Serafina.

After my three fids training under Marionette– approximately six months– undergoing all sort of torture and handling a few trial missions, I was finally given my first official mission.

Rapheal Dekoms, Ropp's most eligible widower, was feared in power yet fatally vulnerable to beauty. He was a venomous man wrapped in prestige.

The mission was almost impossible, or so they said.

Yet, it made my heart ripple, mostly because male missions had always been easier for me. And the best part, my look and body was a bait for them.

Following Rapheal's trails was the first thing on my list. From the sole of his shoes, to the number of strands on his hair, he became more like the palm of my hands. Now, I was putting my second plan in place.

Like a honey badger circling a cobra, I would let him strike first. Just to prove his venom had limits.

My legs swung off the balcony's rail, as I took occasional puffs of my electronic cigarette while scanning the environment for him. Luckily, my eyes could travel beyond normal human sight, so finding him was going to be a walkover.

However, I had a little problem.

Not the fact that today was Friday and the club was going to be crowded, meaning that more than five souls were going to be taken by the hungry demons that always accompanied me.

Nor the realization that I might have to compete with the ladies who always threw themselves at Rapheal.

But,

The small hollow I felt at the back of my mind about him.

Anticipation.

Even though I was this excited because he was my first given mission, I felt like there was a deeper connection to the both of us than meets the eyes.

Anyways, there was only one way to find out.

After waiting for an extra hour, his cologne suddenly hit my nostrils and a wide smile crossed my lips.

Elated, I jumped from the rooftop and landed straight on a car top in a dark alley. Across me, two blonde guys were engrossed in a heated make out session, that they didn't even notice what had happened.

Thankfully.

Because they instantly dropped dead on the floor.

I walked up to them and was about to draw an upside down cross on their foreheads –to alert the grim reaper– when three other guys suddenly walked up to me, almost like an ambush.

Insolent mortals!

A sinister smirk on their lips, the first guy started approaching me with a slow stride. I advanced behind, calculating what my next move would be and how swift I had to make it

I couldn't keep my man waiting.

My back hit the wall with a thud and they closed in on me.

"Hello pretty." The first guy mocked. "You look way too innocent for that." He observed, glancing over the dead bodies on the floor.

The second guy behind him winked at me in a way that made my skin crawl.

"I get that your boyfriend cheating on you feels unjust. But babe, unaliving them was wild."

"I like my girls wild." The first guy chimed and they all laughed.

"So," he breathed again. "To keep this short, what's gonna be our hush payment?"

He tilted his head and gently caressed my cheek, then leaned in on me.

"I wouldn't like a gorgeous one like you to rot in prison."

My eyes narrowed in controlled rage, before a smile slowly made its way to my lips.

"You wanna end up like them too?"

A pause lingered after my absurd question and just when I thought they were about to retreat, a ripple of mocking laughter escaped their throats.

"She's fiesty." The third guy with a fine voice and face finally spoke. "It makes my dick stand."

"I know right?" The first guy replied and turned to me again.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and fanned my face with his breath, which badly stunk.

"We aren't asking for much, baby. Just a gentle stroke to your slick pussy." He rubbed his jaw.

"A ridiculously cheap price to keep our mouths shut." The third guy chipped in.

Agitated, I made a disgusted face and pushed him away, causing him to stagger.

"You fucking stink dude! Try grabbing a deodorant by the store."

Crouching down, I was about to dust my bag when a kick sent me crashing to the muddy floor. My eyes nearly rolled into its socket as a bitter hiss escaped my lips.

"For someone who just committed murder, you sure have a lot to say." He spat. "It seems you don't even realize the consequences of your careless action!"

"With this attitude of yours," the third guy nodded negatively. "I would have definitely cheated if I was your boyfriend."

Funny.

Trying so hard to subdue my anger, I stood and dusted myself.

"I understand that I'm painstakingly beautiful and might be messing with your minds, but for your safety, I'd advise that you quietly leave here." I warned while taking a subtle observation of how I was going to subdue them without ending their lives.

My anger was difficult to keep in check and I might mess things up before I even start. Which I didn't want.

The second guy pulled a dagger from his shirt and took over the first guy. He gently grazed the cold metal on my face, scaring it in the process.

"You must think you are some hotshot right?" He laughed, still tracing the knife down my neck.

In anger, I flung his hand away from my face and threw a loud slap across his. Their eyes widened from the shock.

"You bitch!"

He raised his muscular hand to hit me but I caught it mid-air with a smile. Just then, the blood on my face dried and the scar healed up.

"What the fuck..." he cursed out loud, slowly retracting his steps.

But it was too late.

My anger had taken over.

With a little strength, I twisted his wrist over the opposite direction. A loud cry escaped his throat, before I threw him across the alley and he landed on a car, instantly passing out. The other two, with their jaws to the floor, also seemed scared for their lives.

"She's not.. she's..not.. human." The first guy stammered, making for a run but I teleported to his front, and he flinched in fear.

Coward!

"Not so fast, boo." A sneer smirk formed on my lips. "I can't let you leave after what you just saw."

He fell to his knees and began rubbing his hands together. "Please.. spare.. spare me.."

"Oh really?"

"I promise no one's gonna hear about this..."

His response made me throw back my head in laughter.

"You think I'm gonna let you leave here intact? You humans don't listen and then when you finally get caught in a fix, you start pleading."

While I was still glaring at him, the last guy tried to attack me from behind but my reflexes caught his hand just in time. Because my powers had been activated, my eyes turned red and something mighty surged through me. I twisted his wrist until it detached from the rest of his arm. While a chilling cry of pain left his lungs, his friend passed out in fear.

My chained rose tattoo blinked immediately, a warning not to go beyond my limits and the blaze I felt calmed. Gathering myself together, I healed the injuries I had inflicted on them and erased their memories, leaving them with an eternal feeling of pain at the injured areas.

Finally drawing upside down crosses on the blonde guys, I dusted myself and walked into the nearest bathroom for a change of clothes.

Putting my backpack down, I peeled off my dirty leather jackets and pants. I secured my legs in a pair of black pantyhose that extended to my upper thighs, then hid both of my daggers in its strap. Firmly secured, I threw on a burgundy loose party top, with a matching dark green wrap skirt. That way I would be able to access my daggers.

If need be.

Burying my feet in a pair of black ankle boots, I sleeked my wavy hair into a high ponytail and retouched my makeup. Satisfied with my final look, I walked out and headed to the club

RAPHEAL

The music blasting from the club reached as far as two streets, where my driver had parked to grab some pills for me. From the loudness, I figured my destination would be very full.

Shortly after, as I casually slided through my ipad, my driver returned and handed me the substance which was delivered for my use. If I wanted to have fun tonight, then I needed to be out of reality. I tossed some of it into my electronic crusher, my eyes still fixated on the iPad.

On the screen was the famous Delanxy's page, a new next generation diva who has been the recent talk of the town. Not only was she stunning with a perfect body, she was also very affluent and the netizens were already shipping the both of us together. I had never been interested in online gossip, until my mom came visiting today, still bringing her to my table.

Apparently, her family had just taken over the crypto market and were killing the stakes. Turns out she was a close pal of her dad and they both didn't hesitate to fix a private meeting for the both of us.

In her words, I needed to move on with my life.

And I was nowhere ready for that.

As I scrolled through the page, I couldn't help but actually see the reason why they talked about us. She was just the kind of woman I needed. Unlike my ex-wife who had nothing to offer, ending up with Delanxy would definitely boost my business and also broaden my retrospectives in the mafia chain.

"Boss." The driver called, jolting me from my thoughts. "We are here."

Dropping the iPad on the chair, I transferred my crushed substance into a cigarette wrap and carefully sealed it, checked for my gun then brushed myself up, and headed into the club. To avoid being seen, I went straight to the private elevator that led directly to the top suite, which I had reserved for the whole night. From the sofa upstairs, where I sat waiting for my blind date, I observed the flock of people downstairs, who were having 'fun'.

Alcohols.

Cocaine.

Orgy parties.

Typical club life in Ropp.

Ruben suddenly approached me with urgency in his stride.

"Sir, Miss Cromwell appears to be running late." He announced, to my distaste. "She had to attend an emergency meeting and she sent her apologies."

The thought made anger rush through me. Standing to my feet, I sorted Ruben's shoulder with a fake smile.

"I might as well keep myself busy."

"Okay boss." he replied with a slight bow.

I made my way to the bar downstairs, with plans of drowning myself in one or two drinks. As I slipped into an empty stool, the bartender flashed me a warm smile. He has been one of my favorites since the beginning of 'Wild and Wide'.

"The usual." I requested, as soon as he made a greeting sign at me. He nodded immediately and set to work. Only he knew how I preferred it, sharp enough to burn but smooth enough to numb.

While waiting for my drink, I tried to scan the environs for a prey when my eyes fell on something more interesting.

The distance between us wasn't much, but her presence was impossible to ignore. Double coloured eyes, high ponytail and a face that screamed trouble in nice wrapping. One glance at her and she was already looking at me. Not with the normal flirty looks I always got, it felt more like she was observing me, lazily tracing the rim of her glass with her adorned fingers.

My head tilted to get a better look when the bartender dropped my drink before me. As I picked it, a soft skin brushed mine and threw me into a traunce I wanted to forget.

Memories of Yuanita.

It happened in a fast blink and the next thing I knew, I was frantically searching the crowd for the cause of that static force that just breezed me. I could swear there was a strange shift in the air, but I couldn't find the source. It was gone with the wind. Slowly, panic crept in and guilt laddened my thinking. I felt my lungs burn and my chest tighten with a piercing pain. My fist clasping around the glass, I emptied the contents of the drink into my mouth, and immediately ordered another shot. Whatever that was, it sure did trigger my nemesis.

RAPHEAL

I don't know how much time had passed, but I had taken a certain amount of shots that made my vision hazy and legs wobbly. Despite that, it wasn't enough to drown my thoughts around what had just happened tonight.

Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds for your day to be ruined.

Not like I ever had any good days.

Twirling my glass in between my fingers, a wrap of cigarette lounged between my lips, I gestured to the bartender for another bottle of alcohol. Just then, a woman in red slipped into the empty still beside me.

Her cologne, rich and expensive, filled the whole room. The crimson satin of her dress kissed her body, its asymmetric hem teasing a flash of leg. Diamonds caught the low club lights at her throat, ears, wrist, and on that enormous ring while her black hair was swept high, a few tendrils softening her sharp elegance.

Smoky eyes, burgundy lips, straight teeth, she was flawless. Even sitting, her diamond-encrusted stilettos clicked softly, a subtle punctuation of power.

"You come here often?" She asked, pulling me from my unforeseen traunce.

"When I need to." I replied coldly, struggling to steady myself. "Took you long enough to finally arrive. How'd the 'emergency' meeting go?"

The sarcasm in my tone couldn't be missed.

And I didn't care.

The server placed a drink before her, which she took a small slip from.

"I guess long enough for you to nearly knock yourself out with cocktails."

I shrugged. "I guess."

Despite the loudness of the room, silence fell on us. I didn't know about her but my mind was too preoccupied by the thoughts of the stranger that bumped into me. I didn't dwell on strangers yet, I drank my liquids without tasting them.

Delanxy cleared her throat, breaking the silence between us.

"Why don't I make it up to you?" She offered, finally locking her gaze in mine.

If there was one truth, the cameras sure didn't do enough justice to her looks and poise.

I scammed her carefully, trying to read her mind. "How'd you do that?"

A sneer smirk crossed her lips. One that screamed ulterior motives.

"It's a secret." She teased, which didn't in any way seem funny to me. "But first, we have to get out of here. It's too degrading for people in our class." Her eyes grazed the room in a disgusting manner.

Without waiting for my response, she rose to her feet and began making her way to the private lounge. Just then, someone bumped into a bartender from behind her. The tray tilted and its red liquid spilled across her dress. In that moment, silence fell around us and the haze in my vision cleared.

"Ohh God!!" The bartender gasped and began wiping her with a servette. "I'm really sorry ma'am.."

She tried to remedy her dress, but her chances were dashed when Delanxy threw a hard slap across her face. Sharp enough that heads turned and whispers started.

"Do you have any idea how much this costs?!" she demanded.

"I'm really sorry ma'am.. I can get you a new dress if it's too.."

Delanxy cut her off with a bitter scoff. "What makes you think your cheap salary can afford this?"

"Huhhh?!" Her voice had risen in a condescending manner.

My jaw tightened, because she was losing composure. I walked up to her and slightly held her shoulders.

"That's enough." I said quietly, leaning down to her ear. "You sure don't want to end up on the news tomorrow."

Her furrowed brows relaxed and her muscles flexed under my grip.

"Let's get you sorted out." I said to her, and calmly guided her to the bathroom. While she went in, I waited outside.

At that moment...

There's this thing called dejavu... where you feel like you've lived this moment before, although it's your first time being in it.

Her double coloured eyes locked mine in place. So lost I didn't know when we had locked breaths until her skin brushed mine.

Then the memories came again.

In blur fragments.

Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist. The contact was brief but electric. She stared at my wrist, before meeting my eyes and I just..

I couldn't look away.

She didn't speak. But every subtle tilt of her head, slight arch of her brow and the way she let her hand linger in mine, were enough expressions.

"Are you alright?"

Her voice felt intoxicating.

"No." I murmured. "Not after what you just did to me."

"Excuse me?" Her voice was steady but my vision was flickering.

"Let go." She demanded with a firm voice.

I couldn't trace what it was, but my reactions were sloppy. My mind screamed control and I wanted to pull away. I tried. But the inch between us shattered every sheer dominance I had.

I pulled her close and a gasp escaped her red lips, while her sweet scent filled my nostrils. Her body velvet in my arms, I took notice of the chained rose tattoo on her bosom and her intriguing necklace.

"What are you doing?!" She flipped with furrowed brows.

Ignoring her shriek, I gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"The question should be... what are you doing to me?"

"I don't understand." She retorted. "You are the one holding me against my will and YET you are the victim?"

It didn't make sense.

To anyone else.

And to me.

Yet, it was something I couldn't ignore.

It was a calculated symphony of temptation and danger.

Fuck this!!

Reality had turned to an imagination as I touched my lips on her. Just one taste and I knew I was never going to recover. She pulled at me aggressively, mumbling words into my mouth but I seized the chance to savour her the more. The smoky feel of vodka, coconut flavour blended well with my cocktail, until another strange taste creeped in before the hurt that followed.

My brain finally processed and when I tried to pull away, she kissed me back. The shock made me pause for a split while but the sync of her lips quickly dissolved it and slowly, my brain became clouded with the moment. I circled her hips in a tight grip, tracing her hip tattoo with my thumb. With the way our tongues danced, blood had never tasted so good.

She pulled away and locked eyes with me. For a split while, her eyes gleamed red.

"Do you have a room?" She asked, filled with desire.

Placing my right hand under her knees and the other around her neck, I lifted her frail figure and headed to my private suite. As soon as the door slammed behind us, I crashed her on the vanity table and gripped her throat. Her lips curled into a smile before taking mine again. Her hands travelled from my hair to my back with a slow pace as I ripped her top apart. She traced the hem on my shirt, undid its button and rubbed my bare back. Her touch was like fire on my skin. It burnt me yet it calmed me. The moment was so intense I began losing breath.

"Wait.." I muffled and pulled away.

"Are you okay?"

I wanted to speak but my throat suddenly ran dry. It felt like a tight rope was being squeezed around my neck. My fist clenched the table and I collapsed to the floor. Blurry images of Yuanita filled my head again, followed by the nightmares. The light suddenly started flickering, and with each darkness, I saw figures with scornful gazes.

"Help...me.." I managed to mutter, hoping the strange lady with me would offer some help.

But something stranger happened.

When the light came on, she was seated at the vanity table, smoking like I wasn't about to lose my life in her presence. Behind her, a dark shadow of wing stretched on the tall wall and she held a sword.

Fear gripped me and my blood froze. I retracted behind, frantically searching around for my phone before I remembered I had left it at the bar table. Gathering a little strength, I threw myself to the door and pulled the knob to open it but she was quicker. She dragged my body through the floor, pulled me back into the nightmare and shut the door behind me.

"Who are you?" I gagged while stuttering.

She crouched down and pinned her hand on my forehead.

"Your doom."

Her sweet yet mocking voice rang in my ears, as life slipped from me and the world burned into darkness.