Ding
Ding
Ding
The moment the doors have closed and the other passenger left, an old man around the age of sixty wearing a general's suit appeared standing by the buttons of the elevator. Prim knew the ghost. He was always there riding along with the employees. Some employees could see him, but the general would decide to not let them sense him. Yet it seems no matter how hard he conceals his presence, Prim could always see him.
"I heard what happened earlier today." he said glancing at Prim.
Prim looked at him, "I'm just not cut for this job Aido."
The general laughed, an old grandpa kind of laugh, "You've been telling me that since the day you were trained here."
Prim smiled. She never had any proper family to begin with and yet she always finds himself having ghosts watch over her and treat her so kindly.
"And I might finally be pulled out from this wretched job." she replied sighing as she leaned on the wall.
The lights of the buttons gradually turned off as they passed by every floor going down. Prim stared at the floor meter as each number changed.
"I see you're going to Commander Chang's office." said the general pointing the button for 3.
"And it's a long way down." Prim chuckled.
It was definitely a long way down. The penthouse for agents were at the top floor which was 15 floors above the commander's office. She'd pass by several departments situated on different floors. It may seem like the company is purely on to the paranormal, but it's not. The whole company functions like a normal corporation with regular employees. It's just that there has been a separate department for those with "special" abilities.
"I hope it's a promotion." the general jokingly added peaking at her from the side.
She scoffs, "Or an expulsion." Prim sheepishly smiled.
By the time the button for 5 lost its light, the general turned to Prim, "You know Jona has been worrying about you. I don't really have much to offer since I'm already dead. It's just that, you two are like my children already and I just want to tell you that no matter what's bothering you now, don't let it slow you down. You'll definitely get to your goal. Have faith in yourself," he paused and tried to touch her cheek. Her cheek was cold but Prim felt warm inside, "Someday you'll find your happiness my dearest Primrose. Like the flower that you are." his eyes squinted from his deep bright smile.
Prim's face soften thankful of the gesture. She's always felt lonely all her life, but with simple moments like this, she feels like she has a home.
"Thank you," she replied.
To the words of an old man that melted her heart. General Aido reminded her of her grandpa that she has not seen in years. They do exchange mails and call atleast once a month, but she never got to see him again. General Aido's presence comforts her. She may have not been affectionate towards her own grandfather, but she knew deep down he's the only person she got.
The third floor was not as busy as the other floors. Coming out from the elevator you'll see a front desk with a lady greeting you and then you log in upon arrival. You write your name, agent name, team/squad designation, time and purpose of visit. Then you turn to a camera at the corner of the desk for it to scan your pupils for verification. Because signatures are too mainstream. Beside the front desk is a turnstile where you would pass to enter the hall leading towards the commander's office. The turnstile will not turn unless you've performed all those security measures aforementioned. All those who wish to enter this floor shall pass through this since there aren't any other passages to go through.
The floor was quiet and clean, Prim's cup of tea. She always found the fast paced life upstairs quite baffling. Sometimes you just wanna take it slow and simple, until the world decides to not let you take it slow and simple.
Prim arrives at the commander's doorstep shortly after. A huge french door greeting her arrival. The office was just two right turns east of the floor. It wasn't far but was certainly located at the edge with only a glass panel to see the outside from before reaching it. Sunlight reminds such beings as hers that even the darkest parts of your life could be warm even with a little sunlight.
"Commander Chang," she pushes the button at the intercom, "It's Primrose. You called for me." She immediately steps away from the speech detector.
A clicking sound was heard from the knob hinting that it's unlocked. The wooden closure opened with both doors going separate ways. As soon as the path is big enough to enter, she immediately stepped in and doors closed shut after her automatically.
The room was covered in suede walls white as snow. The furniture matched the interior with gold accents emitting a majestic feel. The living room, right of the room were no different with its white frame windows giving it a crisp sophisticated design brightening the room. Everything was white, all except the mahogany desk of Commander Chang.
"Good morning Agent Flower." greeted the woman in a white suit sitting behind the desk, "Please, come near."
Prim grinned looking around stopping a meter away, "I like what you've done with the place, Olivia. It's been give or take five years since I last visited your office." she said pointing at the open window.
"And you're still the only one other than my husband who calls me Olivia." chuckled the commander.
Prim snickered, "Well you are the one and only Olivia Chang. President and CEO of DoReMi Corporation."
Olivia smiled, "Flattery won't get you anywhere right now, Prim."
The girl looked down to her shoes, "Yes ma'am."
The commander stood up and walked away from the desk sighing and gazing at the window.
"Prim, how old were you when I first scouted you?"
"I was 8, ma'am." she promptly replied.
"Yes yes...I remember visiting the home of Arnaldo Valentino looking for this special girl, and then," Olivia turned to Prim, "I found this frail sweet girl with empty eyes as if the world has condemned her to feel anything."
"If this is about earlier today, I'm sorry. I'm just tired of doing the same thing over and over again..."
"No no, you are right."
"What?"
Olivia smiled, "From today onwards, you will not be part of the cleanup team anymore. You're relieved from that."
Prim froze, "Does that mean I won't be doing those team missions cleansing the scene of the activity?"
"Oh no no. You'll be doing better things. You see, you've been into this business for so long that I think it's time for you to stop being a backup and be one of the frontliners."
Prim's jaw dropped, "What? But I've never had the experience to..."
"Exactly."
Prim stuttered the words to say, "Then...I-I'd be going after the real things alone?"
"Oh don't worry. You'll be matched with a very skilled person for the job."
Prim's eyes widened. You see, Prim did want to lose always having being put into a duo knowing how simple a cleanup task is. But now that she's being promoted to the frontlines, she's not even sure if she can survive even with a partner.
"Commander Chang, I'm here." a voice from the intercom prompted.
Olivia quickly pressed into her intercom commanding the voice to come in.
The moment the door clicked open, Prim turned around curious who it was. A boy in plaid slacks, deep navy blazer and red tie came in saluting to the commander.
"Good morning Commander Chang." greeted the lad.
Prim carefully examined him from head to toe. He looks like a high school student, but his height seems to be of average. Almost the same height as hers to be exact, and to think she's only five foot three.
The boy brushes his hair backwards then her eyes met his. Eyes that looked like the galaxy slowly swallowing her in. She immediately looked away, confused of what she had just seen. It was the first time she had felt a chill that weren't of the paranormal.
"Primrose, I'd like you to meet your new partner. This is Vincent, our newest resident exorcist." Olivia walked towards the boy, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Prim pointed to the boy, "Wha-wait, what?" then she pointed back to her, "But isn't he in high school??" she exclaimed.
"Oh don't worry, my son graduated high school yesterday and will be joining the company from now on."
Prim glances at the boy who was smirking at her.
Olivia's words started slowing down in Prim's head. It started spinning then rewinding until she fully comprehended. What she got was 'son' and 'accelerated' for the most parts.
"DID YOU JUST SAY HE'S YOUR SON?? YOU MEAN....THIS WAS THAT KID WHO OFTEN COMES OVER BEFORE?? THAT KID? THAT KID WHO..." even remembering the memory boils her blood.
"Hello, Prim." he stared intently as if he's staring at his meal, "I see you haven't changed a bit. You're still as rowdy as usual." he came off standoffish.
Prim's eyebrows furrowed snickering sarcastically from a scene she did not expect to be having early in the morning.
"I cannot believe I am promoted, but would have to be paired to THIS kid." she mumbles, "UNBELIEVABLE."
"Oh you don't have to worry about a thing," Vincent walks towards her, "I may be two years your junior, but I'm more than capable of handling missions that even A-listed spirit whisperers and exorcists combined can't reach." he showed her a smug look.
Prim tried to stare him down but his eyes were really distracting.
"Where are you getting this confidence?"
Vincent grinned, "Let's just say I've handled even the most untamable of kinds. Who knows, maybe I'm the only one able to tame the untamable spirit whisperer of this company."
Now that definitely hit a nerve. She knew he was trying to pick a fight, but that would only prove his point that she IS who he's referring to.
Prim scoffs cockily, "We'll see about that."
The air suddenly felt heavy. It felt like a storm was brewing inside the office. Olivia then suddenly appears beside them breaking their tension, "Alright! Now that that's settled, let's have you two fitted for your official uniforms." she clapped happily running off to her telephone calling her secretary.
If you think that would cut off their unexplained hostility, Prim and Vincent started snarling at each other like lions about to brawl.
Exactly what happened between those two?