Chapter 10: Colleen And Xian

Looking outside the window, I saw a cloud filled with grey color. The wind breeze felt like frozen ice melting, indicating it was a cloudy day and rain was imminent.

"Hadeon, can I sleep here?" she asked while being busy with her papers.

I walked to her desk and stood beside it.

"Rian is not here. Can you please tell the teacher that I'm requesting the list of books needed for the library?" she said.

I nodded in response to her request and left our clubroom. Upon reaching the library, I approached the librarian's desk.

"Sir, what do you need?" she asked.

"Mathia asked for the list of books needed here at the library, ma'am," I answered politely.

"Here you go," she handed me a paper. "Please inform Mathia that you can go home now. I don't think you have classes today due to rehearsals for the intramurals and the preparation of booths. By the way, do you have any plans to set up a booth?"

"I'll talk to her about that, ma'am. Thank you."

"Alright, let me know. You still have five days before Monday."

I nodded and exited the library.

"Mathia," I called her before entering the room. She was sitting and seemed preoccupied with her papers. However, it looked like she wasn't feeling well.

"Are you fine?" I asked, walking to her desk and placing the paper on it. "The librarian said we can go home."

"Hmmmm."

"And she asked if we wanted to make a booth for the intramurals."

"Hmmmm."

Tsk. I stayed in my seat and looked outside again. I rested my head against the chair I was sitting on.

"Moriarty!"

I turned my head to where the voice came from. I saw her running towards me, catching up with me.

"Are you going to the headquarters?" she asked.

"Yeah. But once I'm outside, don't call me Moriarty anymore."

"I wouldn't even know who you are because of your mask."

I just shook my head. They know me, whether I wear a mask or not. But only those under my organization.

We started walking.

"You know," she started, "I've started a gang."

As I heard those words, there was a hint of happiness in her voice.

"People have already joined us."

"That's an achievement," I said. "What's your goal?"

"To protect girls and women. To stand up for those who are being stepped on."

"That's good."

"Aren't you going to ask for the name of the gang, Moriarty?" she asked with a hint of resentment. "You're really mean."

"I'm always bad."

"Hmph. Even if you don't ask, I'll still tell you. It's called the Butterfly Gang."

"Butterfly. Not bad. It suits you perfectly."

"I was thinking of giving them tattoos, but I also don't want to defile their skin."

"Why not a simple tattoo that can't be easily seen unless you stare at it? A white color, perhaps."

"That could work."

Arriving at the headquarters, I greeted my comrades.

"How's school, anyway?" I walked down the hallway towards the party room. "Is it a hassle to travel here?"

"Not really. You get used to it."

"Moriarty!" Xian welcomed me as we arrived. "Greetings."

I nodded to him and walked towards my favorite sofa.

"Good afternoon, Colleen."

"Afternoon, Shadow."

We both wore our masks.

"Drinks?"

"Just tea for me."

"Just juice for me."

"By the way, do you have something to do? I might be interrupting."

"Not at all, Colleen," they replied to the question. "I just need to get an update from you."

"I've already told Moriarty."

They placed our drinks on the center table.

"Couldn't Moriarty be the one to inform you, Shadow?"

"Of course not," I said, taking a sip of my tea. "You need to fill out something with Shadow for our transaction, protection, and agreement."

"Fine."

Xian left to retrieve the contract document.

"Moriarty, aren't you going home?"

"It's not evening yet."

"I prefer to fill up the contract via email. I'm afraid someone might notice the paper."

"Let's wait for Shadow."

Xian returned with the contract paper.

"She wants to fill up the contract by email."

"Understood. I'll send the contract to your email this evening. Please write down your email address on this piece of paper. And please read the contract carefully before signing."

"Will I die if I break any rules?"

"It depends."

"Seriously?"

"Just kidding, but please do read it carefully."

"Done." They handed the paper to Xian. "By the way, I have to go home. Someone is looking for me."

"Shadow will accompany you."

"Thank you again, Moriarty."

I nodded as they both left the room.

I walked to the bar counter and grabbed a bottle of rum from the cabinet. Before leaving the room and heading to the rooftop.

I sat in my usual spot near the railing, placing the bottle on the floor before entering my room. I had my own room with a glass wall and a roof where I often stayed, away from the mansion. I took my shot glass.

Looking at the sky with dark eyes, I opened the bottle and poured some into my glass before taking a sip. Then the door opened.

"I knew you were here."

"What is it, Xian?"

"I just wanted to join you in drinking." He sat down beside me, holding a bottle of rum. "You can't drink alone, Aze."

I always called him Xian, his first name. He's Xian Loui Smith, born into a wealthy family like me, but we both have family problems.

He calls me Aze. That's his nickname for me, short for Azazel.

We use these names when we're not working. But when we're on the job, we call each other by our codenames.

"What's your opinion about her?" I asked while removing my mask.

"She's beautiful."

"Tsk." A playboy indeed.

"Kidding aside, she's soft-hearted," he said while sipping his alcohol. "Yet, there's something about her. She's an independent and strong woman."

"Yeah, she's a social butterfly too."

"I have a question, Aze," he said. I took a sip of my drink and looked at the clouds. "Why did you allow her to join the organization?"

I grinned and twirled my glass after refilling it with rum.

"You just said it, Xian."

"What do you mean by that?"

"There's something about her. Something that can be captured in a fleeting moment, but you don't know what it is."

"Something hidden beneath her mask?"

"You got it." I downed my rum in one gulp.

"She's a butterfly herself. A black butterfly that brings chaos to anyone she becomes attached to."

Silence followed, only the sound of glasses could be heard.

Having this sudden moment of peace, drinking a bottle of rum while the sun shone above us.

"I found something."

I remained silent.

"She's a member of the Bookworm Club."

I looked at him with disappointment. "That's it?" I thought there might be a bigger problem behind his sudden revelation.

Xian is always Xian, creating suspense with his words for his own enjoyment, observing people's reactions.

"In that club, there are only two members - she and her friend," he said, gazing into the distance. "Her friend was a victim of bullying and the president of the club. Now, she has resigned from it but pulled in another member."

"Hmmm."

"I agree with what you said about her being a black butterfly," he said while taking a sip. "Poor bullies."

I grinned at his remark. "Did you witness it?"

He looked at me with a smile, raising his glass. Extending a toast.

"Cheers?"

I shook my head at his antics.

"Cheers." We said in unison and drank our alcohol.

"Her friend's bully has now become a magnet for misery. Social media can do wonders."

"You like her, don't you?"

"Why the sudden change in direction?" He filled his glass again. Offering a clink.

"I don't like her. I like how she brings chaos. Besides, she might already have a partner."

"So you're interested?"

"Even more so, no." He took another sip before looking at me. "I'll go ahead and get up. Who knows where the conversation will lead. I still need to gather information about her gang."

"Send it to my email, Shadow."

Without saying anything else, Xian left.

I began to tidy myself up. I entered my room and grabbed my mouthwash and face wash. Then, I went to the bathroom.

Afterward, I picked out a fresh set of clothes. Once I was ready, I retrieved the mask I had used while drinking.

I descended from the rooftop and made my way through one of the hidden paths towards the parking lot. Silently leaving the headquarters, I got into my car and drove to the mansion.

Upon arriving, I was greeted by my mom.

"My baby, you're up early, aren't you?" my mom asked. "How was your day, my baby?"

"I don't have classes today, mom. How about your day?"

"It's fine. I've been keeping busy here at the mansion," she said while looking at the garden. "Have you had your afternoon snack?"

"I've already had it, mom. I'm going upstairs now. I need to do some homework."

"Alright, don't forget to come down for dinner. We'll all eat together with your dad, sister, and aunt."

Tsk.

"Yes, mom." I kissed her cheeks before heading to my room.

I locked my room and settled into bed.

"Why are you having dinner with those people? Tsk."

I slowly closed my eyes as darkness engulfed me.

"Azazel! My baby! It's time for your dinner."

I woke up to my mom's voice.

What time is it already? I grabbed my phone and checked the time.

8:30 PM.

I'm sure they're already having their dinners.

I stood up and walked towards my door.

"Oh my God, baby," Mom exclaimed. "Are you so tired that you forgot to eat your dinner?"

"Hmm. Mom, did you have dinner too?" I asked.

"Yes, alone."

So my despicable father didn't come with his affair and daughter.

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier, Mom?"

"I'm fine," she said while handing me my tray of food. "You eat your dinner, baby. I'll go to my room. Get some rest afterwards."

I nodded.

I looked at Mom's figure as she walked away. Why are you still with him, Mom? He's a despicable person after all.

I hope you will leave him once he gets out of prison.

I entered my room with the tray Mom gave me and placed it on the study table.

I took out my laptop and opened my email. Xian's email was the first one I saw.

I opened it and found the information I wanted to see.

Colleen's Contract Information

From DarkShadow7@gmail.com

to me

Name of Founder: Cecile Colleen

Age: 15

Sex: Female

Members (as of now): 30

School: Xavier University (XU)

Name of the gang: Butterfly

Codename: ButterflyGoddess

Tattoo (Optional): Small white butterfly (located on the shoulder)

Goal: To defend and protect girls/ladies from those who belittle and abuse us.

I, Cecile Colleen, hereby agree to the terms of this agreement and its rules-

I didn't read it all.

I decided to call Xian for the other tasks.

"[You called, Moriarty?]" he said.

"Is there any other job to do-" I was interrupted by an email. "Wait a second, someone sent me an email."

"[Yes, Moriarty.]"

I looked at it and saw it was from Colleen's email.

Codename

From ButterflyGoddess@gmail.com

to me

Good evening, Moriarty!

Hi, I'm the Butterfly Goddess, at your service. I couldn't think of any other codename, so I settled on this. I've already signed the contract.

And yes, we're starting with the tattoos for the members tomorrow. Thanks again for the funds.

Ps. Shadow said you need to update me.

Ps. I won't be able to go to the HQ tomorrow.

"Send me some details for other errands. She already emailed me her update."

[Noted, Moriarty.]

After that, I hung up the phone and ate my dinner, deciding to leave the dishes in the kitchen.

After completing my assignments and activities, I decided to get some sleep.

"Hadeon. Hadeon."

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a blurry face of a girl calling out to me.

Colleen?

"Hadeon."

I sat up straight as soon as I recognized her.

"Let's go. I'm done too," she said, gesturing towards me.

I nodded in response to her words.

As I fell back asleep, I dreamt of her—Colleen. You've become one of my pillars, yet your justice still awaits.