#voltagefanbase

  They were silent until they all let out a sigh.

  “You just want to save your boyfriend, right? We can let you tag along, but on one condition.” Calvin gave in and said.

  “And what would that be?”

  “You just go save your prince and get out of there. You leave all the assassinating to us because that’s our mission.” He offered.

  “Deal.” I answered straight away.

  “Well that was fast to come to an agreement. And I didn’t know you had it in you to snatch yourself a prince.” Robin joked as he poked me.

  I just glared at him. This wasn’t the time for jokes. Roberto’s life is at stake!

  “Alright, let’s get down to business and set up the plans for this mission.” I ordered my team as I pulled out the hairpins from my hair, returning it to its usual style.

  ～

  We were now outside the backdoor of the building that Group X hijacked. There were two men guarding the door, both of them armed with a gun. The plan was for me to pretend I was lost and lure the guards away from the door so that my team could sneak in, take care of the rest in the building and I’ll join them afterwards. Of course we had backup plans, but we do hope that everything could go according to Plan A, because that would save us a lot of trouble.

  Before I went over to the guards, Silver handed me pistol.

  “You only have your daggers, right? Take this just in case you need it.”

  “Thanks.” I hid the pistol inside my jacket.

  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then approached the two guards in small light steps.

  Pretending to be a weak and shy girl to lower their guards, I said, “Um, ex-excuse me…”

  They looked in my direction.

  “I-I got separated from my boyfriend during all the commotion and now I'm lost and can’t find my way to the exit…” I gave them that sad-puppy-eyes face Roberto always pulled when he wanted something. “Can you guys, perhaps, um, take me to the exit?”

  Their expressions softened, but I could see it in their eyes that they weren’t planning to take me to the exit.

  “Sure girl. We know a shortcut. Just follow us.” They smirked as they started to lead me into the building.

  “Really? Thank you so much!” My eyes lit up while I followed them in. Well, time for Plan B I guess.

  Following the guards, they led me deep inside the building. I hope we’re going where Roberto is… I don’t want to waste my time later trying to find where he’s being held captive.

  My team would be taking care of the rest of the terrorists in the building while these two guards led me inside. We walked for a few minutes and I could feel the guys were not far behind, but the guards didn’t seem to notice them. Just as I expect from my team.

  Occasionally, I’d ask those guards if they’re sure this was the right way, they’ll just reply it was and I play along. At long last, we reached a door, and I knew this was the room I’m looking for, because I could faintly hear Roberto’s voice coming from it.

  As we stood in front of the door, I looked at the guards with a puzzled look. One of them said,

  “Sorry girl, but it looks like you aren’t reuniting with your boyfriend anytime soon.”

  They opened the door and pushed me inside.

  “Hey boss! We got you another hostage. This one got separated from her boyfriend.” The guards laughed.

  Inside the room I saw several armed men at the sides and a man dressed in black standing in the middle, who I assume was their leader and our target. In front of him was a Roberto all tied up on the floor, now staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

  “YY?! What are you doing here?!” He shouted.

  “Roberto…” Thank god he’s alright. “You! Let go of Roberto!”

  “You know the Prince? Anyway, it doesn’t matter, we will take you hostage as well since you got all the way here,” The man in black shot me a curious glance. “Tie her up.” He waved one hand and ordered his men.

  “No! Let her go! She has nothing to do with this! Let her go! Please!” Roberto pleaded the terrorists.

  But they didn’t listen to his pleas. “Uff-” Instead, they kicked him in the stomach to silence him. One of the guards aimed his gun at my head while the other went to look for some rope. Roberto was looking at me with pain in his eyes. Seeing the sight of him being hurt sealed up all my emotions and instantly snapped me into my assassin self.

  Sorry, Roberto.

  I pulled out my dagger, stabbing the guard and kicking away his gun. Then I took out my pistol and yelled, “Nobody move!”

  I didn’t want our sweet serenade to end so soon.

  They all froze in their spots. Ha, I bet they weren’t expecting a girl like me to be carrying a dagger and pistol around.

  “YY?” I heard Roberto call out to me but I ignored him. I’m Ace now.

  “There are currently a few things on my mind.” I said.

  I guess I have no choice, if it means that I can save Roberto.

  All eyes were on me, and only my voice could be heard.

  “First of all,” I aimed the pistol in the direction of the man in black, their leader, “No one hurts my boyfriend.”

  “Secondly,” I pushed down the safety lever, “No one holds my boyfriend hostage.”

  “Thirdly,”

  *BANG* A bullet flew right past the man’s ear and burrowed itself into the wall behind.

  “I’m not going to miss next time.”

  Fear was in the room, I could smell it.

  “Now I’m just going to say this once more.” I said as I glared icily at him, sending a shiver down his spine. “Release. Roberto.”

  “O-okay, okay.” He stammered. “But could you answer my question first?”

  “What?” I asked while still pointing the pistol at him.

  “Who… who are you?”

  “Me?” I smiled, “I’m Ace from the Assassination Society.”

  Despair filled his eyes as soon as he heard who I was. He knelt onto the ground apologizing over and over again as he pushed Roberto over to me.

  “I’m so sorry! Take him back! Please spare my life!”

  “You gave me back Roberto, so I won’t hurt you. But I can’t guarantee that they won’t.” I said as I untied the ropes on Roberto. “Guys, he’s all yours!” I yelled out to my team which was waiting on standby outside the door.

  Roberto didn’t say anything and just stared at me. I took his hand and led him out of the building as my team carried out their mission. Once outside, we just stood there looking at each other.

  “YY… Are you… alright?”

  I could see he was still shocked, but that was the first thing he asked me, and not my true identity. That’s so like Roberto.

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  Knowing that I was fine, he crushed me into an embrace, repeating my name over and over again, but not asking the question he wanted to ask most.

  I wanted to return his embrace, but I couldn’t. He knows I'm an assassin. I have to leave him before he gets more involved and get hurt. I can’t be with him anymore. It’s not just the status problem of a commoner and a prince. Assassin is just a fancy term for killer and murderer. There’s no way a prince can be together with someone like that.

  “I’m sorry, Roberto.” I pushed him away as I tried to fight back my tears. “I’m sorry…”

  “No… don’t say that… I don’t care even if you’re an assassin. You’re still the YY I know, and I fell in love with just the way you are.” He was desperate, with his eyes starting to tear up as well. “Don’t say that…”

  It was enough to know that someone would accept me just the way I am; I couldn’t dare to put him in danger.

  I really enjoyed the time we spent together.

  “Thank you for everything… and goodbye…”

  I could see Alberto running over to the Prince now, so I guess it’s time I take my leave. I smiled at Roberto one last time, wanting to leave behind a good last impression.

  I love you…

  I fled in the other direction. I could hear Roberto yelling behind me, telling me to stay. He wanted to come after me too, but was held back by Alberto, telling him to calm down.

  I’m sure by tomorrow Alberto would know the other side of me as well, since everything that happened inside the room with the terrorists were recorded down on the CCTV. Roberto would definitely be forbidden to see me.

  I love you… That’s why I'm saying goodbye.

   ～

    It has already been a month since the hostage incident at the theme park. I haven’t come in contact with Roberto ever since then. Maybe this is for the best. My friends did say that I’ve been giving out a grey aura lately, but I’m sure I’ll be able to get over it, someday.

  As I made my way over to university, I passed the café Roberto and I went to before. Every time I have to go to university, I pass by this café, and every time it hurts the same. They say that time would cure heartbreaks, but that’s a lie. Every time I pass by, I get reminded of the times we spent together, the laughs we had over insignificant things, his radiant smile… that smile that I loved so much. And then it would remind me of the kisses we shared, it’s so painful to remember. I guess now I know how my targets felt when I stabbed a knife through their hearts.

  I got through my day the way I did for the past month, like a robot. I just wanted to get back to my room and sleep; it was the only way I could escape from everything. I thought today would be like any other day, but apparently, I was wrong.

  When I got back, I saw Alberto standing there waiting for me.

  He noticed me and bowed to me. I approached him and said,

  “Alberto, it has been a long time.”

  “Yes, it has been, Miss YY.” He replied as he kept his straight posture.

  “…So… What are you here for? To arrest me?” I asked.

  “No,” He replied with a smile, “In fact, the King has a request to make.”

  “The King?” Slightly taken aback, I waited to see what the request was. That was unexpected. What could he possibly request for?

  “Yes. He wishes for you to protect Prince Roberto.”

  What?

  “Wait, Alberto. You lost me there.”

  I don’t even see Roberto anymore, how do I protect him?

  “Forgive me for the confusion. Let me explain,” Alberto apologized. “From the CCTV clip retrieved from the incident a month ago, we found that you were an assassin. Naturally, Prince Roberto was forbidden to see you anymore.”

  “Yeah, that much I figured…”

  “But ever since that, his highness hasn’t been himself anymore.”

  “What do you mean by that?” My brows furrowed.

  “Prince Roberto doesn’t attempt to escape anymore, which I am grateful for, but at the same time, his smiles have become a rare sight. And even when he does smile, all that could be felt was loneliness and sadness. He locks himself up with work, living like a robot programmed to do so. The King and I have been quite worried about his highness’ health. It also pains us to see him like that every day.”

  Now that certainly isn’t the Roberto I know. It breaks my heart to hear how he currently is.

  Alberto continued, “Also, in the past few weeks, we have been receiving death threats addressed to Prince Roberto, so a search for new bodyguards is ongoing. And this is where you come in, Miss YY.”

  “So you want me to become Roberto’s bodyguard?” I asked.

  “Not exactly a bodyguard. You are allowed to continue your relationship with his highness; it would also be made official as well. The King only requests that you protect Prince Roberto when you are with him.”

  I would protect him even if they didn’t ask me to. Why would they think they even needed to ask?

  “Why go through all the trouble to get me to protect him while you can hire dozens of elite bodyguards?”

  “You see, Miss YY, bodyguards can solve the latter problem, but only you can solve the former. You are the only one who can shine light to his highness’ life again.”

  “But… but I'm an assassin. He’s a prince…”

  I’m still a bit confused about the whole thing…

  “Yes, you did say that. But we do not have solid proof that you really are an assassin,” He gave me a knowing smile, “And in the clip from the incident, all we can see is that you saved Prince Roberto’s life from the terrorists Group X. If we had to say anything about it, you are a hero who saved the prince of a country.”

  “So in short,” I tried to conclude, “I can officially date Roberto and I just have to protect him in return?”

  “Yes, that is correct. You catch on fast, Miss YY.” Alberto praised me. “Seeing that his highness is always with you when he sneaks out, it would be best that you could protect him, since you are the closest to him. And as they say, to fight fire with fire, wouldn’t it be better to have an assassin fight off assassins then to have bodyguards do the job?”

  So Roberto is in danger now even without me by his side… Then it would definitely be better if I was there to protect him! And just as Alberto said, to fight fire with fire. Who knows an assassin better than a top assassin? I’d rather protect the one I love with my own hands than to let others do the job.

  “I'm up for it!” I smiled at Alberto after some consideration. It was the first time I actually smiled after the incident. I can’t wait to see Roberto again!

  “I knew we would receive a positive reply from you. Thank you, Miss YY.” He looked relieve as he swiftly took out his phone to tell the King the good news.

  ～

  A week after my encounter with Alberto, I was led down the hallway in Villa Altaria to Roberto’s office after paying my respects to the King. I asked the King and Alberto not to tell Roberto about the whole ‘we can officially be together’ thing yet because I wanted to give him a surprise. I can’t wait to see the look on Roberto’s face when he sees me!

  We arrived in front of the office doors and Alberto knocked on it.

  “Who is it?” A voice answered lifelessly.

  Just as Alberto said, it was Roberto’s voice but not him at the same time. My heart clenched at the sound of it. The pain I had experienced in the past month all hit me at once, planting doubt in my mind if I can really bring back the old Roberto or not. At the same time, guilt rose inside me as I knew that I was part of the reason for this to happen.

  “This is Alberto. I have brought your highness’ new bodyguard with me.”

  “Come in.”

  As we entered, I could see that Roberto had buried himself in work, he didn’t even look up when we came in.

  “Hello, your highness. I’m YY. From today on, I’m going to continue being your girlfriend and protect you!” I said in a cheery voice.

  It has been so long since I last saw him. I missed him so much.

  The second he heard my voice, his head shot up from his work and came rushing over to me.

  “YY?! Is that you? Is that really you?!” Roberto exclaimed.

  “Yes, it’s me.” I smiled to him.

  “YY!” Colours returned to his face as he hugged me hard.

  “Roberto- I can’t breathe-”

  “Sorry, sorry. I'm just so happy to see you again!” He released his grip to look at me. I could see tears brimming in his eyes as he gave me his usual smile, which made me want to cry too.

  Seeing this sight, Alberto excused himself and left us alone.

  “I missed you so much…” Roberto said.

  “Me too…”

  We looked at each other, our faces moved closer, and finally, our lips met. I really missed him so much. I’ll explain everything to him, later. For now, I just want to indulge myself in this sweet reunion of ours.