Chapter 28 World of crimes
Asha
Asha, my love.
I stop what I'm doing as soon as I hear Lucien's voice.
"Yeah?"
Rheagar has struck again. He's made Auren think he's infiltrated his circle through you.
I pinch my brows together, "What?"
In all you do. When he comes, do not admit to meeting Rheagar in that cafe. Deny it at all costs.
"Wh-what if he sees through my lies?" I feel my teeth clattering.
He won't. Make sure he doesn't.
I swallow the lump building in my throat. Acid rushes to my stomach, making me coil uncomfortably.
Give him your best puppy face. He might hate me but surely he wouldn't see past innocent puppy eyes.
I pause, thinking about the suggestion. What if it doesn't work? Auren doesn't like me enough to look past puppy eyes.
"It mightn't work," I shake my head, "He hates me too much for that," I sigh deeply.
He thinks you're one naive little lady. Keep up that assumption; don't break it for him.
"Ah I see—"
"Asha!" An angry voice booms in my chest.
I flinch, almost dropping the plate I'm holding. I spin around so fast I almost trip on my toes.
"Huh? What's the matter with you? Why the heck did you scream like that?" I place a hand over my chest, then gently place the plate on the sink.
"You haven't met with Rheagar recently, have you?" He squints his eyes, grabbing my hand.
My chest tightens with dread.
Do not make him see through your fear! Keep up the facade!
I bite my lower lip, then shake my head, "I thought he was in hiding? Has he come out?"
He pinches his brow like he's listening to a mad person, "He sent me something, saying he's gotten a hold of you somehow. Is that true?"
I fake a loud gasp. Maybe a little too loud, but at least loud enough to make him think I'm being accused.
"Does he think I'm some kind of naive thing he can just lie about?"
The creases on his forehead disappear, "He's lying?"
I frown at him, "Of course he's lying. Where did I tell you I was going yesterday? A cafe! Is Rheagar supposed to be there?"
He loosens his grip on my hand, "Hm.."
"Jeez, so now I'm some sort of spy," I whip around, faking a pout, hoping he buys my facade of being annoyed.
"Why would he lie about something like that though?" He mumbles.
I swirl around to face him, "Is he your brother? Do you know his thoughts? Do you even know if he's trying to get you into a trap?" I shake my head in disapproval, tapping my left foot.
"You're a Lycan lord. Think of all the possibilities," I tap his stomach.
He rakes his hair, and takes a step back, "Hm, I- I didn't think this through," he hisses.
'Many of my men have betrayed from the inside before. I thought this was the case too.'
The acid in my stomach rushes up to my chest. Burns spread throughout my chest, spreading to my limbs and making them numb.
Haa, I'm so sorry for lying, Auren, but this is the only way out.
"I'm sorry," I blurt it out before I can stop myself.
He turns to me, "For?"
"Nothing. I was talking to myself," I face the sink.
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I fear it'll burst, and continue beating on the floor in front of me.
He lingers for a while longer, his stare burning into my back. My hairs on my neck stand erect. Goosebumps riddle my skin. Fuck, I hope he doesn't see them.
'What if she's actually lying to me?' She's might be little but she isn't stupid.'
My heart drops to my stomach. Oh dear goddess. He's going to find me out! I'm going to die! What if he throws me into a pot of boiling oil?!
My legs are visibly trembling now. My skin is slowly draining of its color. Haa, he's definitely going to see through my—
"I'm going to keep a close watch over you. I can't have you betraying me either."
From my peripheral vision, I see him slowly walk out of the kitchen, mumbling something to himself.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. That was close. Too close. I saw my skin boiling in a pot of oil.
"Lucien? So now what? He's already suspicious."
He's in doubt. I told you not to let him see through your facade. You almost gave yourself out.
"I'm sorry. He was already suspicious, and I got scared."
I'm here with you. You trust me, don't you?
I hesitate. Do I? What if his advice actually gets me into trouble and he just shuts himself out?
I will never do such a thing to you my love. You're mine, and I'll be with you till the end. I promise.
Heat flood my cheeks at his warm confession, and I feel myself relaxing a little.
"Okay then. What should we do next?"
Lead him on, and beat him at his own game.
I narrow my eyes, arranging the dishes in the dish rack.
"Huh?"
Make him believe you're betraying Auren. Gather as much information as you can to bust him, then let Auren do the rest.
I thin my lips, "That sounds tiring. I feel like a gang member already."
We're doing this together. Don't worry about anything.
I bury my head, letting my thoughts drown me. This is is scarier than it's supposed to be. How I wish I didn't go to the cafe that day, I wouldn't have been entangled in this mess.
My phone pings, jolting me out of my thoughts.
"Hm?" I whip it out of my pocket.
The notification catches my eye. A message from an unknown number.
Unknown: You naughty little thing. You handled the situation with Auren so well. Now he's confused, and doesn't know if we met or not.
I pinch my brows. What the fuck?
It's Rheagar. Reply to him however you think is best.
I exhale deeply, then type a reply. How did he get my number? This is getting scary.
Me: Couldn't give a hint. He would kill me before anything else happened.
Unknown: You're smart. I like you.
Disgust grabs me by the chest.
"Well I hate you, bitch."
Unknown: Meet me tomorrow at the park. Ten PM. Don't be late.
My lips part in shock. Of course Auren wouldn't let me leave this place by ten PM!
Me: That's not possible. Auren wouldn't agree to let me leave this place!
I press the send button, expecting his reply, but I get nothing.
Five minutes pass, and still no reply.
I press my lips together in frustration. Fuck it. Now I've been fully incorporated into the world of crime.