All of my senses went on alert mode when I felt a presence behind me. I readied myself as was about to pull my gun out underneath my shirt when that person spoke.

"It's me, boss." It was Manuel. I slowly released a breath before pulling some smoke again from my cigarette and then blew it out.

"Make sure that you have some good news for me." I stated void of any tinge of emotion without looking at him.

"I'm sorry, boss, but I have bad news. We lost track of him. He disappeared and we don't know where his exact location right now because they apprehended our spy and now, our men can no longer contact him." I gritted my teeth as I grounded my cigarette out in the ashtray. My breathing became hard as anger rose within me.

"When was the last time you had talked with our spy?"

"Two days ago, boss." I pounded my fist on the arm rest of the couch as I turned around and looked at Manuel with a dark expression on my face. I wanted to explode in anger but I knew that I shouldn't let my emotions rule me over.

I've been doing nothing but be patient lately and it was slowly draining me out. If only I could do everything swiftly so that all these would be finished already.

"Do whatever you can to find that man. We can't let him do everything that he pleases. Not now that I already started my plans."

"Yes, boss. We'll do everything we could. I'll contact our men to tell them what to do next." He then turned around and was about to leave but I spoke again.

"Tell what happened to our spy to the Special Force. I want them to find him and save him if he's still alive." My jaw flexed as my eyes darkened in rage. Manuel turned his head and looked back at me as a small smile curved his lips.

"Consider it done, boss." My forehead wrinkled.

"Why are you smiling?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing, boss. I am just happy that you want to save our spy."

"You know me, Manuel. I always stay true to my words. Besides, I know the people who are loyal to me. Maurice has been working hard just to give us some useful information and I promised him that I would do everything in my power to save him in case something happens."

"This is why I've been loyal to you all this time, boss. Yes, people who know you are afraid of you because of what you're capable of but in our world, you're the only one I know who has a word of honor. You don't abandon your men that's why I chose to serve you until the day I die. I'll go on ahead, boss." He then left.

The corner of my lips lifted. Yes, I'm used of people getting scared of me because of what I used to do but I've never cared about that. But now that I came here to Costavia, everything that has been happening to me were new to me, especially with Athena.

At first, I didn't know how to deal with it, but now, I've learned how to do my part and started getting used of it.

The lovely face of Athena suddenly popped up on my mind. Her sweet smile whenever she's happy, how her cheeks turn red whenever she's pissed off and how she bites her bottom lip while moaning so seductively as I pleasure her.

My friend down there automatically went hard as rock. Damn. She's like a drug that I couldn't get rid of out of my system.

My body went still when I suddenly realized what I was thinking. Then, I felt like someone slap me and reminded me of the reason why I came here to Costavia. I suddenly remembered about that one particular man, the reason why I had to do all these.

He's done enough damage in my life but now that I want something, the ghost of what he did in the past is still haunting me, hindering me from reaching my goals.

"No one could ever destroy my plans. Not even you. I don't care who you are and how powerful you can be. I will never let you get what's rightfully mine. I'll prove to everyone that I'm the rightful one and when that time comes, you and that man will bow down to me." I muttered to myself as my hands formed into fists before pounding the arm rest to vent out my anger.

That overwhelming rage that has been residing inside of me livened up. I raked my fingers through my hair and then took the box of cigarette to get one stick. I really don't smoke that much. I only do it whenever I'm pissed or need to calm myself. I was about to take one stick when I heard another voice.

I saw him from the corner of my eyes.

"What are you doing here? I didn't get the notice that you'd come here." I said. We're currently on top of Paradis Zorion which belongs to Zorion international. It's a multi-billion-dollar company that I own.

No one aside from the closest people around me knows that I own it for safety purposes. Because of what I do, I needed to be careful in every move that I make. It has been so long but I managed to live a double life successfully while thinking of a way to reach my goal.

Now, everything has been going smoothly and I shouldn't let it go to waste just because of these growing feelings inside of me that kept on getting stronger with each passing day.

"You've been awfully moodier than usual. Shouldn't you be more cheerful now?" I scoffed.

"Shut up. I don't recall myself being moody." It was his turn to scoff.

"Fùcker. Being moody is part of your true self so don't act like this is your first time being moody. Anyway, I've seen you with her the other day and imagine my surprise upon seeing you acting all lovey-dovey sh*t like that. I almost barfed. If she only knew the real you and your real purpose, she would never even dare approach you not touch you in fear."

"Fùck off, Onyx." He chuckled and then took the box of cigarette from me and took one for himself.

"Joking aside though. I want to congratulate you. Looks like your plans are going smoothly. I can already picture the look on your father's face the moment he discovers everything." I smirked.

"And I want to be there to witness that. I've been waiting for this for so long. I will do anything to get what I want."

"What about the princess? Are you really willing to hurt her just to achieve your goal? I feel sorry for her." Onyx asked as he sat on the seat across me. He was puffing smoke from his cigarette while staring at me intently, waiting for my answer.

My jaw flexed as I leaned the back of my head against the headrest of the couch. For some reason, I suddenly felt stressed out. Just imagining tears falling from Athena's face made my heart ache as if a hand was squeezing my heart tightly.

I closed my eyes shut. "Che cazzo!" I grunted and then released a harsh breath.

"So, I'll take your silence as a yes? If that's the case, just let me pursue her then. She'll definitely recover from her love for you if she stays with me." I opened my eyes right away and then straightened my back to look at him.

"What did you just say?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "You heard me. She's my type. Damn. I really prefer those kinds; sexy and hot." I felt like a ball of fire struck me in the gut and burned my whole body. Before I had the chance to think rationally, I stood up from my seat and then approached him before grabbing the collar of his shirt roughly.

"Say that again and I'll make sure to send you to hell." Onyx didn't even flinch while staring back at me tauntingly.

"Why are you mad? You're just playing with her feelings, right? After you get what you want, you can just give her to me. I am willing to be her man." Overwhelming rage ruled over me. My fist flew to his face for a punch and he fell on the ground.

"She's mine, Onyx. Mine! Dare touching even the tip of her fingers and I will forget that you're my friend. You know me. I hate it when someone gets their dirty hands on what's mine!"

Onyx got up while wiping the blood on the corner of his lips. "I don't understand your anger. I thought, you were just using her to achieve your goals?"

"I don't need to explain anything to you. Just keep your hands off my woman or else, you'll be sorry." I answered with a dangerous expression on my face. I heard him sigh.

"Fine. I get it. I was just kidding though. I just wanted to see what your reaction would be and I was right. You actually have special feelings for the princess." My body went still. I wanted to deny it but I knew that I would just be deceiving myself.

I was about to open my mouth to respond when I heard my phone's message alert tone. I quickly took it out from the pocket of my pants and checked who it was. It came from Athena.

'Dolce metà, we're on our way home now. See you in a bit. Don't sleep yet, okay?' My heart jumped as excitement quickly surged within me. I quickly type my reply.

'Okay. Come home quick, mi hermosa. Don't worry, I'll definitely wait for you. I miss you.' I then pressed the send button. I was about to put my phone back inside my pocket when I heard the laugh of Onyx. My eyes widened when I realized that he was already actually standing next to me while gazing at the screen of my phone.

"Damn. You've become pùssy-whipped that you even know how to say those cheesy things now."

"Fùcker! Who told you to peek on my phone?! Do you even know the meaning of privacy?" I then punched him again but this time, he avoided it without a hitch.

"Just admit it. You're in love with the princess." He continued making fun of me and that's when I realized that it's useless explaining things to him because he would never listen anyway. I turned my back on him.

"I don't have time discussing nonsense with you. I have more important things to do." I then marched my way towards the door and opened it. I was about to go out when Onyx spoke again.

"What about the group? You haven't been socializing with them since you left. They're busy working for you but you're starting to neglect them."

"Just tell them what they want to hear. I don't care." I then exited the room and went to the elevator while clenching my jaw. While I was inside, waiting to reach the underground parking, my mind was preoccupied. It was full of Athena and our relationship.

I grunted and ran my hand over my face in frustration. I then shook my head.

"You're about to be doomed if you're not going to focus on your goal, Maximus." I reminded myself and then sighed. Then, the elevator doors opened and I quickly stride my way towards my car. My sports car roared loudly as I drove my way out of there in a fast speed.

For some reason, I wanted to see her right away that my feet stepped on the gas like a mad man. Around fifty meters before I reach the gate of the farm, I pulled up my car. I made sure to stop along the curve part of the road so that the guards at the gate wouldn't see us.

Manuel was already there, waiting for me. I got out of the car while looking around, making sure that no one was there.

It was already late so the road was already deserted.

"Did you already do what I've told you to do, Manuel?"

"Yes, boss. Please be patient. Our men are already doing their best to track him as we speak while the Special Force is doing their job to find Maurice." He answered. I quietly nodded my head and then handed him the key of my car.

"Good. You know what to do next."

"Of course, boss." He got inside the car and then drove away. I then walked towards the gate briskly. I was stopped by the guards there but when they recognized that it was me, they opened the gate for me.

"Don't forget the golf cart, Mr. Vásquez." One of the guards reminded me and I smiled.

"Of course. I would walk for 30 minutes if I wouldn't use it." I intentionally left the golf cart near the guard quarters before leaving the farm a few hours ago so that I wouldn't walk when I come back.

I then drove my way towards the manor. When I arrived there, I saw Rita at the living room, probably waiting for Athena.

"Good evening, Rita. Why are you still up?"

"Good evening too. I'm waiting for Her Royal Highness. I can't go to bed knowing that she went out without any bodyguard with her." I could hint the worry in her voice. I smiled inwardly. She really cares so much about Athena.

"Don't worry about her, Sita. She's safe. I made sure of that." Her forehead crinkled.

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say that I have eyes around her even though I'm not with her. I'll just go to my room to freshen up."

She reluctantly nodded her head. "Okay." She looked like she was about to ask something but chose not to. I left her there and went upstairs. I quickly took my shower. While I was getting dressed, I heard the familiar sound of a car so I hurriedly finished getting dressed and then went out of my room.

Lucca even accompanied me inside the house before he went home. My nanny looked like she was relieved upon seeing me.

"Why are you still up, Sita? You should've gone to bed. You didn't need to wait for me." I said with knitted eyebrows when she opened the door for me. Lucca just left after he took me to the main door. He didn't want to leave yet and wait for someone to open the door but I insisted for him to just go because it was already late.

"I couldn't, Your Royal Highness. This is your first time going out without me or any bodyguard with you after almost a year and it got me so worried. I shouldn't've let you go alone." I could see that she really looked so worried and it made me feel bad.

I held her hand and smiled at her. "I'm fine. Look, I came home in one piece. Nothing bad had happened. Lucca took good care of me just like he promised to you so go to bed now and rest for the night." Her face brightened a little bit.

"Okay, Your Royal Highness. I'll send to your room first." She then went behind me and pushed my wheelchair towards the elevator.

When we reached the second floor, where my room was located, I told her to just leave me by the door and I would be the one to take care of myself.

"What about your bath, Your Royal Highness? I know that you don't like going to bed without taking a bath first after coming home from outside." I bit my lower lip when I realized about it. I wanted her to help me because I couldn't do it alone by myself, but then, I remembered that Maximus was surely inside my room.

I groaned inwardly and was about answer when my phone beeped. I checked who messaged me and it was Maximus.

'Let her sleep, mi hermosa. I'll be the one to help you bathe tonight. 😁' I felt my cheeks turn red like a tomato. That guy! How come he overheard all that from the inside?

"It's okay, Sita. You can retire for the night. I think, I'll manage."

"Are you sure, Your Royal Highness? I—"

"—Sita, go and rest. I'll be fine." I interrupted and she sighed before nodding. She then turned her back and walked away.

After that, I gently knocked on the door and the handsome face of Maximus greeted me. He has that naughty look on his face and I cocked up an eyebrow at him. I could already tell what he was planning to do. Such a naughty man.