The Unknown; Hellbent

By the time they arrived home, the day's events had caught up with Alexia, and she had fallen asleep. Zeke, noticing her dozing and about to hit her head, gently guided her to rest on his shoulder.

"Zeke, we're home," Tyler said, pulling Zeke from his thoughts. He had been watching Zeke stare into the distance, lost in thought, with Alexia's head resting on him. Tyler sensed Zeke didn't want to wake her.

"You can just carry her inside," Tyler suggested with a mischievous grin, pulling out his phone to snap pictures. Zeke, finally finding his solution nodded before gently lifting her up and carrying her back inside her room.

He paused, studying her peaceful face with the same intense expression he'd worn back in the haunted house.

"You claim you're not afraid of the unknown, but you panicked even when it was fake," he whispered, his voice low and dark. "What will you do when you realize I'm worse than all those monsters—because I'm real?" He brushed a strand of her hair away, his gaze lingering on her peaceful sleeping features.

"Run, Little Red, while you still can," he warned softly, his tone both menacing and sorrowful. His eyes flicked to the pulse at her neck, watching it for a moment before quietly leaving the room. He summoned the maids and instructed them to clean her up and change her clothes.

"Call Ramon now" he ordered Tyler who noticing how his voice was back to normal nodded dejected, wondering what happened that made him switch back. In order not to anger him, he immediately dialed Ramon's number.

———

"It's Prince Tyler your highness" a guard said handing the phone over to the man whose gloves were covered with stains of both fresh and dried blood.

Removing his gloves, Ramon took the phone "I don't know what the heck you're doing but Zeke wants you back by tomorrow" Tyler hissed irritated before ending the call.

"Tsk, that brother of yours is one goof ball, he respects Zeke more than his own blood" one of his men who heard his one sided conversation with his brother remarked, the devil sprout didn't even wait for Ramon's respond.

Ramon's expression remained unreadable as he headed for the door. Seeing their Prince leaving, they were all relieved that at least they'll get some rest while their boss traveled to Country D.

———

The sun's rays filtered into the room, waking Alexia from her peaceful slumber. Fluttering her eyes opened, she quickly rose and freshened up, internally scolding herself on why she slept in.

When she finally made her way downstairs, she pouted upon seeing the prepared breakfast and Zeke, Tyler, and another man already eating.

The maids, noticing her disappointment, hurried to her side. "Miss, we're so sorry. We waited for you, but the master and his brothers were already waiting. He told us not to disturb you since you seemed tired."

Alexia nodded in understanding and approached the table. "Good morning," she greeted sweetly as she served herself.

"Good morning, Miss. Hope you slept well," Tyler replied, his mouth half-full of toast.

"I did. Maybe a little too well—I didn't wake up to make breakfast," she said, frowning.

"I told the maids to let you rest," Zeke explained in his usual composed tone. "You fell asleep in the car, so I knew you were tired."

Alexia nodded awkwardly, she was indeed tired and didn't know when she even slept off, she froze for a moment, processing his words, wait that means....

"did you carry me back and change my outfit?" she asked with a wide grin, her curiosity spilling out.

Her sudden outburst caused both Tyler and the new man to choke on their food. Tyler couldn't imagine Zeke changing her clothes, while the other man looked utterly baffled imagining both.

"I carried you but I asked the maids to change your clothes" Zeke replied calmy causing both Tyler and Alexia's face to fall, while Ramon though not showing much emotion still looked shocked that he carried her.

Alexia quickly recovered, "Oh, thank you so much," she said sweetly, resuming her meal. While she'd hoped he'd been the one to change her clothes, she saw this as progress—he hadn't let Tyler or the maids carry her, she just needed to take things slowly.

"By the way, I'm Alexia. I think I've seen you before, maybe in Zeke's office?" she asked the pale stranger, her curiosity piqued by his striking appearance. His dark gray hair, piercing blue eyes like Tyler's, and chiseled features.

Though the three of them looked paler than normal, this guy was the worse but that didn't even affect his looks, he was still good looking.

The man inclined his head slightly. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ramon Xaio—Zeke's cousin and Tyler's brother."

Tyler dramatically rolled his eyes at his brother's formal tone. "Nice to meet you! Where have you been?" Alexia asked, her eyes wide with interest.

"He's a martial arts instructor in Country V," Zeke answered for him, making Alexia's eyes sparkle with admiration. His athletic build certainly matched the description.

"Really? I've always wanted to learn more about martial arts! My parents only taught me the basics. Could you teach me?" she asked, her tone pleading.

Both simultaneously looked at Zeke as if asking for permission and when he nodded in approval, Alexia squealed in delight.

As the two of them continued conversing, leaving both Tyler and Zeke, Tyler was having fun taking photos of his sulking boss, who looked so dejected that Alexia's attention wasn't on him.

He was grinning, totally enjoying it, when he decided to help his boss or else clouds will keep on forming on his head.

"Miss, the boss is an exceptional fighter—better than Ramon. Maybe he'll show you his skills someday." Tyler said and hand-fived himself when he saw that his planned worked.

Alexia's attention immediately shifted back to Zeke. "Really? Can you teach me too?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Mn…when I'm free," Zeke replied, his mood visibly improving and Alexia smiled widely, she was going to be taught by these two handsome men....yay.

"Miss I'm also good, I'm going to teach you too" Tyler whined, feigning anger that he was left out.

"Okay sure" Alexia said chuckling and the dining table was full of life with banters and chuckles echoing, totally different from what it used to be before Alexia came.

"Are you drawing me today?" Zeke asked her, as she stood to clear the plates.

"Yup, but later. For now, I want us to play a game or watch a movie!" she declared, leaving the three men blinking repeatedly in surprise.

"…"