Deity's POV
That was the worst meeting with the worst town mayor ever. Not that I met mayors other than him. Now I'm certainly not looking forward to any of that happening again.
Mr. Collins was quiet as usual during the ride, but I can feel that the outcome of the said summon wasn't something he was expecting either. I'm ready to forget all of it, everything about it, because I'm never opening my door again to them or anyone else in that crazy community. We stopped right in front of the house and I wasted no time getting out and slamming my door shut as soon as I entered.
"Ms. Holland!" Parker spoke in urgency, he's undoubtedly going to make up excuses for his mayor.
"Save it, Mr. Collins. Tell that mayor of yours not to bother me anymore. Try if you want me to call the police and file temporary restraining order until I have enough courage to go for a proper case regarding physical assault and grave threat."
I heard him say 'shit' loud and clear.
Good. I like to be clear. Soon enough I heard his retreating footsteps and the roar of the car's engine going distant. The ghost lady chose that time to show up.
"Everyone who bought this house before you suffered the same situation. I never had the chance to scare them off before they're running away on their own and those men hot on their heels." She spoke with a little sympathy.
"Thanks for the headstart. I should prepare my armory then." Her chuckles were the only answer. "I'm sure it worked a good deal on your favor."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm liking your presence more though. I admit it gets a little lonely, and what more can I ask for than someone who can see me and talk to me?"
"In that case I'll need your help."
The twinkle in her eyes tells me she's very pleased to help.
***
"Your enemies are coming, pretty girl!"
Flavia really knows how to wake someone up. The locks are on, doors and windows bolted. I grabbed the knife hidden under the mattress and slowly made my way down to wait for the gang.
True enough, a polite series of knocks came and destroyed the silence. "I know you're in there Miss Holland. I want to inform you that the mayor had come to another decision. He is requesting for your presence now to settle the conflict yesterday and the territorial matters."
How dare he make decisions on his own as if he knows what's good for me? And haven't I clearly told them yesterday to fuck off?
"I'm not risking another chance for your master to jump and attack me. Tell him to write everything he wants to say or settle, deliver it to me, and I'll sign if I agree. If not, I'll add what I want and we seal the deal once he agreed to my terms as well." I'm surprised I sound calm and collected. The wonders of a good night's sleep.
"The mayor really attacked you? That's not a man-move." I just shrugged at her, not wanting to let Parker hear I'm talking to someone... or something.
I heard Parker sigh in exasperation, "Is that all you want to say? I'll let him know about it and get back to you right away."
Oh, please take your time.
"Thank you, please leave me to rest for the day."
He was gone not a moment too long. I related what happened at the mayor's office yesterday to Flavia while preparing breakfast and a mug of coffee for myself.
"Did you know that even when I was still alive, those people who built their community in that place were suspicious and strange? Like a huge but tight-knit family who share one secret against the outside world."
"Maybe they're really hiding something. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm up to investigate the likes of them."
I grabbed my laptop after breakfast and continued the work I left a couple of days before. I'm a freelance book editor and it worked in my favor since there's no need for me to personally submit, as long as I have good internet connection to send through emails. I turned on the television for Flavia and she didn't bother me the whole time.
"Why can you see me, Deity? And why aren't you afraid of me?"
I shrugged, "I don't know. I've been seeing ghost long as I can remember, it's a part of me I guess although the reason is unknown. You can imagine how many I've met my entire life, some we're already fading and their projection crumbling. I was scared at first, but I learned to overcome it." Then I gave her a curious glance, "How long have you been here?"
She smiled slyly, "More than four centuries, and I will still continue to exist."
Interesting.
"How?"
"I was born from a clan of witches. I inherited some traits, which I used to anchor myself in this house. This is a historical house for witches, sacred, that's why someone must guard it even after dying. It used to be our Clan's temple."
Really? I don't see anything sacred about it. I decided against saying that to her.
I went down town that afternoon to buy groceries. I received quite a few stares, being new and all. I added cleaning and decorating materials to the list because I want to fix the lawn and repaint the house's exterior. The inside's satisfactory, so I might not redecorate until after a year or two. After paying I took the bags of groceries and went back to my car... only to find the town mayor leaning against it.
"If you'll excuse me, sir. I would like to be home before sundown." Even how handsome and jaw-dropping his physique is, I cannot help but show slight bitterness in my tone.
"I apologize for my behavior yesterday... but still we need to talk face to face in order to settle the matters at hand. It's against my principles to lay a hand on a woman. I was just... overwhelmed. I can assure you it won't happen again. If ever you'll feel threathened though, you are free to leave anytime." His sincerity hinted truth in his words, yet I still hesitated. "Look," there's a hint of impatience in his tone making me roll my eyes, "I don't want to be in the same room as you, too. However, we have to settle this or we'll be in each other's presence for long and I can't have that. I don't want that."
Okay?..
"Fine," I growled, "Prepare it in written form, I don't want to hear you dominating the talk."
He sneered, "Good point."
Ladies and bears, that's how I signed in another conflict.