Immediately I stepped in, heads started to turn, and whispers filled the air, of course, they weren't expecting me to attend. I've declined most invites and was rarely seen at events like this, so of course it was a stunner for them.
Gilda had already taken another part, I walked to an empty table and sat down there. A familiar voice greeted my ears, I looked over from the table, and I saw Canez.
Our eyes locked for a moment, and an emotionless grin formed on his face before I quickly shifted my gaze elsewhere. He was the last person I needed on my nerves right now, all I needed was to investigate him quietly…
New faces, old faces, faces I recognized, and faces I didn't. They were all gathered at the party, events like this irritate and disturb me to the spine. I could still feel eyes linger on me…
"May I sit?" A loud female voice cut through my ear.
I turned my head to see who it was. "Rhea?" I asked, unsure of who stood in front of me.
"Who else would look like me?" She replied.
"Wow!" I exclaimed, "Take a seat."
"I could be as wowed as you are right now." She said as she sat next to me, "I never saw you since that day, I've only heard rumors and gossip about you… 'the girl who started an empire alone.'"
"You know how I hated those get-together hosted and events such as these." I stated.
"So how's business?" She asked.
"Handled quite well. What do you do now?" I remember the last time I saw her she was stationless.
"It's a secret," she winked at me. "What's so special about this event you decided to attend? Don't even think of lying to me. I know something has to be going on." She crossed her arms, waiting for my response.
"Honestly speaking, I just had a hunch someone here has crossed parts with me, and it isn't looking funny," I explained.
"Speaking of rumors, it has it that there are creatures lurking about, men and shipments disappearing…" she paused and leaned in closer, "especially Canez men. Seeing the both of you are now rivals, I thought you should know."
This was a huge piece of the puzzle, but I didn't know where to place it yet. "That's intriguing."
Rucien Vale, the host of the party, made his way to our table.
"Miss Ethel!" He stretched his hand out to shake me, "Long time no see."
"You too, sir." I rose from my seat and shook him, Mr. Rucien was old and still working strongly in the mafia industry. He was well respected, I respect him.
He wasn't like the rest, he was well calculated, cunning, sharp, and heavy on power.
He also greeted Rhea, "It's a pleasure to see you here, the both of you. Please do enjoy the night and have fun." He said as he turned his head to leave, and we bowed in respect.
I was about to sit when I was pulled by the arm, one of the reasons why I hate parties… I could only wonder what the matter was this time before turning my head to see Ryan, I literally froze in shock for a second or two.
"Elta!" He wiggled my arm. "Are you alright?"
"Ryan!!" I snapped out, "What are you doing here?" He was the least person to be found in gatherings…just like me.
"I could ask you the same." He replied.
He took my hand and kissed it; Ryan did not just act formal in front of everyone.
"You've changed…like, a lot!" I stated.
…
A few minutes later I, Ryan, and Rhea were seated, catching up at the table. It was unexpected, but I still felt uneasy, I couldn't let my guard down, mostly as eyes preyed on us even more. The presence I felt before still lingered.
Mr. Rucien began his speech, and we all stood at the center square waiting to toast immediately he was done. I stood there zoned out as nothing he said pulled the weight of my attention. I close to me at the point, almost too close.
"Elta, where's your mind at?" I'd noticed that voice from my sleep, the taunt, the coldness, the way he played with my name like it was his…Canez.
"The most brutal way to scoff your light out." I replied bluntly.
He leaned in closer; I could see the delight in his eyes. It didn't anger him. That's what he wanted. Canez has always been a cheat when it comes to playing with one's emotions. I wanted to hit him so bad.
"Is that why you decided to attend this event? All because of me?" He curled an eyebrow.
"Don't…" I felt something beneath me.
We both did, the ground rumbled a bit, almost rhythmical.
We looked at each other as if immediately understanding the situation, and we started racing out of the square…it was too late, it turned over and pulled everyone on it into a ditch.
We both balanced ourselves from the impact of the fall, I could feel a smile spreading across my cheeks. I was right, there was a test!
And I liked the feel of it.
Canez immediately cracked his gun out of his suit, I looked straight into the mist and saw a figure. He had already seen it, I reached for my thigh and pulled the knife out.
In a split second, it dashed towards me; I couldn't wield the knife well… the weight was heavy, it drained me. A long object drifted towards me from the shadows, and before I knew it, Canez shot it, making it disappear back into the shadows.
We both ran for cover as others started to aim carelessly at the figures in the shadows.
"What's wrong?" Canez asked.
"It's nothing," I replied. There was something wrong with the knife, it was like it drew something from me.
Canez went quiet, he was calculating something. I knew that face.
"Rucien's games have become quite petty over the years," he stated blankly.
"I know what you're thinking: wear the crown on the statue and you control the shadows…" I paused. "That won't work, you need cover to get to it, and even if you do get the crown, flames are going to erupt from the blazers buried in those holes underground, you'd be burnt to death!"
We both felt two shadows looming over us.