Darkness To Consume

Prologue

"Come back soon, okay?" said Vixen as she hugged her mom and dad one last time.

Her parents are flying to California to take care of her aunt Vanellope who is bedridden with illness. Vixen will miss them so much because they will stay there for a long time.

Aunt Arina has no family, she is her mother's aunt on the mother's side and she is very old at the age of seventy-three. She prefers to call the old woman 'aunt' instead of 'grandma'.

Their other relatives in California also don't care about it so only his mom and dad will go there to take care of it. Rowena smiled at her daughter warmly and gently touches her face.

"Take care, sweetie. We will make sure to call you every day," she told Vixen. There was sadness in his eyes.

"I'm a grown up now, Mom. No need to worry," Vixen assured her mother with a warm smile of her own.

"Goodbye, sweetheart. Don't forget our instructions to you. And don't worry yourself about the company, there are people who will take care of it." Arnold reminded.

Vixen rolled her eyes at this. Her parents still don't want to allow her to help their company, saying that she's still too young for this kind of stuff. Even if she is the only one who will inherit everything. They told her that she still had to reach her twenty-first birthday and finish her business course before she would be allowed to assist them in running the company.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady," her father said in mocked disapproval.

"Fine, Dad," she answered while smiling.

"Take care, please hug me Aunt Arina."

"Sure, sweetie." Vixen watched as their driver, Manong Pedro, put her parents' suitcases inside the trunk of the car.

Arnold helped Rowena get into the car holding her waist and arm. And Vixen missed how her mother glared at her father with disdain.

"I will miss you both," she said with a smile, waving her hand in farewell.

"Goodbye." They both waved back as she continued to watch them get inside the car.

Vixen sadly stood there in front of their tall gates while the car left through the winding road, until they were out of her sight. Vixen let out a sigh. She felt very sorry for her Aunt Arina, and she wanted to visit her too. But because she still has to finish her studies, she can't be with her yet. Especially since the requirements are coming up and he will graduate from college in a few months.

She glanced up at the clear blue sky, which reminds her of the ocean. She was slightly blinded by the direct sunlight, a sign of beautiful but warm weather. She could no longer bear the heat that was burning on her skin because she was used to it.

She heard the closing of the high gates pushed by their two security guards. That delivered a slight noise due to the grunt of the heavy steel on which they were made.

"Miss?" Vixen turned to call her attention, and she saw the butler of their housemates.

"Genesis is ready," it said.

She smiled at the kind face of the small, plump woman.

"Okay. Thank you, Mang Rina."

Manang Rina is one of their most trusted maids in the mansion. She was also old, because she had taken care of her mother when she was young. Its entire family also works with them in the mansion and on the rancho.

She walked on their perfectly trimmed lawn towards the back of their mansion, where Genesis is waiting for her.

The weeds slightly tickled the side of his feet with the only sole being a pair of red slippers.

Genesis is the name of her horse. It was a white stallion that was shorter than her. Vixen saw her horse being fed by their caretaker, named Goryo. The horse let out a whine when it saw Vixen approaching, slowly tugging away from Manong Goryo's hold, clearly wanting to finally stretch out its long legs. Vixen chuckled in amusement.

"I miss you, too," she said as she approached the horse and gently stroked its head. She could smell the fragrant shampoo used by Manong Goryo.

Her favorite pet looks like a new bath. They still have other animals to take care of on their ranch, but this was the gift her father gave her when she made her debut. She smiled.

She could almost taste the sweet scent of the strawberry-scented shampoo that was used on Genesis. Her horse even beat her and was even more fragrant than her.

"I'm just going to the creek, Manong Goryo," she informed the middle-aged caretaker.

"Be careful, señorita," Goryo replied smiling as he helped her ride behind Genesis.

"I can do this," she told him and clutched on the reins around Genesis's neck. She lightly caressed the horse's mane as the horse began to walk on the rough road going to their ranch.

The land covered by their rancho located in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija is vast. It stretches out for miles to the wild forest and to the edge of a famous lake. Many wanted to buy their land, but her father would not sell it.

Twice a week during weekends she walks here on her horse Genesis. Chatting with their staff, helping to feed domestic pigs, cows, horses and others, or picking fruits and vegetables. A few minutes later and even though she was not very far away she heard someone calling her name.

A little startled by being disturbed, she glanced from where she had come from. She saw Manong Ando a couple of meters away. He is one of their farmers, who is now frantically waving his buri hat at her. She stared at him and tried to comprehend what he was saying, or more like yelling.

"Señorita! Señorita!" Manong Ando called.

"Why?" she yelled back and nudges Genesis to walk back towards him. The horse gave out a low whine of protest but still moved to approach the man.

"You need to go to a nearby town right away. The señor and señora..." She heard his answer hesitantly, traces of intense concern on his face.

Her heart began to pound against her chest when she recognized the fear and panic in his voice. "Why? What happened? " She demanded, nudging her horse to walk faster.

She reached the forty-year old man, whose slightly wrinkled face was contorted with worry as she peered down at him. The man's appearance was obviously awkward to tell. him what's the matter.

"Your parents, rushed them to the hospital," he finally said.

"A-What?" she yelled in bewildered shock. She didn't think any more and immediately ran the horse back of the mansion. There she found their housemates and other staff dressed in intense concern. Her chest was pounding too fast with fear and nervousness.

She jumped off from her horse and ran towards her car, almost stumbling in the process. Not wasting her time to change her clothes that were just a pair of orange blouse and white denim shorts that reached the top of her knees.

She immediately started the car engine and drove to the hospital even though the his hands. It will take more he was a few hours before that arrived because they were far from the private hospital where his parents were rushed.

She was already crying as she drove her gray BMW 7 series car on the road that is void of traffic. Thank goodness. Almost two and a half hours later, she reached the hospital. She immediately parked the car and went to the nurse's station, asking for her mom and dad.

The nurse told her that they are still in the emergency room. She went there with trembling knees and waited outside the door. He could no longer hold back the overwhelming fear and anxiety.

She did not expect this to happen to them. And to think that they have already said their goodbyes. She slowly slumped into the nearest chair and sobbed quietly. "Excuse me, Ma'am," a man called attention.

She looked up to see a young man who seems to be in his mid-twenties. He was wearing a red T-shirt and black pants. His features looked haggard and deeply shaken. He did not notice that someone else was there besides him. "A-Are Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore your relatives?" trembling at this question, traces of nervousness.

"I'm their daughter. Why? Do you know what happened?" she asked him with a tear-stricken face.

She then glanced at his arms which are covered in dry blood, before her gaze went back on his face. She started to get suspicious on why this man looks very shaken while he stared back at her.

"I saw what happened. Your parents' car collided with the delivery truck they met. The car was moving quite fast and the road was winding so they couldn't see the truck. The collision was so strong that the front was crushed. of the car. We rushed them here immediately after the accident," the man quickly told her, obviously rehearsing.

She stared up at him suspiciously, and he was looking at her with a guilty expression on his face. He suddenly looked down at the white-tiled floor, as soon as he noticed her glare. It was swallowed before speaking again.

"We're in the truck." That was all she wanted to hear before she gave him a forceful slap on the face. She knew she shouldn't act like this. But knowing that this man is one of the reasons that her parents' lives are in danger, it made her blood boil in so much anger.

The guy took a step back in surprise, at the same time a male doctor wearing a white lab coat and a face-mask approached them. He came from the emergency room. The man became even paler as Cyan immediately approached the doctor.

"Doc?" was the only thing she managed to say. The doctor pulled his face-mask away. Her heart felt heavy when she saw the mournful look on his face.

He looked at Vixen straight in the eyes, and she had to hold her breath to stop herself from crying more. She knew that very look and it doesn't mean good news.

"Are you related to the patients?" he asked calmly.

"T-They are my parents," she answered nervously. He let out a deep mournful sigh, just worsening her state.

"I'm sorry. We've done everything we can to revive them. But they're gone before they even get here." She stood rigid in shock as she tried to sink his words in.

Her mom and dad are dead.

The sky was daek and the cluster of dark clouds seemed to want to empathize with the sadness felt by the people standing in front of a tomb. It also seems to want to pour out the heavy being carried to water the mourning breasts who continue to mourn the lost loved ones.

A roar of thunder broke the deep silence. Only tiny sobs sing in the noise the sky releases. The cold breeze gently caressed their trembling bodies like an arm.

"Why?" The only question Vixen uttered in the absence accompanied by a faint sob. Poetry watches the coffins where her deceased parents are being lowered to the final destination.

More strangled sobs were released out of her already aching throat. She still can't believe her parents are gone. It was as if only yesterday she could see their smiles at the last moment. She didn't quite think that would be the last hug he would feel and receive from them. She couldn't even tell them "I love you" before they left.

Manang Rina gently caressed Vixen's back, in sympathy with the grief of the sadness they were both going through. The place where Vixen's parents are buried was almost filled with an overwhelming amount of sympathy, ignoring the bad weather and looming heavy rain that afternoon.

Many of their staff are also genuinely homesick for their loss. She could not blame them, for there was no denying that his parents were very good people. They are always there to help whenever their workers are in need especially on their rancho, and do not ask for any compensation.

Vixen didn't even flinch once, even when the dark clouds were being continiously whipped by multiple swords of lightning. Or even when the heavy rain started to fall as if they wanted to drown.

She did not care, even when she started to get soaked under the rain. She ignored the cold, the smell of the mist from the ground, even every drop of rain that seemed like heavy slaps that wanted to wake her up to the fact she didn't want to accept.

She still didn't want to accept the fact that her loving parents are already gone. They are gone. She was alone. No one will help her to fulfill her dreams.

How's the rancho? The company? Hesje still doesn't quite know how to run them. What about the people there who only depend on and earn a living for their families? She would run the company alone that he never had a chance to peek at. Will major stock holders trust her knowing that she doesn't have much experience running their company? What about the business partners who hate them so much that they are beyond willing to take everything out of her reluctant hands?

Although, twenty years of age is now considered as a legal adult, she's still young. Will he be able to handle this huge obligation that is already slung over his shoulders?

"Hija," the good Manang Rina called from beside him. "Here's the umbrella. Don't get wet in the rain. You'll get sick. Your parents won't like that," said manang, while sheltering her under a huge black umbrella.

Vixen tried to stop crying. She didn't want to look so helpless and weak, but she just couldn't stop the water breaks from escaping her already swollen eyes. She could even taste the bitterness on the tip of her tongue, the bitter truth that she is alone in the middle of this obstacle that her parents unintentionally left her.

"I-it's o-okay, Manang. I-I'll be f-fine," she told the kind woman and walked towards the newly made grave of her parents, a reason to get even more soaked under the rain.

Their graves are next to each other. The driver who delivered them was also killed in the accident. Meaning, she had no one to blame this on. The truck driver was also found innocent from the CCTV footage they obtained, so he really has nothing to blame for the parents 'death.

Another, according to the analysis conducted by the authorities, their vehicle allegedly lost its brakes. A fact that she found very suspicious. Later, the sympathizers said goodbye to go home.

"We'll go first, señorita," said Lando, one of their rancho workers. Vixen only nodded shortly as a response, not pulling her gaze away from her parents' grave, forcing herself to get used to this.

"We're sorry again, miss," added Francine, Lando's wife. His voice was sad as she looked pityingly at the girl standing in front of the newly built tombs. This is just what happened over and over again.

Vixen couldn't help but look back at the informants. Still can't take the look at the grave of the parents because Manang Rina is the one who often answers them until all that is left is her and some housemates.

The rain is still getting heavier and Manang Rina is worried about her. So against Vixen's will, she let them support her in the car and back to the mansion.

"You're so wet, Miss," Vina said, a look of concern on his face.

"I'm fine," she only replied and got into the car.

The gloomy days continued to pass by. Vixen still didn't have any idea what's going to happen next. She carefully considers those to be cared for. But she seemed to have no strength during the week she was confined to her room.

The next day came and she finally decided to go to their company to take charge of everything, ready to face forward and meet her new challenges. Vixen thought nothing could make her situation worse.

But the very day that she arrived in the main company building of Salvatore Enterprises, she was approached with a rather another bad news.

She didn't know what to expect once he got there. But one thing was for sure, not the accusations thrown by the members of the board, business partners, and even their employees in front of her about his father's alleged actions.

"What do you mean that I need to pay these ridiculous amount of numbers, written in these stupid papers?" she exclaimed, once she came face to face with the now officer in charge, the new CEO of what's supposed to be her own company.

She immediately went straight to his father's former office which was supposed to be his office now to confront Mr. Lucas Lim after leaving the conference room. The board members laid the evidence in front of her and she wanted to confirm them from the man.

He is one of the major stock holders, who holds a huge share in the company. He was supposed to be her father's best friend and was expecting him to defend his father at least. But she was wrong. She found Mr. Lucas Lim in the swivel chair holding a lot of papers.

The old man gave her a rather innocent look once she stated everything. "There, there, sweetie," said Mr. Lucas mockingly, as he put his feet on top of the desk and clasped his hands together on his lap. "Don't be so mad about this. Those numbers are Arnold's debts to this company. He had gambled his entire fair share and had still withdrawn more money just to spend them in the casino with his sluts the day before the accident. And to tell you the truth, there is no percentage left for you because your Daddy has used up all that. Didn't you know the real reason why your parents were suddenly leaving?" Vixen stared back at him with a dumbstruck expression.

She could tell that he could see the fear that is beginning to show in her eyes with the truth that he was unfolding in front of her. He smirked nastily, enjoying her expression.

"They were running away, sweetums. Running away from the responsibility of paying all those money that they had wasted. And you know where it led them? To their death, paying the price with their own life."

"No!" yelled Vixen and slammed her hands on the desk. "That's not true! My Daddy can't do that!"

Mr. Lucas Lim chuckled while shaking his head at her obvious stupidity. "Of course they did. Your mother was too afraid to admit the truth when she learned all about it, too. And I am very glad to be the one to reveal this to you, Vixen. That your mother was actually the one who gave the suggestion to Arnold to leave the country," he sneered.

Vixeb shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe that her parents could do that. They were good people. They couldn't do such a thing, could they?

"Stop denying the truth," he said and gave her a fake look of pity before sighing. "I'm going to be very good to you. It's as if you can't say I don't have a heart." Vixen narrowed her eyes as she stared at him with suspicion. She may be young, but she knew if she was being fooled.

"You can still be a part of this company having all of your shares and all. But," he said and offered her body an appreciative look, "as payment for the money your father stole, you will become my possession, and I will have all the rights to do everything with you." he finished.

His eyes then lingered down on her body, clad in a black formal attire, giving it a dirty appreciative stare with an unusual hunger shining in his eyes. Vixen threw the man a very disgusted look. She now cannot even describe how beyond repulsive this man can be.

"Really, Mr. Lim? You really think I would stoop that low just for your own benefit? You own the shares as well as this company but you will not allow me to give it to you as well as myself. Are you crazy? What are you? Sixty-eight? " She gave him another look of disgust.

His face suddenly darkened as he glared at her, but recovered fast and smiled nastily as if knowing something she didn't. "Oh, well. I really didn't expect you to accept my generous offer anyway." She mentally gagged on what he had said.

Generous? Stupid perverted old man. "But," he stopped and gave her an evil smile. "You can't do anything anymore. Sell ​​all your shares as payment. But that will still be less so you can definitely sell your other properties as well."

Her heart fell heavily in her stomach as she thought about this. There was nothing left for her. A sudden surge of undeniable anger rose in her system.

Couldn't they have thought that she could ruin their actions? But you also can't be angry with them especially since they are gone in this world, the answer of her mind. She loved her parents too much.

Whatever this man said she still couldn't believe. Nor could she help but think that the events were suspicious. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I will talk to a lawyer," she said in a hard voice.

Lucas Lim laughed and even clutched his surprisingly flat stomach. "Go on, child. That is, if you can find another lawyer who is willing to defend you and your parents. I am very much confident that once they see Arnold's billion debt they will run away from you."

She kept her mouth shut. But she just couldn't let go of this matter that easily. She had to fight. Her eyes went to the list of debts her father had made. Anger welled up in her heart.

She looked up at Mr. Lim again. He was grinning, as if he clearly thinks that she would give in to him. Well, he was so stupid to think that she would do such a thing.

"Fine," she said with a high forehead. His smile grew but was quickly wiped away when Vixen continued to speak. "The company is all yours. Stick that in your lungs! I will make a way to pay off all the debts you say," she said in a cold, hard voice.

After that she quickly turned around and stepped away even though her legs were heavy with resistance. She was on her way to the front door. in the mirror when the man spoke again, clearly not wanting to give up.

"We want the money the within three days," said Mr. Lucas Lim. And by the tone of it, he was smirking again. "In full."

Vixen tilted her chin up as she looked back at him with a cold glare of her own.

"Then expect the money within three days," she answered coldly and took her leave after she's been satisfied by the glare he sent her way.

The employees were watching her with clear pity as she walked out of the office. They knew what was going on but she kept her head held high.

She didn't want to show them that she was hurting and struggling with her situation right now. She has to move quickly. She only have three days to sell some of her inherited properties and earn the money. And she didn't know how she was going to do that quickly.

She's only twenty and a fourth year college. She hadn't even finished school, but this is what she was experiencing. Coming out of the high-rise building her parents had worked so hard for.

She glanced at the large white letters displayed in front of it. Soon, it will no more be called the Salvatore Enterprises. Because the new owners will definitely be able to replace that.

She drove away from that forsaken building with a heavy heart.

It was seven in the evening when Vixen arrived at the mansion.. She immediately ran towards her room as soon as she entered the mansion with Manang Rina on her tail. There was a very worried expression on the old woman's face as she followed Vixen to her room.

"What happened, Miss? How was your walk?" Asked the old woman, concerned lacing her voice.

Vixen sat on the edge of her bed after she grabbed her laptop from the table beside it and turned the Wi-Fi connection on. She narrated here everything that happened, as well as about her father's hidden squandering of money causing them to sink into debt.

Even she was shocked at the discovery. She probably didn't expect a good boss to do that either.

"Are you sure this is true, hija?"

"Yes, Manang Rina. And I couldn't find a hole. They laid all the evidence in front of me, where the money went, and it was all in Daddy's name," she replied. The maid was still silent. "Please leave me for a while, Manang. I have to work fast," Vixen instructed here.

"You can have dinner first, hija. You haven't even rested yet," the old woman suggested.

Vixen shook her head, not taking her eyes off her white laptop. "I need to hurry, Manang. I'll go down later once I'm done."

"I'd better just bring you some food," Manang Rina insisted.

"All right, Manang," the girl replied, not wanting to argue anymore and prolong what she wanted.

The next day, bad news easily spread to the workers and their staff at the rancho, as well as to gossips living in nearby households. The news really had wings. What was added to the gossip. What her father did, even their suspicion of the real cause of her parents 'attempted departure and of the sudden accident.

"Probably wanted to escape the debts." Vixen once heard one of the she was on her way to the kitchen that morning. She had no sleep because she had spent the night looking for a buyer on various websites.

She looked at the source and saw three cleaners and a cook gathered downstairs, whispering and gossiping. san.

"In terms of size, I heard it reached a billion. Maybe it wasn't an accident," said Tory, one of the cleaners.

"Oh, maybe they were killed and it was rumored that they would run away," replied Dora, the cook.

"Let's go, we won't be paid properly now," Tria replied.

"Yes, that's weird, Señor. The wife is still a beautiful woman. Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Blood rushed to Vixen's head at what was heard. The density of those who seem to gossip her parents while the size of what they have helped them. But she did not blame them.

She just ignored them and just continued towards the kitchen as if no one had heard. Vixen also did nothing one by one when the workers said goodbye, fearing that she would not be paid properly.

She didn't stop them, because she really had nothing to pay them. She could sell almost all of her property just to pay off debts. Fortunately, she was able to easily find buyers with the help of some of his professional acquaintances.

Vixen immediately sold some of their properties through the internet and arranged the documents. But on the second day she still lacked what she had accumulated.

She tearfully offered the rancho to a very wealthy clan looking for vast tracts of land. She had already taken care of the animals kept on the ranch before the land. She could not sleep that night and cried all night.

What happened comes back to her mind. She glanced at the picture of the parents on his bedside table.

"Why did you do this to us, Dad?" she asked, her body trembling as she cried through the night.

The next day also came the person who wanted to buy the rancho. She accompanied her to tour the land even if you did against her will.

"This land is beautiful and vast," Wanda Anderson said in approval. "But why would you want to sell this land?" its question, clearly noticing the bitterness and sadness in Vixen's eyes while the young woman was giving her the tour.

Wanda Anderson is the brother of the ranch buyer. Shee happened to be in town and staying at the Highland Bali Resort while looking at the vast land that could be bought so she arrived quickly. According to her, her father is half-British and half-Filipino, something that explains her foreigner appearance; beautiful, tall, and slender physique obviously adept at workout. If they weren't riding the horse Vixen would probably be looking up at it.

The beauty of the woman is enviable. She has long chocolate-like hair and puffy green eyes that are also surrounded by long, fluffy eyelashes. It is not whiteness. In fact, it seems to be constantly exposed to the sun. But that didn't detract from its beauty. Vixen shrugged her shoulders, feeling uncomfortable to answer the woman's question.

"Just for some important purposes," answered Vixen. Wanda smiled. It never inquired about it again and said it would pay for the rancho.

As soon as Vixen received the check, she immediately deposited the amount to the company along with the money that she had earned as payment. There was almost no reason for her to sneeze in her room.

This mansion is the only memory left of his parents and he doesn't want to lose it either. Almost all the housemates except Manang Rina have also left even though she has already told them that she can no longer be paid.

"It's okay, hija. I can't leave you alone here. We have long considered your family, especially you," Manang Rina said in a sad voice, as she watched her. They sat on the sofa in the living room. She summoned the remaining comrades to speak.

"But how are your children?" Vixen asked after turning to Armando and Vina, one of those who stayed in the mansion." They are grown up. But you, you have no other partner in life. You need sympathy and we are here for you." Tears started to brim in her eyes.

Vina and Armando also nodded in agreement, offering her a warm smile. They were really kind to her. "Don't worry, señorita. We won't leave you." said Vina, only five years older than her.

"Yes, Miss. Your family has helped us a lot so we won't just leave you like that," added Vina, Armando's wife. She hasn't done anything yet because they are also right so she let them stay.

She also told her not to be called 'señorita.' More than two weeks passed and finally the new owners of the ranch, which was not far from the mansion, arrived. Manang Rina was not there because it was shopping. Vina and Armando, on the other hand, went to the creek not covered by the rancho to fish, and Vixen was sitting on a bench near the garden when she saw a beautiful black car stop in front of the high white gates of the mansion.

She was there and left the book he was reading on the marble table. The new owners were already inside the ranch and there were too many of them. She couldn't help but notice a series of fancy cars coming while reading the book. is in her presentation. So who is this one? Maybe just getting lost maybe and not knowing how to go to the rancho.

Vixen went outside of the tall gates, only to see a man with a large build clothed in a black slim-fit shirt that perfectly showed his muscles and a pair of black jeans get out of the black Aston Martin.

Her mouth almost dropped not because of the expensive car but because of the gorgeous sight before she pulled herself together immediately. She reminded herself that she is not the type of woman who ogles at a complete stranger, no matter how handsome it is.

The handsome man also stopped when he saw him standing in front of the gate. Also looking surprised by her presence. Their eyes met. Vixen could have sworn that her world had suddenly stopped revolving as soon as she gazed at those pair of forest-green eyes. She composed herself as she looked up at the inexplicably gorgeous man in front of her. With his extra height and body size, he became even smaller. He reminds her of the actor who played Thor in Marvel movies. In fact, she looked short because she was only five feet and two inches tall. She didn't even reach for its shoulder.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked politely. For no apparent reason, her heartbeat seemed to speed up as their gaze took longer to correct.

Those piercing green eyes hold all the mysteries that she would be very eager to learn, but not brave enough to unfold them on her own. It was probably a foreigner, also based on its green eyes, stature and sinful handsomeness. It's not whiteness, unlike the other foreigner she sees.

"I think it's me, who is supposed to ask that question," his cold answer to her question. His deep manly voice sounds very pleasing to her ears. But that's not what it said. In an instant, Vixen's emotional attraction for the man disappeared like a moon. She crossed her arms, as if defending herself from his dominating aura.

"And why is that?" she asked challengingly. The man raised one perfect eyebrow. He then narrowed his gaze at her, as if not being pleased with her behavior.

"Well, as I am the new owner of the land, I should ask any stranger what they are doing in my property without my notice," she stated and fixed her with a cold penetrating glare that sent an unwanted shiver in her being.

She was slightly straightened out when she realized that it was probably Ms.'s brother. Wanda Anderson who bought the ranch.

She spoke softly again. Felt a little embarrassed because of the behavior. "I apologize, Mr. Roberts," she said. "But what can I help you with? Those with you are already at the rancho. They arrived here earlier with your sister," she explained.

The man frowned in confusion. "I already know that as I am the one who sent them here," he said.

"Then, why are you here?" Vixen asked in astonishment.

She could not understand what the man meant to her and it even went here. Based on the man's handsome face, it didn't seem like he understood his question either, so Cyan spoke calmly again.

"Mr. Anderson. Do you want me to call Ms. Anderson to inform her that you are here in front of my house?" she asked, completely confused, still trying to sound polite.

"What?" he asked in both surprise and confusion.

Vixen sighed. "I said, do you want me to-"

"I heard you," it interrupted her. His deep voice even though laced with irritation still caused some strange sensation in her stomach. "What I want to know is what are you doing here on my property. And what do you mean by it's your house?" he asked, gesturing at the mansion behind her.

Vixen stared at him and then, smiled. "Oh, I see where we're going now," she chuckled in amusement. "Mr. Anderson, the mansion is not included to the properties that I have sold you," she explained calmly.

The man stared at her again as if a second head had been borne on his shoulder. Then out of nowhere, he smirked, and it almost turned her legs into jelly. Why does she feel this way for this man?

"I think you have done a huge mistake, Ms. Salvatore," he said, his deep baritone voice penetrated every nerve of her skin. "It's clearly written in the title that the mansion includes even the nearby creek on the ranch you sold."

This time, it was her turn to frown at him, although she was suddenly feeling unsure.

"Maybe you're the wrong one, Mr. Anderson. The mansion is not included in the property I sold to you. Especially the creek because it is unmarked territory. It belongs to the government."

The man considered her for a few minutes, studying her facial features. The way he stared at her, her heartbeat quickened again. The weather seemed to be getting hotter.

"Are you sure you read?" he asked. Vixen stared back. She wasn't sure. She knew she had read the titles, as well as all the documents she had signed, but maybe ahe didn't notice if the mansion was really included in the property she sold.

Probably because she was in a hurry to get the money and pay everything to Mr. Lim, and the fact that she wasn't okay yet. Mr. Anderson gave her a satisfied look. Probably that it read the uncertainty in her form. And if it were true, that it was true that she had sold the mansion, where would she go?

There was not enough money left for her to buy land and a house. they were supportive of his remaining months of college. She will graduate in just two months and will be able to find a company to join.

"I want to see the papers," was all she said to him. Mr. Anderson nodded, still not breaking eye contact. He moved towards her, causing her to miss the stand.

"W-What are you doing?" she asked, surprised and getting nervous all of a sudden. But Mr. Anderson only went to the open gates and gave her a look.

"I'm going inside my house," he answered simply.

"What?" she protested, both embarrassed and angered.

"But I haven't seen the documents yet." Mr. Anderson smirked at her, and the effect ofthat smile to her body was astounding.

"You are very much welcome to join meinside, Ms. Salvatore," he said and went inside the gate.

Mr. Anderson smirked at her, and the effect ofthat smile to her body was astounding. "You are very much welcome to join meinside, Ms. Salvatore," he said and went inside the gate.

Vixen watched Mr. Anderson's back in utter bewilderment. She hurriedly followed it and stood a few meters in front of it as if she were blocking the road. As if her small form could do that. Well, she actually thought she could do it.

She looked at him sharply.

"You can't go inside until you have proven that this house is not my property anymore!" she exclaimed angrily.

Mr. Anderson glared back at her. "And what if I did?" he challenged.

Her gaze wavered.

"What if I can prove to you that the mansion is included in the property you sold? Will you leave, then?" he challenged, his eyes cold with deep warning and... regret.

To what? She didn't know, and she does not want to know. She angrily looked up at him as he is so tall.

"Even. It's a mistake, then. I-I'll return your money-" she blinked, realizing belatedly what she just said. "T-The money that I will owe you if you let me still have this house," she cleared.

Vixen also wants to beat herself. Where would she get a few million to replace the mansion if it was included in what he sold?

An overwhelming sadness came over her. Even though she knew in herself that she no longer had the money to pay the man, she still did not want to let go of the mansion. This is the only thing that serves and remains a memory of her parents. It just reminds her of the times she could still be happy. So how could she give it up?

She wanted to cry. She wanted to burst into tears from the fact that she had no more left to treasure.

Why is it that she didn't check carefully what she sold? Now even the mansion that she still owns will be lost. She had so many questions for her deceased parents that will forever be left unanswered.

"Ms. Salvatore." Mr. Anderson called her attention. "My sister will arrive in a minute to show you all the documents," it cracked in her deep thought.

Vixen glanced at him and the man was taken aback by the sadness flooding in her brown eyes, but was quick to vanish.

"Fine," was all she answered.

She stopped trying to speak again when she thought about how the man had told the brother to go right now. She didn't even see it release the cellphone. She opened her mouth to speak when she suddenly saw him tense for a second before glancing towards the direction of the tall gates.

"Señorita?"

Vixen also looked away when she heard the call of Manang Rina who had entered the gate without being aware of it. It carries in both hands the purchases in the market. Its appearance is a mixture of worry and astonishment as they look at their stranger.

Vixen forced a smile.

"Manang Rina," she acknowledged the newcomer. "By the way, this is Mr. Anderson, who bought the rancho," she introduced him, giving the man a warning glare not to tell the old woman anything.

Mr. Anderson only looked at Vixen though, and it made her really nervous, in a very strange way. Manang Rina smiled kindly at the man when Vixen said that.

"How are you, sir?" polite greeting of the elder.

The man smiled down at the woman, a kind and warm smile that surprised Vixen. It was the first time that she saw him actually smile, a kind and genuine smile.

"Very well," he replied.

Vixen immediately jumped into explanation, "Mr. Anderson just came here to get to know who the seller of the property is, Manang Rina," she lied. "He's leaving too," she added, sending the man a meaningful look.

Mr. Anderson raised an eyebrow. "I was actually wondering what the mansion looks like," he said. "Maybe, our hostess will be kind enough to give me and my sister a tour around the place."

In that moment, another luxurious red car pulled a stop in front of the tall gates, calling her and Manang Rina's attention.

Vixen glared at Mr. Anderson hatefully. Obviously it won't allow what he wants to get rid of it. But she didn't want to cause a scandal in front of Manang Rina so she just smiled in response to the old man.

"Oh, he is. I'll just prepare a snack," Manang Rina said goodbye and climbed inside the mansion first.

Vixen waited until she was sure that Manang Rina is out of hearing range.

"Why did you say that? Why didn't you just leave?" she asked angrily.

"Isn't it rude that you are saying that to the owner?" he asked her, sounding amused.

Vixen couldn't answer because she saw Wanda Anderson, the man's sister, approaching. She was wearing a white blouse that was close to her body and tucked in to jeans. The newly arrived woman immediately offered her a kind smile. This woman is really beautiful. And he was really jealous of its grandeur.

"I've heard of the issue, that's why I immediately came over," she said, her soft voice warm and kind.

Vixen couldn't shout anymore. The way Wanda talked to her as if she was very fragile and needed more of the assistance made her feel embarrassed.

"Let's talk inside, then," said Vixen in defeat.

"No, I want to show you the papers now," said Mr. Anderson.

Vixen's blood started to boil up in anger again, but before she said anything, Wanda beats her to it.

"My brother is telling the truth, Ms. Salvatore. The mansion is belong the property you sell." said Wanda and handed her the familiar thick brown expandable envelope.

Vixen did not reach for it, though. It's as if the Earth had finally buried her deep down into the core, burning her alive. Those papers will prove the stupidity she did. She thought carefully about what to do next and say.

"It's a mistake," she finally said after a few seconds of contemplating what she should do.

"If you would read the documents, the paper clearly states-"

"No," she cut to whatever Wanda Anderson wanted to say. "I mean, I have done a mistake. I did not intend to sell the mansion in the first place," she explained and looked up at them, her eyes desperate and pleading.

Wanda was staring at her unsurely, while her brother just watched Wanda without any expression. The woman then glanced at her brother, but what she must have seen must've upset her because her face had suddenly darkened. She looked very displeased while glaring at him.

Astonished, Vixen watched the silent exchange of evil looks between the two. I think the five minutes are over and they still don't speak. With Wanda looking like he was furious Vixen suddenly felt a little scared. She looked at Mr. Anderson. It also looked cold and dark as it stared at the brother, as if they were fighting through the eyes.

Suddenly, Vixen jumped in surprised when she heard a loud animalistic growl. She looked around, looking for where the sound of the angry animal came from. She looked at the two, but they didn't seem to hear the sound. She then, saw Wanda's face morphed into disapproval as if she wasn't pleased with something, before it changed into understanding.

"Now, you know," said Mr. Anderson, causing Vixen to jump again in surprise at the sound of his deep voice.

"What did I know?" She asked, thinking she was the one talking to him. The man looked at her but didn't say anything.

"Do you still want to see the proof, Ms. Salvatore?" asked Wanda smiling, as if she just learned something really interesting.

Vixen frowned at his mood swings before letting out a sigh and nodding. Wanda Anderson handed her the brown envelope again, and this time, she accepted it. Vixen read the titles and it was true that the mansion was included in the ranch she sold, because the rancho still covered the land on which the mansion was being built. She glanced up at them, not knowing what to say.

"I'll leave you and my brother to sort this out," spoke Wanda.

Vixen went to protest, not wanting to be alone with Mr. Anderson again. "B-But-"

"I apologize, Ms. Salvatore. But I still have other matters to attend to. I'm sure you and my brother can sort this out," she said with a kinder and warmer smile.

Vixen doubted it.

Wanda then, sent a meaningful look at her brother before turning to leave. Once the woman pulled out of the driveway, Mr. Anderson faced her fully again.

"Now, Ms. Salvatore. What do you want to do?" he asked, a mysterious secret masked in his words.

Vixen clenched her teeth. She was looking at him resentfully. She knew it was her fault, but she couldn't help but be angry with the man standing in front of her. After a short while of fumbling the corners of her head, she sighed. If she really doesn't want to give up the mansion, she should talk to him properly. She must be the humble one. She tried to calm down again.

"I don't want to give up the mansion. I did not intend to even sell it in the first place," she told him, much calmer this time.

Chapter 2

Mr. Anderson crossed his muscled arms and waited patiently for her to continue.

"I'll return the money you paid here at the mansion," she added, not really knowing where she will get the money she needed.

Mr. Anderson shook his head, and her heart fell in dismay.

"I bought the property because I heard from my sister that it was far from town and in a place that was too crowded. I don't think I will agree with what you are proposing. We've been looking for a perfect place to settle down for a very long time now, and this is the perfect place," he explained, his tone deep and patient.

Vixen frowned at what he said. Why would it want to live in a place far away from civilization and not even want a neighbor?

"I can assure you that we would never bother you, or anyone, in your property," she tried to convince him again.

"We?" he asked.

Vixen nodded. "Yes. I'm not alone at home, the four of us are-"

He raised his hand to stop her. "I apologize. But your deal is off the moment you told me that there are even more people living inside the mansion. I suggest you tell them to pack all your things and leave now."

Vixen looked at him in shock. "You can't. I can't give up this mansion. I told you I will give your money back," she protested.

At the same time, Armando and his wife, Dina, arrived. And based on the 'appearance of them their conversation was heard. Vixen turned to the man and obviously meant to let the newcomers hear what he said. "Why do we have to leave the mansion, miss?" Armando asked looking at their visitor. Dina's look was also worried as she quietly listened to them.

Vixen looked at him in desperation. "No, Armando. We just have a misunderstanding with Mr. Andrrson," she tried to explain but Mr. Anderson faced the two.

And to her horror, he told them the truth. "What you heard is right, you need to leave this place. I already bought the property."

Vixen was stunned after the man told the truth to Armando and Lina. So she did nothing but nod at them in confirmation. Armando and Lina said goodbye immediately, they were obviously confused as they hurried inside the mansion to haul the belongings and as if to tell Manang Mina who was inside. Vixen didn't know what to do in so much embarrassment at the stupidity he had done. What is she going to say to the three companions? Where is he going?

She threw the man a look of hate before she turned her back and went inside. Then she will think about how to solve the problem. She just needs to explain to Manang Mina what happened and send them home first. Then she would face the man again.

She will not give up this mansion, she swore to herself.

After she explained to the three they were very sad about her situation. Now they are immediately packing their belongings.

"How are you, hija? Don't you want to come with us first? You're always welcome there," Manang Rina said to the girl. Vixen sighed as well.

"I'll take care of it, Manang Rina. I need to get the house back. At least it's just this. I'm not looking for other land. I've overcome the problem of debts left by Daddy. I can also overcome this."

"But where will you get the big money to get the house back?" its question. Vixen also didn't know the answer, but she still emphatically promised herself that she could do it that way.

"I'll find a way," she said softly. Mr. just silently watched Andersons to them.

From time to time it appears holding the cellphone. While Manang Rina was packing, there were five tall and strong men like Mr. Anderson came to the mansion. Astonished Vixen watched them while talking weakly to Mr. Anderson. In the way the men act their characters can see them. Their movements were strange, even how the man acted as if he controlled them. And to Vixen's amazement, they even bowed to Mr. Anderson as if he is a high official or something. They ignored them. Just walked around the mansion and left right away.

After Manang Rina packed up, she accompanied them in her car. This is probably the last time she will be able to use the car that her mother Rowena gave her when she debuted. Because if she needed a lot of money, she would also sell it, along with her jewelry that ahe also took care of.

She wanted to continue to be so upset. Vixen will first take the three to Manang Rina's house in her car. While pulling out of the garage, she saw from the corner of her eyes that Mr. Anderson is watching them. She never looked at it again.

Out of the gates, she saw another tall and perfectly built man arriving on foot. Astonished she looked at it. Where did it come from? Did it just walk?

That also reminded her of the five men who arrived earlier. She hadn't seen another car outside of the gate.

The man stopped for a second to glance at them before he resumed towards the open gate. It was impossible for them to just walk to the mansion. It was a long walk to get to the mansion, so they used a horse. Even their staff used to lend their service when coming in and going home. Or rent a car from town to get there, as Manang Rina does when shopping.

"Will you just let her go, Knight?" the newcomer asked Mr. Anderson still watching the car pull away.

Knight looked at his most trusted friend and second in command. He is tall and has a well-built mascular body like him.

"She'll be back on her own, Liam. And when that happens, I won't ever let her leave my side again," he told him, his eyes dark as the presence of his wolf emerged.

His wolf was not really happy with the idea of letting their 'beloved' leave the area, and neither was he. But he let it go to also get rid of the other humans, against his will. His primary impulse was to run after her and make sure she stays within his sight.

"How did you learn that she's your beloved?" Liam asked. "She's human, she's not half a wolf like us. How did it happen that you're destined to be an ordinary person?" it added.

"When our eyes met, I felt my wolf became connected to her. Our bond immediately intertwined together. But I am not sure why she was chosen to become my beloved," he explained.

He too is wondering. It was truly unusual that an ordinary human is destined to be a werewolf's beloved. It is very much unheard of. And he didn't know if anything like this had happened before.

Knight hadn't been exactly waiting for a beloved. He was too busy taking care of his subjects. But it doesn't mean that he didn't want one. That is why he was stranded in this place he was looking for a vast land for his companions. Here they will live. But they needed a place that is far from the humans' prying eyes. How can they transform when there are so many people around them? That is why he let his beautiful beloved to leave in order to get rid of the other humans with her.

He faced his second in command. "Inform Carlo to prepare the construction. They should start with their houses right away," he ordered him.

Liam nodded, "But what about the girl?" It asked.

"Vixen will be here in just a few hours. I'm sure of that," he answered, already feeling the longing for his beloved.

"Just stay here, hija. It's going to get dark," Rina begged Vixen. There was a look of protest on her face that she had returned to the mansion. They have arrived at Manang Rina's house.

"I can't do that, Rina." she refused while helping the woman with her bags.

"Can't you just go back there tomorrow, miss?" Lina also asked, carrying two more bags taken from the car.

"No, I can't. And I told you to stop addressing me already," she calmly told the woman. "If I would back tomorrow, I might not have to go back to the mansion. I need to make sure that everything is still in place and untouched. I won't let that man move anything out of my home," she added.

"Isn't it dangerous for you to do this? What if something bad happens to you? What if you can't come back?" Manang Rina is worried, and Vixen understands this.

But they do not understand how important the mansion is to her. It holds every happy memories of her childhood. Even though his parents did this to her, she still loved them.

"I'm going to be fine. They won't move me there especially and they know you know I'm there. One more, the Andersons seems to be a very decent family, especially that guy; he has a very high profile. And you've met Gian. She is very nice, except that cold and inconsiderate brother of hers," she said.

She dropped Manang Rina's bag in the living room. She no longer packed her own belongings because she really had no intention of leaving there until she could allow them to just return the money. It is sad that Manang Rina accompanied her to the car.

"Please, Manang. Stop looking at me as if I won't ever see you again," she pleaded to the woman that has been her second mother.

"Be careful, hija. Call here immediately to find out what the news is and if they have anything to do with you," she instructed.

"Yes," she agreed just so the woman would calm down. "I have to go now."

It was almost night because the sky was getting dark as he made his way to the mansion. She just wished the Andersons hadn't moved into her house yet. At least they should be considered.

She felt very uneasy. The road towards her home is no more welcoming. She felt that there were people watching her from the dark woods on either side of the road. She had never been afraid to drive on this road since she was young. And why should she be afraid when she grew up here?

Gradually darkness enveloped as the sun set. She could also hear the loud songs of the beetles around. If before she didn't pay attention to it, now it adds fear to her as she walks away from Manang Rina's house.

Her hands tightened around the wheel of her car as she stared ahead, not wanting to even glance on her sides. After an hour's drive she had already entered the land towards the mansion and the rancho. She was finally able to calm her fast beating heart when suddenly, a huge fast-moving silhouette appeared behind the trees on her left side. She refused to look at it. It must be just an animal. Maybe some animal just got lost. But she did not fool himself. What kind of animal is next to every turn of her car?

Vixen was determined to avoid looking at whatever it is and continued to drive until darkness completely closed in around her.

A loud howl disturbed the unnerving silence of the place, surprising her so much that she had unintentionally stepped on the brake, forcing the car to stop abruptly. The seatbelt burned her front when it held her body from slamming head first on the windshield. Breathing heavily, she looked around outside of her car.

Nothing.

Just plain silence. The only lights illuminating the road were coming from the headlights of her car, and they didn't help her to see what had released that howl.

Just a wild dog maybe. She scolded herself for being so paranoid. She was too scared of himself. She first calmed the rumbling in her chest and resumed driving. This time, she completely ignored her surroundings even though she saw another huge silhouette running after her car.

At last, she reached the tall white gates of the mansion. It surprised her that it's still left widely open. And what she saw is the complete opposite of what she had imagined. The return she imagined was already packed with all her belongings and piled up in front of the gate. But she did not find a single piece of luggage there to allow her to breathe easily. She drove through the open gates and towards the front of the mansion. Even the door is left open. She got out of the car ready to face the man again. And this time, she is ready to give him a piece of her mind.

Suddenly more than ten people were seen inside the living room. They are sitting on the couches and waiting silently while two of them were talking to Mr. Anderson. The latter is sitting on one of the white couches, holding a folder and reading its contents. Vixen noticed that the center table in front of him is full of papers and stacks of other documents.

She couldn't help but look at the man again. She could not deny that the sight of him still took her breath away. How much more good looking can he be? With the eyeglasses sitting on top of his straight nose and the undone button of his shirt showing a view of his chest just made him even more attractive. The other men inside the living room were tall and muscular as well, but that didn't bring any emotion like the effect of Mr. Roberts to him. She suddenly felt intimidated at the number of men inside her home, and to think that a very young woman like her is with them.

Her heartbeat began to increase, feeling both fragile and frightened. The men glanced at him for a moment before they quickly regained their gaze as if they had been consumed by what they had seen.

She got confused when they suddenly scrambled all at once out of the living room, leaving her and Mr. Anderson alone, as if afraid something would happen. She was slightly relaxed. At least they didn't jump on her just like what she had imagined them to do. Maybe she was really just being paranoid. But who is a sensible woman who is not afraid when she is surrounded by big men?

She looked back at Mr. Anderson and saw her already staring at her. His green eyes turning dark, before she blinked multiple times and saw that they were just the same shade. How could she think of something like that? It's impossible that his eyes were changing color.

"I'm surprised. I thought you're not going to come back," he commented, sounding amused and even relieved.

With what? She didn't know.

Vixen held a shiver on the way he stared at her. "I came here to resume our talk, Mr. Anderson," she said, wanting to ease the tension building between them.

"Please call me Knight. We could skip the formalities," he said and put the paper he was holding on top of the pile. "And please sit down." He motioned at the couch beside him.

"I'm sorry, but I'm more comfortable with this," Vixen replied irritably.

She was not used to being invited to sit right in his house. She sat down in front of it, avoiding his tempting offer to sit beside him. That would be very dangerous to do.

"Why don't you tell me what your exact plan is?" he asked her, calmly.

Seeing him this calm made her so furious with herself, as well as seeing that she was the only one who is acting-or feeling-these strange things. Why did this man have such an effect on her?

"I don't plan on leaving the house," she said straightforwardly.

The side of his lips tilted up a little, as if amused by his own joke. She frowned at him.

"Then, I'm not going to tell you to leave the house," he agreed.

Vixen was surprised by what he said. He did not think that their conversation would be easy. Is this why everything in the house are still in place?

"I'll give you the money as soon as I can," she said, relief clouding her heart.

"I don't want your money."

"What?" Vixen asked as he frowned at the man. Will it return the mansion to him for free?

He then, answered her question. "It's you that I want," he said, and Vixen would have sworn that she saw his green eyes turning black.

Vixen stood abruptly in surprise, not at what he had said, but because his eyes had turned completely black. She blinked and stared at him again, both confused and frightened. But when he looked into her eyes again it didn't change as he thought. His eyes still looked normal; they were still the perfect forest-green against his stony expression. He shook his head. It must be the light playing tricks with her eyes.

She recovered fast and stared daggers at him. He didn't expect it to say such a thing. Although she also couldn't ignore the fact that something abnormal from inside her began to palpitate with an unexpected excitement.

"Are you insulting me?" she asked through gritted teeth, each of her nerves filling with anger. "What do you guys think of me? Just a simple girl? Who's willing to give everything when offered for free?"

He felt very angry especially when he suddenly remembered the exploitation of Mr. Lim in his situation. He did not expect that Mr. would say the same. This Anderson. The men are really the same.

Knight's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, who also seemed taken aback.

"If you think I'll accept your offer, you're wrong. I'll return your money in full even if I'm also in debt," she said, unable to stop his voice from rising. "You thought maybe you could take me with your good looks and your free offer. Well, you're wrong! Mr. Lim told me the same thing ..." and she told him the old man's disgusting offer.

An angry growl echoed inside the room, causing Vixen to gasp in shock and looked wildly around her, looking for the source, her anger dissipating a little. Two men suddenly entered the living room. Both of them looked apprehensive and alert as they fixed their gaze on Mr. Anderson. Vixen was even more surprised when they suddenly appeared and backed away. She bumped into Knigjt who automatically wrapped his arm around her waist. The contact causes her abnormal heart to pound wildly against her chest. She felt her chest explode with extreme nervousness. But what was that strange feeling as if there were butterflies flying in his stomach?

"Find this man immediately, human or not," ordered Knight at the two, his dark voice harsh and angry.

Human or not?

"What's his name again?" he asked and glanced at Vixen for a second, calling her attention once again.

"What? Just wait!" Vixen said in shock. "What are you trying to do?" She asked full of apprehension and tried to get out of its sturdy arm.

"Ah, yes, find an old man whose last name is Lim, who is also the current owner of the Salvatore Enterprises," he said. He did not even budge a little when Vixen was frantically trying to escape from his binding arm.

It doesn't even seem to feel like she's getting lost. And how did this man find out the name of the company they previously owned? Did it investigate her?

The two immediately said yes and bowed their heads slightly, before leaving the house. Afraid Vixen watched them leave quickly. What will they do?

Vixen desperately tried to get away from Knight's arms again. "Let me go!" she screamed at him.

Knight seemed to finally realize her struggle and gently let her go.

Vixen hurried away from the man even though her body didn't seem to want to be away from him. He grabbed her by the chest. She felt her ribs crack at the sheer speed of her heartbeat.

"What did you do? What did you tell them?" she demanded, her face still flushed both in anger and embarrassment. She still hadn't moved on by their inappropriate embrace in front of other people, if that's what it's called.

"I just ordered my men to do something," he answered, watching her face with as serious expression.

Knight frowned at her. "What will you do?" he asked her suspiciously.

"I'm going to warn him, of course!" she snapped at him.

Even though Mr. Lim was rude to her and insulted her, she would not want anything bad to happen to him because of her. She was about to dial his number when in a blink of an eye, the phone was snatched away from her hands. She looked up to see Knigjt already standing in front of her and holding her phone, her eyes wide. She didn't even see him move, because she was very sure that she would.

The distance between him here, so how could he have it in front of him in an instant? Knight was giving her a dark intense gaze; his darkened eyes were filled with anger and disapproval.

"Give me that!" she exclaimed and tried to reach for her phone.

A short crashing sound of metal, plastic and glass echoed inside the living room. Vixen's eyes widened as she stared at Knight's hand holding her literally crushed cellphone. With just one hand, her cellphone was smashed to pieces, and he was not even injured.

Vixen gazed up at him slowly, taking a few steps back upon seeing his eyes. Now, she was sure she wasn't imagining. She could feel the color draining from her face as she stared at him with wide fearful eyes. Knigjt was glaring lividly at her, his eyes dark as night-monstrous, cruel. His breathing was fast and both his hands were clenched on his sides as if he was trying to control himself.

He backed away again several times. Ready to run for the door as she watched the man struggle with himself. The man closed his eyes tightly, causing Vixen to use that opportunity to run. She bumped into someone. Vixen cried out slightly in shock and looked back at who she had hit. She saw Wanda immediately stand in front of her, wheezing and sweating as if it had run too far. It does not take the brother's gaze away.

"You should go outside to calm yourself, Brother." she advised her brother.

Knight didn't answer but immediately went out of the house in a run. Wanda didn't move out of Vixen's way until the woman was sure that her brother was a good distance away from the mansion. Then it looked at him with intense concern. Vixen didn't realize that she was shaking until Wanda told her to calm down.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Wanda asked obviously not sure what to ask her.

Vixen shook her head, not bothering to lie. She wasn't okay and Knight didn't hurt her either, but she was really scared of it. She did not know how the color of its eyes had changed. Then why was he so angry with her?

"W-What is that all about?" she asked shakily.

Wanda guided her towards the couches and told her to sit down.

But Vixen wasn't stupid. "Are you out of your mind?" she yelled in frustration. "Why would you send your men after someone like that?"

"I just did what I was supposed to do."