Chapter 35

La-La Point of View

We’ve resolved the issue with Aiden Clark and successfully erased the list. The Life Hunters have also filed their report, but they mentioned something Axel said—he warned them about the consequences. Axel, in return, received a black envelope containing the soul of Juacinto Relevinchi Fruente, the owner of this cruise. The message inside revealed that Juacinto would die from a heart attack as soon as the cruise ends.

I'm not sure if I should feel relieved. Aiden Clark, a person so full of hatred, will meet his end soon, but it's not out of revenge. The higher-ups took pity on him. After all, he did lose his wife and son.

I tried to enjoy the situation, but Zayne hasn’t mentioned anything about what happened that day. Erasing Zayne's memories is impossible, so once again, he’s left with one of our secrets. The more secrets he knows, the more complicated things will become

He even saw Aiden, but he didn’t ask any questions. Instead, he looked at me with a different expression.

“Where is Mr. Axel?” Zayne asked.

Wow, he’s actually looking for Axel.

“He’s taking care of something,” I replied, noticing how Zayne’s face was turning bright red, almost like a tomato. “By the way, are you okay?” I asked, concerned as he grew increasingly flushed.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, though his face was as red as blood. With his yellow hair, he almost looked like something out of a cartoon.

“You’re a doctor yourself—why didn’t you put on sunscreen? You know how dangerous UV light is,” I said, trying to control my laughter.

“But I did put on sunscreen,” he insisted.

“You did?” I asked, needing confirmation.

“Yeah,” he nodded, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Then why are you so red?” I asked, unable to hide my concern.

I suddenly burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, I just can’t handle it—you’re so red, Zayne!” I said, trying to catch my breath.

He looked down at his skin and shrugged. “Yes, I am,” he admitted, but he didn’t seem bothered at all. My laughter died down, replaced by confusion.

“What was that?” I wondered aloud. “Is this normal?”

“Oh, yes, it is,” he responded casually.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” I asked, my worry creeping back in.

“Well, if I just go back to the shade, my color will return to normal,” he said. He’s usually quite pale, but turning this red can’t be good. I should get him out of the sun before it gets worse.

I took his wrist gently. “Then let’s go to the shade,” I urged him.

A Few Moment Later

“Wow, you really did get your color back,” I said, amazed as I watched his skin return to its usual pale shade. Is he even human? What’s with this? I thought, analyzing his arm and looking over his body with curiosity.

“It’s always like this,” he said casually. Well, that’s… unique.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, still concerned as I checked him over.

“Yeah,” he replied, but then I noticed something different. He was looking at me with awe, his gaze fixed on me almost instantly.

“Is there anything wrong?” I asked, puzzled. But he just smiled—a smile I’d never seen on him before.

“No, nothing,” he said, still smiling.

This was the first time I’d ever seen him smile like that, a fake smile.

“I’m sure there’s something going on,” I insisted.

“Ms. Lanaya, may I hold your hand for a second?” he asked, his request catching me off guard. Why is he asking for something like that?

But I nodded, offering him my hand. “Sure.”

To my surprise, he took hold of my wrist instead of my hand. I saw a look of relief in his eyes, like he was genuinely happy about something. What’s going on?

Then he let go of my wrist. “I was right,” he said suddenly, his words making me wonder.

“Right about what?” I asked, but before he could answer, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“What are you two doing?” Axel whispered in my ear, causing me to jump. I immediately covered my ear and took a step forward, turning to face him.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snapped, but Axel didn’t respond to me. Instead, he stared at Zayne with a fierce expression.

“I hope my intuition is wrong,” he said to Zayne, his tone filled with tension. I glanced at Zayne, but he just smiled calmly, almost as if nothing had happened.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked Axel, pressing for an explanation.

“Nothing,” he replied quickly, dodging my question.

Ugh, this guy.

A Few Moments later.

“No, you get out,” Axel demanded, glaring at Zayne. They were both now standing in my room.

“I’m here to help Ms. Lanaya with her package,” Zayne replied, holding a suitcase in his hand. Axel’s face was full of annoyance.

“I can help her—just get out of here,” Axel insisted, raising both hands in front of him as if he were physically trying to push Zayne out of the room.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I was the one originally accompanying Ms. Lanaya, so if my presence bothers you, it’s better if you leave,” Zayne responded, his words polite yet sharp. It was amazing how Zayne could say something that wasn’t outright rude but still carried a sting.

This guy never loses his cool, I thought, especially compared to Axel, who was visibly annoyed.

“I don’t care if you were the original or whatever. We don’t need you here—we’re enough,” Axel said, his frustration clear.

Sigh.

This is my room, though? And why are they even arguing? They’re bickering like soulmates or something.

Wait... what if they are soulmates?

Suddenly, Axel grabbed Zayne by the collar, their confrontation spiraling out of control.

I felt the chaos overwhelming me. I stood up, my frustration reaching its peak.

“Stop both of you!” I shouted, but they seemed to ignore me, their argument growing fiercer by the second.

Sigh I’m tired!

That one-week vacation was solid. Even if I left all the work with Zayne, it was enough rest to make me feel like I could go to heaven. Everything was perfect—well, except for the accident and the constant bickering between those two. But other than that, it was a perfect vacation. All the stress melted away. The rest, the food, the swimming pool, the location—it was all just what I needed.

I almost can’t wait to die now, I thought, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.

We dock in the morning and at my home by 6 PM. The two of them, for some reason, stayed close by until we arrived home. It surprised me how close they seemed to have become. But now they’ve finally left me alone, which is a good thing.

Yet, as I sit here in the quiet of my home, I feel conflicted. I should be happy, but there’s a strange emptiness, too. Those moments I had with them were surprisingly sweet, like candy. Even their constant bickering had a soothing effect on me. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent so many years working, moving between my job and my home, never really experiencing anything outside that routine. Even Axel knows how monotonous my life has been. When Zayne arrived, everything in my life changed, and I started feeling things I hadn’t felt before.

It feels like something I’ve longed for without even realizing it. But thinking this way isn’t good, especially since I won’t be around much longer. I’ve already asked Axel to erase Zayne’s memories after I’m gone. Zayne’s still suspicious, though, and that worries me. But the only thing I can feel for Zayne now is trust. He always smiles the brightest, yet those smiles make me uneasy because I can’t tell if they’re sincere.

He has no reason to befriend me. In fact, he knows I’m different—he knows we’re different. He should fear me, just as other humans do. Unless he plans to use me somehow. But I’ve kept my true identity hidden from him, and even if he tried to use me, it wouldn’t matter—he has no strings to pull.

Knock, knock.

A knock at my door. Who could it be? I peered through the peephole and saw Zayne, but something about him seemed off. I hesitated for a moment, then opened the door.

“Did you forget something?” I asked, noticing a strange expression on his face. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“No, it’s just…” he paused, his words trailing off.

“What is it?” I pressed, feeling a bit uneasy as he glanced around my house.

“Can you come downstairs for a second?” he asked, his tone unusually calm.

“Sure, I guess,” I replied, sensing that something important was going on. He smiled again, but there was something different—something unsettling—about it.

“What’s the matter? Is there a problem?” I asked, my voice tinged with concern. But then, out of nowhere, his blue eyes seemed to light up with a cold intensity, as if he were looking down on me. I took a step back, startled by the sudden change in him. We were now in a dark, isolated area with no one else around. His smile widened, turning into something almost sinister. It was creepy.

I glanced around, realizing with growing dread that we were completely alone.

“W-what’s wrong, Zayne?” I stammered, fear creeping into my voice as his entire demeanor shifted. Before I could react, he lunged forward, grabbing me by the neck. His speed was inhuman, leaving me no time to defend myself. I was shocked—this wasn’t the Zayne I knew.

As he tightened his grip, choking me, I struggled to breathe, my vision blurring. Panic surged through me as I tried to call out his name, but no sound escaped my lips. I was helpless, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Is this what he wanted all along?!!

“I’ve been wanting you,” Zayne said, laughing hysterically. Wanting me? What does he want?! My eyes widened in terror as fear overwhelmed me, flooding my mind with all the unknown possibilities. I gasped for air, but his grip was too tight—I was really choking now.

“You—” I tried to say, but the words wouldn’t come out. The pain was unbearable, every nerve in my body screaming in agony. Zayne’s eyes bore down on me, filled with a terrifying hunger as if he wanted to devour me. A blue light began to emanate from him, and just as everything went black, the pain overwhelmed me completely.

Third Person Point of View

La-La fainted from the choking grip Zayne had on her. Just then, Axel burst onto the scene, his face twisted in fury. He threw a powerful punch at Zayne, sending him rolling across the floor. “Motherfucker!” Axel spat out, seething with anger.

Axel then turned his attention to La-La, who lay unconscious on the ground. His eyes widened in fear as he rushed to her side, checking for any sign of life. But he felt nothing—her soul seemed to have slipped away. Blood trickled from her mouth, painting a horrifying picture.

“La-La, wake up!” Axel called out desperately, knowing that La-La was not someone to be easily taken down.

Suddenly, Zayne got back on his feet, a crazed look in his eyes. Axel, realizing the danger, carefully laid La-La down. “Die!!” Zayne screamed with a maniacal laugh.

Axel’s eyes narrowed. But before he could react, Zayne was already upon La-La again, his hands wrapped around her neck once more. “Die, La-La!” he yelled, choking her mercilessly.

In an instant, Axel, shocked but determined, summoned his sickle. With a swift motion, he struck Zayne with it, forcing him to release La-La.

The moonlight bathed them in an eerie glow as they faced each other. Axel’s eyes mirrored the blood-red hue of his sickle, while Zayne’s eyes glowed with an unnatural blue, his aura pulsing with the same sinister light.

Plot 1 End