Chapter 3: The Assassin

"Are you planning to off me?" I inquire, my tone cutting, my stare locked onto his eyes.

In the world of my stories, assassins usually fall into two categories: the gallant ones who end up rescuing the heroine and falling for her, and the sinister ones sent by enemies to take out the heroine, only to be saved by a prince. But I highly doubt such a storyline applies to me. I'm not a heroine or anyone significant enough to warrant saving in real life.

The man lets out a chuckle, moving closer to me. He reaches out and sweeps a few strands of hair away from my face. "You've got nice hair, love." His sudden familiarity throws me off, and I take a step back, my confusion evident. "Huh?" Is this the same guy who nearly snuffed out my life just moments ago? His vibe is all over the place – tough and menacing yet hesitant to make a move.

"I don't harm people with pretty hair, love" he says, his tone oddly gentle.

His behavior catches me off guard. He seems fixated on my hair, which I find pretty ordinary. Something about him just doesn't sit right with me. I shoot him a look of disdain. Sure, my hair is long and dark with curls, but it's nothing remarkable to be ogled like this. "Pervert." I mutter under my breath. Finally diverting his attention away from my hair, his eyes meet mine. a hint of amusement hiding behind his mask. "Caught that, did you?" he remarks, his closeness making me uneasy. He's so near, closer than I've ever been to anyone except Master. It's almost like he's admitting to being a pervert... but his tone is laced with sarcasm.

He brushes his thumb over my cheek. Is this how people interact in the outside world? Maybe going back isn't such a bad idea...

"I don't hurt women either, Love." he whispers. His statement raises my eyebrow. "So you only hurt men?"

"It's usually the reprehensible men who cross my path." he speaks bluntly, releasing my cheek. "Apologies for the confusion."

Ah, so he mistook me for a man. That's a relief in a weird way. I shoot him a disdainful look. "And what if I were a dangerous woman?" I pause for a moment as he stands there, completely unfazed, so I continue to grumble. "What if you had actually succeeded in taking me out?!" I scowl. I don't feel scared around him, which is strange. He seems comforting, yet I know I have to keep my guard up.

He shrugs nonchalantly. "I suppose I'd reconsider." His words catch me off guard as he gives me a piercing look. "W-what-" I stutter, stepping back. Though, his reassurance surprises me. If he wanted me dead, he would've had plenty of opportunities by now.

After a long moment, he chuckles as if he was just messing with me. "Relax, love. that was just a warning shot." He reassures me. "My warning shots never hit their mark." He seems so sure of himself, so confident. He must've been at this game for a while to know that arrow would never hit me.

He glances down at my attire, snickering to himself. "Any reason you're strolling alone at night with your legs out, love?"

Embarrassment flushes my cheeks as I realize the impracticality of my gown in this chilly night air. I've never considered what people wear outside the underground mansion. How can I just walk casually like this?

"Walking alone at night in that attire? Not wise."

Unsure whether to trust him, I hesitate to reveal too much. "Why do you care?"

His glare is strong as he hovers over me, it's as if he's scanning me. A strong gush of wind passes through us before before he speaks. "Let's go, love."

He completely ignored my obvious annoyance.

"Huh? Go where?"

He cocks his head, considering me. "Let's find you something more suitable," he suggests, retrieving his weapons. "There's a shop nearby."

His actions catch me off guard. All of a sudden?

He chuckles, stashing his weapons away. "Can't have a fragile flower like you wandering around at night like this, love."

My cheeks flush with embarrassment. "Hey, who are you calling fragile?"

He doesn't seem to hear me, lost in thought. "Let's get you some clothes."

His eyes point to my bare feet and he doesn't change his calm expression. "And maybe some shoes." I quickly look down at my feet and realize I had escaped with no shoes on. That was the last thing on my mind.

He turns around as if he's talking to himself, spouting nonsense. I am baffled by this man so much already. He doesn't seem like a dangerous man.

I roll my eyes, waiting for him to quit muttering to himself.

"Oh!" he suddenly exclaims, bending down. "What's your name, love?"

The question was sudden but I don't hesitate to look away. "And why should I tell you?"

It's not a normal name anyone can have. He might have questions if I reveal it to him. He might think it's weird...

"Oh come on." He speaks gently, clearly eager. "How can we continue if I don't at least know your name?"

I'm still not content in giving him my name. I should just make one up...but I don't know any names that sound normal. All the ones in my novels were too fancy. "Then you should have just left me alone." I glare up at him.

"Oh, don't be like that, love." His sparkling brown eyes pierce down at me. "You're not in a position to be out here by yourself."

I hate the he's right. I have no idea what i'm doing or what I plan to do after my encounter with this assassin. I guess i'm left with no choice. I hesitate before reluctantly answering. "Seven. My name is Seven."

He pauses, seeming puzzled. "Seven..."

It never occured to me that I would have to tell a complete stranger my name. I was never given a real name, I was named after the number in which I came to stay with master. "Seven..." His voice trails off, and I feel embarrassed. What kind of name is Seven anyway?

"Seven, pretty name." he finally says.

His reaction surprises me. Wasn't he going to ask more questions? But he seems to sense my discomfort and doesn't press further.

"What about you?" I ask, trying to push away my surprised thoughts.

He straightens up. "Chris. My name is Chris." He speaks gently but so clearly, despite there being a mask over his lips. I look back up at him in shock, wind blowing through my long locks as he stands before me in that same shining moonlight.

"Christopher Bahng."

He takes a slight bow with a sinister look in his eyes while he introduces himself officially. Though, i'm still not frightened of him and he doesn't seem harmful to me in any way. If he wanted to, he would have killed me already.

And his name...

His name echoes in my mind, I keep repeating it on a loop. "Christopher Bahng..." It was so pretty. I'd say it for eternity if I could. I can't believe he revealed his full name so easily but he has yet to reveal his face.

There's something else about him. Something I can't quite place.

He continues that glare and that's when I realize I was in a daze as soon as he disclosed his name. I let out a cough, regaining my composure. "Should a hitman like you really be spilling his name so easily?" I ask.

He raises an eyebrow, eyes widening in asmusement. "So you know what a hitman is?"

I try to keep my expression neutral, not wanting to reveal my ignorance. I only know of assassins through my novels but I can't let him know that. It would be so humiliating on my part, considering how tough & brave i'm suppose to act.

"Besides, what's a delicate little girl like you going to do with that information, love?" he says, hilarity twinkling in his eyes.

He's right. There isn't much I can do with it.

"Why do you keep referring to me as though i'm a child?" I scowl. "I'm 21."

He looks surprised, his eyebrow raising in exhilaration. "Really?"

He glances around me. "Seriously, I couldn't tell."

What does that mean? I pout, feeling self-conscious. "Well since now you know, i'd appreciate it if you didn't see me as a child."

He chuckles at my words, standing up straight. "We'll see about that, love." I watch him turn around, swifting his head to the side. "Follow me." he says abruptly. "There's a store around the corner."

I scowl to myself. He's so irritating. So demanding. So weird. But I decide to follow him anyway, barefoot and all.

"Hurry up or you'll be left behind," he warns.

I quicken my pace to catch up, feeling the rock hard ground beneath my feet. It feels so uncomfortable with the touch of my foot.

"You better hope they sell shoes for those tiny feet." he teases.

I gasp, annoyed. He's definitely trying to get under my skin.

Suddenly, he stops, and I bump into him. "Ow! Why'd you stop?"

He turns to face me, bending down. "Hop on."

I stare at him, surprised. "What?"

"Hop on before I change my mind." he says impatiently.

I roll my eyes. He's so moody. I climb onto his back, putting my arms around his neck and he pulls my thighs up with his hands before continuing to walk. I don't think i'm too heavy as he's still walking so fast. If i'm not mistaken, it might be even faster than before.

"Don't fall off," he warns as we make our way through the dark alleyway and into the quiet street.

"I'll try not to," I reply sarcastically.

And so, we continue our journey into the dark and quiet night, a night that feels a little too long.

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