"Mallory?"
"Wake up, Mallory. I'm right here." Mallory blinks a few times and tries to clear her vision.
"Oh! Are you finally up?"
"GAHHH!" The first thing she greeted with is the Grim Reaper floating on top of her. Mallory grabs a pillow and swings it at his head instinctively but the pillow just passes through the Reaper.
"What was that for?" He asks innocently.
"Can't you greet me like a normal person?" She bolts up.
The Grim Reaper chuckles. "Well, I'm not normal nor a person anymore. I'm the…"
"Yes, yes, you're the Grim Reaper!" The Reaper smiles sheepishly, moving to sit on the bed next to Mallory.
"Before you get mad, I did knock this time but you were still asleep."
"You knew I was still sleeping why did you come in?" She crosses her arms, giving him a piercing gaze.
He shifts his gaze awkwardly. "Well, you were calling me in your sleep."
"I am what?"
"And you keep tossing in your sleep."
"How bad was your dream?" He tries to cheer her up with a half-smile.
"Oh, it was awful! I got chased by a giant cockroach." The Reaper laughs at her exaggerated explanation.
"I would be running for my life too." They both laugh together as the mood seems to lighten.
"What are you up to now?" He turns around with a huge grin on his face.
"You seem a little unsure about what to do until your hundredth day so I prepared a paper and pen. Come on, let's make your bucket list."
"What am I supposed to write on it?"
"Anything you want!"
"How about giving me a million dollars?" The Reaper laughs nervously.
"Hahaha, I'm just messing with you!" She said. "Besides, what would I even do with so much money in such a short time?"
"Whew… I thought you forgot that I'm a Grim Reaper and not a genie who grants wishes."
"How can I forget? Ever since I met you, that's always your line."
"I'm a Grim Reaper." She said mimicking the Reapers. Mallory moves to sit in front of the desk and looks at the 'Bucket List' at the top of the paper.
"Where should I start?"
"It can be as big as going to another country or as simple as eating ice cream. As long as it's achievable in the time you're given."
She thinks about it for a bit, writing something simple at first until she filled up the entire paper. "Done! Do you think this is too much?"
He takes the paper and reads each line carefully. She can see him smile at some of the lines. "Create a set of cars, huh?"
She smiles. "Yes! I'm planning to write inspirational sayings on them and leave it to random places for strangers to find out."
"Wow, all of these wishes are great! Especially this last wish, 'I want to visit the amusement park with a hot guy.' Already thinking of bringing Axel out on another date?" She hit his arm lightly with a playful smile.
"Are you jealous?"
He fake gasps. "I wouldn't dare!" He replies dramatically as they both fall into a fit of laughter.
They both look at each other for a minute. Mallory suddenly remembers their argument a few nights ago, she winces as she reminisces the words she said to him.
"I'm sorry…" She pauses. "…about the other night."
"It's alright." He smiles reassuringly.
"Now, what do you want to do first?" Before she can even decide, Mallory realizes that she has no money left to do most of the things on her list.
"I don't have money!"
"Do you want to try threatening Axel for money?"
"I can't believe my guardian angel suggests me to threaten someone." She shakes her head.
"That's a horrible idea but…" She gulps. "…he look cute every time I make fun of him." She whispers.
"Did you say something?"
"I said, we should try it!"
"Great! Now, I'll let you do the fun part while I do my duty."
"Oh, come on! Why don't you stay and give me some moral support?"
"I'm really sorry, Mallory. Good luck on your bucket list!" And like always, the Reaper disappears into thin air.
Mallory stares at her list, somehow her conscience and list are having a debate inside her head. "Axel let me stay for free. How can I even have the heart to threaten him again?"
The next thing she knows, Axel greats him with a smile. "Good morning, Mallory. I prepare some breakfast."
"G-Good morning, Axel! Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all, I was just reading the script."
"Right, I almost forgot I'm living with a famous actor." He gestures her to sit with him.
"Bloodlines, is that the name of the movie?"
"Ah, yes. Just another vampire story, though. Nothing special."
"Well, I'm sure it's an exciting experience considering that Vampires are sexy." She jokes, trying to encourage him but he only gives a wry smile. Somehow, Mallory seems confused that he doesn't seem very passionate about his work.
"What are your plans for today? I'm pretty sure you won't stay home all day."
"Uh… I was actually wondering if you can help me with something." His expression instantly becomes suspicious.
"Calm down! I-I just want to know if you can help me get a job. Just something short-term so I can earn money quickly."
"Most people I know look for a long-term job, why do you want short-term?"
"I'm only staying here for 100 days after all, so I better start saving up." Axel sits back, pondering her request.
"Just your luck, my assistant called me yesterday. She said she can't make it today so I guess you can fill in for her today. You don't mind this kind of job, right?"
"Not at all! I'll take on anything without complaint." Axel smiles at her enthusiasm.
"Alright. We will be leaving in an hour. I suggest you eat first before you get ready."
"You got it, boss!" She scurries back to her room once she finished her meal. She feels excited about getting a job in a new environment.
When they arrive at the movie set, Axel's manager gives her a list of things she needs to do. The next hour is jam-packed as she carries and sets up a lot around the set making sure everything is ready for Axel.
When it's finally time for filming, everyone is required to be quiet on set. Mallory feels giddy with excitement as this is her first time to watch the filming. The moment Axel steps into the scene, the air in the room changes. "He's like a different person right now!" She whispers.
"Who do you think you are?"
"I'm your worst nightmare," Axel said, showing his fake fangs out and running towards his colleague.
"Wow. I never knew he could look cool like that." Mallory said, completely drawn into his performance until she hears whispers behind her.
"You think he'll have a scandal with this one, too?"
'Huh, scandal?'
"Anyone feel like his career his starting to bit off?"
"He always has the same expression. He tries desperately to look cool."
Mallory couldn't believe them, she looked around as everyone seems to be talking about Axel. "Shut up. He can practically hear you all!" She feels a little dizzy from all the horrible comments but when she looked at him, Mallory can see it.
He looks calm and entirely focused on the job but she sees the little twitch of his eye. 'He can hear everything!' Axel is doing his best to block them all out.
By midday, it's time for lunch. She leaves the set to clear her thoughts of everything she heard. "What is their problem? How can they just stab him in the back?!" She walks around with her lunchbox, trying to find a peaceful spot until she sees Axel walking into a small garden.
"Axel!"
"Have you eaten anything yet?"
"Not yet but I'm full. Thanks for the concern."
"I'm not a fool. I know you're hungry so I brought a lunchbox, let's eat together." She said, giving him half of the lunchbox.
'Good thing I made a lot of food today.'
They eat in silence, Axel smiles realizing that it's a long time since he's eaten a homemade meal. "It's delicious."
"Thank you. I put a lot of effort into cooking today." She smiles.
"You did great by the way."
"You think so?"
"Did you still think I'm great after hearing the rumors?"
He fake laughs. "I thought I was doing my best until I heard the rumors that I slept with one of the investors of the project and that's why I got the leading role."
Mallory holds his hand, trying to calm him down and tell him that everything is going to be okay. "I'm not saying this to make you feel great but I believe you're a great actor, Axel. And I think that's what matters the most.
"You have a lot of fans supporting believing and loving you." They sat down quietly as Axel starts to realize that Mallory is right. Not everyone hates and judges him.
"Thank you." Axel smiles. "I think I ready to go back." They stand up and walk together. When Mallory spots a nearby restroom, she stops.
"You can go ahead. I'll go to the restroom first." Axel nods his head and goes to the movie set.
Mallory starts to wash her hands before getting back to work. There are two female staff members by the sink deep in conversation. She was just minding her own business until she catches some of their words. "How did he even get this lead role? I bet this one will flop too!"
"After he had a scandal with one of the investors I thought he will retire from his career."
"He's not even talented, right?"
Mallory's ear burns as she overhears the girl's gossip. She closes her eyes as she remembers how her former colleagues also stab her from the back. "It's so damn easy to judge, huh?" She says to her reflection, as she feels anger rising from her veins.
"Excuse me? What did you say?"
Mallory glared at them from the corner of her eyes, the two female staff looks like their ready to fight. "How can someone judge so easily? Are you perfect?"
"She must be Axel's fangirl?" The other girl whisper to her friend.
"His affair with the investor is true! I heard the director confirmed it."
"Yeah, it's all over the media. We are not lying that his a failure."
She mirrors their mean smirk. "Then I suppose you don't mind if I judge you too, right? Fine! Do get your hair fixed, it looks like a bird's nest."
"Excuse me?"
"And what's even on your face? Are you a clown?"
"Who the heck do you think you are judging us like that?"
"Now it hurts, doesn't it?" The two girls look at each other and then start to grab Mallory's hair. Before they could even realize things suddenly escalate into a real fight so bad that Axel's manager has to break up the fight.
"Today is your first day here and you are already causing this much trouble?" Mallory squares her shoulders, letting him see that she doesn't regret anything. "You are fired!"
"I work for Axel, his only one that can fire me." She yells as she starts walking slowly toward the front gates when someone grabs hold of her arms.
She looks up to see that it's Axel. "H-Hey, Axel. What's up?"
He pulls her away toward his car. "Ow, ow. Slow down, will you?"
"Now you're telling me to slow down? When you sure didn't slow down your mouth when you got into a fight with those women."
"Okay, I deserve that." She opens the passenger side door and gets in quietly like an expelled student.
She keeps nervously glancing at his way, Axel is driving silently focusing on the road. "Just lay it on me already!" She said as she couldn't stand the silent treatment. "You want to yell at me too? Go ahead! I can take it."
Axel stops the car on the side of the road, he was quiet for a few moments before meeting her eyes. "What were you thinking of getting into a fight? I thought you were smarter than this! What's your problem?"
"They are badmouthing you that is my problem!" Axel is instantly taken aback by her words.
'Err… why did I let that slip out?'
"You got into a fight because of me?" Mallory crosses her arms, not meeting his eyes.
"Why did you do something stupid?!" He yells.
"Maybe because I know how it feels like. Why would I just stand there and be quiet when I know it's wrong? Do you like any of the words they say about you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then why do you let them drag you down! You don't know how long you get to live so why can't you be honest with yourself when you hate something?!" Axel was suddenly quiet at her words, both of their chests are heaving. The minutes pass and they are quiet again, occupied by their thoughts.
"What you did was still very stupid but I appreciate you sticking up for me." She turns to look at him with wide eyes.
"Did I heard it right? You are thanking me?"
"Yes." She offers him a grateful smile and he finally returns it. He starts the car again, driving them home.
"Do you still want a job?"
"Of course I do but I don't want to trouble you again."
"I was planning to hire a housekeeper. The payment is way more than your previous job." She peers at him closely to see if he's serious.
"I usually don't make this offer to anyone. So is it a yes or no?"
Mallory smiles excitedly. "So when do I start, boss?"
The next day, Mallory starts to clean the house by dusting off the furniture first when the Reaper suddenly appears. "Good day to you, Mallory! Congratulations on your new job! Do your best, okay?"
"How did you know I have a new job?"
"A Grim Reaper never tells his secrets." He winks with a mysterious smile.
She rolls her eyes and continues to clean the room, she bends down to sweep under the coffee table when a small yellow bottle rolls out. "What's this?"
Before she even read the name of the medicine bottle, the doorbell rings. Mallory slips the bottle in her pocket quickly, moving to open the front door. A handsome delinquent man greets her at the door. "Eh, who are you? What are you doing in Axel's house?"