Chapter 87: Sil's regrets

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Sil stares at the palm-sized crystal ball ever since Kyrie has returned to the present. When Kyrie leans over to return Ian's kiss, bloodlust evaporates out of Sil's body, causing his men to tremble from Sil's worsening mood.

Sil's hand tightens on the crystal ball. His hands shake from the force of his grasp, and cracks start to form below his fingers. The increasing cracks turn the transparent crystal to white until the crystal ball explodes under pressure, sending many sharp glass pieces flying away.

Sil does not loosen his grip on the shattered glass, and the sharp glass penetrates the palm of his hand. Blood oozes out from his wounds. He frowns at the sight of his bleeding hand, but not from the pain that he should have felt from his cuts; rather, the spasming feeling within him.

He turns his gaze away from his untreated hand, and his pupils rise to glare forward. The footsteps from far away become more apparent to his sensitive ears. 

'They are here.'

Sil has been inside the chamber that Saskia drew the enchantment circle, waiting for them to come out of the portal that sends them somewhere unknown. The waiting game has been chipping on his patience, but nothing excites him more when he finally sees Kyrie again. 

After knowing that Kyrie has arrived in the same world as him, something inside him has changed. As if a second chance has served him on a silver platter, Sil cannot help but feel excited. The excitement brings him the colors of life. He senses the strength of his beating heart once again. He no longer has to open his eyes every morning to feel the terrifying tranquility inside him, as if his soul has died.

He has failed to treasure the happiness he had with Kyrie - the sincerity and care that adorn his every day back on Earth. If only he is not that foolish to run after prestige that evaporates away as quickly as the morning dew, maybe the place by Kyrie's side is still his.

'Seriously… How foolish….'

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<Earth, past>

"Manager Riverty, do you understand what I am trying to say to you?" A middle-aged man chants as he leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees.

Looking down, Sil's pupils shake as he processes the news that the president gave to him. The documents that they are chasing so desperately seem to be detailed enough for the higher-ups never to give up searching.

"President Han, I am aware of your concerns, but from my point of view, I don't see that this is an issue that you should be worried about. Kyrie has lost his memories, and he was a kid still when his father hid the documents."

The president scuffs, slowly lifting the corner of his mouth into a smirk. He picks up a folder sitting beside him on the sofa and throws it to the table between them. The documents inside the folder slide out, spreading the papers and photos throughout the tea table. 

"Does this look like a person who forgot?"

Sil's eyes immediately focus on a photo of Kyrie meeting with a tall man around his late forties, beginning the fifties.

Logan Savoy.

The man who was close to Kyrie's father, Lin Zheng.

Seeing Sil's astonishment, the president is more assertive of his theory. Kyrie has been hiding his secret all along. The fact that Kyrie meets in secret with Logan Savoy at one of their company parties means that Kyrie is connected to the internal ring of spies that Logan set up.

"Manager Riverty… I have been extremely gracious to you for this entire time. A high school graduate with a management position," the president rubs the side of his index finger with his thumb. 

He looks up from his hand towards Sil and lifts a cold smile, "I expect that you repay me well for my grace… Or else… You are not deemed worthy of such a position!"

With that, the president stands up and walks towards the door. He leaves without turning back even to glance at Sil, who is frozen in his seat.

That night, Sil drowns himself in booze, suppressing the overflowing feelings inside of him. He takes another shot, and he slumps to the table. His head hits on his stretched out arm. The shot glass runs across and falls over the edge, shattering once hitting the floor. 

Melinda, Sil's coworker and assistant manager, pulls him up.

"Did you get fired or what? Why the hell are you getting drunk like this?"

Melinda has never seen Sil drunk because he is always sober. 

"No… No… Not really… Hehehe. I am still the manager!" Sil swings his arms as he denies Melinda's questions.

"I will just be in serious surveillance…" Sil laughs, "Bad timing! I am in such a shitty mood! I am right now such a mess… What bad timing to observe me like this…"

"Surveillance? What surveillance?"

Sil stands up, staggering as he walks. He is so drunk he cannot walk straight and crashes onto people and objects on his way. Melinda tries to help him get home, and he continues to decline the help. So, Melinda finally gives up and calls a taxi.

In front of the apartment door, Sil struggles to put in his key. When he finally puts in the key and opens the door, Kyrie walks towards him, worried. His view swings to the floor as he loses his balance.

His mind slowly started to feel less hazy after seeing Kyrie's face. A chill runs down his spine, but a cold glint shines on his eyes. 

When Kyrie walks towards him with fresh clothes after helping him get to the bedroom, Sil takes his wrist and violently pulls him to the bed. He flips on top of Kyrie, holding Kyrie's wrists with one hand over his head. With fuming rage, Sil forces a kiss while his other hand travels under Kyrie's shirt. 

It's not until Sil snaps out when Kyrie screams that he is afraid that Sil stops. 

Sil's heart floods with pain, "How long are you going to hide from me?"

His vision blurs, turning dark after a few seconds.

He opens his eyes before the sun has come out. He stares at the ceiling for a long time, trying to process his thoughts and feelings. When the sunlight passes through the curtains and enters the bedroom, he finally takes his mind off from thinking. He turns his head sideways to look at Kyrie, still asleep.

The president's voice echoes in his head, "Manager Riverty… I have been extremely gracious to you for this entire time. A high school graduate with a position in management… I expect that you repay me well for my grace… Or else… You are not deemed worthy of such a position."

He acts normal while interacting with Kyrie that morning, like he has forgotten what happened the night before. However, once he closes the apartment's front door, he makes a call as he walks.

"He will be going to the temple."