Chapter 18: Facade

"W-What the hell are you talking about?" Kaiser almost spat his coffee right on Scott's face.

He couldn't believe what he is hearing and Scott's smug expression is not helping at all. Seeing that his friend seems to be entirely serious about what he was talking, he placed his cup of coffee down the table, sat straight, and looked at him seriously.

"Do you mean those articles that have been spreading around the internet about her is indeed true?" Kaiser sounded more impressed than surprised and Scott is pleased to notice that.

"Exactly," Scott grinned, resting his back against his Riemann Gilt Bronze Chair. A taunting scoff escaped his lips as he taps his temples with an index finger. "I am just surprised because that impertinent Kathleen trusted me. I mean, those bits of information were crucial and I know that she knows I can ruin everything," he tittered.

"Bruh! That's too heartless," Kaiser's lips twitched in amusement. "However, let me just remind you that that woman is still crafty. Just by the thought that she lets you tag along with them and let you know about Samantha's secret, there should be something hidden underneath her sleeves and boy! That Takumi sounded like a threat to me."

"I am aware of that," Scott's fingernails scraped on the gold paint of his chair; he grinned. "And I am thrilled to know what those two could do."

Kaiser chuckled. "Holy fuck! I was aware that everything that I've read about her were true, but I didn't expect it's to this extent," he tapped his chin. "I knew that woman would bring us fortune, mi amigo. Good job on making her fall in love with someone as evil as you," Kaiser's tone of voice indicates success.

"Well," Scott smirked as he leaned forward, squinting his eyes. "You're welcome! And as what I've said earlier, that Tomoya knows a lot more and we need him in order to break down what's inside that grimoire."

"So, are we gonna take the grimoire, him, or both?"

Scott's tongue explored his frontal teeth. Grinning, he shrugged to his left to where Jess is painting. She sat meters away from them; however, she could clearly understand what the two are talking about. She has been aware what kind of a person Scott was from the very beginning, but she accepted everything that he is. She had to as she had no one to go to, most especially now that she's pregnant.

Scott Hunt had been diagnosed for having Antisocial Disorder which no one knew about aside from his psychiatrist, Jess, and Kaiser. He was great in manipulating people without feeling any remorse. Even Samantha, an exceptional psychiatrist hasn't seen through him—not even Takumi. Everything he has shown to everyone he calls as "friends" were all fake and he regrets nothing. Scott is also the son of an underground leader who lures cursed people into opening a portal between heaven and hell.

For what reason? That is something no one could answer yet. Indeed, he knows everything about Samantha's true identity before he entered her life and was waiting for the right time for her to open a portal, however, he failed as Samantha's personification could enter between realms without opening any. But then he knew about Kathleen's plan on getting Samantha back, do he grab his chance. There's no other way to do so, but to open a portal and he was so lucky to meet Tomoya.

Since a mistake has already been made for letting him know about Samantha's case, Kathleen's side won't just be dealing with the devil which will make things even more complicated.

***

"Isn't there any cops in her house right now?" Jess asked, grimacing as she stood up to face Scott who ran past by her. He only glanced and took his motorcycle key. He didn't even bother talking. He just sprinted outside to where Kaiser is waiting for him. Just like that, they sped away with their motorcycles.

Jess was left in the front door extremely devastated. She could only caress her round belly, doing her best to suppress her emotions that will affect the baby. The world had already given her the chance to run away from Scott when he told her about his plans to pursue Samantha. However, since she knew that the relationship that he will be having with her is solely for his job, she still chose to tag around him even knowing that he only needed her for his sexual needs.

"I deserve this, right?" Jess bit her bottom lip, eyes still pinned to where she last saw Scott. Sheen of tears started misting her tired eyes.

Jess used to be so beautiful. Her skin used to be fair and glassy; her hair was shiny and full, her body figure was exceptional, however, after those times of being mistreated emotionally and psychologically by the man she calls her beloved, she aged extremely fast.

The wrinkles on her forehead are now visible. Her eye bags hung low, darkened by sleepless nights. Her hair became thin from hair loss due to stress and she couldn't do anything to ease her loneliness. She doesn't have any friends. Even her family deserted her after getting kicked out from school for getting pregnant.

Certainly, Scott plans to marry her, but only to hide his real intensions. She sighed and was about to close the door when a car parked outside their gate and saw Junel waiving his hand; beside him sat Kim. All of the sudden, she panicked. No one knew exactly why—well, except for her fiancé, Scott.

She still stood there unmoved until the two made their way in front of her. Jess's heartbeat skipped second by second. It's been a while since she saw Kim and the last time didn't give her a pleasant memory to remember.

"Hey! Are you okay? You looked pale!" Junel gasped and immediately held her in both arms thinking she might fall.

"I-I'm fine," she stammered, eyes shifting towards Kim who's smiling at her. She was standing behind her boyfriend.

"Are you sure? Let's get you in," Junel guided her on the couch and carefully helped her sit. "Do you want anything? Water, perhaps?" He asked, sounding all worried.

"Y-Yes, please."

Junel nodded and looked at Kim who's carrying a bag of foods. "Look after her for a while."

Kim smiled and sat on the other end of the couch where Jess at. Jess couldn't look at her as she knows for a fact that she's staring and she doesn't wanna see that. The trauma Kim left still haunts her up until the present.

"Jess."

She felt her hairs stood on end when Kim uttered her name in the most horrifying tone, "W-What do you w-want?" She faltered and could only wish she shouldn't have let Junel get her something to drink. Scott's house is huge and it will take Junel probably five minutes to get back from the kitchen, just enough for Kim to do anything that she wants. No one's around aside from them as no maids work for Scott for his secrets to be kept.

"Nothing," Kim giggled in delight. "I was just asked to look after you."

Jess swilled and her heart pounded against her rib cage when she saw Kim through the door's sidelite—she is grinning. Her whole body shook in fear and the moment she closed her eyes, she saw the image she has been wanting to forget.

"Are you still scared of me?" Kim asked once again, more like a whisper. Jess didn't even dare to open her eyes. She wanted to run, but her heavy belly is holding her down. She could feel Kim's breath right in the back of her neck.

"NO!" She screamed and cringed back when Kim placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey! What happened?!" Junel gasped. He just came back with a bottled water in hand.

He obviously ran his way from the kitchen back in the living room as his sweats are now travelling down his temples.

"Oh! I think I might have scared her," Kim grinned, sheepishly scratching the back of her head. "I'm sorry, Jess. I was just trying to—," she paused and scooted near Jess. She was about to reach onto something when Jess leaned back by instinct. "Uhm, there was something in your hair," she explained.

Junel saw what his girlfriend is talking about and removed the dried paint from Jess's hair. "Geez, babe. Don't scare her like that," his lips thinned as he handed Jess the bottled water. "You know how sensitive her pregnancy is, you should know better. You've been with her when Scott wasn't around."

Jess was about half way to reach for the bottle, but stopped because of what Junel said. Her brows met, slowly turning towards Kim. "This woman has never been with me," she thought to herself.

Kim looked at her and smiled. "Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

When Junel noticed Jess's uncertainty, he arced down and placed the bottled water on her hand which is still raised halfway. Her eyes batted and cleared her throat before chucking half of it. "Hmm," Junel's eyes wandered from corner to corner. "It seems like you're alone," and back at Jess. "I assume he must have left to meet with..." Junel paused. He thought it would be better if he keeps it to himself. He might just cause another series of stress to the poor woman.

Jess heaved a deep exasperated sigh before looking at him. "He left with Kaiser," she said. "Y-You may call him right away if you want to. He already left his line open."

Junel rubbed his lips together. "Perhaps. Anyway, we got something for you," he took the bag of food Kim has been holding and placed it on the center round-mahogany table. "Uhm, should I bring these to the kitchen?"

"Oh, no. You can leave them there," she swilled and took a quick glance to Kim who's gleefully sitting just a shoulder away from her. "I-I believe you're busy. I can take care of them. You may leave i-if you need to."

"You're right," Junel sighed. "However, Kim can stay with you here until Scott arrives," his eyes shifted to Kim. "That's fine for, right, babe?"

Jess's eyes wobbled. She doesn;t know what to say. She wanted to object and decline the offer, but too late as Kim had already agreed.

"Of course! It would be my pleasure."

Once again, Jess felt tingling sensations on the tips of her toes and fingers. She was about say something but Junel's clap stopped her. "Great! Now, I believe I should get going. It's almost three PM. My clients might have already been waiting for me," Junel beamed. "I'll see you later, Jess—babe," He waved goodbye leaving the two of them on their seats.

Cold sweats started forming on Jess's forehead. She could feel her neck muscles stiffen. An eerie atmosphere started devouring the silent spaces until Kim laughed.

"Hahaha oh, c'mon, Jess! Why are you acting like that, really?" Jess looked at her when she stood up and took something from the bag—an apple. "Would you like me to peel you one?"

Her lips trembled when Kim suddenly turned and shot her a scheming glare, grinning—the same grin she was wearing when she brutally killed the cursed people, they have captured a long time ago. Slowly, Kim walked and loomed at her.

"Where's your knife?"