133: Life has a strange humor

Life has a strange humor

[FLASHBACK]1

"What are you thinking?"

"Is knowing my thoughts a hobby, Bear?" Hera smirked, glancing over her shoulder at where her most loyal henchman was standing. "I noticed you keep asking about my thoughts recently."

Bear, the middle-aged man, sighed. He kept his pair of silver eyes fixed on her back. His boss was sitting on the railing of the balcony with a bottle of wine beside her. 

"It's my job to know your thoughts," he reasoned. "And it's dangerous there. You had a bit of drink, boss."

Hera chuckled. "Is there a place in this world we live in that doesn't scream danger?"

There wasn't, but he couldn't say that. There was no need because the truth was engraved deep in their bones.

"Bear, stop treating me like a little girl. It's been years since I took over the organization." Hera gazed down, unfazed by the height she would fall to if she missed her balance. "Do you think this fall is enough to kill me?"

"You are human," he remarked. "Don't jump."

Hera looked back. "What makes you think I was thinking of jumping?"

"A hunch."

"No wonder you survived this long." She let out another wave of chuckle, shaking her head. "But you were right."

Hera set her eyes back to the ground. "An intrusive thought — if I jump from here, would things end? I wouldn't have to deal with others anymore and I wouldn't crave something I hadn't tasted. It would just be… blank. Nothing."

"Boss." Bear sighed. 

"But a part of me thinks what if I survive?" she continued, narrowing her eyes as she imagined herself jumping from the balcony for the umpteenth time tonight. "I would probably just get a few broken bones that will hurt me. It's troublesome to feel sick, after all."

There was a moment of silence between them, raising her head as she closed her eyes. She enjoyed the breeze kissing her cheek, inhaling the fresh air that didn't bring the scent of gunpowder or blood. 

"How quiet," she whispered, reopening her eyes ever so tenderly. "Did you ask what I was thinking moments ago?"

"Weren't you thinking of jumping off the balcony?"

"Bear, I have intrusive demons, but not to the point I'd entertain it for long." Hera gazed up at the starless night sky. "For some reason, I was wondering how different our lives would be if we met under different circumstances?"

"What if you didn't work for my father? And I wasn't born into this family? Would we even meet?" she continued, speaking her mind as she could only do so with him. "I don't hate my parents for living the life they lived. Though I don't thank them, either. Still, I can't help but think of such nonsense at times like this."

Hera looked back. "What do you think?"

"I have no idea." Bear was honest, shaking his head. "I never wondered of such thoughts."

"I figured."

"Wondering about such things will only distract me. After all, I couldn't imagine a life other than the ones we lived."

"Aren't you a pitiful one, Bear?" she chortled, setting her eyes back at the sky. 

"I know things happen for a reason — that's all."

"And what reason do you think there is behind what happened to you back then?" she returned. "You were framed, used as a scapegoat due to your colleague's greed and jealousy, and eventually fell into the pits of hell where you met my father. Are you certain about your claim? Or had you forgotten your own past?"

"Never." Bear pressed his lips into a thin line, keeping his eyes on her back. "I think that happened because I wouldn't be here today if it didn't."

Her brows rose upon hearing his remarks.

"I never forgot what those people had done to me and to my family. However, after losing your father and then your mother, leaving you behind with all the responsibilities they left, my purpose suddenly became clear." Hera slowly looked back as he continued, only to see a slight smile on his face. "The past happened for a reason because if it didn't, I wouldn't be here."

Hera looked back at him, and her eyes softened with affection. "I'm moved," was all she could say to express the feelings she couldn't explain in words. 

Ever since losing her parents one after another, Bear had fulfilled the role Hera's father had left vacant. He took care of her and protected her; he guided her every step of the way, and even after she could stand on her own, he stayed loyal, taking her orders without questions asked. 

Bear never stepped out of line, treating her with respect, love, and loyalty. He had already declared his loyalty, while the others respected her only when she had proven herself. 

After that night, Hera never thought of such strange things. It didn't even cross her anymore, satisfied with Bear's response. After all, she had to accept the fact that no matter how deeply she would think about it, they wouldn't change the past. 

They lived this life full of dangers and nothing could change that. 

That was what she thought back then. 

Who would have thought? That this particular memory in the past she nearly forgot would suddenly resurface in her head as if it had just happened the day before?

[PRESENT TIME]

"These… are the bodyguards?" Heaven's mouth fell open, staring at the men standing sternly before her and Dominic. 

Dominic nodded his head, arms crossed. His leg was resting over the other, swinging his foot back and forth as the bodyguards he hired stood in the mansion's lobby while he and Heaven were on the couch.

Heaven glanced over the bodyguard's faces, but her eyes idled more on the old man within the group. She would never forget that face, ever. She opened and closed her mouth, trying her best to keep herself together at the sight of her most loyal hellhound.

'Why in the damn world is this guy doing here?'she gasped, facing Dominic with nothing but shock plastered on her face. 

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