WARNING: This whole story contains mature scenes that are not suitable for young readers. Reader discretion is advised.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

PROLOGUE

I let out a small groan as I felt Oceanus press down the wound on my knee. I grabbed the telephone on the table beside me and threw it at him, but he quickly dodged it, even though he wasn't looking at me. His attention was still on applying betadine to my wound. When I looked at him, I saw the corner of his lip twitch up, which made me even more annoyed. He's just teasing me!

"That hurts! Are you crazy?" I snapped angrily at him.

He just laughed at me instead of answering. His laugh echoed across the living area, and his voice was so deep that it sounded like he had just woken up.

"Do it properly. I thought you were going to treat my wound. It's your fault I got this, and now you're making fun of me?"

He raised his hands as if surrendering. In his right hand, he held a cotton ball with betadine.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry," he replied with a laugh and resumed treating my wound.

I simply frowned at him in irritation and watched him treat the wound on my knee. I was seated on the sofa, and he was sitting on the carpet. He was holding my white, silky leg because I kept moving when it hurt. I'm already wondering how many laser treatment sessions I'll need to get rid of this scar!

"I can feel like you're murdering me in your mind," he whispered.

"Good that you know," I said irritably.

He was done in a flash. I let out a sigh as he sat down next to me. As I glanced at him, I noticed a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and gently reached up my hair and tucked the strand behind my ear.

"Even you had a scar. You know that you're beautiful, Valentina."

I've always wanted to change myself. Now that I've achieved what I want, I'm taking care of myself to maintain it. I might be crazy, but I want my appearance to be flawless because I have never had that before. If I had been beautiful back then, I might not have thought about changing myself.

I rolled my eyes and was still annoyed at him. I looked down at my knee and saw that he had already bandaged my wound. I was only wearing denim shorts and a simple oversized black shirt and paired it with white sneakers.

I stand and grabbed the hoodie that was draped over the back of the sofa and placed it on the handle of my suitcase. I took hold of it and pulled it out to leave.

I could still hear his laugh behind me, which made me irritated again. I'd already gone out the door, waiting for him because he had the huge suitcase. I left the two doors open so he could take everything out.

Fortunately, we're going to use Atlas' private plane, so the travel from Mexico to the Philippines wasn't a hassle. Even though Atlas doesn't communicate and doesn't show himself to us, we can still use his transportation. I'm his assistant, after all, and Oceanus is his right-hand man. The only reason I was in such a hurry was because I felt it was rude to keep the pilot waiting.

The vase he was holding accidentally slipped from his hands, and I was about to run to catch it, but the water inside spilled out. He slipped, and of course, I fell with him. Neither of us caught the vase, so it shattered. I ended up with glass cuts and a scraped knee.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Are you going to get laser treatment for your scar there?" Oceanus asked as he settled comfortably into his seat.

I nodded and slumped into my seat while gazing out at the passing clouds. There was something so calming about them.

"You think he's really still there?" he asked again.

I pushed my sunglasses up onto my head and faced him. "I'm sure of it. The warehouse is the only place we haven't looked. I've already asked Pallas to track Atlas, but he said he cannot track him. So, there's a possibility that he's already back at the warehouse. The Philippines isn't that big, Oceanus. And besides, he can't just leave Ria to handle the entire drug operation and production on her own. The warehouse needs their owner, and I'm one hundred percent sure that Atlas is there."

I really have no idea why Atlas left me with Oceanus and never got back to us. He disappeared without any trace and hasn't been in touch with us after anything that happened in Mexico. Atlas has been by my side throughout my training, and he occasionally leaves me to Oceanus, until I became Valentina Imara Meadows. Sarah is no longer with us because of him, and I've long forgotten and buried her.

There's one thing I found out that I thought was the real reason I grew up the way I did, but it turns out it wasn't. Now that we're searching for Atlas, I need to find him to confirm whether what I saw in those printed files from his old folders is true or not.

I looked down at my hand as I felt it tremble with rage. Atlas was making my chest flame with anger. I had so many things I wanted to do with him. I wanted to avenge that person because I knew he did not deserve what had happened. I blinked numerous times to try and hold back the tears, not wanting Oceanus to see me cry.

Atlas taught me not to show or let others know about my emotions because that's how they see your weaknesses. I need to be strong and make sure they see that I am strong.

"Are you okay, Val?" Oceanus asked.

I unconsciously looked at Oceanus' seat. He was sitting across from me in the window seat, which is where he always likes to sit. This man... He's Russian and very handsome, to be honest. Anyone who says he's not is crazy. Since Oceanus wasn't too busy in Mexico, he was able to come with me.

"It's Hexia, Oceanus. Don't call me that when we're around with other people," I replied, quickly glancing at a flight attendant at the end of the plane.

"Are you okay, Hexia?" he asked again.

I scoffed and leaned back in my seat. Crossing my arms and lowering my sunglasses.

"Yes, I'm just thinking about something. I'll just take a nap," I replied quickly and pressed a button on the armrest to recline my seat.

Before I could fully fall asleep, I unconsciously clutched my chest as I felt a tightness. I'm going back to the country where I came from. My family is there, but I know I can't go back to them. I can't risk them getting involved in my work.

My position in The Abyss Order isn't high enough to protect them, so this is better. But thanks to Atlas, my mom and the rest of my family have some protection in case they get involved, but I won't let that happen.

I wonder how they are doing.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

We arrived in the Philippines after a 16- to 18-hour flight. It was very exhausting even though Oceanus and I spent much of our time eating and sleeping. He booked a hotel near Austria City and chose an executive suite with two rooms, so we still have some privacy.

"Can you just agree to it?!"

He shook his head and took a sip of his drink. He raised his hand and smiled at me. A smile that reached almost to his ears. His face was flushed from the alcohol, and his hair was a mess.

"Nope, Huzzah!" he slurred.

I annoyingly brushed my straight hair and raised an eyebrow.

"I'm independent, Oceanus! Don't treat me like a baby. Gosh!" I replied, irritated.

He looked me up and down. He rolled his eyes and gestured for me to leave.

"Fine. Go where you're happy. Just call me immediately if something bad happens to you," he said quickly.

I chuckled softly and nodded. He's so much easier to talk to when he's drunk. I left him without another word because he might change his mind.

The hotel Oceanus and I are staying at is also close to the beach. There's a beach party happening, and one of my friends invited me to join since they found out I was here. Partying isn't the reason why I came here to the Philippines, but I'll just go to relieve stress for a while, and I also invited, so who am I to refuse?

I'll stop by the restroom first to make sure I look presentable. I gathered my long, straight chocolate-brown hair behind me. My light brown eyes appeared even more vivid as they caught the sunlight streaming through the bathroom window. I was wearing a fitted, sleeveless brown dress that accentuated my hourglass figure.

I smiled when I saw that my appearance was presentable. "You're so pretty, Val," I said to myself.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Omg! Hexia, nice to meet you again!"

I chuckled softly and hugged her. She jumped up and down with joy when she saw me. Well, it's been a year since our last party. I met her because Atlas brought me to Ismael's niece's birthday party.

"Nice to meet you too!"

We chatted about various things in their cottage before going up to the yacht. One of her friends owns it. The yacht is big, and there are already quite a few people on board.

"Do you want to swim later?" she asked me while I watched her rummage through her bag as we entered a cabin. "I have a new two-piece and a one-piece swimsuit in my bag. Just tell me if you're going to swim in the sea so I can choose a swimsuit for you."

"Sure. I'll let you know," I replied simply.

I told her I was stepping out to get some fresh air on the top deck of the yacht. It was already moving, and the wind was stronger. I leaned against the railings, enjoying the powerful breeze on my face.

I think I should enjoy this since I don't know when this will happen again. My friend works in business and real estate, I expect there are other business owners and people like that here.

"Hi, I saw you were alone, so I came over. Do you want me to accompany you?"

I opened my eyes and looked to see who spoke. I didn't even know him and had only just seen him now. I gazed at him emotionlessly, as if my stare could pierce through his body.

"No. If you don't mind, please leave me alone."

He frozen at the moment and understood what I said and left quickly. From the tone of my voice alone, he could tell I wasn't pleased with him. I sighed and refocused my attention on the beautiful blue sea in front of me, but my view was interrupted when something caught my eye.

I recognized him by his body even from behind. I was very familiar with him, though we had only met face-to-face once. His broad frame was so expansive that you could almost hide behind his wide chest and his body that it's like he can tower over you.

It was Amadeus Alejandro Zevallos, also known for his codename 'Helios'. The person Atlas ordered me to kill.

I didn't expect to see him scanning the crowd on the yacht's top deck as if searching for something until he stopped in my direction. My face remained emotionless, but my chest was in turmoil. Why am I feeling this way?

None of us broke our gaze. Even from a distance, I knew it was him. His beautiful gray eyes, handsome face, and his dominant aura—who could forget those? The night, we almost did it if I hadn't passed out. I know him, but he doesn't remember me anymore.

I was the first to look away and leave my spot. I started to head down and was about to enter the hallway where the cabins are when someone grabbed me. He pulled me until we reached a dark part of the cabin hallway. Just as I was about to reach for the pocket knife in my leg holster, he stopped me.

I felt a chill run through my body when I heard his voice. I knew him well, and I could never forget that.

"I didn't know that you're here. You supposed to be in Mexico focusing on your training, Valentina, or should I say Sarah Dayanghirang?"

It was Atlas.

SHANGPU