บท 5: Something Deeper
************
CHAPTER 5
The air inside the room was heavy with tension, as a man in his late forties sat silently with his legs crossed, his hands clasped tightly in front of him.
His sharp gaze was fixed on the bright screen of his sleek laptop, which rested on the polished surface of a massive conference table placed in the centre of the room.
The large, dimly lit room was structured in a way that it commanded respect; striking fear in the hearts of those who dared to enter.
Surrounding the table were several chairs, all pulled slightly back from the table, indicating an eerie emptiness that was present in the air.
Only the silhouettes of the executives, whose images were being displayed on the screens around the room, could be seen.
As the man in his late forties continued to stare at his laptop screen intently, a mixture of anxiety and apprehension oozed out of him.
His face was etched with worry lines which were accentuated by the dim lights. Little beads of sweat formed on his forehead, indicating that he was struggling to make a decision or in this case say what needed to be said.
The silence was deafening, marked only by the soft tapping of the keyboard as the man in typed rapidly on his laptop. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as everyone waited for him to reveal his next move.
The storm outside raged with fury, its thunderous roars echoing through the room. Lightning illuminated the sky in jagged streaks, casting eerie shadows everywhere.
Finally, the wait was over and when he lifted his eyes, they were dead like the black heart he had.
"It is unlike anything I've ever seen." Mr. Dashiell voice's echoed. "The thunder and lightning seemed to carry an extraordinary force as if nature itself was being manipulated."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room as others nodded in acknowledgement of the strange phenomenon they had witnessed.
Ms. Ramirez, her eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear, spoke up. "I can't help but wonder if it's related to Ariel. We've all watched her grow and the whispers of powers awakening within her. Surely we all know that it will come a day when we cannot contain her powers."
The mention of Ariel's name sent a chill through the room.
Whispers of her abilities had spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of those seeking power and control.
The possibility of harnessing such power for their own gain was too tempting to resist.
Mr. Thompson, a shrewd businessman known for his cunning, leaned forward, his voice laced with determination.
"If Ariel's powers truly are awakening, we must act swiftly. We cannot let such a valuable asset slip through our fingers."
A few heads nodded in agreement, the hunger for power and domination gleaming in their eyes.
"We know, several factions would seek for her and who knows what the immortals would do when they find out?"
"She could be killed. Mrs. West is right," another one of the men voiced.
"After all we have been through to ensure her powers are sealed, nurture her into chaos just so she could come to us when the time was right, we cannot let any other supernatural get their hands on her," Mrs. Becking added.
"We must find a way to capture Ariel," Mr. Johnson interjected, his voice seething with urgency. "Her powers, once harnessed, could grant us unparalleled influence over the world."
As the storm outside intensified, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense.
Ms. Bennett, a formidable woman known for her ruthlessness, leaned back in her chair, a wicked smile curling her lips.
"I have connections within the secretive organization of every demon clan and faction that has been monitoring Ariel's activities recently," she revealed. "With their assistance, we can get info on what they know about her, sabotage their plans and ultimately ensure she falls into our hands."
Everyone's thoughts were aired but after they finished speaking all eyes remained fixed on the first man, Mr. Dashiell.
"I think you all seem to be forgetting something," his frightening voice stated.
He lifted his eyes, letting his gaze linger on each one of them till the last. "How in the Demon Lord's name did she tamper with the force of nature like that? Something must have triggered it and if that something is an enemy, it means we may have to speed up our plans."
As the meeting drew to a close, a plan was silently made. These fifteen individuals, driven by their insatiable thirst for power, would stop at nothing to get Ariel and exploit her burgeoning abilities.
The storm outside raged on, echoing their dark intentions.
Little did they or anyone know that the power Ariel possessed was a strength and resilience that surpassed their comprehension.
And forces awakening within her were beyond their control, and the consequences of their actions would be far-reaching.
**********
On the other hand, Ariel arrived home feeling way more tired than she had been on any other day.
It was confusing considering she did not overwork herself, yet she felt like one who was hit by a truckload of cement bags.
She yawned, stretching on her bed.
Ariel sat upright as dreams she had came rushing back into her mind.
The nightmare where Drax stared at her with those intense amber eyes... the strange thunderstorm which seemed so real…and then there were these men with evil intent looking at her sternly while discussing how best they could capture her without killing her.
She shuddered when she remembered their words, 'We will find out what triggers your powers.' and shook her head.
She did not know them but every now and then she dreamt about them. Now, even after seeing a handsome man like Drax, she ended up reeling him into her dream.
"Urghh! My life."
Ever since she arrived here, she took a bath first and went to sleep. Now that she woke up, her nostrils picked up the scent of homemade cooking and her stomach grumbled in response.
Suddenly her mind was jolted back to the fact that she lived with someone. Quickly she rose from the bed and wandered into the living room only to stop when she heard the familiar call.
Isis's voice drifted from the kitchen. "I'm making dinner for you and I hope you're hungry because it's going to be delicious, Mira!"
Ariel smiled when she heard the hurrying footsteps of the young one who was called upon.
"Go and wake your aunt Ariel. I bet she hasn't eaten anything all day!"
It was rare for her friend, Isis to cook for her, especially on weekdays. That was her job when she came back early.
She loved it though—the smell alone made her mouth watery, reminding her of the days before everything happened.
"Okay, mummy," little Mira's voice rang out as she appeared in the living room.
"Aunt Ariel!"
She flashed a smile at Mira and leaned down to scoop her into her arms when she ran towards her.
"Hahhaa… Hello Mirabelle."
"Hi, Aunt."
"Ariel?"
At the same time, Isis's head poked out from the kitchen door and she smiled. "Great, set the table with her. I am almost done on my end. I cannot wait for your big news."
"Huh?"
"Yes silly. Your first day at work. I bet you landed a good hit! We're celebrating!"
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