In the still hours before dawn, an unexpected call sets a quiet plan into motion. Erion, calm and unreadable as ever, announces a sudden trip to the forbidden island of Ar'sia—dragging along a wounded assistant whose trust in him is hanging by a thread. As past suspicions resurface and painful truths inch closer, Evah finds herself trapped in a moment where loyalty, memory, and fear all collide.
Meanwhile, whispers of danger grow louder, and a secret that should never have surfaced begins to stir. Why Ar'sia? Why now? And more importantly—what is Erion not telling her?
INT- LUX VILLA -ERION'S PAD 2:30 AM
"Riko, I'll be borrowing your assistant for a while."
That was Erion's first sentence—dry, direct—waking the doctor with a single line. Riko groaned as he answered, still wrapped in sleep.
"Erion... it's two in the morning. If you're gonna steal her, just do it." He yawned mid-sentence, still unaware of the gravity behind the call.
"We're leaving for Ar'sia first thing in the morning."
The flat tone in Erion's voice didn't match the words, but they hit Riko like ice water. He sat up, suddenly alert.
"You're going to marry her?!"
His voice cracked in disbelief, and Erion let out a quiet breath, half amusement, half exasperation.
"No, Riko. Calm down."
Erion knew his friend too well—always trying to find light even in the darkest corners.
"Then why are you bringing her home?"
Riko rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of everything as moonlight bled through the wide glass windows, casting silhouettes across the room.
"She's in danger. I need to understand how serious it is."
Erion's eyes drifted to the glowing city beyond his window, the distant lights flickering like a second sky.
"Was it the masked ones again?" Riko asked, concern settling into his voice.
"No. This one's... different. I don't have enough details yet—that's what bothers me the most"
Erion clenched his jaw. The chaos of the evening still echoed in his mind. He hated being unprepared. Information was his weapon, and now he felt disarmed.
"I've already asked the team handling her case to start building a new one. I'll meet with them before we fly back."
He bit his lip, frustrated. How had this slipped past him?
"Got it. I'll cover the lab while you're gone. Just make sure she's okay."
Riko's voice softened.
"And what about me? No concern for your best friend?" Erion asked, smirking faintly.
"You? Nah, people should be more worried about you."
Riko chuckled. Erion shook his head, the tension loosening for a moment.
"But make sure she doesn't fall in love with you, ha. That brain of hers would be wasted on a broken heart."
"No way she will," Erion replied, glancing toward the slightly ajar bedroom door. Through the narrow opening, he could still see her silhouette laying quietly on the bed, motionless.
"I'm serious," Riko said. "She's in a vulnerable place right now. Scared. You'll be her protector. Studies show that people often fall for their protectors."
"She knows that," Erion said quietly. "Besides... She hates me."
"That ain't true," Riko challenged.
"Trust me. She hates me," Erion replied with certainty, then ended the call.
Evah stared blankly at the familiar gray-walled room, breathing in the subtle scent of clean linen and faint sandalwood that always lingered in Erion's space. It was comforting, in a strange way—safe, like waking from a nightmare into a room she thought she'd never see again.
But she was unsure of what would happen next.
She knew what she had done. It was clearly against protocol—possibly even against the law. And Erion... Erion enforced the law. That was who he was. So why had he brought her here? Not to the Office. Not to the authorities. Here.
Her body refused to move. The pain in her ribs—sharp and constant—kept her still. As memories of the past hours flashed back, the lingering fear of Erion returned. Not the Erion who carried her gently, but the one with eyes like steel, the one from the Office... the one who moved like a weapon.
She heard him—his voice low, calm—on a call just outside the bedroom.
"Riko, I'll handle this. Don't worry."
That was the only part she caught before silence.
Her body ached with every breath. She didn't even try to move. Lying flat on the bed was the only comfort she could manage. Erion knew that. He had carried her from the car to the room himself. She remembered his touch—careful, calculated.
Was he planning to dispose of me here?
Evah wasn't the type to give up easily. But tonight? She was done. Everything hurt—physically and emotionally. Her body was battered, and her trust was worse.
Then she heard footsteps approaching the room.
"I asked Riko to check you before we go. No broken bones, just some possible bruising. Are you hungry?"
He stood beside the bed, his voice oddly casual for the situation.
Evah looked up at him, puzzled. Am I hungry? she echoed silently. That's the question?
Is he going to jail me or kill me? was more on her mind.
She narrowed her eyes at him like a child scorned—hurt, confused, offended.
"What?" Erion asked, slightly taken aback by the glare.
She didn't answer. Instead, she screamed at him in her thoughts. Two-faced demon. Smiling jester.
Not because of what he'd done—but because of how easily he could shift into this calm, convincing persona. She knew it now. But the knowing didn't make it easier. If anything, it made her doubt her own feelings.
"Look, Bunny... I didn't know it was you. So don't blame me for the injury."
His voice was soft. He wasn't apologizing—not exactly. Erion never apologized when he believed he was right.
She remembered how fluidly he moved back in the Office. How easily he'd taken people down. And now? He stood there like a concerned friend. No guilt, no hesitation. Just that same mask he wore when he saved her in her apartment—so long ago, yet so fresh.
The memory of the Major General at the hospital came rushing back.
It was early morning. Everyone was busy. She remembered passing by three men in uniform at the entrance. One of them wore gray. Same height. Same build as Erion.
It was before she ever saw him in the conference room, which is why she hadn't paid close attention. But now... she wondered.
Evah pushed herself up, slowly, painfully. Erion stepped forward instinctively to help her—but she shoved his hands away. He didn't flinch. He expected that.
Is he going to confirm it? Or will he lie?