Chapter 7 Part 1 – Some Like the Tongue Twisting

Lucien

From confusion and shock, the expression on her face changed into a full-blown frown.

Most women would have given me seductive looks already, but this woman here, no. It was clear to see she didn’t want to see me and was annoyed by the fact that I just tricked her.

Well, not really. It was my agent who did all the tricking. I just provided a trap for her to fall right into.

She clenched her fists and then took a deep breath.

I approached her, one step, then another, one hand in my slacks pocket while the other rested on the side, just like the suave man that I was. I paused when I saw her shake her head.

“If you think I’m going to examine this mirror for you, then you’re dead wrong,” she said, quiet rage bubbling on the surface of her voice.

I answered her by narrowing my eyes infinitesimally.

“What? Had I misunderstood your words last night then? I thought you like the mirror.”

She pursed her lip, trying to control herself from exploding. I didn’t miss her hands shaking, though.

“Mr. Ozric, there’s a reason why I donated it. A reason I am not keen on telling you, so goodbye.”

In a heartbeat, she moved, walking toward me to reach the door. I didn’t give her a chance.

“Then don’t examine it,” I said, holding her elbow.

She looked at me with an arched brow.

“Just come to dinner with me. All I want is for you to tell me how you got it, where exactly, the circumstances when you found it, if it was inside or outside a building? A house maybe? And if it’s just one.”

In response, she pulled her elbow. I gripped it tighter.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be compensated still,” I added.

“Huh!” she laughed, but there was no humor in it. “That was never my concern, Mr. Ozric.”

“Then what is?”

She seemed to contemplate on something, lowering her eyes to look at the floor. Then she exhaled heavily.

“What about these writings on the frame you mentioned last night?” she said once she lifted her face again. “Am I going to inspect the mirror for it?”

I shook my head once. “No need. I already had it checked after it was taken out of the museum. You don’t need to pull a muscle, Nicolette. You just need to sit for me and talk.”

There. From the weakening frown she gave me, she seemed to see the sense in my offer finally.

“I don’t see why you want to know about this mirror so much. It is just an artifact. Malta is a small country. It is rich in culture, yes, but I doubt its history would profit you.”

Such a curious little kitty she is.

“I have my own reasons,” I said, releasing her elbow. “Let’s go? I don’t want my food cold.”

I am the king of my kingdom. I didn’t want my offer turned down. This woman had already declined me once. I refused to let that happen again. Fortunately, she followed me this time. If she didn’t, she would have left this room with hickeys on her neck.

*****

“Er...this isn’t a date,” she pointed out the moment we arrived in the dining area of my new place. Like my suite in my building, this one had glass walls. I could see the west of New York, the billboards, and the scarcity of stars in the night sky.

I cursed inwardly. The table fitted eight, but the dining set-up was only for two people. I had my lackeys do this for me. I didn’t expect they’d be redoing the damn place to give off a romantic vibe.

“Yes, we’ve established that already,” I replied. From the corner of my eye, I could see her already fretting, looking at four bright items.

“Then why are there candles on the table?”

I claimed the cushioned chair near me and then stared at her like how I stared at my subjects, almost on the brink of impatience.

“Nicolette, I prefer your mouth used on other things. Stop stalling, have a seat, and let’s eat.”

She glared at me and grinded her teeth. Half a minute later of our staring contest, she sank into her chair and took the utensils from their places, surrendering with a huff.

I watched her with a brief curve of my lips.

Good. Be obedient for me, Little Kitty.

The food in this world couldn’t compare to the food in my kingdom, but I enjoyed it still. Maybe it was because of the sauce poured on my roast beef or the honey that was drizzled on my salad. They were tasty. It played on my taste buds well.

But I know what you are thinking. I was definitely not going to say it was because of the woman I was with.

Nicolette and I silently ate for the most of our meal. She never glanced my way, but I could sense her anxiety in every swallow she took. This was the same at our dinner at the school lastnight. It must be because of my presence, but at least now, her scowl had disappeared.

“In a Malta church backyard, The Church of St. Paul in ir-Rabat.”

Finally, the silence between us broke. I routed my eyes to her and saw her look at me, intent on giving the information I asked earlier.

“Hm?” I cocked a brow, putting my fork down.

“That’s where my excavation team and I found the mirror.”

She drank what was left of her perspiring glass of water and waited for my answer.

“Yes, that’s the most basic info I know already. Go on,” I instructed while taking my wine flute.

She let out an exhale and then proceeded. “There were potteries, craft tools, and jewelries that were buried together with a large stone box. At first, I thought this stone box was a sarcophagus with a mummy inside, but upon opening, I found the mirror.”

I urged her to continue with a quick tilt of my head.

“My team took it, listed it as ‘extra’ because it looked too simple to be placed together with the other discoveries. When the Malta Customs Department didn’t show any interest in it, I decided to bring it home, give it a house.”

“Yet you donated it to the school museum,” I pointed out. If she saw it as a piece worth keeping, then why did she give it away?

“I...have my own reasons, like you,” was her answer after lowering her head.

That instant, I knew the reason why. But of course, because of that blasted mirror, she was transported to my realm, had her brain fucked up with the reality that Earth wasn’t the only livable world in existence, and experienced the shittiest welcome my kingdom could offer with my sword and me as the main contributor to it.

I cleared my throat and hid those realizations to myself.

“What else is there?” I asked.

“Hmm?” She gave me a genuinely clueless face.

“Was the mirror placed together with a book maybe? Or any other unusual items?”

“Uh, nothing. Just the mirror. It was covered in dust if that’s something you’d like to know.”

I shifted in my seat, hating that this was a dead end.

“So I would assume it is just one.”

“I think so too.” She remarked. “I had the church backyard excavated thoroughly. But for your peace of mind, you are welcome to check on the artifacts we had unearthed. See if there is something there that catches your attention.”

Already late for that. My attention is already caught.

My eyes fixed on her—at her feminine form blessed by the candlelight. She might not know it, but with my sensitive eyes, I could see the details of her brassiere under her white blouse, the fullness of her breasts, and the curve of her waist. The blazer she wore didn’t even hinder me.

“I’d want that.” I spoke too soon, thinking of her in my bed and how she’d probably give me my most craved orgasm.

She nodded once.

Hell, if she knew what I was thinking, she probably wouldn’t do that.

“And probably bring that church down. A backyard isn’t enough,” I added, continuing to focus on the mirror issue.

Nicolette almost popped her eyes out. “You are just kidding, right? You mean to say...”

“Yes, I’ll destroy the church. Have more people excavate the land to see if there are other mirrors hidden underneath,” I explained.

“You can’t do that!” Her frown came back.

Now, this is interesting.

I lifted a brow. “Why not? I have money. I have people. I have the power to do anything I want.”

“Mr. Ozric, it’s a freaking church! Doesn’t that spell anything to you? Don’t you have values?”

“No,” was my only reply. Values make one bleed.

“Well, I have,” she said, standing. “Good ones, so I’ll have to back away. I’m not letting myself get involved in your twisted plan.”

I glared at her. If she thinks our conversation has ended, then she’s wrong.

“Nicolette, sit.”

But hell, the woman just showed her back to me and left.

Pulling myself upright, I followed her. She was indeed quick with her heels because she was already in the front vestibule when I called her attention.

“Nicolette!” my voice boomed. She paused right at the opening of the elevator but didn’t look at me. “Remember our conversation on the phone last night? I am not a stalker,” I said.

She only gave me half of her face when she glanced over her shoulder. It vexed me.

“Then what are you?” she asked.

Here in this world, I didn’t see the need to use my powers. It was just a waste of energy and effort. However, at this very moment, my principles changed.

In a blink of an eye, I was already right in front of her, my hands on her slim waist.

“I’m a predator,” I answered and then pulled her inside the elevator.

She didn’t get the chance to answer as I claimed her mouth.