I'm Hired?

“So what happened?”

I sighed dejectedly. “I wanted to call you!”

Laurent crossed his arms, his eyes furrowed. His jaw was tensed and I’m pretty sure he’s trying to control his anger “And why you didn’t?!”

“I left my phone okay?! It’s because you keep calling me every single time!”

“Harper you...!” Laurent grunted and turned his back on me, grabbing his hair tightly. I can’t help but feel guilty. He looks so concerned,

but it made me a little happy.

At least now, someone cares.

He went straight into my apartment the moment I didn’t answer his calls. I bit my lower lip as I stared in my phone. 103 missed calls.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered, making him stare at me as I sat on the side of my bed. It felt like I was a kid getting reprimanded by my mother.

I feel bad but at the same time, it feels good. You can’t blame me, his presence makes me feel I’m not alone like I used to.

Laurent sighed and grabbed a chair, sitting across from me. He always wears a neat-looking suit so it was the first time seeing him in a hoodie and pajamas. His hair was still unkempt, making him look like a normal teenager who’s popular in schools.

“This won’t do,” He said shaking his head as he gazed sternly at me. “I’ll stay with you wherever you go.”

That line was good but no thank you. That’s going to be very uncomfortable! “You can’t do that!”

“Why not? I’m your guardian.”

I told you he sounds like a mom.

“And the guy? You still can’t remember?” He asked.

I sighed. “No.”

That’s one of the weird things that happened to me. As soon as I woke up lying on a cold bench near my apartment, I can’t remember what the guy I saved looks like.

“What time is it?” He suddenly asked out of the blue.

“4:52 am”

He started walking towards the kitchen.

“Hey, what are you doing there?” I asked carefully as I followed him. He started getting my frying pan.

“You said you had an interview at eight. You can’t go there on an empty stomach.”

I felt my heart fluttering as I stared confusedly at his back. Why does he look like a loving husband?! And such a hot husband on top of that?! Now I can’t stop myself from smiling.

“You know I can just cook for myself,” I said while sitting on the chair, staring at his back while grinning widely.

“I went straight here without even wearing proper clothes, I’m also starving Harper. And you just happened to be a terrible cook.”

I frowned when I remember the day he turned so pale when he ate the dish I cooked for him.

“Laurent dropped that spatula. It’s my treat today, let’s go.” I called as I started preparing.

“You expect me to walk around wearing pj’s?”

I rolled my eyes. “Duh, drive-thru meal Laurent.”

///

“So, is it because you’re feeling guilty?” Laurent asked as his eyes were focused on the road. We were currently in his car, about to go into the nearest fast-food chain.

“Well yeah, I feel sorry, too. On top of that, I realized that you might be having less sleep lately because you’re too paranoid and always calling me nonstop.” I mumbled as I fumbled through his things. I saw a shades and didn’t hesitate one bit to put it on. Wow, I look good.

“Guardians don’t sleep, Harper.”

I was taken aback but I quickly retaliated. “Well then, I’ll be treating you because I feel sorry for the trouble I caused.”

“Don’t be, I’ll punish yo-“

“Laurent I wanted to treat you because I felt sorry! End of conversation! So just shh okay?!” I said while getting more and more embarrassed. Mother of cow, I didn’t know he doesn’t sleep!

I heard him chuckled. “Fine.”

After buying our breakfast, Laurent brought me to a high place. You can see the city below and the sky was clear. Birds chirped as a ray of sunshine warmth the place all over. I inhaled the fresh air as soon as I got out of his car.

We sat on his bumper and peacefully ate our breakfast.

“How did you know this place?” I asked while munching my food.

He stared blankly at the wide horizon as his hair slowly swayed with the wind. “I used to go here whenever I miss a certain someone.”

It was only a whisper, but enough for me to hear.

I felt a pang of pain for him. Seeing how he took the both of us here, he must still be missing that person.

He cleared his throat and quickly changed the topic. “So, you said you saw a kid who turned into a monster. That’s called a shapeshifter." 

“Shapeshifter?” I mumbled as write it down in my notebook. Again, I don’t know where in the world I grabbed that.

“Shapeshifters, obviously by the word itself, can shift to any kind of creatures. They have glowing silver eyes and likes to eat humans’ heart. But you said the guy you saved was no human at all. That only means one thing,”

He looked at me sternly, a hint of worry glimmering in his eyes. “You just encounter a dark shapeshifter.”

It felt like I am in such a huge trouble. I looked at him nervously as I slowly removed my shades. “What’s a dark shapeshifter?”

“Normal shapeshifters eat dead humans’ hearts. It means they don’t mess with the living and we considered them good. But dark shapeshifters eat even a living human’s heart, worse, some even eat the heart of what you call unnatural creatures like me.”

I think I just stepped in a boundary I never should have crossed. I’m just a mere human and dare to face such a monster?! I am so screwed.

Laurent started cleaning our mess and went inside the car. I followed him as I stared blankly at nowhere.

“Don’t worry, I’ll never let anyone lay a hand on you.” He started the engine as I put the shades on back again, shutting my eyes tightly as I faced another crisis that may put me near death again.

“But Harper,”

Laurent’s tone suddenly feels different. “If you ever hear the name ‘Damon’,”

His eyes darted on me as if signaling me a warning.

“run.”

///

I sighed heavily as I tried to calm my nerves. “This is it,” I mumbled as I tug my blazer softly, leaving no traces of crumpled areas.

“Applicant No. 234”

I stood up as I heard my number. This is my 24th interview. It should have been the 25th if not for that bus accident.

My hands were dead cold as I sat on the chair facing the panel of interviewers. There were four of them and they all look so young. They look like people in their twenties to thirties.

“So, why do you want to work in our company?” One of the interviewers asked. He has disheveled hair and looks like he just woke up from a nap.

I can’t believe that’s all right with the company. I expected stricter rules because they're one of the top companies in the country.

I cleared my throat before started speaking. “I want to work in this company because I saw that my goal and yours are in line and is going towards the same-“

“Okay, next question.”

My eyes furrowed. That’s it?

“Why should we hire you?” The only woman asked.

“I’m a very versatil-“

“What are your greatest strengths?” Two of the interviewers asked in unison, cutting me off. Their twins.

“My strengths are I quickly adapt to my su-“

“Okay, you passed the interview. Congratulations, Ms. Harper,” The guy with disheveled hair stated, smiling widely at me.

I don’t know why, but I do not like the way he smiles. It was sending an ominous feeling in me.

I was supposed to be happy, but it felt like I was making a huge mistake.

“You’re hired.”