Chapter 7

• It had gone quiet, with no gun sounds, even screams only our breaths and the sound of shoes making contact with the floor. For some unknown reason, I also found my senses heightened in this situation, as I can follow and keep up with them even in the dark.
• When the sounds of footsteps that did not come from us reach my ears, I realize that we are not the only ones running in the second floor to who knows where.
• Because of the silence, I restrained myself from asking any questions and remained silent throughout. A few minutes later, it appears that we have arrived at our destination, as a door opens for us and we enter that room.
• In contrast to the outside, the room is not as dark and has consistent lighting. I take a look around and notice that it is also spacious, with only a couch and nothing else, and that it appears bland for a VIP room in a bar.
• However, the people who came before us made that room far more interesting and dangerous than it appears. There were men and some women already there, wearing some suits as well like the bodyguards, and all standing beside each other.
• As soon as we walked in, all the conversations came to a halt, and they stood straight as if welcoming their king. I cast a glance at the stranger who is still holding my hand; his playful grin has faded, and he now wears a solemn expression. It gives me the impression that everything that happened between us and his earlier act was all in my head.
• As I took notice of them, of course, all the people there also took notice of me. While I look at the man, I notice some eyes lingering on me for a moment, especially as he drags me along in front of everyone.
• No one spoke, and yet all those stares are enough to poke holes in me. I look at our holding hands and pull my hand away, feeling a little self-conscious from all the stares. It suddenly occurred to me how strange it is to be holding hands with a man, let alone a stranger, given that I am a married woman.
• I feel like I'm cheating on my husband, and so many people have seen it. As I stare at him, his hand doesn't budge. "My hand," I say, then try to pull it away again.
• The silence is making things even more awkward for me, especially since I know they're all watching us.
• I squinted my eyes at him and mouthed for him to let go. Again, a smile appears on his lips before he lets go of my hand.
• He didn't say anything, but his deep gaze at me, combined with that smile, said everything. I diverted my gaze as my ears heated up. I clasp my right hand, which had been held by a stranger for a long time and had grown warm. Even the sensation of being held by that hand for an extended period of time lingered.
• What are you thinking? Addalyn, can you wake up? Are you really having a forbidden thought about a stranger? I bit my lower lip and moved away from him, not daring to look at him.
• I didn't see his reaction or anyone else in that room, and I'm even less willing to listen to anything they discuss. What am I even doing here? Why did he bring me here?
• I'm an outsider, and based on what I've seen thus far, everything that has happened and will happen this night is far more dangerous for someone like me.
• "Archeron, who else is determined to take over Hiroshi Domain?" A deep and authoritative voice broke the silence, his tone even had an indifferent touch and wasn't too brusque, as if everything was under his control.
• I raised my head, parted my lips, and turned to face the stranger. My expression is one of astonishment. He will seriously discuss something like this in front of me, an outsider?
• My brows met as I stared at him, who had turned his back on me. What is his intention? No matter how I look at it, this is not a matter that I need to be involved with.
• I press my lips together while fiddling with my fingers, this night is spiraling into something I never imagined would happen, and now it's happening right in front of me.
• "It appears the Baltrad Domain is also interested, and they were also strong—the only ones strong enough to fight the Gallaghers, though they will undoubtedly lose." A man with long ponytailed hair responds, his temperament also distinguishes him from the others.
• However, it was a familiar word from what he said that drew my attention rather than his appearance. Gallagher? That’s Zach’s family surname, is it a coincidence or... I returned my attention to the strange yet familiar man, and I froze as our gazes met.
• He seems to be watching me again since earlier his subordinate started talking as he observe my reaction. My mouth went dry as I looked at him; there are a lot of things I want to confirm, yet my voice left me.
• "Gallagher..." he spoke again without taking his gaze away from me, his tone a little dark as he uttered those words, “won’t swallow this cake whole, and I’ll make sure he’ll choke for eating too much.” His green eyes flashed as a dangerous tone rang, making one shiver from it.
• I clutched my own hands tightly, as my heart pounded, still maintaining eye contact with him. Gallagher, is this his intention? But why?
• Doubts began to appear in my mind even more as I tried to guess his intention in bringing me here. This only made me realize how stupid I was for following him even though I sensed a familiar feeling from him.
• He is still a stranger and a possible enemy of my husband, and hearing their conversation will only complicate my life.
• However, it appears that the man has no intention of concealing anything from me, as he continued to treat me as if I were invisible beside him. I can't even look at his subordinates as they listen to him; I'm sure they're as curious as I am about what this man is thinking by bringing his enemy's wife.
• “Contact Beltrad and inform him that we will help. Our men will make sure the Gallaghers will be busy while they negotiate with the Hiroshis.” he ordered, without removing our eye contact as if he really wanted me to listen to everything he says.
• I bit my lower lip while staring at him and observing him.
• “Yes, understood. But then the situation this night will be even more complicated.” the man named Archeron answered and expressed his concerns or at least that hot it sounded to me.
• However, the man appears unconcerned as he arches his brow and says his next words with malicious intent. "That's the point. Let's make this night more chaotic, shall we?" he grins, and his last sentence could be interpreted as an order to his men, but as he stared directly into my eyes while saying it, I wondered if he said those only for me.
• His subordinate had yet to respond when I couldn't help but interrupt; this is becoming increasingly ridiculous. My mind is racing with questions, and I can't stand being silent any longer.
• "What are you on?" I demanded, almost yelling. I'm only looking at him, not at my side, where all of his subordinates are standing.
• Because of how quiet the room is, even my voice echoed. No one spoke. I expected a reprimand or even a violent reaction from the crowd, but they all just stood there watching us. Even the man named Archeron fell silent and stood motionless.
• My brow furrowed even more; they are all very disciplined. However, I never bothered with them, and the only thing that matters now is this stranger who I can't figure out.
• I continued despite his lack of reaction. "Why did you bring me here? Gallagher..." I almost choked as I said this word, staring at him with a little resentment in my eyes, "If I guess right, my husband is involved too, right? then why discuss your plan in front of me?"
• His expression darkened as he averted his gaze away from me as if he didn't want to see my eyes that were full of questions and resentment against him.