Chapter 8: Her

Blaze's POV

It's already ten o'clock when I reach our house. I've been too immersed with all the books that I'm reading that I did not notice the time. I was in the hub for my whole free time because I know that is the only place I can have my peace of mind.

I get off my Harris 45 when I reach the front door of our mansion. I toss the car keys to Gilbert and let him park my car in the private parking. Holding my two thick psychology books, I enter the double doors of our house. The lights are already dim and the big mansion is quiet like its usual state. I just walk past the big receiving area and proceed to the elevator.

When I arrive on the second floor, I step out and walk my way into my room. But when I heard his stern voice, I halted.

"Where have you gone the whole day young man?" the great Corbyn senior asked.

I slowly turn my head and bow slightly to acknowledge his presence and give him respect. "I was in the hub sir." I answer.

He eyes me critically, then his gaze shifts down on my hands that were holding my new books. My hand tightly holds the books upon seeing him scoff. "In the hub reading what? That trash?" he says in a mocking tone.

I clench my other fist and try so hard not to answer back rudely. I know my place inside this cold mansion, and even though they are not showing me some respect that I deserve, I'm giving my respect since he's my grandfather.

"I told you to stop wasting your time studying those craps. You are not just wasting my money, but also your time!" he says.

I did not let him finish his usual line. I walk past him and get back on the elevator. I am so over his useless logic and viewpoint on how I should live my life. Yes he is my grandfather, but it doesn't mean I should follow every single thing he wants.

"Gilbert, the keys," I command. The house valet immediately gives me my car keys. No one dares to question why I'm suddenly going out when I just arrived a while ago.

Damn him and their philosophy. So what if I'm studying Psychology and not a program related to business? Will that make my degree any less better? I am so furious with what the old man has said. It's been his issue ever since I decided not to carry on with our family's traditional beliefs. The Corbyn's a family of businessmen. Generation by generation, everyone in our bloodline walked on the same path, taking the same degree and continuing the legacy by taking over the family business when the time has come. But, that's not what I want. I've always known ever since I was a kid that business was not for me. I don't have the passion for growing money.

I press on the e-pedal gas and let my Harris 45 run at its full speed. The sentinel of every messier did not even block my car or accost me for over speeding. All they need is to see my gold plated vehicle license plate and I'm good to go.

I was already crossing the highway of M30 when an incoming call from Donovan came. I quickly get my in-ear before answering the call.

"Dude, are you home now?" he asked.

"No. I'm going back to the hub."

"The hub? Are you going to the party too?"

"Party? What party are you saying?"

"Well, Wyn will host a gaming party inside the hub together with Neron and Xeno. I'm still thinking if I will join them."

The fuck? Why do they have to host a party during this moment? Argh. What a bad timing I freaking have.

"No, I changed my mind. I'll go to the unit that Neron gave me." I said before hanging up. The good thing is I remember the unit that Neron gave me when I won our bets. I haven't checked that house personally, but I think since it's located at the Velican it will be great.

I continue driving until I reach M58. And when I arrived at the Velican, I parked my car then proceeded on the unit. I'm glad that I still remember the floor number since I didn't bring my elevator ID.

When I'm already in front of the door, I stop and try to recall the passcode of the door. I tried our hub's passcode but it didn't match. I was on my third trial when the door beep for its security alarm.

Damn! I should have been attentive to Neron when he told me about the passcode. I have no choice now, so I dial up Neron's number to ask him directly. I should have done this earlier.

"Hey, Zac. Why did you call, bro?" he asks.

He seems like in the middle of their game. I can hear Wyn's dramatic voice in the background, and Xeno's loud laugh.

"I'm in front of the unit Neron, but I forgot the passcode. What is it again?"

"Ah passcode…" He's obviously distracted.

I was waiting for his response when I suddenly remembered the number. I typed in the code and the door immediately clicked open.

"Oh nevermind, bro, I already remembered." I said.

"Wait! Are you in the Velican? Shit, no! Don't go inside, Zac—"

I was about to ask Neron as to why he's suddenly alarmed when I felt a heavy pottery smack my head. My phone drops on the floor as I hold my head trying to calm the dizziness that is swallowing me. I lean on the nearby wall to support my body.

"Who are you?! Security!" she shouts.

That was the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me.

--

I groaned as I felt the pain on the back of my head. I slowly open my eyes, my vision is blurry. I try to rub my eyes using my hands but much to my surprise, my hands are tied behind my back and so are my feet.

"Who are you?! Speak up or I will call the security!" The person in front of me is being hysteric now. I don't even know why she's the one accusing me of trespassing when in fact, this unit is mine. Am I inside the wrong unit? But this is the top floor.

I feel dizzy and her loud blabbering voice which continuously spouted threatening words isn't of any help to my aching head. "Shut up, miss!" I shout.

She obediently follows my command, but her hands are still tightly holding the ceramic up in the air. She's ready to repeat her brutal welcome on me again.

"Who are you? Why are you here!"

I close my eyes, trying to regain my strength. Dang! That blow was really hard, I think my skull got a crack.

"Chill! I'm the one who should ask you those questions." I say tartly.

She's so confused and so am I. I specifically visited this place to take a rest, but what welcomed me is a girl in her pajamas aggressively holding a vase and ready to kill me anytime.

"I own this place. So, who are you?" I ask.

She was suddenly taken aback with what I've said. She lowers the ceramic, looks at me closely, and examines my face. "Are you Milly's cousin? Neron Brooks?" she asks.

Okay, now I get it. This is why Neron suddenly tried to stop me from entering the unit. I thought this unit was mine? What the hell, Neron?

I did not answer her. I gather my strength and untangle the ropes binding my hands. Is this supposed to hold me down? She didn't even tie it tightly. She took a step backwards and attentively watched me. I thought she's already calm, but she's still in her battle form ready to strike whenever she feels like it.

"Geez!" I say as I completely untangle the ropes. I stretch my body and scratch the back of my head as I walk towards the door from where I entered. I grab my phone from the floor and call Neron's number again.

The prick looks like he was waiting for my call because he immediately answers it. "Zac—"

"You bastard! Who the hell is this girl?" I grimly ask.

"Ah, bro... Let me explain..." nervousness can be clearly heard from his voice.

"Three minutes. Fire away."

I glance at the girl while listening to Neron's rapid explanation. My eyebrows furrow when I see her aggressively glaring at me. It was like she's killing me inside her head, in many different ways. What the hell is her problem? This is the first time we met, so why is she looking at me like I've done countless bad things to her for a long time?

"So, that's what happened. I'm really sorry, Zac. You're a good man, aren't you? Please help me with this one. My cousin told me that she's kind."

"Kind? Yeah right," I mockingly answered. If hitting someone with pottery is Neron's definition of kind, I might as well not get involved. I have no issue letting a commoner live here, but if the commoner is as scary as her, I think I'll have to take precautions.

"She just needs a place to stay for four months. The penthouse has a lot of room, right? You won't nece—" I drop the call, not letting Neron finish his persuasive speech.

I slowly approach the girl. Her grip tightens on the pot when she sees me approaching. "Stay where you are, and state your name or else—"

"Or else you're going to hit me again? C'mon, drop the tough act and stop making the pottery's life miserable. I'm the owner of this unit, there's nothing to be scared of." She slowly lowers the deadly weapon. Damn! I didn't know vase could kill. I should stay away from that goddamn vase while she's here.

"Who are you? You're not Neron Brooks, are you?"

I snatch the vase from her hand and carefully place it on the ground. I can't speak properly to her because the vase is distracting me. "I'm not Neron, but I'm the actual owner of this place."

She looks at me with a puzzled face. I walk past her and toss myself comfortably on the living room's couch. She confusedly follows me and irritatedly sits on the opposite couch. "Who are you then?"

"Does it matter? I won't charge you any fee by living here. Just stay out of my personal space."

"I don't give a damn about your personal space nor who you are but you should be fair. We both know you already knew who I am so asking for your name is fair, right? C'mon, be fair just this once." She crosses her arms and grins at me, as she waits for my answer. What does she mean by that remark?

"Alright then, you can call me Blaze. Is that fair enough for you?" I wore a blank face when she glanced at me. She just rolls her eyes and furiously walks towards her room. What an attitude!

I didn't pay further attention to her. Just four months, Zac. She's a friend of Neron's cousin so bear with it. Who knows, maybe she's kind.

I stand up and make my way to the kitchen. I badly need some ice and a cold wine. I also fetch the medicine kit before sitting back in the living room. I toss my head back after taking a sip from my glass.

I was busy massaging my head with ice when I felt the vibration of my phone. Wyn's name registered on the screen, indicating a new message from him. I look at my phone, confused by the text message that Wyn sent.

"Are you ready for our first mission? Hihi."

Is he on drugs? What the hell is he saying? I was supposed to call him but another text message came, and it cleared the confusion inside my head.