Araceli

9- Phantom (edited)

-Valarie (first person)-

Isn't it amazing how much a person's authority can change depending on appearances? But not in this case. That is exactly what invaded my thoughts as my gaze racked around and fell on him.

Despite those casual clothes he had thrown over himself, radiating a gentler aura, his intimidating gaze was nowhere near soft. And horrifying thoughts repeated themselves in my mind on a dark, haunting note. It was when I saw him raising an eyebrow that I found my courage to speak. "Oh yes, Mr. Kim, although I'm late" I replied with a slippery voice, hanging my head slightly to show that I am apologetic towards his highness. My heart was bashing against my chest for an unknown reason and despite that, I wanted nothing more than to make this work.

"Next time, I'd expect you to be on time," saying that he sat down, never asking me to do the same. "Well, I'll just help myself then," I whispered before finding myself a place to sit. I found myself seated across a person that looked kind of like a ghost at some point. Like somebody sucked all the energy from his soul and left his body with a little bit of life enough for breathing.

His sharp gaze had the same intensity but seemed like colorless pits, like his eyes haven't been shut for a good sleep or even a nap.

Does he have trouble sleeping?

I was lost in my thoughts when he cleared his throat. I took it as a signal to come back to my senses and shook my head slightly. "You've been staring for quite a while," he spoke. Yes, I had been staring. I was at a loss for words even though I'd practiced what to say in the cab on my way here.

"Can I ask you a question?"

I was going to ask him why he looked like that but decided to change my question at the last moment, right when he nodded. I was now going to ask him about the person called Kier who greeted me at the door. That was another genuine question I had in my mind. I thought he was just a guard, but he seemed way more than just that.

He reappeared with a glass of water when I was still contemplating whether to ask him after I let the bullet out. He smiled and stood next to Joshua Kim. "Go on. Say what you have to, I'm a busy person as you know," he demanded, reminding me once again of how I'm not very important right now. It feels like such a drag. And now I decided to just get to the point.

"Here," I placed the blank contract with my signature already on it, on the wooden table in front of me. His eyes were then set on it.

"What exactly is this?"

"Can't you guess? It's a blank contract," I rolled my eyes and instantly regretted it.

Instant regret is something I've been feeling a lot lately.

"Do you think I have the time to play games?" he hissed and that made me blink twice.

Isn't he the real pain in the ass?

"I'm trying to co-operate with you here. If you write down your conditions, I'll try to follow,"

"Try? Is that what you had in mind before coming here?" he leaned backwards, crossing his legs.

I need to scream right freaking now.

"I mean, I will," I said through gritted teeth.

"All I want from you is to not get in my way. Don't distract me. Talk to me when I'm not busy. Get here on time and get over with this as soon as possible," he ranted, and I wanted to gauge his eyes out for making my job and me as a joke.