Chapter 25 (1/1)

•••¤ Chapter 25 ¤••• “Hey, how come you are still calling me by my name?”Realizing he owes me an explanation, and also we did survived the masquerade ball.L arched his eyebrow as if I had asked him a question that has an obvious answer. “Old habits die hard, Su Jeong sshi. There is nothing wrong calling you likewise. Beside I figured I was soon to be a part of the young forever club.”“Young what?” I rolled my eyes. It was straight out of Robert’s playbook. I had been wondered about how far Robert has corrupted the young generation’s mind. It became contagious. “Perhaps Robert slips a tiny detail about me who stuck at age of twenty.” His eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait. No way. You are younger than me?”“L, my youth was looooong gone in the past.”“What month?”“You can ask Robert in your next session”“He will assume we are dating,” L said.“That is how Robert is,” I said.“Are we?”I opened the wardrobe, going through ordinary guy clothes, probably Sung Yeol’s clothes as it fit his profile. Maybe if I looked like I was searching, L would leave me alone. Nope. Nothing changed. His face still shot me in demand. I nearly answered with a little amusement when I pointed out what I had missed.“How are things?” I asked, “with huin tooki? Dae Rin? I had assumed the source of your depression came from your heart.”I may not know who she was, but I tried to find myself out from his torment. And, it worked.L did not answer right away. “Um, currently in progress. I want things to be smooth as possible for her. One wrong step, then I could lose everything I have worked. She is someone that I just barely can get her alone with me. I should have strike first before –”He shut his mouth, but I could hear the unspoken words: the other guy. A terrible jealousy crossed his features, and his sexy eyes looked sorrow and defeated. I remembered when I had been in mall underground parking with Lu Han, and his eyes glittered at the possessiveness, about how he would sacrifice every minute with me. That feeling had been similar to L. Looking at him now, I could barely understand the scope of that pain, nor did I know how to help. I just knew that I suddenly understood why he struggle so much, fighting against another competitor, not that it made any sign of victory.“L,” I said awkwardly. “I wish I could–”“Help me?” he said. “You do not know what evil plan I have in mind, like taking down the man she is after, steal her right now, lock her into my domain where she could flower me every day.”I snorted. “She will grow tired of you.”Somehow L flinched more than I expect, but he averted from showing me why as he turned to his closet and began riffling through a lot of black clothes. He looked at me as he did, the discomfort totally gone. His mood had changed without warning.“What do you suggest me to do?” He tugged a black sweatshirt off its hanger and squeezed it against his chest. If that sweatshirt was a person, I think he would break the spine. “I think about her all the time. How could I not? She is close . . . I hope she could hear the sound of my heart, listening to beats goes on-and-on that she has caught me by surprise, had wrong-footed me so that I stumble into the feelings that I had not planned. She makes me feel human.”I worked hard not to let him know how deeply his words struck me. “You should have told her what you just told me, but put on suit and tie. And, oh oh... do not forget a red rose.” I clasped my hands under my chin, staring into my wonderland. “You have my compliment the last time I saw you in one.”L coughed, looking as though he was using up every oxygen in the lungs. At last, he grinned. “You think so?”Maybe I had been so blunt about what I say that I was not aware of just how close he had moved to me until now. So many details came into focus. Dimples curve his smile, bright pink colour his cheeks. “Yeah. Whatever helps you get your girl,” I breathed.He brought his face toward me. “I shall try my best.”I studied his features as our gazes locked, was fascinated by the beacon of hope in his eyes. He seemed to glow with the inner light, one that enhanced his handsome features. It was rare and beautiful glimpse of intense, passionate nature lying beneath the sexiness. If I know him better, I would say he was definitely studying me. Studying my face, my lips. I suddenly realized there were bruises, almost entirely painless at first. My blood has indeed coloured my lips. I was aware there were many questions at this circumstances which soon to be answer.And, finally, I noticed that heat affected by the crash was slowly reacting in such a way as fire was blazing under my skin, and that the look in his eyes was doing more than I would have been in any other person.However the sound in my heart called, whatever I had just felt was gone. That voice made me forget about my own troubling reaction. I immediately looked away and was afraid what my eyes might betray. “May I borrow your phone, please?”“Sure.” I could feel L’s gazes on me a few moments longer. There was something tangible to it, and would creep a warmth within me again. I did not look back until his attention was fulfilling my request. He handed over his phone and then stood in a ‘safe’ distance. “Who are you calling?”“Caius,” I said. In truth, I need to apologise at Lu Han before he sulks. I had to.“I have ... or not, Robert’s contact number. Sometimes his number disappears inside my contact list. Maybe the Covenant hijacked my phone.”Morgenstern of the Covenant. I whispered the spell to L's phone. A second later, the display popped up my Lu Han wallpaper, and I had been so enthralled by the cuteness that I had almost forgotten the flaw of conversation. L frowned.“So it is true, huh?”“We, Covenant,” I said, trying to defend my ground, “have taken major prevention upon the risk of exposing supernatural world towards human. And if you really attempt going against our law, we will scrub your very presence, essence and remembrance from the face of the earth. Imagine Infinite have six members since first invasion.” I gestured an air microphone. “Jamdo motja geochin hoheupgwa goeroum nareul heundeureo.”“You noticed my line,” he brightened. Then, his eyebrows met. “That is outrageous. How could you – break the law or the law breaks you, what a motto,” he groaned. “You do not know the first thing about the Covenant, L. Too many history would reason our motto.”“You could have fooled me.”“No,” I shook my head as I said it. “You would not be breathing right now if you were turned by other vampire. I had given you the choice whereas ordinary sorcerer might kill you mercilessly.”L did not seem entirely pleased about that alternatively, but he did not dignify any further protest. He started to focus on his wardrobe and then threw his black sweatshirt at me. “Personally I think you had a fight with Lu Han.” He paused to reach out something deep inside his boring wardrobe, and I suspected he was also giving sidelong look. “Yet for someone who always treats you like a Chinese pottery, he sure can become highly intoxicated in materialistic syndrome.”That statement completely flipped my mood. “Well, I am willing to crack in those abs of yours.” I hissed, winking my eye.L’s head whipped around. Embracement glinted in the depth of his sexy eyes, the first time I had ever truly seen in him. “You ... you ... how low ...?”“Do not worry.” I knocked my index finger twice on the side of my forehead. “I have kept the good part for my fantasy.”“Be careful with what you have imagined, I might have an idea.”In spite of his playfulness, I said nothing, and though he gave a gift bag. I peered it open gingerly, frowned by the words written in a glittering card that said Myung Soo oppa, hope you think of me every day. What could L possibly do with a pair of woman skinny jeans? Oh. They were gifts from his fan. Even through the ridiculous words, I really wanted to change my outfit. When I finally wore them in the bathroom, I was surprised. It fits me perfectly, and I could not stop swearing about it. Matched to his black sweatshirt that has caught his smell, I suddenly felt like I am an ultimate Infinite fandom.I had another minute before I contact Caius, so I sent a quick text to Lu Han: I’m sorry! I will make it up with you. His response was immediate since I would have expected him to be busy at this hour: It’s cool. I will wait for your text if you want us to meet again. Then, another feedback he wrote. Just want to let you know that I love you for better, for worse.So cute of him. Oh Lu Han! I really want to see you now.After I wrote a message to Caius, I switched the phone into its originality. Sure enough, I fixed my hair and did incinerate my old outfit thoroughly when I headed back outside where I found L watching me. Something in his expression wondered me, maybe the crash had gave me concussion because my mind analysed a small curve forming in the corner of his lips, indicating he felt relief and passionate, or probably he have a trip on a memory lane. Nevertheless I smiled back.“Where will you be meeting at?” he asked.“The Covenant Court,” I said, handing his phone over. “There are plenty conspiracy doubts in all procedures. I am starting to lose my mind. Just hope Caius will guide me through the right path before it disturbs my work.”“I suppose that is good,” he admitted, but he was not entirely at ease. “For how long does this take?”I could hear worry in his voice. I thought very carefully my next phrase. Anyhow L was my fake boyfriend. “Until you miss me so badly.”“That will take a few seconds after you leave.” That was all he said, but there was a lot of emotion hidden in those words. I glanced over and saw the villainy look on his face. It slapped me a regret of what I say. What if he gets over his girl, and takes our relationship seriously? I was playing around. “Remember be on your suit and tie when you meet her.”The villainess becomes Lucifer. “Of course.”“Well, I should go. I will see you when I see you, L.” I hurried off before any of Infinite members would search for him. By time I teleported in the Covenant’s Academy at one afternoon, it was amazingly painful that I surpassed any magic’s limits to penetrate on the ward. Whether I was too strong or coincidentally it was under maintenance. Thus, it had brought too much attention. I nearly collapsed in the brief of hearing their curiosity until Caius came to rescue. He appeared out of the blue and, wordlessly, swept me into his arms and carried me as he moved through the crowd. Nobody dared to question at mighty Caius. People just stopped and stared at us.“Someone call the doctor,” Caius commanded.“No,” I said faintly. “High Court…take me there.”“You probably have concussion. We are going to the infirmary.”I tried to fight, but he would not barge. “Please, High Court … The High Council … He is expecting me.” Caius raised his eyebrow. “Are you mad? It is not like walking in the park. We need authorization to gain access to the High court. A lot of paperwork. Meeting arrangements. Not even Robert meets someone whom everyone has been looked up for. Master Jonathan is probably occupied with major priorities only.”As soon as I was jumped to my feet, both my legs wobbled, although I was not going to tell Caius about that. Unfortunately, he could read my face but I managed to snap his thoughts. “You know I have the shortcut way.”The afternoon was cold and damped, the paths covered with thick layer of fresh snow. Then again, cold never bothered me anyway, but it has an effect on Caius. I have never seen him so still–so nervous. Perhaps meeting Master Jonathan was once in a lifetime experience as if he would have sculpted an action figure afterward. No matter how expressionless Caius often looked, some of the tension drained out of him at the thought. In half than an hour, we stood outside a grand double door. Guards were swarming around this perimeter and were ready to strike diplomatic protesters.Caius was stunned.Almost immediately, two guards swung open the grand double door as though they were expecting on us. We stuck together and followed them through some corridors. The room they left us behind was large and dim; with a rocket high bookcase filled two storey walls. Stacked on the spiral staircase were books and books of what would ever happen if I married to a librarian. The place required housekeeping. Next to the fireplace, there was a blue flame burning at its base, without firewood where a single sorcerer had snapped his book as though he meant to welcome us. The sorcerer spoke. “Do you know that dark magic came from nothing and they want to devour?” I noticed the blue flame leaped up once he faced us. Master Jonathan was an Asian about my height, porcelain-skinned man with black hair and black eyes. To define his position in the Court, he wore loose-fitting, long-sleeved, hooded white robe over a denim pants of the same colour. There was red strip of cloth draped around the neck, but I could tell if it would hurl forward and choked their victim.“Have you done that?” I asked.“Pardon?” Master Jonathan frowned.“Try to conquer the power of void.”He sighed as if I had said something disappointing. “I love my skin,” he said.“But I hexed a human,” I confessed. “Does that count, Jon?”“I do not know,” he shrugged. “Anyone’s ehm...” he cleared his throat purposely, “could turn blue. The mark presents the punishment, but they will not tell where they will appear.”Maybe I was exaggerated. Still, I had managed to cast an illusion spell – It had sounded heroic but not its victim such as me. Against every lesson I possessed, it was my first time since Robert served the consequence that we learned for academic purpose. There was no way I was turning wicked.“My Lady.” It was Caius looking down at me, his face bewildered. “Is Master Jonathan your friend?”I smiled timidly, feeling I should have told him about my relationship with Jonathan. But what fun to do so?“I taught her when she was in the rehab facility,” Jonathan said. He looked extremely proud of himself as if he had earned himself a golden star. “She was my apprentice. The most difficult student I had. I must say she have improved ever since I last saw her in the graduation.”“Better or worse?” I muttered under my breath.“Depends,” he overheard. “Is your type still a vampire?”I frowned. “What kind of question is that?”He nodded sagely. “Yup. You like fangs.” He studied over me. “His sweatshirt, I presume?”“Oh. Umm ...” Please don’t blush, please don’t blush, I ordered myself. “New friend. He was nice to lend me clothes while mine had gone through rough day.”“So it seemed,” Jonathan said, perfectly deadpan. “You sure can warm up pretty fast. And, your combat skills have proceeded to an excellent achievement.” He clapped his hand. “Well done. Finally you accepted your destiny on continuing the Morgenstern bloodline.”“Thank –”WHAT!!!Did Jonathan just think that I will knock myself up with Kim Myung Soo’s child? It had obviously been my dating rumour that was spreading like wildfire. I could not extinguish that right way. I had to make sure I showed the world that the rumour was just rumour. Besides, we did not feel anything special between us. He was vampire. And if there was a fling, he was undoubtedly the second unsuitable man for me. I needed someone serious, someone without supernatural or whatsoever. Someone like Lu Han.I might have gotten lost inside my head because the next thing I heard I become Jonathan’s apprentice again. Dear god, back to school. It was a mistake coming here.