Meeting the Devil

Prologue: Meeting the Devil.

I craned my neck as I watch the newbies practicing for the upcoming tournament. It's a tournament where our big boss will determine their strength whether they are good enough already to be part of the Black Base's missions. And I was tasked to train them.

Black Base is an underground organization. It was handled by Mr. Black, a well-known billionaire in Z City.

Our mission is mostly stealing items, products, bounty hunting, and sometimes ... killing. Though, Mr. Black never gave me an assignment that includes killing. Mostly it's just more on fighting.

Before you could get some assignments or missions, you have to undergo some training first. You have to learn martial arts, right usage of a gun, grenade, knife, and even samurai. We were also taught on how to use some high-tech technologies that could hack everything, including the CCTV cameras.

I let out a yawn before clapping my hands to get the attention of the newbies.

They immediately stopped what they are doing and run towards me. That's one of their training; they have to be very obedient with their trainer, which happens to be me.

"When you are fighting, make sure to look straight to their eyes. In that way ... " I stopped talking when I heard someone talking on the earpiece I am wearing right now.

I clicked it to hear it more clearly.

I raised my hand and gestured wait for the newbies.

"X transmitting ... " I raised my brows, wondering why X is contacting me. "Z, Mr. Black is asking you to come to his office."

I heave a sigh. Mr. Black promises me a vacation once I'm done with my recent mission. I'm done with it and took the job of training the newbies because I have nothing to do. Plus, this much more relaxing than going somewhere. That's why I don't know why he's asking for my presence now. Did he suddenly change his mind? He can't do that!

"Copy," I said before heaving another sigh.

I heard X chuckled on the other side.

"And I thought you're having a vacation." He teasingly said.

"Shut up, X!" I gritted my teeth.

He just chuckled again before saying "Chill, I need to go now! Bye."

After that, I turn back my gaze to the newbies. They are still standing straight while waiting for me. "Continue your practice. Make sure that no one will get hurt."

"Yes, third!" they all saluted.

Third. That's what others call me. That's my rank on Black Base.

I don't know what I did to be in the top three of this organization. I just know that I did very well with every mission I have and never failed. I gave all my best to this job, no matter how dangerous it is.

I clicked my tongue before knocking on Mr. Black's office. "I know it's you, Zabrina. Come in." Mr. Black said in a stern voice.

When I opened the black door of his office, a male in his early thirty's is sitting on a big swivel chair. His hair is a bit messy and his pair brown eyes are staring me.

"What?" I asked before rolling my eyes to him.

A smile immediately formed into his cherry red lips, showing the dimple on his right cheek.

"Early in the morning and you are already grumpy, Z." He said laughing.

I made my way towards the couch located to the living room of his office before I threw myself to it, sitting like a boss, not minding if Mr. Black, our boss is looking at me.

"I know I promised you a vacation. But I have a very important mission for you. S and D couldn't do it because they are still doing their mission. This makes you the third person who is very capable of doing the job." He stood up after saying that, making his way closer to me.

He stopped in front of me before using his feet to push me on the side. He sat beside me and put his legs on my lap.

I glared at him but he just pinched my cheeks. "Please?" he said trying to show me his puppy eyes; he even pouted his lips just to complete his "cute" look which I find very funny.

"Stop doing that, Logan! You look ugly, oh god ... " I dramatically said.

Logan, our big boss, also known as Mr. Black is a friend of mine. We are very close and even when everyone feels intimated around him, I am not. He is very playful and silly around me, that's the reason why whenever we're alone, I boss him around.

Though when it comes to work. I respect him a lot. He's a good boss and I admire him because of that.

"What is it that you want?" I give up.

"I know that you are very aware of the Skullz Organization ... "

"No, sorry." I shrugged.

"Seriously, Zabrina!" he exclaimed. "Are you even listening whenever Marielle is talking about the other organization?" He looked at me as if I am the biggest joke he'd ever seen.

"What? It's not my fault that I am not very interested ... "

"Shut up, how could you not know about the Skullz!"

I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from laughing. Because Logan is very funny right now. I can't believe he really believes that I don't know The Skullz when they are literally the most dangerous mafia group or an organization when it comes to our field.

It took me a few seconds before I burst into laughter. "Damn! I can't believe you are handling the black base, Logan. You are stupid."

"Damn you, Zabrina!"

He discussed to me the mission and after the meeting with Logan, I immediately went to the equipment room to get all the things I needed.

I wore black leather jeans, leather jacket, and boots to complete my outfit for tonight's mission. I even brought a clip point knife and a beretta ninety-six gun with me. Though I am good at martial arts and could knock out any men. I still need these for protection or in case of an emergency.

I know how dangerous the Skullz is. I even heard that people call their boss the "Devil," because of how evil he is. He is like the living Lucifer of the underground organization. That's what I know. None of the black base members knows how he looks like. They said he is very mysterious and dangerous ...

But if Logan gave me this job, then this is just a piece of cake.

I know he wouldn't like it if I'm in danger.

I hid in the wall while looking at the guards of the room where I am going to steal the Hope Diamond that cost two hundred fifty million dollars!

I don't even know how does a piece of single jewelry like will cost a fortune. People are really unpredictable; they spend money on just a piece of shit. Rich people make me want to roll my eyes.

It's not a surprise anymore that the group of The Skullz has it. "Guard the door carefully, I just need to pee."

My mouth formed into an O when I heard the other guard said that to his companion. I can't believe this job will be really, really easy for me! Imagine, I just need to knock this guard down and break the code of the door and then I'm done!

"Z transmitting ... " I whispered. "X, I need you to turn off all the CCTV Cameras now."

"Copy that, Z!" said X.

After that, I saw how the red light from the CCTV Cameras turned off.

I smirked at myself. Why the hell is this mission so easy?

I silently made my way towards the guard who's guarding the door. And when I'm sure that he didn't see me, I used my gun to hit his nape. He immediately fell down to the floor.

I clicked my tongue and shrugged, so much for an easy job, eh?

I focused myself on cracking the code of the door, and I really can't believe that after three tries, it immediately opened!

Is Logan sure that this is one of the toughest jobs? Or that The Skullz is very hard to deal with? Because this is really an easy job, even a newbie can make their way to their base.

I couldn't help but to gape as I saw all the shining pieces of jewelry inside. I composed myself and started searching for the jewelry I needed to steal. The Hope Diamond.

I took out my phone to check the image of the jewelry so that I can easily spot it. And when I found it, I couldn't help but gasp.

It's so beautiful! No wonder this piece costs a fortune. I was about to touch the diamond when I felt a hard object pointed to the back of my head.

"You want to die?" someone said in a cold and raspy tone.

Damn!

I curse in my mind.

"Turn around and face me," he said in demanding tone making me immediately turned around. And when I finally saw his face, my jaw dropped.

It was Eliot Nicholas! My first love.

Chapter One: The devil was once an angel Flashback: Eight years ago.

They said you can never forget your first love. The first person that made your heart flutter made you feel like there are butterflies inside your tummy.

Especially when you are in your adolescent time where your young heart believes in forever and long-lasting love.

"Miss Francisco, I believe in your skills. You can do this one better than anyone." My teacher in economics said as she scans all the papers I've sent to her yesterday.

It's my reaction paper to our topic last week, the importation and exportation of products in the Philippines and other countries.

Mrs. Starling likes reading my opinions that's why I always give her my reaction paper about certain topics. And now she's telling me to write an article about the happenings in the Philippines nowadays to be published in our school newspaper.

"Ma'am ... " I said calmly "I also believe that students wouldn't be interested reading about political issues." I reasoned out.

"You are a public speaker, Miss Francisco. And you always encourage them to listen even though they aren't interested in the first place. You have to power to make everyone interested in whatever you are saying." She said.

I rolled my eyes upwards before sighing.

It's no use.

"We always see the school newspapers on the garbage lately, students are wasting it and we believe that by electing you as one of the writers, they would be interested." She said excitedly.

I heave a sigh once again.

"So, this is more like using my name more than believing about what I write?" I couldn't help but raise my tone.

"That ... " she had a long paused before proceeding. "Is something you are correct about? But also, because we believe in your skills. You are a great writer, Miss Francisco. You made everyone hooked to your last essay about global warming last quarter."

I like giving opinions, writing, criticizing and public speaking. It became a hobby to me especially when my mother is a journalist and my father's attorney.

My dream is to be a lawyer, reporter, judge, or to be a journalist just like my mother.

That's why when I started high school, I start joining some competitions that include writing and debate.

I am also always the top in my class.

Everyone become interested in me because they said I have the beauty and brain.

They are interested to hear my opinions, to read my essays and to whatever I am doing.

I gained popularity by just that.

I am not a nerd, definitely not but they call me a genius.

Everyone assumes that I don't have a flaw and sometimes it is suffocating already. Now they even want to use me to gain readers for our school newspaper.

"You can write gossips!" she suggested.

I snorted.

Seriously? A gossip? I don't even know any gossip, to begin with.

"I'll think about it, ma'am." I politely said.

"Or about love, Zabrina." She smiled warmly to me.

Why the hell are we talking about this anyway? I believe my desired profession is about politics, economics, and et cetera. Not love nor gossips.

And what did she say? I should write something about love? It's a newspaper! Why would I write something about love? Maybe I could just write about the extinction of the animals but not about love.

What do I know about love?

Love is just a chemical reaction we feel towards someone and I've never experience that.

I believe in love, of course, I am the proof of my mother and father's love for each other. But at my age, I don't think so?

I'm on my tenth grade already but never did I try to date someone nor have a crush to anyone. There are some suitors and admirers but my focus is on my goals.

"Wouldn't be exciting if you write about love, Zabby?" Chantal said, resting her head to my shoulder. "I can't imagine you talking about love but I want to know your opinions about it as well." She dreamingly said before clinging her hands to my arm.

"It would be exciting! Write it for us, Ellie please!" my other friend, Amara, said.

They both have their boyfriends. Whenever they talked about their love life, I don't listen. Or sometimes, I just don't have any opinion about it. Their opinion is always the same. That love is magical and they are happily in love with their boyfriends.

Once, they tried to set me up with a football player in our school team just because they believe that I should feel what they are feeling too!

It didn't work out; I didn't show up with the date set-up with the captain ball. I don't even know how he looks like. But every girl in my class, or maybe, batch, likes that guy. Saying he's dreamy.

"Other than telling us that's only a chemical reaction, what else can you say about love," Amara said, now busy texting her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend is older than her, he's already a grade eleven student in our school and Chantal's boyfriend is our classmate.

"It's a newspaper! Seriously? Do you really expect me to write something about love on it?" I sarcastically said, but it only made them laugh.

"If Mrs. Starling suggested it, it means it's possible. I haven't read any articles in our newspaper but I think there's a section about it." Chantal said.

Amara put down her phone in front of us. "Don't you like it? It will be a challenge to test your skills if you can also write something that you are not interested at. You can ask us for some head ups!" then she playfully winks at me.

I certainly couldn't just imagine myself writing about love.

I've never experienced romance. All I have is love from my family and friends.

Ah! Maybe I could just write about family love!

"How about love from family?" I said smiling widely.

Chantal immediately lets go of my hand and she looks at me as if she's very disappointed by what I said. And Amara's expression is just the same as her, they are both disappointed. What?

"I know you are loved by your parents, Eleanor. But we want something about romantic love, maybe about first love! Yes! First love!"

"First love? But ... I don't have a first love." I said softly.

"And that what makes everything exciting!" they both said happily.

In the end, I accepted the request of Mrs. Starling. I haven't decided on my topic yet, but I have a long time to decide because the newspaper will be published next year pa.

I am now in the library of our school, searching for some romance books I could read to help me know love.

I know it's funny, instead of exploring it with people around me. But here I am, trying to learn love by reading a book as if I will learn from it. Everybody knows that everything written from a book that has romance genre is all fictional.

But I just think it's better to just read instead of doing something that I know I don't like.

I can't just roam around and use someone as an object to experience love.

"Oh!" my eyes diverted to the left side where the law books are located. Law books! These are the best books!

I bit my lower lip, walking backward to stop myself from going ... but I can't!

I slowly put back the romance book I've got earlier and immediately went to the law books section.

I felt excited as I touch the thickness of the books. There's some dust on the book already. Maybe because the students are not very interested in these.

I grabbed the nineteen eighty-seven Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

I carefully sat on the wooden floor of the library and rested my back to the wall.

This is the end corner of the library so mostly, students don't go here. The majority of the students who go to the library mostly just come here to sleep or to waste some time.

I was already engaged even when I am just on the first page of the book. The first article talks about the national territory of the Philippines.

That the national territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and water embraces therein, and all other territories ...

I am focused on the book I am reading when I felt someone sat beside me, not so close but still ... the corner where I am right is a bit spacious and it could fit ten students.

I turn my gaze to the guy who sat to the same corner where I am. He's holding a book about the family code of the Philippines. And I think he is interested in the law too.

He's a tall guy, by just looking at how long and firm his legs are, and I think is five feet eleven inches or taller. He looks older than me. I think he's already in college or senior high-school. I can't determine since he's not wearing a uniform.

He's wearing glasses and his chocolate brown hair is a bit messy.

His protruding eyes were focused on the book he's flipping already, and even when he is wearing eyeglasses. I still could see his beautiful green eyes. They perfectly suit his dark and long eyelashes. Even his not so thick eyebrows are perfect.

His aquiline shaped nose is supporting his eyeglasses. And god, someone made this guy perfect with those red and wet bow-shaped lips.

He looks like an angel.

Maybe he's a fallen angel?

I only noticed that I've been staring at him for too long when he faked a cough. I suddenly felt shy and I feel like my cheeks are now red.

He is now looking at me, making his green eyes more visible to my sight.

His lips parted to say something, "I'm sorry to interrupt your reading. I hope you don't mind if I sit here with you." he said in a deep and raspy voice.

"'Course, I don't mind," I said huskily.

I may not be interested in dating but I must admit that I find some guys attractive, too. I have crushes too, sadly they are celebrities so I don't think it considers?

Today is the first time I admired someone.

When I looked at him again, he is focused on reading the book he's holding. His big and long fingers are holding his book; the book looks so small on his hands.

I shook my head and tried to focus on the book I'm reading.

There's a long silence between us. No one dares to speak again.

I was the first one to leave when the bell rang for my next class. I didn't bother to bid my goodbye because we aren't that close but I nod a bit, he nodded back.

Whenever I go to the library, our path always meets.

I found that he is a first-year college student. B S Economics student to be exact.

Whenever we see each other, we only smile at each other or sometimes we say hello. It's always like that.

Sometimes he will ask me what books I am reading and after I answer him, that's the end of the conversation.

I never got the chance to ask for his name.

It's been two weeks since the last time I saw him.

Four in the afternoon when my class ended. Amara and Chantal asked me to join them in watching the football practice. Amara's boyfriend and Chantal's brother is part of the team.

"Logan's the one who's leading the team," Amara said while munching her cupcakes.

"That's good! Then there's a big chance they will win." Chantal commented.

The practice game went on and on and I couldn't focus because I don't understand it. All I know is that they need to score. I don't know.

"Nice game, babe!" said Amara to his boyfriend Harris. She wipes the sweat on her boyfriend's face before planting a soft kiss on his cheeks. Ack, that's too much for my eyes.

"Bro," Chantal said making me divert my eyes to his brother David.

But my eyes grew a little bit when I saw a familiar face on his back.

He is sweating and a bit dirty. He still looks like someone who can be a worldwide model if only he would want to. He just looks like someone who's advertising a product about sports right now.

He's gorgeous.

"I didn't know you like sports too, Zabrina." Si Harris said.

"Not really, I just came here with them," I said before faking a smile.

I really want to keep the conversation with Harris but my attention is focused on the guy behind him.

"Eliot and I are going to eat in the cafeteria. Want to join us?" said David.

Eliot.

So his name is Eliot.

It perfectly suits him.

I saw him watching my every move. He looks surprised to see me; I can see that through the expression of his face.

And it's a bit amusing that he's a football player. I know that his body is really good but I didn't know he's into the sport.

To be the guy that Chantal and Amara's been talking about is a big surprise to me.

I can also see the girls throwing some stares at him as he stood up there, looking so manly, like a majesty you need to obey, like a part of the royal family.

"Sure! I'm already hungry," Amara said as she pouted to us.

Eliot cocks his head on the other side before his right brow raised to me.

"Oh! Eliot, maybe you already know Zabrina. She's the one we set-up with you before. Sadly, she didn't show up. You waited for too long that day." David said while laughing.

My eyes grew even bigger as David said that. I know that David was part of the blind date before but I didn't know that it's Eliot!

And to know that he waited for me before is a bit surprising to me.

I mean, he's a gorgeous guy. With his height, intelligence, and face. I don't think he's still been up into a blind date!

I am sure there are a lot of girls who want to date him!

"Don't be mad at Zabrina, Eliot, please! I just kind of force her before." Chantal said.

A smile formed into Eliot's lip before he let out a chuckle. Even his chuckle sounds so sexy.

"It's alright, Amara, I understand. She's still young and I wouldn't blame her if she focuses on her study than dating." He said in a deep and raspy tone.

We all decided to eat snacks in the cafeteria. And sometimes, I'd catch Eliot throwing gazes at me.

After that day, we went home. I didn't have the chance to speak with Eliot.

I am now sitting on my usual spot in the library when I smelled a familiar scent.

He sat beside me and he's now wearing a uniform. "Hello." He smiled at me.

"H-hi ..." I bowed my head because I suddenly felt shy.

I tried to focus on the book I am reading because I know that that's already the end of our conversation.

"You're reading that again." I raised my head and looked at him.

"Uh ..."

"Are you planning to take law?"

He's really trying to have a conversation with me!

"Yeah ... what about you? You want to be a lawyer too?" I said before putting down the book I am reading, he did the same.

"Yeah, been wishing to be a lawyer someday." He said before smiling, making his perfect set of white teeth become visible to my eyes.

I smiled and nodded my head.

That was the end of our conversation that day. In the next days, we're just talking about our subjects.

I am now sitting in my room, trying to figure out what to write on the gossip and love section of the newspaper.

I admit I have a crush on Eliot.

He's smart and gorgeous. I like how he smiles, how he laughs, how he talks, and even the way he moves.

This is the first time I got interested in someone.

I feel nervous whenever he's around, I feel like my cheeks are turning into red whenever someone mentions his name.

I like the way he mentions my name. It's husky.

Then I just found myself already writing about love. I am not in love.

But this feeling is the closest thing I've ever felt in my life that has a connection with romance.

You'll get amazed at everything they do. Be content to small talks as long as you talk to them.

And you will be interested in things you used not to care just because they are into it.

Just like now, I'm holding the bottle of water I bought while sitting on the benches, watching the football game when Eliot is one of the players. I am always present and my conversation with Eliot in the library is becoming longer. We even became friends on Facebook already.

"Go, Harris! I love you!" Amara cheered at her boyfriend.

"Go, brother!" Chantal shouted.

The game is good but none of them could score yet, I didn't know this game is hard.

I am biting my lower lip. I want to cheer Eliot, too. But I am really shy ...

They had a break to talk about their next attack or defense.

I saw Eliot looking at us, his hair is a bit messy and his green eyes stare at me for a few seconds before diverting back to his team.

I bit my lower lip hard.

"Go, Eliot!" I shouted.

That makes the students look at me. I felt my cheeks slowly turned red, making me cover my face with my palms. This is embarrassing!

I saw Eliot look at me, then a smile formed into his lips. He's trying to hide it but it keeps on showing.

I smiled back and then I felt my heartbeat became faster.

"Fighting, Eliot! Win the game!" I shouted again. The other student cheered for the team too because of that.

Ending, they won the game.

Harris ran to his girlfriend Amara, and on his back, there are Eliot and David.

I'm holding the bottled water and I was about to give it to Eliot when suddenly Luna came in.

She handed bottled water to Eliot.

"Nice game, Eliot." She said in a sweet voice.

I slowly put down the bottled water I'm holding and hide it on my back.

"Thank you, Luna," he said in a formal tone.

"Nice game, Eliot!" said Chantal before slightly pushing Luna.

Luna looks irritated but she just shook her head and left. I couldn't help myself but look at the bottled water that Eliot is holding. The one that Luna gave.

But instead of drinking it, he gave it to Harris and Harris immediately opened it to drink on it.

He removed his helmet then went closer to me. He stopped in front of me, smiling, his clothes are dirty but he still smells so nice.

"Hi." He said huskily. "H-hey ..." I said shyly.

He smiled again, before diverting his attention to my hand that's holding the bottled water.

He looks like he wants me to give him the water. His lips were a bit pouting as he watches me. I slowly handed him the water. "F-for you. I know you're tired." I said softly.

A ghost of a smile formed into his lips, I looked away.

"Thank you, Zabrina."

And that day I realized to myself that I fell in love with an angel.