Be My Apocalypse

CHAPTER 10

It all still felt unreal. Ria agreeing that I court her. I was over the moon. But I just had to be interrupted by Harriette.

"What happened to your face?" She asked. Now that I think about it, I had acquired a scar from that fight and I'm still healing.

"I got injured in a fight."

"That's surprising. The last time I saw you injured was your fight with Demise." She paused and when she realized what could have happened, she added. "Was it Demise again? Did you win?"

"It was indeed Demise again and I lost. But well, I got something better out of that fight."

She looked at me confused. "Like what? And where did you two even meet again?"

"The Casa de Vollerei held a tournament in welcoming the new head. I got invited and somehow, they managed to invite Demise too. And we competed for the champion but well he won. But I got Ria."

"You got who!?" She exclaimed as if not believing my claim.

"You're more surprised to that? Tell me Harriette. Do you have a lover within the Vollerei?" I asked her straightforward. I was already suspicious of her actions. It started in the party held by Theodore and the way she was demanding me to have Ashleigh Lyfa's information. I knew who Ashleigh Lyfa was personally. She was the fourth runner up to us back in high school. I just don't know if she noticed her back then. She was also our President despite only being a scholar she managed to blend in and earned the trust of the school and its learners. Lyfa was a force to be reckoned with. She was smart and strong. That's why when I heard news that she was Ria's secretary I got furious since she rejected my offer to become my personal assistant. But seeing the situation now it seems that Harriette's fling is her. The feared and known manipulator within the underworld.

She smiled at me as if she realized she had been caught. "You know way too much young mistress."

"Is it Ashleigh Lyfa?" I asked her to make sure.

"Yes, she is."

"The child you mentioned.... Is it hers?" I saw her face darkened as soon as I mentioned the child.

"You're right on. She had the child when she was abused by her partner. I admired her for she didn't abort the child. Had it happened to me, I would've aborted it without thinking twice."

"Give me the name of the man." I coldly told to her. Abuse is one thing I wouldn't want to hear next to cheating. How could a man abuse their partner? That's just cruel it makes me want to kill that man ruthlessly.

"He's dead. I already handled those matters on my own."

I sighed the feeling of relief washed over me.

"Did she tell you a thing or two about her master?" I asked her hoping to get the answer I wanted.

"That's beside us. I don't have any information about her boss. Work is work we don't pry into each other. I'm happy to have her and the baby by my side." I smiled at her. To think she would change to this extent. It seems I have to thank Lyfa once I saw her.

"I'm glad you had found your solace then Harriette."

We heard a knock and a blond woman with eyes like Harriette dressed in a black dress which hugged her body perfectly came in.

"I must say you're looking good with that scar on you Raven." She said as soon as she entered. Still the cold and cocky Asteria I know but something changed she looks brighter now like her sister. Did she found love too?

"Thank you, I guess? My beloved told me the same." I bragged to her which made her expression sour. She sat down at the chair in front of me.

"Let's get to business, shall we?" She spoke. Right, we had to talk about our joint restaurant we have to put up.

"Are you sure you want to keep it? I might take advantage of you since I know I can make use of you now."

She smirked at me. "That's fine. I don't mind. I can use your reputation too to scare off some bastard trying to take advantage of me."

We talked over about our plans and the designs of the restaurant we will build and what will we name it. After a few suggestions we decided to name it "Ace Haven".

"The only thing we are missing is a competent Engineer. Do you know one?" She asked.

"Engineer huh? How about the old man Zaragosa?" I suggested but she just shrugged.

"He's a good man but I heard he stopped accepting requests. He retired a few weeks ago. I was even at his retirement party."

People keep surprising me these days. I was not aware the old man retired. I guess he wants to enjoy life now too that he's getting older.

"I don't know anyone else. I'll just manhunt some trusted engineers out there."

"Do you need an engineer?" Suddenly Theo's voice was heard over the door. "I know someone."

Asteria stood up to greet him. "No need for formalities Asteria we are not in public."

"So, who were you going to recommend?" I asked him.

"My fiancée, Rain Zaragosa."

Right, I almost forgot that the youngest daughter of the famed engineer followed his footsteps.

"It is settled then. Your fiancée would be the engineer to our upcoming collaboration. You don't mind being the architect in this project do you Raven?"

"I'll think about it." I responded to her unsure if it is a good decision to let me be the architect in this project. After a few more discussions she excused herself and all that is left to the room was me, Harriette and Theo. I looked at the both of them since it felt like they had something important to discuss with me. I let the room became silent and only the sound of my ballpen enveloped us. Until finally Theodore spoke breaking the awkward silence.

"Rain wants to meet you." He said in a low husky voice as his expression dulled. Is that why he was here without a scheduled meeting? Did he and Rain fight? And now the latter is requesting to meet up with me?

"Why is she requesting me to meet up with her?"

He just shrugged. "She wants to be your acquaintance she told me."

I smirked. This man even if he is jealous, he would still give up to his beloved it reminds me of my mother. "How much am I extorting from you with this meet up Duke?"

"You can have one of my islands in the Philippines. It is located in Coron, Palawan."

I was still planning to buy an island in the Philippines. How kind of him to offer me one. Now I can buy my saved-up money for something else.

"Consider it done. Harriette clear up my schedule on Saturday." She just nodded and returned her eyes to her laptop. "Is that all?" I asked him as he stood up and walked towards the door.

Before he gets out he answered. "That's all. Thanks." When I thought he was about to get out he added. "I found out that the Vollerei are related to our family. Her mother is a royalty."

I was dumbstruck. What did he say? She is a royalty?