Heart Stealer's Point of View
I glanced at Elijah, his head perpetually tilted downward, avoiding anyone's gaze. I knew he was expecting me to be mad at him, but truthfully, I wasn't. If anything, I was relieved that the conversation had surfaced at all. Still, the grim expression on my face lingered—not because of him, but because guilt weighed heavy on my chest. I should have told everyone sooner.
Later, I'd console the kid. He didn't deserve to feel like this, and I didn't want any rift to grow between us.
"How are we still sure they're being kept hostage? They might've been killed already after your encounter," Jane asked, her tone calm but pressing.
Jazz leaned back slightly, his fingers brushing his chin. "Someone wouldn't throw away their cards if they held the advantage," he said, his voice cool, each word deliberate.
"If Styx knows we're coming, then it's only natural he'll use that against us," Elijah chimed in, his voice soft yet thoughtful.
"And how do we throw him off guard?" I asked, leaning forward slightly, meeting Jazz's gaze.
"He knows the rest of Alasteer are slacking off," Jazz explained, his dark eyes glinting with calculation. "And I'm the only one actively moving."
"Which means he likely thinks only a small group of us will come to rescue them," he added.
"Assuming he's already predicted this and has other plans?" Johnson asked, his sharp voice cutting through the room.
I couldn't help but notice how much more naturally everyone was engaging. Normally, these discussions would be punctuated by awkward silences and stiff exchanges. Now, people spoke with ease, their voices flowing like a river gaining momentum. The sight made my heart swell, a small smile tugging at my lips.
This is what KopiKopi is doing for us—not just to bring Jazz back, but to bring back the warmth and camaraderie of souls together.
"Whether Styx has other plans or not, the best move here is to send all of Alasteer into the Triads' domain," Jazz concluded, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of finality.
"But that's reckless," Eugene interjected, his brows furrowing.
"They've weakened significantly after I dismantled Astre," Jazz replied, his confidence as sharp as a blade.
"And you've weakened too, being stuck in a wheelchair," Eugene shot back with a smirk, earning a few chuckles from the group.
Jazz's lips quirked up in a faint smile. "I'll make a full recovery in a week," he countered, unfazed.
Without thinking, I reached out and began massaging his shoulders, earning amused looks from everyone.
"Sana all," Jane quipped with a laugh, and soon enough, Johnson started giving her a playful shoulder massage too.
Even the guys began rubbing their own shoulders in mock envy, the light-hearted moment cutting through the heavy tension.
"Alright! Things are looking good. Franchesca, how's the progress?" I asked, turning to her.
"Halfway done," she replied without missing a beat. "If we're heading to Alasteer headquarters, I'll finish my work there."
"I'm going to announce—" Elijah began, flicking open his sleek Apple laptop, but Jazz raised a single finger, his posture in the wheelchair suddenly commanding as if he were seated on a throne.
I swallowed a laugh, biting my lip. It was hard to take him seriously in that chair, but something about his presence still demanded attention.
"Don't," Jazz said firmly. "I'll surprise them."
Elijah blinked, then shut the laptop with a soft click. "Okay, boss."
"Franchesca, you're okay working at the headquarters?" Jazz asked, his gaze shifting to his sister.
She gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah, no problem."
"Pack it up, everyone," she added, standing and gesturing toward her scattered equipment. "Let's go."
"I'm curious to see what the headquarters look like," Veloz mused, his tone laced with intrigue.
"Bakit basa damit mo?" I ask.
"Potato spat her drink on me and didn't even apologize."
"Aba!" Now everyone looked at Potato, "Sorry! I forgot commander!" She bowed her head down the ground and Eugene didn't know what to do.
"I'll buy you new clothes, will that compensate?" Eugene asked.
"It's okay, Potato already apologized." Veloz says and everyone nodded, "Let's go."
I'd never been to Alasteer headquarters, and the thought of stepping into its inner sanctum sent a thrill racing down my spine.
What secrets did it hold? And what would we find waiting for us?
"Papatayin ako non, nararamdaman ko na." Pagsusumbong ni Potato sa gilid ko, I patted her back, "Babarilin ka sa ulo nun." Ani ko.
"Tingin mo?" She says, seriously taking it.
"Gaga joke lang, relax, he's a good person."
She sigh a relief, "I hope so...."
We got back to our cars, the circle collapsing into a convoy as we drove through the city, this time, we were a straight line of sports cars and aren't making a chaotic mess on the highway.
As we took in the view of an ordinary shopping mall, we parked and got inside. I was skeptical at first, I put on my disguise as the rest of the crew had this questionable look on their faces, nevertheless, we got inside the mall.
The mall was bustling with shoppers, bright lights and cheerful displays creating a facade of normalcy.
"To that elevator." Jazz says and we entered the elevator, Eugene glanced around to ensure no one was watching as he goes last inside.
Then, as the elevator door closed on us, he began to press a specific sequence of buttons, his fingers flew over the buttons as if inputting a code, and with a mechanical whir, the elevator doors opened to reveal the modern basement.
The elevator doors slid open with a low chime, revealing a vast, ultra-modern expanse. The Alasteer headquarters was no sprawling underground city but rather an impeccably designed stronghold, large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of personnel without feeling cramped.
The main hall stretched out before us, a cavernous space supported by sleek, reflective columns that gleamed like obsidian under the soft, white light emanating from the ceiling. The lighting was perfectly diffused, a blend of functionality and aesthetics, illuminating the space without casting harsh shadows.
The architecture was distinctly futuristic, every surface smooth and polished. Long corridors branched out from the central hub, their walls embedded with holographic panels that displayed real-time updates: operations in progress, maps of the facility, and other logistical information.
