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JACE's POV

"Boss, Mrs. Montejo is already in Houston as of this moment." One of my men reported me. I flexed my jaw tightly upon hearing that. Because of that, I punched the sandbag in front of me out of frustration.

"Get out." I commanded through gritted teeth and he nodded his head before exiting my gym. I couldn't help but to feel frustrated. I waited for Christine to come over to get her cellphone but she never came. Now, it looked like she ran away again.

I hit the sandbag with strong punches until I almost ran out of breath. I then stopped my relentless punching, removed my boxing gloves from my hands and then threw it roughly on the floor.

"Damn it!" I roared. I was pissed off of the thought that I don't know how to deal with this situation without forcing and hurting Christine's feelings. I raked my fingers through my hair.

"Is it really that hard, mi amor? Don't you really love me anymore?" I questioned as if she was in front of me. I shook my head vigorously upon realizing what came out of my mouth.

"No. She still loves me." Yes, I'm sure about that. Even if she hates me, I could feel that her love for me is still there deep inside her heart. I just need to find a way to reach for it.

I heaved a sigh and was about to remove my hand bandages when I heard a knock on the door before it opened. My face hardened when I saw who came in.

"What do you think you're doing in here? As far as I know, you're not invited here." I said without any emotions on my face. The corner of his lips lifted as he sauntered towards me lazily while his hands were inside the pockets of his trousers.

"Calm down. I'm not your enemy. I came here as a friend." I gave him a sharp stare but he seemed like he wasn't affected one bit. Well, it wasn't a surprise anymore. He's the most dangerous man I know after all.

"What do you want?" He eyed the boxing gloves on the floor. "Let me guess. You're about to explode in anger because your beloved woman ran way from you again." He smiled wryly at me. My eyes squinted in anger. I didn't even have to ask how he knew about that.

"Shut up, Jinn. She didn't run away from me." My voice was stern and unyielding. He raised his eyebrows at me. Looking at him now; his face is soft-looking but this is the most dangerous side of him because you don't have any clue of what's running through his mind.

He appears to be a normal guy but his real self is far away from being normal. He's the Roi 1 after all.

"Really? Why did she go back to Houston then? Knowing you, maybe you're being too forceful again. You really don't know how to wait for the right time."

"It's none of your fùcking business. I'm sure you're not here to discuss about my wife so spill it out. What do you want?"

He shrugged his shoulders and then sat on the single sofa while his gaze didn't leave mine.

"You really know me, bud." He then pulled a pack of cigarette and lighter from his pocket and was about to light it when I spoke.

"Smoking is not allowed in here, Jinn. Get out if you want to smoke. You know I hate the smell of cigarettes." I rebuked without any emotions on my face. I then took the boxing gloves that I threw on the floor a while ago and then walked towards the door.

"Fine. I'll just wait for you at the terrace then." I heard Jinn say. I mentally shook my head and then went out of there. I went directly to my room upstairs to take a shower.

While I was showering, I couldn't help but to think about my wife. I don't know what to do anymore for her to listen to reasons. I've been very patient these past few years even though being patience was never been one of my traits, but for Christine, I've endured it.

I knew she'd been punishing me all this time and it feels a lot heavier knowing that the only woman I ever loved resents me.

Even though I felt like I was going to lose my mind without her by my side, I still chose to wait. But after all these years, she still couldn't forgive me. I pounded my fist on the shower wall full of frustration.

I've made up my mind. I couldn't take it anymore. I hurriedly finished showering. After that, I got dressed. When I was done, I took my keys and was about to exit my house to go to Christine's house when I remembered about Jinn. He's at the terrace, waiting for me.

I groaned inwardly and then went to the terrace.

I saw him leaning his back against the railings while looking at the grey sky. He just probably finished smoking.

"Spill it out." I uttered with a stoic face and then sat on the chair across him. The corner of his lips twitched.

"You've really become hot-headed these past few years. It's like, the old Jace disappeared. I don't understand why you've changed so much just because of one woman. Well, it looks like the saying is true; love is the most powerful emotion and that makes it the most dangerous." I glared at him.

"She's not just a woman, Jinn. She's my wife!" I answered thunderously. He shrugged his shoulders and then puffed a smoke from his mouth.

"Why didn't you come and see those men that I've captured?" He then changed the topic.

"Because there's a lot of more important things that I needed to do than seeing them." His eyes zeroed on me.

"Are you sure about that? Aren't you bothered of what I've said before? Well, if you're not really interested, I'm going to dispose them off one of these days for good. I don't need them anymore anyway." My eyebrows creased. He looked too calm and I couldn't help but to feel bothered by it.

I thought, he already got rid of those men that he was talking about the last time we saw each other but interestingly, he hasn't yet.

"You look calm. So, it's fine with you that I won't be coming back to ET VINDEX anymore?" I asked, getting suspicious what his real motive was. Jinn laughed and then brought the cigarette that he was holding to his mouth and pulled a mouthful of smoke into his mouth before he blew it out after a moment of holding in it.

"You're going to come back, that's for sure." He sounded certain and confident. I gritted my teeth of his answer.

"I said, I won't be coming back anymore."

"Looks like you're not interested in taking your revenge to whoever was behind to what happened to your family three years ago." My fists clenched tightly. It's not because I'm not interested anymore. If I would be given the chance, I will destroy those people with my bare hands, but the situation is different now.

My wife is my utmost priority for now. I've decided to try again and win her back once and for all and if she discovers that I'm associating myself with the ET VINDEX again, she will never accept me into her life again and that's the last thing that I want to happen.

"I told you. My priority has changed and I don't want to mess up again this time."

"Really? What if I told you that I have something that you will do anything to take back even if it costs you your life?" He asked nonchalantly while looking at me full of seriousness. My furrowed at him.

"What do you mean by that?" I didn't know why but my heartbeat suddenly became fast. I wasn't sure if he was threatening me but knowing Jinn, he will surely do everything for me to go back to the organization.

He didn't answer for a couple of seconds. He turned his back on me and looked at the view outside while smoking.

I was beginning to get impatient.

"If you won't answer me, I have to go. I don't have time to waste here with you." I hissed and was about to walked away when he finally spoke.

"You know why it took me a while before disposing those men off even if they already told me what I wanted to hear from them?" I didn't answer and waited for him to continue.

"Because someone gave me an intel about a very important matter. At first, I didn't believe it. I interrogated those men but they kept on denying it initially until I tortured them almost to death." Jinn paused and then turned his head to look at me.

"If you want to know what this all about, come back to ET VINDEX. I'll give you a month to decide." I shook my head. He was beginning to get on my nerves.

"You know my answer to that, Jinn. How many times do I have to repeat it to you? Don't make me repeat myself again." I answered through gritted teeth. He smirked.

"Then, you'll miss the opportunity to complete your family again. You know me, bud. I don't play around. If I said that this could change your life for the better, I mean it." He slowly approached me and then tapped me by my shoulder. "I better go. You better think about this thoroughly."

Before I could ask anything, he briskly walked out of my house quietly, like a phantom disappeared quietly in the dark. I raked my fingers though my hair in frustration. It looks like whatever I do, ET VINDEX will always chase after me.

"Complete my family again?" I asked myself confusedly but I still couldn't get it. Now, Jinn finally got my attention. Instead of going to Christine's house like I originally planned, I called someone.

"Yes?" Her voice sounded like she just woke up.

"Jinn was just here at my house."

"What?! Why would he go there?" I winced hearing her loud voice. Looked like her senses finally woke up.

"He wants me back to ET VINDEX." The line became quiet for a couple of seconds.

"Well, I'm not surprise about that. This is about what happened three years ago, after all." My eyebrows knitted together.

"What do you mean by that?" She sighed.

"You know the rules, Slate. I can't tell you anything until you decide to become one of us again." A bitter smile appeared my lips.

"I should've expected that already." I huffed. "What do you think, should I come back?"

"You're the only one who can answer that, Slate. You know Jinn. He might be callous and vindictive but he will never chase after someone who's not interested anymore. He went to see you and there's a deep reason to it. Think about that." I sighed.

"I don't want to scare Christine, Red. After what happened, the only important thing for me right now is to get back my wife."

"I wish I could spill it to you right now but I can't. Think about this properly and when you decide to come back, that's when you know everything."

"Whatever. I gotta go. I need to find my wife." Red chuckled.

"I can't believe how devoted you are to your wife. I mean, she's your wife but there are many fishes in the sea. Why chase after someone who left you if you can always find yourself a replacement? Sometimes, I really don't understand guys like you. You fùcked every woman you wanted and after that, get settled down with one woman, let alone going crazy over her."

I shook my head. "Are you really a woman? How can a woman say something like that? Aren't you supposed to support me with this?" I asked in disbelief. She laughed.

"You know me, Slate. Yes, I'm a woman too but not a normal one. I can't understand those kinds of stuff. I'm a practical kind of person. If someone isn't interested to me anymore, then I can't do anything about it but just move on with my life. I hate dramas."

"That's because you've never experience love yet, Red, that's why it's easy for you to say that."

"Love?" She laughed amusedly. "I can't even understand the purpose of that thing. In the world that I came from, love was nothing but a fictional thing not to mention, a mere illusion."

"You're really something. Sometimes, I can't help but to feel sorry for you. Anyway, I need to go. I need to find Christine."

"Find her? I thought, she finally came back to New York already?" I heard her laugh. "Where's the Casanova Jace that I used to know? Looks like your charm is already gone because you can't even tame one woman." I shook my head as if she could see me.

"Just like I've told Jinn; Christine is not just a woman, Red. She's my wife. Don't address her like some easy girl out there. Yes, she did come back here but she went back to Houston again."

"Tsk. Aren't you getting tired of your situation with her?"

"Never. Anyway, I need to go." Before she could answer, I ended the call while shaking my head. She's really something. Sometimes, I really can't help but to wonder how a woman with an angelic face talks harshly like that.

I dialed another number and called someone again. He answered after four rings.

"Hey, bud. I need your help." I said before he could even say hello. I heard some panting and gasping in the background.

"You, asking for my help? That's new." He was breathing hard as if he's currently running a marathon. Then, I heard a woman panting.

"What the fùck. Don't tell me, you're in—"

"Yes, bud, and you're disturbing our afternoon exercise." He complained. I almost pressed the end call button.

"What the hell. The sun is still pretty high but you're already on it?" He laughed.

"C'mon, man. It's not like you never did t before. Anyway, just tell me about it quickly. My pussycat here is about to scratch my face already. She's already pissed off." I shook my head in disbelief.

"Just like I've just said. I need your help. Are you up for it or not?" I asked impatiently.

"Okay, let's hear it. What is it about?"

"I need you to be the acting CEO for MCC for the meantime while I'm gone."

"What? You're leaving MCC? That's odd. I thought, MCC was important to you? Why are you entrusting it to me now?"

I ran a hand over my face. "This is only temporary, bud. I just need to go to Houston."

"Houston?" He chuckled. "Now, I understand. This is more important than your company."

"Are you up for it or not?" I repeated.

"Well, I'm on vacation right now. I have plans to go to Maldives and—"

"Just tell me what you want in return." I interrupted him. I already knew what he wanted.

"Give me the number and address of that lady in red you were always with years ago." My eyebrows knitted.

"What? Why would I do that?"

"Because I won't help you if you won't give it to me. I need that information for a friend." His voice became serious. I groaned inwardly. Knowing him, he will surely not accept the job if I wouldn't give him his demands.

"I'll think about it."

"Sure." I ended the call and called my other friends at TBG to ask them the same thing but everyone was too busy to have time for MCC. I raked my fingers though my hair. Looked like I didn't have a choice.

"I'm sorry, Red." I said as if she was in front of me while typing my message for that friend of mine. I then pressed the send button. After a couple of seconds, he replied.

"Consider it done, bud." I scoffed.

"Let's see if that friend of yours could manage to even touch the tip of Red's finger." I mumbled while shaking my head. Later that day, I flew to Houston. I went straight to my vacation house to freshen up. After that, I went to the terrace of my room.

Christine's house was just across my vacation house so if their windows were open, I could see what was happening inside.

Then, my forehead knitted together when I saw Christine going to the terrace of her room. She looked melancholy. I took my binocular to see her face and my heart tightened when I noticed that she was crying.

I wanted nothing but to go there to comfort her but I knew the reason of her tears judging by that picture that she was holding. My chest felt so heavy seeing her like that.

"Mi amor..." My hand tightened around the binocular. Instead of showing myself to her, I decided to give her time.

The next days after that, I noticed that she stayed inside her house and the only people who goes out to shop were her driver and maid.

Everyday, I was observing my wife until two weeks have passed by. Everytime she goes to the terrace, I could see sadness on her face. I kept on watching her and it breaks my heart seeing her like that. Until I couldn't take it anymore and decided to see her once and for all.

I ordered the most expensive bouquet from a renowned flower shop in Houston. I even chose the flowers before they arranged it. I chose their biggest bouquet just for my wife.

When I rang the doorbell, the maid told me that Christine wasn't home because she already went to work. I wanted her to see me first thing in the morning but she left earlier than I expected. I used that opportunity to go to her work.

But then, I didn't expect what I saw upon arriving there. That familiar irritating face was there, talking to her. I didn't know what I was thinking but jealousy got the best of me and kissed my wife on the lips in front of that guy and her EA. Of course, she slapped me but I have already expected that.

She pushed me away again and I didn't have a choice but to leave. I was at the parking lot, ready to go when I received a call.

"Slate, you should stay with your wife at all times. I received an intel that they're after her this time." I gasped. It looked like Jinn was right. Those men were still alive.

"What?! Are you sure about this? How come? I haven't been with the organization since three years ago."

"I don't know why but one of our spies verified me the information. We're not sure of what their purpose of doing this but we need to be careful. Don't leave her side no matter what happens." I could hint the worry in Red's voice.

"Thank you for informing me about this, Red. Even if I'm not part of the organization anymore, you still update me."

"Don't mention it, Slate. Just like I've told you before, you're my one and only friend and I'll do anything to protect your loved ones." A smile appeared my lips. This is the good thing about her. She's loyal as a friend.

"Thank you, Red. That means a lot to me." After our conversation, I've decided to go to the cafeteria while waiting for Christine. I used that as an opportunity observe what was happening inside the building. I made sure that every face that I saw wasn't suspicious at all.

When it was already Christine's time to go home, I furtively followed her until to the parking lot. Thankfully, I did because they came. They tried to take her away but I stopped them. After I shooed those guys away, Christine broke down in my arms. She lose consciousness so I took her to my place.

While looking at her sleeping face, I promised to myself that I would do anything to protect her. I suddenly remembered what Jinn told me. Even though it was difficult for me, I called him. I needed the organization's protection after what happened.

Those men were dangerous and I knew that they would do anything to get Christine. I lost JC before because I declined the organization's help. They asked me to stay in the organization but in return, I wouldn't quit ET VINDEX, but I declined. All I wanted to do that time was to follow what Christine's want. To quiet the organization.

Because of that, when those people attacked us, I couldn't protect my family. But now, I will never repeat the same mistake. I made up my mind.

"I didn't expect to receive your call so soon." Jinn's voice held sarcasm but I ignored what he said.

"I'll come back to ET VINDEX."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Don't give me that, Jinn. You know me. I don't kid around when it comes to things like this." I answered full of seriousness. He chuckled.

"You won't regret this, bud." When I ended the call, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at my wife's beautiful sleeping face.

"I'm sorry, mi amor. I know that you hate the ET VINDEX but I need them in order to protect you. I will never let something bad happen to you. Not until I'm alive. I promise you that. I love you so much." I uttered lovingly and then gently kissed her on the lips.

After that, I laid down next to her and cuddled her into my arms. I kissed her forehead before I closed my eyes, silently wishing that everything would be alright soon.

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What do you think of this chapter? 

Is this the start of something new for the both of them?

Is it right for Jace to go back to ET VINDEX or will this worsen their situation?

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