Alright! Obviously, Monika was taunting me! She purposely sat next to Jacob during breakfast, lunch, and dinner! If she does not drag him around, she follows him! AND, before she talks or touches him, or FLIRTS with him, she looks at me and would smirk! Then, she would go on to talk for the whole night before we went to sleep about how fabulous her day went and how mesmerizing and amazing Jacob was. YES! They all agreed that we share a room! No one objected of course except for me but I did not voice it out of course.

We just finished dinner and Monika was purposely driving me crazy so I quickly finished and left before I could lose my control and shoot her. But, for the love of mercy, she followed me.

"Didn't you like the food? I thought it was very impolite to the cook to just leave the table like that," Monika continued to taunt me.

I looked at her and forced a smile, "Oh I know Neville more than you. He won't take offense. He already knew I adore his dishes."

She raised her brows. Then, she took a part of her hair and flipped it behind her shoulders before she chuckled, "You don't like me, do you Darling?"

I gave her a very sweet smile, "Why in heavens would you think that?"

She gave me a sweeter smile. "Because I think you feel threatened. I did step into your territory after all," she said with her voice laced with sickening mischief.

I would not fall into her trap! I forced a chuckle, "Oh heavens no! I'm so sorry if it ever crossed your mind. You are very much welcome here…" I said and gave her another sweet smile. "Honest!" I added with the sweetest voice I could muster hoping to conceal what I truly feel.

But Monika was no fool. She stared at me with unbelieving and challenging eyes before she arched her brow, "Even if I make my moves on Captain Jacob?"

I don't know why but I felt my smile fade away after she said that. I snapped, "Weren't you already? Making the 'moves' I mean," I told her in a challenging tone.

She was about to reply but Jacob interrupted us, "Monika, don't tease her too much. She has a gun and she's not afraid to shoot."

Monika laughed. "Is that so?" she said and looked at me. "Are you armed right now?"

Jacob answered, "She's always armed. I told her to."

Monika turned to him and with a seductive voice asked, "Should I be armed as well, Captain? I mean, I know how to wield a shamshir."

Jacob's interest was piqued, "Shamshir? Interesting weapon. You can wield it?"

Monika chuckled and nodded, "My father taught me well. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't have been abducted if I wasn't outnumbered."

My brows raised on their own. Not only was she gorgeous, she knew how to fight as well! She's becoming more and more formidable as I had expected.

"Feisty…" Jacob replied. I clenched my fists. He said that to me too the first time we met. Feisty women entertain him. That's what got me here in the first place… because I was feisty.

"Let me prove it to you. You do not have a shamshir but a sword will do. Do you want to spar?" Monika asked Jacob then eyed me.

Ugh!!! She is so irritating... the most irritating woman that I had ever met!

Jacob squinted his eyes and stepped between Monika and me. "She's still mastering her techniques but yes she can fight with the sword, too," he explained.

Monika crossed her arms. "I see. Maybe we should be the one sparring, Darling. I could give you some pointers," she baited.

I know what she was trying to do but I cannot just rebuff her challenge. Jacob was obviously trying to mediate so there would be no conflict but I gently pushed him aside and faced Monika head on.

I smiled at her ever so sweetly and said, "Pointers? That would be lovely. Sure, let's do it!"

Jacob cleared his throat and pulled me by my left elbow gently. "Ladies, we are not talking about real swords are we?"

"But, of course we are," Monika replied and squinted at me. "Aren't we, Darling?" she looked at me with challenging eyes.

I pursed my lips before I answered, "Of course. I am not one to back away from a challenge after all."

Jacob chuckled nervously, "Ah.. NO."

Monika looked at him with fake astonishment, "Why not? I mean it would be fun. Especially, if spending time with you will be the stakes. Huh, Darling? That would definitely make it interesting. Whoever wins gets to spend time with Captain Jacob! I never had to duel for a man before! Have you, Darling?" she chuckled after.

I clenched my fists. MONIKA IS INDEED TRYING MY PATIENCE! The rest of the crew were getting intrigued by our conversations so they decided to join us.

"What's going on here?" Zaki asked.

Monika looked at him and smiled, "Nothing, I was just challenging Darling here to spar."

Paco smiled confident of my abilities, "Why not? Miss Darling, take her on."

Monika smirked, "I also said that whoever wins gets to spend time with Captain Jacob. Isn't it fun?"

"Why does this remind me of Captain Jeu but reversed?" Urdel asked.

Sandlot gave him another back-slap on the head, "Be quiet."

Urdel looked at him and glared. "Stop that, I know you're the oldest brother but damn… that gives me a headache."

Sandlot gave him a warning look so Urdel raised his hands to concede.

Monika cleared her throat, "So what say you Darling? Should we spar?"

Jacob answered for me, "No. I am the captain of Labyrinth. Everyone should follow me. There would be no women sparring with real swords tonight." He said it like it was an ultimatum.

"How about tomorrow, then?" Monika teased.

"Not tomorrow. Not ever," he said and smiled back. "Everyone, go back to your quarters or to your posts."

Everyone began to disperse right away. I sighed and made a step but Jacob held me by the elbow to stop me, "Except for you," he whispered.

I was already livid so I shrugged his hold off me. "What do you want?" I snapped.

Jacob sighed, "I think we should talk."

"No."

"Darling…"

"Jacob, no!" That was my ultimatum. I do not want to speak to him right now. It would just end up very badly. So, I walked away from him as quickly as I could.