@aiko, if you think the prologue was long, I don't know what you'll think of Chapter One. I think I read too much because the prologue is short by my standards.
Chapter One will be
twice as long because it's mainly the introduction to the main characters, Barry and Yaya, as well as the minor roles, who will only show up a few more times later and farther into the story. The next chapters won't be as long (I think), lol, so please bear with me.
Also, because I kinna rushed, there may be confusing parts. If you see any, just comment and I'll go back to edit it.
Again, I have grammar issues, so please excuse that along with any confusions I may cause.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1:
Crystal Falls, Oregon, USA
30 years later.
Zane Masters cursed as he slammed the door of his Hummer and stalked up the step of a beautiful white house overlooking a 300-acres ranch. There was a reason for his displeasure. He despised failures, even one that he had given his all in accomplishing. A failure was a failure. Simple as that.
Since leaving the military, Zane had started a successful security equipment firm with clients from around world and had partnered with the Navy to develop state-of-the-art systems that were only catered to the service. But he had also established a reputation for being the top notch, the best money can buy, tracker in the whole continent. He could find anyone, dead or alive, even if they had vanished into thin air. Everyone leaves something behind, no matter no careful, and because Zane is good at what he does, he always find it.
He didn't want to tell Barry that even after a two years’ time, he was still unsuccessful in tracking a woman.
In his line of work, there were two explanations. She was either phenomenal at keeping her tracks covered -- not that he ever found one in the first place --, or the lady doesn't exist at all. Zane was really leaning towards the latter reasoning, but Barry wouldn't had him running on a wild goose chase if she hadn't But damn if she wasn't elusive! The only lead Barry had given him was a hand-drawn sketch of her face with a small note on the back of it, stating of her height, possible weight, and that she was between the age of fifteen and thirty. There was no name, no birth date no social security number, not even a god-damned nationality. Zane had been more successful with even less but honest to god, this case stumped him.
From the look of the sketch, Zane guessed she was in her mid twenties, a mix breed between European blood and Asian. She had an angelic face, her face small and innocence, and as beautiful as a model. It was also a look that lures men into misleading trust before she thrusts a knife into their back. Zane didn't know who she was and why Barry was searching for her, but Zane was willing to bet that she must be involved in some sort of military assignment or worse, a breach, that Barry is assigned to investigate. He had learned very early in his training that looks could be deceiving and that had saved his life in many fatal instances. But in this case, he’ll let Barry deal with the details of why she’s being tracked. His only job is to find her, if Barry would still allow him to continue after failing again this time.
As soon as he reached the front step, the door opened automatically without him having to bypass the security checkpoint. “I’m in my office,” called a deeply voice more familiar to him than his own. As he crossed the threshold and entered the hallway, the door closed behind him and simultaneously, a green light once again flashed in the security intercom, once again armed against any potential intruders. Zane smiled grimly at the thought. He felt sorry for any bastards who’s willing to try. Both he and his brother, Barry, had the most secure security system in the world, used only by the military. Not that they can’t defend themselves against any man, or men for that matter. They were trained by the best military leaders in the world, had been in missions where they either fight to the death or die. Simple as that. Most of the time their work landed them in a situation worse than hell and the two of them had walked away with more sins in their hands than most man alive and the knowledge that they wouldn't be the same men they’d once been.. That was the nature of a ZEAL. They fight, survive, and accomplish their missions at all cause. So they grew much much older than their time.
He had long left it all behind, but he could still remember the thrill and excitement of each mission. Not that he would be returning to service anyhow. His source of thrill and excitement these days were of a different nature. The old days wouldn't even compare to the laughter of his three years old twins, Amy and Austin, as they wrestled with him upon the bed or the smiles of amusement on Luna’s face as she watched them from the doorway. Nope, he wouldn't trade it for the world.
Instead, he directed his restless into his firm. Using his expertise, he had designed and personally tested the top notch security equipment with Barry before supplying them consumers, keeping the top secret products for the military. He and his brother were the best of the best of ZEALs and they don’t trust anyone to test out his products. Now their equipment are in great demand all over the world from the members of the social elites to the top military leaders of the service. It was one of the reasons that Zane and Barry kept their homes under strict and constant surveillance. They couldn't afford having anyone trespassing and getting a hand at their documents or blueprints.
Barry was his younger half-brother, but they were closer than any two brothers could be. They’ll give their life for one another, and had done so over the course of their careers when they’d been assigned to the same assignments.
Zane’s mother had died from breast cancer when he was five and his father remarried again after meeting a beautiful and eccentric lady who had tornadoed her way into their lives two years later. His father was a mess after his mother’s death, a half-shell of what he had once been until the day he had met the local schoolteacher.
His stepmother was half-French and half-Thai and she moved into the area after her parent's death for a teaching position at their local elementary school. She also happened to be one of his many long line of baby-sitters his father hired to take care of him while he was out doing odd jobs. She had taken one look at the ‘uninhabitable and unfit environment for a seven years old” dwelling and confronted his father, letting him know without a doubt that unless he do something about it, she’ll do whatever it’ll take to report him to the child social services. Of course his father had a fit. No one tell Alex Masters how to raise his son and the two had a huge argument His father, who was always respectful woman, could not do much more than slammed the door in her face, the most pleasant courtesy he could offered a woman who didn't mind her business. But she persisted, showing up many times in the week to make sure Zane had decent food, clean clothes and a clean bed to sleep in.
Despite their animosity, her efforts had also extended to his father. So when he ate, his father ate, when he got clean clothes and sheets for his bed, so did his father. She always determined and patient with Zane and it didn't take long to Zane to become attached to her. When she discovered that he had a condition that made school a challenge for him, she would sit up with him to help him caught up with his classmates. And like father, like son; when Zane fell in love, so did his father.
His father had resented her presence for a few weeks, but it didn't take him long to start desiring her. He loved to show up when she thought he would be away at work and putting her on edge with his seemingly innocent touches and flirtations. After knowing her for about three month, his father had bulldozed her into marriage and they’d been a family since. By then Zane was already improving in his class and heading up further than his classmates. She was pregnant with the first two months of marriage.
A smile tugged at his lips. Of course, that wasn't how Zane remembered it, as he was only seven when it happened. But once he’d gotten old enough to understand why his beloved babysitter was suddenly sleeping in his father’s bed a month after they met, the puzzle pieces clicked. His father and stepmother helped fill in the puzzle over the years.
Barry was sitting behind his desk when Zane entered the spacious office. He was typing furiously into the computer until he saw Zane entered. After inviting his brother to sit, he turned in his huge office chair and poured a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker installed on the shelf behind him. Zane grinned. The two of them had developed an addiction to coffee that guaranteed to last a lifetime, since it's their most essential start of the day. Zane's office also sported a coffeemaker on the shelf behind his desk, much to the displeasure of Luna. To Luna, one cup of coffee is too much coffee. She was a tea lover.
After pouring two cups, he placed one in front of Zane and drank from the other. He didn't bother to ask Zane how he liked his. Both of them also shared the same taste. Black, no sugar. “No luck?” he asked, reading Zane’s expression.
Zane nodded, drinking coffee and relishing the taste of coffee on his tongue. “It’s like looking for a needle a haystack. Hell, I’m not sure she existed. All we got is a sketch. No name, social security number. Not even a race to narrow it down. Are you sure she's even alive?”
Barry didn't answer. Instead he stared past Zane, his mind somewhere else for a long moment. Zane knew better than to try to shake his brother out of such trance so he just enjoyed his coffee. “I’ll take it from here,” he finally said a long moments later. “Don’t be too put out with this case. You’re one hell of a tracker and you know it. This is just an outlier.”
Zane agreed. “You have warned me from the very beginning that I will be running into dead ends. I admit that I took that as a challenge. But no, I’m no longer put out with it. It’s just strange that in these days and age, when everyone leaves an electronic or paper trail, this woman leaves no trace behind. Unless she’s from a third-world, I can track her in an instant. If you want, I can send men out there to try. From the looks of it, she could be from Asia. It could take time, since more than half of the population are un-profiled.”
Barry shook his head. “I’ll take it from here. Thanks for the offer, but when I asked you for this favor, I knew that you will not find her, even though I it was worth a try. I have time since I’m not taking any assignment for a while so I’ll be able to do some digging on my own.”
Zane frowned. “You thinking of quitting?” His brother lived for excitement and he never turned down any assignment. In fact, the more dangerous it is, the more he relished it.
He shook his head. “Not yet. I’m just feeling a little restless lately and the prospects of being in the field did not appeal to me as much. And it got nothing to do with the service. I’m just thinking of taking it easy for a while. Tracking may be just what I need. So I'm using all the vacations days I'd accumulated over the years.”
“Luna won’t be happy,” Zane stated. He very much wanted to ask about the woman in the sketch but Barry had made it clear from the beginning that the case was confidential. “She’ll be glad that you’re home safe and sound, but she won’t take to you leaving again to track when you could be relaxing and healing the wounds from the last mission. You're still suffering from that bomb in Iraq. You need recuperation.”
Barry grinned, obviously pleased with the change of subject. “And on top of that, you want me to babysit Amy and Austin so the both of you can procreate some more.”
Zane shrugged, but didn't bother to deny it. “Yeah.” That caused the both of them to laugh. When they subsided, Zane looked at his younger brother. “When are you going to settle down? You’re not getting any younger.”
Barry immediately sobered. “I’m not ready. Besides,there isn't anyone I’m willing to settle with. I see what you have with Luna and I don’t want to settle for anything less.”
“What about Yi Fei? You two are pretty close the last time I checked. Luna thought you two have something going on.”
His brother laughed. “Yi Fei? No, she’s just a friend. Besides, I don’t think she’ll be happy married to a ZEAL. We'll tear each other apart within the first month.”
“Former-to-be,” Zane corrected. “I know you. Once you settled, you’ll be out.” When his brother didn't deny it, he let the subject drop. He was far too close with his brother. With that came the benefit of understanding him more than he did anyone else. So he learned not to dig for information.
Barry had always been a private person, even to his family. Unlike Zane, he had always keep things to himself and even as a young child, there was a look his eyes that always bespoke of a man older than his time. As he grew older, it was more and more pronounce that even Barry’s personality started to reflect the nature of his eyes.
The most startling fact, one that Zane had a hard time comprehending, was that throughout the twenty eight years of his life, Barry had never once had a relationship with woman, other than close family members. If he had ever dated or even had a girlfriend, Zane had never heard about it. It’s was one reason why he nicknamed Barry ‘monk.' But by god, it was eery. As teenagers, the age when males started taking an interest to the other sex, they would joked and ribbed each other constantly about dating and women, but never once had Zane saw his brother act on it.
There were times when he would see his younger brother with a woman, escorting her to the school dance because no one asked to take her or championing her when she was bullied by others --the two of them having their fair share of defending woman-- but never once had his brother taken a personal interest to them. There was even a time in Zane’s life when he thought his brother was a homo, but the thought was abolished as soon as it came. Barry was as intense and physical as Zane and their father, there had never been signs to prove otherwise. It was also the reason why Zane found it so startling that Barry was able to keep his hands to himself. All hot-blooded man in the world have needs that can only be sated with a warm feminine body lying next to him. God knows he was a hell-raiser when he was of age, and continued to sow his oats until he met Luna. And then there was his father, who can be as physical as any man could be when his stepmother was around.
Yet, Barry never seem to take an interest. The even more scary part was Barry would ribbed him and their friends as if he wasn't any different, himself being comfortable with the topic as the next man whenever the topic of relationship and intimacy were wont to be the topic of conversations. In fact, Barry would give sounding advice that had helped a lot of them with their relationship as if he had been in many himself. No one would have guess that Heath ‘Barry’ Masters has lived the life of a monk his entire adult life.
Though Zane had learned to let things go as it happened, there were moments when he thought his brother was waiting and searching for that special someone. But he was never sure. They had shared everything growing up, but in this matter, Barry had always been private and Zane had never pushed. Barry will tell him when the time comes.
Barry gave a sudden laugh. “Did you tell Luna and the twin that I’m back from Africa?” Until two days ago, Barry had been on an assignment in Libya.
Zane frowned. “No, I haven’t.” In fact, he just got words from his brother yesterday that he was home.
His brother shook his head and smiled as he eyed the monitor in front of him. “Well, something must have given it away because they’re halfway up the ranch as we speak. They just cleared security checkpoint a minute ago.”
Zane cursed, despite the inner pleasure at seeing his wife and kids again so soon. He wanted a little more time to discuss things with his little brother. Barry probably didn't shared the same sentiment because he quickly finished his coffee and stalked out of the office. Resigned, Zane did the same and followed his brother out the front door. Together, they watched Luna pulled up onto the drive and help the children from the car seat.
They heard two set of voices screaming excitedly as two tiny dark heads came burrowing up the stairs as fast as their little legs could carry them. “Una Barbie! Unca Barbie!”
Barry choked, startled, and Zane laughed at his brother’s expense. “Unca Barbie!” Barking with laughter, he watched as little Amy came shooting passed him and launched herself at her uncle, who scooped her up into his arms and hugged her to him. Her twin brother, Austin, was right behind her. He latched onto Barry’s leg, tugging at it until Barry leaned down and lifted him into his arms. He also got a hug from his favorite uncle. Barry arched his brow at Luna, who was coming up the steps to stand by her husband. “Uncle Barbie?”
Luna laughed, kissed Zane, and then smiled sweetly at Barry as Zane pulled her to his side. “They’re still learning to talk. Don’t complained. It used to only be able to 'Barbie.’”
Barry made a face. “But Barbie?”
Zane roared again and Luna tried to contain her laughter. “I’ve tried to correct them, but Amy can only pronounce the name of her favorite toy. She thought it’s the same as your name and it sticks. Austin’s just imitating his sister. Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it. Besides, consider it a compliment. Barbie is Amy’s favorite toy.”
Barry looked as if he wanted to protest, but Amy cupped his face and turned it to face her, at once claiming his attention. “Unca Barbie stay home?”
Her uncle nodded. That made her smiled. “Good,” she said, patting his face in approval. Zane grinned, his chest constricting at the sight of his children with their beloved uncle. Since their birth, Barry had always made time to be with them frequently, many times in between missions when he could manage. His missions usually kept him away for months as at time. But Barry never allow them to feel as if he neglected them. He gave them undivided attention whenever he's around and made their times with him as fun as possible. As a result, whenever the children are with their uncle, he got their undivided attention. Zane and Luna could be chopped liver for all they care.
After the initial greeting, Zane shuffled his family into the house, reaching out to take Amy from Barry in an effort to lighten his load. But Amy would have none of it, instead clinging tighter to her uncle. It was the same with Austin. He leaned his head on his uncle’s chest, his eyes glaring at Zane as he sucked his thumb. Traitors, he thought, amused.
In the meanwhile, Barry somehow managed to juggle the two leeches and kissed Luna on the cheek. “Hi, sis. You look beautiful today. Love the red hair.”
Luna beamed. “Thanks. You're so sweet.” Turning to her husband, she crossed her arm and gave him an I-told-you-so look. “See, other people have an appreciation for style.”
Zane shook his head and gave Barry the look-what-you-started look before giving his attention to his wife again. “I don’t mind the red hair, but did you have to dye out all the blond? I was very partial to them.”
Barry laughed and disappeared into the house, chatting happily with the two bundles in his arms as Zane and his wife debate hair colors.
Bangkok, Thailand
Same day. (Or rather night, since it's on the other side of the world.)
“Alice!”
Alice ran with all her might, putting more and more distance between the ship and herself, her heavy skirt dragging and shuffling around her legs. She heard the crunching of boots against wood as it pounded after her. Oh, please, she thought, don’t let him catch up with me. Only a few more yards and she would be able to reach the main road leading out of the port.
Swallowing her tears, she forced herself to run faster. Her heart pounded harder against her chest as if rebelling against her idea of running away. Why leave him? He was all she wanted. He was the man she loved, the only man who could make her smile and whose smile lit a fire inside her so deeply that all it took all she could do to not throw herself at him.
A hard hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him, stopping her in her tracks. “You have to stop running, Alice! Do you hear? You’re mine, and will always be mine! I will never let you go.”
“No!” she cried, struggling as he threw her over his shoulder and carried her back into ship. But her struggling did her no good. Tears and fears ate at her as she passed the men standing on the dock, their face full of smiles and cheers as they watched their captain effortlessly carried her up the plank onto the ship and then across the deck into his cabin.
“Get the ship into sea,” he barked at his first mate before he entered the cabin. “I want this ship far away from England as it possibly can. And I don’t want to be disturb!”
“No!” Alice screamed as the door shut behind him, knowing that this may be the last time she’ll see her homeland again. “Please Lucien. Let me go home.”
For answer, he dumped her onto the bed and moved to straddle her, his hardened face just inches above her. Alice froze, her cries disappearing from her lips as she saw the wrenching pain in his eyes. “Why?” he barked. “Why must you away run from me again? You must know that I’ll never let you go. I’ll never give you to anyone! Why can’t you understand that, Alice?”
Tears dropped from her eyes as she stared up at the man atop her. She wanted to tell him that she loved him and she didn't want to leave him. But he had never given her a reason to stay. He had never declare his love for her. More importantly, how could she tell him that beneath her love was the cold fear she had, of him
. She couldn't explain, but it was hidden underneath the surface of her feelings for him, always reminding her that she would be risking more than just her happiness if she were to be with him.
Slowly, her hand reach up and caressed his face, her eyes blurring with tears and her love for him. He closed his eyes and leaned down until their forehead touched. “You can’t leave me, Alice. I’ll be nothing without you,” he whispered softly.
Against her better judgement, because he had begged, because of the anguish in his voice, she nodded, blinking more tears from her eyes. At the gesture, his eyes shot opened and he stared deeply into her eyes, as if searching for confirmation. “I won’t let you leave me. You will be with me forever.” She nodded and he let out a breath of relief. Slowly he cupped her face and kissed her, hard and punishing. She reeled back for a moment before succumbing to his kisses, his overpowering demand for more of her.
There was never a doubt that she had been his from the first time he set eyes from her. How the ton would laugh once the story get out. The pirate and the Duke’s Daughter, eloping and living in sin. They’ll never forgive her, nor will they welcome her back. She’s ruined for life. Because of a man she shouldn't have met.
Alice’s heart pounded as Lucien started undressing her, kissing her, drugging her with pleasure. She was barely aware of him undressing himself, but he already naked before she realized that he meant to make love to her. She started to protest, but Lucien silenced her with more kisses and soon enough, both of them soared together into blissful ecstasy.
Yaya woke up with a startled squeak, her body limp and quivering with satisfaction, her chest heaving. She looked across room at her clock and realized that it was only three in the morning. Slowly, she unwrapped herself from the twisting sheets around her body and carefully made her way across the room towards her private bathroom.
With a turn of a knob, she had the cold water running and splashed the cool liquid onto her face, waking her from her drowsiness. Unfortunately, it didn't wash away the way her body tingled in awareness, the glow that could only come when a woman was sated by the man she loved. Great god, her body might never recover from that lovemaking Lucien and Alice shared. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing.
She should be used to this by now.
Sighing, she grabbed a towel and dried her face. As she walked out of the room, she looked at the bed and her lips curled. Her sheets were twisted this way and that, her pillows dropped carelessly to the floor. Making a wide berth from her bed, she left her bedroom and went into the spacious room of the studio apartment Mint had rented her.
Mint Chalida had been her best friend for the last few years, having strike an unlikely friendship together when she was starred in one of Yaya’s popular work,
Crossing Times and Living Dreams, a twenty episode lakorn that was adopted from a novel in her
Starcrossed series. Fortunately, unlike the original novel, it was given a happy ending, as to the wont of most Thailand television dramas. In fact, all the novels from the original series did not end well, hence the name.
Yaya frowned at the memory even as she poured herself a cup of coffee and added cream and sugar. She started writing when she was twenty-two, two years after the dreams started.
She had just turned twenty when she first dreamed of him and it had always been about him since. He had many names, more than she could remember. In some dreams, he was Robert, Crowned Prince of Britania during the seventeenth century, or Graeme, the Liard of Scotland during the eighteenth century. Once time, he was Kui Long, the general of China during the Northern Song dynasty. Then there were dreams where the time period was much more familiar to her, such as when he was Marcus, the Earl of England, or when he was Charles, a soldier during a war in Thailand.
In these dreams, there were always the two of them; him, her and their love. And in these dreams, they had loved as no other had loved before. She was Robert’s Bel, Graeme’s Evelyn, Kui Long’s Bai Xue Hua, Marcus’s Lillian, and Charles’ Fahlada. She was his love, his life, and he was hers. Unfortunately for her, these dreams were not just windows to their lives and their passion, but she was “her,” the woman that this man love. When when that lady loved them, she loved them, when that lady missed them, she missed the, and when he made love to them, he made love to her. And she’ll feel all of it. The love, the intimacy, the passion, everything a normal woman would feel when she slept with the man she loved.
Yaya blushed, heat shooting through her. How her family and friends would laugh at her if they were to know that she had slept with a man almost every night since turning twenty and woken up a virgin still. They would admit her to the mental ward for sure.
Tonight, he was Lucien and she was Alice, a Duke daughter’s who had fallen in love at first sight with a pirate. Lucien was a rugged and handsome pirate who had taken one look at Alice and decided that she would be his forever, just as his other selves had done. A frown marred her brows. Lucien also had the scar on his chest, so it would mean another addition to Starcrossed. But who was she kidding. Every dream that she had have been a Starcrossed.
Reclining back onto the chair, Yaya recalled that the first in the series had been
Dante’s Flames, written from first few very vivid dreams she had of a Viking called Dante and Syrena, a noblewoman who became his spoils of war after his army raided her castle. Their love was so overwhelming that Yaya itched to tell someone about it. Since Yaya was taking Creative Writing course for her final year in college, she started writing it for the class. Before she knew it, it was a sensation in her class and quickly spread around the campus. Her father, a professor at the university, submitted it to publisher and her career had a jump start from then on. Over the years, she had added to the series, Robert and Bel’s being the sequel because Robert had sported the same knife scars that Syrena gave Dante. After that, Graeme and Evelyn’s was admitted for the very same reason as the others after that. Besides that scar was the also the tragedy that befallen each couple at the very end. Despite Yaya’s efforts to make it different, it had always flowed the same way as if a part of her refuse to let it go any differently.
Not that she didn't already had it hard trying to solve the jigsaw of dreams that were always jumbled up together and were always confusing to her. Sometimes, she would dream of Dante and Syrena falling in love, the next night would be Graeme and Evelyn, then Charles’s and Fahlada, then back to Dante and Syrena again, but this time of their first meeting. Sometimes, she would go months before dreaming of a certain couple again. In many cases, she had to create her own scenarios to fit the missing pieces and then have to go back and revised it because she had found them the following nights. But her dreams were a mess of puzzle pieces she'd painstakingly worked so the resulting novels would flow harmoniously.
Luckily for her, she would work on other projects such as lakorn scripts and her other series whenever she hit the writer’s block, usually spawn at the resolution of her plot. But though they get a lot of attention from the media and the public alike, it was
Starcrossed that captured the audiences from around the world. The readers had concluded that although each characters were not the same, they must be the reincarnations of each other for the same scar to appear in each of the protagonist chest. Yaya didn't make any effort to discredit them because she herself had came to similar conclusions, even if she still believed it’s all a dream, no matter no vivid it is.
Yaya yawned, weariness coming over again even though she just drank half her coffee. She had to get out of his habit. It very unhealthy to wake up almost every morning like this. Maybe she should go see a monk or a psychic. No, she can’t. If the media get a wind of it, she’ll never live it down. Not to mention that it’s embarrassing. Although monk may be more private since people wouldn't bat an eye at her going to the temple--thousands of people do everyday, no one would suspect anything-- but she couldn't risk it. But then again, maybe she could work something else though. Her mother would help her. All she need to do was come up with a good excuse. She got to remember to put that on her calendar.
Another yawn hit her and Yaya gave up. She had to face facts, she needed her sleep. There’s an appointment with a lakorn director late that morning and then a movie date with Mint. She didn't know what she’ll do if she gets another visit from Dante, as she wont to call him now no matter who he became, but she wished with all her heart that he would leave her alone now. He had an all nighter with Alice, not that the poor woman complained, and Yaya, who
should be complaining, felt exhausted to the bone.
Yaya went out as soon as her head hit the pillow. She did dream again, but it was of Dante, not Lucien, who held her in his arms as they fell into an exhausted but peaceful sleep.
Two weeks later.
Bend, Oregon, USA
“It’s so good to see you again,” Crystal said as she gave him a warm hug. “When was the last time I saw you? Six months ago?"
Barry nodded, grinning as he teasingly held her to him a moment longer. His hand playfully squeeze her waist. “You lost weight, lady. You’re too skinny.”
Crystal narrowed her eyes at him as she pulled away, though not after pinching him on his sides. It didn't hurt him but he cringed for her benefit. “FIY, I’m not on a diet. I’ve just finished an action film and we were in the field until last months. Cut me some slack.”
Barry laughed. He knew of course, because he usually followed her work whenever he can. A lot of it was his pride in her accomplishments at such a young age and another due to the fact that he just like her. Period. She’s beautiful, witty, and one of the most sincere woman he'd ever known, besides his mother and sister-in-law. She is not pretentious like many of the actress Luna had the misfortune to deal with. “How’s your English?”
“Improving,” she said, in English this time. Until then, they had been speaking in Mandarin.
Crystal, otherwise known as the infamou Liu Yi Fei, is a Chinese actress mainly known for her role as the Little Dragon Girl in an drama adaptation of the famous novel called
The Return of the Condor Heroes. The series was a huge hit in Asia and her work prompted such a great response that even many years after, she was still one of the most sought after actress. She mainly worked in mainland films, but she had played a huge role in an international film with Jet Li and Jackie Chan,
The Forbidden Kingdom.
It was during the function for the film that Barry first met her. Luna was the planner recommended and hired for the event because she was one of the few that was fluent in Mandarin and would be able to communicate with the multi-cultural cast members and sponsors. During those times, Barry and Zane had often stopped by to help with the setup. The four of them met and were friends ever since. A smile tugged at his lips. At the time, Crystal was obviously very stressed when she tried to befriend them despite her lack of English. God knows it was priceless to see the look of relief on her face when Barry and Zane had responded in Mandarin.
At the moment, the four of them were once again reunited in a private function for the opening of Crystal’s new film. Again, Luna is the event planner and Zane, as usual, tagged along for moral support. Privately, Barry wondered if Zane was there for a different reason, having always been reluctant to let his wife out of his sight for days at a time. Barry was willing to bet that he was there merely for the convenience of being able to beat the men who are stupid enough to even look in Luna’s direction. Zane was always a possessive man, where Luna was concern. Barry tagged along because he hadn't seen Crystal in a while and thought he’ll use the opportunity to catch up before he leave for his private assignment.
They were now seated at a round table waiting for their dinner to be served. He listened as Crystal entertained them with tales of her crew when they were at the action set of her previous film. Time quickly passed by as their conversation evolved from one topic to another during the course of their dinner that they were surprised when the MC announced that the dance floor was now open for couples who wished to take a turn together. Zane wasted no opportunity to whisked Luna onto the floor for the waltz, leaving Barry and Crystal smiling after them.
“They’re just like newlyweds,” Crystal said softly, her voice filled with envy. “I don’t ever recall seeing Luna at any of these functions without him.”
Barry scoffed. “Don’t think much of it. Zane only here to beat men away from his wife.”
Crystal smiled, still looking at them. “I think that’s very sweet. Most men these day don’t bother.”
Sipping from his wine glass, Barry turned Crystal. “I heard this is the last time you’ll be in the state this year. Is your schedule tight?”
She nodded. “Tell me about it. I've have three films this year and two of them are set in China. This one is due to film in Ireland and maybe England, but I hope that I would be able to take some time off before the official shooting. I heading to Thailand.”
His brow quirked. “What’s over there?”
Crystal looked at him for a moment and gave him a devious wink. “Private business.”
“Ahh.” Barry took another sip of his wine, amused by the mystery. Quietly, they watched Zane led Luna around dance-floor his hand resting possessively at her waist. Barry bit a grin and shook his head. For another few minutes, he converse with Crystal until his brother returned to their table alone. “Where’s Luna?”
Zane sat down and drank from his glass of wine. “One of the guest have a minor problem and Luna is helping her. Why are you two still here? There’s a dance floor with plenty of room back there.”
Barry glanced expectantly at Crystal but she held up her hand as if to ward him off. “No way. Uh uh. I’m staying put. Three months in the field for my action film is more than I can tolerate for standing on my feet.”
They laughed. Zane excused himself to call the twins and Barry was once again left alone with Crystal. A few guests stopped at their table to make small talk and Luna returned moments later.
“Enjoying yourself?” she asked Barry as she sat down. He nodded and handed her a glass of water. “Thanks, I’m beat. This function is getting ahead of me. At the moment, I'm worry about the wine supplies. The hotel promised to cater the beverages but the bartender informed me that they might be a shortage. But thank goodness it’ll end in just a couple of hours so I hope the guests won't noticed.”
A blond lady, Diedra Callahan, one of the event sponsors who had joined them, smiled fondly at Luna. “The set is fantastic and the guests are enjoying themselves immensely, Luna. The problem will straighten itself out. Don’t be too hard on yourself, just enjoy the evening.”
Luna smiled gratefully. “I’m happy you’re enjoying it, Diedra. You've been a great help to me during the planning.”
“Oh pooh! It’s nothing,” Diedra waved a hand, dismissing Luna’s attempts to protest. “I just happen to like throwing myself into the pit. Makes my life more challenging. Besides, I’m getting too old to be sitting around all day.”
Everyone laughed at the comment. Crystal turned to Luna. “Speaking of sitting around, Luna,” she said. “Thank you for introducing me to
Starcrossed. It was phenomenal. You can’t believe how much I hated having to find time to read between filming, but I couldn't put it down.”
Diedra put a hand to her chest. “
Starcrossed? Pray tell, are you referring to the new series that recently hit the market? You’ve read it too? Oh my, that’s my favorite series at the moment. I finished all of it of it in two days. My husband swore up and down that he’d never saw me cried as much, even on our wedding day. Oh, the poor couple. It was so tragic.” Barry's ear perked in interest as the women conversed. He knew where this is going. Last he knew, it was the
Twilight saga.
Luna nodded excitedly. “When I finished the first book, Zane went on a frenzy because he couldn't figure out why I was crying my heart out. The twins cried to, because I was crying. It caused a great uproar.” She paused to savor the private memory and then laughed. “Poor man.”
“My favorite pairing was Eveline’s. They deserved so much. For them to end that way was unfair,” Crystal cried. “Don’t you agree.”
“I agree,” Diedra said. “But they’re not the most tragic.”
“If there's a contest for such thing, it’ll be Dante and Syrena,” Luna supplied as her face constricted with pain. Both ladies nodded in complete agreement. “It was just so sad that Dante had to watch the life slipped away from Syrena when she was felled by the arrows. The way Sperbund written it was so heartwrenching.”
Diedra moved to say something more, but Barry found himself suddenly frozen still, his ears ringing so loud that he barely process what she was say or what Crystal had said in reply. At the moment his ears hummed as his mind rapidly process the information. Dante? Syrena? Arrow? No it can’t be. Furiously, he forced his body to relax and schooled his expression so that the ladies wouldn't know what was amiss. For all he knew, this may be a coincidence. “What is this tragedies you ladies are talking about?”
“They’re talking about a new series that had been grabbing a lot of attention in the media.” Barry turn to see his brother once again sitting with them, obviously returned from his phone call. How had Barry missed that. Had this been a mission, he would be dead by now. He had always been alert. What the hell? He need get himself together. Zane shook his head and smiled at Luna, who was wiping her tears as she and her companions shared their knowledge of the series. He looked at Barry again as he grabbed his glass of wine. “Dreadful thing, I must say. Had Luna in so much tears I thought the world was ending,” he said with a chuckle. “But the series is called
Starcrossed. The title itself should give the story away, but it’s raving with good responses right now. From what I know it’s written by a lady named Urassaya Sperbund and was published in London about three years ago. According to Luna the first book,
Viking’s Flames was what started it all. It was about a Viking named Dante and woman named Syrena, a captive at one of the village he raided. To make long story short, it’s another Romeo and Juliet story.”
Barry shifted in his seat, his heart beating furiously at the information.
Crystal turned her attention from the conversation to Zane. “You’ve read it?”
Zane nodded, glaring at Luna. “She made me. But I’m not reading anything past the first book. Despite the author’s well written plot, the story was pretty sappy. I bet it's all the rave because of the author's ability to capture the life and social customs of that time period.”
Diedra gave Zane a horrified look. “How could you not continue the series? Book two was just as great. Robert and Bel is just as precious as Dante and Syrena. Personally, I prefer to think it's the trails of the character's themselves that captured the heart of its readers. It surely had captured mine.”
Zane rolled his eyes and bit a smile. He leaned over to Barry and whispered. “Don’t ever, ever, under any circumstances, make any negative remarks about
Starcrossed. Unless you plan on having to go against die-hard fans equipped with teeth and claws.”
“I heard that,” Luna said dryly and the group laughed.
Barry managed a chuckle but inside he was searing with impatient to leave. Even one minutes lingering in the function was not fast enough. He want to be back at the hotel, digging up any information about
Starcrossed. He wanted to get his hands on the series and more importantly, get information on its’ author. Dante and Syrena. Robert and Bel. Eveline? There’s no way this is a coincidence and Barry will go to whatever lengths it’ll take to get to the bottom of it.
Finally, he understood why he was feeling so restless. An instinctive part of him must knew that unless he return home, he wouldn't get this lead. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. He was getting closer.
No.
Not just close. This was a break, and curse him if he was going putting it off for another moment. Excusing himself, he made his way to the quiet hallway where he placed a phone call before returning to the table. Unable to allow himself to waste any more valuable time, he informed his family that he had an emergency and needed to leave. They didn't ask. They knew the nature of his work. He hugged Luna, gave Crystal a heartfelt farewell and quickly left the function hall.
Unbeknownst to him, Zane was watching his brother leave with speculative interests. He noticed stiffness of his brother's posture the second it happened and saw the hardening look in his eyes. Something was wrong. Zane could feel it inside his bones.
Three days later, Barry placed a thick manila envelope in a briefcase along with an iPad that contained all the E-novels Urassaya Sperbund had ever written, including the original scripts for her lakorns that his men had somehow obtained and sent to him. They were in Thai, but Barry knew how to read the language fluently, thanked to his mother, just as he was fluent in Mandarin, Arabic, Italian, French, Greek, and a few others. He planned to do it in the private jet issued to fly him over the Pacific.
In the last few days, he had poured over the
Starcrossed novels twiced as well as ran through her other works, which included the lakorn scripts.
Starcrossed had reinforced his decision in in following the break. There was no way in hell this is a coincidence. There was too much similarities. Her other works did not supply much information, because they were unrelated, but her lakorns had concreted his suspicions.
He had also gone over the PI’s report of ‘Yaya’ Urassaya Sperbund. She was a twenty five years old Thai and Norwegian writer, raised in England before relocating to Thailand where she made her career as a freelance scriptwriter for lakorns. In one night, he had learned more about the woman behind the series that had taken the world by storm than even her closest friends. In the manila folder was the rest of her profile as well as a recent photo of her, which he had taken a snapshot on his phone and set as his wallpaper. There were also pictures of her immediate family, her close friends, and even lists of her most frequent haunts as well as all the movies she had seen in the last two years. Under the pictures were the sketch he drew of her likeness, the one he had given to Zane. He couldn't let himself get rid of it. It had been with him for years before he sent Zane on that wild-goose chase.
Not anymore, he told himself.
Snapping the brief closed, he set it next to the suitcase he had finished packing the night before. For a moment, he stared at them, knowing that his life would never be the same again once he step foot on Thailand’s soil.
Whether it would change for the good or worst, Barry refused to let himself dwell on the matter. He will do whatever it’ll take to set things right. There was no way he was losing her again. Something told him that this is their last chance, and he felt that she’ll be lost to him forever if they take this for granted.
Flipping his phone open, he speed-dialed his brother. Zane picked up the second ring. “Yo!”
“I’m leaving.”
Zane didn’t miss a beat. “Where to?”
“Thailand? Indefinitely.”
“Will you be needing me?”
Barry wasn’t a fool. He knew what his brother was asking. “No. It’s nothing serious. I just have something I need to do. In fact, this is the long vacation I need. Tell mom and dad not to worry and give them my love.”
“Will do, but you should call them when you reach Thailand. They’re still peeve you didn't visit them this time.” Zane said, relief filled his voice.
“I plan to do that, but I don’t know how long I’ll be away. Give my love to Luna and the kids.”
Zane chuckled. “Will do. The kids won’t be happy you’re going too soon. So buy them souvenirs and since you're on vacation, it wouldn't hurt to V-chat.”
Barry nodded but realized that his brother wouldn’t see it. “I will. And I’ll keep tabs. If you need me for anything, you know how to reach me.”
He hung up and his wallpaper flashed on the screen. A face more familiar to him than his own smiled back at him, her eyes dancing with brightness. Longingly, he touch the image, his finger lingering at her face.
Soon, he thought, as he call his men and informed them that he was ready. In fact, he was more than ready. He had waited his whole life for this.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Wasn't that a very long read? lol. Sorry. :cry: But I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. Noticed how the descriptions gets shorter towards the end, lol, that's cause I'm done with most of the background, so you won't be tortured anymore (I hope :woot: ).
@narkrakdin, I've helped flowed Yi Fei in here for you so I hope you don't mind, and I already arranged a date for Mint (hint, hint), so I can't wait to read what you'll come up with.
As usual, let me hear what you think or of any questions you have. Night!
