Between two worlds | Chanlix

Into the demon cave

The receptionist's voice seemed to drag through the air as she finished her quiet conversation and hung up the phone. Her gaze returned to Chan, but this time, there was something like faint amusement in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said with a practiced politeness that didn't reach her face. "Mr. Felix isn't available to meet with walk-ins. If you'd like to leave your contact information, someone from his team can—"

"Please," Chan interrupted, his voice rising a little too quickly. "I—I know it's sudden, but I was told he might be willing to hear me out. I just need five minutes."

She raised an eyebrow, already shaking her head as if she'd been through this scenario too many times before. "I'm afraid that's not how things work here. Mr. Felix's schedule is—"

"Fine," a woman's voice cut in, sharp but not unkind. Chan turned to see a tall woman with short hair and a crisp blazer, standing just a few steps away. She gave him a measured look before addressing the receptionist. "Give him a date. One of the open slots next week."

The receptionist nodded and began typing something into her computer, but Chan barely heard her. He could feel something slipping away from him, that familiar sting of disappointment pressing in again. Next week? By then, he might not even have a place to stay, let alone any hope of catching Felix's interest. His breath quickened, his pulse beating fast in his ears. He wasn't going to walk out of here with nothing. Not this time.

Without another thought, he darted past the receptionist and the woman, making a beeline for the elevator at the end of the hall. He heard the receptionist calling after him, but he ignored her. The elevator doors were just beginning to slide shut when he lunged forward and slipped through them, slamming the "close" button repeatedly before anyone could stop him.

The ride up felt endless. Chan's chest tightened with each passing floor, a dozen thoughts racing through his mind. He was crossing a line, doing something reckless and possibly ruining his last shot. But desperation had taken hold, and it was driving him forward with a force he couldn't resist.

When the elevator doors finally opened, Chan bolted down the hallway, glancing at the nameplates on each door until he found it: Lee Felix. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the door handle, but then he pushed it open and stumbled inside.

The room was large, lined with shelves of vinyl records and abstract artwork on the walls. It was surprisingly dim, lit only by the glow of a large window that stretched across the far wall, revealing the bustling cityscape beyond. At the center of the room sat a man with platinum blond hair, dressed in a black turtleneck, leaning back in his chair. Felix's gaze lifted from the papers on his desk, sharp and cutting as it locked onto Chan. His expression was cold, a hint of irritation tightening his jaw.

"What do you think you're doing?" Felix's voice was low, calm, but edged with steel. "You have exactly five seconds to turn around and walk out before I call security."

Chan's heart was pounding, his body practically shaking with nerves, but he stepped forward. "Please," he said, his voice cracking. "I'm not here to waste your time. I just—I need you to listen to me. That's all I'm asking."