Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 45: His side (Part I/II)

And that's what she deserves.

"A black Innova following the Star."

I heard Allan on my comms, mentioning Hope's codename. It was the beginning of something I wanted to happen, Itasaki coming out of their hiding place.

But at what cost?

With her ears drowned in music, she was oblivious to the group of men who almost grabbed her on her way home. She had no idea, and all I wanted to do was make her realize the dangers of walking alone.

As my men tie up the bastards, I follow her home and stare as she happily greets her family upon coming inside.

"Nakauwi na po ako!"

I grunted, thinking her not knowing was the best... because that tone would change if she did.

That night, I interrogated the men who were going to capture her and learned her grandfather was the head boss in their organization—he hired them.

They weren't going to hurt her. They were tasked to bring her to Japan... But I'm not exactly trusting, so I imprisoned those men.

After meeting with the council, I instructed agents to tell her guardians they have to move houses. At the same time, I talked to my uncle, the current handler of St. Ceara University, about canceling her scholarship. She has to transfer to another school.

It all happened in one night.

My team was scattered throughout campus the next day, while I followed her on foot.

She stepped out of the school building, laughing softly with her classmates. But when she broke away from them, I followed at a distance. She slipped into a secluded gazebo, hidden from view, and as the laughter faded, she pulled her jacket sleeve to her face, quietly wiping away the tears streaming down her cheeks.

She quietly cries, and the silence is so heartbreaking that I want to hug her and apologize.

"Hey," I called a girl passing by and gave her the item inside my pocket, quickly following my words with a request.

She smiles and does what I asked for. I observe her as she goes to Hope and gives her my handkerchief.

Confusedly, she stares at the girl before her, but eventually accepts the handkerchief offered.

Scarlet was left behind, staring in the direction the girl went, not moving for a couple of seconds, and then smiled... Hopeful. Beautiful.

"James."

"What?"

Mark laughs because I was clearly deep in my head, and didn't hear whatever they were saying. "Tinatanong ni Chance, siya ang babaeng hinahanap mo dati diba?"

I didn't answer.

Two and a half years ago, I searched for her in the city she moved to after San Raigo. I couldn't find her. Her past number didn't work, and her neighbors didn't know where they went. No trace. 

And now, here she is, dropped right in front of me... but as someone I never could have imagined.

Someone I have to put at an arm's length away from me.

[Suspicious man following the group at 3 o'clock.]

[We lost him, Sir]

"I'm going inside," I told them on my comms as Talia followed me inside the resto. I'm doubting whether the man they find suspicious is working with a group that has already gone inside.