Crimson Temptation

KABANATA 10

"Regarding Mr. Vangov, he is currently staying in Paris, likely visiting his daughter. What's your plan, Ali? Will you—" Dmitry's words were cut off by Matthew's abrupt interjection.

"I'll entrust it to you as usual." Matthew said in a deep, merciless tone that left no room for negotiation. Dmitry could only nod, reflecting on their differing perspectives. While Dmitry hesitated to harm Mr. Vangov's daughter, Matthew showed no leniency. Matthew's approach was uncompromising; he believed in eradicating every member of the target's family without exception. In this instance, Mr. Vangov's daughter was not granted immunity. Matthew's stance was unwavering: all family members of the target would face the same fate.

"Even... The children?" Dmitry's voice wavered as he mentioned Mr. Vangov's daughter's kids, noting that Mila was already married. "Yes, enough questions," Matthew's cold demeanor left no room for doubt. Dmitry studied the family photo of the Vangovs, capturing a moment of joy with three children, Mila's spouse, and the grandparents. He exhaled deeply, acknowledging his lack of authority to challenge Matthew's decisions.

"If you're unable to proceed, then leave. I'll assign the task to someone else," Matthew's statement jolted Dmitry, who appeared momentarily shocked. Was he truly concerned? Not in the slightest. "No, I can manage... No need to worry," Dmitry affirmed, yet a nagging voice in his mind suggested caution as he observed the pure smiles of the children.

"But an order is an order..." He said quietly as he scanned the faces of each family members... He suddenly received a call from one of the head leader of the guards in the mansion.

"Yes?... What!?" Dmitry suddenly sprung from his seat as he was standing there completely surprised...

"What do you mean!? Kakahatid ko lang sa kanya diyan! Ano ba ang nangyari ha!?" Matthew's attention suddenly caught by Dmitry's loud voice.

"We apologize sir! Nawala lang siya bigla! At may apat tayong patay na guards dito. Hindi po namin alam kung paano niya yun nagawa! Pero iba po ang hinala namin!
Ang hinala po namin ay napasukan po mansion! At nawala rin po si Sir Shion!"

"Anong nawala si Shion!? Kakahatid ko lang sa kanya diyan! 10 minutes ago! Where were you when the incidence happened!" Galit sa sabi ni Dmitry.

"Shut up and wait until we get there!" Sabi nito saka binaba ang telepono. Dali- dali siyang humakabang papalapit kay Matthew na parang umiigting ang panga.

"Matthew! Something happened! Nawawala si Shion!" Dali nitong sabi, biglang napatayo si Matthew at biglang nagitim ang mukha sa pagtayo niya bigla ay natumba pa ang upuan nito.

"Get the car." Nagsitayuan ang mga balahibo ni Dmitry sa biglang pagibang tuno ng boses nito, at dali-dali nitong kinuha ang car keys, pagkatapos umalis ng building ay pinaandar na nito ang kotse at mabilis na umalis, pagdating nila sa mansion ay apat na bangkay ang bumungad agad sa kanila.

"What the fuck happened here!" Sigaw ni Dmitry, tangina  ibang klaseng tao ang pumatay sa apat nilang guards... Halos hindi na makilala ang mukha ng mga ito, samantalang ang apat ni iyan ay ang pinakamagagaling na guards na ipenuwesto ni Dmitry para magbantay kay Shion, papaanong... Kinikabutan bigla si Dmitry ng ma imagine niya na Shion mismo ang gumawa nito... Impossible...

"Sir! Che-nek namin ang mga surveillance camera, at kahit mi isang anino ay wala kaming nakita! Ang last record lang na nakita namin ay yung oras na inihatid mo si Sir Shion dito sa mansion!" Saad ng head leader

"See! I told you Ali! I dropped him here safe and sound! Walang nangyari na masama kay Shion noong hinatid ko siya dito! I even said goodnight to him!" Depensa ni Dmitry iba kasi ang ihip ng hangin kanina sa loob ng kotse, para atang mamatay na siya dahil sa tindi ng tension na nanggagaling kay Matthew.

"Check the whole damn mansion and don't come back at me pang wala pakayong nakita ng mga ebedensya!" Sabi ni Matthew bago umalis upang puntahan ang silid ni Shion.

"Yes Young Master!" Sabay nilang lahat sinabi yun at yumuko ng bahagya, nanginginig pa ang mga paa ng mga guardsman habang hintay na makalayo si Matthew.
Pagpasok ni Matthew sa silid ng binata ay dilim agad ang bumungad sa kaniya, nakakatakot na katahimikan at parang iba na ang ihip ng hangin, isinirado niya ang pinto at binuksan ang ilaw ng kwarto, ang una niyang napansin ay ang umbok sa kama, yung parang may nakatagong kung ano man ang nasa loob ng kumot...

"Shion..." Tawag ni Matthew sa binata na walang ka emosyon-emosyon ang mukha ni Matthew habng tinititigan ang kumot sa kaniyang harapan. Biglang gumalaw ang kumot... At ang nasa loob nga nito ay walang iba kung di si Shion..., gulong gulo ang mga buhok, at parang galing pang matulog... Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Matthew at pinagmamasdang mabuti ang binata...

"Y-Yes Tito Matthew..." Tanong nito, at hinay-hinay na tumingin sa gawi ni Matthew... "Where you here all these time?" Binalik naman nito sa kanya ang tanong, tumango ang binata at umupo ng matuwid.

"Yes... Uncle... Why?" Shion inquired before letting out a yawn. It was clear that he was incredibly fatigued. What could be the reason for this? He approached the young man and leaned in slightly, placing his hand on his forehead, and realized that he had a fever.

"When did this fever start?" Matthew asked him. "Just earlier... But, I'm fine, I already took some medicine... I also had a meal..." He stated, his eyes lacking any hint of emotion. Matthew gazed intently at the young man, prompting him to avert his gaze, his cheeks and lips tinged with red, and the alluring scent of his perfume almost overwhelming, permeating even his nostrils.

"Are you feeling alright?" Matthew asked the young man, showing a rare moment of concern. "Why...? Are you concerned?" Shion questioned him back. Matthew held his breath. "Of course, you're now my older sister's son. I do care about you, Shion," he responded, his imposing figure almost overshadowing the young man given his size and height.

"I'm okay..." Shion replied, sounding evasive...
"Do you happen to know what occurred with those men outside?" Matthew's inquiry abruptly filled the room with silence between the two of them. Shion remained seated quietly while Matthew stood facing him, his gaze fixed.

"Time to sleep, Shion... And remember to take your medication tomorrow," he suddenly instructed before standing up straight to leave, leaving the young man alone in silence on the bed. A palpable tension simmered between them, a different kind of tension compared before. Surprisingly, nothing transpired between them now...

"So he has been in his room all this time? That made me nervous," Dmitry commented, exhaling deeply. He sat on the sofa, appearing as if he wanted to sleep, but he still had unfinished tasks to complete. Dmitry was aware that he wasn't allowed to rest until he finished what he needed to do. Matthew didn't pressure Dmitry, as he had his own set of rules. He wasn't Dmitry's boss, but they both understood whose directives should be followed.

Over the past few days, Shion's demeanor has gradually changed, and it's also surprising that his friends no longer visit the mansion. What could have transpired...