Dear Immortal Tyrant

"I'm beginning to regret helping Isabelle," Lina muttered to Estella who nodded in agreement. The two women stood at the end of the hallway, Sebastian staring them down. His eyes widened slightly at their presence, then he gazed to the entrance, debating if he should notify his Boss.

"Every man for themselves," Lina retorted. "Hopefully the journalist gets what he wants."

Lina turned around in as normal of a speed as she could muster. She didn't want to seem in a rush to leave or reluctant to do so. She wanted to seem like a normal person who simply lost interest in this section of the museum. Without another word, Lina walked down the hallway.

Lina's heels barely clicked for a mere second, when she heard it. Each syllable, each letter dripping with heat, searing into her heart.

"Lina."

Lina realized her name never sounded better. A somber tone filled the air, a lone word shrouding the entire museum in secrecy. She pretended not to hear, even though his voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

Lina continued to walk down the hallway. She could feel his deadly stare following her with each motion. He could not look away. Her steps were haunting, even in her own ears. His intense gaze burned a hole through her body, caressing her before she could even react.

"Director, the meeting is starting in less than ten minutes," Estella said to Lina, even though it was far from the truth. They had much to spare and could even enjoy lunch. However, business matters involving work was always a great excuse, was it not?

Only a few shameless people would intervene.

"You can run, but never outrun me."

Lina's eyes flashed with hatred. He was always charming until he opened his damn mouth. She continued to walk down the hallways, her heart stopping when she felt a close presence behind her. 

When Lina swiveled around, she was at a loss for words. Kaden was still at the other end of the hallway. But his voice alone shrouded her like a blanket, making her believe he was closer than he seemed.

In the end, Kaden didn't chase her. In the end, he still didn't learn.

- - - - -

"... currently looking for medieval angst in bright, contrasting colors…"

Lina could hear the collector requesting something, but her attention was barely in the new presentation room. With her old one tarnished, she could do nothing but guide her client to a different room, one that was just as decorated. Lina realized she had a bad habit of lingering on things that she couldn't have. Human nature, she told herself.

"An interesting choice," Lina responded with a slight nod of understanding. "Like a sunny morning but a child dropped their ice cream cone."

"Precisely, but I want it to be the late aristocratic era, much like the one I used to live in," the client said, his ruby red eyes flashing before her.

A Pure-Blood? Or just, a powerful vampire in general?

Lina never probed too deeply into her clients. No matter if they were human or vampire, she served them all equally. It was just, vampires often paid more, despite feeling the same satisfaction. Nostalgia was priceless and they had much to experience.

"In that case, these are the portfolios of the artists specializing in that era as well as a curveball whose expertise is dark color but bright atmosphere," Lina explained.

The client hummed, peering over the folders. He began to look through the variety of it all. In the corner of her eye, Lina could see Estella calmly watching the conversation unfold. Estella jotted down notes when necessary, but also responded to emails from artists all over the world who wanted to join the art gallery. Some wanted to exhibit their works in Lina's gallery, others wanted to be a gallery artist, and somewhere in between. However, the criteria was always high and more often than not, many did not qualify. 

"Once again, you always seem to know what I want," the client said to her, revealing a charming smile. In any other situation, it could make a woman's panties drop.

To Lina, who had seen one of the most handsome men in the world, nothing fazed her anymore. She returned the same smile, forcing it to reach her eyes.

"You've been a close client of mine and have invited me to a date, I'd be a fool not to know what you want," Lina mused, taking the folder from his stretched hand.

Lina glanced down at the curveball. Once again, he always wanted the opposite of what he said. From her years of expertise, Lina was able to read people well. From the way they dressed to the way they carried themselves, sometimes Lina was even able to predict the childhood trauma a client experienced that shaped them to who they were.

"Have it done soon, my mother's birthday banquet is less than a month away," the client insisted.

Lina slowly blinked. "That is a difficult time frame to work with, Mr. Leur, considering the scale of the piece you'd like."

Lina gazed back down at the project outline. The client wanted a piece that took up one-fourth of the wall, so large that it'd loom over someone.

"Perhaps I could reconsider if you take up my initial offer of going on a date with me," he mused. "I heard you visited the museum without me, I'm hurt."

"I'd rather do ¼ of a month then," Lina returned.

Mr. Leur burst out in a loud laugh. His blond hair shimmered under the modern lights, his eyes crinkled, and he threw his head back in amusement. His gaze was as ominous as a red moon in a black sky.

"Double the time if you accept my offer," Mr. Leur bargained.

"All that you have to show me at the museum, I've already seen," Lina mused, tucking the project outline into the specific artist's folder. 

Lina knew the artist would be ecstatic about this piece. It had been a while since they'd received such a large commission that would keep them well-fed for a few months.

"That is for me to show and you to decide later, Director Lina."

"A splendid offer had I not been a married woman," Lina stated, organizing the files and standing to her feet. 

Lina already knew Mr. Leur's decision and that his mother's birthday was coming in at least one month. She knew as much, for the mother was an infamous socialite known for her permanent sour and stern expression.

"Pity really," Mr. Leur mused. "I've yet to hunt the lad down."

"If he hasn't already hunted you down," Lina chuckled.

Mr. Leur's eyes flashed with humor, but he made no comment. He leaned back in his chair, crossed his ankle over his knee, and stared her down.

"Who did you say you were married to again?" Mr. Leur asked.

"I've never said it before," Lina stated.

"Ah."

Lina kept her smile neutral. "You will have your painting in a month and a half's time, just a few days before Madam Leur's birthday."

"You'll personally deliver it?"

"A man can only dream," Lina stated.

Mr. Leur let out a wistful sigh. "You are a blissful daydream, Director. Any man would be lucky to have you."

Lina could only hold in her composure for so long. Sometimes, she enjoyed Mr. Leur's amiable bantering that eased the atmosphere. Other times, she wished he didn't sound so serious about his pursuit. Both of them knew they weren't each other's type, but kept up the small talk out of boredom.

"Will you ever tell me his name?"

"When you stop pursuing me."

"Ah, so never," Mr. Leur deadpanned.

"Precisely."

"Fantastic," Mr. Leur teased. "You know I love a good chase."

"And only the chase," Lina corrected him.

In the two years that Lina had worked with him, she learned about his playboy antics. He changed women more than clothes and always bragged about it. 

"Well, there's a new club downtown, and you know I love fresh prey," Mr. Leur informed her. "I won't be there tonight, however, it's opening week, you might enjoy it."

"Doubt it," Lina said.

Mr. Leur's lips twitched. He reached into his suit coat, grabbed her hand, and forced her to take a name card.

"If you're ever in the area and would like to be shown the private room, call my manager friend, he'll let you in free of change," Mr. Leur said to her.

Lina decided she'd crumble the note later. 

"Well, I must head out now, I have a mother to disappoint," Mr. Leur told her, rising to his feet as well and reaching into his pocket. "My secretary will send the deposit soon."

Lina followed him to the door and saw him out. Once he was gone from sight and out of mind, Lina let out a small sigh. The last meeting of the day. She was exhausted from today's events which seemed neverending.

"Shall I brief tomorrow's schedule?" Estella asked.

"No need, I've already memorized it," Lina responded. 

Tomorrow, Lina was invited to visit Ritan's most renowned Academy of Art to search for potential artists. Usually, galleries didn't manage a lot of artists, for they had to be selective and choose ones who aligned with the direction and style of the place. However, Lina decided a tour wouldn't hurt.

Lina's gallery was known for two things—extreme ancient era or extreme contemporary. She chose none in between, for she remembered clearly how traumatizing yet heartbreaking her second life was—in the Industrial Era of Ritan.

"You look like you could use a drink, Director," Estella stated, stepping beside her Boss. "Let's grab one before you head home to your lonely, but spacious condo."

Lina's lips curled upwards.. "You know me too well, Estella."