TIM MONTGOMERY
Year 2014
(Summer, The U.R.T, Furnace Mount Buddhist Monastery)
"We should've told them the truth," said Fang Zhang.
The doctor wasn't at all ears. Not when he was about to lose the precious flower he had risked everything to save. That tiny life striving for freedom.
"Timmy," repeated the old man.
The doctor's bag snapped in an angry shut before an extremely calm and composed voice spoke, "How do we know she didn't send them?"
Before his guardian opened his mouth to rebut, he spun around and added through gritted teeth. "What do you think this is, huh?" He pointed at the heavily bandaged body, barely breathing. "Evidence of the worst cruelty capable of us humans. That's the truth, Fang Zhang. The truth of this godforsaken world that we were forced to be part of, all by the pleasure of the ones before us."
He paused to let his words settle into the warm, antiseptic air. "She's HER MOTHER. And she did this to her."
"But those people saved Kate. At least we should let them know. To give them a peace of mind," advised the fatherly figure, tears in his voice.
The doctor let out a sigh of exasperation before he turned for his bag.
His mind was made up.
A new identity, a new face, a new life. There's much to do, so no time to waste.
"The chopper will be here any minute." He opened the door and three figures covered in masks and scrubs rushed in.
As the patient carefully raised and laid on the stretcher, the doctor stood by the abbott's side to patiently explain the medical procedures and the paperwork that would follow.
"You always say that I'm a genius, Fang Zhang. But a genius still has his limitations. Evil has none. Kate Ares—or Kate Montgomery—or Kathy Montegomery is dead. That's final."
At the backyard door, just before he stepped out to join his peers, a group of medical wizards with skills and passion likened to his, the ward halted and turned back to his guardian, a firm warning in his gaze.
"This time, you must listen to me," he instructed, and the old man gave his promise.
"We have buried Kate's body." The hand rested vertically before the abbott's chest as he gave a slight nod. "Amitabha."
*****
FEMALE–N
Year 2024
(Summer, The U.R.T, LUX Hotel)
Click. The bathroom door opened. Fresh citrus of shampoo and body wash swarmed in, slipping her out of the lightweightedness. She stirred, and cool air glided across her bare skin, from toes to her shoulders, reminding her of his finger travelling up her.
She wanted him again.
The voracious lover she picked up from the bar.
Anticipation bubbled in her chest as she turned to him—but he was back in his collar-Tee and jeans.
The way he checked his hair in the mirror while pulling that million-dollar Patek around his wrist spelled only one thing: he's done with her.
Humph. She pouted in dismay as her eyes ran over those muscular arms.
Her insides itched. She remembered the delicious way he stretched her as he pounded and ground her in a violent rhythm that injected her with ecstasy so rich and pure, she couldn't stop wanting more. They went on until she was completely spent.
How many rounds did they go for? She couldn't remember.
But the pleasure, she did.
"Leaving?" She purred as she stretched out invitingly across the wrinkled sheets, making sure that her most enticing curves were in full display above the evidence of his wild passion.
He said nothing.
And she heard her confidence crack, which pissed her off. She can't be losing the game right now, but the truth was bare naked in her face. The cold caress now felt too chilly. She grabbed the duvet and slumped against the headboard, her mood killed.
But then she met those beautiful blue eyes, and a strange flutter ignited within her.
An obsession.
That smile. She wanted it.
She didn't notice that he had sat beside her, and when she did, that flutter went wild. The way he tucked her curls behind her ear; the brush of his fingertips against her earlobes; the breeze of his tenderness—she wasn't sure why, but she was blushing like a fucking virgin.
"You were lovely," a silky voice whispered.
Was it that handsome face, or the way those blue eyes focused on her? Whenever he looked at her, she felt like she was his only love; the only girl in his world.
But she knows how these things work. Permanence is never on the agenda.
And yet, she wanted him to—. "Stay," she murmured and heard the plea in her voice.
That charming smile widened into an apologetic one. "I don't do sleepovers, remember?"
She scoffed and nodded obediently, remembering their conversation before they locked lips. This would be their first and last.
Hours later, after a nice, warm shower, she was silently putting on make-up, already missing the way he used the mirror she was using now, when her phone buzzed. She hesitated for a while, wanting the time for herself and her mysterious, sexy lover boy, but changed her mind.
A bet is a bet.
With a weary roll of her eyes, she slapped the phone to her ears and said, "You won." Her friend chuckled, and she rolled her eyes once more to salvage her bruised ego. "Say it then: I told you so."
"Not your fault—no one has succeeded."
She lifted the proud tip of her nose and declared, "Four hours straight."
More giggles slipped through, mocking her. "That's nothing. He didn't stay the night. That was the bet."
"Have you gone on for that long?" She challenged her friend. "Has anyone?"
"You know that says more about him than you, right?"
"Fine. I lost." She plonked herself back on the chair and resumed applying her lipstick. A thought popped in, a second chance, but her resourceful friend immediately read her mind and beat her to it.
"There's no bet: he doesn't sleep with the same person twice."
******
ROXANA HOOK
Year 2024
(Summer, The U.R.T, Platinum Apartments)
"Where is he!"
She stormed up to the gorgeous man lounging at the sofa, his eyes glued to the TV, ignoring her. Or maybe he didn't see her. On purpose.
So she slotted herself right in front of his face, and he shut his eyes in an exasperated effort to stay composed. Then, in his high EQ, he spread his lips into a gracious smile.
"What is it now, princess?"
Rox crossed her arms. "Where's that son of a bitch?'
"Now, now." The uncle wagged a reprimanding index finger at her. "That's no way to call your mother."
And incredulity flared her nostrils. "I did not—." She caught a twinkle of mischief in those eyes and turned away to hide her scorched cheeks, her vexation completely vanished. "Where's that jackass?" she mumbled.
Her uncle patted the empty space beside him, and, obediently but with a defiant roll of her eyes, Rox sat in it. She watched him point the remote control at the screen and it switched to the news channel, and suddenly found herself enjoying the peaceful, quiet moment.
"You know where he's at," her uncle spoke quietly. "So let's just wait, huh?"
She sensed a "How are things?" coming and snorted. "So why are you here? To spy on him for the two?"
A nice jingle of chuckle seared her cheeks harder, and her eyes rolled again in frustration, when he said with a shrug in his voice, "They're worried. And I'm just doing my duty."
"But you're no longer my father's Delta. And that brat's doing well." Now, she was irritated on his behalf.
"Ray-ster is enjoying the human world as he should be. So I agree—the King and Queen are a bit too much—and I can't go back. But that doesn't mean I'm done with the pack."
That smile on his face nearly stopped her heart. It was more meaningful than any of the ones he'd been showing the world, and she couldn't look away when he whispered, "Once a family, always a family."
There was something in his voice that drew her in.
And then, it was gone.
"So they say." He scoffed and flicked a finger at her forehead, earning an adorable wince of surprise before receiving the princess' full blown anger.
"I told you not to do that anymore!" She stood towering him. "I'm a full grown ass woman, and you do that to a three year old!"
Something crossed his eyes, and Rox felt a skip of beat inside her chest. She wanted to ask him about it when a tiny'Ping!' came from behind her.
Immediately, she turned around to the elevator as its metal doors slid open.
As soon as Ray stepped out, a heartwarming but highly unnecessary "RAY-STER!" exploded across the living room of the penthouse while Rox charged over to intercept him.
"There you are!" Rox arrived before him, an active volcano, and, to her vexation, he side-stepped her, giving a yawn to the crystal lights of his apartment ceiling. "Hey!" She cried after him, her rage heightened to the next level. "Hey, I'm talking to you, goddamn it!"
"I'm listening," said a voice as smooth as hers.
She heard a mocking undertone and grew furious. "Your phone was off."
Her brother entered the kitchen and she trailed closely. "I was busy," he answered.
She hated his curtness. It's rude and obnoxious. But she had grown out of her tantrums, and she knew exactly how to get him.
"Sex isn't business, little brother. And you promised."
The glass in his hand was lifting to feed that stupid mouth water when it lowered slightly to pause.
Rox felt a smile of victory on her lips and smugly waited for the nice tone deserved of her presence.
Once a brat, always a brat, huh? She thought as she watched him downed the rest of the water and laid the glass on the counter to give her his full attention.
"What is it this time?" he asked, the serious tone returned.
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin the way their father would whenever he gave orders. "I need you to infiltrate Ares Corp for me."
The playboy prince lowered his head to chuckle a little, his mocking mood recovering, then straightened for a deep inhale. "And how should I be doing that?"
Rox shrugged. "How else? Work there. You're graduating soon, you need a job—."
More chuckles entered, which irritated Rox again, until she saw uncle appearing by her side. Instantly, she held her breath when he patted her shoulder.
"What he meant was: what about his own company?" The older guy leaned against the island and observed her with a pondering gaze. "He'd be working there when he graduates, wouldn't he? As CEO?"
"That's not my business, isn't it?" She glared at the tall and muscular frame that was becoming more and more like their father's. "You're the slave. And I'm the master. You do as I say."
"But your parents would ask," interjected the uncle. "Are you sure you want them to know about this—arrangement—between you two?"
Before Rox opened her mouth to tell that sexy old man to butt off, her little brother beat her to it.
"They won't know." He turned around with an impish grin. "Because my dear sister would never say a word." The grin turned into a knowing one as he turned to the uncle. "And you still need your little helper for all the future golden fingers. So you wouldn't breathe a word of this to the folks."
A defeated chuckle signalled his receipt of the warning, and the ex-Delta gave a nod of agreement.
Just as Rox was once again pulled into the abyss of the 'golden finger' secret between the two fling masters, she met that handsome gaze and felt the heat swarming in once more.
Rox was contemplating digging a hole in the ground when her stupid but extremely useful brother said, "I'll do it. But this time, you have to help me get in."
Before she reacted to that, he added with a smug grin, "It's late, sis. Goodnight."