The Runaway Princess [ENGLISH]

♚ Chapter 3 ♚

The Devil's Reincarnate

I opened my eyes and found myself standing alone in the middle of a hall. Moments later, silhouettes of people appeared. Around me, everyone is in pairs while dancing in the soft tune of the music being played by the orchestra.

'Where am I?' I asked myself confused. 

I travel my eyes around the vicinity trying to figure out how did I end up in here. I must say that the room is spacious. The four pillars in every corner of the room are decorated exquisitely together with the four unusual sculptures underneath it. When my eyes wandered to the ceiling, I can't help, but be in awe. Besides the beautiful crystal chandelier that glows like magical spheres, the paintings of angels in the ceiling are extraordinary. Calling it beautiful is an understatement.

I got pulled out of my train of thoughts when I felt someone is watching me. I look around once again, and my eyes landed at the grand staircase in front of me.

Standing at the top of the stairs, was a man in his black suit. He's looking at me intently with a sly smile plastered on his face. I can't see him clearly, but I know that smile. I know him! Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. I feel my fear rising. I want to run away, but I can't. I'm so petrified to even move.

"Tasha," Someone called behind me. Somehow, that person's voice sounds familiar. I feel safe and comforted by just hearing it.

I was about to turn around and run to that person's arms, but the firm grip on my left wrist stopped me. Startled, I look at the intruder.

A pair of cerulean orbs greeted me. She's looking at me steadily with a blank face, but what shocked me the most is her appearance. She's the image of myself, minus her void facial expression. I struggle to lose her grip on my wrist, but it was futile. She's too strong! She didn't even flinched.

"W-who are you?" I asked, but she didn't reply. Instead, she steps closer and lean on my right ear and whispered, "I'll be watching you."

I woke up panting heavily while clutching my chest. My heart is beating so fast, and it feels like I've run a marathon.

The first thing I noticed when I finally calm down is I'm no longer outside the hot desert. When my eyes finally adjust to the dim light of the room, I decided to get off the bed. I approach the window and lean on its glass. Outside, I saw different hues of lights coming from the buildings and cars below. Confusion overwhelms my system.

Where am I?

"You're in Las Vegas," Said a cold voice coming from behind me. He startles me when he suddenly spoke. Trying to find the owner of the voice, I turn around and roam my eyes around the room. There, across the bed I'm previously lying in, I saw a silhouette of a person sitting on a chair.

"H-how..."I trailed off. Several questions suddenly popped out in my head like, 'How long has he been there watching me?' or 'How come I didn't notice him?' and more importantly, 'Who is he?'

While I was busy gathering my thoughts, the guy starts walking towards me. As he advances, light coming from the full moon outside reaches the half of his face making me have a better view of his appearance.

From this distance, I can tell that he's a tall man with broad shoulders. Underneath his suit lies a man with a lean and chiseled body. I can only see half of his face, but I can describe that he got a well-define jaw and kissable lips. Even though I can't see his entire face, I can't deny that this man is strikingly handsome.

"Who are you?" He suddenly asked with a cold approach.

I wanted to say, 'Shouldn't I be asking that question?' but instead, I composed myself before answering. "It's Tasha...Tasha Romano," I replied firmly. I don't even know where I got my courage, but I can't let him intimidate me. I've dealt with the same types of people all these years. I can't let him dominate my senses.

I look at him intently, trying to read his actions. Did he believe me? I just told him the name I've used these past few days. I got some fake I.D's that can prove that. I felt sorry that I lied, but I just can't expose my identity. Not to anyone I didn't trust.

He continue to advance towards me, making me have a perfect view of his face. My breath hitches the moment I saw his eyes. It was pure black. I was expecting to see emerald or deep blue irises, but I saw two deep black orbs. It was devoid of any emotion. It's like a bottomless abyss waiting for me to jump in. 

I continue to take a step backward until my back was against the cold glass window. When we're only inches apart, he made me look into his eyes by slightly holding up my chin.

"You're lying," He stated.

"I-I'm not," I retorted. I'm starting to get uncomfortable by his intense gaze.

"Do you know what I do with those people who lied to me?" He suddenly asked making me gulp. 

"W-what?"

He lean forward and whisper in my left ear, "I always end up disposing them."

I didn't know why, but the moment those words escaped his lips, I instantly believe him.

♚ Chapter 3 ♚