[Evelyne's POV]
I looked at him straight in the eye in wide shocked. Deadass, I'm starin' him straight in the eye, totally floored. H-he knows me?! The real me?! I honestly don't know what to feel right now. I know I should feel relief, but lookin' at this guy—or at this point, I don't even know what to call "it" since he can transforms into a cat! Someone pinch me so I know I ain't dreamin'!
"Ow!" I felt a sharp pain on my right arm pain like I've just got bitten an ant. I glared daggers at Corbin. "What? You did say you needed a pinch, didn't you? And honestly, how many times must I tell you? This isn't a dream." He said nonchalantly and shrugged looking annoyed.
"Right, enough of this tomfoolery. I am here, Ms. Miller, to act as your guide—or at the very least, I've been sent to assist you on this new journey of yours." He said with a theatrics tone. This guy really thinks he's some big shot. I just crossed my arms and gave him a deadpan look while him explaining why it was here, who is he, etc. Honestly, I wasn't even listenin' because I still couldn't get over the fact that!
"I know you must have been—" I cut him off. "Can we address the bloody elephant in the room? The fact that you can transform into a sodding cat?! And a French-speaking one at that?!" I yelled at him confused as hell while he got surprised on the yelling. He coughed fixed himself.
"Very well. If that's where you wish to begin, so be it. I am a Herald, assistant to the Reaper. I can transform into a cat, a human, or whatever I fancy, really." He said explaining charmingly as if whatever he said is not alarming for me. He walked around the room my eyes following him. "Furthermore, you can only understand me when I speak in cat-tongue. Ordinary folk will hear nothing but incessant meowing. And if you're wondering why I speak French as a feline—well, I've always felt that if cats were to speak, they'd simply have to have a French accent, wouldn't they?" He said feeling amused with himself.
I just rolled my eyes at how ridiculous this whole thing was. He seems to be havin' way too much fun with all his nonsense. "So, why on earth did you choose that face?" I asked gesturing his face and body. He smiled and walked towards the vanity mirror to checked himself out. "Well, according to the data, this face, physique, voice, and accent happen to be the most admired by the vast majority of your population." He said smiling while touching his face.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Jesus Christ... somebody just punch me in the face already. "Oh, please! Do not mention The Chairman again! I get quite the panic attack whenever I hear his name." he said dramatically while breathing heavily. I just looked a him confusingly. Did he just called God, chairman? So, reaper is his boss, God is his chairman. Hmm. Interesting.
"Yes, yes! Quite right!" He said frantically wanting me to stop mentioning him. "Why are you so frightened of him, then?" I asked with curiosity. He looked around and he sat beside me on the bed lowering his voice as if God could hear him. "I made a bit of a blunder in the past which left The Chairman utterly livid, resulting in my being demoted to a Herald." He said whispering but still I hear him.
Demoted? "So, you aren't actually a Herald, then?" I asked. "Indeed. I am actually an angel." He said looking like he's reminiscing something. "Might I ask what mistake you made, exactly?" I asked with curiosity. He looked at me and smirk. "You're being a bit of a curious cat, aren't you now?" He said teasingly and stood up. "Well, that's a tale for another day. Off to sleep with you now; tomorrow is bound to be a rather hectic day." He said smiling, turned his back and left the room.
I followed him out in a hurry. "Wait! I've still got more questions!—" And... he's gone. I didn't even hear the main door closed. I guess he teleported. I sighed heavy and went back to my room, floppin' onto the bed. Man, today was a total beatdown. I felt my eyes gettin' heavy and let myself sink into sleep. Maybe this is just all a nightmare. Tomorrow, I'll be wakin' up back in my New York apartment...
After a few hours, a blinding lights woke me up from my sleep. I abruptly opened my eyes and found myself on top of the rooftop... the rooftop of Sunset Valley Studios! My eyes went wide as the realization hit. I'm gaspin' for air, feelin' like I'm havin' a panic attack. What the fuck am I doin' here?!
I heard someone open the door of the rooftop. I looked back and suddenly they lunged at me. I couldn't make out their face because they were wearin' a hoodie pulled way down. Their strong arms caught my arms, attemptin' to push me. I fought back, usin' all my weight to push 'em, but their grip was solid. We struggled for a few minutes until they suddenly head-butted me, makin' me release their arms, and finally, they pushed me right off the ledge. I felt my body flyin' through the air until the hard concrete slammed into my back. A sharp, unimaginable pain ripped through my body and I screamed my head off.
"Ahhh!" I jolted up on my bed. Wide eyed. I frantically breathing and I felt sweaty. "Oh, splendid! You're awake. I was just about to rouse you." My eyes land on Corbin in his human form. Yep, everything that happened up to this point is real, except the nightmare I just had. I noticed him holdin' a glass of iced water. Don't tell me... I crossed my arms and gave him a death glare. He looked at me like he was lost, then looked at the water and back at me with a sheepish grin. "Ah, this? I usually take iced water in the morning." he fake smiled and hesitating to drink the iced water in front of me because who would in a right of mind drink an iced water in this very cold temperature?! "Mmm! It's so... refreshing!" he smiled brightly masking the grimace he just made.
I rolled my eyes and got up from the bed. "Please tell me you've already prepared breakfast for us." I muttered while I've gone straight to kitchen with him followin' behind. I find myself lookin' at a empty table. No breakfast anywhere. I sighed heavy and looked him dead in the eye. He looked at me and shrugged. "Sweetheart, I am not your maid. I am merely your guide, remember?" He said smiling. "Well, you're also supposed to be my MANAGER. Do keep that in mind, Mr. Lyon." I said sarcastically gave him a fake smile.
He rolled his eyes and deep sighed. I guess I won that round?
Corbin suggested that we'll just go to a cafe because we don't have time to cook breakfast. I think he's just makin' excuses 'cause he can't cook a lick. So here we are, at the Crown & Crumpet Cafe—a fancy tea room where velvet chairs and gold frames make it look like a high-end set. Corbin said it's his go-to spot in London, which ain't surprisin'. I guess he's been livin' here with the locals for a while?
I'm rockin' an obsidian trench draped over a sheer turtleneck and a high-slit leather skirt, with those signature stiletto boots since according to Corbin this is how Evelyne Vane usually express her style. While he wears his classic tuxedo with his signature red tie. Is that his uniform or what?
"This place hasn't changed a bit!" he exclaimed excitedly and sighed like he's been reliving a memories. I saw a flash of sadness in his eyes for a second, but he masked it with that cheerful look the moment he noticed I'm starin' at him. Hmm.
"Good morning, Madam, Sir. How may I be of assistance?" a distinguished fine old man who wears tuxedo and white gloves greeted us. I assumed this is the Maître d'.
"A table for two, please." Corbin said charmingly. "Right this way, sir." the Maître d' said and smiled and lead us to the table in an al fresco. We both said thank you at him. He bowed at us in return and signals a waitress to approached us so that we can order already.
"I'll have the Sovereign, a Truffle Crown, one Royal Benedict, and a Velvet Latte, please. Thank you so much!" Corbin excitedly said and smiling to the waitress and he gave the menu back to her. The waitress blushed and smiled back at him. I think she finds Corbin attractive. Girl, I wouldn't pushed it if I were you. I shook my head at the thought and sighed. The waitress finally turn her attention towards me. "And for you, Madam?" she asked. "His order will be quite enough, thank you." I said and smile and gave her the menu back to her. "What on earth do you mean? These are all for me." He said nonchalantly. I went wide-eyed at that. Who in the hell eats this much for breakfast?!
I gave him a death glare. I sighed deep, tryin' my best to hide my annoyance. I turned my attention to the waitress and gave her a fake smile and said I'll just have their regular pancakes and a cup of espresso. The waitress nodded and return to her station.
After a few minutes, the food finally showed up. Corbin inhaled everything he ordered like he hadn't seen a meal in a week. I looked at his spread compared to mine. I swallowed hard, lookin' at him and hopin' maybe, just maybe, he'd share, but he was so focused on eatin' he might as well have been the only person in the world. I sighed and focused on my own pancakes.
After we done gulping our breakfast, we are currently drinking our coffee while enjoying the winter breeze outside. The heat of the coffee warms me up perfectly. I smiled at the feelin', sighin' in satisfaction. "You seem to be enjoying your coffee." Corbin said with his signature smirk. "Only a cup of coffee could make me smile this early in the morning." I said smiling sighing in satisfaction.
"Ah, I forgot to ask—you seemed to be having a bit of a nightmare last night. What was it about?" he asked with curiousity in his eyes. My smile flipped upside down the second he asked that. I set my coffee down and sighed deep, thinkin' back to that nightmare. "I dreamed of my past self. That night... when I attempted to take my own life." I said hesitatingly as if it might trigger a memory to me but fortunately nothing came up.
"But it was bizarre; someone else was on that rooftop and they suddenly lunged at me. I couldn't make out their face—the hood was obscuring my view. We fought. We struggled. Then, the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air and hitting the pavement." I said, feelin' the chills all over again. "Hmm... interesting." Corbin said and looking at me seriously.
"Interesting? You find that bloody interesting?!" I yelled, this guy is seriously nuts. "I'm not talking about the dream itself—though I suppose it was terrifying, at least for you..." He said dismissively while I'm looking at him with a deadpan expression. "I'm talking about your phrasing: 'I attempted to take my own life.'" He continued.
"Yes? What about it?" I asked confusingly. "'Attempted'? So you didn't actually take your own life, then?" He asked with a mix of confusion and suspicion in his eyes. Huh? I tried to pull up my last memory as Daisy Miller, but it always ends with me on that ledge. Does that mean I didn't actually jump?! But that makes no sense—then why the hell do I remember fallin'?! And also, I would not be here talkin' to this Herald?!
EEEEEEEEEEE
A sudden, high-pitched ringin' slammed into my ears, and my head started throbbin' so hard it killed my train of thought. "Ahh!" I screamed while closing my eyes clutching my head. "Evelyne! Are you quite alright?" Corbin abruptly stand to his seat and approached me. He crouched down and hold my face to make me face him. With his touch, the ringing suddenly stopped. I caught my breath, feelin' my heart raced. Sweaty all over my body. "Whatever happened?!" he frantically asked with a hint of concern in his voice.
I didn't answer him. I just jumped up and bolted outta the cafe, leavin' Corbin behind. I needed to breathe, deadass. "Hey! Evelyne! Where the bloody hell are you going?!" Corbin yelled at my back. "We haven't paid the bill yet! I—I haven't got any money on me!" He added.
I hurried away, hopin' to find a spot to sit and clear my head, 'cause whatever just happened is total brain-scramble. As I'm walkin', I notice people starin' and whisperin'. They recognized me—or Evelyne Vane, anyway. I kept my head down, avoids their eyes. Luckily, I had my scarf to cover half my face.
Finally, I found a park nearby, ran to the first bench I saw, and collapsed. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Just as I'm startin' to relax, I hear footsteps. Ugh! Corbin, give me a break! I snapped my eyes open to give him a piece of my mind, but instead, I'm lookin' at two guys in their twenties. "Mate! I told you it was Evelyne Vane!" the guy who looks like a chad said excitedly to his friend. "She's bloody gorgeous, mate!" the gym bro looking guy said while looking at me up and down. I felt sick to my stomach hearin' that. Disgustin' pricks! I jumped up, gave 'em a fake smile, and tried to walk away, but the first guy grabbed my arm. "Is this how you greet your fans? A bit rude of you, isn't it?" the Chad guy said while he grips hard to my arm. "You could've at least taken a photo with us!" the gym bro demanded. "Sorry, I'm a bit tied up at the moment!" I excused and gave him a fake smile. I'm doin' my best to pull away my arm from his grip, but he's too strong.
"Oi! Let go of her!" a deep voice came from behind us. I turned my head toward the voice and saw a woman in a black mask and a hoodie. She walked up and gave 'em a death glare. I couldn't see her face, just those hazel eyes.
The Chad guy finally let go of my arm and fully faced the woman. "Listen here, you cow! Just mind your own bloody business, alright?" he said acting tough in front of her. "Or maybe you fancy joinin' us later? We'll make proper use of you." The Gym bro said smiling wickedly. The woman just rolled her eyes, lookin' like she'd had enough of their crap.
"Disgusting pricks!" she muttered but she obviously made it loud so that he heard her. "What did you just say, then?" The Chad guy said. He about to grabbed her but she suddenly do a high roundhouse kick to him which completely knocked him off. The woman turned to the gym bro guy, gettin' ready, but he quickly apologized to the air and took off. Coward!
The woman finally turns her attention to me. "Thank you!" I said, feelin' grateful, and gave her a smile. She walked up and took off her denim jacket—her extra layer—and draped it over my head. I noticed on how close we are. Does she know Evelyne? We made eye contact, and neither of us moved an inch. My heart was poundin'. I couldn't help but notice how beautiful her eyes were. Her pupils were dilatin'—is she actually into me? I mean, who wouldn't be? Even with a bad reputation, Evelyne Vane is top-tier beautiful. I felt my face gettin' hot. What the fuck is goin' on? Why the fuck I find her attractive when her eyes is only showin'?
"You idiot! What the bloody hell are you doing out here all alone?!" She whispered angrily at me. Wait. Her voice just changed. It became more feminine and cold. My eyes went wide as the realization hit. "Ms. Windsor?!" I shouted.