Chapter 160: Prologue- Chapter 1

"Never in my life have I needed something so much and never known, until I've received it"

"Never knew how precious it could be till I had it"

"And never knew how much love it could possibly give me until it did."

"Something so lovely, I could never let it go."

1.5 years later

•Arius

Everything goes on. Nothing has stopped. That's life and that's just how I wanted it.

I finished the documents I was looking at and handed them to my secretary, Lee.

"Have Ben look over these once."

"Yes." He nodded.

I took a deep breath and looked out of the window. The two figures standing there by the main gate caught my attention.

Ben?

I looked at the woman he was meeting. She handed him a basket and almost collapsed in his arms.

Why would she come all the way here when she's sick?

I shook my head.

Maybe I should give Ben a vacation but then again he has to go to Russia as a representative.

I walked out of the room to go and meet his wife.

By the time I reached the gate something felt off.

"Ella." I called out to Ben's wife.

They both looked back at me, "Oh… Arius." She was really pale, there were dark circles under her black eyes. Her dark brown hair were in a messy bun.

"You should have stayed home. Why come all the way here?"

"Oh! I just had some very important business with Ben."

"I see." I noticed the basket was with neither of them, "Should I give Ben a vacation?"

"No!" They both shouted together, it left me a bit bewildered.

"Okay…"

"I mean," Ben started, "I don't need a vacation. I got a really long one when I got married and well Ella will be staying with her mother in the countryside for a while so…"

"Alright." Something's off. They seem a bit awkward. From what I know they get along really well.

Oh well.

"Look at the report from Lee and give me the final document when you're done." I turned around to leave.

"Yes." He said and turned to his wife. I heard his question in a faded voice, "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes," She whispered.

A married life huh…

***

I sat in the 4th floor lounge looking at the pictures on my phone.

Snaps I had taken of a certain girl whenever she was busy doing something. I swiped through them.

Sometimes I can't believe how many pictures I have of her yet not a single one together.

No proof of her being with me…

Every day I think about my decisions and I regret them.

Did she leave me because she finally realized how awful it was being with me or did she leave because I refused to have a family with her.

Whatever the reason was, it was her decision.

Maybe she's happy now, somewhere I don't know.

I sighed and got up.

I need to ask Lee about the meeting in Russia.

I descended the stairs but stopped before reaching the first floor because I heard something.

A cry?

I got down.

It seemed like that of a child's.

I looked around but didn't see anything.

Maybe it was just my imagination? I shook my head. What is wrong with me?

I started walking towards the meeting room when I heard it again.

I froze in my path and looked in the opposite direction.

Is there really something wrong with me? I walked through the corrdior and turned the corner but only found Ben and kukuri there.

The moment they both saw me they both flinched.

"B-boss! You need something?"

"I thought I heard a child's voice."

"A child's voice?" Ben spoke, "That's impossible, unless you heard the voices from the video Kukuri is obsessed with."

Kukuri flushed, "I-I'm sorry… I just love watching baby videos…" He looked at the floor while fiddling with his finger, a moment later he elbowed Ben for exposing him.

I sighed.

At least I'm still sane.

"Ben, do you have the details on Kazan?"

"Oh yes!" I turned and he followed me.

From the corner of my eye I saw him look back at kukuri, saying something to him with his eyes.

***

"Ben will be representing the Alucard's at the meeting in Kazan." I sat on the chair on the stage and gave my order but contrary to my expectation there was a slight commotion in the front row, "Is something wrong?"

"Um, Arius-" Ben stepped forward, "I thought you planned on sending Lee or Caesar?"

"I did, but I changed my mind, Lee has to stay here for other matters and so does Caesar." He looked troubled, "Is there a problem?" I narrowed my eyes at the men standing in front of me.

"Uh-" He was at a loss for words. While he was still struggling I heard a faint knock on the main hall door.

"Who's that?" I asked.

Everyone grew quiet and there was no sound.

Did I imagine it?

I looked back at Caesar and he glanced at me without any reaction. It seems like I was the only one.

"Anyways-" I started again when I heard a giggle. Like that of a child's. I paused again and sighed, "Open the door." I ordered and one of the men standing in the last row went to open the door.

He paused as soon as he did and looked back at me, "T-there's no one here boss."

I blinked in confusion.

Maybe I need rest.

He closed the door quietly and stood back in his place.

Maybe I should sleep. I'm short on it.

I sighed and looked back at the crowd.

…

What's this?

There was a different air.

"Ben, tell me if you have a problem with my decision." I rubbed my temples.

"No…"

There's something he's not telling me. That's never happened before.

"If anyone has any problem with my decision," I stood up, "You can come and talk to me." I left through the rear door, Caesar followed me out.

"Am I the only one who's hearing stuff?" I asked him as we both walked through the corridors.

"Hearing what?"

I sighed, "It's nothing. I just need to sleep." I keep hearing things throughout the house but whenever I try to investigate. It turns out to be nothing.

He nodded, "I'm leaving."

"Okay."

As I started ascending the stairs he left to take a round of the warehouse but I stopped when I heard some commotion.

For some reason my men were restless. As if they were looking for something.

"Ahahaha." My eyes grew wide when I heard a tiny laugh from the second floor. I immediately turned on my heels and started going up.

"Boss!!" Same called out to me and I looked back at him, "Ah-um," He was at a loss for words, "Can you come down?"

"Why?" I narrowed my eyes on him.

"B-b-because-" His gaze changed its direction and if I'm right he's looking at other men hiding in the corridor, "I'm sorry." He looked at the floor and apologized.

I sighed and ascended the stairs.

The floor was empty.

I need my sleep.

I went straight to my room and collapsed on the floor.

Early in the morning I was woken up by light knocking on the door. It will not be a lie to say that it seemed like a kitten was knocking on it.

Am I still hearing things?

I looked towards the window, the sun still hadn't come up but the sky had started taking a lighter tone.

I got out of the bed and walked to the door.

As soon as I opened it my eyes went wide at the scene in front of me.

"Ah!" There sat a baby on the floor, staring at me with big blue eyes.

The baby looked about seven-eight months old and no doubt was adorable with those chubby cheeks and white skin.

But that wasn't the problem.

The thing was,

Where did this baby come from?!?!