CHAPTER 21
THE REAL PROLOGUE
Seyren's POV
"In global news, the latest feared Psycho Killer, Liam Alcantara, has been captured. Liam, the son of Verick Jeon-infamously known as 'Red Bull,' who terrorized the world for nearly four decades-died after resisting the police. He managed to kidnap actress Azara Cameron, but due to Azara's resistance, the killer was ultimately killed. Detective Skyler Avellino has been suspended after allegedly sending two detectives, Anthony Guerrero and Seyren Valencia, on an illegal mission. Both detectives are currently recovering in a private hospital." A wide smile curved on my lips when I heard the news.
I was with my family in the hospital, all of us glued to the TV, watching the news.
When I saw the sad faces of my companions, my smile faded and was replaced with a look of sadness.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Detective Skyler," I said softly, then turned to look at Skyler.
Actually, we were all looking at her, and she didn't seem sad about the news.
She was suspended as a detective for at least three years and would be a patrol police officer instead of losing her job and going to prison.
That was cruel, considering she was only thinking about the safety of the world.
"Well, I didn't lose my job; I just went back to being a patrolling police officer. We all started there, didn't we?" Despite what happened to her, she stayed positive.
I admired her positivity in such a situation. If it were me, I might have lost my mind.
Despite the stress of the job, I still loved it.
"Love, why don't we live together? I'll be the provider while you will be my queenie wife," Elowen quipped, making both Azara and I cringe at her flirtatiousness.
"We will live together soon, or I don't know when, but we will get there. Actually, I've been building a house since we started our relationship," Skyler casually replied, causing Elowen to blush.
"Yie," was all I could say teasingly, but it was effective because I saw not only their blushing faces but also Azara's disgusted look at the two.
That's how she reacts when she's happy; she masks her happiness and excitement with disgust or irritation.
When she's truly irritated, she irritates back. Of course, I know her well, it's me after all.
"What the heck? Why is your heart beating fast?" Azara asked me, her eyes on the heartbeat monitor.
I just stared at her beautiful face.
She looked like an angel from heaven who descended to earth to show people that she was the most beautiful creation of God.
She was like a perfect note crafted by a master musician with magical hand, shaped by her life's experiences and imperfections, yet perfect.
"The fuck? Your heart is beating rapidly. Elowen, call the doctor-" she stood up, but I grabbed her wrist. She stopped talking and looked into my eyes.
"You are heavenly," I said breathlessly before letting go of her and lying down properly on the bed, hiding my face with the blanket.
I felt embarrassed because I knew why my heart was beating fast.
It was because of her. She's the one in front of me, and the fact that she's beside me is enough to make me feel alive again.
"Bwisit talaga 'to," I heard Azara mutter.
I lowered the blanket slightly, enough to see my forehead and eyes.
I saw her no longer facing me, but from her side profile, I could see how red her face was.
Her beauty was flawless, like a masterpiece created by a talented artist, given the necessary time and perfection to be called not just beautiful but majestic.
Even her side profile was beautiful.
No, everything about her was beautiful: her impatience, her quick temper, her childish behavior at times, her acting skills, her fashion sense, her words and voice-everything about her was beautiful.
"Eat first, Seyren, before you sleep again. I have a green salad here," when I turned my attention to Elowen, I pouted.
"I don't want green salad anymore," I commented.
"But you need to eat, so go ahead and eat."
Tsk! I said I didn't want it.
"Fine." I had no choice but to accept the food with a bit of resentment. I forced myself to eat it and then went back to sleep.
---
I stayed in the hospital for two whole months. It was supposed to be only one month, but my companions exaggerated and made it two months.
I almost lost my mind.
"Congratulations, Ms. Valencia, and thank you for your bravery. Without you, we wouldn't have known who the killer was," said the president.
We were facing the camera as he gave me a medal and a certificate as a token of appreciation for my bravery in facing the killer.
Many people attended the recognition ceremony, but I couldn't see their faces because their phones covered them.
There was only one person in the entire crowd whose face I could see, and that was none other than Azara, who was just staring at me.
I could see in her eyes that she was proud of me.
I smiled widely at her and showed her my medal.
As usual, she looked upset even though she wasn't.
It wasn't visible in her expression, but it was in her eyes and movements.
She even clapped elegantly.
When the interview started, I confidently answered their questions.
"How did you suspect that Liam Alcantara was the killer?" asked the female interviewer. Fortunately, I was prepared for such questions. I even rehearsed.
"I wasn't the one who suspected it; it was Detective Skyler Guerrero. Because of her suspicion, we discovered the killer's identity. Honestly, I don't deserve this award. If anyone deserves this medal, it is Detective Skyler. Without her, we wouldn't have known who the killer was," I replied.
"If she really suspected it, why did it take ten victims before she took action?" I turned my gaze to Skyler, who looked sad.
She was in her police officer uniform, reminding me of when she first became a police officer.
"Because we didn't have enough evidence to prove that the suspect was indeed the killer. This killer was elusive."
"Was the killer really elusive, or are detectives today just lazy and lacking in knowledge? Detective Skyler was great back then. Could it be that you were just lazy and prolonged the case to get higher pay?" asked the male interviewer.
This wasn't in the list of questions they gave me during rehearsal, so I couldn't hide my expression.
My heart seemed to ignite with fire. It felt like someone was challenging me to go berserk and humiliate the interviewer.
Many were shocked by this question, and I saw Skyler's angry expression.
"Normally, our superiors would answer this, but since I'm here, I'll speak. Our team is not lazy or prolonging cases. For your information, and to shove it into your narrow mind, our job is hard," I sighed before continuing.
"Especially when the killer is elusive, plans meticulously, and has eyes on us, particularly on my life and my team's. What about you? In your decades of living, have you ever done anything to catch such criminals, or did you just hide in your hole and complain instead of thanking those who face such dangers?" The smile left my lips, and I glared at him, shaming him with my words.
Others laughed at him, while some hissed at my bravery.
The man fell silent but seemed angry.
The interview continued, and as it dragged on, my answers grew shorter. I was no longer in the mood to fake it.
Afterwards, we left the room, and Skyler hugged me, thanking me for defending her.
Meanwhile, the two Camerons stood in front of me, both with their arms crossed, looking at me as if I were a different person.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, pouting.
They both shook their heads and invited me to lunch at a restaurant.
"I love your comeback there; you shut them all down. I didn't know you had that side. I thought you were angelic," Skyler said, nudging my waist. I just smiled at her as we continued walking.
When we reached the parking lot and found Azara's red Lamborghini and Elowen's black McLaren, I was about to sit in the back seat of Elowen's car when Azara called me.
"Seyren, what do you think you're doing?" Azara's voice was stern and scary, even though it was high-pitched.
It made me swallow my saliva.
Facing her, I saw her gripping the door of the passenger seat of her car.
Her eyes were intense, speaking volumes without uttering a word.
She subtly tilted her head, signaling if I should join her in her car, and not just anywhere but in the passenger seat.
"Go on, Seyren. You'll just be a third wheel here," Elowen teased, giving me a gentle push towards Azara.
Scratching my head, I approached her car.
Azara opened the passenger seat door, and I climbed in.
She sat in the driver's seat, started the car, and I found myself staring at her.
She glanced at me and rolled her eyes. I nearly lost my breath when she leaned in close.
I could see her beautiful face up close. Her long eyelashes, her flawless skin, her scent-it all felt so light and intoxicating.
"Breathe, I'm just fixing your seatbelt," she snapped at me, and I realized she was indeed just adjusting my seatbelt.
My face flushed red.
"And could you stop acting so flustered? You weren't like this before. Drop the facade," she remarked, starting the car again and following Elowen.
I fell silent at her words. During our drive, I felt awkward being with her.
The silence was heavy, and the atmosphere in the car was tense.
Why am I feeling this way? It's so strange yet so fluttery.
I like it but it's so strange, it's a foreign concept to me.
"Why aren't you talkative when we're together? Do you really hate my guts that much?" she suddenly snapped at me.
"H-huh?" was all I could manage to say, not knowing how to react.
"God, I hate you so much," she muttered, rolling her eyes again and speeding up the car. Without warning, I clutched her legs.
For the first time in my life, I felt fear. I closed my eyes tightly and prayed for it to stop.
What the fuck is happening to me?
When I felt the car slow down, I began to open my eyes slowly but was interrupted when Azara grabbed my hand.
I was startled as she lifted it to her upper thigh and slipped it under her skirt. Looking at her, I saw her eyes brimming with tears.
"Please don't leave me... I'm sorry for my behavior, please don't fucking leave me... just ruin me, but please don't leave me," she pleaded.
I tried to pull my hand away because I could feel my fingers touching her womanhood. Fortunately, she was wearing undergarments.
When our eyes met, my heart ached. It felt like a billion needles piercing me.
"Please don't use your facade on me," her voice cracked, snapping me back to reality. I withdrew my hand from under her skirt.
I looked her dead in the eye before smiling widely and genuinely.
"Who told you I'm using a facade? I don't even know what that is. Stop overthinking things, I won't leave you. I won't leave you and your child." I squeezed her thigh a bit before hiding my hands inside my blazer.
She fell silent and drove at a moderate speed.
"Good, because you won't find anyone like me again," she said confidently. I smiled and chuckled lightly.
Oh, I love when she's being complicated.
"I know," I whispered, glancing out the window. Our ride became silent again, but it was comfortable.
No one spoke, and she didn't complain about my silence.
When we arrived at a restaurant, I didn't get out of the car immediately because Azara stopped me.
"Stay here for a minute and let's talk," she said, as if commanding me.
I looked at her with furrowed brows but complied.
It took her almost 160 seconds before she spoke, seemingly gathering her courage.
"Let's start over again, Seyren," she said, staring at her steering wheel. I raised my eyebrow at her statement.
"Huh?"
"I mean, I like you... No, I love you. So court me again." Her words confused me even more.
What? She confessed but instead of asking if she could court me, she's telling me to court her again?
Did I hear that right or am I hallucinating?
"Please, Seyren. I'm already confessing my feelings for you. Take my heart and court me."
"Why me? Shouldn't you be the one courting since you're the one who confessed?" I asked.
She ran her fingers through her hair out of frustration.
She faced me, leaned down, and before I knew it, she kissed me on the lips.
It wasn't just a peck; she cupped my jaw and kissed my lips, moving with her tongue. I got carried away and responded.
Our kiss was passionate, filled with the warmth of our bodies.
Our tongues collided and battled for a few minutes.
She even sat on my lap, and without thinking, I held her waist.
Her tongue danced with mine until she couldn't hold her breath anymore, and she ended the kiss.
She still cupped my jaw, somewhat firmly. I looked into her blue eyes.
"Court me again, kid. Woo me and don't stop until you get my 'yes,' understood?" she commanded with authority, and I found myself nodding.
She smiled, indicating her satisfaction with her victory over me. She got off my lap, got out of the car, and left me inside.
I was dumbfounded for a minute or two, and when my mind finally processed everything, I smiled.
"Oh god, my dream has finally come true," I whispered to myself.
---
"Good evening," I greeted cheerfully as I entered Detective Guerrero's hospital room. He still hadn't woken up.
His head was severely injured when he was run over.
The impact was strong, but fortunately, his skull wasn't fractured.
"You came to visit, Detective Skyler," Detective Guerrero's mother greeted me in return. I smiled warmly at her.
"Just call me Seyren. 'Detective' sounds too formal," I said, wrinkling my nose as I handed them the fruits I had bought.
"How are you? I heard you were the one who discovered the killer's identity, almost getting killed yourself," she said. I pouted and nodded.
I unbuttoned my shirt and showed her my chest, which had cross-shaped bandages.
It felt like I had a cross-stitched tattoo.
"I got my ribs broken and had to have them fixed. That guy also damaged my heart, so they replaced it with a dead donor's," I saw the grimace on Detective Guerrero's mother's face. She looked at me with pity.
I looked back at her without showing any emotion. We held an intense and somewhat creepy eye contact for a minute or two before she blinked.
She looked familiar.
"You're a strong woman," she said, smiling, but it wasn't a happy smile. It seemed more envious.
I nodded, buttoned my shirt, and looked at Detective Guerrero, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully.
"Detective Guerrero, wake up soon. I chased Liam to avenge you, but he was strong. It's all over now, though. He's dead, even though he doesn't deserve it," I sighed.
"What do you mean he doesn't deserve it? He deserved to die. He's a murderer," suddenly spoke a young woman, whom I assumed was Detective Guerrero's sister because they looked alike.
"Gwendolyn, show some respect!" Detective Guerrero's mother scolded her.
"Sorry, she's a bit spoiled," she said to me. I just smiled and nodded.
As I adjusted to the dim light of the hospital room, I noticed how Gwendolyn's eyes were fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and defiance.
She was slender, with sharp features that made her look fierce.
Despite her harsh words, there was a glimmer of vulnerability in her gaze.
I walked closer to Detective Guerrero's bed, observing the steady rise and fall of his chest.
His face was bruised and swollen, a stark reminder of the violence he had endured.
A pang of guilt shot through me; I couldn't protect him, but I had avenged him.
"He's a hero, you know," I said softly, more to myself than anyone else.
"He deserves more than lying in this bed."
Detective Guerrero's mother sighed heavily.
"Yes, he is. And he's always been too brave for his own good."
Gwendolyn scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Bravery gets you killed. It got him here, didn't it?"
"Bravery is what makes life worth living," I retorted, my voice firm.
"Without it, we're just existing."
A tense silence filled the room, thick with unspoken fears and hopes. I shifted my attention back to Detective Guerrero, gently placing a hand on his arm.
His skin was cool to the touch, but there was a faint pulse-a sign of life, of resilience.
"We're not giving up on you, Guerrero," I whispered.
"You have to wake up. We need you."
The beeping of the machines filled the room, a rhythmic reminder of the fragile thread between life and death.
I closed my eyes for a moment, sending a silent prayer for his recovery.
"I understand you two, especially you, Gwen. I know you're saying that because you're angry, and your feelings are valid. We all have our own opinions, and honestly, I'm on your side. I didn't mean that he shouldn't have died; what I'm saying is he didn't deserve to die so quickly. Wouldn't it be better if he had first experienced the pain he left behind for the loved ones of the people he killed? A slow and painful death is what he deserves, not just an instant death," I said, then looked at the young woman.
She stared into my eyes, and I saw her eyes darken as she nodded.
I smiled at her again when she understood me.
"But well, there's nothing we can do now. He's dead, and it's up to God to punish him," I said to Detective Guerrero's mother, who nodded at me and then looked back at her son.
After a few more minutes of conversation with them, I bid them farewell.
Leaving them was like closing a chapter on a long, emotionally draining conversation, but I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I stepped out of the room.
As I left the hospital, some nurses greeted me.
Their smiles and kind words were a welcome distraction from the weight of the conversation I'd just had.
I couldn't wave back because one of my arms was in a cast while the other was holding my jacket and a plastic bag of fruit for someone important in my life.
"Detective, can we take a picture?" a nurse suddenly approached me. She was pretty, and there was no denying it.
"Why?" I asked, smiling.
"Why not? You're the new hero of the world; no one is ready to get herself killed just to find out who the killer is." My brow furrowed as I smiled.
Though I was a bit confused, I just followed their wishes.
We took a few pictures with various poses.
It was a surreal experience, being treated like a celebrity, but it was also heartwarming to see the genuine admiration in their eyes.
After that, I walked out of the hospital, called a taxi, and went home.
The ride home was uneventful, giving me time to reflect on everything that had happened.
While on the way, I used my phone.
I texted one of my detectives to get me papers for a search warrant for Liam's house, and they agreed.
When I arrived home, I found the couple making out on the sofa.
They were literally kissing in the living room, with Elowen sitting on Skyler's lap.
It was almost amusing how comfortable they were, as if they had forgotten anyone else existed.
I cleared my throat to interrupt them, and they immediately pulled away.
There was still a smudge of lipstick on Skyler's lips, which Elowen quickly wiped off.
"So flirty, huh? Is there no one else at home?" I asked, and Skyler laughed while Elowen just glared at me.
"The pregnant lady is sleeping," Elowen said, emphasizing the word "pregnant."
She was a bit sulky because she was the last to know that her sister Azara was pregnant.
She only noticed when her sister started looking more radiant.
"Are you still sulking? Sorry na, galit ka agad e." Detective Skyler said, laughing as if she had no intention of consoling her sulking girlfriend.
It would be upsetting if you're the sibling but the last to know that your sister is pregnant.
"By the way, what are we going to do when she gives birth? I mean, being a psychopath is hereditary, and Liam has that kind of blood-" I knew where Skyler was going, so I interrupted her.
"And so? If Liam is a psychopath, what does that have to do with Azara's child? Are you worried the child might become violent too?" I said, trying to contain the anger building inside me.
"That's not what I meant."
"I'm gonna be honest with you two. I volunteer to be the father of the child. I'm gonna raise that kid and make her feel loved instead of fearful," I said, surprising them both.
"Huh? Azara is basically your step-sister," Skyler said.
"I never considered her my sister. But I respect her as the daughter of the man who adopted me and showed me love. So I'll be both the mother and father for her child. Besides, I have a dick, so I'm sure everyone will believe I'm the father if I publicly say I have male genitalia-"
"Te-te-teka lang! Wait! Slow down, my brain is loading!" Skyler gestured for me to stop.
I furrowed my brow and sat on the single couch, placing the fruits I brought on the glass table.
"What did you say? You have..." I looked at her, anticipating her to say the words, but she couldn't.
"You have a... dick?" Her face contorted when she said that, and both Elowen and I laughed.
She looked so disgusted by the topic that it was funny.
"Why are you laughing at me? I'm just asking because I'm genuinely curious. I mean, I've never met a woman with two heads before," she said innocently, shrugging.
"Yeah, I have a dick," I said, smiling.
"How?" Skyler asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because my mother has a sister who has a dick, and my great-grandparents on my mother's side as well, they're lesbians. With the other partner having a dick."
"Okay, let's stop mentioning that word. Besides, wasn't that your insecurity before?" Elowen said, lying on the sofa and using Skyler's lap as a pillow.
They're so cute.
"Yeah, but I learned to love it since God created me this way. I just think of it as being special," I said, dramatically pressing my palm gently on my chest.
"Well, you're special now. Watch this." Skyler took out her phone, tapped on it, and showed me something on the screen.
It was a picture of me from the awarding ceremony, with the words "The Hero of the World" on Times Square in New York.
I felt like I stopped breathing and grabbed the phone out of shock.
My eyes widened, and I felt incredibly happy.
"Huh? Why am I featured here? Who spent money to put me on a billboard?" I asked, my voice slightly raised due to the surprise.
"You know... the mother of your child," Elowen said, making me look up to the second floor.
"Really? Why would she do that?"
"Because she said you deserve it. You deserve the fame and everything... Seems like someone is already moving on from that bitch," Skyler said mischievously.
I couldn't help but smile broadly.
I stood up and hurriedly went upstairs. When I reached Azara's room, I knocked twice.
A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing the most beautiful woman in the world.
It was cute because she seemed to lack height. Sorry, I'm 5'10 and she's only 5'4 or something.
"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Without saying anything, I hugged her, though not too tightly because I felt like my chest would burst from the pounding of my heart.
"Why are you hugging me? Get off me!" she complained, but she didn't push me away.
I didn't listen to her. I was too happy with everything happening right now.
"Thank you..."
"For what? I said get off," she pressed her palm on my stomach and gently pushed me away.
I smiled at her when our eyes met.
"For the Times Square thingy in New York. Thank you so much. I don't like fame, but you have my full gratitude." She just rolled her eyes at me and crossed her arms.
"As you should be. You're the father of my child; you have to be known as well so that our child can also be recognized as a nepo baby." I felt my face heat up at her words. My heart beat even faster.
"You already accepted me as the father slash mother of your child?"
"No, work on it. Court me, Detective Valencia. I'm not easy to get." I laughed at what she said.
I couldn't help but look more foolish because it was so hard not to smile when she was in front of me.
"I know, and I will... I will do my best to win your heart."
"You already have my heart; I just want you to keep working on it. Now get out of my sight, I don't want to crave you, or our child might end up looking like a monkey." She then shut the door in my face.
She's so cute, really.
---
In my room while doing my skincare routine, I still couldn't forget what happened earlier. I felt so freaking light.
This isn't me, which is strange because I feel like a different person. But I love it, though it also feels a bit off.
But I went to sleep with a smile, and the next morning, I woke up early and went to the grocery store to shop.
Many people recognized me and asked for pictures.
I think I need to get used to these things.
While shopping, I encountered two young men, secretly talking to each other like idiots.
"Yeah, I have the ticket. I promised you'd see Azara Cameron all naked. That bitch Liam held that event after all." My ears perked up when I heard that.
Instead of jumping to conclusions, I secretly listened to them.
My anger flared when they talked about how Liam would link all photos of Azara taken secretly, and they were all nude.
I followed them stealthily, weaving through the aisles, pretending to be engrossed in my shopping while keeping my ears trained on their conversation.
My heart pounded with each word they uttered, the rage bubbling up inside me at the thought of Liam exploiting Azara in such a vile way.
When the two young men left the parlor, I decided to follow them quietly, staying in the shadows.
Their destination was clear from their casual walk, and I matched their pace as they headed down the street.
My hoodie was pulled up tight, helping me blend into the evening crowd.
They entered a seemingly ordinary men's parlor shop.
I observed them discreetly from across the street as they spoke to a man at the counter.
The conversation was brief and hushed, but I managed to catch a key phrase: "Seventh Sinners."
It was a bit unclear, but I picked up on it through lip reading. The man they spoke to looked around, then pressed a hidden switch on the wall.
To my surprise, a secret door swung open, revealing a hidden passage.
The men I followed didn't hesitate; they walked straight into the passage, and the door closed behind them with a soft click.
The parlor now seemed deserted, with an air of normalcy disrupted by the secretive entrance.
Curiosity piqued, I put on a mask and entered the parlor.
The interior was unremarkable at first glance-wooden furniture, a small sink, and a few mirrors adorned with decorative wallpaper.
It resembled any ordinary parlor, except for the hidden basement access.
On a nearby magazine rack, I noticed a women's magazine with a ticket stuck between its pages.
I seized the opportunity and took the ticket, examining it closely.
The message read: "Watch me nude at 6 AM in the morning - Azara Cameron."
The ticket was both surprising and intriguing. I crumpled it in my hand and glanced back at the hidden door leading to the basement.
My eyes wandered over the room: wooden chairs, walls, and a collection of plugged-in appliances such as a blow dryer, electric fan, TV, and phone charger.
The parlor's decor seemed carefully designed to distract from its true purpose.
With a sinister smile, I left the parlor and moved swiftly to a nearby vantage point where I could observe the aftermath.
---
"Breaking news: A small parlor in Dapitan caught fire for no apparent reason. Nearly twenty-five men were burned and died at 6:30 AM. The cause of the fire was electrical overuse. No one survived the blaze."
The announcement was delivered with the usual solemnity, but I couldn't help but feel a thrill.
My police colleague inside the headquarters commented with surprise.
"Twenty men? In a parlor?"
I maintained an expression of concern.
"Wow, that was a lot. Rest in peace."
"Yes, those poor people," my colleague responded, shaking his head in disbelief.
As he looked away, I allowed myself a smirk.
Oh how I missed this kind of thrill.
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