Presage

Chapter 3 ♚ The Torn Identity

A/N: The photo above is Gilbert Gray :D

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The late morning breeze whipped the striped white and pink curtain, allowing a brief view of the old fountain at the heart of Madame Victoria's rose garden. The draperies continued dancing and seemed to tempt the two figures inside the room as if calling them to step into the balcony and relax while sipping tea.

But Zoe couldn't care less.

She was cocooned by her warm comforter, like a human burrito ready to serve. Just the softness of her bed was more than enough to stop her from leaving, even with the serene view outside. She adjusted the blanket and laid flat on her stomach, her azure eyes glaring at the figure across her.

CRUNCH!

Darcy took another bite of the fresh red apple and licked the juice that ran on his lip. He was seated on Zoe's pink vanity chair, while his legs were crossed and his elbow rested on the table. The room was filled with an array of Anime action figures, K-Pop albums, and other collections, but his amused eyes were fixed on her.

"If you keep staring at me like that," he said with a smirk. "I wouldn't be surprised if you fell in love with me."

Zoe chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"That apple must be poisoned," she replied with a dignified arched brow. "I'm not into guys from another world, especially those with glowing eyes. But even if I am, you don't meet any of my criteria, so dream on!"

She waited for a flash of irritation, but his facade remained intact.

"Of course, what am I saying? You haven't seen anyone of my caliber, so it's only natural that your criteria can't measure my awesomeness." He shook his head and gave her a sympathetic look, "I am deeply not sorry for embarrassing you."

Zoe snorted, "Awesomeness?" She pulled her hand from the comforter and raised it to her forehead as if shielding her eyes from the sunlight, "Where? Where is it? I can't find the awesomeness you're talking about!"

"I suggest you start peeling your eyelids."

She clapped her hands and shoot him a smug smile, "Oh, right! Right! I need to peel my eyelids just to see your nonexistent awesomeness." Zoe saw his brows creased and yelled in a man's voice, "Magnificent!"

Darcy clicked his tongue and bit the fruit, allowing soft chortles to fly from lips. "That's the reason you're still single."

"Excuse me? For your information, staying single was my choice."

"So we're the same. But unlike you, I have a lot of admirers."

That was true enough. She had suitors before. However, she knew that they were only after her family's wealth, so she chased them all away. Those kinds of people, she hated them the most. But how come Darcy knew about that? Did her personality give her away? It was irritating how she felt so self-conscious.

The young man cleared his throat, pulling Zoe from her reverie. "Finally out of words?"

"Seriously? I wasn't told that Ego wears a black suit and roam around hunting zombies."

"I told you before, it's a tracker," he smiled and took another bite of the apple.

This guy was definitely better than Gilbert in hiding his emotions. Never had she met such an adversary. Or perhaps he was enjoying the sight of how lost she was. Either way, she could feel her patience waning, but she must behave-at least for a day. Once Siegfrid returned to the other side of the globe, she could torment Darcy all she want.