Leanna

[Zoe's POV]

[Broken]

This is it! This is your chance!

My eyes didn't leave the pretty boy even after we arrived at Izu airport.

Like a hawk stalking its prey. I waited for a chance that he could be alone. When his male companion went to get their baggage, I seized the opportunity.

"H-hi."

He glanced at me, a flash of recognition in his eyes. Then his brows furrowed, and I wanted to retreat.

"Do I know you?"

. . .

. . .

Do I know you?

Do I know you?

Do I know you?

The words ringed inside my head as I desperately shake it off to no avail.

"Y-you d-don't . . . r-recognize me?" I ignored the cut in my heart as I managed to say the words, not hiding the bitterness and hurt in my voice.

He raised his brow. "I do. You're that peacock girl at the hotel's lobby in Vegas."

He faced me and tilted his head. "Are you stalking me?" he said, not hiding the accusation in his voice.

"W-what?! N-no! I was just . . . I f-followed you all the way here from Vegas b-because . . . because . . ." I bit my lip. I opened my mouth and closed it again. Not sure of what to say.

"Because you are a stalker," he said with a monotonous voice that pricked my heart, digging a hole in it.

"What's going on here?" His male companion cut in and shielded him from my view.

Without thinking, I took a step back.

"Who are you? What are you doing to my boss?"

I didn't respond. I was paralyzed. My organs stopped working. My head was pounding in pain. My heart was peeling piece by piece, not a care if it had nothing left.

"Enough. Let's just go. We'll be late for the meeting."

Seeing I was probably shaking while my face was ghostly pale, he grabbed his suitcase and strode off, leaving me stunned behind.

He was clearly that boy.

What happened?

His face was still the same minus the smile and mischievous grin.

His deep brown eyes were still the same, although replaced by a calm, mysterious glint.

His voice was still the same but had that cold and indifferent tone.

His body was still the same, yet his energetic aura was replaced by aloofness.

So I was indeed just a passing woman to him? It was the sex he wouldn't forget –– not me.

"Hey lady, are you alright?"

"What happened? Are you lost?"

I ignored the voices. I didn't care.

My mind was crashing. Rebooting it on the time I hadn't meet him. My heart was peeling, hoping it could peel off my feelings for him. My body trembled, easing the numbing pain as I gripped my mouth, holding my howls while my tears didn't stop falling.

I was broken.

Again.

----

[Estela's POV]

[Happenings]

Before the Dance.

"Eh~! You wanted to go fetch my brother?"

"Yes, will you help me?" Leanna's voice, on the other line, was pleading and a little helpless.

I jumped from my seat.

"Say no more. I'll be down there in your unit in an hour."

I ended the call then dialed Three to get our jet ready. After which I dashed to take a bath, got dress, and shoved everything I needed in my bag.

Oh~ I can't wait to see my brother's surprised face! I wonder what his reaction will be like?! Tehehehehe!

----

After me, Leanna and Zoe arrived in Vegas and got dress for the masquerade party, we drove all the way in front of an enormous newly opened Casino.

I'd gotten acquainted and became friends with Zoe through Leanna.

I like the girl.

She has a perverted mind.

I held my purse tight, which contained my customized folded camera and strode inside. The place was pack as expected. I brought out my camera and roamed my gaze, impatient to find my brother.

I grabbed Zoe's hand when I noticed that Leanna was heading towards a man wearing a silver mask.

As expected of my brother's lover. She found him in this sea of people in just seconds.

I restrained a squeal when my brother led Leanna into the dance floor. Seeing my brother radiated with warmth, I almost wanted to kiss Leanna's feet for making him so happy.

When the dance ended, I was frustrated and disappointed that they didn't even kiss. They just hugged each other. I wasn't even surprised when they just strode off, leaving Zoe and me behind.

Ohhh~ it's going to be a hot steamy night! Tehehehe!

"Zoe, come on. Let's go back to our hotel! Quick!"

I shouted while my brain was racking ideas on how to enter Leanna's room and spy on them making love.

. . .

. . .

I glanced at Zoe when she didn't respond and found her gaze was lock somewhere . . . or someone.

"Where are you going?" I grabbed her hand when she just motioned to ran away.

"I . . . I . . ." Zoe didn't even glance at me as she stammered like I was invincible. Her stare never strained from a certain spot, not even blinking like she was possessed.

"I'm sorry, Estela! I have to go! Go back on your own! I'll call you!"

She said in a panic as she shook my hand and ran towards the exit.

"Zoe!"

I was about to run after her when a familiar voice stopped me.

"Little Stela."

Of course, Zhander has to be here.

"Zha––!"

My words got stuck in my throat when I saw him in his princely outfit. His mask, nowhere to be found.

"So it was really Leanna . . . ," he mumbled, but I heard it, clear as day.

I ignored the cut in my heart. "Yeah, she wanted to fetch my brother, so I helped her."

Zhander closed his eyes for a moment, expression hurt.

I gripped my hands to shackle it in place, not allowing them to caress his cheeks to ease his pain.

"Little Stela, where are you staying? I'll take you there," he said, accompanied by a forced smile.

I didn't have the energy to argue with him, so I told him our hotel.

Zhander nodded and held my hand as he guided me out of the casino.