Faith

4

'A gig?' 

His words rung in her head. She was too dumbfounded to speak. Thoughts rushed wildly in her head.

A member of a successful band offering her a gig?! This could reshape her future eternally! If done right not only, would she probably be set for life money wise, but this type of publicity could skyrocket her entire career.

There was a nervous yet excited lump in her throat but even if she could speak, she didn't know what to say.

"Uh-" he cleared his throat and paused, when he realized, she wasn't going to speak back he continued. "You'd have to come stay with us to capture the environment of the band, a little behind the scenes action ya see, for a rare collector's edition book set." 

She nodded.

"And you'll have to accompany us on our next tour."

She blinked. 

"Tour??" she repeated in disbelief.

"Yes. " He said. "All expenses paid. "   

Gina gawked in disbelief, her eyes darting between the two.

The Ghoul clicked his heels and positioned his hands behind his back, leaning ever so slightly forward in the process.

"How long is the tour?" Valentine was finally able to spit out. She tried to calm down the emotions she was feeling, this was exactly what her career needed. The direction she could be pointed in if this was successful and the higher end clients she could work for. 

She could even start her own studio and, perhaps, even a gallery.

'This is business Valentine. Would it kill you to suck it up and be professional?' She thought to herself.

"Well-" he started, Gina began pacing around the room pretending she had other tings to do. You could practically see the steam coming from her ears. She did not like being ignored, especially by a man who had no real interest in her. One could even argue that the possibility of Valentine's success also angered Gina. "You'd be staying with us for about a month or two as we take a break from the tour, then we'll be on the European tour for eight months to a year possibly."

Valentine blinked and was about to open her mouth to repeat what he said but Gina had beaten her to it.

"A year?" She emphasized. "I don't know what goes on in your big-band-multimillion-dollar head but for some folks like us-" Gina gestured her slender finger between the two girls in the room before she finished. "It takes two to pay the rent around here."

"Huh?" The Ghoul looked between the two and connected the dots. "Oh! O-Oh yes, of course. How silly of me to forget. Uh- erm, thank you for reminding me. We will also be willing to take care of any remaining funds." 

The Ghoul looked at Gina for her approval, or maybe he just wanted her to feel involved, so she'd finally stop scowling at the idea. Or was she scowling at him? He couldn't tell but the ginger haired woman clearly seemed like someone who didn't take well to not being in charge. 

"Half rent?" 

"yes!"

"Groceries too? " Gina asked just as quickly as the Ghoul had responded. "Valentine buys groceries around here too."

That was an obvious lie, but Valentine didn't feel like ratting her pal out. The only real 'groceries' that were kept in the apartment was the leftovers from the diner that Gina worked at and MANY packages of ramen.

"Groceries too." The Ghoul gave a swift nod.

"You know we'll have to talk about this-" Gina drew her eyebrow up. "Between us girls."

"Gina-" There was disbelief in Valentine's tone. She did not like to be treated like a child and wondered why her friend was being so uptight about this, this type of success and opportunity could benefit the both of them.

Before Valentine could get another word in or tell her friend how daunting she was being, Gina raised a finger at her, as if a mother telling a child to not interrupt.

"Grownups are talking Val." 

Valentine's mouth gaped, her face reddened, and she almost huffed with anger.

"With all due respect, Gina, is it?" the Ghoul pitched in as he took a step towards her. "Grownups were talking, and I don't remember offering you a job."

Val has never heard anyone talk back to Gina. This was a big 'Oh shit' situation and it caused her to take a few steps back, wondering if the two cats would fight at it.

But, to Valentine's surprise, Gina backed off it and didn't speak another word. Instead, Gina huffed, muttered a 'whatever,' and retreated back towards her room.

When the Ghoul was finally sure that the two were alone and could speak with no interruptions, he took a few steps towards her and locked their eyes. 

There was something sweet in his gaze and it was absolutely enticing to Valentine, in fact, the mere connection was so intimate to her that for a moment she forgot where she was and what was on the table. Something about his look made her soften and let out a small breath.

She gazed back in pure curiosity and the flutter of her eyes as they held onto his had an effect on him too, a shiver down his spine.

If only he could freeze time to this moment. 

"Look, I'm not asking you to sell your soul on this deal right now-" his funny little accent tickled her ears. "But I am asking you to consider. "

Breaking their gaze, he looked down to search his pocket and then took both her hands in his. 

"I hope your answer will be yes." 

His cold fingers curled a slip of paper into her grip before letting go of her hands. For some reason, she wished he didn't let go. 

The Ghoul smiled under his mask and brushed his hand against her cheek. 

"I'll see myself out." He gave her a nod and retreated out the door that he came from, making sure to close it on the way out. 

Once he was out of her sight, he sighed. 

"What am I going to tell the Cardinal?" He shook his head. "Me and my big ideas."

There was no real approval on this project of his. Papa and Cardi had no knowledge of this visit, but they were leaving in a few days to rest before the next tour and Special Ghoul KNEW he couldn't leave without her. He was sure in for it when the Church found out.

"Well-" he awkwardly shrugged to himself as he began to walk off. His tone slipped to a high pitch of hope. "Maybe the Church will like the idea."

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Valentine was in absolute disbelief. She stood there, too stunned to move or speak but, God, she felt like she needed to leap for joy and shout on rooftops. This was her biggest opportunity yet and adrenaline was coursing her veins. 

When she was sure she could breathe properly, Val acknowledged the slip of thin paper in her hand. It was all crumpled and as she unfolded it, she realized it was an old receipt, but something was written on the back. 

In sloppy handwriting and thick sharpie, it read:

"In any case, contact me here"

Followed by a phone number and a small doodle of a smiley face.

Val smiled.

"I could finally be great."