Phantom's Performance

Chapter 17

Y/n's Pov

I woke up groggily, rubbing my eyes as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. It took a moment to realize that I had fallen asleep at my desk in my office. The room was bathed in soft morning light, and my body felt stiff from the awkward position. As I glanced around, my eyes fell on a letter lying on my nightstand.

Reaching over, I picked it up and read:

Y/n, I instructed my shadow to put you to bed. You were asleep, and I didn't want to move you myself, fearing I might wake you. Rest well. – Alastor

The note made me smile, but it was the postscript that caught my attention:

PS If you're free in the morning, I'd love to take you on a walk. – Alastor

The idea of a morning walk sounded pleasant, and I felt a sense of warmth at the thought of spending some time with Alastor outside the hotel. I decided to accept his offer, appreciating the gesture of kindness.

I quickly freshened up and put on something comfortable before heading out of my office. As I approached Alastor's door, I took a deep breath and knocked softly.

Alastor's Pov

The knock on my door was promptly followed by Y/n's voice. I couldn't help but smile at her cheerful tone. I opened the door to find her standing there, looking radiant and ready for the day.

"Good morning, Y/n," I greeted her warmly.

"I would like to walk with you," she said, her smile brightening the room.

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I felt genuine happiness at the prospect of spending time with her. "I'm delighted to hear that. Shall we?"

We left the hotel together, the early morning sun casting a soft glow over the city. The air was crisp, and it was the perfect setting for our walk. As we strolled through the quiet streets, I felt a sense of ease and contentment.

Our conversation flowed naturally, and I found myself enjoying the way we connected. I was keen to learn more about Y/n, and our discussions were both enlightening and enjoyable. I decided to bring up a topic I had heard about from Rosie, curious to hear Y/n's take on it.

"So, Y/n," I began, "I heard from Rosie that you take up cannibalism from time to time. Is that true?"

Y/n looked at me, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Yeah, that's true, but it isn't all the time. It's more of a rare indulgence."

Her candidness was refreshing, and I found it fascinating. "I see. It's always interesting to learn about unique traits."

As we continued our walk, we arrived at a large circus tent set up in an open field. The sight of it caught my attention, and I could see Y/n's curiosity piqued.

"What's this?" she asked, looking up at me.

"This tent belongs to me," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "It's been vacant for a while now. It could use a ringmaster."

Y/n's eyes widened in intrigue. "Really? I've always had a dream of creating a circus. But I never thought I'd see one like this up close.

I watched her closely, noticing the excitement in her eyes. "Well, if you'd like, we can go inside and explore. It's been empty for too long, and it could be used by someone with your passion."

Y/n's reaction was immediate. Her face lit up with a mixture of excitement and hesitation. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."

"Not at all," I reassured her with a warm smile. "I'd be delighted to show it to you."