Chapter 02

I did not want to immediately jump to conclusions but the faint scent lingering here in this room was of the same peppermint smell of Arsen. I could not be wrong… I hope. With my feet leading me towards the direction where the scent was coming from, I forgot the fact that I was actually wearing a pair of one-inch high heels which I was still not used to.

The room was dim-lit with only one lamp on the corner as the source of light. All I could see on the chair beside it was the half silhouette of a man wearing formal attire.

“Arsen, I have been looking…”

The words coming out from my mouth ceased when a loud thud and a huff from me filled the room when I tripped on my own foot. I grunted in pain as I got back on my feet and fixed my dress as it almost displayed my entire chest. It was a good thing that it was a bit darker inside, making it almost impossible for this man to see what just happened.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “I am a bit clumsy at times.”

An embarrassed giggle escaped my mouth but the man still remained quiet. As if affecting the whole atmosphere inside the room, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine when I noticed that the man was looking at me with a sharp look as his chin leaned on the back of his hand. I gulped.

“If you are an escort, you should refrain from spouting the name of your previous clients.” His voice was unlike before… it sounded like a warning this time as if I had made a grave mistake.

Well, I do understand where he was coming from but I was just sure that he was the vessel of Arsen. But how could he not recognize me? He should be able to have the memories of Arsen as well. What was exactly going on?

“I apologize.” I paused for a while, still trying to think how he could not know Arsen. “I came here to escort you back to your place.”

That was all I could say. What if I was wrong? That was also possible, given that he seemed to have no memories of my lover. It was just… it was just that his peppermint scent was exactly the same as his.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw the man get up from his seat. He was a head taller than me so I found him more intimidating than he already was. I turned on my heels and was about to head to the door but he spoke.

“What are you doing?”

“O-Opening the door for you… sir?”

Was that not supposed to be the thing to do? Was I supposed to let him do the opening of the door?

My eyes widened when I saw him reach out his hand in my direction.

“Come here.” The way he said that sounded like he was giving me no choice to speak or even reject him so I walked towards him and put my hand. Without any warning, he pulled me close and his other hand held my jaw as he forced me to face him. His piercing gaze made me look away from him and it was frustrating because that was also the effect I receive from Arsen every time he wanted to look into my eyes.

Slowly returning my gaze at him, I could not help but think that the person in front of me was no one else but the human being I was looking for. His grayish eyes were totally different from Arsen's silvery ones.

“You look pretty decent. I heard you badly need some money.”

“What of it?”

“We should go to a more private place. This place is more disgusting than I imagined it to be.”

And just like that, the man who did not even bother introducing himself whisked me away from the bar with Julian waving his hand full of money. I bet that was the ones we earned this night after I finished dancing. That guy! He better be giving me my share after dealing with this client!

Julian did not shout but I saw him mouth good luck at me. I only glared at him but all he returned was a giggle. After I was forced into some black car that almost resembled a wafer with how low its roof was, the car door was slammed right in front of me.

The man got inside the car as well and started the engine. There was silence between the two of us while he drove and since I was not much of a conversation starter, I simply looked out of the window. If one thing in this human realm was better than in the realm of immortals, it would be what they called city lights. Every night, I could not help but be amazed at how they looked like several stars shining upon this city.

“As an escort, should you not be leading a conversation with me?” the man suddenly asked.

I repositioned myself and looked in front of me. I clasped my hands together and did not spare him a single glance.

“I apologize but this is really the first time I become an escort so I do not know what to say… or even do.”

For some reason, I felt a bit embarrassed so I turned my head to the side, afraid of what his reaction would be. I thought he would be criticizing me so I shut my eyes and prepared for whatever stabbing comments he would say. However, several minutes had passed and we came to a sudden stop yet he did not say anything else.

I looked out of the window and found myself being amazed at the large mansion in front of me. Just like in the land of the Silver Foxes where Arsen ruled over, this place also had an exquisite fountain. These kinds of decorations never cease to surprise me as they do not exist in Oliviland. Well, having a fountain in our kingdom surrounded by a vast desert would simply waste the water so we never had one.

I snapped out of my thoughts when the man got out of his car. He did not have any plans on opening the door for me so I opened it myself and followed him. At the entrance of the mansion stood an elderly man wearing a tailcoat. He looked elegant with how properly he stood and bowed upon seeing the man who brought me here.

“Mr. Ryso, do you want dinner to be prepared already?” he asked.

Wait, would I be wrong if I say that this Mr. Ryso was also a royalty like me? I mean, human beings, just like immortals, would simply bow to others only if they were inferior in terms of ranks. I looked at Mr. Ryso and he simply gave me a side glance before returning his attention to the elderly man.

“Yes. We will be at the dining hall so do not bother sending some maids in my room,” Mr. Ryso replied.

The elderly man simply nodded his head before taking his leave. Upon entering the mansion, a small gasp escaped from my mouth. This was much like a different place! Their floor was tiled with white marbles, making it look like it was almost the palace of Arsen back in the immortal realm. The only difference was that this place was plainer in terms of detailed designs. I lifted my head at the seemingly intricately carved large glass at the ceiling that emitted light.

Hearing some faint footsteps, I shifted my attention towards Mr. Ryso and saw him already disappearing upstairs. I immediately lifted my dress and hurried to the stairs painted with white and gold colors. Even though I wanted to run to his side, I could not do so because the heels I was wearing felt like they were scraping the back of my foot. It hurts!

After an agonizing climbing of the stairs, I found myself in a large hallway. On my right side were glass windows two times taller than I was. Mr. Ryso came to a stop and looked back at me. He never said a word, probably because he did not want to waste energy to speak. I got on the floor and removed my heels. Picking them up with one hand, I ran to his side as fast as I could until we were both facing a white and gold painted door.

I waited for him to open them but then, felt the stares he was giving me.

“Mr. Ryso, should I open the door now? I am really uncomfortable with you staring at me without saying-”

He cut me off when he opened the door and instructed me to close it. He removed his black coat, making me stand so close to the door so I could make a fast run if ever he plans to do something to me. I also clutched at my bag, remembering what Milan had told me to do in case of an emergency.

“Have a seat, Ms. Livine. I need to discuss something with you.”

I was a bit shocked when he just spoke out my last name when I never even told him my name. Wait, did Julian tell him? I just had the feeling that he really did tell him, most especially that he would run his mouth nonchalantly when speaking with his customers.

Following his instruction, I walked towards the chair that looked more comfortable than the chairs back in Julian’s bar and took my seat. Yeah, the cushion was indeed much better.

I turned my attention to what was in front of me. There were several papers placed on top of the glass table and even though I wanted to read what it was all about, I could not do so. The writings of human beings were totally different from ours.

I turned my head towards Mr. Ryso who was loosening his grey tie as he sat on the couch just across from me.

“Read those ones.” He motioned to the papers on top of the table. “If you want to make some changes, just say so and we will negotiate about it.”

I intertwined my hands on top of my closed knees and straightened my back. I stared at him. He would probably belittle me of what I was about to confess but there was no way out but to simply tell him the truth.

“Sir, I cannot read.”

Just then, he gave me a look of disbelief. His brows knitted and stared right into my eyes as if expecting me to say that I was simply joking. But after a moment of silence, he heaved out a sigh and leaned back on the chair.

“Then, I shall make it short for you.” He cocked his head to the side and leaned his chin on the back of his hand. “Be my wife for a few years.”