Once upon a time in the city of London, there lived a wealthy couple who were so deeply affectionate towards one another. Reece Callisto and his beloved wife Susan Callisto, They had everything they could have ever asked from God, had it been wealth, love and power, yet the couple was not fortunate enough to conceive a child of their own. After years of suffering, God finally decided to Grace them with a beautiful daughter. As she was a blessing for the pair, they named her Althea.

Althea belonging to a prestigious household' The Callisto's ' it was a given that she never had to face any hardships of life. She was a child, shining like a star, and was kind to everyone even to the people who showed resentment for her. As the time went by, Althea grew into a beautiful and fine woman.

Any man who laid their eyes upon her once would get enchanted by her alluring looks. Red, curly hair that reached her waist resembling the scarce silk threads, Violet shimmering eyes, radiating the warmth that is enough to melt one's heart.

***

One fine evening when the sun was about to set, Althea was returning home after buying some sweets from her favourite bakery, but on the way back she chose a deserted alleyway since it was the shortest route to reach her designated place. After walking some distance Althea could see a figure of a man lying on the ground in a not so sophisticated manner. She hesitated for a while, pondering over the facts that she should just ignore this man and be on her way.

She should, shouldn't she?

She certainly should…..

Or…….

Even though she knew that this curiosity could lead her into some dangerous situation, her body started moving forward. Seeing the anonymous man sprawled on the unevenly concrete path who was severely injured, and blood gushing out of the wound profusely. Her face turned extremely pale and legs seemed to have lost all their strength.
Althea had never witnessed something this gruesome before, closing her eyes shut, she tried calming her hammering heart.

Crouching down, she reached out to check for the pulse.

Ha! The stranger was still alive!! A sigh of relief escaped from her mouth.

She started shaking him violently to get any response out of the man, asking him if he could hear her, and this certain method seemed to work wonders as she successfully attained the result she needed. A loud groan escaped the stranger's throat while his brows twisted in a frown.

Although he was not unconscious any more, it did not make things any better whatsoever. As soon as the man took notice of his surroundings he instantly realised that, no longer he was alone there. black orbs were intensely glowering in her direction, those eyes looked cold, colder than Antarctica itself, enough to send chills down her bones.

Althea offered him a smile to show that she does not possess any ulterior motive and just wants to help.

Which he politely ignored.

Well....at least she hopes it was polite.

Supporting himself with both of his hands, the man made an attempt to stand but was only able to sit, leaning against the wall. Besides, now that Althea had taken a closer look at this person, well one could say that his looks are quite acceptable. He had broad shoulders and even though he's sitting right now it didn't hide the fact that this man is taller than any average male species, Raven black hair matching his dark and mysterious eyes, both making his skin tone look paler than he actually is. Sharp facial structure making his appearance rather masculine.

Acceptable indeed.

Hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand" stupid! Now is not the time to be appreciating his looks." she scolded herself for having those pointless thoughts.

Rummaging through her bag, she started looking for something and after a few moments pulled out a handkerchief, but with the corner of her eye she could see that all the while that person had been watching her with a hawk-like gaze as if to say try something suspicious and you're dead.

"Umm….would you mind if I ask for your name, sir?"

Silence, total silence.

And some more silence.

That is what she got as a response.

Sighing, she started working on wrapping his wound with the small piece of clothing she had at the moment and it did not look like Althea was going to get any answers today.

What if he's actually mute and does not possess the ability to speak?

If not, then he's just being plain rude. Hmph!! Who does he think….

"Sebastian."

The little argument she was having in her mind got interrupted by none other than the stranger himself!!

Did he ….. didn't he?

He certainly did talk to me just now!! At least it proves that he is no mute.

"Look, it would be best if somehow we can call for an ambulance but sadly my phone is already out of battery." She took a moment, waiting for him to say something, anything. But when he did not, she continued," uh...how about we use your phone to contact them?"

"No." He denied the suggestion without missing a beat.

"But wh...y…."

Right then her gaze fell on something metallic. It was hidden securely under his coat."...A g-gun?" Her words were barely loud enough that only she could hear them, a lump starting to form inside her throat. Her mind was swarming with different reasons she could come up with for a man to carry around such a thing.

A Hitman? A thug Or a murderer? Dear lord!! Now what kind of dangerous situation have I put myself into? Wait...what if he's actually an officer and got wounded during his patrolling?

Are you stupid or what ? Can't you see he's not wearing a uniform. A nasty voice inside her head retorted back. Well it could be possible that he's working undercover on some confidential case? Yes, that seems plausible. Without realising, she started nodding her head to approve of her own speculation.