Amor
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NEW CHARACTER WOO! ;) She's a lot different than what I'm used to, so, if you have any suggestions, give me a shout.
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Business was booming, as usual. Even though I spent my day in the back of my shop, out of sight, I occasionally would peek out to observe my countless customers. It was obvious they loved my designs by the way they cooed and grinned at each article of clothing. Their smiles were what made my days bearable, not to mention their reviews of my art.
Yeah, being a top name fashionista definitely had its perks.
Reclining in my office chair, I began to sketch absently, designing a new fashion without really thinking about it. That was how I worked best, after all.
Purple. It had to be a lovely shade of amethyst. Long, slim sleeves, a tunic-like body with a few ruffles crossing over the front, slim-fitting pants that flared at the ankle like retro bell bottoms, and a pair of glimmering silver heels. Sitting back, I admired my work. Not bad for a ten minute piece. Though I’d most likely end up trashing it later if I didn’t send it to one of my tailors soon. I always found something I didn’t like in old designs. Maybe I was too fastidious and picky, or maybe I had too much time on my hands to design new things. The world may never know.
At the end of the day, when the last of my customers were browsing the clearance racks, I rose from my chair with a yawn, smoothing out my ruffled skirt as I did so. It’d been a long, rather uneventful day. Typical.
As usual, I packed up my few belongings and grabbed my favorite shrug, draping it over my shoulders, headed toward the door. For once, something unexpected happened. The instant I turned the doorknob and threw the door wide, I was intercepted by a tall man with eyes of the most stunning green I’d ever seen. Was it an emerald or more like shamrock? Either way, it was lovely.
Yet, it was strange for anyone to be here now. Shop was closing in under a minute. Suspicious.
“Hi, maaari ba akong makatulong sa iyo?” I questioned, testing to see if he spoke my native tongue. Sure, I was more comfortable with English, but, in order to accurately gauge his trustworthiness, I had to test the waters.
A blank stare met my eyes. Sighing, I leaned against the doorframe.
“Allow me to rephrase that,” I began, instantly awarded with a less moronic expression. “Hello, can I help you?” After clearing his throat, he plunged his hands into the pockets of his jacket. Repulsed by his lack of fashion sense—that coat was at least four years out of style—I wrinkled my nose in distaste.
“You’re Amor, correct?” he queried, resting a hand against the wall. Once I nodded, he continued. “Oh, good. I think this d*mn app has gone haywire. I had to spend the whole day looking for you.” Narrowing my eyes, I struggled to figure out if his intentions were good or... not so good.
Just as I was about to demand what he was talking about, the bell at the front of the store rang as two nearly identical men strode through the doors, their long, black coats clashing with their brown ensemble underneath. Why does no one appreciate good fashion anymore?
“Mawalang galang na, kami ay sarado na para sa araw,” I called, drawing their eyes to me. Puzzled, the man with electrifying eyes turned to find who I was speaking to, and, as soon as he noticed them, an inexplicable look of fear crossed his features. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Do you know who they are?” he muttered, his expression wild.
“Not personally. Men with labcoats have been coming in all week, never purchasing anything. I’d love to get them new clothes, though. Just look at them!” I replied, tossing my hair over my shoulders. They were dressed even worse than this man!
Gripping my shoulder, he began to lead me away from the men who hadn’t budged, pushing me into my office.
“What do you think you are doing? Let go of me!” With a growl, I wrenched his hand off of me with ease, probably hurting him in the process. I didn’t care.
Splaying my fingers before me, I narrowed my eyes once more, clenching my teeth. Nothing happened. After flicking my fingers a few times with the same results, I furrowed my brow, gazing at my hand in wonder.
“Ng lahat ng mga araw upang tumakbo ng kapalaran at kapangyarihan...” I muttered, shaking my head and staring at the man before me. “What is your problem? How dare you touch me!”
“You don’t understand,” he hissed, baring his... fangs? “They’re evil. They’re against us.”
“‘Us’?” I repeated, planting my hands firmly on my hips. “Honey, I just met you. There is no ‘us.’”
“I meant... Gah. I’m a vampire. You’re a... nymph or fairy or something,” he whispered, his voice rushed. Paling, I took a step back.
“What are you talking about? I ought to call the authorities on you. You’re insane,” I blabbed, reaching behind me for my cell. If I could hold him off long enough, maybe I could save myself.
“Amor, you know it’s true,” he chided, setting his jaw. Gritting my teeth, I shook my head, rolling my eyes.
“Okay, for one, I’m not a nymph or one of your little pixies,” I snapped. “I’m a Diwata.”
“A what-a?”
“Di. Wat. A.” God, he was annoying. “A guardian spirit? If I could have cursed you, trust me, I would have. I don’t know why I can’t...” Drifting off, I realized that, had I been able to, I wouldn’t have cursed him. His heart was pure. Tainted like all good folk, but pure nonetheless.
“Right. Well, those guys are from this organization that’s been hunting us, us mythological creatures. We need to get away from here and fast.” Footsteps were nearing the office door now, muffled voices whispering in menacing tones to prove he was correct. “Do you have a car?”
“Siyempre mayroon ako ng kotse!” I scoffed, jerking my head toward the back door. “Idiot. Follow me.” As I snatched up my belongings, I hurriedly locked the door, right as someone slammed into it with a dull thud! Perfect timing, as usual.
Smirking, I led the man into the back alleyway, retrieving my keys from my Gucci purse and pressing the unlock button. Right on cue, my sleek black Hennessey blinked, flashing its lights and chirping its song. The man stopped dead in his tracks as we neared my baby.
“That... that isn’t a...” he stuttered, eyes wide. Grinning, I nodded, shrugging my shoulders.
“A Hennessey Venom GT Spyder? You betcha,” I laughed, pulling open the door and sliding inside. “You coming?” Blinking, he nodded, hurrying over to the passenger side. “I’d buckle your seatbelt if I were you.” Once he did as I recommended, I turned the key in the ignition. From the back door of my boutique, the two men donning labcoats burst through, their eyes murderous. “Time to go.” I punched the gas, jolting the car forward and causing the man beside me to grip the sides of the seats as tightly as he could. Yeah, 60 mph in two seconds was pretty impressive.
“You sure you can drive this thing?” he questioned once I sped out onto the main road, accidentally cutting off three lanes of traffic. Tossing him a glare, I kept my grip on the wheel firm.
“Of course I can. I’ve been driving since cars were invented. I drove horses back when we rode carriages. If it moves, I can drive it,” I remarked, expertly maneuvering the vehicle around other cars. In my rearview mirror, I spotted a car that was gaining on us, two men in the front seats. “So, now that we’re on the run together, who the h*ll are you?”
“Sebastian, Sebastian Lefevre,” he responded without a moment’s hesitation.
“Nice to meet you, though I’d have preferred it under better circumstances,” I murmured, weaving around a beat-up car and running a red light. Behind us, so did the men. “You know what we need? Some chase music... Something... with a big, heavy riff and just a touch of secret agent. You know what I mean?” Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, but my car cut him off.
“Playing ‘Frazzle Dazzle,’” the voice announced as the fast-paced jam began pumping through the speakers.
Sebastian was at a loss for words. For a few moments, at least.
“You are something different. You seem so... so... American,” he observed.
“Hey, when you’re a designer, you travel a lot,” I shrugged. “So, back to my place then?”
“Um...”
“Calm down. To reconvene and escape the lunatics behind us,” I clarified, noticing his uneasiness. Guess he had a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend. I didn’t judge.
“Right. Sounds good to me. Where do you live exactly?” he asked, staring anxiously back at the men who were growing closer and closer by the second.
“Top of that mountain,” I answered, freeing a hand from the wheel to point. “Don’t worry. I know how to throw them off our tail.”
But, after a few minutes of taking back roads and swerving like there was no tomorrow, they were still closing in.
“Magkantot,” I cursed under my breath, trying to formulate a plan in a matter of seconds. “Sebastian? Hold on tight. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.” Furrowing my brows, I stomped hard on the gas, the car lurching forward as I jerked the wheel to the left, flying off the road and into the forest. The vampire grabbed whatever he could and held on for dear... I’d say life, but I feel that isn’t appropriate.
Behind us, the car was unable to handle the off-road trek, and, after leaping over a ditch, it rolled, slamming into a tree. I hated how I’d been forced to endanger precious nature—and, you know, that they might have died—, but, at the time, I hadn’t had many options.
After a long, turbulent voyage to the top of the mountain, the mouth of my cave came into view, and, exhaling a shaky breath, I pulled the key out, leaning back in my seat. Shooting a glance out of the corner of my eye, I offered a grin.
“Come on out. The car might explode at any seconds. But that may just happen in movies.” Without hesitation, he leaped from the vehicle, landing in a steady standing position. As he turned back around, he let out a shrill whistle, his eyes wide.
“Sorry about your car,” he muttered, averting his gaze. As I came to stand beside him, I looked over my baby with a neutral expression.
“No big deal. I’ll just send it to the shop,” I mused, unfazed. “It’s seen worse days.” He gaped at me in disbelief.
“How could you possibly do more damage? And how do you have enough money to fix this?!” he demanded incredulously.
“Uh, one, it’s a powerful car. I had to get used to it. Two, I am a world famous fashion designer. Does that answer your question?” I questioned sweetly, batting my eyelashes. “Come on. Since you’ve spent the whole day looking for moi, I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Once I fetched him a bottle of Kona Nigari Water—desalinated from the deep oceans of Hawaii—, I sat him down on my Moroso sofa.
“So, you never did tell me,” I began, lounging on the arm of the couch and crossing my legs, “why exactly were you looking for me in the first place? I know you aren’t an adoring fan of mine.”
“I’ll ignore that insult,” he remarked, taking a sip of the pricey liquid. “Well, I was coming to ask you to join this club back in America. It’s the MCC, Mythological Creatures Club, and it’s actually to provide a safe haven for us creatures, especially from those scientists.”
“Yeah, who were those guys, anyway?”
“They’re from an organization called Xenogenesis Laboratories. They’re pretty bad. They tried to kill us before.”
“Sounds pretty serious.”
He nodded. “It’s gotten worse the more we add to our club, but we’ve also gotten more information since starting it.”
“How... sapid,” I ruminated.
“So, are you interested? Of course, you’d be flying by yourself there since I have some more ‘errands’ to run. I already have a plane ticket for you.”
“You want me to leave my life of luxury, fame, and wealth to join a farcical club?” I questioned, turning to face him.
“Well... yes.” Pursing my lips, I considered my options. Rising to my feet, I secured my shrug over my shoulders.
“Hmm, it would certainly be an interesting change of pace, and I could get countless new ideas for next year’s fashion show,” I cogitated, running a hand through my hair. “Very well. A few conditions, though.”
“Shoot.”
“One: I travel my way, first class on a private jet. I don’t want any of your... coach tickets. Two: I can bring my car.”
“That car is as good as scrap metal,” he remarked, staring at me through slitted eyes. I rolled mine.
“Stupid American boy,” I laughed. “I wasn’t talking about that old thing.”
“It’s a 2013 model!”
“Nonetheless. I have two more just like it!” His jaw dropped to the floor.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
“Hey, I’m kind of rich,” I shrugged. “I’ll call my private pilot, Gary. Thanks for the invite, Count. I’ll catch up with you on the flip side when you get back to America.”
“Good deal. You’ll let me drive your car when I get there, right?”
“Not a chance.”
“Right.”
Grinning, I left him on the couch as I went to face the biggest problem of the day. Sure, I knew some of the necessities I’d have to bring—like my sketch pad, pencils, makeup, heels, etc.—, but then there was the big question.
How the h*ll was I supposed to decide which clothes to bring?
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I'm not quite sure why, but I think I like her. XD Oh, and I won't be having her speaking Filipino anymore because Goog Translate isn't reliable... and I have no idea what she's saying.... haha.
Comments and critiques are welcome and encouraged!
