Crimson, leaning onto his fist, sighed, "Leaving so soon? Oh, I'll miss you."
Sullivan could no longer hold back. "Don't disgust me," he spat.
Crimson burst out laughing. The maids serving the food froze, staring wide-eyed at their master. The laughter lasted for a full minute. When it finally subsided, Crimson dismissed the maids with a wave.
Before the maids could exit, the doors were pushed open again. This time, a beautiful woman entered. She had bright red hair, which unlike Crimson's, looked natural. Her hair was styled intricately, and tiny white flowers scattered across her braids gave her an otherworldly look.
She was dressed in a long white gown. Her big brown eyes widened when she caught sight of Sullivan.
"Sulli..." She called out. Her voice was small and sweet. The excitement that brightened her features made her look even more like a delicate angel. However, she seemed hesitant, even fearful towards Sullivan.
Sullivan's cold aura in front of Crimson didn't change with her entrance; in fact, he became even colder. He spared Crimson an annoyed glance before brushing past the woman and leaving.
The maids bowed low and scurried out as well, leaving Crimson and the woman alone.
Crimson's flirty aura dulled with their exit, and he levelled the woman with a cold sneer. "He treats you like trash, yet you still love him. Have you no self-respect, Sher?"
Sherlyn's beautiful brows knitted in a faint frown. "I have as much self-respect as you have given me, brother."
She narrowed her eyes. "You went ahead and forced him to be a part of the Underground. You know he wanted to break free. It's your fault he hates me!"
Crimson replied in a bored tone. "I prefer to keep my enemies close, whether they like it or not. Besides, shouldn't you thank me? If I allowed him to leave the Underground, you can be sure that you will never set eyes on him again."
Sherlyn looked unconvinced. "Then propose a union between us. Certainly, he can't refuse."
"Oh dear, shackle you to him in marriage?" Crimson gasped. Beneath the mask, his phoenix eyes curved in mirth. "...I'd never do that to the poor man."
***
Sullivan did not reach home until noon of the following day. When he entered the house, he heard the oddest thing from Nanny: Bloom was taking an afternoon nap. Bloom never took afternoon naps. She wouldn't sleep at night if she wasn't afraid that lack of sleep would dumb her down.
Sullivan climbed the few steps and stopped in front of her room. He raised his hand and gently knocked; there was no reply. He turned the doorknob and was pleasantly surprised when the door pushed open. This is because Bloom began locking her door at age five; apparently, she wanted her privacy.
The door pushed open, revealing the room. Sullivan looked to the bed. He could see Bloom tucked in and asleep. He walked towards the bed and was surprised to see a small head leaning on Bloom's bed. The owner of the head was seated on a pink beanbag, deep in sleep. Her dark hair was splayed on the bed. Bloom's hand rested on her head.
Sullivan frowned, taking a few seconds to remember who the heck she was. When he did recall, he wondered how and when his family's little ice block grew so close to the painter. He had only been gone for a day!
With a hint of jealousy, he tiptoed over to the painter's side and shook her awake. He was not prepared for how quickly she opened her eyes and grabbed his wrist in a vice-like grip. Her eyes were wide and red, and she looked at him like he was her greatest enemy. Sullivan, who should have been used to such looks, nearly flinched at the intensity of hers.
It took a second for her eyes to widen even further (something he didn't think was possible). She released his hand and cowered like a frightened rabbit. If someone walked in, they would think she was the one who had just been manhandled. Sullivan's eye twitched as he saw the red imprint on his hand. She was strong.
"Sorry, sir," she mumbled and bowed, then she straightened up and bowed again, as if she didn't know what position to maintain. Her face was flushed in embarrassment even as her head remained lowered.
Sullivan found it a bit annoying. Somehow she reminded him of Crimson's delusional sister, Sherlyn. All skittish and frightful, yet surprisingly strong. Sullivan cringed at a memory he wanted to forget. Still, she was chosen by his baby girl; he will be a tad kinder to her for Bloom's sake.
Sullivan deliberately lowered his voice to sound agreeable. "I see you have been accompanying my daughter? Thank you."
Her head snapped up like a jack-in-the-box. Wide eyes stared right at him. She looked positively shocked. Sullivan didn't know whether to laugh or be offended. He had not done anything mean to her, so why did she react so dramatically when all he he did was thank her?
"It's my duty," she quickly replied, lowering her head immediately.
"You may leave," Sullivan nodded. He swore he heard a relieved sigh as she all but ran out of the room.
After placing a gentle kiss on Bloom's cheek, he walked into his study and dialed a number. The person picked immediately and drily said, "I guess you made it out in one piece."
"I would have preferred a bloody fight to this," Sullivan drawled.
"Why? What happened?" Vito asked, his tone turning serious.
"I received an appointment notice from The Underground; that bastard Crimson sped up the process to make me a commander."
"...He must know you're trying to leave."
Sullivan narrowed his eyes. "Hasn't he always?" It was more of a statement than a question. The attack against him the last time he was summoned was as a result of Crimson finding out a part of Sullivan's plans to break away from the Underground. Sullivan had been certain Crimson would make a move... he just didn't expect it to be this.
"How will you handle this?" Vito asked.
Sullivan rubbed his face and sighed. "The original plan was to slowly cut ties with them... but that can't work now, can it?"
"Well, whatever you plan to do, make it quick before the Underground begins sending you missions," Vito said.
Sullivan had nearly forgotten. The Underground handed over important deals to commanders, which served as both a test of mettle and a yoke. The missions entrenched the powerful commanders into the Underground's system and ensured that there was a balance of fear. If the Underground was harmed, then everyone would go down with it. Hence there was a collective aim, to protect and preserve the interest of the Underground.
"At least you got something good from it," Vito added.
Sullivan frowned. "What good could possibly come from this?"
"You've got a new island," Vito chuckled drily.