The discussion between the two men took about an hour and a half.
"Thank you for seeing me, Mr Williams." Shaking hands for the second time that evening.
"Come on Paul we are partners now call me Reese."
"Ok, Reese see you at the next board meeting." Stepping outside of the office.
"See you then." He said finally shutting the door.
Reese breathed a sigh of relief. He bagged the contract with one of the most important companies in the city. He was disappointed. It should have taken longer. He was in a fair mode until he saw his unwanted guest/ghost.
He walked up to the couch where she was comfortably sleeping. Did spirits or whatever was she even needed sleep? he thought.
Sarah was muttering something in her sleep. She was now frowning and clenching the cushion on which she slept.
"Don't do it."
Reese stood still observing and listening with his hands in his pockets.
"I am sorry." Her tone was low and regretful
"Jonah..." She fell silent again, her face relaxed.
She had a man in her life. For some reason, Reese wanted to believe the Jonah guy was her brother and was surprised to find himself disappointed.
She was not his type. She looked too plain and boring. His usual partners were always bombshell blonds, fiery redheads and luxurious noirettes. They always had the same face in different fonts.
Sarah began to stir in her sleep again which made Reese stiffen.
This time opened her eyes to find Reese dark ones boring a hole in her soul, that was if she had one, she speculated.
"Sorry, I fell asleep again." Rubbing her eyes and suppressing a yawn.
"You sure do sleep a lot for a spirit." He smirked cynically.
She noticed she did feel sleepy a lot, that was strange she was always a very active person. She still had a lot of questions that needed answers but how was she going to communicate with the lady she met.
"What are you thinking?" His voice slashed through her thoughts.
"Nothing, nothing."
"Ok then do you need something to eat? or do spirits even eat?" He said walking to the phone on his desk.
"I don't..." Her stomach spoke for its self, growling a response. How the hell did this work? Why was she hungry? She was a spirit for Christ's sake. She looked over at him nervously.
His face held a blank expression like he was used to seeing spirits with grumbling bellies. "I guess you will eat too." He picked up the phone pressed a button and ordered food without asking her what she would like.
Once he was done he came and sat in front of her. He took out a cigarette, lit it, took in a big puff and let it out. He studied the woman in front of him. She had hair the shade of mahogany and green eyes. She wore a basic grey blouse and blue jeans.
He didn't need to let her go just yet, hated to admit to himself but he was lonely. His usual partners were for two purposes; business and sex. He needed company. Causal company.
In the past, during the holidays he had thrown himself into his work to succeed beyond the expectations of his rivals. In his isolated cabin, he would slave himself away. This time things were going smoothly too smoothly. There was little to do anymore to take his time. To make his pen dance deftly on his paper has the birds chirped in the morning and the owls hooted at night.
He had planned to take Courtney, his latest fling to an isolated cabin. Unfortunately, she had seen it as a wedding proposal since no woman had made it so far into his life. When he shut her down she broke up with him and has ever since been with other men to make him jealous. He hadn't cared and started another project close to the holidays to keep himself busy but the deal had now been successful already.
IIn the next six hours, the month of December would commence. Christmas was already in the air and it sickened him. People would be with their families to enjoy the holiday. It was especially this time of the month that they preferred to irritate him with their so-called apologies. He gave him peace to know that they couldn't trace his location.
He glanced at the woman in front of him "She will do." he thought. His therapy sessions were not going anywhere. Weirdly for some reason, the clumsy spirit had already lightened his mood. She was not uptight and overly vivacious like his lovers. She wanted to help him. He had found out about the wagers put on him by people daring his lovers to change him. He hoped that she was not like that.
There was a knock on the door.
"The food," Sarah said she started to stand but was stopped.
Reese went to receive the food.
🎄🎄🎄🎄
As they ate in silence Sarah was lost in her thoughts. She learned a lot about her current state within a few hours which was a good sign on its own.
She had been in a hospital gown when she woke up in front of the building. She had been uncomfortable with her attire despite no one being able to see her. She had lamented wishing she had a change of clothes. One light show later she had on a casual fit.
The directions and everything else including figuring out the mission had come easy but it felt too good to be true. Where to go from here? She glanced up at the striking man in front of her only to be caught by two hollow pits he had as eyes.
"We will be leaving soon."
He checked the time. "Thirty-two minutes to be precise."
"Where to."
"You'll see." He replied dismissively taking a sip of wine.
She held a frown which he noticed.
"What? I can't harm you now, can l?" He raised an eyebrow teasing.
Something about the way he talked to her made her feel exposed.
"I don't know that yet but I wanted to say something."
"What is it?" Gingerly placing the glass on the table.
"I have done this before many more times than you think."
"Being a spirit is your full-time job? it seems fun, where do I sign?"
"No, it's more complicated than that." She took a deep breath and came forward and let her jade eyes look squarely at his face. "I will make a promise to you to make this Christmas one to remember." She was caught up in the moment.
He chuckled lightly and got up. "Hurry up and eat, we leave in fifteen minutes." He took out another cigarette.
He smoked like a chimney she thought. Most children withdrew during the holidays to locations Sarah liked to call "safe-space". They would disappear to run from family or reminders of them. It astonished Sarah to see how similar adults and children were. They all chose flight over fighting.
She would have to make him face it this time. Maybe call up some family members for a Christmas dinner.