''I was the one who instead of sending you to the afterlife for judgement felt pity on you and decided to exchange your fate with another person. You pleaded with me and I found you pitiful because you remind me of the child I lost before becoming the grim reaper. After taking pity on you, I made Candy to find you and send you to Adasa [granny's given name]. That is how you were gifted with the power to see the dead in order to help with your quest''
''Then… what am I exactly? A living soul or a body without a soul?'' Nicole looked at him.
''In this world, nothing really exists, just your soul and the people whose lives got mixed with yours when Lizzy came to you''
''Then, does he also not exist?'' she looked towards the car.
''What do you think?''
''I have to help 50 more souls in order to receive my redemption, right? what happens if I find evidence that those two killed Lizzy? Would there be a special reward for that too?''
''If you are able to find evidence that can put those two away, you wouldn't need to help 50 people anymore''
''How much time do I have left? This evening, I almost got trapped in my own body''
''Not much but there is something else, the more time you waste here, the more people of the real world will get a conscious awakening. It will be dangerous for you when that happens''
''I get it'' Nicole stood up. this was no time to be wallowing in self-pity. She might as well transform that into a renewed energy that could keep her alive.
She got into the car and turned to look at Leo who was asleep. She tapped him and he opened his eyes.
''You are back?''
''En, let's go. It's late''
''I will take you home first''
''No, take me to the office. There is something I need to do''
''At this time? Nicole, it's almost midnight''
''I have no time to waste. My time left is short and I can't postpone this any longer''
''What happened? What did that man tell you?''
Nicole looked at him and remembered what the grim reaper said to her.
''Remember, never let him know about your situation. Whatever decision he makes will affect you because you two now share the same life''
Nicole shook her head, ''he didn't say anything. He warned me about Ray. He is looking for ways to separate the two of us'' she lied.
''Then, let's work together tonight. I won't leave you to do all that work alone'' Leo started the car.
Nicole looked at him and wondered what kind of life he was living in the real world. She wondered if after this mission, would they have an encounter again or would she wake up and everything that happened would feel like a dream. A long dream that she finally woke up from.
She leaned against the seat and closed her eyes. A lot of things were going through her mind. Was it going to be easy for her to go back or would she be trapped in this place forever? What kind of person was she in the real world?
…..
The next day, Leo opened his eyes and saw Nicole busy working at her desk. He had laid on the couch in the office and had fallen asleep.
''Nicole, did you work all night?''
''Leo, you are finally awake?'' she looked at him and turned away her gaze back to the screen. Leo stood up and walked over to her. he stood behind her and leaned closer, his head almost touching her shoulder as he looked at the screen.
The sudden intrusion made her shiver and her body stiffened, ''what are you doing?'' she stuttered.
''Looking at the work you are so busy with'' he replied and looked at the many figures on the screen, ''what are all these?''
''Figures that don't correspond with the figures on the receipts. These figures with red underlines are the actual monies that left the company and the blue underlines are the actual monies that were recorded''
''How did you find these?''
''These files were locked with an encryption, I just made a call to someone who is good at hacking and she helped me out. She hacked into Priscy's phone and found these things inside. I will give these to you. You can print them out and go to the bank and get a confirmation based on the bank statements and you will have evidence of her money laundering''
''You are quite good at what you do. I am impressed'' Leo smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders.
''What… what are you doing?'' she asked.
''I am massaging your shoulders. You worked all through the night''
''I don't need a massage'' she pushed him away and stood up, ''go and get me a change of clothes if you want to help. I have somewhere to go''
''I will pay you for the extra hours. The clothes are on me'' he said and picked his wallet.
''I will wait till you return''
''Alright'' he smiled and went out. Nicole sat back and looked at the door intensely. She smiled and stretched herself.
''One gone, one more to go'' she murmured to herself and heard a knock on the door. ''Come in''
Ray opened the door and walked in. he stood at the door and smiled slyly at Nicole and asked.
''Hi, Nicole, where is Leo?'' he walked closer and sat on the couch.
''He just left a few minutes ago''
''I see. I heard you started working here. how is it?''
''I'm still lacking so I am learning from everyone'' Nicole said and looked at him. He was also looking at her.
Ray stood up and walked closer to her, ''does Leo know, that you are living on borrowed time?'' he smiled down at her and his eyes turned cold.
''I don't know what you are talking about'' Nicole looked back without backing down.
''I met with Detective Gail yesterday and he told me something. Aren't you curious to know what he said? I also found out something about you''
''Detective Gail?'' Nicole's eyes flashed dark and she smirked, her aura changing as she curved her lips into a mocking smile, ''if you met with Detective Gail, then he must have told you that I am someone you shouldn't mess with, right?'' her voice sounded different and Ray stepped back as she stood up and walked closer to him.
''You… who exactly are you?'' Ray asked.
''I… am the real Nicole and you shouldn't have come here today at all. I have hatred me and I don't forgive anyone who tries to get in my way''
Nicole shook her head slightly. It was like a different person had taken over her and she was trying to adjust to the person's frequency.
When Ray saw how she was behaving like someone possessed, he got scared and attempted to go to the door but it locked by itself. He turned and hit his back against the door.
''You… don't come near me'' he shouted but Nicole chuckled.
''Finally, I am alive after all. It had been so long since I felt such rush of adrenaline'' she said and touched her body, ''aye, why is her body so damn cold? Is she not eating well or is she… she is not going to die soon, right?''
Ray became petrified and scared. he was confused too because he didn't understand what was happening. The person in front of him was speaking in a third person language, as if she was different from the person in front of him.
''You must be the one, that human trash that is trying to get rid of my babe here'' she said pointing at herself.
''Who are you?''
''Me? You called me out, so you should know me better than anyone else. Should I just kill you? No, I can't do that, I would be spoiling my babe's efforts. Take this warning from me, go and turn yourself up or the things that will happen to you will be worse than what you experienced today. Oh, right, today, you didn't come here and this didn't happen. If you don't forget of what happened today, I will come for you. he might be bounded by her contract, but I am not'' she said and looked at the door. It turned opened by itself and Ray ran out hurriedly. He didn't stop until he got into his car and drove out.
The person speaking started laughing and came out of the body, she paused and turned to look at Nicole, ''hey, long time no see, Nicole'' she said.
''Maris, did you just used my body again?'' Nicole asked the lady named Maris.
''Oh, sorry. I came to see how you were doing and saw that man threatening you. How could you just sit back scared and allow him do whatever he wanted? He almost killed you.
''I regret for asking for your help last night'' Nicole said and glared at the lady.
PS: other books written by me.
Purple Romance
Love The Psycho
Bullet Heart.