Chapter 9: Phantom

Jorge sat down at the corner of his King-sized bed facing Elle. He signaled her to sit down on the chair beside the bed.

Elle complied and she leisurely sat down and crossed her legs while she played her dagger with her right hand.

She called Charles "Bring Peter in".

After a while, they heard the door opening followed by two heavy steps.

Jorge furrowed his brows as he saw the persons who had just entered the room. It was Peter accompanied by a handsome man, both of them were wearing black suits.

As soon as Peter saw Jorge, he immediately walked towards him and he dropped on his knees asking for forgiveness.

"Sorry Boss, They left me with no choice. They would kill me if I didn't follow them. They kidnapped me and tortured me for two days." Peter explained his situation to Jorge justifying his act of betrayal.

Jorge just laughed mockingly at him.

"Haha, You're a man surrounded by a bunch of guards but you let yourself be captured and bullied by a girl- one girl. I am not sure if assigning you to be a branch leader was the right choice. Where did my fearless Peter Blake go?"

"Boss you don't understand how vicious this woman is. She's a lunatic who's craving for blood. She's a living devil."

Peter cowered in fear as he avoided looking at the lady in black.

Now that she was in her 'Assassin Mode', her sullen and strong aura flowed throughout the room making everyone shiver and keep a distance from her- except for Jorge.

Even Charles could sense that danger was around the corner by just looking at the girl in her Assassin outfit.

However, he noticed that Jorge was really calm and didn't seem affected by the murderous aura coming from Elle. He needed to commend him for that.

Charles suddenly chuckled "If you are really afraid of her, how dare you say insulting words in front of her?"

Peter was speechless as a realization came to him. He turned and looked at Elle who was already staring at him intently.

Those eyes were so cold that they seemed to freeze his heart. He regretted what he had said a while ago.

He couldn't hide the fear on his face while looking at her. He felt his heart palpitate rapidly inside his chest.

Jorge was amazed. This was the first time he saw Peter like this.

He knew Peter as a ruthless and fearsome branch leader of Skull Gang but now he seemed too weak, acting like a coward in front of this lady assassin.

His curiosity about her deepened. It'd been a long time since he encountered someone like this before. Then a familiar figure of a man appeared in his mind.

He smiled and looked at her again.

"I felt proud. You are a worthy opponent. It is really my pleasure to die in your hands." Jorge said as admiration and amusement were evident on his face.

Suddenly, Elle threw the dagger in her hand towards Peter...and swoosh....it's a bulls-eye

  "Argh". 

It exactly hit Peter's neck.

Seconds later the lifeless body of Peter dropped to the floor with lots of crimson blood coming from his neck and mouth.

His eyes were looking at her as if questioning her "Why?". The man said that all he needed to do was follow him and he would be saved but it seemed that those were just empty words as his life met its end tonight.

"Oops... I forgot to tell him that you hate noisy people so much and you tend to kill them instantly when they become so irritating to you. Hehe," Charles spoke up as if he knew what was going on in Peter's mind in his last breath.

Elle glared and gave him a warning look that seemed to say 'Talk more and you will be the next one lying together next to him.

One look and he understood Elle so he decided to retreat and flee.

He raised both his hands while saying "Ok, I think my presence here is no longer needed. I must leave."

He disappeared quickly in front of Elle.

Jorge laughed at the scene he just saw. "You really reminded me of someone."

Elle raised her brow when she heard Jorge. He was really not afraid of her even though death was knocking at his door right now.

And she thought he was enjoying this. She walked towards the lifeless body of Peter and she picked up her dagger.

Seeing the blood scattered on the floor, she was satisfied.

"Phantom!" Jorge said as he observed Elle.

When she heard the word "Phantom", there was a momentary shock which appeared in her eyes.

She turned only to see Jorge was smiling brightly while staring at her. 

"From the expressions of yours, I guess you know him."

Jorge was observing every little reaction that he could see on her face.

Elle was now standing in front of him with the dagger in her hands. She was now curious.

'How come he knew about Phantom?'

Jorge stood up and went to his study table where there was whiskey and a glass.

He opened the bottle and poured some into his glass. Elle was really annoyed by the confidence that Jorge was showing her.

He had the guts to drink his favorite whiskey in front of his assassin.

"Don't get a wrong idea kid. I'm an old man now. I understand my situation right now. I just want to enjoy my whiskey. It would be my last time drinking this, am I right?"

Jorge offered her a drink but she refused.

Elle chuckled "How dare you call me a kid? You really amused me. Why did you mention Phantom?"

"You reminded me of him," he answered honestly.

He continued "I hired him several times before. He was a legendary assassin."

"Oh, he is just an old geezer now just like you, except that you have more money than him." Elle rebutted.

She was amused to herself why she was exchanging some casual conversation with this old man.

"No one could ever track him down except for that one man. He likes to play cat and mouse with that man. I thought Phantom would be caught but unfortunately, that man died." he said to her as he reminisced memories from the past.

"Then Phantom retired because he was bored. Maybe that was one of the reasons he got you as a disciple,'' He glanced at her waiting for her reaction.

"Who said that I am his disciple?" she asked him, feeling annoyed.

Jorge was getting more and more talkative now. 

But the worst case was she was interested in what he is talking about now, about her "Master", the one who trained her to become a full-pledged assassin.

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Selena was calling her father.

Elle saw a warm smile that appeared on his face as he looked at the caller. Jorge gave her a meaningful glance and she nodded.

Jorge answered the Phone in a loudspeaker.

"Dad, what took you so long? our guests are looking for you. Come here now." Selena pleaded.

" Sorry sweetheart, I think I just got an upset stomach." Jorge chuckled.

" Dad are you okay? I will come up now to check on you." worries were evident in Selena's voice.

Jorge stopped her immediately "No need, I am okay. You're the celebrant you must entertain our guests. I am about to come down. I am just doing some important business here."

"Ok Dad, We will be waiting here for you together with Mom. I love you, Dad,"

" Selena....." Jorge paused " My sweetheart Happy Birthday. Always remember Dad loves you too."

" I will. Thanks, Dad,". Jorge hung up the phone. Sadness appeared in his eyes but it disappeared quickly the moment he looked back at Elle.