and I've become able to tell more elaborate lies;

I've experienced many kinds of pain,

and yet, this ache still lingers.

The twilight is so red, it makes me feel like crying...

Your voice is becoming fainter and fainter

In the engulfing sunset..."

After finis.h.i.+ng the song, Sofia lightly bowed to her audience. A cheerful and beautiful smile adorned her little face and her black eyes shone with delight due to everyone's praises.

"Thanks for listening to me. I hope everyone enjoyed my performance."

Claps ensued.

A little exchange of words with the host of the program she had guested followed before she went to the backstage to meet up with the middle-aged man waiting for her there.

As fast as lightning, the enchanting curves on her lips vanished.

Irritation showed in her expression, and anyone who would see would immediately know that she didn't like the other.

"I really hate your existence. Why are you still alive?"

"When did my life and death become your business? Don't give me that face. If your owner didn't make the request, I'm okay to not see you for a whole lifetime too."

"b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

She didn't want anyone to mistake the hateful man as her sugar daddy hence she made herself invisible to the naked eyes.

"Let's go. The destination is the border. She gave me the coordinates." As if flaunting her closeness to her Original, Sofia said then walked side by side with the middle-aged man towards the parking lot.

Given their speed, even if they rode a helicopter, it would still take them about two hours to reach the place told to them by Sofony.

"Before we leave, should we notify that one?" The guy asked.

It was Chris who used his usual disguise as, like the woman, he hated gossips and was careful when meeting up with anyone, even Sofony.

Sofia shook her head and looked at Chris like he was a big moron, the type whose only worth was to serve as feeds for the sharks.

"You're the one who had firsthand experience with those people. You and my Original have made a guess of how many people like us they have in their side, and you want a mere non-host to partic.i.p.ate in this mess? Are you kidding me? Brainless b.a.s.t.a.r.d?"

"... You are the stupid one. I said notify. Not bring with us."

The banter ended with the two of them choosing to steal motorcycles and ride towards the nearest military ground where they would be able to 'borrow' a fairly fast aircraft.

...

Meanwhile, Central Alina, in the private lands of the Albarez.

When Gio arrived and met his uncle who he hadn't seen for three whole years, the excitement of finally having the chance to beat this person up got halved due to the fact that Sofony was not with him.

He would have been glad to reveal this man's connection with her irresponsible father and see how she would react.

Would she slap the man to death? Like she preferred to do whenever she was angry?

Or toss him out onto the deepest trench of the biggest ocean in the world?

That annoying lab in the Southern part of the city seemed to have no problem taking on a bomb or two as well.

And for sure, that would force Fred out of the abandoned convalescence center and face the daughter he had twice almost ruined.

How unfortunate that he had no way to see it, not at least now, that Sofony had to be away due to some sort of emergency which she forgot to tell him.

'My girl seems to be thinking that matters related to the immoral system are still a no-no to share or discuss with me,' he amusedly thought to himself.

The marvelous aroma of coffee lingered in the air.

It didn't take long for a maid to come in and bow at the two masters of the house who were sitting across each other at a finely sculpted table amidst the picturesque landscape and mini-waterfalls.

Both the young and old Albarez loved decorating their homes with the same blue mini waterfall which was probably one of the very few things that they had in common when it comes to what they like and dislike.

"... Thinking of the Mendez girl?"

Gio's train of thoughts got interrupted by the distinct, pleasant, and kind-sounding voice that drifted to his ears from the person before him.

He perfunctorily answered,

"So what if I am? What's wrong with thinking of my own fiancée?"

"You didn't ask for my and her father's opinion."

"I need your permission so I can think of her?"

"Don't play dumb. It's about you taking her as your fiancée."

"Oh." He didn't continue speaking.

It would be pointless.

Also, he knew the other man was merely stating facts and was aware of his intention behind the broadcast of his engagement with Sofony to the city with only the consent of the Silvers.

Conrad took the aromatic cup that was placed in front of him.

As he supported the small saucer with his other hand, he carefully took a sip of the finely brewed coffee. He nodded at the taste. The natural blend of the creamer perfectly suited his tongue.

Gio crossed his arm at the sight and ignored the one offered to him.

His eyes went to the distant border.

A while ago, he had contacted Old Gil and the others who became very ecstatic about his return.

Those agents were so full of motivation and energy, so much that they took the initiative to check any abnormality in the city.

So far, what they found related to Sofony was her sister's appearance at the airport.

It seemed she was not alone as it was reported that this Steffany Mendez was with Wendy Gomez, yet the latter went missing and Sofony's sister had only alerted the airport's people.

He was guessing these two didn't even inform Sofony of their return because they wanted to surprise her. His girl too didn't expect them to sneak out of J Country.

Now, look at what happened.

The man clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Sir."

When a voice suddenly rang from his left earphone, his hand automatically went to it, his forefinger pressing on the device so he could hear Old Gil's voice better.

"I would just like to report that we recently lose track of Miss Sofia Mendoza and Sir Chris Meyer."

"Hmm?"

His eye darkened. If even those two who Sofony had explained yesterday as her clone and ally disappeared, it was hard for him to believe that the matter she wanted to settle was still as manageable as she claimed.

Conrad stared at him.

"Something's weighing on your mind. Why don't you speak about it to me?"

The young man gave him a sharp glare thirsting for blood and asked,

"My dear uncle, I'm sure you're fully aware of how much emotional damage you have done to me and Sofony for the past three years. So if I tell you to contact Fred and have him track where my Baby is now, will you help? To at least lessen the great resentment I harbored against you a little bit?"

The older man sighed,

"Even if I help you out, I'm sure whatever you're planning against me won't stop. Look, you're not explaining to me about the most recent mess that you have stirred up."

"Did you ever try to hear out my explanation back then? When I told you that I'm at least unkillable by those under Fred Mendez' level?"

In other words, Gio asked if explanations, in general, could make their way into Conrad's brain. 

Conrad coughed and said, "I'm already innocent here, my nephew. That lunatic is the one who doesn't want to let off the opportunity to waste away one of my favors."

"Favor or not, I don't care. My question will stand still until you answer it."

The two exchanged long glanced over the table. When the younger one's eyes grew sharp to the point that Conrad already wondered how many times he died in this young man's mind, he helplessly relented,

"Fine. I'll ask that lunatic. But whether he'll do you that favor will remain a question only he could answer."

Gio sneered. "Use one of your favors then, I'm sure he won't refuse."

Of course, the older Albarez expressed his opposition by not commenting and only phoning the other annoying middle-aged man.

After Gio heard the reply he wanted, which he felt amazing to have received from the d.a.m.nable and unreasonable high-level host, he humored his uncle in a brief talk and sarcastically explained why he did a search of a prospective spouse for Conrad that way.

"I would have loved to have a lengthier discussion with you about life and blood-relations.h.i.+p, but sadly, I have to go now."

When the boredom and worry got past a certain boundary, he stood up, leaving the coffee and cake served to him untouched.

Conrad didn't speak and continued enjoying his coffee.

Yet because he was focusing so much with the drink that he didn't pay much attention to his surroundings, hence, not noticing that Gio came to his side.

When he discovered the presence of his nephew there, it was already late.

"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"

The loud sound of a fist making contact with a jaw and the noise of a body falling to the ground got drowned out by the sharp ear-splitting shout.

It helped alert the bodyguards by the doorway though.

Yet when they went to the wealthy magnate's side, they only found Conrad there, with a bleeding mouth, unmoving on the limestone covered floor.

The man who caused him to be like this was already down the driveway below, patting the shoulder of the old housekeeper there who got shocked by the sight of him coolly jumping from the second floor's verandah.

Before Gio got into his car, he told Old Joe,

"Relay to my beloved uncle, that's just a percent of the interest. A nice day to him."

...

...

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