14 AN INVITATION

If you were asking about the most prestigious property in this city, everyone will point to one building. The Zephyr.

This condominium was built 5 years ago and has been a prime symbol of the meaning of these words. Wealth and prosperity. A symbol of real socialites. A bunch of very few individuals who are extremely rich and powerful. A hundred floors inside this building screamed out all the good things in life that you ever wished for. Private gym, jacuzzi, swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, etc. Elegance and luxury are fairly match made in heaven to describe this building. Security is also at the top-notch. Try to enter or sneak into this building and meet up with the occupants who live here as hard as you want to meet up with the high-rank politician or the presidents. You have to pass a strict protocol before finally, you can meet them. Firstly, the guards will question you about the person that you want to meet and which level they are in. Secondly, one of them will hold you while the other one will make a call and confirm your arrival. Thirdly, after the occupants give or her permission, you will be checked thoroughly if you're unarmed or not. Then, after that, you should put your ID card in custody and you may enter the elevator then took it back after you finished.

On the top of this condo, a man dressed neatly in a loose shirt and casual pants watched the mesmerizing golden sunset from his window. The layers of sunray bathed his beautiful features with its warmth. Such another view before closing the day and night falls. Replacing its throne. That's how rules of time apply in the human world. But not for him. Since that fated day, he stays remained unaffected by this matter. And now, he's expecting a special guest.

After a while, a phone in his room rang loudly.

He walked and picked up the phone.

"Mr. Monav Mokshit…"

"There's a guest for you in the lobby…"

A smirk curved slowly on his lips.

Finally….

She came!

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ILIYA NARA POV

I was waiting patiently in the lobby while the security guards confirmed my arrival to Mr. Monav Mokshit. This place is indeed is not for a poor low-lifer like me. The ceiling is high and decorated with the finest granites and marbles which blend perfectly in black and white tone. Two chandeliers hang and reflect a million sparks in a rainbow spectrum. Like a thousand diamonds. The interior in this lobby is also arranged in pure elegance. Don't even mention the sofa that I'm sitting down on right now. It feels so fluffy and cozy. At least, it must have cost hundreds of dollars for each.

"Miss Iliya Nara…"

I heard my name was called by one of the guards. Then, he showed me a small elevator that hid in the corner of the room.

"Mr Monav Mokshit has been waiting for you in his penthouse…"

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MONAV MOKSHIT POV

I closed the curtain and lit up the lighting. Then, it glows dimly under a shady yellow-lit. Same as its image, my room was decorated and designed in minimalism and simply look. It's neat and tidy, yet, classy at the same time. Dominated with monochrome white and greyish color with a tint of wooden ornaments to make the ambiance more earthy and natural.

DING!!

I heard the door of my private elevator stop and open. Revealing a girl with a dazzled look who walked inside with light steps while she was carrying a frame that was wrapped in brown paper.

"Ah… you're here…"

I grinned widely while welcoming her with open arms.

"Mr Monav Mokshit, good afternoon. I'm sorry if I'm late…"

"No, no at all, Miss Nara. You come just in time…"

The girl stared back at me. I can feel a slight of doubt inside her heart when I motioned her to sit down at my comfy couch while I poured a glass of tea for her then opened the painting. I stared and observed it amusedly before then I hung it on my wall. This is a picture of a skillful warrior that has captured my eyes and heart. He was fully dressed in his glorious armor while his right hand holds his bow. Under his feet, there were piles of headless demons who shattered miserably as real proof of who he was.

Hara Anu.

This painting was perfectly described him as not only a warrior and an archer but also a hero. A legend. A shaman and a demon slayer.

I chuckled lightly before I turned my head away.

"So, Miss Iliya. May I know why could you have such an idea to draw this remarkable hero?"

"I don't know, Mr Monav Mokshit…"

"I like urban stories, legends, myths, and folklore. These areas are my likings and expertise. When I did more research about some myths and legendary warriors, this figure has captivated my heart the most. It's like I am emotionally linked with this figure. I don't know why. Maybe that's the reason why I decided to make this painting…"

"A tribute for him…"

She explained it well while her eyes sparkled with joy as she spoke. The beauty of her youth. Ah, I like her. And it's a good thing for us since she had no idea who am I exactly.

I smiled inwardly while I wrote down a cheque with some digits on it. A business is a business. A deal that I once said and spoke, it must be done. I ripped it and gave it to her.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Nara…"

Her eyes widened and glimmered in shock while she saw the numbers on the paper.

"And would you mind sharing your number as well? I would like to invite you to have lunch sometimes…"

"I have a business proposal for a promising artist like you…"

I said these words while I gave her my phone.

"Sure, Mr Monav Mokshit…"

"I would love to!"

She grabbed it fast and typed her number in flash speed then handed it over to me afterward. A broad smile formed on her pretty face.

"Feel free to contact me anytime…"

She bowed her head in respect and I walked her out.

"It's very nice to meet you, Miss Iliya Nara. See you soon…."

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AZALEL POV

She rejected me!!

No, it's more like…. She pushed me away!!

Unbelievable!! What did I do? Did I do some wrongdoing at her? Or can't I be worried about her well-being? And why do I have these strange feelings for her?

She told me to keep my distance away from her. Well, that's what I did. But, without her knowledge, I still keep my eyes on her from a hundred miles. Make sure that she was safe once she entered the building, met up with her buyer (whom I should admit that he's also, indeed, very good-looking..), and then walked out in the whole piece.

I let out a sigh in relief. She's fine. That's what all matters now.

But then, I sensed something wrong. Something is amiss here. A hunch. A gut.

Monav Mokshit.

I think I should dig deeper and find out more about this guy.

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Monav Mokshit's penthouse

While he sipped the wine from the glass and fascinated the painting in front of him, a black mist slowly appeared behind him and gradually, formed an astonishing figure. A stunning lady in a silky dark robe.

"What a fancy house where you live in, Monav…"

"And it's surprised me when you bought the painting of the one who killed you back then…"

The lady curled her arms on his neck and pecked a light kiss on his cheeks gently.

"It has been a while, Monav…"

But he didn't budge at her seductive whisper while a wicked smirk appeared on his lips.

"Keep the enemy closer so you can watch every move they made under our nose…"

"I finally found her, Eva…"

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