My Words Are Law

The Sinister Sundew (2)

It was Sunday with a beautiful clear blue sky. Usually, she'd be doing household chores and assignments while admiring the patch of sky from their apartment window, but an unforeseen event destroyed the usual routine.

With a heavy heart, she left the apartment after informing her curious family that she would continue a project in the public library for a change of environment.

Unbeknownst to the two people who said their goodbyes happily, the Public Library was actually a man's condo unit. She felt a little guilty for lying but if Aunt Rosa knew the truth, there was no way she'd allow Amaryllis to set foot in a man's residence.

And while she would gladly agree with her Aunt, today is an exception, especially with the upcoming major accomplishment report and Chryses' uncompromising behavior.

She ran a nervous gaze at the length of the high-rise building, squinting at the rays of the sun shining down on the imposing tall glass house. Just how many floors are there? She blinked repeatedly as soon as she tried to look at the last floor, but the sun was too bright, and it hurt her eyes.

He said he's staying at the penthouse, which was enough to send her nerves rampaging in protest.

First of all, it was too far from the exit. Sure, there are elevators, but in the off chance that something may cause them to be under maintenance suddenly, the stairs are not convenient to use in a multi-story building. She's naturally paranoid, so she always worries about details that people usually don't think about.

In this case, the real threat wasn't really the possibility of fire or natural disasters happening but the tenant staying in the Pent House. Like for example, what if, in the worst case scenario, he has a weird hobby of also feeling entertained by inflicting physical injuries on people..? And what if... (Assuming her assumption of his bizarre hobby is true) she becomes his target the moment she enters the unit..?

She shuddered, sighing bitterly afterwards. He couldn't be that... evil?

...Right?

Gulping, she faced front and walked to the entrance of the building as if she was going to her death sentence.

Was she being too judgmental..?

Probably, but can anyone blame her? Chryses Taylor isn't really the best person out there. Nor was he better... or good even. He was one of the most dangerous people in Amaryllis' "dangers to avoid" list. Thankfully, she has that thing.

Oh...

Of course! That thing!

She was finally able to sigh in relief after recalling her trump card. How could she ever forget? She could always tell him to do what she wanted. She could defend herself quite easily without physical strain whatsoever! She nodded assuredly as she wrote her name in the visitor's logbook.

"The Pent House?" The guard read suspiciously when he caught sight of the words she wrote.

"Yes, sir. I'm here to do a school project with the tenant." She answered honestly.

The man's brow shot up, creating three lines on his forehead. "School project?"

There was a slight disbelief and amusement on his face, which puzzled Amaryllis.

"Yes... Is there a problem? If you don't believe me, I could call my classmate to inform you of the authenticity of my visit." She said, taking out her phone to prove her identity. As soon as she was about to unlock her screen, a call intercepted her actions.

"...Beast?" The security guard's brows raised even more as he read the caller's I.D.

She quickly moved her screen away from the man's prying eyes. "No!"

The man peered at her thoughtfully and somehow made her change her answer.

"I-I mean... Y-Yes. Th-that's the nickname of my classmate! It's weird b-but... but it's true-" It was just a way to destress herself, so she named him Beast in her contacts.

Actually, she changes it from time to time, depending on her mood. It used to be Psycho, and before that, it was Satan. Truthfully, it has evolved into many things. And for a personnel of the condominium to see it... She felt a little nervous. What if he tattles?

After all, there was a slight chance that the two were acquainted. What if they were talking about the weather one day, and this incident suddenly popped up? Her face grew pallid.

The security guard suddenly coughed out loud. "It's okay. There's no need to explain. I completely understand."

"O-oh..." Amaryllis was relieved to hear his response. "Th-that's good... to hear." Recalling she had a call to answer, she frantically pressed the green button and put the phone to her ear.

"Are you at the lobby now?" Chryses didn't bother greeting.

"Yes... But the security guard doesn't seem to believe I'm a visitor..." She replied. Was it a coincidence that he asked such a question when she's standing in the lobby right now?

"Give your phone over."

"Okay." She did as he told her. The security guard took it, and as soon as he heard the voice from the speaker, the small doubt he previously had vanished immediately.

"Of course, sir! Yes... Yes, sir..."

Amaryllis tentatively smiled at the security guard when he looked at her for a long time. What was Chryses telling him to make the security guard look at her like that..?

"Yes, I understand. I'll quickly send her up. Yes..."

The phone was soon returned to her, but the call ended. Was he in the middle of work and only called a bit for a quick check?

"Miss, please use the elevator in the middle. Use this card to access it."

"Oh, thank you." She smiled at him gratefully as she took what he had quickly retrieved from behind his desk and was now handing it to her earnestly. She looked down at a fancy card and turned around to head for the elevator between a total of five.

Residents also have access cards for elevators? So high-tech... The problem is, where was she going to use it? A scanner of some sort? She forgot to ask.

Fortunately, the scanner was placed at a conspicuous place beside the elevator doors. After a number of awkward attempts with some condescending audiences, the doors finally opened.

Honestly, she thought the card was fake and that this was Chryses' revenge, but after thinking again, such a simple retaliation couldn't possibly come from someone of his caliber. Her anxiety shot up like a rocket, and she began to wonder if it was best to retreat for now. It's not too late-

As soon as she thought of that, the elevator doors opened. Along with that, Chryses sent her another message.

'Password is 118123,'

Maybe this is a sign that it was okay to follow through with his ridiculous invite...

'Okay. I'll be coming any second now,' She replied as she breathed out a sigh before going to the only door present in the spacious hallway.

Or maybe this was fate luring her into a trap...

She closed her eyes and breathed out a long sigh. She doesn't have a choice anyway.

"So finish it quickly and leave as soon as possible," she muttered before facing the door.

***

A/N: Good luck to our FL! Go, girl! 😄