DemonxHuman

DxH Chapter 37

I gave Gail an uncertain smile, gently removing her hand from my arm. A mix of awkwardness and hesitation washed over me. I didn't want to offend her, but I also needed some space.

"I can handle myself," I asserted, my tone firm, hoping I sounded colder than I felt.

I saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a gentle smile. Her fingers fidgeted as she awkwardly scratched her arm, unsure of how to react.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, her voice thick with concern, her eyes scanning my face as though trying to find a sign that everything was fine. "I can see you're still shaking."

"I'm fine," I answered softly, trying to keep my voice from sounding too harsh. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but the last thing I needed right now was someone hovering over me.

Parang gusto ko na lang maupo at matulala. Everything that had happened earlier had drained me completely-physically and emotionally. My body felt heavy, like I couldn't carry my weight to walk. The appearance of my mother after so many years-it brought back so much pain, and I was overwhelmed by everything rushing back at once. I couldn't focus on that right now.

Knock it off Meil!

I had bigger things to worry about. I had to get ahead of Heinukel and Emperor Damascke in getting the Pollo. But the more I thought about the Pollo and their role in the Emperor's plan, the more confused I became. I didn't understand how they were so important. I had to figure it out, but I couldn't afford to waste any more time.

Before I could ponder further, a figure suddenly blocked our path in the hallway. My thoughts snapped back to reality as I looked up to see Heinukel Ocuser standing there, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my chest tighten. Behind him, Heinukel Hanuis stood, his hands tucked into his pockets, his posture relaxed but no less menacing.

I tried passing them, but Ocuser reached out and grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my walk.

"Kamfali," he called, his voice cold and calculating.

I tugged my wrist free, my tone matching his. "Don't call me by that name," I replied, my voice as icy as I could make it as I turned to face him. I wouldn't let him provoke me, not now, not with everything that was happening.

Ocuser's eyes narrowed. He wasn't the type to let things slide. "Does this look familiar to you?" he asked, pulling an old, worn envelope from his jacket. He waved it in front of my face, the corners frayed as if it had been handled many times before.

My lips parted instinctively, and I found myself licking them in irritation, my thoughts racing. I glanced at him, his eyes searching mine, and for a split second, I could see the slight twitch in his brow. He was trying to figure something out, something important, and I wasn't about to let him.

"No," I said quickly, my voice sharper this time. I looked away briefly, gathering my thoughts before locking eyes with him again. He wasn't going to break me. Not like this. "I've never seen that before."

Ocuser didn't look convinced. His gaze didn't leave mine, and I could feel the weight of his stare, like he was trying to peel back the layers of my mind. His expression was unreadable, but the way he scrutinized me made me feel exposed. He was trying to read my thoughts-he wouldn't succeed.

"What's the matter?" I challenged, stepping forward slightly, reaching for the envelope. But before I could touch it, he yanked it away with a quick motion and handed it over to Heinukel Hanuis instead.

"I knew it," Ocuser said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're just pretending to be Kamfali."

My blood boiled at his words. Pretending? I wasn't pretending to be anyone. I wasn't the one stuck in the past, mourning a lost siblings and a mother. I didn't even want to be tied to their family or to any of them. I felt like I was suffocating under his assumptions.