hiding from me!?"

"Monique?"

I lifted my head at the sound of his voice and saw Spade standing in front of me.

I stared at him, surprised. Ever since I was discharged from the hospital, he hadn't been mad at me anymore. But still, he remained distant—cold, as if I didn't exist.

"It's late. What are you doing here?" His voice was calm, yet firm. "Do you even realize how bad it is for you to stay up this late?"

I frowned. Why was he saying this? He didn't even care about me.

Lowering my head, I continued crying.

I heard him sigh before he stepped closer. "Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Just leave me alone. Go back to your room. Xyrine might look for you," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Xyrine isn't here. Her father called her to the office this morning, and she still hasn't returned. Well, not that you'd know—you never leave your room. You haven't even seen sunlight in days. Do you have any idea how important that is for pregnant women? I read about it—"

He suddenly stopped talking when he noticed me staring at him intently.

"I mean… What exactly are you looking for?" He cleared his throat and looked away.

I stood up and walked closer to him.

"Spade..." I sniffled. "I just... I just..." My voice trembled between hiccups.

"Spill it out, okay?" His tone sharpened slightly.

Tears welled up again, and my lips quivered. "A-Are you yelling at me?" I whimpered.

"What? Damn it! Of course not!" He ruffled his hair in frustration.

"F-Fuck?" I repeated, my voice small.

"No! I'm sorry! Please, don't cry. Shit! I mean—just tell me what you need, okay?"

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "I've been searching everywhere for something, but I can't find it. I just wanted to eat..." I whispered, still looking down.

"And what is it?"

"P-Pineapple." The frustration made my tears fall even harder.

Spade stared at me for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter.

"Are... Are you laughing at me?" My voice cracked as more tears spilled.

"Haha! No, I'm sorry. But is this really how pregnant women are?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, you won't find any pineapples here. But is that all you wanted?"

My heart lifted at his words.

"Recently, I've been craving bananas with vinegar. Sweet spaghetti with vinegar. And... I really like your scent," I admitted, my words spilling out before I could stop them. The moment I realized what I had just said, I averted my gaze in embarrassment.

Spade, too, looked away.

"Uhm… Just go back to your room. I'll head out and find what you're craving."

He was about to turn around when I reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"Spade..."

"What is it?"

"I'm scared here," I whispered, eyes fixed on the floor.

I gasped when he suddenly took my hand in his.

"Come on," he said, his voice softer this time.

At that moment, my heart pounded against my chest. I wanted to smile, to revel in the warmth of his touch—but I stopped myself.

When we got into the car, I was startled when he reached over and carefully fastened my seatbelt. The proximity made me inhale sharply, and his scent filled my senses.

As he drove, I found myself leaning closer to him, taking in his scent over and over again.

"Monique, what are you doing?"

I quickly straightened up.

"Spade, can I ask for a favor?" I asked hesitantly.

"Go ahead," he responded.

I looked at him, confused.

What does he mean?

"You can take in my scent all you want. But only here, in the car, okay?" He smirked before shaking his head.

Before he could say anything else, I leaned in close again, taking a deep breath as I buried my nose against his shoulder.

As I smiled to myself, my heart pounded even louder.

I wished this moment would never end.

After we had bought everything I had been craving, I was surprised when Spade pulled over in front of a restaurant. I turned to look at him, confusion written all over my face, but he remained focused on his phone, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Just a moment, she's almost here," he said, still smiling.

She's almost here?

"Spade..."

A woman's voice called his name, soft yet filled with familiarity.

Both of us instinctively turned toward the sound, and there she was.

Monique.

I watched, frozen in place, as she approached him. And then, without hesitation, Spade leaned in and kissed her—right in front of me.

For a few seconds, my mind went blank. My heart felt like it had been ripped apart, but I forced myself to look away before the pain could consume me entirely.

As I turned on my heel, a single tear slid down my cheek, followed by another, and then another.

I clutched my stomach as a sharp pain rippled through me.

I had almost allowed myself to forget.

I had almost allowed myself to dream.

But reality had just reminded me.

"Baby… I forgot that your father is no longer ours to claim."