Gretchen snorted, "You think you can defy me? Let me warn you. It won't end well for you."
I gave her a glare and snarled, "I know. But tell me one thing, how am I supposed to believe you? You are someone who forces your will upon the people, without any choice of their own. If something goes bad, you just do whatever that needs to be done. And that 'bad' part depends on you entirely. You shouldn't be a book fairy! 'God.' That's what you should call yourself."
"Does it matter? Whatever I do, is to stabilize different worlds. And I don't need to give you any sort of explanation for my behaviour," Gretchen gritted out. Her voice was full of hatred. It seems that I have touched a 'bleeding' nerve of her.
I asked, "What would happen if I found your book? Will you erase me after I do your bidding? Because I don't trust you. Not even an ounce. So, let me tell you this, Gretchen... unless, your superiors talk to me, I won't do a thing. I ain't no bloody saviour, and I will not sacrifice my life for nothing."
"If you don't do anything, you are doomed to die. My superiors will do the safe. Either way, you don't have choice other than accept my deal and trust me."
I shrugged, "Then, I will gamble with my chances. Gretchen, you need that book. If you think that you really need me, I need you to tell the whole truth. And the same time, I need 'protection.' I fucking need a promise that you won't discard me after use. A lot of people did... but I won't let you do the same to me. So, let's talk after you agree to my demand, shall we? Or, find someone else."
"Your file never said that you were unreasonable!"
"Ah, the file! Everything you know about me is from a file! What am I? Am I character in your 'book?' An extra that supposed to die? After his 'girlfriend' discarded him?"
Gretchen didn't say anything. She just looked at me with an unreadable gaze. Suddenly, it hit me.
"Fucking hell! I am a character! No, I am an extra. So, who's the protagonist?" I mocked myself for my naivety.
"Your ex-girlfriend," answered Gretchen.
I whistled at her answer. Of course, who am I even kidding? I should have known this earlier. Kaeye is the protagonist of the world. "So, what was I?" I whispered.
"A past. One that will help her to grow. You were an obstacle to her happiness. Getting rid of you was the start of her story."
"You should let me out of here."
"Not now, we have to talk."
I glared at her and demanded, "I said that I want to get out of here. Gretchen, I wasn't requesting. It's a fucking order. I. Want. To. Get. Out. Of. Here. So, do it!"
◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆
Alice slowly got up from the ground. She looked at the wall clock and took a deep breath. It was 9 PM. There was no time for her to start renovating the house. So, she decided to postpone it for tomorrow. For the time being, she wanted to focus on making dinner. It was already late. As for Gretchen's words, she could dwell on it later. Now was not the time.
◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆◆◇◆◇◆
"Two toasts. Some scrambled egg. Peanut Butter. Tomato-flavoured pasta. Some chicken breasts... and two muffins. I guess, I outdid myself. Not to brag, that is. I don't brag... I mean, I am kind of proud of myself," I said to a random guy. He is my colleague.
He gave me a blank look and said, "I am married."
What the fuck! I asked, "And why would that matter to me?"
"Because I am alpha. Not to 'brag,' I am somewhat good-looking... I lot of omegas hit on me. But I am happily married. So, no need to flaunt your cooking skills to me."
"Again, what the fuck are you talking about?"
He threw me an annoyed expression and walked away.
"Oi! You haven't explained it yet! Do I look like an idiot to you? Hey, man! Come on! We were talking! And for the record, I don't like men! Okay!" I yelled after him.
Suddenly, I heard someone clear his throat behind me. I immediately turned around and saw Mr. White looking at his watch. He stated, "You are late."
"I know that, Mr. White. But no offense Sir, how does someone arrive exactly on time? I mean, time is a relative concept. In fact, the whole physics is. It's kind of difficult for me, okay? Would you really believe that I tried? There were errors, I get it. But I tried and that's what it matters, isn't it?"
Mr. White shook his head in annoyance and scoffed, "Don't make me regret, Miss Redman. Alice, you got to understand the rules. Like other employees you have to be on time. You are Mr. Russoue's personal assistant. Although, your services cease after 4 PM... you are expected to do what is expected from you. So, do it. Also, how good are you with social media?"
'Social media?' I asked, "Like Instagram, Facebook... Twitter and all?" I asked him.
Mr. White nodded.
When I was with Kaeye, she always used those things. And I have picked up some things. I replied, "I do know... some things and so."
"Good. Then meet me at the Infonexer Mall, near Alex TW Junction. We have some work to do there. Also, dress well. A lot of people will be there. You are Mr. Russoue's PA. It's expected from you to be there with him. Do you have a car?"
"Yeah." A pretty fucked up car.
"Then be prepared. I will send some papers. Read it and memorize it."
I replied, "I will, Sir. When is the 'meet up?' Do I need to do something?"
"Nothing. Just be there with Mr. Russoue. You have three hours."