They spent the next two weeks getting to know each other. The imprinting was going well. Kelfin was almost ready to start going into the office weekly. He would be caught up, but Rist insisted she needed to be his actual assistant while there. He had to teach her what he did. He appreciated the gesture. Not all his companions had a head for the business. Rist did. She’d definitely been put in the wrong job, though she was good at doing hair too. The day before the gala, someone came with the dress to check how it fit on Rist. When she tried it on, they shooed Kelfin from the room, and adjustments were made. Then the seamstress left with it and promised it would be back in time for Rist to dress for the gala. When the elegant dress was delivered the following afternoon, an excited Rist disappeared into her room to don her radiant attire. Simultaneously, Kelfin retreated to his room to slip into one of his tuxedos. Midway through this process, Kelfin felt the waves of Rist’s apprehension permeate through their residence. He rushed towards her, instantly assuming a mishap with the dress. To his surprise, he found Rist statue-like, staring at her own reflection in the mirror. “What’s wrong? Did something happen? Is it ripped?” he queried anxiously, inspecting the dress to identify any noticeable flaws. “I can’t wear this,” she murmured, her words as stiff as her demeanor. “Why not?” His confusion was evident, as he continued investigating the dress for potential problems. “Look at me.” Her voice was nothing above a whisper, as she summoned his attention to her reflection. “I look, look…” His gaze lingered between Rist's reflection and her real form. He'd admired her in suits, but standing before him, draped in the gala dress, she looked celestial, almost ethereal. Zela had outdone herself. “I told you that you could be a model. You look perfect.” The cut and color were perfect for her. And Zela had included just a hint of the shimmer. Despite the admiration, Rist lamented, “I look too perfect. It isn’t right. Someone like me shouldn’t look like this.” Kelfin intervened, "Because you were brought up in poverty? Or because you’re a transfer?" After a brief pause, he added, “Don't let your past write your present or future story, Rist." “Yes, and because I’m no one special.” Unaffected by her sorrowful claim, Kelfin reassured her, “Says who? You have what it takes to be my companion. That’s special.” “But this?” She gestured to the dress. “You will be the most beautiful woman at the party,” Kelfin assured her. She looked at him in shock. He gave her a patient smile. “Relax. You’re going to overwhelm me. Every woman deserves to be beautiful. You are no exception. And someone is going to have to be the best. I’m lucky it’s you. “Come. We have time before we need to go. Let me make you some tea and let you calm down.” “Sorry.” “It’s okay,” Kelfin assured her. “We’re not robots. We all have emotions. There will be times when you’re upset. But it helps if it’s not when we’re in a crowd.” *** Once Rist had calmed down, she explained to Kelfin how the wealthy elites would become deeply offended if they perceived someone of a lower social class to be more attractive or better dressed than them. These reactions would often lead to the ruination of the lower-class individual's life. However, Kelfin assured Rist that no one would dare do such a thing at this particular party. After all, she was accompanying one of the highest-ranking employees of the company, which put her on an equal or even higher status than them. Feeling a sense of excitement, Kelfin arrived at the party with Rist by his side. Although he still felt a bit apprehensive about the large crowd, he believed that having such a beautiful companion would make him the envy of most attendees. On the other hand, Rist was filled with curiosity. Parties of this sort were an unfamiliar concept to her, as it was a part of Kelfin's world that she had yet to experience. When they reached the entrance of the venue, Dath, their driver, remotely opened the door from the driver's seat, just as he had done when he picked them up. Typically, Dath would get out and assist them in and out of the auto, but since the two weeks of no contact were not yet over, he respected Kelfin's request and stayed in the car. Dath had only agreed to drive them to the party because it wouldn't have been appropriate for Kelfin and Rist to arrive in a two-seater. With grace, Kelfin stepped out of the auto and turned to help Rist as she moved across to exit as well. They intertwined their arms and walked into the party together. Kelfin didn't bother showing his invitation because everyone there knew him. Working closely with Yol had made him a recognizable figure among the attendees. Even without his invitation, he was sure they would have allowed him inside. The guards stationed at the entrance briefly glanced at him, giving Rist a bit more attention as she was new to the scene. However, since she was accompanied by Kelfin, they didn't halt her progress either. Once inside, Kelfin and Rist attracted the attention of the other guests. It had been six months since Kelfin was last seen, and now he appeared with a new, stunning companion on his arm rather than the woman who was so old she could barely walk. Kelfin tried his best to maintain a neutral expression, although he couldn't help but sense the jealousy emanating from the crowd. Men were envious of him, while women were envious of her beauty and the way men ogled over her. Surprisingly, Kelfin himself felt a surge of jealousy. He didn't want to share Rist's company with anyone else. Was he that desperate for a companion? In truth, yes, he was. Determined to ignore these emotions and the envious gazes from others, Kelfin spotted their host, Yol, and guided Rist towards him, disregarding the rest of the crowd. Yol greeted Kelfin with a smile of recognition. "Kelfin, you made it! And is this Rist? I hardly recognize her," Yol exclaimed, surprised by Rist's transformation. Kelfin nodded, a hint of pride evident in his voice. "Yes, she does look amazing, doesn't she?" “Zela did a wonderful job on the dress.” Rist, slightly embarrassed by the attention, blushed and glanced down at her dress. Unbeknownst to her, Yol's covetous expression flickered momentarily before he composed himself. Kelfin, however, not only observed the fleeting look but also sensed the jealousy that briefly washed over Yol. Despite the swift recovery, the undeniable emotion lingered in the air. “Rist?" Zela exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she approached the woman. She glanced over Rist's appearance with admiration. "Oh, you look absolutely stunning. If Kelfin isn't paying you enough, I would gladly offer you a job as a model. You would bring so much elegance and grace to the runway." Rist responded with a polite smile. "Thank you, Zela. That's very kind of you, but I'm actually quite content with where I am right now." Zela nodded understandingly. "That's fair. Plus, we both know that if we put you in those beautiful dresses, we'd get an influx of returns and complaints from customers who don't look as good in them." Turning towards Kelfin, Zela's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ah, Kelfin, I'm so glad you both could make it. Parties are just no fun without you.” Kelfin chuckled in response. "Indeed, what's a party without someone like me sitting in the corner, avoiding socialization?" “Honestly, you aren't nearly as bad as you think you are. Marza was able to get you to mingle. I bet Rist can too. We might even get you to loosen up and enjoy yourself. Have some champagne." "I'll take you up on that offer a bit later. I prefer staying sober,” Kelfin promised. He didn’t want to risk getting drunk and losing all control over his emotions and everyone else’s. “You didn’t bring her in that two-seater, did you?” Zela probed curious if driving was his reason for staying sober. “No, Dath drove us. But take it from me, you certainly don’t want to see me drunk.” “Oh, I wholeheartedly agree. It's not a pretty sight," Yol chimed in, his voice solemn. “Last time it happened, Father was still alive, and we had to resort to locking him up in the basement.” At Yol’s words, Kelfin let out a hearty laugh. “Yes, that was the last you saw of me in that state. But the truth is, I was publicly drunk about half a century ago. Marza and Satil were so furious with me that I thought they were going to be the death of me. Since then, I try to only get drunk at home." "Rist, would you like something?” Zela turned her hospitality to Rist. “No, thank you.” was the firm but polite reply. Although Kelfin hadn’t explicitly warned her against drinking, it was clear to all that a drunk Rist wouldn’t bode any better for him than his own inebriation. "You two are no fun," Zela lamented dramatically, her lips curling into an affected pout. Then her face lit up with a bright smile. “Rist, there is someone you simply must meet. Now behave, Kel. I promise to bring her back quickly. Please try not to have a meltdown in my absence.” “I’ll be fine,” Kelfin reassured the ladies as they left. He turned to Yol, anticipating the question that was bound to come up, relieved that Rist wasn't around to hear it. “How much is her debt?” Yol finally asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and want. Kelfin's expression turned serious as he firmly replied, "It's not for sale." Yol persisted determined. "I'll give you double." Kelfin shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "No, and don't offer more either. It took me six months to find one person in the entire city that I can handle. I had to the intake to find her. And she was the only one there, the only one who hadn't been too deeply scarred by their past. But that was only because she had just arrived. So, I will never give her up." Yol seemed taken aback by Kelfin's unwavering stance. He paused for a moment before speaking again, his tone softer. "You won't release this one?" Kelfin took a deep breath, contemplating his response. "I will. But I will make sure she wants to stay. I won't force her into anything.” He turned to his boss, the man he’d grown up with. “Do you really want to do that to me? Make me go through it again so soon?” Yol slowly shook his head the bond forged in a childhood together evident. "No. Each time you lose a companion, it takes a toll on you. It takes longer for you to recover. Get this one chipped. I'll do it for free," Yol offered. "I don't want you to go through that pain anymore." Kelfin hesitated, fully aware of the significant expense this would entail. Yol grinned as if he read his thoughts. "It's bad for business, not having you around. Your skills are invaluable to the company." A small laugh escaped Kelfin's lips. He doubted his absence had cost the company that much, but he appreciated Yol's sentiment. He nodded, a mixture of gratitude and caution in his expression. "If she consents, then I'll consent too. I won't force her into anything she doesn't want." Yol nodded once again, respect for his friend evident on his face. "It's your choice, Kelfin." “No. I can’t have her resent me.” He couldn’t work so closely with someone who harbored ill feelings towards him. “Resent you? So, you're saying you harbor resentment towards my father for insisting you have a life chip?" Yol asked. "At times, I do. The reality of experiencing innumerable years can be an unwieldy burden for someone like me. After my demise, I aspire for solace, the absolute peace that comes with it." Yol absorbed this serious confession in stride. Growing up, he had witnessed first-hand the terrifying nightmares that constantly haunted Kelfin. Noticing the women approaching, Kelfin decided to push down his somber thoughts, substituting them with a warm smile for Rist. Her undeniable beauty certainly lightened his mood. "Enjoyed yourself making others jealous?" Rist responded with a slight furrow in her brow, her consciousness of her appearance heightening. Meanwhile, Zela matched Kelfin’s playful spirit. "You know it." In an attempt to soothe him, Rist draped an arm around Kelfin’s waist, which he reciprocated instinctively. Zela caught a glimpse of the affectionate gesture. “Do you ever have an assistant you don’t sleep with?” Zela remarked dryly. "I’m not sleeping with her. You don’t want me to have a panic attack with all these people here, do you? As a baby enochlophobe, I’m very fragile.” Zela smirked, “I’m sorry for calling you a baby.” “But not an enochlophobe?” Zela cocked her head. “You don’t have enochlophobia?” "If I did, it isn't the kind of information I'd want spread around." Zela nodded in quiet understanding. "Have you ever consulted a medical professional about it?" “I’ve seen plenty of doctors.” Too many for his liking. Suddenly, Rist’s expression altered upon spotting a new arrival. A mix of grave concern and palpable anger washed over her. "Do you think it'd be possible for me to take Kelfin outside for some fresh air before he becomes overly anxious about the number of people present?" She inquired, tranquilly maintaining her composure. Amused, Zela rolled her eyes. However, Yol simply nodded, "There's a patio in that direction," he directed casually. Rist expressed her gratitude with a quick smile. Kelfin let her guide him away, his curiosity peaked. He didn’t feel his condition deteriorating to that extent. The quiet inquiry filled the atmosphere as he turned towards her, the concern in his voice evident. The surrounding chatter dimmed into an unimportant buzz in the background as they stood alone in their own little world. "Are you okay?" He breathed out, the concern in his cocoa eyes mirroring his words. His gaze studied her, taking note of her perturbation, "You seem upset." A small nod was her response, a wave of relief washing over her as she realized that she no longer had to put on a brave face. The corners of her lips twitched upwards slightly in gratitude as she opened up, "I saw my sister." Confusion lined his features, a soft "She's here?" made its way out of his mouth, joining the cacophony of the event they found themselves in. The response to his question was a simple nod of her delicate brunette head. Her azure gaze held a myriad of emotions, pain and longing the most prominent of them, "I haven't see her in a whole year." His mind churned again, the wheels of thought turning, "Did she get transferred here too?" Now, her soft blue eyes bore a shade of defeat, "I don't know. I tried to find her at the intake, but we weren't there long enough. Did you happen to see her?" Kelfin took a deep breath and glanced back through the heavy wooden door leading to the grandiose ballroom. "Anyone who’d been at the intake for a year would look out of place here. Which one is she?" Her finger subtly pointed towards a towering figure by the main entry, the glamorous lady on his arm impossible to miss, "Do you see the one in the blue strapless dress on the burly guy’s arm near the doorway?" Kelfin's eyes followed her direction, settling on the high-ranking official for Tre’s Conglomerate. His eyebrows furrowed with realization, “So that’s your sister? She’s been with Ghel for a while now.” A confused "She has?" escaped Rist, her bewilderment apparent. Nodding, he affirmed, “She attended Marza’s funeral. And the last gala I happened to attend prior to that. It must have been close to a year." The new information allowed her to relax a little, soothing her stormy apprehension, but a shadow of worry still hovered over Rist. She watched her sister for a quiet moment, the reunion playing silently in her mind. Noticing the silent turmoil, he prodded, "What else is bothering you?” Rist glanced at Kelfin, unsure of how to articulate her thoughts. "I'm an empath, not a mind reader," he reminded her. “He is.” Kelfin frowned. “Who?” Rist nodded in the direction of the couple and explained, "The man she's with, he's a mind reader. He used to come into the shop where I worked to get his hair done. He always requested me. He didn't know that I was aware of his ability, but my boss had told me about it the first time he visited. To prevent him from reading my thoughts, I would keep humming the same tune in my head. Gradually, he started humming it too, and eventually, he would arrive at the shop already humming the tune." Realizing the significance of Rist's revelation, Kelfin understood her apprehension. "So, I'm not the first psionic you've encountered," he remarked, feeling a hint of disappointment but quickly dismissing it. While psionics were rare, they were not unheard of. Rist tuned into Kelfin's emotions and empathized with him. "You're the first empath I've come across," she reassured him. "But many psionics from Tre's Conglomerate used to frequent our shop." Kelfin's curiosity shifted towards another topic. "I wonder if Tre is looking to acquire Ara Corp. Would you like to say hello to her?" Concerned about the mind reader overhearing their conversation, Rist hesitated. "What if he reads our minds?" Noticing her reservations, Kelfin proposed a solution. "Hum your song. If he hasn't read that I'm an empath yet, he won't. Trust me, I've been trained to control both my thoughts and emotions while working with mind-readers. Let's go and check on your sister." With a renewed sense of confidence, Rist nodded at Kelfin's suggestion, feeling reassured by his understanding of their unique situation. Together, they headed toward Rist's sister. “Cral," Rist called out, her voice filled with relief as they approached each other. The woman turned, and a flood of emotions washed over her face - shock, joy, shame, and concern. Ghel emitted a sense of curiosity, perhaps wondering what had transpired between the two sisters. Rist embraced her sister tightly. "I've been so worried about you. Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. Cral nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and guilt. "I'm fine, Rist. And what about you? Where have you been?" Her eyes wandered briefly to Kelfin, who stood a few steps behind Rist. A sense of pride swelled within Kelfin as Rist turned her attention towards him. "I got out Marstat just in time. Kelfin here hired me to be his assistant," she explained, a hint of excitement in her voice. In Kelfin's mind, he recalled a moment when Rist had sat across from him in her smart suit as if during the interview. Ghel, listening intently, interjected with a hint of disappointment, "I was so disappointed when you left the salon, Rist. Maybe you could help Kelfin with his hair, and update his style somehow." Rist raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on her face. "Are you kidding me, Ghel? That hairstyle is perfect for his face. I wouldn't change a thing," she responded, defending Kelfin without hesitation. Ghel shrugged, annoyance evident in his demeanor. I hadn't realized you two were sisters," Ghel said, surprised. "Rist was always so quiet when she did my hair." "You liked it that way," Rist pointed out with a smile. Ghel nodded in agreement. Then, turning to Cral, he asked, "Cral, did I ever introduce you to Kelfin? He's one of Mor's right-hand men." "Nice to meet you, Cral," Kelfin greeted, extending his hand. "I'm the Senior Supervisor of Development Sales." Cral nodded and shook Kelfin's hand, intrigued. "What exactly does that entail? I've always been curious but never quite figured it out," Ghel asked. Kelfin chuckled. "Well, lately, I've been focusing on the convention we had last month." "Oh, you were there?" Ghel asked, surprised. "I didn't see you around." "I was only able to attend the first night," Kelfin explained, a hint of sadness briefly crossing his face. "I’ve been away on medical leave. I had some health problems after Marza passed away." He let an image of him in a hospital slip only briefly. "I see," Ghel said sympathetically. "I hope you're feeling better now." "Thank you," Kelfin replied gratefully. "I've been using my time off to catch up on work and also train Rist here. I'll be returning to the office next week." Rist beamed at the mention of her training. "Yes, Kelfin has been helping me a lot. I've learned so much from him." Curiosity getting the better of him, Cral decided to join the conversation. "So, what exactly does a Senior Supervisor of Development Sales do?" Kelfin grinned, clearly pleased to answer. "I oversee the teams responsible for both developing and implementing sales strategies for new products and services. It involves analyzing market trends, coordinating sales efforts, and ensuring customer satisfaction. It's a challenging but rewarding role." He kept his mind blank now. He would have liked to know the song Rist hummed so he could hum it too. Ghel forced a smile, which was transparently insincere. Kelfin guessed he was hoping to read what it was. People always made speculations about Kelfin's actions, even among Mor’s employees. However, any guess, accurate or inaccurate, added an element of amusement to Kelfin's life. He and Marza would even place bets on what the next speculation about them would be. Zela, once again, clung affectionately to Kelfin’s arm as she joined them. Her surprise was evident as she exclaimed, “Rist, you’re making friends already?” Taking a pause, Rist revealed, “Cral is my sister.” With a tightening grip on Kelfin, Zela repeated, “Sister?” Kelfin didn’t need the power of telepathy to decipher Zela's thoughts. The cogs turned in her mind, sparking the question, was Rist a spy for Tre’s? “I haven’t seen her in over a year. I had no idea she’d be here tonight,” Rist confessed. As if all misgivings had vanished, Zela brightly chimed in, “So, this is a reunion for you. See, Kelfin, it’s good you came.” Turning towards Ghel and Cral, she created a light-hearted whirlwind out of Kelfin's long absence, "He’s been on medical leave and wasn’t going to come tonight. Personally, I think he could have been back months ago but seemed to savor the time off.” Kelfin pictured himself in the hospital again as he responded sarcastically, “Yeah, that’s it. Didn’t want to leave the pool.” The reference to the hospital caused Ghel's expression to scrunch into a frown, curiosity and concern gliding across his features silently inquiring about the health scare. Curious about the pool, Rist asked, "There’s a pool?” Kelfin nodded. “It’s already closed up for the winter, but yeah.” Zela made yet another startling assertion. Placing a hand on her arm, she declared, “Rist, dear, Kelfin would never leave that property if he could get away from it. He has everything there.” “I’m not hosting another party,” Kelfin insisted. He pictured it as he remembered it, chaos. It hadn’t been that bad according to Satil and Marza, but it had felt that way to him, so he’d gotten drunk, hoping to pass out. It didn’t go so well. The alcohol only made things worse. Dismissively, Zela simply rolled her eyes. “Of course, you won’t. Come, Kel, there’s someone you have to meet. Rist, he’ll be okay with me a little bit. Stay and get caught up with your sister.” With seemingly ready acceptance, Kelfin permitted Zela to guide him away from the unsettling presence of Ghel, a wave of relief washing over him as the distance increased. "Kelfin, are you completely certain that Rist isn't acting as a spy?" Zela asked once they had strayed far enough away to engage in private conversations. Feigning nonchalance, Kelfin replied, "I performed a thorough background check on her as part of the hiring protocol. The results yielded no suspicious activities. I believe it’s all just a simple coincidence. And watch what you think around Ghel. He’s a mind reader.” Zela's eyes widened. "Ghel is?" “According to Rist he is," Kelfin answered. "He used to patronize the beauty shop where she did hair." "So, Rist had interactions with Ghel before joining your staff? Why did she abandon her previous work?" Zela queried further. Kelfin shrugged. "Because I pay at least three times what any hairdresser makes, and it includes room and board. She needed a change. She wouldn’t have warned us if she was a spy." Zela raised a finger, as though signaling a point of importance. "I'm usually cautious with my thoughts around strangers anyway. Just ensure to keep a close watch on her." "I fully intend to," retorted Kelfin firmly. "And so will my staff. It’s in their best interest to protect me." Impressed, Zela said, “Your generosity as an employer is unparalleled. If ever I part ways with Mor’s, I’m heading straight to offer my services to you.” A chuckle escaped Kelfin's lips. “Well, if you successfully navigate the demanding interview proceedings, I might require a housekeeper to assist my current staff, particularly Satil.” Zela scrunched her brows, somewhat disgruntled by the idea. “Housekeeper?” Kelfin responded nonchalantly, “I don’t need a personal clothing designer. I don’t go out enough.” Caught off guard, Zela reacted, “True. I’m surprised you have as much clothing as you do.” Kelfin lifted his shoulders slightly. "I know how to dress." "Yes, you do. You could have been a model too," Zela complimented lightly. "You could have carved out a successful career as a model." Kelfin shook his head, dismissing the suggestion with an air of contentment. "I prefer my current job." Zela nodded, acknowledging his words, "Indeed, it does seem to fit you well." *** Kelfin nodded when Zela led him away, indicating for Rist to stay. A sense of curiosity filled Rist as Ghel excused himself too, humming that tune as he left. "You are so mean," Cral accused, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and frustration. "He said he liked that song," Rist claimed. Cral shook her head, her face contorted with a mischievous grin. "He says he hates it," Cral insisted. "He likes that I usually hum something, but he doesn't want that one." Rist raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, he finally admitted it?" Cral hesitated for a moment, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone,” she said in a hushed whisper, her eyes flickering with anticipation. “Does he treat you well?" Rist asked curiously, concerned for Cral's well-being. Cral nodded and reassured Rist, "Not bad. It's an improvement from the intake facility. Thankfully, I was only there for a few days. And it's important to note that he doesn't just see me as someone to sleep with or parade around at parties. I'm doing alright." "That's good to hear," Rist replied with a sense of relief. Curious about Rist's own situation, Cral tilted her head and asked, "What about you? Did you really manage to avoid the lottery?" Rist sighed before answering, "By mere days. I applied for the job because he offered a room and got that got me out of Marstat. He lives way outside the city so traveling each day would be a bit much." Cral nodded in understanding, fully aware that Rist didn't know how to drive. "Especially considering you don't drive," she added. Rist nodded in agreement, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Yes, it's true. However, I don't think Kelfin drives either. He has a chauffeur to take care of that aspect. “So, what do you do?” Cral asked her sister inquisitively, wanting to know more about her job. “I’m his assistant,” Rist responded, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. “I haven't been working for him for very long, though. So far, it’s mainly ensuring he takes care of himself, like reminding him to eat and take his medications. We won't be going into the office until next week.” Curiosity piqued, Cral asked, "What kind of pills does he take?" Rist's expression shifted to one of uncertainty. "To be honest, I'm not sure. He hasn't shared the details with me; they are probably leftover from when he was sick." Concern etched on her face, Cral asked, "Was he very ill? He looked quite terrible at the funeral." Rist sighed softly. "He has never discussed it with me, and I believe he prefers not to talk about it." “Does he make you sleep with him?” Rist's frown deepened as she absorbed Cral's comment. "Blunt as always. No. There's nothing like that," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. Cral persisted, “He had his arm around you.” Rist shrugged slightly. "Yeah, but that's all. I pose as a date for stuff like this. Nothing more," she explained, her tone sounding somewhat resigned. "Everyone always seems to assume he sleeps with his assistants because he brings them to parties and stuff. He doesn't have much time to date but doesn't like coming alone. He said he wanted to make people jealous by having a beautiful woman on his arm. As if I could do that." Cral raised an amused eyebrow at her statement. "Does he not have any mirrors? You look amazing," she commented sincerely, admiring her sister’s appearance. Rist's eyes softened as she glanced down at the exquisite dress she wore. It was something she had never dreamed of wearing. However, despite the stunning garment, she still felt slightly out of place, like she was dressing better than she had a right to be. "It's just the dress. Zela designed it for me," she replied modestly, her voice betraying a touch of insecurity. Cral shook her head, her eyes sincere. "It is not just the dress. You've always been the pretty one. You got lucky," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "If you'd ended up as a transfer, you would have ended up in trouble." Rist couldn't help but groan at her words, the reminder hitting a sore spot. "Don't remind me," she grumbled, her voice filled with a mixture of annoyance and gratitude for her current position. Any idea what happened to Dad?" Cral asked, her voice laced with concern and frustration. Rist furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "No, and I don't know that I care anymore," she replied, her tone filled with bitterness. "It was bad enough when he took out loans in our names. I could forgive him for that because he was trying to save Mom. But then he went and gambled it all away. Even if we hadn't been able to work out a deal with the creditors, at least we would have been closer to paying off the debt." Cral nodded in agreement, understanding the frustration all too well. "True," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I try to look at his efforts to save Mom, but the way he screwed us over later was just plain wrong." She turned her gaze towards Ghel, their younger sister. "He's that bad?" Rist asked, her concern for Cral evident in her eyes. Cral let out a sigh, her voice tinged with resignation. "No, he's not physically hurting me or anything, but he's going to keep me indebted to him for as long as he can," she explained, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Even so, as long as he isn’t causing you harm, concentrate on the safety and security his presence provides." Rolling her eyes in humorous exasperation, Cral flashed a playful grin. “Well, he does have a fairly spacious estate, I'll give him that." If he's here, why was he getting his hair cut in Marstat?" Rist asked, feeling a twinge of curiosity. "He splits his time between here and there," Cral explained. This revelation only deepened Rist's curiosity. "Does he take you back there?" she probed further, eager to uncover any hidden details. Cral hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "Not often, only if there's a Gala or a significant event. It's strictly for business purposes, you know." Rist couldn't help but wonder if Ghel had another woman in Marstat, maybe someone he was more attached to. "Does he have another woman there?" she asked. Cral shook his head, a look of certainty in her eyes. "Not to my knowledge. He wants to limit the number of people who know his secret. Having a transfer living there would be risky, and transfers are supposed to be the safest option." "What about Kelfin's place? Is it as nice as Zela claims?" Cral inquired, genuine curiosity coloring his voice. A small smile played on Rist's lips. "Oh, it definitely lives up to the hype," she replied. "He's got five people working for him over there. They've been on vacation, so I haven't had the chance to meet them in person yet, but I did have a conversation with one of them via the tablet and another drove us here. From that brief interaction, they seem quite friendly and professional." Cral's expression turned serious as she offered a word of caution. "Watch the men," she warned, concern evident in his voice. Rist nodded, acknowledging the importance of remaining vigilant. "Did any of Ghel’s help ever pose a problem for you? “Absolutely not. They wouldn't dare try to harm me, and even if they did, they'd never get away with it. He’s a grouch and has a temper, but he doesn’t hurt me, or anyone else for that matter. He just yells a lot and throws things, but he's never directed such aggression toward people. The choice to sleep with him was solely my decision, not something he's forced me into. If you look past his gruff exterior, you’ll find he actually has the manners of a perfect gentleman.” The question that followed was more probing, “Then why did he sponsor you? Not for free pedicures.” “No,” she replied with a shake of her head. "He remembered me from the salon. I’m a cook. And I pose as a date if he needs one for these functions. He has trouble dating because most women don’t control their thoughts.” In that moment, Ghel returned from his brief absence, gracefully slid his arm around Cral's waist. “Ladies,” his voice was polite yet firm, “I must apologize but I have to borrow Cral. My boss has finally graced us with his presence and it's our duty to welcome him properly." He outstretched a hand towards Rist and offered her a formal business card. "It's not my intention to cause any rifts between sisters. Call her. You two will have to get together when you get a chance” Rist responded with graceful smile and gladly accepted the card. “I appreciate it," she responded sincerely. As she watched the pair retreat further into the crowd, Rist turned her attention towards finding Kelfin. Upon catching sight of her, Kelfin's face lit up with a genuine smile. He outstretched an arm and gently wrapped it around her. Rist could feel the tension gradually seeping out from his muscles. She shot him an empathetic look, gently patting his arm, "I'm sorry,” she whispered. *** Kelfin brushed his thick hair away from his forehead and shook his head. “No problem. Have fun, did you?” His interest had been piqued, and he'd been beginning to seek for an excuse to go find her. She acknowledged with a bob of her head. “It was really good to see her after such a long time. Ghel even gave me his business card so we can keep in touch.” She proudly held it up for him to see. Kelfin put on a contrived smile and pulled out his dark leather wallet. “Would you like me to keep it safe for you?” Without awaiting her response, he carefully slipped the card into one of the numerous slots in his wallet. He already had Ghel’s contact information, and he knew the man was aware of it. The card probably had an embedded listening device. His wallet would effectively block any attempted signal. Rist responded with a smile that radiated pure innocence. “Thanks.” She was completely oblivious to his maneuver. It was chance that he’d met her, but even if it had been staged, he could tell she harbored no hidden motives. “Shall we take a seat for dinner?” he proposed, breaking the momentary silence. “I'm starved,” Zela exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. “Where’s your boyfriend, Yov was his name, wasn't it?” “We ended things months ago.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Kelfin responded sincerely. Zela dismissed his sympathy with a wave of her hand. “He was a bore.” Her tone was filled with a certain finality - she meant it and did not care one bit about her past relations. “So, you’re not here with anyone else tonight?” “Nope, not at all. I’m alone. This way I’m free to talk to anyone. Not that you’d understand. You’d rather not talk to anyone.” She nudged him gently, smiling. Kelfin responded with a nonchalant shrug. An unsettled thought ran through his mind – should he share his reasons for this behavior with her? He trusted her. But he couldn’t tell her there. And while they got along, there was always the possibility they’d become rivals. He’d think about it. ***Contrary to Zela's claims, Kelfin did talk to others. His presence at the gathering was because of his ability to read people. However, he was confronted with an overwhelming tidal wave of emotions emanating from the crowd, a challenge that was compounded due to his incomplete imprinting on Rist. The flood of emotional signals left him bewildered and struggling to identify the source of each sentiment. The dinner was a grueling ordeal for Kelfin. They were seated too close at the table. There were too many at the other tables. His connection with Rist was his only respite, yet he found maintaining the needed physical contact. Despite her attempts to keep her leg pressed against his, he was still unable to eat properly. Rist tried to motivate him. Yet amidst the ripples of jealousy, boredom, nervousness, anger, and worry, Rist's attempts to soothe him were ineffective. Entrapped among a spectrum of emotions, he found it comforting to focus on what seemed to be the only positivity around him - Zela’s happiness and Rist’s relaxed demeanor. Engaging with the conversation or simply continuing eating became Herculean tasks. On multiple occasions, Zela checked if he was okay. While Rist’s anxiety for him escalated, she attempted to suppress it, not wanting to exacerbate his condition. The evening took a turn for the worse when a debate morphed into a fiery argument at one end of the table. At the other end, playful banter had transgressed into harsh mockery, leaving a usually cheery individual on the brink of tears. With every passing moment, Kelfin’s condition deteriorated. He felt as if he was going to faint as his surroundings turned hazy. Vaguely aware of the tables being cleared and dinner coming to an end, he felt the gentle pull of Rist guiding him to his feet. Confusion clouded his thoughts, and he was unsure whether he had properly excused their early departure as he led Rist back out to the solace of the balcony. Drawing her to him, Kelfin fiercely embraced Rist, needing to be as close to her as physically possible. he distance from the others and her touch helped the rest fade away. It was her touch, her feel against him that created a bubble around them, taking him to an oblivious state where nobody else mattered. As the welcomed isolation began to wash away the lingering stress, he could feel a sense of grounding peace seeping into his soul, pulling him closer to his true self. Emotionally thawing into her comforting presence, a realization dawned upon Kelfin. He found himself nuzzling her neck. He was being too forward. It was a habit from his time with Marza. But Rist wasn’t Marza and she wasn’t his lover. He had no business even holding her like he was. The tears pricked at his eyes, staining his cheeks. They were tainted with remorse over Rist potentially misconstruing his behavior, it could jeopardize her position as his companion. His voice trembled as he breathed out a faint apology, barely audible. Murmuring her understanding, Rist looped her arms around his neck pulling him towards her for a kiss. The unexpected intimacy jolted him but he contained his surprise. He returned hers with an equally passionate, consuming one. Their moment was interrupted by a distraction forcing Rist to break their magnetic lips apart. Upon noticing Ghel and Cral lurking nearby, he understood their intentions to replicate their moment. Adorned with a playful smile, Rist took the initiative to lead Kelfin back to the party's uproar. Upon joining the party, Cral frowned, somewhat perturbed. “You said…” “I said we weren’t. I never said I didn’t want to,” Rist claimed. Kelfin could guess what they’d discussed. But despite Rist’s smile, she was irritated with her sister. Expressing his gratitude in a hushed tone, distanced from the nosy crowd, Kelfin extended his apology for disproportional reactions. Understanding the complexity of emotions running in Kelfin's heart, she brushed his apology away confirming they were not the only ones letting their guard down at the party. "We can talk this out later," Rist suggested, concealing the echo of shared emotions beneath their happy facades. Thanks," he said softly, once they were out of earshot. "I'm sorry for…" He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, feeling a mix of guilt and remorse for his actions. Rist waved it off, brushing away his apology with a reassuring gesture. "Plenty of couples here are being less than discreet," she replied, her voice filled with understanding. "We'll talk later. Right now, let's just focus on getting through the evening." Grateful for her understanding, Kelfin took a deep breath and tried to push the troubling thoughts to the back of his mind. They continued to navigate through the crowd, Rist staying close by his side to offer silent support. The bustling atmosphere of the event made it easier for him to keep himself occupied and distracted from the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume him. As the evening wore on, they only stayed at the party for as long as social etiquette demanded. Finally, he decided it was time to leave, feeling drained both physically and emotionally. He quickly sent a message to Dath, asking him to pick them up. When Dath arrived, they stepped inside, and a wave of tranquility washed over them. The quiet and stillness of the auto contrasted sharply with the noise and commotion of the party. Seated comfortably, he finally allowed himself a moment of respite from the chaos and collected his thoughts. Rist sat close to him, her presence providing a sense of comfort and solace. In the subdued ambiance of the vehicle, their silence spoke volumes, conveying a shared understanding that words couldn't capture. As the auto smoothly glided through the city streets, it seemed to cocoon them in a cocoon of tranquility, offering a much-needed reprieve from the events of the evening Once he was feeling like himself again, Kelfin slid open the tinted privacy glass separating the driver's compartment from their plush seats. "Rist received a card from Ghel," he commented nonchalantly, handing it to Dath in the front. "It's a new contact number." Dath then reassured them following a brief analysis, "I've synced it to your contacts. I’ll add it to Rist’s when I get her connection if she wants." "I'll pass it along to her," Kelfin replied. A tinge of concern passed over his face as he added, "Ghel's current escort is her sister." Upon hearing this, Dath frowned, feeling a twinge of concern for missing this crucial detail during his initial background check. Rist, having been silent until now, inquired anxiously, "Could Ghel have implanted a listening device within the card? Cral attempted to coax sensitive information out of me." Dath quickly dissipated Rist's worry replying, "There indeed was a listening device. But don't worry, I've neutralized it." "So, did you reveal anything while I was away?" Kelfin asked Rist, his curiosity piqued by what she might have disclosed. "Only the barest details," Rist responded swiftly. "Mostly, I focused on that you’d been sick like you said and were still on some kind of medication for it. I guessed she would question me when Ghel left us alone. He was already humming and Cral said he hates that song, so I figured he’d been in my head.” Dath glanced at her in the mirror. “Ghel is a mind reader,” Kelfin explained, feeling his confusion. “He used to frequent the salon Rist worked at.” An idea suddenly sparked in Kelfin's mind, causing a gleam to flash across his eyes. He turned to Dath with a determined look, "Dath, is there any chance you could reactivate the transmitter?" Caught off guard, Dath responded in a surprised tone, "Sure, boss, I can. Why?" Kelfin cleared his throat and proposed, "Consider this - what if we rigged the transmitter to perpetually emit the same song?" A spark of confusion shone in Dath's eyes, "Song, boss?" Rist decided to step in and elaborate further. "While tending to Ghel's hair at the salon, I would mentally hum a particular song continuously to safeguard my thoughts against his mind-reading ability," she explained. Dath looked intrigued, "If I can find a copy, I can feed it into the transmitter. What's the tune?" "The Little, Little Ant," replied Rist. Recognition dawned on Dath's face as he glanced at her again in the mirror, snorting in amusement even as Kelfin managed a hearty laugh. "Rist, remind me to never get on your bad side." It was an annoying kid’s song that was awful for getting stuck in your head. Explaining her choice of tune, Rist recounted, "It was the first tune that sprung to my mind when my boss asked me to hum something. A young kid on the morning commuter had been singing it, and it was stuck in my head." A burst of glee emanated from Dath at the prospect of their ingenious plan. “I can set it up so he’s hearing it constantly. Or whoever he has listening to it.” Kelfin nodded in agreement, adding his own thoughts, "And given Ghel's most likely reading his employees' minds, he'll receive the song from them as well." Throughout the journey home, Dath maintained a deep silence. He was typically a man of few words when he was behind the wheel, often only engaging in conversations when directly addressed. As they pulled up to their destination, he smoothly braked the car to a halt. He ensured each of them was safely dropped at their doorstep. “Goodnight, see you in the morning,” he warmly bid them farewell as they gracefully exited the vehicle. Once inside, Kelfin broke the silence, "We need to discuss something." "Sure," she responded, motioning towards her high heels, "Can this discussion happen while I change into something more comfortable? These heels are killing me." Kelfin acknowledged with an encouraging nod, signaling her to lead the way to her room. "What's bothering you?" She inquired, shedding her heels and massaging her aching soles. His features hardened, "You kissed me. That’s not part of the job?" "Not according to everyone I speak to," She retorted playfully, a relaxed smile gracing her features. "I warned you they would," he defended. "You did indeed." She admitted, matching his intensity. "I know that I got carried away, however…" Interrupting him, Rist explained, "Kelfin, it’s not your fault. You were merely reacting to the passionate energy of the couple seated beside us, who were tantalizingly playing footsy throughout our dinner date. The kiss was intended to jolt you back into the present. I wanted to provide you with a diversion so intense that it would command your undivided attention." He stared at her as he realized she had done exactly that. "But you specifically assured your sister otherwise." "My sister is an annoying busybody. I told her that to keep her from guessing what was really going on since I had told her we weren’t sleeping together.” “You don’t think I’m expecting you to sleep with me now?” She took his hand. “What do you think? What do you feel?” He focused. “Concern. No fear, no lust.” “Good. Because we are sleeping together tonight.” His eyes widened in surprise, "What?” “Every time we go out, you are plagued by nightmares. You barely got through tonight. The only thing that kept me from taking you out of there earlier was Mr. Mor subtly signaling that I should wait for a more opportune moment. Now, I am going to change into my pajamas, and you should do the same. Then, I’ll hold your hand, offering my simple presence as a comfort to help you recover from the distress of the evening.” He watched her carefully before he conceded, “You can take the bed. I’ll make do with the chair.” With a frown of concern, she protested, “The chair is hardly a comfortable place to rest. You need to rest.” His determination wavered slightly, “So do you. And you’ve taken the chair twice.” With a beat, she posed a solution, “We could both share the bed. Its size should suffice for both of us without encroaching on personal boundaries. I won’t attempt to kiss you again, I promise.” Skeptical, he asked cautiously, “But can you truly trust me?” “Yes,” she affirmed sincerely, her eyes reflecting her belief in him. “You’ve behaved like a true gentleman throughout the time I’ve spent here. You’re committed to making this situation successful and you won’t make any advancement that might instill fear in me. That’s why you were so upset earlier.” Kelfin nodded, visibly surprised at her insight. With each passing day, she was revealing an increased aptitude, an intuitive understanding of the intricate job at hand. Moved by her words, he nodded his assent. “Go change,” he said gently.