Chapter 8 The Favor You Owe

Celeste's POV:

That day was a nightmare. Owen reacted more awfully than I was expecting and that isn't even the worse part. He wanted to tear down Xavier and to my horror, I found out he was a professional hacker when I asked where the hell, he learned to do this and made a poker face he answered nonchalantly, "When you were doing programming for your company, I used to monitor you a lot. You know, I have a photographic memory so I used that to my advantage and it seemed interesting so started as a hobby. But now, I don't do it as a hobby. I do it as a way to help you."

I wanted to pull my hair out. I collapsed on the couch and looked defeatedly at him, "Do you have any idea what will happen if you come under the radar of any of the government-related agencies, you don't want to imagine-" He suddenly hugs me tightly, and then gives a little room, "I know, sissy would be worried, that's why I asked Alexander to keep it under wraps. Umm... about the agencies you just mentioned... I may or may not have already been contacted."

I look at him horrified, "When?" My voice was a bare whisper.

I know he's reading my lips, as he answers immediately, "When you got stuck in Chicago due to the severe weather condition. Alex's bro found out beforehand due to his links. He warned them of the consequences if they tried to cross the line with him. In return, they asked for my help on severe cases that even they wouldn't be able to crack due to lack of intelligence." He air-quotes the last sentence.

When Owen sees that I have finally calmed down, he takes a seat next to me and takes my hand in his, "I knew you would be scared that something would happen to me that's why we both kept it a secret. I didn't mean to hide it. But since I know that you hate the feds a lot, I didn't want your hatred to increase."

I sighed at that knowing that this is partially my fault. I should've avoided doing work in front of him. I took his photographic memory a bit too casually, "Just promise me that you won't hide anything from me. Also, to what you suggested before. If you even think about it again. The consequences will not be in your favor." I say coldly at the end.

He needs to know that just because he holds a grudge against doesn't mean that he's allowed to do what the hell his mind tells him to. Sooner or later, he'll be walking the same path that I cannot bear seeing him on.

He clenches his hands into fists but doesn't deny what I say and simply nods his head that is enough for me. After that, I smile and hug him the best I can to just convey that I love him and always will. Mistakes are allowed as we learn from them but not crimes that could ruin not but thousands of lives just for revenge. Unless the situation doesn't call for it. Again, that is always the last resort.

*****

2 weeks have passed since Owen told me about his gift and thankfully, finally, I can move my arm a bit more comfortably. Now, there's only around the shoulder to make sure it stays securely. But giving me enough freedom to drive as I like to.

As I am thinking about the improvement in my health, I get the call that I have been waiting for. It's a good thing Owen is already asleep as it's already 2 in the morning. I sigh... I was not looking forward to this, considering I have left for a merger meeting in Korea. This ought to be fun. Not.

Picking up the call I wait for the other person to speak up first, and darkness shrouds me as soon as I hear the name, I am fond of and not at the same time, "Sir Panther?"

"Yes."

"Mission complete. Do you want to take a look at it yourself?" The voice says.

"Sure. I have a score to settle with them, anyways." No emotions can be felt in my voice.

On the other side, I hear laughter, "This is gonna be fun. I'll meet you there. It may turn out to be my lucky day." I know without even asking who the hell has the guts to say such things. Without saying another word, I hang up.

Seconds later, I receive a text with coordinates and of course, they are encrypted. Nothing, I am not used to but this time it's a bit more complicated. I raise a brow at this and an edge of my lip lifts a bit.

Opening the laptop that I stored away from at least Owen whom I had no idea till very recently was better at this than me. Which is not okay no matter how I look at it. Easily deciphering the location, I write it down before the automatic virus shows and deletes the data for good.

Heading to the washroom, standing in front of the sink, and turning on the tap I wash my face and turn it off. Drying my hands, I climb up the sink and click on a tile that is usually very hard to reach. Even then it'll click when it recognizes the hand print, hence, I cleansed them.

Next, it shows a miniature-sized keypad asking for the password. It's something that I want to make sure that I never forget where I come from. Once entering it, I see the words that I know will always come "WELCOME".

Stepping out of the bathroom I head into my walk-in closet and where there usually is a full body mirror has now slid to the side revealing my other side that I concealed from the world for as long as I remember.

Gearing up with a black-as-night outfit but making sure it's casual knowing the situation calls for it. Some additions are contact lens that hides my violet eyes and makes them shine in gold. Befitting the title of the panther. Normally I don't leave my hair open but when I transform into what you can say is an alter ego there's nothing but darkness, I leave my hair open. Loading my gun attach to my waist and covering it with the jacket.

A final touch to make sure the Panther can never be recognized unless I don't want it. Which will never happen. I grab my mask that has hollow eyes so that I can see and an upside-down smile. When I first saw it almost 5 years ago it described me perfectly. I wonder when I can let this all go without reason to hold on.

Taking it with me I head out and max out on the accelerator. I don't have all day or in this case night.

Reaching the destination, I can't help but be on alert as it's different from the usual meet-up places. This is crowded. From the looks of it, it's an underground boxing ring. Which means security is gonna be too tight for my liking. I park at a normal spot and keeping my mask inside my jacket I take out my black gloves and wear them. Taking in the surroundings makes me wonder what the heck they're up to. I see normal teens coming here to get into see the live-action wrestling that has no rules and ends up bad. The sky darkest I have seen in a while but from the warehouse-type club, I hear so much noise that it irritates me.

I don't see anyone who should be on the lookout once I make it to the front of the warehouse which spikes my senses. This isn't right. So, taking a couple of steps back I go in search of the other entrance meaning the back door is mostly used as an exit. Finding it heavily guarded makes my lips lift in a smirk.

That's what the note meant. Mask on, find the bulk. Because there is no missing the big muscle guys. If I didn't know better, I'd say they were on steroids. Shaking my head, I put on the face and once it's secured, I head to the 'real' entrance.

The 4 guards that were randomly looking around become alert. Once I reach them, I give them the 2 options I always give, "You gonna let me pass, or should walk over your bodies?"

All of them look at me as though I have grown two heads. I get it from them all. Since my height is 5"4 and kind of a slim build even though I am in great shape now, it looks almost hysterical from their viewpoint.

One of them is about to say something when the door opens and walks out one of the most dangerous people you can get acquainted with. To the ordinary eye, he would look like a normal teenager just wanting to mess around but to my eyes, he's a lone wolf that is more dangerously frightening than the days I have spent before finding an escape, in simple words.

He is most definitely younger than me and around the age of Owen but he's undeniably skilled hence, many powerful and influential people on the wrong side of things fear him more than death. Death might be more peaceful than what he's capable of. These are the rumors that I have heard of. I never want to be on his bad side. But it surprises me as to why he's here. I wasn't aware he was gonna be here.

His death-like blue eyes meet mine and nod at me, "You are late, Ms. Panther. I thought since I gave you the PS note, you'd be here sooner."

Again, with that attitude. To him, if work could be handled in mere seconds even that would be waste of time. But since I don't know where he comes from, I don't have the right to question. I simply nod as a greeting. He looks me up and down once, "Come along, I have been told you have been waiting for these people for some while now."

I follow his lead, "Yes. They owe me a debt from the past and very recently. Some people are not worth wasting oxygen on."

He abruptly stops, "I am intrigued as to why you have not asked the question when you felt my presence at the entrance."

"You have your reasons and I have mine. I don't meddle unless it's not something beneficial to me. Of course, knowledge comes at a price. You be the king of the dark world, I'd rather not owe you any special favors."

He laughs but it's only bone-chilling knowing I am not on his bad side is enough for me. Surprisingly, he leads me to his office. Scratch that, this is the 2nd surprise. The 1st was he escorted me himself. The king doesn't do that unless he needs something that I might have. I don't like where this is going one bit.

"Please take a seat. You must be wondering why I have escorted you myself, correct?" He asks or states is a question in itself.

"Yes."

"The designated people were a bit messy and I had to clean the house. So, no one was available to welcome you. It would've been rude for Panther to enter without being escorted. It's just basic etiquette. Wouldn't you agree, Celeste?"

My hands become knuckles in an instant and I didn't care who he was. If he wanted to exploit me, he had an apparent death wish.

"I want you to pay up the favor you owe to grandfather."

"Alright."

I don't have a say in the matter. If it weren't for his grandfather, I would've been dead ages ago.

"I need you to find out about this man. Take him alive. After that, his life will be in my hands."

He puts the picture on the desk with so much disgust. That is the first time I have seen emotion on an emotionless face. I wonder how the man in the picture managed to get in his bad books so easily that he wants to deal with him, himself. Rising to my feet I walk over to the desk and take the picture in hand raising it to eye level. Why does it feel like I've seen him somewhere... Those eyes... No that shouldn't be possible.

Leaning forward putting his arms on the desk joining them and bringing them to a level with his face, he looks at me emotionlessly, "I presume you have figured out who this is, yes?"