The Black Rose Ecstacy (LCS Book 3)

TBRE: PROLOGUE

One step forward, blazing eyes of fire ahead.

May suot itong puting maskara na may komplikado ngunit perpektong pagka-ukit at disenyo. With that, authority and superiority arises. That half-mask which clearly hides his feral entirety. Tago ang mukha niya at mga mata lang ang nakikita dahil natatakpan ng puti at nangingintab na maskara. His smirking lips can also be seen at that moment. Nakatupi ang white long sleeves nito hanggang siko at bukas ang dalawang butones. His pendulous silver necklace with sculpted fire pattern is currently gleaming at the moment.

Nevertheless, he was standing tall in front of his mansion's glass window habang nakapako ang tingin sa baba kung saan makikita ang naglalakihang mga tent sa labas. They call those tents standing tall like dominos- the black rooms of fire island.

Ang kabuuan ng lugar kung saan siya maayos na nakatanaw ay tila isang carnival na kahit saan ka tumingin ay mayroong matatanaw. Seems like a party is being held below him. The whole place is also surrounded by the forest at ang kinatatayuan nila ngayon ay ang pinaka-gitna ng gubat kung saan nagpupunta ang mga bisita. Trees were cut down for the sake of those tents, and of course, for his fancy and priceless white mansion.

May hawak siyang baso na naglalaman ng alak habang pinapanood ang pagdating ng mga bisita nito. Typically foreign guests. Katulad ng dating gawi, they have to present their black invitation with red fire seal bago papasukin ng mga bantay sa isla. Uminom siya ng beer mula sa hawak na baso habang ang isang kamay ay nasa bulsa at saka tumingin sa gilid. From there, one man is standing right beside him, his one and only deadly serious right hand.

"How many guests do we have, Art?" tanong niya.

"200 expected guests, sir," mahinang sagot noon na napayuko pa. Muli naman siyang uminom at tumingin sa harapan. His right hand's complete name is Artless. Kumpara sa ibang pangkaraniwang lalaki, may kahabaan ang itim na buhok ni Art na hanggang balikat. Moreover, in lieu of taking advantage with guns, he prefers to keep a black katana on his right side.

Just like his master, nakamaskara din ito pero kulay itim, maski ang long sleeves niya ay ganon rin ang kulay. It is in fact in their organization's rules that their boss should be the only one allowed to wear white sleeves and masks. Kaya kahit hindi ito magpakilala sa mga guests, they automatically become aware of who the boss is just by witnessing his sartoriality.

Masamang ngumisi ang amo niya habang sa labas pa rin ang tingin, "Are they complete?"

"No, sir. But the boys just arrived to present the products for the event later," nakayuko lang si Art and never did he attempt looking at his boss' eyes for so long not unless he is told to do so.

"I see," tumango ang boss niya habang pinagmamasdan ang mga pangyayari sa labas.

Not too long, may kumatok sa dalawang malalaking pintuan. Bumukas 'yon and several men in black sleeves and masks entered the room. May mga dala-dala silang kahon, yet those boxes were made of metals kaya may kabigatan at bawat isa ay dala-dalawa ang humahawak. Sabay napaharap ang dalawa sa mga lalaking pumasok hanggang sa ilapag ang mga kahon sa harapan nila.