Chương 2: Chapter 2

“Who are you? And what do you want from me?”

“Calian, and the answer to your second question is nothing.”

The woman was obviously taken aback by Calian’s response. “Why are you tailing me then? The men’s restroom is on the other side of the funeral home.”

Calian chuckled. “I don’t need to go. I’m actually here to help you out, Cynthia.”

Cynthia’s eyes widened. “How do you know my—”

“Aren’t you tired of living yet?” Calian interrupted, ignoring Cynthia’s question. “You’re two hundred and thirty-three years old. It’s way past your expiration date.”

Cynthia’s surprise morphed into terror. “What are you?”

Calian gazed into Cynthia’s eyes. “I’m just a witch with a special talent.”

“What’s that?”

“Dealing with the souls of those people who should have died many years ago.”

Cynthia gasped, but she didn’t utter a single word. Calian maintained a neutral expression as he approached the wall and leaned against it. He didn’t have to keep the supernatural world a secret from Cynthia. She’d been made aware of its existence when the curse on her had begun to take effect. Cynthia had contacted all sorts of magical folks. There were druids, witches, sorceresses, warlocks, and many others, but none of them had been able to help her with the curse. Not that Calian was surprised. He folded his arms across his chest and stared at Cynthia in silence. He could be patient when he needed to. The fear was palpable on Cynthia’s face, but there were resignation and relief there, as well.

“Am I allowed to bid farewell to my family before you take me away?”

Calian shrugged. “Sure. You have exactly twenty-four hours. I’ll be at your house tomorrow. See you soon.”

He left Cynthia standing there and headed toward the main entrance. He hoped Cynthia had the common sense not to make things difficult for herself. She had more than enough problems. However, if she decided to stir up more trouble within the next twenty-four hours, there was nothing Calian could do about it. He would simply have to deal with the aftermath. It was up to Cynthia to decide whether she would obey him willingly. Or otherwise. Regardless of what she chose, there could only be one outcome in the end.

* * * *

Flynn Hamilton forced himself to smile while discreetly peeking at the time on his smartphone. It was sixteen minutes past eight o’clock in the evening, and he would probably be stuck at the restaurant for another thirty minutes or longer. Fortunately, he had already completed all his homework before leaving the penthouse to have dinner with his parents, Frederick and Georgina, and their esteemed clients. He was grateful to his parents for paying off his college tuition fee every semester, and he was fully aware of how fortunate he’d been to be given a duplex penthouse as a graduation gift straight out of high school four years ago.

As much as he enjoyed the delicious food at the restaurant, he wished he could spend more time with his peers during his final semester at New York University instead of schmoozing and networking with his parents at least twice a week. Then again, he might as well get used to it. He was his parents’ only child, and sooner or later, he would inherit their accounting firm before they retired. He suppressed his irritation and continued to act as if everything was wonderful until dinner was over. He and his parents bade farewell to their guests before they settled the bill

“How’s school?”

“Great,” Flynn replied calmly when he and his parents walked out of the restaurant a few minutes later.

“You should visit us at home more often,” his mother admonished him gently. “Your father and I miss you all the time. We’re worried about you.”

“For heaven’s sake, Gina,” Frederick interjected while frowning at his wife. “Flynn is twenty-two years old. He’s a man now. He can take care of himself.”

Flynn grinned when his mother rolled her eyes, and he was even more amused when his parents began to bicker in an affectionate manner while they waited for the valets to bring their cars. He was relieved when his car arrived in the next minute or so. As much as he loved his parents, they embarrassed him sometimes with their silly arguments in public. He tipped the valet in a hurry, hugged both of his parents, and quickly got into the car before driving away.

The journey back to his penthouse was uneventful, and he heaved a huge sigh when he was finally home. He removed his suit jacket, vest, and tie before plopping onto the couch in the living room and staring up at the ceiling. He had to take a shower before going to bed, but he was too tired to do so. He needed to rest for a while. He was about to shut his eyes when he noticed something moving in his peripheral vision. He turned his head left, and he was taken aback when he caught sight of a black butterfly flitting around.

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