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「Esme」
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He got me ready and looking gorgeous in a matter of minutes. But before I could admire myself - his artwork further, they all rushed me to the building's main entrance once more.
This time, instead of hiding around the corner, I walk in with full confidence. The bodyguards don't pay me a mind.
A smile blooms on my face. A small victory. Progress. To revenge.
My smile falters and my expression hardens at the thought of why I am supposed to take revenge. I can't forget. I won't even if I wanted to.
Quickly setting my smile back up, I with the others who came inside along with me after getting me ready, stand before the receptionist.
"Good morning, young masters. " The receptionist gives out a charming smile which the men return in their own ways. Then, she turns to me. "And..." She raises an eyebrow. Studying me. "Young miss." But quickly changes into a friendly face from a skeptical one once she notices me watching her.
"How may I help you?" She asks, turning away from me and looking at the men. I think she thinks of me as an insignificant tag-a-along.
I might as well be with my parts missing.
"Sister has an appointment with your CEO Evander." Xavien smiles. "I think you must have been notified of it by now."
The receptionist hurriedly looks down and types and then reads the screen and then smiles. Her cold sweat disappears as she heaves a silent and not-so-visible sigh.
"Indeed." She says. And this time when she looks at me, her eyes seem as if they were twinkling with stars in them. "Indeed I have. Please follow me-"
"No need." Gabriel steps in. "We will take her with us." He tilts his head back. "Isn't that right?"
The others nod. And the receptionist nods along. "Very well. Have a great day ahead."
With that, I turn. My nervous tamps down a bit but then I notice people staring at us. Mostly at the men and then at me. Probably wondering what kind of creature made they way in.
They would never guess.
Holding back a chuckle, I enter the elevator with the men and Camden presses the button to the 20th floor.
The elevator's shiny, and clean. Spacious and has potted plants at the two corners on each side of the door. There's a metal bar at the back.
Here, I see, my reflection, I look good. I look pretty. Gorgeous. And I love what Zein did. I glance at him and then find him watching me. I give him a smile and he just slightly nods. His lips twitching almost into a smile.
The door opens and we step outside. My heart going thudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthudthud-
What if he remembers what happened last night? He would definitely remember it- what if I am not able to get my pearl back before he throws me out?
I have to get it back. At all costs. My life depends on it.
"All the best." The men muse as I give them a small smile and make my way to the assistant sitting right outside his door.
Footsteps go further and further as I realise the men, Evander's friends have gone towards the glass rooms on the other side.
Here the decor minimalistic. Basic white walls, smooth marble floors of grey and large windows on the opposite side of the elevator. As soon as you enter, you will be ambushed by the lights filtering in from those huge glass windows.
Potted green plants are on each side of the windows, the door of marvelous crafted beauty, and the assistant's desk.
Tap-tap-tap. My heels, thanks Zein, click and clack against the floors until I finally stand before the assistant and she stands up as well.
"Good morning." I say, smiling.
"Good morning." She lets out a small smile and nods curtly. "Please wait a minute. The CEO is in a meeting. You will be called in soon."
I nod. "Sure." And then, move to the glass windows. The city comes into the view. All high and mighty. Arcruge City has always been splendid. Busy. Beautiful with dark side equally measuring the good ones.
I see people as small as tiny dots moving around. The blue sky expanding endlessly and the clouds moving with no urgency. As if they have all the time in the world.
Which they actually do. I wish....I did too.... If only my life had the good things, good experiences instead of the bad. If only...
Sighing, I shake my head and then straighten as the door opens. Someone steps out and closes the door quietly. I hear assistant, Qiana Vesta, I read on the nameplate on the table, talks to the other person in a hushed manner.
Finally, the whispers stop and I hear the person walking.
"Miss, you may now go meet Mr Evander." She says after a few seconds. I turn, "Oka-" and stop dead in my tracks.
No. No way. Why.... Why now?