Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

After a little more digging, their theory had become a possible fact. The coordinates from the past five months had given the same date and time. To the list Milo had compiled earlier, it was near about the same that solidified that the time and date were hidden in the coordinates.

"Damn… that's simple if you already know the trick." Milo heaved a sigh of relief, hiding the urge to laugh, as this was rather simple and not as complicated as it appeared to be.

"It's like a magic trick. You won't get fascinated by it if you know the trick." Inigo nodded, pleased that they broke the wall they hit before it was too late.

If they didn't figure it out today or in the next three days, they'd have to wait for the perfect opportunity for another month. Although they'd been preparing to raid Nikolai's home, that was akin to entering a devil's trap.

But if they raided the auction, the difficulty was the same. However, they would be on the same level as his attention would be split from Zoey to the auction.

"Tell everyone to prepare. We'll get her back." Matthew ordered, as he pushed himself up. His eyes glinted with determination as he trudged out.

Inigo whistled and smirked. "My conditions?" He asked when Matthew was by the door.

"We'll bring her back. All negotiations, we'll talk about it later. Make sure your deck is ready to take down the Silva Family. We'll play our cards now." Matthew said before he continued to walk out. 

Inigo chuckled as he rubbed his palms against each other. Obviously, this entire operation and the people cooperating here had different objectives. 

Angelo, for example, was cooperating because he's guaranteed to get power in the underworld empire Matthew had built. Aside from the fact that he really wanted Nikolai dead. 

Everyone obviously knew what Ivan wanted. A life with Cora, away from the chaotic life of the underworld.

Inigo, on the other hand, had an entirely different reason.

****

"Cora, you should sleep." Ivan sighed at Cora, who was sitting across the small table in the living area of her apartment.

She was cupping her cheek, staring at him as he was lying on the couch. Her eyes never left his charming face, as if she would never see him again.

"It's been a week since I saw you." Cora pouted. "What's wrong with looking at my boyfriend more?"

Although she was still struggling with English, Cora had learned and improved. She had been studying hard and exchanging messages with him helped. Why? Because Ivan often corrected her.

"Nothing. But it's past midnight, babe." Ivan glanced at the wall clock before extending his arm for her to grasp.

Cora withdrew her one hand that was cupping her cheek and held him. He frowned as she let out a deep sigh.

"Zoey. Something happened to her?" She asked after a moment of pondering whether to ask that question.

Ivan pursed his lips in a thin line before offering a subtle smile. "She'll be fine. Don't worry."

Cora nodded her head. Her thumb caressed his knuckles. She had been holding back from prying, but she had been worried because Zoey didn't show up for a week; the same time when Ivan told her that he needed to do something.

"How can I not?" She mumbled. "Zoey is missing. You are busy with something I don't know about."

"Babe," Ivan sighed, understanding her point, no matter how limited her vocabulary was. "Come here."

Ivan slowly sat up on the couch, patting the vacant space on the side of his couch. Cora glanced at it before walking towards him. When she perched beside him, Ivan smoothly rested his arm over her shoulder.

"Everything will be fine, okay? Sis will come back." He reassured, but Cora looked away.

"I feel like something bad is going to happen. That you will not be coming back to me." She murmured, failing to hide her fear.

Cora might not ask questions, or she wasn't fluent in English. However, that wasn't the indicator of her intellect.

She's a smart girl. She knew something was wrong. She had an idea that Zoey had involved herself in something dangerous — Ivan as well. But, she sees them for who they were to her.

Still, it terrified her that one of them would leave this world too soon. That she wouldn't be able to see them again. That's why she couldn't sleep and just wanted to stare at him.

"Cora," Ivan sighed, guiding her chin to look at him. "There's no way I wouldn't come back to you. I'm — It doesn't look obvious, but your boyfriend is capable. My sis too — she's very capable."

Cora nodded, biting her inner lip as she cupped his cheek. "You promise me, you will come back."

"Of course." Ivan chuckled, slowly leaning forward, resting his forehead against her.

He closed his eyes, steadying his breathing as it synced along with hers. Just like him, Cora closed her eyes, both cupping each other's cheek.

"Say, you promise." Cora whispered.

"I promise. After this, no more. We will be at peace. After this… you wouldn't have to worry. I'll be free, Cora. After this, for sure." Under his breath, Ivan reassured that was laced with determination.

Ivan never thought that there would be a point in his life that he would want this kind of peace in his life. In retrospect, the meaning of his peace was the opposite.

But ever since Cora came into his life, his life had changed. His view of life, his beliefs, and everything had changed. She became his life; his sanctuary, his home.

He would do everything to be better for her; to do better. Just solely for Cora, Ivan would leave everything behind and start anew.

He wouldn't do that if Nikolai lived. This freedom right now was all temporary. Nikolai would get them all back once he decided on it. Hence, Ivan was doing this along with everyone.

"Okay." Cora nodded slightly. "I will wait."

Upon hearing her answer, a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips. "I love you."

"Me too. I love you too." Cora chuckled and felt him leaning closer. Without struggling, Cora willingly gave him her first and, hopefully, not their last.

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Author's Note:

Support my new work, Wild Young Princess: Mister, let's sleep? Send powerstones to my new work instead of WYM! Thank you!