His Light, Her Darkness

Chapter 1: The Job

I can feel myself falling asleep.

This lecture has been going on for at least three hours by now, and the professor shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. He's rambling on and on and on, I'm trying so hard, so damn hard to not just listen with my eyes closed, but I know at the sound of the professor's snappy voice that I have succumbed to sleep, only to be woken up by his words.

"Uttråkade jag dig? Är du för bra för min klass?" (Did I bore you? Are you too good for my class?) He yells towards the back of the theatre, forcing out of my daze.

"Ja!" (Yes) I say automatically, only just realising after I let the word slip, what he was asking me. "Nej, ledsen, jag menar, jag är bara trött." (No, sorry, I mean, I'm just tired.) I scramble for my words. Swedish was one of my first languages I learnt, yet I still find it difficult, especially when I've just woken up from a quick nap.

I feel everyone's burning gaze on me and i take that as my que to pack up and leave. Gathering my things, i hurry from the room, my face burning in embarrassment. I really shouldn't go. Mother is paying for all of this but I wasn't lying when I answered yes, I already know everything that professor is teaching.

I sound so stuck up, but i'm not going to lie, i am very good at languages, and i know much more than he lets on.

As I leave the classroom, I hear footsteps following hurriedly behind me, and as I leave the theatre, I turn around to find a man following me. He's tall, definitely over 6'5, and his chocolate brown hair compliments his tan skin. One again, I cannot lie when I say he is very handsome, which leaves me questioning as to why he is following me.

"Excuse me!" He calls for my attention as I carry on down the halls just wanting to get home. Luckily for him I'm not rude, and stop turning to face him. "Hello Miss, i am very sorry to disturb you, but i just couldn't help but notice how well you speak Swedish."

I feel my face blush. Not many people compliment me on how well I can speak a language, and no one is ever this good looking at that.

"Thank you." I reply. "I haven't seen you around here before, are you new to the course?" I ask, trying to distract from how utterly awkward I am, and the fact that I am literally drooling over this guy.

"Well i'm actually scouting, looking for a translator, especially someone who can speak Swedish, i was wondering if you'd be interested in coming in for an interview?" The man's deep voice is husky, and holds a slight Italian accent to it, though it's hidden expertly well.

Wow, a hot guy is asking me to come in for a job interview to do the one and only thing i'm truly passionate about! Could this day get any stranger?

I do need a job actually, I've been trying everywhere but New York just does not seem to be my lucky city. It makes me miss home, and living in Australia.

I lived in Sydney for most of my life with my Mum, while my Dad lived all over the world, always working. He was essentially not a part of my life, though I still love him very much. We talk fairly often on the phone, and Skype. He sends me gifts all the time, so despite not having seen him in person for years, we are still very close. I used to get sad that I never saw him, but he was just protecting mum and I, and I respect that.

"Oh really?" I ask. "That would actually be great!" This could be a great opportunity to build up my portfolio. I may only be eighteen, but I need to get all the experience I can. "Sei italiano per caso?" (Are you Italian by any chance?) I ask, intrigued in his background, and hoping we can find some common ground so it's not so awkward.

"Sì, lo sono, sei perfetto per questo lavoro, dovrei solo chiedere al mio capo di assumerti sul posto!" (Yes I am, you are perfect for this job, I should just ask my boss to hire you on the spot!) He laughs. "Seriously, are you Italian, because you speak it perfectly!"

I feel myself blushing even more, if that's possible. "Thank you, and yes, i was born there, but lived there only for less than a year before moving away."

"No wonder! What is your name Bella?"

Did he just call me beautiful? I am melting!

"Mia, and you?" I ask.

"Dante." He smiles, holding out his hand, and I take it, expecting a handshake, but instead he brings my hand to his lips and kisses it! Oh my gosh!

I am officially deceased.

I watch as he pulls out a business card from the inside of his suit, jacket pocket. I swear as he does so though, I can see the flash of metal hidden beneath. I shake it off and give him a smile.

"Here is my boss's card, I will schedule an appointment for tomorrow at nine?"

I nod, barely listening to his words. "Sounds good."

"The address is just on the card and so is my number if you need any more information."

"Thank you so much for this opportunity!" I beam at him.

He just smiles. "It is my pleasure Mia. I may see you tomorrow." He purrs.

I nod my head a little too eagerly and give him one last wave before turning around again and cursing myself for being so darn weird. I learnt as many languages that i could so i can understand everything, yet i still can't understand basic social cues, what's wrong with me?

As I hurry away, I can't help but notice that ahead of me are five men in black suits scattered around the outdoor campus. I catch the eye of one of them who seems to be talking into an earpiece and watching me intently.

Weird.

I quickly scurry past him, hurrying to the car park and getting into my car, turning the ignition. My eyes one again catch the few men getting into multiple black SUVs, and I promptly drive away, getting onto the highway and far away from them. I am just being paranoid.

I make it home to my small apartment within the heart of New York city. Parking my car in the garage I get into the lift and press level eighteen, feeling relieved as it begins moving upwards. I swear I had seen one of those black cars following me, what the hell!

I'm sure i am just being crazy, i mean no one has any real reason to follow me, plus there are loads of black cars, i probably just was watching another random car which happened to be going in my direction.

Once I unlock the door to my apartment, I drop my things onto the couch and hurry to the window. I almost drop dead when I see three black cars parked at the bottom of my building, all in a line. I watch as all the men step out of the cars and head into the apartment complex.

Oh god.
-------------------------------------------------------
Ello peeps,
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! Please let me know of any grammar mistakes!!!

Also, I've got a tiktok account if you'd like to follow! The account is-
book_talk0
And it is also linked in my bio!!!<3