Death By A Thousand Cuts

After a long bath, Selena went downstairs, feeling fresh in her cream shirt and pleated short.

Her feet frost in the middle of the stairs, eyes swelled seeing the guard sitting on the chair – tied up and mouth gagged.

Her body trembles like a leaf, she looked around and found two unfamiliar women behind her guard while men in civilian clothing with guns in their hands were circling behind the two women.

Selena gulped hard, the two women were at the same age as her, she guessed.

Their fair skin, natural face and expensive clothing tell her that they were from a rich family.

"Who are you?" every word tremble as she speaks.

"I am Kathy, Killian's boss," the woman standing on the left side of the guard spoke.

Selena's heart pounded a bit, lips pursed as she ran her eyes on Kathy.

She's a beauty, that's what Selena realized. She's whiter than the Cafe walls – her nerves were so visible on her arms, while her face had a smile of a doll.

Selena felt her heart throbbed for a moment, to shake it off, she took a deep sigh.

"well, you are in the wrong place. Killian is in his apartment so whatever issue you have with him, you're gonna have to leave," she walked with confidence but, deep inside she's trembling like a baby.

She heard Kathy laughing, while the woman next to her remained stone cold.

"Can I have my guard please?"

"Hello Selena," the woman next to Kathy suddenly spoke.

Selena halted and stared at her, waiting for her to continue.

"Who are you?" Selena asked, one eyebrow raised with confusion.

"That's my boss, well my new boss," Kathy replied.

Selena rolled her eyes on the Kathy, walked closer to her guard and was about to remove his gag when Kathy's boss stopped her.

"Selena, we need to talk," the woman said.

Losing her patience, Selena got up, turned to her side to face the woman.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Lea Pearson, you must be familiar with the last name," the woman paused, her thin glossy lips stretched to smile, "I am your cousin Selena."

That smile, it gave Selena a nostalgic feeling.

"You," Selena blinked, speechless by her sudden appearance.

Lea's smile disappeared, "can we talk?" she asked.

Selena nodded, but before she leaves, she turned to Kathy.

"Can you let him go?" she said in an ordering tone.

"I am sorry, I can't," Kathy refused, her doll-like smile stayed on her lips.

Selena rose an eyebrow and then turned to Lea.

"Could you please order your minions to let my guard go?" She impatiently said.

Lea smiled before shaking her head, "I can't and let me correct her, I am not her boss. We just have a common goal," she stated.

"and what's that?"

"To kill your auntie."

Selena blinked, somehow those words didn't come as a shock.

"This woman also wants to kill my auntie" she pointed a finger at Kathy, her body no longer trembles as she knows that if they want to hurt her, she wouldn't be standing now.

Lea shrugged, "well, your auntie stole Killian from Kathy, and he's really doing a good job stealing relics so I can't stop her if she wants revenge."

"Yeah, Killian was really good, in everything actually. Especially in bed," saying that Kathy gave Selena a smirk, eyes twinkling boastfully.

Hands on her side, Selena's balled them into fists, she's about to ask Kathy about her relationship with Killian when Lea spoke, "Shall we?" she asked, stretching a hand to show her the way upstairs.

"Look, that leather woman," she said pointing at Kathy who was wearing a tight leather skirt, "is looking for Killian and you are looking for Daniella, those two are not here if you have a paper and a pen, I can give you their addresses."

Lea sighed, without replying, she walked past Selena.

"Follow her or I will kill this man," Kathy suddenly spoke. When Selena turned, she found Kathy holding a knife and moved it closer to the guard's neck.

Selena immediately rushed upstairs, wondering what happened to the other civilian guards around the café.

(Why did my cousin show up the moment Daniella left, and why did they leave me?)

(does Daniella know that Lea is coming?) She queried as she walks upstairs.

She found Lea standing next to the shelves, holding a framed with her uncle's family's photo.

Selena's shoulder jumped when Lea threw it on the floor and step on it, the shattering sound of the glasses itched her ears.

Anger, that's what Selena saw in Lea's eyes.

"Are you going to hurt the triplets and Louisa?" She asked.

Lea looked at her, jaw gnashing with anger.

"No, I am not a monster like Daniella. Selena, leave this family and come with me, it will be safer. If you stay, you and the family you wish to have in the future will be in danger." Selena could hear the concern in her voice, making her skeptical about her motive.

Lea graciously walked closer to her, and then she sat down delicately like a queen.

"The Su can never have a normal life, even with this café," Lea scanned the whole place, and Selena could not help but notice how well-mannered the woman is with every movement and words she said.

"Ten," Lea murmured.

Selena rose an eyebrow, (are we counting now? Should I say 9?)

"Ten of the Su guards died yesterday. I am not sure how well you know them but, they have enemies in every corner,"

"well," Selena blew out her cheeks, "it's not surprising really. Daniella makes an enemy every time she opens her mouth. Clearly, you haven't met her," she scoffed.

"I haven't met her but, Selena you must go to your real family. She also killed my father and I was just fifteen when it happened, she killed your real father and watched your mother die, who's going to be next? Come with me Selena, I am your real family. I will take care of you,"