Chapter 6: Curiouser and Curioser..

The drive towards the company was quite long. Yeojoon spent his time watching the view of an expanse of trees stretching for miles away from the main road, until it transitions into a scenery of modern living. Huge, looming towers, tall buildings, crowded streets, and the beeping of cars. 

Beside him is Damon, who wears a matching suit. Usually, it is Damon who drives him anywhere he likes. For example, he once decided to go out to buy new pads of paper, refreshing his stack of stationary, and a new monitor for his personal computer. Then, he also bought a printer. They wore respective masks, of course, so no one will recognize the "CEO" of Victoire Industries going on errands with a "someone". 

Yeojoon heaves a deep sigh. His mind trails back to that unfamiliar face. The only thing that he could remember now is their noticeable, peach-colored, plump lips and glassy skin. He heaves another sigh. And as he was facing the glass window of the car, a small spot of fog formed on it. Making the view of the green and brown hues of the forest hazy. Absent-mindedly, he traces a small heart on it. When he had fully registered what he had done, he blinks and erased it with his palm. Damon laughs at his notions, shaking his head slowly.

"Sire, Is something the matter?" 

Yeojoon's lips pursed. "No, why?" 

"Hmm, nothing. I thought something was bothering you. You seem out of it a few seconds ago." 

Damon's smile makes Yeojoon raise a brow. Was he, really? 

"Ah.. I was just-," He puts his palm on top of his lap and began tapping his fingers on it," -thinking. Yes. That's what I was doing." 

"About what, exactly? That's quite suspicious of you, Sire," Damon mused, chuckling. Yeojoon rolls his eyes and rests his back on the car seat, then he uses his hands and runs it up his hair, throwing it back in style. 

"Just a dream. Nothing of importance, Please—" Yeojoon replies, quite annoyed - but not that much, at Damon's insistence," Didn't I tell you to call me by my human name, yah?" 

Damon blinks and then nods. "I forgot, Yeojoon ah." His face returned into being mischievous. "Come on, don't change the subject. What was the dream all about! Was it something? A someone?" 

Yeojoon blinks fast at the barrage of questions, finding no words forming in his head to answer.

"Was it Ariad—"

Before Damon could finish his words, the car came to a halt and the maenad, with gorgeous red hair and a white, flowing gown at the driver's seat called at them and said, "We have arrived, My Lord." 

"Thank you, Freya. You can go back home now and make sure the Mist covers the trail." 

"Of course, My Lord." 

"Damon, let's go."

It is not uncommon for his followers, specially, the Maenads, to do Silenus' work whenever he's out in the company as Damon. The beautiful, fair ladies within Yeojoon's— within Dionysus' power are not to be taken lightly. After all, they are known in history as women who have sharp claws springing out of their nails, their faces turning into grotesque and animalistic figures with sharp teeth, who kills brutally under the name their sacred patron Dionysus, sacrificing unfortunate human beings, and dancing in front of a wild bonfire. Which - as Yeojoon presumes - is why it is better for them to venture out and hunt in the wild with the centaurs every now and then instead of staying at home were they're more likely to be in a mad frenzy for blood. It makes him feel at ease to know that Wraith has not disappointed him ever since he had taken the post.

Employees dressed in formal suits and skirts flit past the lounge as Yeojoon follows Damon, who is making his way towards the elevator. Of course, he knows his way inside here because of Yeojoon's appointed job for him so he simply tries not to lag behind. 

A couple of stares from both men and women, with either red tints on their cheeks, a hanging open jaw (or both actions at the same, to be honest), is taken with less interest. Perhaps, they have grown curious on who he is, since he comes by every month. But there seemed to be an unspoken rule to never talk about it. And now, no one really does. They just stare, gawk, and well, sometimes, squawk when he passes by anyone. Squeaking lightly if they bump into him face to face. Either they're intimidated, disgusted, embarrassed – or annoyed, perhaps? There is a slight possibility. The stares seem to linger, he can feel eyes boring on his face and follow his back as he walks.

At this point, Yeojoon asks himself if he has dirt on his face. 

Ding! The elevator door opens. Yeojoon gets inside after his friend. Surprisingly, no one has followed suit behind him. 

As the doors closed with a soft hum, smoothly covering the red floors of the hallway, Yeojoon stares at his reflection from the silvery, metal walls of the moving room. His hair is slicked with gel, slightly parted to the right, exposing his forehead and giving more emphasis on his sharp, dragon shaped eyes. His dark blue suit, that reflects bits of light with how glossy it looks, is quite satisfactory and comfortable for his taste. Sparing a glance at the figure beside him, Damon looks majestic in his cerulean pair matched with brown leather shoes, (which he had shined himself, bending down beside Wraith, who choked on his breakfast just this morning). 

"Staring from the top towards the bottom. Isn't it quite peculiar, Yeojoon ah?" 

"Much better to start high than to aim low, you know," He quips, tapping his foot rhythmically as the elevator moves from floor to floor without pause. "Besides, it would be less tiring. I'd rather be home and write off a few chapters in peace. The noise of the human world is quite annoying to my ears." 

—

And so, Yeojoon and Damon set off from floor to floor starting from the top down to the bottom. To the employees, they regard it as a usual rounds of checking if they are working up to capacity —and most importantly, which ones are not working up to capacity. It is but a mere observation, specially from the newer ones, and so far none of them have been kicked out from their jobs. Yet. The idea of losing their place results to them working efficiently. What more is a better way of showing off than to give actual effective hard work, right?

More eyes trained on the two intimidating men in suits. Although, everytime the CEO and his companion glances their way, they return to their appointed work diligently. In comparison, the company's people felt like korean idols were currently roaming their place with nonexistent security guards after them. A few women squealed and blushed whenever Yeojoon or the CEO himself, Damon, would smile and at rare times, shake the hand of a lucky employee. 

Unbeknownst to them, Yeojoon has already checked the lists of the employees and their ratings. Whenever he shakes the hand of one of them, he is already giving them a blessing— which, in human terms, is called a 'raise'. Damon provides the act of a professional man of the company while he feigns the interest of an investor. At some point, he reminisced, he had blessed one of the employees with no hangovers afterparty and cured his wife's madness and 'hallucinations' (which honestly was only because the woman can see through the Mist, the veil of reality seperating mythical creatures and the mundane world. It was cured by taking her ability to see beyond the eyes of human reality.)

—

"Thank goodness, It is now done." 

"True, Yeojoon ah. Freya came on time, too."

"I know," He replies whilst fixing his tie that had been a bit loose," It's good. Let's go home before it gets dark. I despise traffic." 

Despite his statement, Yeojoon smiles because finally, after what seemed like forever, the monthly evaluation is done. His people are doing their jobs well and, honestly, he has no complaints. Getting exhausted once per month because of this is nothing compared to the toils of his employees every single day. 

As he slams the car after getting in, the view of the high-rise building of Victoire Wine Companies disappearing into view, he says to himself that it is worth it. He barely exercises his power after all, atleast, not in the physical manifestations of strength but in the monetary form. 

Damon hands him his phone, which he accepted. Typing the notable names and the desired raise he wants to impose on their salary. No doubt with the rewards, more of his employees would be inspired to be determined enough. To be the next lucky ones. After a few minutes of nothing but digital keyboard noises ringing in the silent car, Yeojoon puts the phone in his pocket and stared at the fleeting scenes of dozens of billboard advertisements blinking with neon lights, flashing white screens, and colorful commercial baits of actors and actresses, whoever they are. 

One particular advertisement catches his attention. Without a doubt, dusk is slowly arriving. The skies were painted in hues of orange and red, throwing in a batch of fat clouds lazily floating above the heavens. It was nothing short of a few seconds for the god when his eyes darted upon the said ad posted on a tall building, being lit by huge white lights at each angle. 

It was a glossy skinned man with eyes as bright as the stars, a tall and somewhat light pink nose, with plump and supple pink lips staring intently at the camera with an air of intrigue around him. 

In those mere seconds, Yeojoon's body moves on its own, jerking left towards the direction of the flashing screen. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to catch more than a glimpse since the car is speeding at a curve. Even if he looks back, the angle cannot provide him the view he was looking for. A few seconds more and he would have been able to read the name of the person who haunted his dream last night. Unconsciously, his hand forms a fist. His brows turned into a knot as he rests his back against the car seat in defeat and exasperation.

Damon cocked his head towards his companion and liege, blinking in surprise at the other's action. To be fair, Yeojoon has been acting quite oddly since morning. But since he avoided his questions, it's better for Damon to not continue that conversation at all. Nonetheless, he's still concerned. What was there to see that the god had reacted like that? 

"Sire?" He questions, forgetting his own order which is not to address him anything other than his name.

"I'm okay, Damon. It was nothing." 

"If you say so.. —However, if you need a helping hand or a listening ear, we are here, S- Yeojoon ah."

"I know. I'm grateful for that  It's nothing, really." 

Freya, who glanced at the mirror, looked quite alarmed, too. Nonetheless, she continued to focus on the road ahead. Turning the headlights on since the road lights are starting to become fewer and fewer as they come near home. Damon sighs and shakes his head. His liege has been hardheaded so getting any information out of his is like searching for a needle in a stack of hay. 

—

Fast forward, to the god of wine slumbering in bed. The sheets that he had initially wrapped around his body like a cocoon now rests on the edge of the bed. Pillows all messed up and scattered, some on the floor, one is luckily still intact under his head, and another is cuddled in his arms. Despite the chaos of his bedroom chambers, his dreams that usually turn up as haunting nightmares did not arrive. 

Instead, he was met with the scenery of a wide hill filled with an array of flowers that smelled enchantingly sweet. There he was, laid out under the heat of the sun with a blanket underneath him and a brown picnic basket at his side complete with wine, a couple of garlic bread, a bowl of fruits, and two wine glass bottles.

Suddenly, something was blocking the sun. That something was a face. Raven hair, big doe eyes, a set of sweet and thick lips smiling from above him made his jaw hang open. The something - or someone - is giggling as they touch his cheek with lightness and grace. A finger poked at his deep dimples which only became deeper as he finds himself smiling in return. It was peculiar that the sunlight does not burn. Or that the hills seemed to be an endless mirage of colorful flowers. And the breeze that smells heavily of sweet cherries and a faint scent of wine. Yeojoon is unfazed. Better yet, he's more occupied with the company of a beautiful being as his head rests on their lap. 

Beautiful. 

The word that revolves in his mind as the man above him looks at him with an angelic smile that can melt the hardest of hearts is Beautiful. 

Then, the question dawns on. He stares right into the latter's orbs, a hand reaching out to touch their face and see for himself if it is as soft and delicate as he thinks it would be.

"What is your name?"

The man above him laughs softly, like the question was a silly joke. Like it wasn't as serious as Yeojoon thinks it is. His hand falters an inch away from the latter's skin. Afraid that, for a moment, his touch will make the latter fade away. 

Hypnotized, his gaze falls on the other's parting lips. A second away from revealing his name, his identity, which had plagued the wine god for a whole twenty four hours and counting. But the words were cut short as a defeaning roar of thunder masked his revelation, followed by the blurring image of a hill, of flowers, and of a beautiful man one second away from being known. 

Yeojoon woke up. Heart pounding. Pillow flying and, finally, thumping down on the floor with a thud. He puts a hand on to his left chest, feeling the rhythm of his racing heart. 

Who are you ? He had asked. There was answer he did not hear. Who are you ? He tried to pry. The dream he had makes him question the recurrence more and more. Who was he ? 

Head pounding upon waking up so suddenly, he groans and gets out of bed. Hurriedly putting on a robe, since he only wears nothing but his boxers when he sleeps, and he rushes downstairs. 

—

Damon wakes up in the middle of the night due to the loud knocks at his room's door. He has been dreaming of a certain petite and catlike headhunter and honestly, he's not in the best mood. Unless— He sits up in bed, eyes still closed but his mind is alert. Is it Wraith knocking on his door again ? 

"Yah, If you wanna cuddle just come in and sneak under the sheets! You know I don't lock doors anyway so what's the point," Damon groans, falling back to bed, his hand gropes for a pillow which he had trapped between his legs. Pulling the sheets closer to him," If it's those centaurs again, for heaven's sake, I'll deal with it tomorrow." 

The knocking stops and there was a minute of silence. Then, a deep sigh.

"As much as it intrigues me to know your cuddling sessions, it's not Wraith," says a resigned voice. "It's me, Yeojoon. Get up, I have some important contact for you to find." 

Damon's eyes shot open. Cheeks coloring red as a tomato as he jumps off the bed and scrambles to open the door. 

"W–wha— You heard nothing, Sire." Damon replies, blinking wildly. 

"I don't remember anything about cuddling at all. Shall we go to the office ?" 

Damon nods in return.

The office is where Yeojoon writes his novels, poems, and proses. There are shelves full of ancient scrolls, books, a couple of antique items, a bunch of old typewriters, printers, a personal computer, and a section full of stationary. As said before, the wine god projects all strong emotions into writing so he won't lose control. The spacious room is in the right wing of the house, adjacent to the gym room, which has an excellent view of the garden and the fountain by the lake.

It was a surprise for Damon as to why he was awakened in the middle of the night to look for the God of Dreams. Bugging him like a bee buzzing in his ears. Yeojoon settles on the swivel chair, absent-mindedly toying with a pen with his finger, while Damon does his task of reading through godly contacts on the god's computer. 

Beep, beep! 

Damon heaves a sigh of relief as the screen slowly loads up. Meaning, the other primordial god is on the line. Yeojoon immediately glides his chair closer beside Damon, who was on a stool, and waited to see who the god was so he can get actual answers. If his hunch is right, this is the god's doings since it is in his power to control dreams and manipulate reality after all. 

The screen flickered before revealing the other person. A boxy smile. A pair of bright, amused eyes. Dirty blonde hair. And a familiar clothing consisting of a brown sweater with blue vest. Like an art student. Yeojoon's eyes widened in recognition while Morpheus laughed. Damon stayed silent and thoroughly confused as his liege's voice rang through the four walls of the office.

"It's you?!"