The awkwardness in the atmosphere hits harder than how Lina's being ignored by her teammate. I can sense how it is. I'm probably the person she hates most right now.
"Take a seat," Mrs. Gin invites, breaking the silence as I sit right beside her instead of Lina.
The editor-in-chief enters with another man. He's in his forties, classic tuxedo, short hair and smelling of a certain perfume which is probably very known among men his age.
I don't think it's a Giorgio Armani.
The other man is more likely to be his assistant. In his early thirties, straight figure, broad shoulders, his eyes are deep that I cannot look at them for too long, which is so rare. He's either got a very strong presence, special aura and a deep soul, or he's one of them. He's taller, around 6'5 ft. His hair dark, wavy straight stands, styled neatly. He looks like a villain from a webtoon. His gaze falls at me. I shiver to his cold stone face and dark aura. I escape the gaze, looking away. Why's he looking at me?
"Ms. Rina. Happy to see you joining us today," The editor-in-chief chuckles, approaching me with his stretched arm to shake. I stand up shaking his hand.
"Thank you, sir. How are you doing?" I politely ask, snapping over the electric presence of his assistant, whom I've barely talked to before.
"Doing well!" Delightful and giggling, Mr. Dean answered. He eyes the teammates and sits on the chair next to mine. "You've met Mr. Varian, my assistant," He finally introduces him, because although I've seen him only from far, I could never talk to him, neither hearing his name.
Varian.
His name resonates in my ears as a pretty little memory which I've missed when reminiscing my past. Carrying echoes of forgotten places, ancient times and half shadowed feelings and auras.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Varian," my lips curve to the sides, my voice utters in a volume lower than before and my heart ponders to his words.
Pleasure.
This is all he says with his emotionless face and deep piercing gaze which holes mine and his deep calm voice. He doesn't seem to be extroverted.
We sit and I enfold into silence. I'm more of a listener first, at least before I get too comfortable and outspoken. The teammates are discussing the novel and what's left for publishing. However, they're interrupted by Mr. Dean.
"So, Ms. Rina. I heard you were about to leave us. How come and you're the one bringing our novels alive?" He turned to face me as the room fell into a sharp silence. I could see Lina rolling her eyes because she's probably already done with me. As I am.
"Well. I don't want to bring the teams down because of my constant delays," I answer straightforwardly.
"I understand that artist have their moments where they need to take some time to rest, probably feeling inspired and getting a fresh start. Sometimes it's a spark that ignites, just like a sudden fire in the midst of the dark."
He's so poetic.
"Exactly, sir. It's hard to catch up with deadlines. I apologize to be late this time. I've been doing my best," I agree since he's getting my point.
"Which is why, I'm offering you today a new contract with new terms!" He jumps in excitement. He's literally the dramatic type. No wonder he started a publishing house company. "How about you choose which novel to work on and you decide on the painting with the authors directly? You're so talented and most of our novels are alive and selling best, because of your paintings! As the editor-in-chief, I admit. Losing you is going to be a huge loss to the company. It's a gap that'll be so hard to fill. Therefore, I am offering you this today. What do you think?" He persists.
Honestly, his offer isn't that bad. It's good. I'm just worried about my imposter syndrome kicking in. I can see its shadow lurking from across the room.
"I truly appreciate it, sir. I am glad to be an important part of the team and the company. I still need some time to think about it," I try to give myself some space. I've been too swallowed in my depression lately.
"Shall I give you a week to rest? But, you need to accept my offer for you. I can't afford to lose you, Ms. Rina. I won't be able to sleep at night," He insists. I don't feel pressured though. He's so funny when he's dramatic.
"Alright. Deal."
And I can't believe I'm agreeing already. I smile awkwardly as if my lips are trying to be nice while my face is letting me down.
The food is served. Everyone is talking about different things, until the novelist is brought up to light. She declined the invitation for today's lunch because she still wants to stay mysterious.
"She's weird. She doesn't even have social media accounts," Lina gossips because that's what she usually does. However, I'm suddenly reminded of the script.
I still don't understand why Lina said it has no illustrations!
"Then, how come we got her novel to be published and how is she going to meet her readers?" Rin wonders with a confused expression on his face, drawn clearly like a little child's. He's cute tho. I low-key chuckle to it.
"She mailed the script to us. Sent an email and mentioned her pen name, Sola," Crosses her arms to each other, Lina answers, looking away.
"That's cute, comparing to how mysterious she is," I chuckle trying to light the mood up. The atmosphere has been quiet chilly at the mention of her. Varian eyes me quickly, sharp, cold knife piercing my soul.
What the hell is that.
"She said it's her first and last work. So, even if her readers want to meet her and have a fan sign, they'll be disappointed not to have one," Lina adds as she holds her phone scrolling.
"Then, why did we accept her work in the first place?" Mrs. Gin skeptically throws the question on the table.
"Her work is pretty good! The concept is quiet viral nowadays among our niche. They love mysterious love stories between a demon and a human. Or other creatures falling in love with humans. Which is why I was the first one to accept this work," Lee pronounces proudly. He's got a point. We all love unusual relationships, challenging love and beautiful romance.
"I'm sure it'll succeed. Most of our books are bestseller. It's alright if she doesn't join. We'll surely take care of her and her novel. Right Mrs. Gin?" The editor-in-chief delightfully expresses. He's so optimistic even he's doing business. I bet he's a feeler.
As they keep on chatting on lunch, which is taking two hours already, I sink into my thoughts, notice them talking, their energy, their aura and mostly, Varian. He's been too quiet, too observant and sometimes throwing his sight on me. His aura is too special. It's giving me goosebumps, cold shivers throughout my skin and a floating feeling of both femininity and how small I am comparing to him. I don't know why he's able to shake my confidence and ability to speak without him doing anything, just existing in the room.
I grew up with this ability where I see through people. Not just intuition, it grew to give me the ability to see their auras in colors. Low frequency auras have dimmer light, hues and shapes. On the opposite, high frequency people have radiant colors, rare hues and pretty shapes. Which is why I can easily distinguish them, describe them and know what kind of people they are.
In fact, there are many types of people based on auras and energies. Psychopaths, for example, have a lot of darkness inside of them, their aura is so dark in fact and just like we can see light, I can see darkness too. There is more than what our eyes can see. More tribes, more people, more things existing with us, which we cannot see. Almost never.
A whole world existing within ours. Similar rules but different species. Different creatures and their own rules to live right with us. They see us and we cannot.
They have their original forms, in which we can never see them in. However, they take the human form because they have one. It's rare for them to do so but when needed, it's easily done for them. Therefore, we can never guess who's who.
I keep peeking at this Varian, whose aura is so mysterious and attractive at the same time. I can't figure its shape but the colors are widely spread across his body, figure and movement. Very radiant and astonishing to me because I've never sensed such strong presence in my whole life.
"Where is the painting you drew, Ms. Rina?" The editor-in-chief questions me out of nowhere.
Varian laser-eyes me coldly, straight to my eyes. I freeze.
What the hell.
How should I explain what happened last night? I don't know what to do. I'm probably shaking with my heart elevating to my throat.