The woman that served as Aelith's vessel had a plain face. Her square jaw shaped her head into a box, her dead brown eyes didn't sparkle. Overall, she resembled an ox. Solis tried his hardest to see through that to the original demon he resurrected underneath, but all he saw was the hard-working maid that he found leaving one of the business centers in the dead of night. She had been easy pickings and the kill was convenient, but by seven hells he missed when Aelith was beautiful.
She twirled in the mirror, one of her old ornate gowns not even fitting her heavy-set frame. It stayed unzipped at the back as she used one arm to hold the bodice to her chest. She could not find a flattering angle, and eventually her lips curled into a snarl.
"You couldn't have picked a prettier woman?"
Solis rolled his eyes, laying on a red velvet bedspread. Every breath he inhaled took serious labor, like a truck had parked on his chest. The rest of his limbs were under the same condition. He overdid himself trying to kill them in one night. But, four of their spirits had burned to a crisp. When he returned to finish the job, he'd wipe the others off the face of this earth like wiping gum off the bottom of his shoe.
"Her face matches your personality," he quipped. "Tired, a tad aged. Bothersome to look at for long."
Aelith stomped her foot in front of the mirror, slamming a fist into the glass.
"Now, now," said Solis, "All I need you for is a task, not a Miss Universe pageant."
Aelith pivoted and raised her fist as though she was going to retort, but seeing the warning in his eyes she grimaced.
Solis drawled, "Where is Drakar?"
She shimmied out of the gown, her naked body not as appealing to her eye either. "He's weak," she said, stepping out of the skirt, "You don't need him. Smaller demons are like roaches."
"You failed me, Aelith. Rank, obviously, means nothing." Solis wished she would fluff the pillows behind his head. Humanlike necks were so fragile and his already had a crick in the side. But seeing that the ungrateful wench could only think about the fact that she looked like a vegetable to both her and him, he suffered in silence. "I asked for Drakar. Where is he?"
Aelith strut to her wardrobe at a distant wall, her clawed fingernails reaching for a silk robe. She tied it around her waist, annoyed that it was the only thing that fit. She tied her dull, black hair into a quick updo. "He's assembling the last of them. Probably preparing them for mutiny so that he can take the glory."
"No, Aelith," Solis said. "You yearn to push the blame for your misdoings onto others. There is no new beauty in this body, and you're overcompensating through deceit rather than your looks, both of them ugly. It's almost like," Solis sighed casually, "You don't deserve to be a general at all."
Aelith slowly sauntered towards his bedside. While she used to look like a fallen goddess or pretty shrine maiden, she appeared more as a distasteful widow, her hollow eyes still a bit fresh with sorrowful memories of the woman she possessed. That boring, mournful expression narrowed on him, one pointed nail hovering above the side of his neck.
"You forget who I am," she cooed, leaning close to his face. "I give you aid, but I am no slave. I owe you nothing. I am part of this journey for the power and a piece of that throne, which we agreed to share centuries ago. Don't forget, I could take it all by myself with you laying helplessly on your back like a broken whore."
Solis chuckled, the sound too smooth and rich to come from a man actually drained of all his strength. "I forget you because you are forgettable. Me? You remember my name. You followed my plan, you used my guidance to infiltrate the Eternal Realm. You listened to my orders when we cast them out of their home.
"There has been nothing that could stop me. Not you, not a force of this realm, not even the gates of Heaven."
Aelith pulled her hand away quietly, the hatred in her gaze actually making her charming.
Solis stared through her soul. "There is a message on my writing desk. Deliver it to Anaphiel when you have a chance."
:::
The man in black, square eyeglasses placed his briefcase on the floor at the base of his swivel chair. He kept his head down, peeling a stack of files from under his arm and gently laying them on the conference table. He organized his three compartments in alphabetical order: Assets, Management, Stocks. Upon finishing, he yanked his handkerchief from his breast pocket and dabbed at his forehead, fixing a steely stare to the CEO opposite him.
However, in the chief's chair sat a woman. A silky, silver jacket rested over her shoulders, her arms not in the sleeves. Underneath that was a crisp white blouse with silver cufflinks, one link engraved with the letter J, the other engraved with a G. He noticed because she tapped her pink fingernails against the glass and he heard the resounding clatter. Her curly hair was swept behind her back, two stunningly bright eyes boring into him with such curiosity that the older man wondered if he was the one that needed consulting.
The actual CEO, at least the man that called, dutifully stood at the side of her chair. He leaned against the back of the seat with an elbow, the pride in his smug smile practically blanketing the room.
"Welcome Mr. Namara," said the CEO.
Mr. Namara pressed his lips into a thin line. He was a famous lawyer. One of the best in Seoul when it came to business administration. Yet, he hadn't felt this challenged since he was a student in law school. "Thank you, Mr. Kim."
"Please, call me Jin." He smiled handsomely.
"Well, Jin, wouldn't it be best if I handled my dealings with you directly? Typically chief executive officers are hands-on during this process." Mr. Namara sent a pointed glance in the pretty girl's direction. After all, she sat in the chair meant for him. Then again he supposed he, too, would show off his most alluring employee this way. She was beautiful, seemingly nice with a bit of a backbone. Easy to trust.
Jin smiled kindly and said, "Everything I own, Grey owns as well. You will be dealing with both of us. Unless...," Seokjin's tone grew dangerously low, "there is a problem with that?"
Namara blinked, eventually shaking his head.
Something about this couple just curbed his appetite for conflict, which was abnormal considering his profession trained him in the fine art of negotiation. A fine background in street credibility helped him glean strength of opponents, and one of the proverbs mentioned that those which unfailingly held eye contact were just as unyielding in their affairs. Seokjin pinned the lawyer down with a stare that seemed deliberately handcrafted for dealers of his kind; Grey's gaze resembled that of a lioness, the gleeful curiosity outshining her boss's. If the lawyer could describe it, together they formed an adamant wall. No one was getting past them, and no one was going to touch what he created and she inherited--what they built within each other.
Namara cleared his throat. "Let us begin. You've shared with my firm that there will be changes made to KSJ Industries administration-wise. Can you specify if your company is disbanding or changing management?"
"We're not shutting down," Grey said. "We would only like to change the people in charge."
Namara nodded, sifting through his own paperwork and jotting down notes. "On previous records, you've listed the following names for your administrative council. Jeon Jungkook, Kim Namjoon, Kim Taehyung, Park Jimin, Min Yoongi, and Jung Hoseok. You are the overseer. Am I correct?"
"Correct," said Jin.
"What action would you like to take, sir?"
Jin rested a hand on Grey's shoulder, she squeezed it. He said, "After the New Year's holiday, remove all of our names. I would also like to cancel the financial account linked directly to KSJ Industries shared by all seven of us."
Namara wrote it down. The lawyer quirked an eyebrow. "This will cut off your income flow. Are you sure, Mr. Kim?"
"Yes," said Jin.
Namara grew serious. "You have a business empire that's leaving a trail of assets scattered to the wind. How would you like to distribute those?"
Jin peered at Grey. She said, "We have someone we would like to appoint to take over the company. However, before sharing that information I want to add something to the contract. Regardless of who captains the ship, Amelia Young will receive five percent of KSJ. Meaning, she receives five percent of earnings, shares, and property. We will add her to the board of directors so that she also has jurisdiction over KSJ's future decisions."
"I understand what that means, Miss Grey. Putting in a request as such will be difficult. Especially if the person you choose to appoint sells to another bidder. Clauses like these are negotiated all the time," Namara warned. "It would be wiser to add a time period that encompasses when she receives these payments. This way, the clause will not seem as threatening."
Grey asked, "How long can that time period be?"
"Up to ninety-nine years."
"Good enough," Grey said. Namara wrote.
The lawyer coughed into his fist. "And who would you like to promote as the new CEO?"
Jin said, "I will fax over a list of my most capable employees. Should the person we've decided on not accept for any reason, the company falls to the next on the list."
"We haven't actually told her about this," Grey said, sharing a chuckle with Jin, "but I highly doubt she'll say no."
"Her name?" Namara asked.
"Kim Lee Rin. Rin, for short," Grey said.
"Wonderful," Namara said. "All of this effective on the first of January?"
Jin nodded. "All of it."
The rest of the meeting lasted about an hour more, as removing oneself from an entire organization took more effort than Grey realized. Jin's departure from the company left open holes in departments old and new, and he had ideas for how to fill all of them based on what he'd seen from his employees. True to his word, he actually observed his managers and supervisors, providing positive and negative traits about each at the drop of a hat before finally deciding on one to head a section.
By the time they finished, Namara had to head to his next client. Jin and Grey walked side by side through the busy halls of the skyscraper, waving or smiling to those they knew until they reached his office. He closed the door behind them, his hands instantly wrapping around her waist.
"Were you nervous?" He asked, kissing her temple.
"No. Having you there helped," she said, turning around his arms. She pressed her hands against his chest, his contagious smile making her giggle. "You really let me do that for Amelia. Thank you."
"Personally," Jin said, scanning her cheekbones, her long lashes, her lips, "I would have given her twenty percent, but we followed your wishes."
"How do you think she'll react when I tell her she's a millionaire for the next hundred years?"
Jin shrugged. "Knowing her, a lot of cursing. Maybe some violence. Then a dramatic hug."
"I think you know her better than I do."
Grey yelped as he picked her up and spun her around. When he put her down, he sighed, smiling at their joined hands. Jin said, "You are so amazing, Second Queen."
She hit his arm. "I am not a Queen. Cut that out."
He brought her close, his smirk whispering against her ear. "Is it sinful of me to wonder what you look like in only a crown? Preferably one of mine?"
"Kim Seokjin," she shrieked, her face reddening deeper than her wine-colored lipstick. "Behave, please."
He laughed, letting her go. "I'll catch up with you later. I have one more meeting. Make yourself comfortable in here if you would like to stay."
She nodded, watching him leave. Without him, his office felt so homely, like she could probably retrace Jin's steps around here from the jar of scotch on a side table to the computer desk to the one part of the gargantuan bookshelf he actually used. Her fingers grazed his desk as she approached and rounded it, gently sitting into his big chair.
And oddly enough, she felt like she earned this. She felt like she worked her ass off to reach this level of comfort and security. She damn sure earned the man that normally sat where she did now. She glanced at two empty chairs on the other side of the desk, recalling a time when she trembled in one of them and told him love was one of the most important things in the world. What a young, naive, awesome girl.
However, before she got too comfortable, she drew a piece of paper from the printer at her feet and grabbed a pen. At the top, she wrote the date and a greeting.
Dear Jungkook
:::
Namjoon whistled as soon as he hung up the phone. They did it, and now it was on him to finish the last part. Grey had said she wanted to be here, but he hadn't heard the elevator arrive on this floor yet and he was too eager to be patient any longer. Gathering his thin booklet, he left his room and set out to Amelia's.
Just as he turned a corner, his head collided with something solid. Grey inhaled a sharp breath, pushing her palm against her forehead. Namjoon did the same, but he still lit up upon finding her. Now he wouldn't feel too bad for proceeding with the plan.
"You're just in time," he said.
She swore softly, kind eyes narrowing on his. "I'm sorry, is your head made out of rocks?"
"Something has to protect the brilliance within," Namjoon said. She waved him away, the joke making her smile despite the thrumming circulating through her skull.
"I just have to do something really quick," she said. She sidestepped Joon and marched to Jungkook's door, slipping a piece of paper underneath. Before he could ask questions, she clapped him on the shoulder and ushered him forward. "You ready?"
"More than ready," he said. In silence, they came to Amelia's doors. Her music played loud enough for it to echo outside. Joon knocked once. Grey stood off to the side so that her best friend would see him first when she opened it. Amelia's tiny gasp when she popped through the doorway meant that Grey's plan worked.
"What a pleasant surprise," Amelia said. Her hair was up in a towel turban. She wore jeans and a pretty, pink blouse. She smelled like expensive perfume every time she moved. "My two favorite people. Don't tell Hoseok I said that though."
Namjoon chuckled, handing her a tiny booklet. Grey snuck a peek at the cover. It was a Mad Libs book. He said, "Want to play?"
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Now? I thought we filled this one out."
"There's one more at the very end that we missed," Namjoon said. "I filled it in, but I think it'll be funnier if you read it aloud."
She slowly opened the cover, turning the pages until she reached the back cover. A slip of paper definitely not belonging to the book stuck out from the others. Amelia grabbed the edge and cleared her throat.
"Once upon a time there was a princess named Amelia. She had a white knight called Namjoon and a dragon named Grey." Amelia looked up from the piece, her skepticism making him laugh. She continued, "She lived in a skyscraper made of jewels and today she learned that she--,"
Amelia covered her mouth, eyes furiously scanning the rest of the passage. When she finished, she squatted and dropped the booklet, fat tears spilling onto her cheeks. "You're lying," she cried.
Namjoon lowered himself to her level. "You have to finish saying it aloud," he said.
She shook her head, all choked up. She fanned her eyes, her red cheeks swelling.
Grey stepped into view, making her cry harder. "Finish, Amy. You can do it."
Amelia picked up the paper. Her tears stained the page. "She would inherit all of Namjoon's savings when he was gone, and she would also have five percent of KSJ."
"Surprise!" Grey shouted.
"You guys," Amelia sobbed. "Are you serious?"
Namjoon wiped her tears with his thumb. "I want to take care of you, even if I'm not here."
"It's about time I paid you back for all the hell I caused you," Grey said. "Will this be enough?"
Amelia released a string of curses, Namjoon's eyes widening at each one. Grey laughed, kneeling down to join the party on the floor.
"I can't believe this shit," Amelia said, rocking back and forth. "I can't believe it." Before Namjoon registered what she was doing, she shoved him on his back. "A Mad Libs book! You told me through a freaking puzzle book. Only you, I swear."
:::
Jungkook never imagined picking a replacement for himself. The young man before him was a tad shorter with broad shoulders and an intense stare. He'd spent a few years in the police academy and even worked for the government according to his resume. He would be the perfect new head of security for KSJ. But no one, Jungkook was sure, could ever monitor these halls and this city like he did.
The Assassin said, "It's been wonderful meeting you. Look forward to hearing a call from my people regarding your placement in my department." He shook hands with the recruit, bowing politely before entering the elevator. The ride to the 41st floor was short today, but he still took every second to enjoy the music and beeping that chimed at every passing level.
He entered the Great Hall quietly, loosening his tie and surging towards his room. Today had been a great day at work. The best he'd had in years. But he needed a hot shower to finish it off right. A hot shower and maybe some takeout from his favorite place.
Thankfully, he'd run into no one on his way. The quiet was so wonderful that as soon as he opened his door, he was almost disarmed by the gentle scuffle of paper against hardwood. His brows furrowed as he stooped to pick up the folded piece of paper. He opened it, catching a hint of vanilla in some of the folds.
Dear Jungkook,
I don't know how to write something like this. I've never done it before. I guess I'll just write from my heart and see how it goes.
The day we met, I wanted to be your friend. You were so charming and polite, but you held a damning secret that I would come to discover much later by chance. You lived with this burden, and you still saw the world as a hopeful place. That's very hard to do. I know because when my parents passed away, I did not find the light for years after that. You look for the silver lining in everything, like I've had to in this realm. It's one of the things I admire.
Besides becoming better friends, we spent a lot of time together on this journey. It gave me a chance to really look at who you are. You are so compassionate, caring, and giving. If our roles were reversed, I believe you would be the pure-heart bearer. Perhaps the only one in the entire world. I think you would do everything I did, but better. I think you would give whoever you touched wings. I don't think there is anyone that wouldn't love you with all their heart.
You were right. I believe I've found love in this dimension from a man that needs me and wants to cherish the person I've become. But with you, I'm home. After we kissed, I haven't been able to forget the touch of your lips or the tender way you held me, like you loved me more than yourself. It's a horrible place to be in, the fork in the road that makes me pick a path. But I have to follow my heart and choose the one that calls for me most.
(Though, sometimes I selfishly wish you'll be waiting for me at the end of the road.)
Thank you for teaching me how to love. For my last selfish request, please remember me.
Maybe I'm just being emotional, but I think the next time you find me will be the last.
With all my heart,
G
Jungkook laid the letter on his bed and sat next to it, his head falling in his hands. A moment later, he went to the bathroom and closed his door, turning on the shower.
Luca entered Jungkook's room looking for someone to scratch her back. She heard the hiss of steam and splashing soap and decided to wait for him to come out by laying on one of his pillows. In her opinion, he had the best in the house. She jumped on his bed, her paw crinkling a sheet of paper on her landing. Her black ears perked out of curiosity, and she read.
:::
Hoseok wrapped a scarf about his neck by the elevator. Amelia walked by with a mug of hot chocolate, Namjoon trailing her by a step. But upon seeing him, she halted immediately, smiling at the Raven.
"My favorite person!" She yelled across the foyer.
Hoseok smiled, bending down to tie his shoes. "A cute little human," he said. "I hope that chocolate warms you up."
Namjoon said, "The storm is going to hit tonight. I don't know if you should go out."
"I have to, Namjoon." Hoseok pressed the call button on the elevator. The Intellect nodded, catching on to the hint until he fully understood. But by that time, Hoseok had already climbed into the elevator and pressed a button to the 40th floor. The ride went swiftly. He couldn't even hear the doors chime when he arrived, for his heartbeat pounded through his ears.
He stepped off, straightening his puffy vest, running a hand through his hair. Black clouds poured darkness into the skyscraper's large windows. That storm would break soon, he realized. It was too heavy, too charged to stay up there for long. It moved silently, and in a way Hoseok felt like it reflected his emotions. Nothing was really on the surface, but inside? He mustered his courage and faith, letting it swirl and build butterflies that crashed against his ribs like lightning.
He slowly walked in the direction of Jin's office, stopping when he reached the office before it.
At an oak desk, the young woman with pearls around her delicate neck typed away on a keyboard. Her pretty, brown eyes glowed with a bit of blue from the monitor screen. She wore a thick, white turtle neck. The color made her look like an angel. Flicking a handful of toffee-colored hair over her shoulder, she glanced up at the man that felt like a brewing hurricane--and she hesitated.
Hoseok shoved his hands in his pocket, daring to take a step over the threshold.
She blinked incredulously, partially surprised, but more often than not bewildered. It was almost like she wasn't quite sure where she stood on the spectrum that ranged from denial to joy. Her hands fell from the keyboard as she said, "Hello."
Her voice. It was most similar to rain. Peaceful, calm.
"Hi," he said.
She smiled awkwardly, her cheeks turning rose. "Is there anything I can help you with? I was just about to leave the office."
"Yeah," said Hoseok. "Would you like to get a warm drink with me?"
She swallowed. "I, uhh." Her eyes trailed him up and down, a ghost of memory playing in her expression but disappearing. "Sure. I don't have any plans."
"Please, don't feel obligated," Hoseok said. "I just wanted your company."
"M-mine?" She grabbed her coat from the back of her seat and grabbed her purse from the floor. "Do you even remember my name?"
Remember? Hoseok noticed the slip-up immediately.
The girl scoffed, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry. I'm getting my words jumbled. Do you know my name?"
Hoseok asked, "Do you know mine?"
"I--," she began, inhaling a heavy breath to ramble. But instead of rambling, she exhaled. "I don't think so. Am I supposed to?"
He pursed his lips inwardly, rocking back and forth on his heels. "No. You aren't."
"I'll get drinks with you," she said suddenly. He stopped moving, his expression softening.
"You will?" he asked.
She chuckled humorlessly. "Tell me if I'm weirding you out, but it feels like I've known you for a really long time. Like maybe in my dreams. Which, not to say I dream about you or anything. Heavens, no. I just can't put my finger on it--,"
"It's not weird at all," he said. He held a hand out. "Where would you like to go?"
Rin glanced at his hand warily, but took it when she deemed it safe. "Anywhere."
:::