"Just me and you now."Eremes reopened his unfinished work and carefully remade his previous setup albeit with Athena not being there. With the raincoat back in place, he then meticulously resumed his work, moving noticeably faster than before. The sooner he finished, the sooner he can get her back in her bed.Even as he worked, Eremes continued to monitor Athena's condition, occasionally glancing in her direction to make sure that she's still there. Her reactions disturbed him. No one can have that look of pure terror without a valid reason. Just, what happened to her that made her fear something about going back? He- Oh.His thoughts were interrupted by the smooth humming of the cell tower's mechanisms. The previously dead light now emitting a cool green signifying its status. Job well done."Finally!"He was finally done! The blasted thing was finally fixed. He closed the box for good and had begun to pack up when he saw Athena's sleeping form, her face still wet from the rain as sh
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzt*"Ughhhhhhhh....."Eremes groaned as he tried in vain to reach for his phone. It's far too early for him to get up. He half-heartedly tried to reach out to his nightstand, still visibly groggy from the events of last night. Or was it just that morning? He chuckled to himself. After one more stretch of his arm, he finally felt the incessant buzzing of his phone.*Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzzt Bzzzzzzzzzzzt*The head of maintenance stared at the screen with annoyance. Who could be calling him that early in the morning anyway? 'Bossma- "Oh shit!"The repairman suddenly sat bolt upright on his bed as he hurriedly forced the traces of tiredness away from his voice. The Bossman only called him on the phone for two reasons; either he was in trouble or the Boss wanted something done urgently. Usually, he only left a voice mail or a job order in his office. He mentally steeled himself as he slid the 'answer call
Eremes strode with purpose as he made his way to the hotel's cafe lounge. It's breakfast time after all, and some of the cafe's most popular items would already be out of stock if he took his merry time to get there. Especially the Star Bagels..Those sweet, juicy bagels.Just the thought of them made his mouth water. The Green Star Cafe made them fresh every six in the morning and they only made fifty every day, making them a hot commodity for employees, guests, and tenants alike. He grimaced as he spared a glance at his wristwatch. It was almost seven in the morning. The hungry head just hoped he wasn't too late.He opened the cafe doors, dignity almost being forgotten as he made a beeline for the bar where an assortment of pastries and delectables can be seen through the lit glass cabinet. The repairman can barely stop himself from sprinting across the cafe to the line as he saw the handful of people queuing up to place their order. With only a few more people at the line.. He can m
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛It's been a day since the events of the rooftop. Yesterday was spent just sleeping the afternoon away and to her surprise, life has been treating her well.Beyond the chapter that your editor needs to get before the 9th.Beyond the chapter that her editor needs this coming Friday.And thus here she was, staring blankly at the monitor. The blinking line at the start of the clearly empty word document taunting her as she tried to come up with story ideas."This shouldn't be this hard." Athena states as her fingers tapped on the desk. "I had the plot for this in my head weeks ago."Why aren't you writing anything then?"Aaahh!"She screamed at her ceiling as the frustration started getting into her. This wasn't working. She's getting antsy and her mind wasn't cooperating.I resent that statement. I do cooperate.Only sometimes. And usually to her detriment.I appreciate your gratitude~The novelist sighed as she stood up from her desk and prepared to get dr
"You know? I didn't expect to spend my lunch break in an expensive cafe, eating a sandwich that probably costs more than my wallet-" Eremes paused as he took a bite out of a sizable sandwich. "-but here I am." Though granted, it was somewhat his fault that they're here in the first place."Well in my defense, you said you wanted to apologize by treating me out to lunch-" Athena retorted as she sipped on a small cup of coffee. "-and here we are." She smirked as she stared directly at her now eating companion. "And to your credit, at least you know about how great a place this is.""As well as how pricey the food here is." He muttered in resignation.Open for twenty-four hours a day, the Sun and Moon Bar and Cafe is one of Midas' more popular food destinations. Situated just across the University of Saint Midas - Medical Center, and within walking distance of the Green Star Hotel and Vanguard University, it boasts being the one-stop-shop for both the work-weary and the study weary custom
A small glimpse...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛A panic attack. Another godforsaken panic attack. It was a good thing that her nominal friend was able to pull her away from the cafe and out onto the back of the establishment. The situaton might have gotten even worse for her if Eremes hadn't done what he did. As she sent her now completed manuscript to her editor, her thoughts went to the last few things she said to her reluctant companion..⬜⬜⬜"I'm fine now." Athena exhaled as she slowly controlled her breath. They were seated at a metal bench at the back parking lot of the Sun and Moon, a few cars in plain view as she rid her eyes of unshed tears. Her gaze lingered across the bland scenery before turning to her companion, instantly noticing his eyes full of concern..Helpless.Of pity.."Are you sur-""I'm fine dammit!" Athena found herself blurting out. She felt a tinge of guilt as she felt the man flinch in surprise to her unwarranted outburst. "I-I mean.."Attention seeker."Athena?"She just co
If one were to ask any person that lived in the City of Midas: 'What's the most decadent venue one could ever use?', some might answer that it would be the Grand Auditorium, located at the 31st floor of the Green Star Hotel. With roughly 7,800 square meters of available space, the floor was constructed with the sole purpose of being if not the grandest function hall in the world, then to be the most opulent one in the country. Boasting a floor covered only with Kashmir carpet, million drachmae chandeliers, and a wide selection of luxury tables, curtains and chairs for any kind of function or event.And now, it's been chosen to become the venue of the largest general auction event in the country.Eremes have only heard of the A3's vaunted extravagance and prestige through the news and some hearsay from former workmates before; tales of never before seen artifacts, ultra-rare collector's items, luxury cars, jewelry, and even deeds for real estate from all over the world, being offered as
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛*Brrrrrr*Athena shuddered in her seat as a slight chill suddenly raced down her spine, her back tingling ominously while she was busy working on another chapter on her laptop. Cold? Unlikely, seeing as the novelist was always ready for cold weather; always wearing thick, concealing clothing even indoors. Maybe she cranked up the air conditioning then, she thought as she reached over to the remote to check on the set temperature: still twenty-three degrees Celsius. By this point, the befuddled writer was about to just shrug and continue her work..Only to experience yet another bout of chills travel down her spine.It was stronger this time as Athena tried her best to stop herself from shivering but to no avail; her back recoiling from the uncanny sensation. It was as if a chilling cold finger traced the whole length of her spine. Like someone was trying to creep on her.Disgusting.Maybe someone's thinking about you~Cracking her fingers, the novelist s
Extra I: No MotiveWracked with fear, I stood still,Gazing endlessly into the void.Eyes dull and uninterested,Contemplating what I will.I fear my own mind, question my sanity.Am I insane or merely delusional?You may know, but I never will.I'll never escape my vanity.Staring down the precipice of darkness,Swarmed by thoughts of ending it all.I fought valiantly for what seemed like an eternity,Clinging to whatever shred of reason for happiness.Dangling on the edge of my limit,My conviction
A vision from the distant past, an intrepid detective and her unlikely partner...A tale of crime and wits, Project Name: Noire⬛⬛⬛A beige coated woman walked the dimly lit concrete ports of the city, a flashlight in hand as brown eyes scanned her surroundings. The damp docks of Riverside surely stank with seawater, but it was where she was based, and thus she had to live with it."Heeeyy~ Found anything, Liz?~" A young woman in a white coat waved at her from the other side of the pier, her childish tone hiding what was undoubtedly the most intelligent mind she had ever come across. "I want to have some fun already~"Sadistic brat.With the same annoyed expression she sported ever since her reluctant return to active duty, the detective waved back at the black-haired woman. With her flashlight, Liz motioned the youngest coroner to ever work in this city to her location, her lips parting as if she still had the ability to speak."Okaaayyy~ Be right there in a sec!~"Sighing to herself,
Time moves forward. And while this tale slowly comes to an end, their story continues to unfold behind the scenes...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛It's been a month and a half since that fateful day. A month and a half since that unassuming maintenance guy saved her from her own demise. Ever since then, Aletheia has begun to acclimatize once more to a rather, lavish lifestyle than the year and a half that she spent on the run.Not only have you acclimatized, you've already excelled~Oh shut up. She can still live off of instant ramen and chump change just fine should the need arise.Says the girl that now spends over a thousand drachma a day on food alone~The novelist chuckled to herself at the thought as she saved another word document on her laptop. Well, she was quite a hefty spender back then no? You blew a whole talent for every arcade session. You're more than a hefty spender~Come now.. Well, she did do that back in the day huh.You're clearly cut out for a lavish lifestyle~She stifled a yawn as
"Lady Mendel, I propose one more bid."Hoho~ What does he have up his sleeve to be this bold?~Aletheia's eyes widened as Eremes began his opening gambit, his left hand holding his smartphone as he stared at Mother dead in the eye. What was he planning?"An interesting proposal Mr. Patillo." Mother humored, her tone clearly not taking his offer seriously. "While we both know that you have nothing in terms of bargaining power, I'll humor you, just this once." A dangerous game, he's playing, no?Far too dangerous for her liking. Sweat trickled down her lightly make-upped cheek as Mother leaned closer to the repairman, both hands clasped under her chin as a sickly sweet smile masked the malice hidden underneath. The novelist's hands trembled in her lap as she hoped to god that Eremes knew what he was doing."Okay.." The man in front of them began as he fiddled with the phone in his hand. "I have here, a recording of everything that happened here on this rooftop that Wednesday night." Wh
Time moves forward...⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛"Where do you think you're going, Patillo?!" A deep booming voice shouted at him as he buttoned up his brown rented suit. "I've already told you-""I need to go to the rooftop now, Boss." Eremes ground out, his one hand already on the elevator panel as his boss refused to let him go. "After that, I'll be out of your hair forever.""You no longer have the authority to even board this elevator, Patillo!" Basco shouted as his one hand stopped the elevator door from closing. "I want you out of my hotel, right now!"Unemployment was the least of his worries as he took another glance at his wristwatch. Damn it, he needed to be on that rooftop by eight or he'll miss his last chance to get Athena back! "C'mon, boss!" Eremes pleaded, trying to avoid things getting a tad too physical. "Just this once-""One last chance, Patillo." The burly man spat, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Leave the premises, before I throw you out myself."Taking another glance at hi
"Athena?"Peeking behind her disheveled hair, the hunched-up daughter struggled to hide her surprise as a familiar voice called out to her old name. Hopeless eyes feasted as the comforting familiarity of the repairman's visage eased the threatening abyss inside her. Eremes? What was he still doing here?Don't get your hopes up."Take us to the ground floor, Mr. Patillo." Mother stated still in front of her, anger audibly bubbling beneath the faux politeness. "I do expect that you won't fail even that.""Yes ma'am."The elevator lurched, before slowly beginning its descent back down towards the cold unforgiving ground. Aletheia merely kept to herself, hoping that if she made herself small enough, Mother wouldn't notice her presence. Useless."H-Hey-""Don't you dare talk to me, Mr. Patillo." The frightened child recoiled at her mother's tone, learned instincts taking over rationality as the older woman berated his once companion. "You had but a single order, and yet you chose to disob
"I bid a lifetime of servitude!" Eremes bravely announced as he intrepidly stood up from his seat. His back already in a cold sweat as he felt the cold stares from around the offended crowd, not to mention the murderous intent coming directly from his chaperone. Boy did he really shit the bed now. But seeing her in such a sad state.."Athena!"If it wasn't for her tilting her head upward, he might not have recognized her behind her hair. What was she doing on stage? With a different name no less? "I don't know what's going on-" Did Athena lie to him? Why hide her identity? Was this what she meant about not going back? Why then? Why lie?"But I'll get you out of there!"Steeling his resolve, the intrepid repairman shouted out his bold declaration. Explanations can come later. Right now, he needed to find a way to get to her. She clearly needed help, like during the time he first saw the novelist that fateful night. What was this feeling, a sense of protectiveness? Maybe it's because
"I shall now begin the first trade.""Ugghhh..."The novelist woke up to the amplified sounds of a monotone announcement, groaning at the dull pain of a rising headache. Emerald eyes slowly blinked open, showing its owner a starless night sky. Where was she? How did she get here?Took your sweet time girly."Coming from my own sources, a complete detailed report on the 2015 projected 4th Quarter earnings of the Honn Maritime Company."Droning out the loud sounds behind her, the discombobulated author tried to get into a seated position, at least to get her bearings before assessing the situation she found herself in. Shaking off the last bits of sleep-induced grogginess, she willed her hands and-"Khhh!" A brief flash of pain shot up from her wrists and ankles. Huh? That was odd. "Ten billion from Alexandria. Do I hear-."Do try to remember girly~A voice echoed in her mind to try and remember. But what? And why couldn't she move her arms and feet? A dull throb beat rhythmically in h
"I'm quite surprised, you clean up nicely, Mr. Patillo." "I'm surprised myself, Miss Mendel." Eremes hooked the tight of his collar as his contractee companion for the night admired his current appearance. "And thank you for the suit.""It's the least I could do for someone that's caught my eye~." A teasing tone escaped from the older woman's lips, a tone that sent foreboding shivers through the unwilling companion's spine. "It wouldn't do for a companion of mine to not be at their best."*Ding*The elevator chimed as it opened its doors to an unlikely pairing of humble repairman and honorable vice-mayor."Shall we?"Nodding to her pseudo command, the red-suited Eremes let his equally red hanfu clad benefactor onto the waiting elevator first, the older lady's gait as regal and commanding as it could be before boarding the elevator himself. The steel metal doors closed as their vertical carriage awaited input."Whe-""Rooftop, please." Lady Mendel chirped, but from his perspective, it