Chapter 30: Don't get any funny ideas, alright?
" What? you have other women to fool around with."
" Sadly no, your the only one it seems." I said with a self pitying look.
" Tsk, fine." She clicked her tongue and said looking every bit on guard. " but you better not try anything weird or else."
Rather than I reply, I glanced briefly at her chest before looking at her face. She glared coldly at me because my unspoken message was clear.
The both of us were able to put aside our differences and sit right next to each other, I went ahead and wrapped my hand around her shoulder, even though she kept shooting me a piercing glare right after.
" Would you please smile at least... No one's gonna believe this if you keep looking like you want to rip my throat out."
" And how is it my fault my thoughts can't seem to be hidden..." She replied without remorse further irking me.
' You know what... That's it.' Before she could react, I leaned in and gave her a light peck on the cheek with a smile on my face. My phone's camera light flashing right after.
" What did you do...." To my surprise, her eyes stared at me blankly.
" Like I said, I have other things to do..." I said with a sigh and got up. " If you feel bothered by it, feel free to wash it off when you get the time.
I placed my phone into my pocket and walked towards the counter, where I payed the front desk staff before leaving.
Throughout the whole time, Veronica continued to stare at me in silence as if her brain was static all of a sudden.
After I'd left, she raised a trembling hand to her cheek which I'd kissed before turning to glance out the window, where my figure could no longer be seen because I had already hailed a cab and left.
******
' Well that was a lot for one afternoon... If all these 1 star missions are as frustrating as this, I might need to start looking for something else to do besides relying on this system.' I thought to myself.
While in the back seat of the cab, the idea of taking on two missions at the same time came to me but I decided against it.
' It's quite risky to deal with two women at the same time, God knows how many men have failed spectacularly at it. As a newbie, I think it's best I take things easy for now.' I let out a sigh before reclining deeper into the cabs seat.
' Plus, if anyone of the people around Veronica were to unknowingly see me, it might end up ruining everything.'
*****
The cab eventually dropped me off back at the Pendleton. I got off and headed back upstairs.
" You're back..." The first person I met was Ophelia, who opened the door from me, from the looks of it, she still hasn't left since morning.
" Yes I am, now can you please step aside, I need to lay down for a bit." I said, the mental exhaustion from having to deal with that woman, still evident.
" Hmph!" Ophelia harrumphed and stepped aside, I simply shock my head and walked in.
" Wait a minute..." but just as I was about to walk past her. She grabbed me by the wrist, holding me back.
" What is it?" I asked, clearly confused, but instead of giving me an answer, she instead leaned closer to me.
If I didn't know any better I would've said that she was actually, sniffing me?
' Is this some kind of weird practice she's into these days.'
" You know the first time you came here, I thought it was some coincidence but now, rather than a dullahan you know bear the scent of Kiyo-hime?"
" Ok, first of all, I have no idea what the heck your talking about, 2, I don't even know what does words mean and 3... Let go of my hand for crying out loud." I said with a helpless sigh. " It was bad enough that you made it clear you don't want me here but now you're trying to manhandle me to?"
" Shut up and just tell me why you have both their scents on you."
" Wow, rude much. Even if I did know what you were talking about, what makes you think I'd help you? You haven't even apologized for yesterday." I harrumphed and pulled my hand away or so I thought but I was surprised to realize just how strong her grip was.
" Let go of me Ophelia..." I let out a breath and asked, still trying to keep my calm.
" You think I'm joking with you..." I was about to drag my arm away when her voice suddenly turned into a whisper but before I knew it, she twisted my arm behind my and slammed me face first against the wall.
' How in the world is this even possible!' my eyes widened in disbelief, I could literally feel my cheeks pressing against the concrete yet no matter how much I struggled, it was useless.
This was the same feeling I felt when I was Veronica, the same feeling of being absolutely helpless against another person, worst of all it was summon I never thought could do such a thing in the first place.
Ophelia's eyes were cold as she leaned next to my ear and whispered. " Unless you want me to hurt you, I suggest you tell me."
" Ophelia, this isn't funny. If this is some kind of joke I don't like it– Arrgh!" I groaned when she twisted my arm a little in a way it was never meant to be twisted. Feeling the prickly feeling of her gaze against my neck, I realized that she really wasn't joking about hurting me.
' What on earth suddenly came over you!' I felt my cheeks begining to sour from being pressed against the wall in such a rough manner.
" If you don't let go now, I'm going to scream and cause a
scene!"
" You wouldn't dare..."
" Wanna bet?" I gave her a look before taking a deep breath.