16 KEEP HIM A SECRET

Sofia couldn't fall asleep anymore. Her eyes still wandered back to the man she just met. "William Hughes and William Ivan Hughes. Two different people with same name and similar faces. I know it's impossible given they're from opposing side but, could they be familiar with each other?" she asked herself before flipping her body to the other side.

She was restless. She was confused. She was worried.

Until the dawn was breaking, Sofia was still wide awake but she didn't feel sluggish at all. She took a shower and came out of her room only to wait for William to come out from his own room.

"Good morning, young mistress." William bowed his head in front of her but she only looked at him from head-to-toe.

"Come with me to the study room." Sofia told him and walked ahead of him to come to the study room. William followed behind her without saying anything. "We need to talk. You can sit wherever you like."

William walked towards the window and opened it. He sat on the windowsill while looking at her. "Is there a problem, mistress?"

"There is. My problem is you." Sofia stated without any hesitation. "Why are you in the organization? How did you trick my master to take you? Are you a spy?"

"Young mistress, that's not really what you want to talk about, right?"

Sofia stopped beating around the bush and sat on the swivel chair. "Fine. How are you related with Officer William Hughes?"

"My father was named Rafael Kobe Hughes and his brother was named Rafael Kevin Hughes. When my father got married and had a son, they named me William Ivan Hughes. When his brother got married and has a son, he named him William Ion Hughes."

"One is a police officer and one is a member of the largest mafia organization. How did you manage to get in?"

"I'll answer your question once you've become the formal master of the group. As of now, you're an heiress and Master Lucas gave me the privilege to remain silence if I don't want to answer your question."

"Fine. Then, last night, I…I…" She looked for the right words but she couldn't seem to think of anything. Thus, she chose to be direct to the point. "Why were you looking at my necklace?"

"I wasn't looking at your necklace." He replied.

"So, were you looking at my chest, then?" She retorted with displeasure showing on her face. "I know when someone's looking at me or something else. What was it?"

William looked at her necklace once again. After few minutes, he looked down on the floor and got down from the window. "I once helped a little girl." Sofia looked at him with an expressionless face but her heart already lurched in her throat. It was beating so fast that she held her breath.

"What happened to that girl?" Sofia asked him, hoping and at the same time, not hoping that the girl was her.

He looked at her and smile. "She got nail stuck on her foot. I helped her and I gave necklace similar to that. When I saw you wearing one, I just remembered her all of a sudden."

"Oh. What does she look like?"

"She looked okay. She looked pretty when she smiled."

"Did you bring her to the clinic or did you get the nail yourself?"

"I brought her to the clinic. And she also helped my dad find his wallet. She's very kind."

Sofia unlocked the necklace, stood from her seat and walked towards him. "I'm glad I'm able to find its rightful owner after all these years. There were tears in her eyes but she kept them at bay, holding them back because she didn't want to cry in front of him. "All these years, I've kept this necklace with me and kept them safe. I'm so glad that I found you again." She held his hand and placed the necklace on his palm. "Thank you for your kindness back then."

"It's really you?" he asked with eyes wide open due to the surprise. "I thought it was just a coincidence after all, there are a lot of necklace like this out there. I didn't know it would be you."

"I didn't expect to see you either." Sofia beamed a smile. She's genuinely happy to see him. "I'm so glad you're fine. But how did you end up here?"

"It's a long story." He sat on the couch and took a deep breath. "In any case, once you're the true leader I will answer any questions you have for me. For now, can I ask you a request?"

"What is it?"

"Can you not tell Ion that I am here with you. Don't tell him where I am and that we know each other. Just keep me existence as a secret?"

"Is it because he's from the law?"

"Hn. Aren't you keep your identity from him, too?"

The two of them talked with each other and talked about Ion. He looked calm and composed which felt a little bit amiss to Sofia. He didn't look happy to know about his cousin at all. On the other hand, she was truly happy that she found him.

'Should I still play with Liam?' she asked herself and frown. 'Well, its fine. I don't have any relationship with any of them anyway.'