Special Chapter: The Beginning

The Ace and the Four Kings

Xyrine Jean's POV

I took my uniform and carefully put it on. I remembered the first time I saw Montreal's uniform—I had thrown it into the trash. But two years ago, I would have felt nothing but joy every time I wore it.

A bitter smile formed on my lips as I felt my tears falling again. I forced myself to stay calm—I didn't want to hurt anymore. I had already let him go. We were over. I should be happy for him now.

"Oh, cuz, just mess up your uniform a little and throw on a cap—you'll look exactly like the Xyrine from two years ago."

Ella's words made me smile bitterly. "I wish I could be that Xyrine again—the one who didn't know them yet. I envy her. She didn't care about the world, and she had never been hurt before. Her heart was still whole. I wish I could turn back time, Ella."

Before I knew it, my tears were falling again. Ella quickly pulled me into a hug. I flinched when she placed something on my head.

"What's this?"

"Your cap," she answered with a smile.

I was about to say something when she suddenly messed up my neatly tied necktie. "There! Now you look exactly like you did on your first day at Montreal," she added.

I smiled for a moment, but it quickly faded. "But we're not going to school today, Ella. We're attending a wedding," I said softly, looking down.

She smiled at me. "You're close to smiling again," she whispered under her breath.

"What? What did you say?"

"Huh? Nothing!" she denied quickly. Then, changing the subject, she said, "You know, Spade and Monique's wedding is so weird. They're holding it at Montreal University? And the dress code is our school uniform? Their wedding is as tacky as they are."

I chuckled at her snarky remark.

"Alright, let's go!" She was about to pull me along, but I didn't move.

"I don't think I can do this, Ella," I admitted.

She suddenly grabbed my arm tightly. "Do you believe in miracles, Xyrine?"

"Miracles?"

"Yes, because I do. Now, come on!"

What is she even talking about?

I had no choice but to follow her. After a while, we finally finished getting ready.

"My lady, you look absolutely stunning. No wonder you once captivated the hearts of the Four Kings," Ella teased.

"But I only ever loved one of them… and we didn't end up together."

"That's okay, Xyrine. Who knows? Maybe something miraculous will happen."

I turned to her, wanting to ask what she meant, but before I could, she pulled me along again. "Let's go, or we'll be late!"

"Ella, this is Monique and Spade's wedding. Aren't you even a little sympathetic? Why do you seem so excited?" I crossed my arms.

"Because I'm going to blow up all of Montreal so their wedding won't happen! HA HA HA!"

"Oh, for goodness' sake."

"Come on, let's just go!" She tried to drag me again, but this time, I pulled away.

"Wait, I need to say goodbye to Dad and Ace first. But they've been gone for a while now… It's strange that they left so early."

"You worry too much. Who knows? Maybe those two are just out shopping at the North Pole."

I rolled my eyes at her silly joke.

"Ma'am, President Montreal said you don't have to wait for them," the head maid suddenly informed us.

"Why?"

"That's all he said, ma'am."

"Well, there you go! Let's go!"

This time, I had no choice but to follow Ella. When we stepped outside, I saw Ren and Louren already waiting for us. They were also wearing Montreal's school uniform, just like us.

Wow. This feels so nostalgic, like we just met yesterday. But where's Ten?

I smiled bitterly at the thought. Of course, they were all attending Spade's wedding—they were his friends, after all.

That was normal, right? So why did I feel so dejected?

"Xyrine from two years ago, is that you?" Ren teased.

I just smiled.

"Xyrine, don't go into the maze again, okay? Because you won't find me there anymore," Louren added with a grin.

What? Why are they all smiling like this? Can't they feel what I'm feeling right now?

I was about to get into the car when Ella suddenly blocked my way. "Sorry, cuz, the car's full."

"What? There are only three of you inside, and there's still an empty seat!" I protested.

"Sorry, but it's really full!"

"What are you talking about, Ella? And where exactly do you expect me to ride?" I asked, frowning.

"There!" She pointed to something.

"A bike? Are you serious? You made me dress up like this, only to have me ride a bike?"

Weirdly, she just smiled at me. I turned to Louren for help, but he just raised both hands as if saying, Sorry, I'm staying out of this.

Before I knew it, they had all climbed into the car and driven off without hesitation.

"Wow. Just wow."

Left with no choice, I grabbed the bike and got on. I was about to pedal when I noticed something—it looked exactly like the bike I used to ride two years ago. But I knew that bike had been gone for a long time.

Weird.

Shaking off the thought, I started pedaling. After a few minutes, I reached the boundary of Montreal—the long road I had taken on my first day at the university two years ago. It looked almost exactly the same.

I stopped when I saw a car parked on the side of the road, and the driver called out to me.

Wait… This scene feels familiar. If I remember correctly, this was exactly how I first met—

"Miss, are you a crystal ball?"

I turned to see Ten stepping out of the car. I stared at him, stunned. The first two buttons of his uniform were undone, and there was a faint trace of red lipstick on the corner of his lips. He looked exactly the same as he had two years ago.

"So, Miss, are you a crystal ball?" he repeated.

I laughed at his question.

"Miss, could you finally answer my pickup line? Come on, it's been rotting for two years, and you still haven't given me a reply!" He scratched the back of his head, smiling.

I laughed again at his nonsense.

What did I do back then? Oh, right. I just gave him a poker face and walked past him.

Alright, I'll play along this time.

I turned my back on him and got back on my bike. As I pedaled past him, I waved.

"Hey, Miss! What's your answer?"

"I don't know! You're so corny!" I shouted, waving as I rode away. I smiled to myself.

When I reached Montreal's gates, a voice suddenly stopped me.

"Hey, miss, where are you going?"

That sounded familiar, too. I turned to see who had spoken, and he looked oddly familiar.

"Outsiders aren't allowed inside. What's your name?" he asked, almost as if he were reading from a script.

Ah! I remember now—he was the same guard from my first day at Montreal.

I was about to introduce myself when he suddenly bowed his head in front of me.

"Sweet mother of mercy! Miss Xyrine Jean Montreal, please forgive me! I'll be on my way now!" he exclaimed in a panicked, embarrassed voice before running off.

"What was that?" I chuckled, shaking my head.

Ignoring the strange encounter, I continued on my way to the parking lot. As I entered the field, I noticed someone standing in the middle with a placard hanging around his neck.

"Tong?" My eyes widened as I recognized him.

Wait, why is he only showing up now? What happened to him? I glanced at his appearance—he looked almost the same as he did two years ago. Then my gaze landed on the message written on the placard around his neck.

"DON'T DARE TO TALK. MIGHT REVEAL A SECRET."

I was stunned. As far as I remember, the placard he carried back then read, "SPADE'S PROPERTY."

"Tong, what are you doing here? You're still alive?" He scowled at my words. "Hahaha! I mean, were you invited too?"

"Miss, can you even read the placard hanging on me?" he asked, staying in character.

His question made me laugh, and he ended up laughing as well.

"Wow! Ms. Savior, after two years, you haven't changed one bit. You look exactly the same as the first time I saw you," he said with a smile.

I smiled back, but it quickly faded when I realized he was wrong.

Because a lot had changed.

"Did you know that Spade, the leader of the Four Kings, is marrying Monique today?" I asked.

He pointed at the placard hanging from his neck and smirked.

"It says here, 'Don't dare to talk, might reveal a secret,' so you better leave me alone. Shoo!" He lightly pushed me backward. "Shoo! Shoo!"

I was confused, but his antics made me laugh.

"You know, if you hadn't disappeared, you probably would've ended up with Ella," I teased, but he just rolled his eyes.

"But kidding aside, Ella is now one of the King of the Cassanovas' girlfriends. She's Tennessee Stangphil's soon-to-be wife."

I forced a smile, but a pang of envy crept in.

At least she...

"Hey, smile."

I lifted my gaze.

"I hope you can smile from now on, Miss Savior from two years ago."

With that, he nudged me again, and I had no choice but to walk away as he continued pushing me forward.

I had just reached the washroom when a woman suddenly stepped out.

I instinctively covered my nose—the stench was unbearable. I took a closer look at her: long hair, a cap on her head, and her uniform soaked, the back covered in cracked eggs.

"Those jerks! You better not show yourselves to me again!" she shouted in frustration, startling me.

"There she is!"

Out of nowhere, a group of women appeared and started chasing her.

Wait, what's happening?

I froze as realization struck me.

I remember this scene clearly!

This happened to me two years ago—right before I met the Four Kings.

But why?

Wait!

Riding the bike, Ten, the old security guard at the gate, Tong, and now... this.

My heartbeat pounded against my chest.

Everything that's happening now already happened two years ago.

But why does it feel like it's happening all over again?

If I remember correctly, the next thing that should happen is—Before I could finish my thought, someone suddenly grabbed my hand.

I turned to look at him.

It's him!

"Can you please wait for a while?" Louren asked with a gentle smile.

I remember him saying the exact same words the first time we met—when he saved me two years ago.

"Is this what you meant when you told me not to go into the maze because I wouldn't find you there?"

He only smiled before turning around.

"Louren, what's happening?" I called after him.

He turned back, his smile never fading.

"Xyrine, do you still trust him?" he asked seriously.

Was he talking about Spade?

I lowered my gaze. I didn't know. To be honest, I don't know the answer to that question anymore. 

"I know you still do."

I lifted my head at his words.

"Just hold on." He smiled before waving and turning away again.

What did he mean by that?

I was about to follow him when a voice suddenly stopped me.

"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"

I immediately turned toward the pavilion.

A girl with thick glasses and a skinny boy were kneeling at the center. Another girl, wearing a cap with long, dark hair, had just arrived. But what truly left me stunned was the man sitting casually with one leg crossed, a beer can in his hand.

"If you think you can control every student here, you're wrong!" the girl shouted.

"All the students here are mine—including you!"

I gaped as the girl suddenly punched him.

"Fool! Not one, not two, not three—and definitely not me—belong to you!"

The man tried to grab her, but before he could, she threw him down with force.

A chill ran down my spine as I watched the scene unfold.

I knew this.

I was a hundred percent sure.

This had already happened two years ago.

Without thinking, I turned away.

Why is this happening? What does it mean?

Is this his doing?

If it is… then why?

Why reminding me how it all started two years ago—on the very day of his wedding?

I was still standing in front of the washroom, dumbfounded, when, out of nowhere, students began surrounding me. They were the same people who had reenacted everything that happened to me two years ago.

Confusion filled me as I stood frozen, my mouth slightly open.

Then, suddenly, music started playing.

And just like that, they began dancing in front of me.

(NP: MARRY ME BY JASON DERULLO! AHHHH SILENT SCREAAM!)

105 is the number that comes to my head

When I think of all the years I wanna be with you

Wake up every morning with you in my bed

That's precisely what I plan to do

Flash mob? 

Wait, wait—what does this mean? 

NO! What is happening? 

I was still staring at them when, out of nowhere, I saw Ella and Ten joining in the dance.

And you know one of these days, when I get my money right

Buy you everything and show you all the finer things in life

Will forever be enough, so there ain't no need to rush

But one day, I won't be able to ask you loud enough

Okay, something is really going on. 

My heartbeat raced even faster when I saw Ren and Louren joining the dance as well.

I'll say, "Will you marry me?"

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, "Will you marry me?"

Singing

Oh, yeah

My jaw dropped even further when I saw President SY and my dad dancing side by side. 

What?! Wait a second...

How many girls in the world can make me feel like this?

Baby, I don't ever plan to find out

The more I look, the more I find the reasons why

You're the love of my life

I looked at Louren again. He was smiling, even though his eyes were brimming with tears. I was about to approach him, but he just gave me a thumbs-up—as if to say he was okay and that I shouldn't move from my spot.

You know one of these days, when I get my money right

Buy you everything and show you all the finer things in life

Will forever be enough, so there ain't no need to rush

But one day, I won't be able to ask you loud enough

Wait. This is crazy. What is really going on? Why is everyone dancing in front of me?

I'll say, "Will you marry me?"

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, "Will you marry me?"

And if I lost everything

In my heart, it means nothing

I'm still standing where I am, completely overwhelmed and confused by everything happening around me. Then, it finally hits me—the last thing Ella told me back at the house.

"You're close to smiling again,"

"Do you believe in miracles?"

Cause I have you

Girl, I have you

To get down on bended knee

Nothing else would ever be better, better

The day when i say

As well as the things Louren said.

"Xyrine, do you still trust him?"

"I know you do."

I'll say, "Will you marry me?"

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, "Will you marry me?", yeah

I'll say, "Will you marry me?" (The day I get on my knees)

I swear that I will mean it

I'll say, "Will you marry me?" (And what you do me, baby?

If that's the case, all of it? Even the reenactments and us wearing our uniforms, all of it....

Got me singing

Got me singing

Would you marry me, baby

I felt like my breath had completely stopped when the music suddenly ended, and the crowd surrounding me parted in the middle. 

I covered my mouth, tears streaming down my face, as I saw the person behind all of this—standing there, carrying our child. 

"Spade..." I whispered, my voice trembling as I looked at my son and the man holding him. 

Wait... Ace's outfit. Don't tell me… He's the one who's been sending Ace all those gifts. And the last thing he sent—a tuxedo—was for this moment. 

I kept my eyes on him, noticing how his own tears threatened to fall as he carefully handed Ace over to my father. 

I turned to my dad. 

"Xyrine, you'll be happy too. It's close now." 

Was this what he meant yesterday before we left for the ball? 

Spade smiled at me while holding Ace. I returned his smile before slowly turning to face the man standing before me. 

I wanted to sob as I looked at him. My hands instinctively covered my face as more tears escaped down my cheeks. 

"Spade, what does all of this mean? Aren't you supposed to marry Monique?" My voice cracked as I asked. 

He smiled at me. "Do you really think I would still marry her after regaining all my memories of you, Xyrine?" 

"But… didn't you say she was pregnant? That you loved her?" I asked through my tears. 

His gaze turned serious. 

"A year ago, I got into an accident. Along with it, all my memories came back. I cursed myself when I realized everything I had done to you. My first thought was to find you, but it felt impossible—I thought Monique was already pregnant, and I also believed you had married Louren." 

I kept crying as I listened to him. 

"But one day, I found out Monique was never really pregnant. She was diagnosed with myoma, which was why her belly was growing. Of course, I regretted everything at that moment because I had let her manipulate me so easily. I immediately broke things off with her and started planning my return to the country and find you. At first, I couldn't think of any way—I was afraid it was already too late for us. But then Monique apologized. I wasn't sure if she was sincere, but when she took your father to America to talk to me, that's when I realized—there was still a chance. There was still hope for us."

I looked at my dad again. So he knew about all of this?

"With Monique's help and your dad's, we planned everything—from sending gifts to our son to making amends with Ren, Ten, and Louren."

I turned to the three of them, who were now smiling at me.

So that's why they all left the country. That was the reason behind it.

"Until the moment we had been waiting for finally arrived—the grand reunion ball. That was when I was supposed to propose, but you ran off into the maze, and my plan completely failed," he muttered, shaking his head.

I let out a small laugh at his words. "Then why didn't you just propose in the maze?" I asked.

"I tried. I gave you an invitation card. I was going to take back everything I said that night if you had just opened the envelope."

Invitation card?

I quickly pulled the card out of my pocket and opened it.

"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Mr. Spade Inigo Sy and Ms. Xyrine Jean Montreal."

I froze as I read my name clearly.

Last night, he told me he knows everything already. That meant there was no reason to put my name on the invitation card—especially he loved Monique already.

Then…

With shaky hands, I turned the card over. My tears fell freely when I saw a printed photo of Spade and me on the back.

I stepped closer to him and hit his chest.

"You idiot! Why didn't you just tell me last night that all of this was for me? Why did you have to make me cry? You're the worst! You're the absolute worst!" I sobbed, continuing to hit him.

He pulled me into a tight embrace before slowly pulling away.

"But this time, I won't let everything end just like that, Xyrine."

Tears streamed down my face as I watched him take a step back and slowly kneel before me.

"Two years ago, I met the woman who changed my life. The first time I saw her, I knew there was something about her that I couldn't find in anyone else. I thought my curiosity would fade if I gave her a little attention—but before I knew it, that simple interest turned into an obsession. An obsession I couldn't turn away from," he said with a bitter smile.

"Would you be mad if I told you I was the one who had you kidnapped through the mafia I contracted so I could just rescue you? Would you hate me if you found out I was the one who ordered Ten to bring you to the club the night you first met Zeke? Would you be furious if I told you I had a photographer secretly follow you every day just to take pictures of you? And most of all, would you resent me if I admitted that I had Tong sent away from Montreal just because I couldn't stand the thought of you having a male friend?" He let out a short laugh.

"I did so many things just to be close to you that I can't even remember them all."

I stared at him, utterly speechless.

So all this time, he's been a walking red flag? Fvck, I must be colorblind.

"Xyrine, you have no idea how happy I was when we got together. You don't know how jealous I was every time another man got close to you. When we broke up, I nearly went insane from the pain. But when we got back together, I was over the moon. But…" His voice started to tremble, forcing him to pause.

"It felt like fate was so cruel to us. Our relationship—it was like a 'you and me against the world' kind of love. But what I couldn't accept was that instead of it being you and me against the world, you had to face it all alone," he continued, his voice breaking completely.

I lowered my head. The pain of those memories was too much to bear. I didn't want to relive it.

"And that's why…"

My heart pounded as he suddenly pulled out a small box from his pocket.

"One question, one answer. Your only choices are yes or yes."

He took a deep breath, his gaze filled with sincerity as he looked up at me.

"Xyrine Jean Montreal... please, marry me."

"You're crazy… are you asking me, or is it a demand?" I laugh through my sobs.

"I'm sorry, but it's a damn order," he says, his hands trembling.

"It's either you marry me… or I'll lose my mind here."

Cheers erupted around us as people began to dance, celebrating the moment.

I glanced around, taking in the faces surrounding me.

First, I saw Ella—my cousin, my first ally. If it weren't for her and Tong, I would have never met the Four Kings. She smiled at me, giving a thumbs-up, and I couldn't help but smile back.

Next, my eyes landed on Ten—Tennessee Stanphil, the biggest flirt among them all. The first one I met in the Four Kings. The one who always winked at me whenever we crossed paths. Yet, despite his playfulness, he had always been someone I could rely on.

That smooth-talking crystal ball of a man winked at me again, making me chuckle softly.

Then, there was Ren—Ren Nagasa, a gang leader and the one who oversaw the Fourth Building. He was the first to discover that I was an assassin. He was also one of the few who stood by me when I was completely shattered.

I met his gaze and smiled, and he returned it just as warmly.

And finally, Louren—Louren Choi.

The one who carried every ounce of pain I couldn't bear. The one who never left my side, no matter what.

I felt a pang of guilt. Despite everything he had done for me, I had never been able to return even a fraction of it. And yet, he remained.

He smiled at me and gave a small nod, as if silently saying, It's okay.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

This was it.

I turned my gaze to the man kneeling before me.

The most arrogant, ruthless leader of the Four Kings.

The man who had shattered my heart more times than I could count—yet still, I loved him more than life itself.

The father of my child.

Spade Inigo Sy.

I took a deep breath, my lips curving into a smile.

"Spade Inigo Sy…" I whispered.

I shook my head slightly, lowering my gaze for a moment.

When I looked up again, I saw the flash of uncertainty in his eyes.

I grinned.

"Devil... it's a yes!"