People would never change. They promoted peace and love, but the minute a fight broke out, they'd be ready to place bets and cheer for whoever was winning.
And today proved to be just that.
There was no need to turn around to see what was happening behind me, the loud chaos only growing gruffer by the ticking second. I was sure, my imagination could fill all the gaps in. Even in this mess, I was able to whip up a pretty good picture of the scenario that you'd find in those super cool action movies. Only, everything was real. And the worst part? There was no such thing as a stunt double— Immediately, I winced, one of my eyes nearly closing in the process when I pictured the poor state of Danny Charmant the second I made out a loud thud. I was sure his diamond-worth smile was even more crooked by now, and his white suit something like a fabric that was forgotten in the washing machine with a sock. A red sock. And now instead of a golf ball swishing back and forth against the grass... I might've just given him an upgrade to a punching bag. Not too bad, right... Not bad at all. At least he was doing better than me, lucky him— ha... I was sure on that too, as sure as a trembling little leaf at the sight of a pending storm. A big, silent one. One that made me remember all the delicious snacks on the table, abandoned...forgotten. Would I get a chance to eat them?
Yes, Danny Charmant was doing much better than I was. His face might be something like an abstract art that you'd find in an foreign museum, rearranged and concerning, one that you couldn't put your finger on exactly what was what; but he was nowhere in as big of a trouble as I was. Sure, Steve Trevors might be beating him up for making his girl disappear from his side faster than the shrimps from the platter, but he was fine. Daniel Charmant was fine. It was I who was in big trouble. It was me... Beating... More beating ... Not Steve Trevor's but my heart. It was beating so fast, my breaths could hardly follow. And then I remembered the fish on the deep plate, a poor sight and completely breathless. Just like me.
"I—" Come on, Sunny, just how you practiced it, I screamed inside my mind. Only it made me bite my lips at the way my heart squeezed in response from the embarrassment, the excitement, or was it something else... I didn't know. All I knew was, the fish must've tried its best too, to swim away as fast as it could even after knowing what was about to be its end. Its end... Ha... Let's just end this. I did not want to end up like it, not when I was about to save the world from someone that made your breaths shake from the mere sight of him.
"It's like a zoo out there!" I said in a squeak but I said it nonetheless, stopping next to one of the lounge chairs, its legs surely sturdier than mine, but I couldn't focus too much on that. How could I... First my legs, then my lips, the tips of my fingers... Slowly my entire body shook under the soft sun, a witnesses to what was happening to me the moment I revealed myself from hiding from the very man I should be running from. Only, I felt my heels sinking deeper into the grass; I was afraid I'd be knocked out the second a gust of wind blew by, deafening me— More beating. My heart was beating so loud that I couldn't even hear the shouting as well as before, and my hands shook so much that the drink almost slipped from my loose grip, almost spoiling the entire plan in a matter of seconds. Did I …want to run away... It couldn't be.
Vincent Bristol was far more breathtaking than the picture I had taken with my mind of the picture of the man they called the Head of Bristol.
All my hard work... All my hard work of trying to remember his very features, all went down the drain when I realized Anthony truly had tricked me and I let him. The man in the picture was not the same man sitting in front of me. That picture was a phony, just like my name today. The man captured in the picture in the black and white ink was the most handsome man I had ever seen, but I didn't know a few stolen colors could mask the true magnificence of someone's essence. Among the blending colors of the late-afternoon sun in the backdrop, the rays falling down from the sky and melting into the the fabric of his clothes, and the wonderfully quiet melody of calmer winds, I saw him. The man I had been dying to meet all this time. The Head of Bristol. This man was my reason to let go of a sigh from my parted lips as if I had struck gold, my reason to hold my breath the very next second he raised his head up to meet my gaze. Those forest eyes were exceptional against his fair skin, narrowing on me as he eyed me with an unreadable look in his eyes. His brown hair appeared soft and light against the wind when a light breeze blew by once more, making me curl my fingers until my nails dug into my skin to keep them from trembling in awe. I became even more jittery then, suddenly remembering the same dark brown color inside a coffee mug that I wasn't allowed to touch unless I wanted to be bouncing off the walls, excited until I felt like fainting the next second.
Ha... and what was with his outfit? Did he not get the memo like me? Everyone else wore a suitable attire— plain, old boring suits— but once more, he reminded me that I was completely out of it. Of course, how could I forget? The Head of Bristol was none like others. I had never seen anyone wear clothes like that in our line of work. In the picture I couldn't tell, but today I witnessed it myself. A man who couldn't care less about what the attire was... Just like me. Only, while I stayed frozen in place in my red dress, the Head of Bristol was decent enough to match the theme and wore a dark, thick robe that complimented his eyes under the black cape that he wore with the Bristol family crest embroidered on it in gold threads on the back. It was a great help in keeping track of him among the crowd, but I wouldn't say it was the only. There was his height... The way he walked... His two giant body guards... And...and... And it was a waste such a man had to die. That I had to be the one to do it. I couldn't run away.
"I suppose it can be like that," he said, breaking me out of my trance in a heartbeat. Oh, my heartbeats.. His first words to me. Me! I wanted to run straight to a mirror and check, but I couldn't check... There were no mirrors within the radius and the one in my purse was... All I could think was, did the blush on my skin match the same color of my dress! The Head of Bristol was talking to me! His voice was a bit deeper than I had imagined all those times I practiced our conversations in front of a mirror— and now, it was the reason for the warmth spreading on my cheeks. Deeper and more pleasant, was that a combination that was allowed for a man like him? Anthony didn't mention anything of such sorts... He also didn't mention that the Head of Bristol actually talked to strangers so easily. I had came up with so many ways to crack him open, thinking he might not talk to a nobody so easily, but things seemed to be going smoother than I thought. Speaking of smooth...his skin was glowing under the orange glow of the sun. Was it allowed to do that too? Although he was around 30 years old, he didn't look like the rest of the geezers I had encountered in my life, shabby and unkept, brutish. He was collected and too calm for someone who was witnessing a crime scene behind me, which made him appear more mature than all those monkeys horsing around back there. And all of the sudden, something about his demeanor surely screamed old man— ha. As if. After what he had done... Looks could be deceiving after all. I almost mistook him for a decent man, how silly of me. In that moment, I remembered just who he was, just who I was, and the plan seem to be the only thing in my mind...on top of all the other million thoughts whirling inside my head in their very own storm.
"May I join you?" I asked with bright eyes, shaking the exciting thought away for the moment. There's no way he could be a decent man. It would go against the plan. "It's rather loud over there with all the murderous intents and the cursing of great grandfathers and whatnot and the— the..." The what! My mind froze the second I caught myself nearly panting as I tried to pull nonsense out of the chilly, thin air and warp it into words, but my mind was—
"Help yourself."
Ha...help myself? Just like that?
His eyes followed my every move as I put on my brave— I meant— best smile and deliberately took the seat in the chair next to him, trying not to gasp when I nearly got sucked in by the unexpected padding on the seat the second I lowered myself on it before I collected myself in front of him. Me too, I could be as collected as this man... I deluded myself to think once more.
"I needed to get away from those loonies. Crazy, I tell you," I told him with a little twirl of my finger near my head. And a smile. I couldn't forget to smile... All I had to do was smile. "And I saw you sitting out here by yourself. Must be boring, huh?"
"I'm afraid you are mistaken. I simply enjoy watching the show from afar."
"Ha..."
"I am jesting," he said, making my blush deepen when I made sense of the subtle change in his expression. Was he...joking? "Perhaps it's as you say. I am merely... bored."
And the next second, he leaned back in his seat, the same feeling of wonderous eyes burning my skin until I could feel his gaze clinging on to me as if he had just picked up something to read in his pass time, a magazine— No, he didn't seem like the type to read magazines when he was bored... A book was far more fitting. Something complicated, entertaining, yet simple at the same time. Yes, it suited him very much that I could just imagine him— The plan!
"Being bored on an empty stomach will only drive you crazy too!"
"Is that so?"
"Mhm! I heard that food and a good drink is great to pass time! Would you like some champagne? If you get drunk enough, you can imagine them as dancing monkeys! You won't be bored then!" I said holding up the glass that I've been holding for a straight fifteen minutes now. I only prayed the Head of Bristol wasn't a picky—
"That's quite tempting. However, I must decline. I don't drink."
I heard the sound of shattering just then, but I didn't turn to the mirror inside my purse because I knew I didn't sit on it. And he didn't sit on it. But the noise was deafening either way as something shattered inside me hearing those words. My plan. He ruined it in a heartbeat. That's right… my heartbeats. No one cared about them, not even him. Of course, how would he. He wasn't here to stroll in the park or be interested in a picnic like me. He was here for business after all, whatever that might be. There was a chance he wouldn't accept my drink. He was not like those other men here. He was… really dangerous because he already knew.
I licked my lips before I forced a giggle, looking around for any sign of redemption with wild eyes. There weren't any, which meant... I had no choice but to keep going.
"O-oh, really?" My stomach bubble with a great restlessness inside me that I had never felt before as I eyed the champagne and then looked back at the man who was watching me intently, silently, his eyes drawing my attention away from the pretty drink swimming in the glass. Ha... all this time, I pranced around the world without a single clue of the existence of such a brilliant color. Something about it seemed familiar. Something about it seemed surreal. Something about it... I snapped my eyes away, glancing back at the crowd with a frustrated smile. What a fool. I kept forgetting I was in the middle of a job.
"Could it be, you don't like the taste of it?"
He didn't answer. When I turned to him, I found my hands shaking at the way his silence seemed to be screaming right at me.
It didn't matter. I was still in the middle of trying to get rid of him.
"I see you're not much of a talker, Mister. That's okay! You must be tired from walking around all this time—" My eyes widened at myself the instant I cupped my hand over my mouth when I made sense of the nonsense that just spilled out of my mouth. He didn't hear, did he... "Haha, I mean, you're resting, so I'm assuming you must be tired!" Shut up, shut, shut up! "The birthday boy— man— I mean, old man likes to take laps around his very prestigous garden!"
"Is that so? Perhaps you are acquainted."
"He's my... long lost cousin's...husband's...aunt's ex-husband's fourth cousin!'
"Ah, is that so?" He raised a brow as if he was amused, a small smile playing on his lips. "I see. You must be well-acquainted, then."
This man! I forced another smile, cursing myself for slipping up, so the only thing to do to fix it was to hurry up and get out of this mess before I could explode with the embarrassment.
"A-are you sure you don't want a drink?" I asked once more, my eyes falling on the table, where I found two tall glasses, similar to the one in my hand, next to him. One was completely full as if it was untouched, forgotten, and the other... I raised my gaze to his lips, my heart skipping a beat when he caught me staring the next second. I turned away, nearly panting as if I had been caught by the big boss of the final level of the game I played just last week...while I practiced our conversations— I was a diligent worker. No time for slacking— Which was it! Which one was his glass, I couldn't tell! He didn't leave any traces, clues. Not even one hint.
"I do apologize."
"That's okay!" I said a little too quickly for my liking. "Drinking is overrated anyway,— not that there's anything wrong with drinking. I drink all the time! I mean, not all the time, but you know what I mean. I mean, not really since you don't know me, and we're strangers—"
"It's quite alright," he said, making my feet sink deeper into the grass when he let me hear it. The sound of his voice, the deepest and quietest chuckles. Was I... the monkey entertaining him? Was he amused? Did that mean, I still had a chance to get rid of him?
"Champagne tastes the best with good company," I said with a sudden fluttering heart as I inched closer. There was no other choice. There was no one here to help me. There was no choice but to still keep playing it off like I wasn't affected by his charming looks and his deep voice, something I should despise because he was the Head of Bristol, and I had a grudge against the Head of Bristol...so I had a grudge against him. "Since you are all alone, you must not find the taste of it pleasant...or sweet."
"You are mistaken," he replied, smiling when I dared to come closer with the drink still in my hand. Still, he didn't move. As if he was clueless or...unafraid. Either way, he didn't mind when I shot him another pretty smile, my best attempt to keep his attention all on me and not what was happening around us. It was the first time... I had to remind myself to keep smiling or else he might read a thought or two that he shouldn't read just yet, no matter how bored he was. "I am not alone."
What was this... "You mean, your men? They're not here..."
"Is that what you think?"
This man was too good. He was more stubborn than I thought, but more than that, he knew more than he should, which made the entire world of mine clash for a moment until it was getting harder to admit, what a terrible job I was doing. Even so, since he refused to accept my thoughtful gesture, I had no choice but to let go of a dramatic sigh of disappointment, set the glass down on the table before purposely spilling the champagne on the grass, and look back at him with a pair of surprised eyes. I couldn't risk anyone else drinking it or all hell would break loose.
"Oh no!" I had no choice. I had to abort plan A and go to plan B. There's no other option but to get close and stab him and run away before anyone would notice. A clean and perfect end for a man like him. "And to think they just mowed the grass!"
"I am sure it will be alright," he said to make me feel better about my horrible performance. Okay, this was enough. My mind was spinning the moment I found myself cornered by his overwhelming, dangerous smile.
"The truth is... I've been watching you!" I said, covering my mouth. My acting was a bit more sloppy since he was intimidating— no, he was terrifying because of how calm he was– but it had to do.
"Is that so?" He seemed unfazed as if he already knew. He knew. He knew everything from the start.
"Yes. I'm sorry. But— but I'm such a huge fan!" I had a feeling the fight was going to stop any moment. I was running out of time.
"My fan? A girl like you?" He leaned back some more to take in the sight of me desperately trying to keep up my act.
I nodded enthusiastically. Honestly, it wasn't a lie. Vincent Bristol was a top gun in the our world. Everything he did, he did behind the scenes, yet the outcomes were perfect. A quality man that knew how to pull the strings of these mafia dogs and the police itself. He was mysterious but not mysterious enough that one would forget his name. I didn't think I'd ever forget his name, not even when I became an old granny. Especially not since I was the one who was going to end his career. And his life.
But such a cool man... Did I really have to get rid of him? Wouldn't the world be lacking with him gone? No, shut up, I told myself. How could I think of such a thing after what he did to me... I needed to be more professional.
"Can't I have your autograph, Mister?"
"If that makes you happy," he said. "Unfortunately I do not have a—"
I rushed to my own rescue. "Tada!" I said, pulling out a pen from my purse. And as for a paper…I looked around and found a napkin on the table. Lady Luck was really on my side today. "And tada. Here, let me hand it to you—" I got up to give him the pen and napkin when I "accidentally" slipped.
"Oh, no! Pardon me!" I said as he broke my fall, his hands on my waist. "Ha...pardon...me..."
What was this...His grip. He was holding on to me so tightly. It was the first time, the very first time someone held me so close. Even if I was a professional, my cheeks flared when I found his face so close to mine, my body frozen with the shock of the state of my mind, utterly a chaos as if the fight had shifted inside me. But instead of Steve Trevors vs. Danny Charmant, it was my thought against my heart, both of them malfunctioning at the sight of him. His eyes, though somehow familiar, were the rarest gem I had ever laid my eyes on. Prettier than the jades on this old granny's necklace I had one stolen for Anthony, but that was a whole other story. This time, I couldn't read anything, not the look in his eyes that suddenly flashed something captivating, alluring, not the fate of my future. I couldn't read what was on his mind even when he let me lose myself in his eyes just for a moment.
How could that be. How could I mess up this badly to think he had the prettiest eyes in the world with the most mesmerizing expression in them, making me inch closer to get a better look. Because I wanted to distract him, of course, nothing more! But before I could even get the chance to, there was a sudden scream that made us both look into the direction of where the crowd had migrated like a flock of scavengers to pile of carcass. Ha...it was just another roast from Danny, so then why were my cheeks on fire the second we both turned to look at each other once more. My heart was pounding, but my head was glad for the sudden outburst that made me snap out of it.
It was okay. I got this. It was part of the plan— I lost my train of thoughts when I accidentally looked right into his eyes again! Uh-oh, I wasn't supposed to do that. This wasn't good. He was so breathtaking. How could he be even more attractive this close up! It wasn't good! My plan! My precious plan B! "I-I..." I couldn't move! My dagger, I had to get my dagger out and—
Suddenly there was a loud bark that had both of us turn to the side.
"Fiona."
"A dog!" An angry, terrifying beast with a menacing growl and its fangs bared right at me, making me lose my breath at the sight of the malice in its strikingly fearsome eyes. A ferocious husky with magnificent silver fur and an overpowering aura just like that man who made my heart stop in its tracks. That's right! He always had his dog by his side. I was so nervous, I had completely forgotten about its existence altogether. He made me forget! Where did it even come from and why did it have to show up now of all times? How could I screw up this badly! No, who cares? It distracted him! This was my only chance! If I wasted it, I wouldn't be able to save everyone from Vincent Bristol, and get all the luxury for taking down this monster. I quickly reached for the dagger from the strap under my dress, ignoring the way my hands shook the tighter I grabbed it.
This was it.
"Vincent Bristol! I don't have a choice! This would've been so much easier if you just accepted my drink!" My silver blade reflected in his eyes as I lifted it to pierce it through his chest only to find my hands freeze in mid-air. Again. Those eyes... I caught a glimpse of them again. Why were they so mellow? Was he not terrified? Was he welcoming his death?
"Why— why aren't you fighting back!" I asked, hesitating before shaking my head. No, I had to finish my job. "Goodbye, Vincent Bristol!" I screamed, lowering the blade down. But before I knew it, the dagger slipped out of my grip and fell with a quiet thud. My one second of hesitation cost me the entire plan. The dog. I didn't know that it would eventually turn the tables. Before I knew it, my face was pressed against the soft bed of grass right in front of his feet. The dog on top of me barked loudly with its paws digging deeper into my back again and again, making my heart quiver with fear as I imagined it trying to dig a hole right through me to bury my corpse right in front of its master. This…Was this the end for me?
"S-surprise! Oh, w-was it not your birthday? I must've pranked the wrong guy!"
He smirked, making my blood run hot— no cold— no my cheeks were hot and my blood turned so cold that I felt goosebumps fill the sleeves of this dress. "It seems like today is full of surprises."
"Ha..."
"I had a feeling a girl like you was no fan of mine," Vincent said, still sitting as composed as before.
Wasn't he a bit too relaxed for someone who was just about to be murdered? I didn't understand, his smile nor that gleam in his eyes. I didn't understand anything. This was not how I imagined things to turn out. He was nothing like I was told he was. He was more frightening because I couldn't read him at all. Just what was on his mind when he let his piercing eyes gaze upon the mess I was on the ground in front of him? I could only think of my own thoughts that wished he would let me run away, but at the same time… I couldn't look away from his gaze as if I was hopelessly hypnotized.
"I am your fan!" I said desperately with a shaky voice. However, was it shaking with fear or excitement, I couldn't tell. He wasn't going to kill me right? I had things to do and places to go. I hadn't even eaten half of the delicious food out there that I wanted to try. T-this could not be the end, right?
"Poison and a dagger. I never knew fans showed their admiration like that. I must admit, I am not in tune with the world."
"Haha... that was just... A prank! I really thought you were the birthday boy!" What should I do now? I bit my lips, wanting to pull my hair out of the braid as the thumping in my heart settled deep inside my head too.
"Is that so? Perhaps you aren't well-acquainted. After all," he said, leaning in slowly with his eyes darkening the moment I let him see my lips trembling in fright. "I am merely a guest like you."
"I—" My nails dug into the grass as I tried to hold on to every thought that was trying to escape right out of my grip. "Ha. Head of Bristol."
"It seems you know who I am after all."
I couldn't help but to break character then, throwing my head back as I chuckled in frustration before I snapped my head back to look at him with my lips curled up. "I told you, I am a fan, Mister. A big one. I only wanted your autograph. Truly."
To remind me of my place, that he had the upper hand, he showed his true colors then and returned an equally menacing smile that hardly did any good to my heart. "Perhaps you have the wrong man. As I said, I am but a guest."
"Oh, no. I have the right man. Who can mistake...the Head of Bristol for anyone else? You are so handsome— I mean...I have the right man," I mumbled the rest with an unsettling embarrassment washing over me once more.
"I'm flattered." He didn't sound flattered. He simply sounded like he was being entertained thoroughly enough to keep playing along. That's what I thought before he made me stiffen with a racing heart the next second. "However, I am quite curious. Who sent you?"
"W-what do you mean?" I had to play dumb. I couldn't let Anthony be caught, he'd kill me. Worst, he would blame everything on me and get away with it too because he had something that I didn't: alibis. It was better just to play the victim card, the damesel in distress who had lost her mind for a moment and pray he had a beating heart. Could he hear mine..."I acted on my own accord! It was all me!"
"What malice does a strange girl like you have towards me?" he asked looking up. So much... I bit my tongue from letting him know. Not yet. "They're all coming back. How unfortunate. It appears you have failed to surprise me how you wished."
"What- what will you do with me?" I shivered when his gaze fell back on me and he finally showed me a small smile. His smile… was dangerously attractive like the rest of him, leaving me breathless.
"Perhaps you are afraid."
I didn't reply and continued to struggle to escape from under the dog. But no matter how much I squirmed, I couldn't wiggle my way out of this mess. How could a dog weigh so much!
"Ha...ha...what will you..."
"My men will be here soon. Let's continue our chat after."
"No!" I didn't want to have a chat! Not with him! Who knew what he'd do to me! What if he pushes me into a frozen lake or down a mountains where no echoes are heard. What if he sold me off and paid off his taxes with the money he got as a reward— did he even pay taxes! No, what was I thinking? Why was I even thinking! There was no time for that. I couldn't spare a moment longer and wonder about his taxes when my own life was as stake. I had to run away. I had to run away from this man before I lost my mind.
Taking my chances, I grabbed my dagger that had fallen next to me and scratched the dog with the tip of it, just enough for it to let me loose and I could escape from my pending doom.
"I'm sorry!" I yelled with tears when the dog howled in pain. It got off me right away for a second, which was my cue to spring up and run away. Run as fast I could, away from the man who made my heart pound in fear yet made my face melt under those bewitching eyes.
"What's going on here?" someone asked in the distance. I looked over my shoulder and found that the entire crowd was already making its way back to where the man and his barking dog were. That man... The Head of Bristol... He didn't yell. He didn't so much as say a single word. He never even moved a single inch even now. He didn't need to. Vincent Bristol gave me a glance, a single glance, and it was more than enough. The next second, I had both of his two men and even that dog on my tail.
"Ha... If I knew I had to run, I would've never worn heels," I cried out with the braid on my side bouncing against my chest and my bag flailing in the air as I scurried away like a little mouse who had clearly failed to get the cheese. I wanted to cry at the thought of the tragic end of my brilliant plan, but there was no time for that. Those men were fast, the dog faster, which made me feel a little better. Good, I didn't hurt it that badly! It was up and running next to those gigantic men, as if Vincent Bristol had unleashed hellhounds after me. I panted at the thought of him, kicking my shoes off and scooping them up in my restless hands before picking up my speed.
"Stop or I'll shoot," one of his men yelled behind me.
"No, thanks!" I yelled back, utterly panicking now. They followed me across the lawn and through the garden maze, the sound of screaming and barking filling in the air. It was a long run, and we were just getting further and further away from the party, but those men of his were persistent. No wonder he took them everywhere he went. That's what I heard anyway. I stopped at the very back of the property, gasping for air before I threw my shoes on the other side of the tall gate and began to climb it, trying not to trip on my own feet when all of the sudden I felt another chill down my back.
"I would stop right there if I were you."
I snapped my head to look over my shoulder and found myself in big trouble.
"Aren't you a fast thing?"
"Thanks!" I told him with restless eyes, looking behind them as I wondered if someone else would pop up behind them any moment. Someone else...was he really not going to come? "Thanks, I'm really fast, huh? That means I beat you in the race. I won, so I can go home now!"
"That's not how this game works here. I really wouldn't do that. You see, you made Boss really upset," one of them said with a crazy smile right when I was about to jump to the other side with their silver guns pointed at me.
Ha...Boss? So, he was the right man. I did it. I caught a glimpse of him. Vincent Bristol.
"A-aren't you being a little rude here? I decided to spare your boss' life. I could've easily killed him if I wanted to." Okay, maybe that was a little stretch, but they didn't need to know that. "B-but I didn't since I'm in such a good mood!"
"We will shoot," the other giant said, the one without any trace of humor.
"Gentlemen, th-there's no need to be violent." A cold sweat broke on my forehead as I chuckled nervously, putting my hands up in defeat. My freedom was just on the other side. So close but it felt so far for some reason. "Let's just pretend this never happened, okay? Well, I'm off—"
Before I could even think of jumping, I felt something tug hard on the hem of my dress. And as if it happened in slow motion, I sensed gravity pulling me down, making me lose my balance and fall off the wall just like Humpty Dumpty before I hit my head until it really felt like it was going to crack open.
"Ow..." I groaned at the hammering inside my head. "My shoes!"
"Get her." The men were by my side before I knew it, and the dog never let go of my dress.
"Hey, let go! I said I was sorry! I'm sorry! Hey, are you listening!" I tried pulling it out of its mouth, but the two men grabbed both my arms and dragged me all the way back to where the rest of the party was. The way back felt even longer with me trying to negotiate with them the entire time, while one just listened with an amused smile and the other completely ignored me. Anthony shook his head the second he saw me. He must really pity me in the state that I was in. I had to admit, I screwed up big time after flaunting my confidence around like I was in some parade before.
"This-this is a misunderstanding!" I said with a nervous chuckle as everyone pointed a gun in my direction or a look of disdain as if I were a cartoon character that had accidentally drawn herself into an action-packed movie. "You too, Danny?"
"Daniel," Louis said with an audible gasp, "you know of this girl?"
Danny, who had fresh bruises on his face, looked confused. "That's the girl, Lily," he said to Steve. Ha. What happened to, I would never point her out because that's the man— It was alright, I thought, feeling bad about the blue and black around his eye.
"That ain't my Lily," Steve said in a low gruff. "Fuck."
"What—"
"You have quite a lot of explaining to do," Louis said. "Vincent, who is this girl and what is she doing here?"
The dog barked and walked back to its owner, who was still sitting in the same spot as he was before as if nothing had happened. However, there was a slight change in his expression that nearly made my heart skip a beat in horror. His eyes were darker until they almost looked electric even though that same calm look was on his face. He was really the Vincent Bristol. I really did catch a glimpse of him after all. I couldn't believe it.
"I believe it's best if she answers that herself." He looked at me with that calm smile, not hiding the threatening glare in his eyes. "I don't have to repeat myself. Who are you?" he asked patiently, which only made my heart beat louder.
"It was a—" I winced, holding my breath when the dog's barks boomed like thunder in my ear and reminded me what a frightening storm I was caught up in. "No one! I came here alone!"
"Who knows of this girl?" It was Anthony, cleverly trying to look like he was on Vincent's side. It was understandable as it was sickening to find everyone standing against me, to find myself alone. But that was…it was nothing new. Everyone denied that they knew me.
"Well if no one gives a shit," Steve said, "let's just kill her and get on with it. Ruined my fucking day."
"You're reckless as ever. Killing her without getting any answers," Danny said.
"E-exactly," I said. They all looked at me with threatening eyes. "What will you get—"
"I agree." For the first time, Vincent suddenly got up and made his way towards me. His gait was slow and steady, making me wonder if the rumors about him were true. He had the fastest bodyguards because he couldn't run fast... no, who cared. Even knowing I could run faster than him, his presence alone made me realize he would be able to catch me anytime that he desired to. He lowered his head to look at me while I tilted mine back to take in his towering height until I felt like I was only sinking deeper under him. Would the ground swallow me whole before I had the chance to admire him as I quivered for a different reason in that moment...
"I must admit, I have taken a liking to your loyalty. Whoever you are trying to protect, must be quite proud."
"I'm not so sure since I failed my mission to kill you," I nearly whispered, lowering my head. The smile on his face was unbearable and left me confused. He did not act like a man who was just about to be killed just moments ago.
"Will you really not say?" he asked again in a lower voice as if he didn't want anyone else to hear.
"I am alone..."
"Is that so?" The next second, my heart jumped in its cage at the sound of a loud click. My body began to shake uncontrollably as I dug my fingers into the grass, holding on to my dear life, but I couldn't find it in me to beg when my mouth suddenly went dry. I didn't want to die. Not like this. I had things to do and places to see. Most of all, I wanted to be free… to meet someone special. To feel the warmth that others bragged about. I wanted to beg for my life, but it's not like these people would listen. Everyone here was crazy, but it was my bad luck that Vincent Bristol was probably the craziest one out of everyone here.
"I suppose you have some last words," Vincent said as he looked over me like a dark cloud. It always rained when someone died. But I never knew there would be a silent storm when it was my turn.
This was truly the end. I hid my head even deeper, knowing there was no way out of it. It was how this world ran. That man was right. The games they played were entirely different. "L-leave s-some f-food on m-my gr-grave."
"Is that all?"
"And—and..." I shut my eyes so tight that it felt like they were going to pop out of my head any second. Get over with it already, I screamed in my head, but at the same time, I wished he would stall for forever.
"Very well," he said, and the next second, he pulled the trigger.
Suddenly, everything went quiet except for the loud bang followed by ringing in my ears. Was this the sound one heard when they were dying? I didn't know, it was all very new for me since I had never done it before, but I felt my heart stop and my breaths fade away until it made my chest tighten and my head spin as I lost control of every inch of my body. Like a rag doll, I fell over foward, my limbs feeling numb, letting the grass break my fall. But...
But what was this? Where was the pain? The excruciating pain that made one scream until their own eardrums popped and their heart burst right out of their chest. I didn't feel any of it, this pain that was so popular among these people!
Gasping, I sat back up and snapped my watery eyes open to find the man tucking his gun away under the thick fabric that hung over his shoulder.
"What are you doing, Vincent!" Louis said with a raised voice. Vincent Bristol had left everyone speechless, but not more than me, who watched him with hot tears in my eyes and my mouth parted, my body quaking from the aftermath of the shock. It was then when I realized... the only one who surprised everyone was no one but the Vincent Bristol.
"There's no need," Vincent said with his eyes returning back to how they were when they first laid sight on me, beautiful and disarming. "I changed my mind."
"W-what?" I whispered among the raging complaints ripping the air. I couldn't believe it. Maybe I had hit my head too hard and was only hearing the things I wanted to. Was Lady Luck really on my side today!
"Whoever you work for must be here tonight." Vincent brushed the dog's fur calmly, while I eyed it with running tears on my cheeks as it kept rubbing its head against his leg. "I wish to commend them for having such a loyal person by their side. You don't see a woman willing to sacrifice her life for a coward who couldn't pay me a visit himself, isn't that so?"
I didn't have to look at Anthony to know how flustered he must be hearing such words from the man he wanted dead so badly. I didn't want to. Something about his voice drowned out all the worries in the world when I realized I could still hear it, and see him, and feel the blades of grass against my skin. I was alive...I was still alive!
"Are you saying you're just going to let her go?" Danny asked.
"Let her go?" He looked straight at me with that smile of his, while I froze under those beautiful eyes, not being able to run away even when my mind was screaming for me to. "I don't wish to. Not yet."
"Ha..." What was he saying while he looked at me like that... Was he out of his mind? I dropped my gaze on the empty glass on the table and wondered how a man like that could speak such words when he wasn't drunk.
"Then what?" Louis scoffed.
Vincent Bristol smirked at me once more before he took another step forward. This time, he lowered himself until our eyes met, my heart stopping when I found him so close. So suddenly... "I simply wish to give her another chance… to kill me."