AMBER & EMERALD
Author's Note:
Hey, we meet again! I know that I wrote that the 10th chapter was going to be out very soon, yet in reality, this chapter was out quite long after the 9th chapter. I'm really sorry, guys! I was busy, you know. I'll try to manage the 11th chapter in Sunday!
Thank you for all of your reviews! Please give me more! I'm craving for them!
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Esca. I'm in a hurry, but I promise Folken for you in the
next chapter!
CHAPTER 10: YOU DON'T KNOW ME
Van's sport car stopped in front of a Starbucks Café, just several blocks away from Hitomi's house. The girl had to agree that Van's choice of place suited her. Some caffeine would be a great help to pass this goddamn confusing night.
Van stepped out of the car, and Hitomi watched as the night breeze blew, causing his hair even messier. 'As if it is not enough,' she snorted as she opened the door of the car and stepped out.
Hitomi shivered a little in the cold night air, her hand moving up to brush away several strands of hair from her face. It was when she saw Van standing in front of her. Her gaze immediately fell onto the thing that was clinging onto Van's belt—his sword.
The first thing that jumped to her mind and escaped from her mouth was: "Are you really going to bring that old thing into the café?"
Van frowned in a mix of confusion and annoyance. His gloved hand gripped the hilt of his sword in instinct. "Watch your mouth, lady," he said, his tone sharp, even though he knew that it was indeed a foolish thing to bring his sword with him out from the car. "Why don't you look at your belt?"
Hitomi stared down at her belt and for the very first time in that night realized that she was still bringing her whip and Beretta with her. She cursed under her breath for Van's sharp eyes (or should she have been thanking for reminding her instead?). With a swift movement, she ripped the whip and Beretta off her belt, opened the door of the car, and threw them onto the passenger's seat.
Van chuckled and—right before she was going to close the door—handed his sword to her, hilt first.
Hitomi raised her eyebrows, signing that she was not in the mood of beating around the bush.
"Could you put this in the car too?" asked Van, grinning.
There was no reply. Hitomi stood on her spot, unmoving, one hand on her hip.
"Please?" added Van harshly.
Hitomi smiled a little and took the sword from Van's hand. "Sure," she said lightly, putting the sword into the car.
It was Van's turn to raise his eyebrows.
Van put down his cup of cappuccino and handed Hitomi's drink to her. He forgot the name of the drink, but it was a mix of chocolate and coffee.
"So," he said, ignoring his cup. "Why don't you start first?"
"No," replied Hitomi simply.
"Why not? Ladies first."
"I've told you: no."
Van frowned, starting to get really annoyed. He lowered down his voice until it was barely above whisper—intimidating, "And what do you mean by that, Kanzaki?"
Hitomi met his gaze without any doubt or fear. "I have the right to have my own secrets," she said stubbornly.
"You keep everything as secret, Kanzaki."
"Listen, Fanel," she said, reaching her limit. "You are treading on dangerous area now. My name is Hitomi Kanzaki, I'm fifteen-year-old, I live just a few blocks away from here, and at meeting nights with Amber, I am Emerald the Detective."
"That's all?" Van asked. Hitomi nodded uncaringly, sipping her drink. "Fine then. My name is Van Slanzar de Fanel. I am fifteen-year-old, will be sixteen next month. I live not to far from here. At meeting nights with Emerald, my name is Amber the Thief. Are you satisfied, milady?"
Hitomi—knowing that he had won—said quietly, "No."
Van sighed and said—his voice soft and calming, "Look at me, Hitomi."
The girl complied, only to find herself drowning in the pool of his deep amber eyes.
"We will make a deal. If you tell me all about you, I will swear to tell your secret to no soul, and vice versa. Perhaps in that way we can sort all things out of this mess," said Van, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I don't know you. How can I trust you?" Hitomi retorted, her voice wavering. Van always managed to make her comfortable and safe, yet also unnerved. 'How could that be?' she silently questioned in her mind.
"I don't know you; you don't know me. All we can do is to trust each other," said Van firmly. "I swear to keep your secret, Hitomi."
Hitomi stared at Van, her mind replaying the scenes of her past. Never had she told it to anyone before. 'Can I manage?' she asked herself, her lips trembling.
Yet deep inside, she knew she would never be able to say 'no' to those deep amber eyes.
TO BE CONTINUED TO CHAPTER 11
This is such a strange chapter to be written. What do you think, guys? I'm also working on another fic. It is a HP fic. I think it will be out together with the 11th chapter.
R&R!
Celon Ierith
