The morning of the second presentation, I don't why but I was such a nervous wreck. I felt like I couldn't get the words out right, but thankfully somehow Mica had either understood me or my work spoke for itself. He only gave me one little criticism about my looped earrings. Though, I wasn't fussed, that was just something a little extra after I had completed the final three pieces.
I beamed as I looked at my designs. Even though I had a bit more to do on them I was over the moon. Especially when I heard him say that it has never happened before to be this far ahead. Come to think of it, he did seem a lot more relaxed today.
"Hey FuXi! Are you coming?" Nick asked as he wrapped one arm around me, startling me a little.
"Oh! Hi NIck, Is it lunchtime already? I hadn't realised the time," I told him.
"Yeah we noticed, but you need a break. We're going out to eat today," Suki told me.
"Oh then I will definitely join you," I told them, stopping what I was doing and locking everything away.
As we exited the building, we headed in the direction of the Chinese restaurant Mica took me to, but we didn't go in. We walked a few more blocks down and stood in front of the Japanese restaurant. It looked like an ordinary building on the outside, but when I went in, it felt like I was in a part of Japan. Not that I've been there, but I've watched lots of animes' and documentaries. I remember my Dads telling me they were going to take me to Japan one day and I am still looking forward to that day.
As I scanned the menu, there was so much choice, I would devour it all if I could. I was getting hungry so I went for the seafood ramen and vegetable tempura. Seems kind of surreal to me eating out with friends. Thanks to these powers that I have, I can sense what people feel about me and what my new friends feel is genuine.
After lunch, we all headed back to work, but when I entered the workshop, I had a strange but familiar feeling come over me, then a strange voice whispered to me.
'Troubles lie ahead, you must end him now,'
I was so confused, but I tried to continue my work. That strange voice and phrase circled my head like a carousel. I put on some music and it helped a bit until the David Guetta 'flames' tune came on there were two lines that called out to me like a message.
'Listen now for the voice'
'send them up in flames'
And the Phrase I heard once before, circled me once again. All night I couldn't shake it off. I did not sleep well that night.
"FuXi! Are you alright? You seem a bit out of it since we got back from lunch," Elle asked, concerned.
"Oh! Hi Elle, yeah i'm fine, just trying to tweak my hooped flames designs, I only have a week left to do it," I explained.
"I still can't believe you finished your pieces already and were told to do two more sets. I'm actually impressed and a little jealous," Elle expressed.
"And you found time to make presentation boxes for all three," Suki added.
"You're forgetting that Mr Astello asked for FuXi personally," Nick told them, joining in on the conversation.
"Really!? How did you know that Nick?" Elle asked.
"I have my ways," He laughed, "I actually overheard him talking to HR, he chose FuXi specifically out of all the applicants. I was down there to sort something out," Nick explained.
"So you knew who we were getting all this time?" Elle asked.
"Well yeah! I've never seen Mr Astello so calm," Nick told them. I was looking between my friends as they stared at me.
"Are you guys mad? What Nick is saying can't be true," I muttered out just as Tang Cai walked up.
"FuXi! Nick is right, you were specifically chosen by Mr Astello himself," Tang Cai confirmed, proving Nick right.
"Now I am actually jealous," Elle expressed with a wink.
"Let's finish off what we are doing, lock up your things and go out. My treat tonight," Tang Cai invited them.
That evening was a blast. I needed that, I needed to loosen up. I actually felt like I had been working 24/7. I crashed out onto my bed as soon as I got in. I just hoped I didn't wake my dads up.
o0o
The next morning I woke up feeling groggy. No amount of coffee would stimulate me today. Nevertheless I still managed to get out of bed and make myself presentable despite the phrase still swirling around my head like a never ending colossal roller coaster. At least I have one more week until the launch of my design. Which is pretty nerve racking if you ask me.
I had done two more identical sets as he asked, that didn't take me too long, but rethinking the looped flames wasn't easy. I'm beginning to think that I may have to talk to my dads about my gifts, but I'm afraid they might disown me. I could ask Mica, afterall as a vampire I am sure he knows about people with gifts like mine.
After some thought, I told myself that I would wait until after the launch. I just hoped I wouldn't hear anymore voices.
"Morning Dad, Morning Pa," I greeted.
"Morning son," they greeted back in unison. They did that often.
"You got in late last night! Did you have fun?" Louis asked.
"Yeah I did have fun, I feel a bit worse for wear but still raring to go," I told them.
"That's great, have a good day at work FuXi," Dad hugged me. Pa wasn't much of a morning person I've found out.
I made my way to work, everything looked the same, but at the same time felt so different. That being said, even the receptionists seemed odd-er than usual. I quickly turned away and headed straight up, same as I usually do. The meeting had already started when I got in. I quickly set my things done and joined in.
"Morning FuXi," Tang Cai greeted halfway through explaining workload for the day.
"Morning, sorry I'm late," I told him, looking at my watch realising that I was actually early.
"No No! You're alright, You don't actually need to be in this if you don't want to, you're still on the big project," Tang Cai reminded me, "We're not excluding you, we just don't want to over burden you with work especially as you are our newest designer," Tang Cai added.
"I like this company more and more," I expressed happily. As I said that, that phrase ran through my head like a migraine, but this time with more words.
'Now is the time, kill him, kill him,'
"What!?" I let out quietly.
"Everything alright FuXi?" Tang Cai asked.
"Erm… Yeah! I just need to get some water," I responded, excusing myself from the room to get a drink.
As the day went on, I managed to just about complete my flamed hoops. The design is a bit controversial so not sure how well it would sell. This design is of a flame with a combination of orange and gold in the form of a loop, not as complex as the ring.
I was about to leave for the day and it seemed earlier than usual as I had been leaving late most days. When I saw Mica in the elevator.
"Final presentation is this friday, are you ready?" He asked me.
"Oh yeah I am, I've just finished the flame loops today, hence the early finish," I said, feeling the weight of my shoulders lift ever so slightly.
"Just remember this one will be in front of everyone, but you should be used to that having been in several competitions," Mica told me.
"Nice, but still nerve racking," I said as I walked out the elevator.
o0o
'Fool that was your chance,'
o0o
I was getting a bit of a migraine and needed to let off steam and relax. I asked Nick, Elle and Suki if they wanted to go out.
They thought about it before saying yes.
"That's a great idea. What did you have in mind?" Elle asked.
"I know this new club that just opened called 'Seduction Palace'. Apparently they have both female and male strippers, but it's still divided," Nick told them.
"Great, let's go there," I agreed.