History of Death ─ Hu Tao x reader ✔

5.

On a busy day were most were occupied, including the majority of the wangsheng funeral parlor, the streets were filled with commotion. The young director, stumbled through the streets hoping to find a certain individual.

As her ruby red eyes filled with the fire of passion met the
person— they lit up. The character of her target was in reach. She ran up to him eagerly, "Mr. Zhongli we need to further discuss this matter—" she tried to sound as discreet as possible. She cut herself as the sweet pearls on her forehead turned bigger.

They grew from her face— as she felt the hot embarrassment on her own body. Allowing her orbs to avoid the piercing ones of her employee.

Feeling this nervous would be the death of her one day. It didn't change that she was desperate to ask anyone for some solution to her problem.

"Is it an excuse to seek my advice?" He chuckled, she sank together. Wanting to dissappear, right below the surface. Sadly for her, there was no such possibility for that.

The only way to escape such situation, was to make up a excuse, but that was not in the realm of options she could choose from— as the brunette felt more than flustered.

"I.. no." she declined, her eyes avoiding any contact with the male.

The way he looked at her, made her want to run, run faster than her legs would've ever carried her. All she did, was stay in her place frozen while the wind gently kept blowing soft breezes. Cold chills ran down her spine.

She just couldn't bare him being one of the people who could see right away through her. It was scary and made her blood pressure rise at the same time. Such an anxiety producing situation was something she got herself yet once again into. Every single time it was supposed to be the last it would end up with another.

Zhongli went ahead to express a interesting observation, "Director— no.. Hu Tao," he emphasized her name. That made her feel some type of way, in a uncomfortable manour. He didn't use her name usually. As she sensed clearly the conversation which direction it would take.

Something about that made her feel this unsettled as it would take a serious turn. Otherwise she felt safe with the older male, but at such points it was a drag to keep track of how to reduce the strong heartbeat when serious things would happen.

He didn't continue immediately as she seemed to pay attention, "you've been lately extremely out of place." Hu Tao, felt another thrust of a heat wave go through her. Her orbs widened, while her posture slowly melted as ice would in summer. Just a short thought ran through her mind which was centered around if it was that obvious. If she would've been as self conscious as usual, she'd notice the hints and signs spread all over the place. That being said, her mind was the chaos in person.

She thought about how attention taking it was to fall for someone. The moment she noticed her mind had began to wander, it was to late. Once again all kinds of thoughts had pursued her. She tensed up and bit on her cheek.

"I'm aware of that." she sighed. Her thoughts were lately elsewhere, just not where they supposedly had to be.

She cursed herself mentally for that. A lecture of her employee, but at the same time she had asked for it of sorts.

He walked with her for a while. Silence filled between both, the young director took all her bravery together in one sentence. "What do I do?" she started, "to clear it out with her?" The tall male kept quiet. He didn't say a word at first.

His mind had to find a matching anwser, which would work as a great advice. It made her anxiety nonetheless rise above her shadows. She had trust in him, maybe the amount she kept in him was to much at times. Yet she knew him since such a long time, that it felt natural to see him as someone like a parental figure.

He placed his hand carefully on her shoulder, startling her a bit. He faced her with a light smile, "just go talk to her about it, she's your best friend." he explained softly. His normal voice was so different from this one. It felt for  a moment like he was her father— more likely like her grandfather he was the one who used to be this way.

"Thanks.. grand—" she frooze when she realized her words. The wrong sentence left her mouth. As her lips departed the next time, "I'm sorry, you just reminded me of my grandfather. He used to say things like these." she smiled slightly embarrassed as she rubbed her neck.

He chuckled, "don't worry to much, Hu Tao." she smiled back at him. It was warm and sincere, "thank you, Zhongli."

His kind words of advice were more than enough to lift her up. To encourage her to go for that which she has no courage to.

The duo was always seen around the city at certain times, but this time she enjoyed it the most as they were sharing a comfortable conversation while the sun met with the horizon to spread it's colors over the sky.

The light atmosphere was more than comfortable, but a second later the employee had a realization. He looked up to the sky, "Director, we also have to plan a funeral for our special client."

She chuckled, "Oh the fatui?" she guessed, "or is it some of the political parties in Sumeru?" a laugh escaped her lips. As both of these parties were regulars at the parlor. Somehow she didn't end up questioning what dirty business they had, that caused them to commission, the amount of funerals at this time.

The light hearted feeling that didn't leave their heart even as they discussed the matters of their occupation, was nice to keep.

"What do we do about them?" another possible unanswered question was thrown into the room. Both exchanged looks with each other. Question marks followed with frowning spread all over their face.

The tall male didnt hesitate long. His first and most reasonable suggestion came out of his mouth moments later. "We'll clear that tomorrow." Were the words that saved both from further overtime at their occupation. A releasing idea that was lifting weights from both of their shoulders.

A nod followed from the brunette,
"Yes." with a rich smile that dismissed them from work that day.