The days merged; work was nonstop. Renovation back home was underway, which we started two weeks ago, pooling all our resources to get the materials. We weren't filthy rich like Regis, though our parents left more money for both of us to live for one lifetime.
Still, after the construction, all that money was draining, leaving half of what we had. I was debating selling one of the two houses on the same cul-de-sac in order to compensate for the funds that we might need. Although Sam's company generated profit, he deemed it unwise to use company funds, as his tech projects depended on its capital. Therefore, Sam and I used our personal funds for the renovation. To ensure the building was constructed efficiently, we hired additional workers.
Back at Regis Company, we were in a rush hour, staying late into the night to get everything ready for launch. Sometimes I saw glimpses of Daimon, Tyler, and Eric coming in and out late at night. Sometimes with unfamiliar faces that I don't even know. We were all on edge to get everything ready for the launch.
A few times I would hear about Ariel prowling around the company, causing drama. Crying and yelling at Daimon to give her a chance to get married. Shouting her undying love. Each time, security escorted her out. Daimon didn't even give a second glance, walking past her whenever she tried to cause trouble. Her gaze flashed feral anger; seeing me stare, she snarled. She knew I had gone to a party with Daimon. An animalistic growl erupted on her lips, but before she could do anything, someone sent her out.
Luckily, news didn't travel too fast, and any leaks were on the internet, allowing me to have a brief silence.
Three times, the feather's pull alerted me. It didn't pull me to Daimon; instead, it reminded me of the time when he was about to sign a major document. I felt relieved that I was spared the task of visiting him. I wondered how many more feathers he had left, which I couldn't quite tell anymore. I lost count.
My whole body was drowsy and heavy. I was relieved that this was all over. My head rested against the wall, beside a sofa-like bed for one. I closed my eyes in the restroom. I have been using this room often these past weeks, just to get those extra minutes to finish all the work. I kept my blanket and pillows in the cabinet, tucked away from other prying eyes. It was noon; I took an hour's nap before returning, skipping lunch for the essential rest. I pulled out my phone, putting it to one hour nap. I yawned, snuggling in.
Sleep came the moment I laid my head down . I don't know for how long, but I heard someone moving around. My eyes opened; standing not too far away was Daimon. He didn't quite notice me until he stopped and sat down on the other side of the couch bed, which was an arm's length away from me. He too had a pillow and a blanket, and he looked like a panda from exhaustion.
My eyes snapped open, surprised that he would be here to take a nap.
Daimon leaned back, a pillow behind his head and the blanket against his chest. He glanced at me. "You're here."
I started unable to say anything, feeling as if I got caught in something I shouldn't be doing. My mouth opened and closed. My fingers clenched the blanket, bringing it up.
"Don't worry, no one will fire you."
"I would not ask that."
Daimon chuckled, "It's what I would have asked."
"Wait, you would?" I looked at him, surprised. He didn't seem the type to be caught by anyone, especially on how strict and serious he was. There was an image of him that was impossible to get rid of, and this broke it.
Daimon smirked, "Yep. I'm here right now, aren't I?"
"Oh." I felt stupid. "I guess work got to you too."
"Yeah," Daimon slipped down, his arm crossing in front of him. His eyes were closed.
His cologne, a blend of blueberry and pine, offered comfort. It wrapped around me, making my eyes flicker.
"Thanks for the feather. It's a successful pen," Daimon's voice rumbled, making my heart hum. The way he thanked me for it brought a pleasant feeling that I didn't quite understand. To me, those feathers were a calling card and something precious that our body didn't just give away. Anything that fell was a big deal to my family.
"You're welcome." I yawned, tired.
We both fell into slumber. Time passed.
I woke up, snapping awake. Fumbling for my phone. Bringing it up, it screamed at 6 pm.
"Damn it," I swore, realizing that I had overslept. Snapping up, the blanket pooled on the floor.
"Calm down." Daimon's deep voice commanded. I froze, shocked to see him still here. "I told you, you're not fired. Take a seat and reorient yourself."
"But I didn't tell Isaiah." I slumped back to the couch.
"I did."
"Oh."
Silence invaded between us, making me uncomfortable. I sat down. My hand reached out, picked it up and placed it onto my lap.
"Um, you overslept too?" I felt stupid asking him that question. This was his company; there was no such thing as oversleeping for him.
"Mm," Daimon replied. He stretched. His poor clothes were fighting for their lives as they strained to stay on. I swear, I could see the outline of his fantastic chest that seemed to push against it. Damn, why is this man a walking, breathing magazine billboard? Even in his disheveled state, he made my eyes happy.
"You like what you see?"
I wiped my head away, trying not to look. My face turned red. I felt ashamed of being caught looking at him.
"Uh, did you figure out what you did with the drugging incident?" I changed the subject as quickly as it came.
"No, not yet," Daimon said with a deep growl that rumbled in his chest. The way he rumbled made me flinch. It had a strange, animalistic rumble to it that made me weary. He was supernatural, but what kind? I wasn't sure. Even in the dim light, I could see his eyes glow.
I gulped, calming down.
Every time I observed him. There was something new that told me he was supernatural. The looks were one, the way he rumbled, his scent, and…his eyes. They glowed at night. Now that threw me off, as that wasn't normal.
"You'll find them, Mr. Regis." I assured him.
"Daimon."
I could tell from the way he said it that he felt displeased because I kept calling him by his last name.
"Uh…Daimon."
"I need you to come to another event with me, wearing the wings I gave you."
"Huh?" I froze. Another meeting to show off my true self? This threw me off guard, that I thought I was hearing things.
"Yes, ever since we launched the marketing campaign this week, we noticed that the trending pictures of you with wings have been the top searches. Going around to different events with those wings on at every event will help our image."
I opened and closed my mouth. Something about this didn't feel right. An uncomfortable feeling that exposing myself even more would be more harmful than helpful. Especially, nobody in the human world knew or saw people like my brother and I. They all thought they were mythical or fake.
Ruminating, I thought over the pros and cons. There was a lot to lose and a lot to gain. Getting into Daimon's circles and walking around him would help me search through original connections. Finding the murderer was still my top priority. Exposing my kind was another thing altogether.
"I was wondering, did you add the electronics to the wings?" Daimon interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up at him, confused.
"The wings moved when you were sleeping on top of me."
Sweat streaked down my face and back. My hands felt clammy. My face became red like a tomato, remembering the time I fell asleep on top of him. "Y-yea." I blurted out , which made me grind my teeth and bite my tongue. Pain shot through my mouth as I winced. Each word I uttered felt like a struggle. "I asked someone close to make them more believable."
Someone killed me now, I despised lying, but here I am doing it. Ever since I came into Regis company, lying was becoming my second nature. This wasn't our way of life; heck, even Sam would be disappointed in me if he saw me say this.
"Well, whoever did it did a fantastic job of it. Others might think it was real.
"Yeah…" I chuckled. Relieved a bit that he still deemed it man-made.
"It would be interesting to see if it could lift you off the ground and fly."
I fell silent, unable to say anything.
"No, it would be a great statement piece. Ever since that change, our presence has been trending. Thank you for being a part of it. I know it wasn't in your job description."
"It's nothing."
"No," Daimon held up his hand, "it's work. You should see a compensation in your account for the work that you had done."
Daimon was quite a stickler for his beliefs. I could tell that he was tying up any loose ends before it became a problem. He avoided taking advantage of work.
"Thanks," I said. I was running short on money without touching the two homes I had that I could sell. I felt a sense of gratitude for the job of deterring people at his events.
"We should head back home. I told Isaiah that you're good for today."
I nodded. Getting up, I folded my blanket and my pillow. Shuffling over to the corner hidden in a basket that was under the stack of books. I pulled it out.
"So, that's where you hide yours." His voice was soft.
"I'm sorry?" I turned around.
"I was just curious where you store your pillows and blankets. There aren't many places to put such things away in this room, but to see you hide it there." Daimon chuckled. "It's a good hiding place." He came over, handing him his blanket and pillow.
I gazed at it. His body overshadowed me as he glanced down with his golden eyes. A mischievous glint danced in his eyes, elusive.
"If you don't mind," Daimon spoke with a smug smile.
I reached out and put him in the same basket. With a quick push back in, I covered it with the books.
Daimon gave me his hand; I hesitated. Then I reached out, grabbing it. With a sharp yank, he pulled me into his arms. My hands rested on his chest, and I glanced up in shock. I could feel his tight muscles across my hand. It was as if I touched a hot object, snatching my hands back.
A smug, knowing smile erupted on his face, and I swear I thought I saw canine teeth jutting out of his smile. I didn't look too long, as his gaze held me like an iron grip. Wow, I could get lost in that gaze.
He then leaned down, brushing past my ears. "Our little secret."
I shuddered. It felt like we were hiding some kind of treasure that the two of us knew.
Daimon's lips grazed across my neck, his breath against it. He inhaled. His hand gripped tighter, wrapping itself around my body like a vice . A gentle, light lick branded my neck. Shock of electricity raced across.
My breath hitched as he kissed it once and stepped back. Smiling as if he had won something that I didn't know what. He turned around, leaving me stunned behind .
What just happened?