Chapter 41 - A Powerful Clan

Ace could not believe what Winter had done.

As he ran from one place to another - crossing roads in a haste and passing through street after street, he could not help but play in his mind the scenes of what went down earlier. They were cornered at that aisle back at the bookstore, and they were only by themselves. For teens like them, it would have been a horrendous experience.

But then, what happened was out of his expectations. Both of them were supposed to be nowhere near in control there. However, she went ahead and tried to be in command. 

"Alright, I'll go with you. But spare this boy. He has nothing to do with me."

Winter came up with the decision to follow them without resisting - all for his sake. Ace watched her negotiate with them in such a calm and composed demeanor. And all he could think about was how she could be so self-possessed that she appeared as if she really took control. 

He, on the other hand, could not do anything at all. Just when he thought she'd depend on him for once, she didn't break character until the end - still so reserved yet good-natured. And because he wasn't able to do nothing about it, he felt so uncool. He's scared for her at the same time.

'I don't understand you, Winter. Who said you could be like that? Acting all cold to me then saving my ass - who wouldn't be frustrated by that? I really don't get you...' Ace thought to himself as he continued to run around and keep track of the vehicle that took Winter away a moment ago.

'But I know you've always been kind. I know you're only hiding your pains. After all, I've been observing you for a long time.'

Ace remembered meeting Winter way back when they were still in their first year of high school.

She used to be a bubbly, giddy girl. Though she was average for the most part, she stood out to him among the rest because of her kindness. He started out as this stray little soul who found himself in a whole new world, but she was there to encourage him and make him feel that he belonged.   

"I've heard that you came from a prestigious academy. That must be awesome! But I get that you're finding it hard to adapt here because of that, huh? Don't worry! Before you know it, you're already fitting in. Everyone here is more than glad to accept you! Just have fun and be yourself!"

Those were the words that Winter told Ace once upon a time.

He misses that side of her, and though it has been a long time since he has seen that, he knows that her bubbliness and giddiness are still there. Even when she turned from warm-hearted to cold-blooded, he holds onto the belief that she has not really changed.

"That's why I've got to find you. I swear I'll find you," Ace thought out loud, steeling his resolve. 

Feeling like running around for an hour straight was going to end up futile, he eventually halted on his tracks and gave up on chasing after the vehicle. He took a moment to catch his breath and pull himself together again. With a look of hesitation, he then pulled out his cellphone from his pocket and stared on its screen. 

All hope's not lost - Ace can still find Winter.

Yet at this rate, he had to choose the option that he wanted the least. He really has no other choice since he does not know a thing about her kidnappers, and he can feel that he should not take them lightly. That said, he will need as much assistance that he can get.

'I can't believe I'll have to rely on her after years of ignoring her.'

Sighing, Ace braced himself before he proceeded to call for a certain someone. 

--- 

Despite her will, Winter followed.

She's not sure what this group of individuals wants from her, but at the very least, she's getting the impression that they will not harm her. Then again, they did not bind her up nor restrain her in any way. She's free to move around on her seat all throughout the ride. But perhaps, they're just that self-assured and confident that she wouldn't escape. 

All of them are wearing casual clothing - probably disguises. Before traveling back in time, Winter had seen Marcellus do his undercover work from time to time. And disguises are a mainstream in that field. They'd try to blend in the crowd, but in reality, they're both the shadows moving a society and the figures topping it.

'This did not happen before. I don't know any of these people. That only means that this event only took place due to a certain decision I made in the present. Most of what I've been doing could only affect Marcellus Lexington. I did get to change Ms. Violet's future for a bit, but other than that...' Winter pondered in silence as she remained still on the passenger seat - surrounded by these huge-built, stern-looking men in casual clothing all the while.

'Hmmmmm... Wait, could this be because of... that one?'

Her eyes widened at that sudden realization.

But before she could continue to look further into it, the vehicle pulled up all of the sudden - they have arrived at their destination.

Much to her surprise, it didn't turn out to be a warehouse or a backstreet that could've served as their hideout. Instead, it's this imposingly tall building that appears to be an agency's headquarters. When her kidnappers led her inside the lobby, she also realized that they were still willing to show her in public after all.

'The heck? What kind of lousy job are you guys doing? Aren't you supposed to use a backdoor or something?' 

It's certainly not what Winter expected.

She's not really complaining, though. This was actually better than she could hope for. And if anything, taking her on a tour around their headquarters helped her a lot. She finally learned who could be behind this entire thing.

'Ratri... Order...? That's the company's name!'

Once again, Winter is thrown off guard. She can't believe that these big guns known as the Ratri's are taking interest in her. Hopefully, it is in a good way despite their means of making first impressions. She really doesn't want to get in their bad side since this conglomerate doesn't only rival the Lexington's in terms of power and influence -

They've also got a whole mafia in the house. 

'George Ratri is the current head of the corporation. From medicine manufacturing to building construction, the Ratri Order is known for their quality service and wide-ranging specialties. To think that I'd be abducted by such a person...!' she thought to herself as she suddenly got the feeling that she could play her cards here as well. 

'Doesn't this mean he wants something from me?! I can make a negotiation! And if I'm lucky enough, I can earn his good will and get him on my side!'   

Too caught up in her musings, they already reached the head office before she knew it.   

That's when Winter met George at last. 

Sitting there like a god on his throne was this dashing gentleman in an exquisite formal suit. He's a tall guy with unkempt, short black hair that's parted to the right so that the longer, chin-length clumps on his left obscure much of his face. Around the sides, his hair appears to spike upwards, following the shape of his head. And he also has ruby-red eyes with noticeably small black irises.

Knowing her priorities, she ends up looking too much into his features that she can't help but make a comment or two.

'Seems like Marcellus Lexington is a god of a different universe, huh? This one looks like a god of his own planet - what an exotic beauty.'   

Winter doesn't know much about George, though. Then again, the Ratri family is also distinguished for their mystique - filled with secrets and highly valued privacy. Not everyone knows that they make up a mafia clan. In all actuality, outsiders like her would've only heard it from mere rumors.

"Ms. Winter Agreste... is it?" 

After a moment of silence, George finally addressed Winter. 

He's looking at her all the way from his office desk. Realizing that she is keeping her distance, she decides to move from the doorway and walk closer to him without hesitation. She could see that he was a little surprised. As she expected, he thought that she would be anything but collected and unflinching after being abducted. 

She did stay bamboozled, but she was not that scared.

"Hello there, President George Ratri. I believe you're the one who ordered to take me here. But putting our circumstances aside, it does feel nice meeting you, Sir..." Winter greeted with modesty and politeness, earning yet another surprised reaction from George.

"Indeed, my name is Winter Agreste.. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."