CHAPTER 1
The launch of cameras were blinding, a sea of reporters gathered in the grand hall, waiting for the stars of the highly anticipated drama series.
Kaelous Ravenel—better known as Kael Raven—adjusted his suit jacket. His face was composed despite the chaos surrounding him. His grip tightened on the mic as the moderator introduced the cast.
Then she walked in.
Kalista Belle. His ex-girlfriend. His co-star for the upcoming drama.
She was stunning in her sleek black gown that clung her figure, and her hair styled in soft waves. She could have his breath taken away from him before, But, now, he just felt empty. Nothing towards her anymore.
Kael felt the weight of a thousand eyes watching them, anticipating any sign of tension, any flicker of unresolved emotions.
Kalista took the seat beside him. He wanted to inch a little far away as he noticed that she slightly inched her seat closer. Her smiled, poised like she didn't do it on purpose. Her eyes occasionally drifting towards him with familiar warmth—warmth he no longer returned.
She looked every bit of a star she was, but to Kael, she was just another colleague now.
The moderator's voice rang out.
"Kael, Kalista, this your first project together since… well, since your highly publicized breakup. Fans are curious—what it's like sharing the screen again?"
He barely hesitated. "It's been great." He said in an even voice. "We're both professionals and the drama is what matters most."
Kalista let out a soft laugh, tilting her head slightly. "Oh, come on, Kael. You make it sound so formal." She turned to the press with her all-alluring smile. "We've always had great chemistry. And I think that shows on screen."
Kael wanted to snort at that but refrained to do so. Instead, he forced a polite nod.
Chemistry? Maybe once. But not anymore.
The journalists picked up her tone, pushing further. Yeah. She succeeded in making the topic about them rise again.
"Kalista, do you think there's any chance of rekindling what you once had with Kael Raven?"
A flicker of hope flashed in her eyes as she responded. "Well, who knows what the future holds?" Her gaze landed on him, searching for a reaction.
He looked at her with no emotions at all. You wouldn't find any.
Then he looked at the press. He simply smiled. It didn't reach his eyes but that would be all they'd get from him. "The only thing I'm focused on is the project. That's what's important right now."
The room fell silent for half a second before the reporters scrambled to note the unspoken truth in his words.
He noticed Kalista's smile faltered just a little but she recovered it quickly. As if he gave a fuck. She could handle it. She's a great actress with awards like him. She was even laughing light at it now. As if the moment didn't happen.
He exhaled lightly. This is going to be a long while.
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The press launch had finally ended.
The endless questions from the drama and even about them—it was all over, for now.
Kael sighed in relief as he stepped outside the venue, the cool night was air a welcome contrast from the stifling event in the hall. He could finally breath more freely.
He loved his job. Acting was his passion. But over the years, sometimes, it was just suffocating to be surrounded by a lot of people.
He adjusted, unbuttoned his dress shirt to breath more freely. Inhaling more of the cold night air. His assistant was waiting at the back door. He instructed to meet him there for he wanted to sneak out immediately after the event.
His car was parked a few steps from where he was. Jung-I, his personal assistant was waving at him outside his car.
He had barely taken a few steps towards his service when the door flapped open and a voice called out behind him.
"Kael, wait!"
He didn't have to turn around to know who it was. He was just thankful that there were no people in the dimly lit area at the back building.
Kalista approached him, her heels clicking softy against the pavement. He slowly faced her direction. There was a hesitant look in her eyes, one that Kael had seen too many times before. He knew it so well.
"Do you have a minute?" She asked, her voice was softer now, It wasn't dripping with professionalism, but with personal tone.
He exhaled. He really didn't want to do this but walking away would only make things worse. And she would keep on insisting that he still had feelings for her for he was being evasive, which was completely wrong. He just doesn't care about her anymore. He was done. They were done.
So, he gave a light nod. "What now?"
Kalista stepped closer and raised her eyes at him. "I just… I wanted to talk." Now she felt shy that he gave her his attention? "Without the cameras, without the press. Just us."
Kael's jaw tightened. He already knew this was coming. And they've already talked about this before. But she was stubborn as hell. He pursed his lips and exhaled in annoyance. "Kalista—"
Before he could say more, his phone buzzed in his pockets. He pulled it out and saw the caller ID. It was his butler, Jones.
Frowning, he slid the answer button and lifted it against his ears. He gestured for the woman in front of him and he stepped further away. Kalista nodded in understanding and retreated a few steps from him to give him some privacy.
"Yes, Jones?"
"Sir, I thought you should know…" Jones sounded hesitant, something rare for the usually unshakable man in the years of service with him. "A girl was found behind the mansion. She's semi unconscious, and… well, there's something strange about her."
Kael's expression darkened. "Strange? How?" What the hell was this again? The first thing that popped in his mind was another stalker or a die-hard fan.
"She seemed out of place. And she was clutching something, sir. A dagger."
He stiffened. This was something new. A dagger?
"What do you want us to do, sir?"
He sighed. "You mentioned she had a weapon then don't come near her. I'm on my way."
He hung up and turned to Kalista who was folding her hand in front of her. Rubbing her shoulders from the cold breeze. But he could care less. And whatever she had to say, it would have to wait or he'd rather not hear it at all from the tone that she was going earlier.
"I had to go. Get inside." He said and turned around as her forehead knotted and was about to open her mouth but he was quick on his footsteps.
"Kael, wait!" She called again but he was almost to his car as his assistant opened the door for him and he got inside.
His mind was focused on the mystery waiting for him back home. Or rather another disaster.