Second Chapter
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Alvin's POV:
Cathelyne Ren, first sign, I hated her. I just hated people with the surname 'Ren'. She was sitting there acting all weak, nice and pretty. I hated it, why can't she just show her real self? She was a lawyer. Lawyers were never meant to be nice. I hated her. She was just too much a resemble of 'her'...
'Alvin.' Someone patted on my shoulder, the same old pat. I knew whom it belonged to.
Alvin: (turns) 'Ivan!' I showed my rare smile. Ivan was my idol, the only person I would show my real self to. He was the only one I can and will trust. He was like a brother and a father, everything important to me. The first time I saw him, was in his first case, he won the opposition smartly, using his professional acts and smart questioning, he got the innocent man out of jail. I really admired him. From that day, I vowed to be like someone as good as him.
Ivan: 'What do you think of your first match?'
Alvin: 'Nothing, feel the same. What can I do with a partner like Steven?' He smiled.
Ivan: 'Steven, I miss that sunshine joker. Where is he?'
Alvin: (murmurs) 'Flirting with some girl.' My face darkened.
Ivan: 'Huh?'
Alvin: 'Don't worry... there he is... Steven!' I shouted, and Steven jogged to where we were.
Steven: 'Cathelyne was fun, and what you just did was un-called for! She does have the surname 'Ren' but that does not mean anything!' He glared at me playfully. I turned my focusing gaze on my opposition and ignored him.
'Gor!' Someone yelled from behind, we all turned and found a guy running towards our direction. 'Gor, I'm here.'
Ivan: (stood up) 'Good.' He walked to where he was and brought him to where we were standing. 'This is my little brother Ian.'
Ian: (a bit embarrassed) 'Gor, why do you always have to emphasize on the 'little' word?' He looked down and kicked the dust up.
Ivan: 'Because you're always my little brother. And this is Alvin, and Steven. Say 'hello'.'
Ian: 'Hey.' He said simply, he didn't seem happy after what Ivan said. I was lost, I would be so grateful to have a big brother like Ivan. The whistle was blown and it was my match again. I didn't expect anything, I knew the victory doesn't belong to me from the day I became partner with Steven. I walked up to the court with my racket, and Steven was bouncing around to act like professionals. I heaved a sigh at his childish acts. I turned to see my component, but I was totally shocked when I saw Cathelyne and her partner walked up to the opposite court. What?
Steven: (smile) 'Oh look, it's our new friend!' He waved happily to Cathelyne, but she just smiled in return. She must thought too high of herself. I bent into a preparing position; something urged me to play well on this match. I can't lose. The first serve was from our side. I threw the ball high, and beat it hard with my racket. Great! I smiled secretly as I saw it escaped from Cathelyne's partner's side and out the court.
Lindsay: 'Sorry Cathelyne jie!' She apologized.
Cathelyne: 'It's okay Lindsay, just pay more attention to it.' She stared at Steven and I. I will win, my gaze said silently as I directed at her. But from her look, I read nothing but 'we'll see about that'. It was our serve again, I hit it hard again. This time, Cathelyne ran and hit it back. I ran forward and was about to hit it when...
Wack!
Alvin: 'OUCH THAT HURTS!' I gripped on my right hand, Steven just happened to aim for my right hand instead of the tennis ball! It's not that hard is it?
Steven: 'Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!! Alvin are you okay?' He quickly checked on me and helped me to the place where Ivan was sitting. Everyone surrounded me, and concerning me about the injury. It hurts, but I was a guy that never admits it... it was my pride to keep it to myself.
'Here's some ice, you'll feel better.' It was Cathelyne; she gave me a packet of ice.
Alvin: 'I don't need your pity.' I chucked the packet away with my left hand, I hated her.
Cathelyne: 'It helps! I don't care whether you hate me or whatever, put it on! It's for your own good.' She picked it up and placed it on my hand again. I stared at her back as she walked off, she really resembles her. I looked down at the ice again; I really wanted to hate her...
'Sorry sir... I'm really sorry!' Someone screamed and apologized quickly; I turned and found Ivan facing that girl looking all nervous. She was Cathelyne's partner, and her name should be 'Lindsay'.
Ivan: (coldly) 'Watch it next time.' He said seriously.
Lindsay: (blocks his way) 'Hey sir, I apologized already, you shouldn't be that mean.'
Ivan: 'It's all your fault.'
Lindsay: (raises her voice) 'So? You can be polite too you know!'
Ivan: 'I'm in a hurry, and I won't bother continue on with this useless argument.'
Lindsay: (grabs his collar) 'Don't let me see you next time or I won't guarantee what I will do.'
Ivan: 'Missy, I could just sue you with the threatening.'
Lindsay: (lets go) 'Hump!' She stormed off to where Cathelyne was, and sat angrily on the bench. Cathelyne asked her a few questions, but she kept quiet. She was one fierce girl; I wonder was Cathelyne like that too? She must be someone opposite to what she looks like on the outside, girls were all like that. Oh no Alvin, you're not thinking of her! Get her out of your mind!
I hit my head hard.
---
Ivan called me into his office; I guess he wanted me to learn again. Each time he received a new case, he would always call me and asks me to help him. I was ready for the challenge; I know he wouldn't just give me anything easy; there must be something wrong about that case. I stepped into the room, and Ivan was just reading the documents.
Alvin: 'Ivan?'
Ivan: 'Sit down.' He motioned me, I sat on the chair. 'This is our new case; a woman named 'Karen Deund' was killed on a ship. No one was found on the ship but a weak old man. He was the serving man, when the police found him he was holding the knife with frightened expressions. No one else was around the area and no one was seen going out from that area. He was too shocked to give the statement under the examination. He was still in an unstable state. We're helping him out of the trial since his son believed in him that he will never kill.' Ivan finished telling me about the case.
Alvin: 'Are we going to invest on that ship area?' I asked, even though I know the answer. I was more like asking for the time than 'yes or 'no'.
Ivan: 'We're going tomorrow.' He said simply, I nodded.
Alvin: (stands up) 'I'll go back to my room now.' I was about to turn, but stopped when Ivan lifted his head finally and called my name.
Ivan: 'Alvin, let the past stay in the past. Cathelyne has nothing to do with your past, therefore should not be suffering the punishments.' He said calmly and focused back on his work.
Alvin: (sighs) 'I'll keep that in mind.' I stepped out, and closed his door for him. I know what he said was right, but I just couldn't bring myself into the position of treating her nicely. I can't... I just can't...
---
We arrived on the ship the murdering took place. It happened on a ship named 'Pearl Treasure', it seemed to be very luscious and I can't help but stared around the rich decorations. It was written in gold 'Annual party of the International Charity club.' and the theme colour of silver gave people a feel of classic and wealth.
Ivan: 'Alvin, what are you staring at?' I stopped my gaze and hurried to his side.
Alvin: 'Sorry, do we start here?'
Ivan: 'Search around.' I did as what I was told. I walked around like Steven and Ian. Steven was examining around the area where the body was found lying, and Ian was just measuring and reading the documents as he walked around observing evidence stated in the files. I held my cameras, I should be taking photos. I continued to walk around, I took photos from every single view including from the top to the floor and towards the roof. I cannot let one place escape from my camera. These were usually jobs for polices, but Ivan taught me that it was always better to invest it ourselves.
Ivan: (mumbles) 'Oh. My. Gosh.' I heard him exclaimed softly. I turned to him, Steven, Ian and I gathered around him. He was doing nothing, but petrified as he eyed the black blanket on his palm.
'This blanket... the same skull...'
There was a red skull sewn on one corner.
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Emotionless