CDS: 4

“Uhmnnn s-sure.” she said and he reaches the pendant that is on the middle of her t-shirt on top of her chest.

He takes it and starts to examine it. Then his face suddenly changes into shock and disbelief.

“Grampa what is wrong? You look as if you know something about that necklace.” the lady asks her grandfather.

The old man rubs his jaw and plays his long beard as he looks at Annelia.

“Leny would you mind bringing me that box down from my last drawer.” He said as he looks at his granddaughter that he just call as Leny.

“Is it the one with a lock?” the old man nod and Leny head back to the door where they both saw her grandfather walk out from.

“By the way my name is Benzamine III Conjar and my granddaughter is Leny Mae. You can call me Ben.”

“You can also call me Leny.”

They all turn to see the lady coming out of the door holding a padlocked box in top of her both hands. She laid the box on his grandfather’s lap and took his cane as she put it on the side of the chair a few meters away from them.

“M-my name is Regie and she is Annelia.” Regie answers when Annelia is so silent.

“Come sit beside me and let us discuss about that necklace. But first tell me how you come in ownership of that in the first palace.” Mr. Benzamine said as the two sits in front him and Leny sits beside her grandfather.

“Uhmnnn I accidentally meet this man in my classroom he just gave it to me and uhmnn he then left.” Annelia said omitting the part where she was harassed by that crazy stranger.

“Sorry I cannot do anything to help you get rid of that necklace. But I can tell you how you can get it off.”

“H-how?” Annelia said as she and Regie both look at him.

“That necklace can be taken off…… only by the one who has placed it on your neck.”

“Y-you mean I cannot take this off my whole life if he won’t appear!” Annelia burst upon hearing what Mr. Benzamine said.

“Yes but frit not, I know you will meet him again, SOON. (He unlocks the box and takes an old ancient looking book) Here, read this Miss Annelia it might help you when the time comes.”

“T-thank you b-but what is this for. I-I mean what is in this book?” she asks in confusion.

“You will know, read it at home to find out. If you have any question about it just come and we will talk about it. It’s nice knowing you, FINALLY.” He said that made Annelia get more confused.

They both rise to head out when Regie turns to look at the old man once again.

“Si-sir can I… can I ask something? (The old man smiles and nods) Is that real or not?” Regie asks and Annelia also look at him questioningly.

“Ah! You ask if it’s real or fake. That necklace is beyond real. The price of that necklace is beyond what you can see. As the OWNER of that, YOU can own not just the land but the whole world…. but most specially the SEA itself. If we give price to it here, it will cost million...no...billions. Ahhhhh one more thing Miss Annelia, I advise you to hide that under your clothes. Don’t go on telling to people that the necklace is worth dying for OR your life will be in danger. This world is full of...violence; people kill each other for money and fame. You can’t even know which one you can trust and which one you have to be cautious with. Miss Annelia I warn you be very…very careful.” Mr. Benzamine said as they both said their thanks and left.

She even got confused by Mr. Benzamine’s words. What does he mean by the worth of that necklace can own the whole world and the sea?

Annelia is thinking about what Mr. Benzamine have said as she lies on her bed. She remembers the old book the old man gave her so she got up and take the old book on her backpack and starts to scan it. She then found out that the books content is a story. And a family chart with name and picture…… a weird family chart of some people who lived in a kingdom called Asheville.

“A fantasy story, how can this solve my problem about this necklace? And why did Mr. Benzamine give it to me?” she said in confusion.

After an hour of reading that thick old book she finally closes it and places it beside her pillow. She gets up and went to the kitchen to drink some water.

“So...you finally ended reading that silly book. It is a mystery to me as to where and how did you came in position to that stupid book. It’s about time.” she twists in shock upon hearing a very familiar cold voice behind her.

Luthan is there, currently sitting on the chair just beside the door of her room and is holding a notebook, and she turned red upon seeing that it is the novel she is writing…… sort of writing.

“My God! How the heck did you enter here? And who give you permission to read that, give me that this instant. W-WAIT (she turns to look at the door) h-how on earth did you get in? I locked the door!” she said as look at him in shock seeing the door still lock inside.

“For a beginner your story is fascinating, I hope I can read the continuation.” He stands and closes the notebook he was reading and laid it on the chair, he is wearing a formal suit and he looks like a normal handsome business man who normally appears in dramas and movies.

“ANSWER, how the hell did you enter here?! And WHO are you?” he step closer to her as she steps back.

“I believe you already know who I am…… ah let me correct, who I was. That silly book is more than enough.” he said as he looks at her with his dark green powerful eyes.

“Huh! REALLY but the thing is, I DON’T believe in the content of that book. Mermaids are just part of one’s imaginations and that book is like the fantasy books I have been reading since childhood. Vampires, wolves and monsters don’t even exist, what made you think that I will believe in the existence of sea nymphs.” Annelia said in deep frustration as she slowly steps back until her back hit the chair and lost her balance.

“You are one clumsy little girl are you.” she opens her eyes to see HIM holding her so close in her waist and that she is basically bent down while his strong arm in her waist supporting her so she won’t fall.

“People said that the mouth is the gate of misfortune. I guess I made a mistake mocking you with that kiss. It turns out I lost on the turn and it back fired on me.” he said as he looks at her face then to her lips.

“It is a pity though; our path has been bound to diverge. One of this days, (he seems to think for a second) no that is inevitable I’m afraid (he looks into her eyes) you have some lovely eyes. It is also said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, mine is a difference or shall I say the opposite …but-.” he slowly close his eyes then kisses her deeply and longer.

When her senses are back, Annelia pushes him hard that they separate before she steps away from him covering her mouth using the back of her hand.

“W-what d-do you think you are doing? H-how on earth did you get in here! Leave right now or I will scream for help! Oh! And by the way TAKE THIS NECKLACE OFF RIGHT NOW! AND LEAVE!” she screams in pure rage before she start to walk towards the door to open it wide indicating him to leave.

“NOW!” she yells at him as he smile and walk towards her.

He raises her chin using his fingers and put his other arm on her waist as he slowly kiss her...again taking her by surprise as she just wide eyed look at his face, this time it is longer and passionate. Annelia got lost and she didn’t notice how and when she closed the door as her arm went up to his back then wrap into his neck. When he finally let go of her, Annelia just look at him as he draws some thread of her hairs away from her face and put it behind her ear.

“The necklace found its rightful place I see. You deserve to have it (he touches the pendant of the necklace that hangs in her cleavage, then his expression changes as if he is sad) what am I doing? I shouldn’t have done this; things will be too hard from now on.”

Luthan looks at her as he plays the pendant in his fingers. Annelia look at his eyes to see it was the color of the deep sea which is light green; he suddenly turns away from her. Annelia just look at his back as he looks out to through the window.

“I just wish we were born in the same world and that I am a simple man worthy of you. It’s funny right, I detest you the first time we meet and yet you are winning the game I started. THIS must be the power the prophesy have foretold.” He looks at her and his eyes brighten as he looks into her face.

“WH-who are you, really?” she said softly as she looks at him.

She was still shaken by that kiss he gives her and that her thoughts are raveling. He smiles and walks closer to her; he acts as if he is going to touch her face but stops midway and his hand drops to his side.

“You already KNOW who I am. You are just UNWILLING to admit it.” Luthan said in his cold tone as she looks into his lovely cold green eyes.

“That is nonsense...I mean if you are the one I think you are...it’s not possible.” She said still unsure if she will believe him...HIM who she never even knows.