Snake's Skin

Anastasio rolled beside her and raised his head in one arm, he gently caressed Eve's cheek, she was a flawless, exotic beauty, the epitome of innocence.

Watching her safe and sound asleep beside him was such a relieving sight. Who would say a little while ago she was making him run wild out of temptation.

"What are you doing to me Eve?" He cupped her chin, he wanted to keep looking at her beautiful greyish blue eyes all the time, her gaze did something to him which he couldn't explain.

Just a while ago, she had stopped crying but her eyes were still moist, however, she wasn't scared anymore. Although Anastasio still felt scared and thought that she would disappear like grains of sand if he stops looking at her even for a moment.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked with flushing cheeks.

"That's what a groom should do on his wedding night? He should capture his bride's beauty and lavish her." He settled the free strands of hair that were tousled here and there.

"But my wife doesn't seem to enjoy my company at all, she keeps running away from me." He pouted.

"It's not like that, I already explained, but you don't seem to believe me and you have tied me up like a prisoner after punishing me maliciously." She looked at herself to explain her situation.

Anastasio kissed her lips briefly and guffawed at her remark, "This smart tongue loves to be lashed, you do this deliberately, don't you Eve?" He kissed her again, surprising her.

"You called me malicious, huh? And what about this and this?" He showed the places where he was injured by her finger nails. Evelyn was abashed, she looked around for some sort of appropriate explanation. She couldn't believe those wounds were inflicted by her.

"That...I am sorry. I really am."

"Sorry. Are you? Really?"

She nodded cutely with puppy eyes.

"I promise will take care of your wounds and make you feel better."

"Really? And how do you plan to make me feel better?"

She paused for a moment to contemplate, and then said,"Can you release me?"

"Only if you promise not to run away."

She squinted her eyes, which said, 'how many times do I have to promise that?'

The moment she was freed from her bed sheet bondage, Evelyn stretched her arms, and pulled him into a deep embrace and patted his back. Anastasio was surprised by the soft warmth which he felt inside, his throat had a lump, but a smile appeared on his face, it was such a tranquil feeling.

Evelyn wasn't embarassed of the lack of clothing, his solid muscular chest, felt assuring to her, it didn't matter when it's him. She was scared earlier, and everything was going haywire in her life, even then Evelyn wanted to accept her reality than to run away. He pressed his nose on her neck, inhaling her sweet scent and grabbed her tightly.

"It's okay." She whispered, "I know you are scared" She patted his back again, "it's normal to get scared, it was a crazy thing that happened earlier.Even I was scared Sio. But then I thought of you."

He was taken aback, even though he could do nothing for her, she thought of him, "You are my Dark Knight, I knew you would come. And you came. Everything's fine now. I am fine too." She cupped his face with her palms, "So next time when you are scared, say that you are scared. I will give you a warm hug. Don't turn into an angry scary Sio."

Anastasio held her tighter, he wanted to seep himself into this warm beautiful girl, he calmed immediately.

He wondered how this fragile, young girl, is so brave to smile, and console him, even after her life has been threatened. She is so vulnerable and oblivious, she isn't even aware that death was lurking over her, just from the press of a trigger. That's when he promised that he would burn those snakes alive, the ones who dared to hurt this precious woman.

He held her for a long time, and that's when he felt her breathing slowing down, Eve fell asleep in his embrace like a baby.

"How could you fall asleep at such a moment babe? You surprise me." He chuckled softly, putting on his shirt over her and pulling a warm blanket he planted a soft kiss, "Sleep My Lady, this knight swears to protect you with his life."

He stepped out of the room, Edmon was already waiting for him, he gave him a knowing smile, when he saw him coming out shirtless, the scratches didn't go unnoticed, "You are quite a devil. I never knew you had such extreme sexual appetite.I puty that young girl, you went all over her even in this kind of situation.How heartless."

"Shut up!"

Edmon laughed at Sio's little threat, but then turned serious, "How is she feeling, she must be shocked."

Anastasio nodded, "She is braver than we think she is. Anyway, did you get the leads?"

"The security team is working to get things straight, and on your request we have just reported to the cops about the stalker girl. Her name is Emile Tearose, she is the niece of Mrs. Verda, from the Verda Tea Estate. She is apparently one of Mr.Magnolia’s previous girlfriend before he proposed to Miss Palwalker. Everyone knows the Tearose family hasn’t seen fair weather for a long time, so, for her even becoming his mistress would have been like climbing up the social ladder. However, after Miss Palwalker moved in to the Magnolia estate, he had stopped seeing her all of a sudden. Miss Tearose had been suffering from a depression, antidepressants were retrieved from her house, and it just got worse after the break up.Although she is in police custody now, but she will be sent to a sanitorium to get help.”  Edmon briefed Anastasio.

"Damn that brat! He should have ended things properly. Nathenel and his affairs has no ends" Anastasio cursed his half brother.

Edmon wished he cursed a bit more because right now even he felt like a zombie, he was sleep deprived ever since the press meet had been planned and because of this whole mishap it just got extended. He felt like a zombie.

"Apparently he had sent her a bouquet of Black roses" In the Magnolia empire Black roses signified 'goodbye'

Anastasio sighed feeling exasperated. He would definitely make him pay for this.

"What about the shooter? Did you find out?"

Edmon's brows creased at that question, there were no evidences at all, we searched the other building from where you spotted the pointe. Had it been anyone else they would have simply thought that Anastasio was imagining things out of panic and sheer over protectiveness, but Edmon knew Anastasio had the eye of a predator, he would never make a mistake.

"Sio we have put the best of connections into it, as you asked this matter is kept confidential.We will definitely get something"

"When my wife is dead? What the hell is our tech team doing? Do you even understand they used a satellite phone, and the message got deleted on its own. You believe me, don't you Eddie?Though we are taking actions against the Tearose girl, but, if she hadn't popped up, it would have been the worst." Anastasio ran his fingers over his hair out of sheer frustration.

Edmon could feel Sio's helplessness, whoever was after this was extremely powerful to challenge him. However, what remains a mystery as to why are they after this girl's life?

Anastasio was resolute, "I will go there by myself.The Snakes must have shed some of their skins."

"What? Now?" Edmon was stunned, "It's three in the morning Sio!"

Anastasio had already entered his walk in closet and his black hooded jacket.

"No way!"

Edmon chased after him, "Sio it's too dangerous. Are you crazy? You know how much Granda and Grandpa will be worried.And what about Evelyn, what excuse are you going to give to her? She doesn't even know about any of this. Does she? We are supposed to move to move to the old palace tomorrow."

"We are not telling anybody Eddie." He warned.

"Then I am coming too.I am not letting my best friend play Sherlock Holmes all by himself."

"Don't be Stupid!" Anastasio snapped, it was dangerous and he didn't wish to drag Edmon into this mud, "You better clock out, you look like a ghoul.And Ophe must be missing you bad. I feel bad for that child."

"She is being being taken care of by granda, more than me she misses Evelyn."

"So, that's end of discussion Sio."

Anastasio sighed at his comment, once Edmon made up his mind on something, there was no way he would back off. He always gives Edmon a hard time, and yet he would always be there for him like a solid rock. He wondered if he really was good enough to have such a friend.