Chapter 16 - Fugazi

She was already wearing her nightie, and the moonlight illuminated her figure. I turned my back to her and tossed my blanket over her face.

"I want to sleep. Can't it wait till tomorrow?" I smirked, lying on the bed with my arms crossed behind my head. She pulled the blanket off, irritation clear on her beautiful face.

"And a woman, too? I guess you've charmed a lot of females already," she accused, unfazed by the look I was giving her.

"Believe me, I haven't 'rizzed' anyone. That person hasn't met me yet," I said, which was true - after all, I'd traveled back in time.

"Really? Are you telling the truth?" she asked, slowly walking toward me. "Or are you gay?"

I shot up from the bed, startled by the question. "Of course not! What the heck?!" She laughed, saying she was only joking.

"I think you're lying, Liam," she said seductively, leaning down and crawling onto the bed on her hands and knees, her bosom nearly exposed. I looked up and sighed.

"The same way you're lying to me, Vien. Don't ask questions, and I won't ask about your ability." She froze, her face turning pale. She quickly covered herself with the coat draped over her arms.

"H-how did you know?" she stammered, the color draining from her face. She nearly fell off the bed, but I caught her.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad. It's surprising those kids decided to go with you. Is one of them yours?" I asked. Vien had smuggled a group of children into the realm, and they were all hiding in her room.

Tears streamed down her face as she shook with emotion. "No, but now I'll be their guardian. They're my nieces and nephews. My father knew there would be more monsters outside, and he asked me if I was willing to sacrifice myself to give them refuge. I'm sorry, Liam. I'm really sorry." She broke down, wailing uncontrollably.

She collapsed onto the floor. "I'm willing to be under Zild's ability as punishment. Just let the children stay and be cared for." It wasn't unlike her to act this way, but why did she sound so terrified?

I had already deduced that Vien's ability was related to invisibility. When we entered the tower, Neil had messaged me, asking why there were kids with us. At first, I thought Neil was pulling my leg, but he insisted he could see children with bags waiting behind us. It felt like a scene from a horror movie, I checked the outdoor cameras, but nothing showed up.

It wasn't until Neil showed me footage from the tower's original surveillance that I understood what was happening. The tower's "eye" saw things as they truly are, illusions and distortions don't work on it.

Since all the water and air vessels had left abruptly (and I was the one who ordered it), I couldn't send them back. I pretended not to notice their presence and let them in.

"Vien, I'm telling you, you're a hostage. You're in no position to make demands." That much was true. I handed her a handkerchief from my drawer and urged her to get up, but she remained on her knees, clinging to me.

"I'm willing to do anything! I don't care what happens to me!" she insisted, pressing her body against mine. I felt sorry for her, but instead of excitement, I felt like a creep.

"All of them will be hostages, but for now, we have no school. Education is important for kids, even if the world is about to end." That was my concern. What would they do here all day? Lounge around?

My mom had already seen the children on the monitor and warned me not to harm them. Honestly, I'm terrified of my mother, but it's not like I was planning to punish the kids. What does she take me for?

"But we can do something about it, as long as you cooperate with me," I said, cupping her chin and forcing her to meet my gaze. She nodded in compliance.

••••••••••••••••••••••

We arrived at the mainland tower early in the morning and opened the gates. No one was around yet, Markus had probably spent the night partying and was still asleep.

I asked Vien to cast her invisibility arcane, which she did willingly. The children didn't need to be hidden, and my mom had prepared a mansion for them outside the castle. She suggested turning the building into a school, as it would be a waste not to utilize it.

I agreed, though she didn't need my permission. She's free to do what she wants.

My mom, a retired accountant who speaks multiple languages, has always had a soft spot for the needy. The only reason we'd fallen into poverty was because she couldn't say no to anyone asking for help, often forgetting that we were in dire need ourselves.

We passed by Markus' house, which reeked of vomit and alcohol. He was asleep on a large floater in the pool, surrounded by bottles and cups floating in the murky water.

Barry sent a small shockwave his way, capsizing the floater. Markus screamed and gasped for air.

I was stunned, thinking he could've died from the prank, but Barry just shrugged and smiled, pointing at Markus' parents tidying up after the drunken party. Barry's point was clear: Markus should get up and help.

We arrived at the mall and began speaking. Vien explained that the invisibility effect will be nullified once we speak, making us and the objects we carried visible again.

We decided to grab a bite to eat when we noticed a waiter hitting on our sister, Fae. He mentioned remembering her videos online, where she duetted with different people, and complimented her singing voice.

He asked for her number, but Zild casually patted his back and told him to "touch grass" The man left his pad and pen behind, walking away with blank eyes and zombie-like strides. The couple exchanged loving glances before heading to the counter to place their order.

Barry's phone rang, it was his girlfriend. She told me there were many girls with the name I'd given her, and she didn't know where to start. She asked if I had any other clues about her identity.

I tapped the table, trying desperately to recall what she looked like. "She's a beautiful brunette with amber-brown skin and emerald eyes," I said. "And she sells soybeans." My girlfriend looked utterly confused. "Do you mean Catarina Gonzalez, the heredera?"

"Ere, what?" I didn't catch the last word.

She sighed impatiently. "The Soybean Heiress. Her family owns one of the largest soybean farms in the country. Don't tell me you're referring to her?" She showed me a photo of the same Catarina I'd met in the previous timeline, but younger.

"Yup, that's her…" The creases on my forehead deepened. I highly doubt someone like her would ever talk to us. It looked like the conventional method was our only option.