Readers, I'm back! I'm sorry to keep you wait for almost two years, and I'm still alive. ^ ^

Thank you so much for reviewing this story and keeping it in the story alert. You greatly support me to update it again.

Special thanks for Aizawa Li Syaoran Vessalius's PM. ^ ^

This chapter is dedicated to all fans of Train x Eve.

Chapter 20: Him

A week later ….

Sephiria POV

Back from the three old leaders, I had many lists of Chronos' mission on my job desk. While I was sorting them and deciding what Numbers would be sent, Belze came to my room.

"It's good to see you, Belze." I gave him some lists which a few names of Chronos Numbers were in there.

"How about others?" He asked, seeing the untouched lists that I hadn't given him.

"Soon. I'll check them out."

"Fine." Then he left my room.

While reading them, the last mission written caught my attention.

It has been so long I never asked him again for a mission.

Eve's POV

In my room, I saw myself in front of the mirror, ensuring that I was in the best look for the party.

Anyway, talking about party, I wasn't the type of girl who liked it very much. I preferred burying myself in my book collections rather than going to the party. But this was different.

Avedici Co. was celebrating its anniversary in a famous hotel. There was no reason I couldn't come.

"Whoaa, you look amazing, Princess!"

I smiled bitterly, hearing that nickname of mine. It was not him who called me. It was the receptionist girl at my office, Fay.

"Fay, please knock on my door before you enter my room," I said a bit upset.

"Sorry, Princess." She grinned, sitting on my bed.

"And please don't call me like that," I added.

"I didn't mean to make fun of you. I just want to cheer you up since he disappeared last week. He always calls you with that nickname. So I thought you would be happy if I called you with it." She explained, defeated. It looked like now she realized that the one who was allowed to call me like that was only him.

I chose to be silent, staring at her. I couldn't really hate her. She is my good friend at Avedici Co.

"Umm … did you find any trouble to get the costume for the party?" She changed the topic.

"Not really." I sighed, taking the invitation card on the table. It was written that all the participants should wear formal dresses, and especially for the females, they should wear dress with white style.

Truthfully, I had no objection about the color of my dress, although in my opinion, black was the greatest. Well, blue was good. Maroon. Purple. Green. Grey. Brown. They were still fine. Even pink was not a problem for me. But white? Just white without any color combination? The last time I used that color was with Adam in the first Eden Project.

"They will laugh at me with this dress," I mumbled.

Sven appeared at my door with his usual white tuxedo. He looked so proud and pleased with my appearance. However, he smiled bitterly before saying, "You've grown up well, Eve."

I looked myself in the mirror. I wore a short white dress with spaghetti straps on my back. In order to cover the revealing part of this outfit, I let my hair down. The length of the dress was stopped a few inches above my knees. I also wore a pair of white high heels.

"I think you should wear it too." Fay helped me to wear a silver cross necklace. "There. You look great now."

A few minutes later, Sven, Fay, and I were in his car. I sat beside him and Fay sat on the passenger seat. We didn't talk much on our way. I was relieved that he didn't use the old car as we bought the new one a few days ago, knowing the old one was pretty frustrating and we currently had a better financial status.

When Sven was driving, I looked at the window, eyeing anything outside unresponsively, wondering my current life without him.

Sometimes I didn't understand what Sven was thinking. As his partner, I still couldn't believe my adopted father didn't show any care or worry about him. Even until now, he always changed the topic every time I asked about him. This was so frustrating for me. Although they had different perceptions about my future happiness, weren't they still friends?

After parking the car, Sven followed Fay and me to the building. I looked back at him, confused. He never openly forbade me to go the party. For him, party was boring so he halfheartedly let me go to. But now, he willingly came with me.

Soon he realized I was staring at him and I gave him a small smile. I knew what he wanted from the party.

There is your target here, Sven.

He smiled back, as if saying, You're right.

I wondered who his target was. Did he know that soon he would be captured and thrown into jail?

"Welcome to the party." Fay grinned as we saw many reporters, cameramen, and photographers in front of the building, realizing it would be hard to get inside.

I held my breath, seeing them.

"It's okay, Eve," Sven said, ready to protect me.

They came to me, trying to touch and pull me while calling my name. Eve Volfield. The most favorite new comer of Avedici Co. I hugged Sven's arm tightly when we were passing the crowd.

"Oh, Eve! You come!" Nigel, one of the photographers in Avedici Co., approached me at the entrance. He gave me a big hug. "Come on. Enjoy the party!"

… as long as they don't annoy me too much …, my mind continued.

"Oh, so many cool guys over here!" In the center of the room, Fay squealed like a high school girl beside me, her eyes roaming the room where some couples were dancing gracefully on the floor.

I nodded unwillingly, until a silver haired boy with black tuxedo standing in front of me.

"May I have this dance, Princess Eve?"

I didn't have to answer it as Fay did it, in her way.

"Why are you here, Troy?" She growled.

"Why not? I'm still part of Avedici Co," he barked. Obviously, his annoying attitude was still in him, and it disappointed me. I thought the second Eden Project could change him.

However, Fay still didn't give up. "But you should-"

"How is your father?" I cut off.

"He gets better and better. I'm glad he's fine now," he replied, pleased. "And from now on, I think father and I will start a better and right life."

"Good for you."

"Well, back to the offer, how about one dance?" He lifted his hand gracefully, hoping I would take it. But before I replied, the dance was stopped as the master of ceremony of this party started greeting his guests with a long talk.

Troy scratched his head, frustrated, that he lost the chance. But at least, he had something to say to me.

"You look gorgeous, Eve, and …." He seemed so nervous.

I just eyed him flatly, waiting for him to finish.

"… good luck."

I blinked in confusion. Good luck for what?

He left me before I had my chance to ask.

Soon my attention was back to the party. I didn't really listen to what the MC said. But I heard the last part that it was the time for the guests to continue eating and drinking and dancing.

I stood beside the table alone as Fay already found a nice guy for accompanying her. Maybe I should be with Sven at this moment.

I had searched for him for almost half hour at this party area. Yet, I didn't see him.

Did he go to the washroom? Or maybe ... was he smoking outside?

My eyes widened as I saw him head to the exit at the backside of the building.

I followed him silently. I could hear that he was on the line. But I didn't know whom he talked with and what they were talking since the party music dominated my hearing.

When he was outside and had ended the call, I called him.

He was turning around while hurriedly putting his cellphone in his pants pocket.

"What is it, Eve? Don't you enjoy the party?" he asked.

"Whom were you talking to?" I asked back.

"Oh, just an acquaintance."

I stared at him cautiously.

"You shouldn't be here. Go back to the party."

I pouted, not interested to return, even though the wind here was a bit strong.

"Do you find the target?" I changed the topic.

"Yes. He's in the party, with his henchmen. Morphine Dopman. An owner of the biggest artist management in this city, and a drug dealer in disguise. No one dare to touch him so far. Let alone to capture him. He's a brother of the prime minister."

"It sounds like a big target."

"Yes. He'll make a transaction here. The plan is to capture him and his client."

I nodded.

"But for your information, I won't be the one who will capture them."

I turned to him, alarmed. Not you?

Then the lights were suddenly turned off and we heard some female frantic screams and some shoots and hits inside in the party room.

I stood watchfully as many people run, passing through me to reach the exit.

"Don't get yourself being stepped on!" Sven warned me.

I nodded, trying to move aside, before something happened right before my eyes.

A man entered the party room from the exit. I gasped when he was passing by me. Actually, my eyes weren't too good in the darkness, just like any normal human. But his silhouette reminded me about someone in my past.

Messy dark brown hair. Black long coat. A distinguished gun in his left hand.

Then that memory crossed my mind.

He came into my bedroom, before pointing Hades at my head.

His tawny eyes looked surprised, realizing it was me whom he saw. Yet, he didn't stop. Instead, he ran inside, leaving me and Sven and the mess outside.

"Eve …" My step father called me weakly.

"You never told me about this."

"I'm sorry. I thought you like surprise."

I bit my lower lip, feeling so betrayed. I knew that Sven was protective over me, and I didn't mind because I was his daughter. But this incident wasn't really expected, yet it exceeded my wish.

He knew what I wanted, and this was his way to give it to me.

Troy POV

When the lights were turned off, the situation in the party went into chaos. Women screamed. People ran blindly, bumping into each other. Broken glasses and plates everywhere. Not to mention some gunshots and several men who fought each other.

Immediately I hid myself under the table to avoid the fighting guests and mainly, the bullets. My gaze turned toward the exit, waiting for my chance to pass. However, suddenly my attention was fixed on someone who rushed in without making any sound. Someone who was all black. Dark hair. Black long coat. Black pants. Black shoes.

I frowned as he looked so familiar in my eyes.

Where have I met him? When?

I watched him closely, looking at the way he attacked his foes. So swift. Merciless. And powerful, as his opponent immediately fainted in one hit.

When some men shot at him, he deflected the incoming bullets ... with his weapon.

Yeah. A weapon. A gun. A black ornate gun, with XIII symbol.

My eyes widened instantly when I remembered the owner of the gun.

Holy shit!

When the leader of the henchmen, Morphine Dopman, started running to another exit, that man in black aimed his gun at him and fired.

His bullet hit the wall, before grazing on the Dopman's cheek and making him bleed. A very nice warning shot, actually, and should I tell again that he did it when there was less light?

When Dopman cautiously turned around a bit to see the shooter, the man in black was already next to him before pushing his back to the wall and putting Hades on the heart.

"Give me one good reason why I should spare your life this time." There was no emotion from his icy and husky tone. His golden eyes shone dreadfully to the drug dealer's eyes.

"F-Fuck off. I'm not afraid of you, stupid cat." Dopman tried his best to look intimidating. Yet, sweat was all over his trembling body.

"Then I bring you some bad luck." The man in black whom was called 'stupid cat' pulled the trigger slowly.

Realizing that the man in black was serious with his words, Dopman could not hold any longer.

"WAIT!" He screamed in terror.

The man in black stopped his finger suddenly, waiting for him to answer his previous question.

"I ... I give up."

My mouth dropped open when I saw Black Cat lowered his gun before knocking out the poor man.

"Come out now."

I gulped, hearing Black Cat's impassive order, as he had realized that I had been watching him all this time.

He didn't move. His sharp eyes was directed to the table that I hid behind.

I gave a long sigh, revealing myself. It looked like I didn't have any choice now.

"Don't kill me, please. I had surrendered, remember?" I said matter-of-factly.

Then his serious expression changed a bit. He smirked at me.

Sven's POV

From the outside, I closed my eyes when I heard Morphine Dopman last words.

The mission accomplished.

"Thanks for being cooperative, …," I opened my eyes, seeing to a golden haired woman with black suits standing not far from me. "… Miss Sephiria Arks."

She smiled genuinely. "Well, it's the part of our agreement, right, Mr. Volfied?"

I nodded. "It's hard to believe that Dopman's client would confront him in front of many people in the party. He was the one who turned the lights off. I thought this mission wouldn't be this rough."

"That's because he wanted all the stuffs without paying." Sephiria continued.

I nodded.

Eve's POV

I was following the stone path with many bushes on each side of the path.

Since Sven asked me to wait for him at the garden, I didn't mind to argue anymore. This place was so quite afterall. However, I never thought tonight would be this cold, and this skimpy dress didn't help me at all.

If only I have a jacket ...

Then suddenly I held my pace as I smelled something familiar.

Blood.

…and not far from here ….

Intuitively, I looked up the high wall in front of me.

He sat on the edge of the wall, his legs hanging lazily while looking at me watchfully through his shining golden eyes before jumping down, and landing gracefully not far in front of me.

After seeing him straighten his body to stand, I thought soon he would greet me with his common childish tone, like "How are you, Little Princess?" or "Train, the knight with shining armor, is ready to serve his princess" or maybe "Will I get a bottle of milk as a reward for capturing Sven's target?" with silly cocky style.

But strangely (luckily, I had expected this), he didn't say anything, just looking at me with his cat eyes.

Keeping my composure, my eyes focused on his black clothes.

Isn't it Chronos' outfit?

I swallowed hard as an intimidating feeling crawled down my spine. I never thought he would return with this state. His other side that was filled by loneliness. Taking-no-crap attitude. Determination. Definite maturity.

Did Sven push him too far so he becomes like this?

But …

I hid my bitter smile, seeing a little bell on his neck. At least, there was still one thing that never changed here.

Minutes passed without a word said. Even I was too tense to move my body under the observant gaze of Black Cat's.

I wonder what he is thinking of me ….

Actually, the only thing that made me still have my courage to look into his eyes until now was my curiosity. But later, I felt it slowly sank. Thus I lowered my head, wondering why I felt like losing my sanity if I still kept staring at him.

"I didn't mean to ruin the party."

I held my breath.

That husky male voice of his that I miss ...

Studying my insecurity and anxiety, his cold face slowly softened as if he realized that I didn't deserve his unkind treatment. For any reason.

I lifted my head instinctively as I felt the tension was gradually going down. I was about to say something, silently reminding him that I still had my pride as a tough girl, but I couldn't stop him as he spoke,

"I'm back, Princess."

… and I can't deny that that's what I want to hear from him again.

… to be continued ….

I can't believe this story will end (sob).

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