[KELVIN]
She is really alive… she reincarnated here on 'Earth'… In the quiet of my dreams, she came to me—a whisper of memory, a promise unfulfilled. The weight of centuries pressed upon my immortal heart, and I knew she would return. The threads of fate, woven by hands unseen, drew her back to this earthly realm.
I thought my first dream was just a coincidence, though I knew that was not possible. But now it can't be coincidence—I literally talked to her. She was still so beautiful; of course, I couldn't see her human appearance, but even that face…it was still so damn beautiful. Her golden eyes and her golden hair were even in the immortal realm, one of a kind. Her golden eyes, like sun-kissed honey, even in my dreams, seduced me…
---
The next day, I sat up in my bed, the freshly brewed coffee aroma filling the air—probably Edward's doing. I walked to the bathroom, washed my face, changed my dress, and took a quick shower. Then I moved toward the living room, checking my phone.
"Edward," I called out, "bring out the coffee if you've made it."
When I heard no response, I headed toward the kitchen counter. There was nobody there except for two cups of coffee. My hand tightened around my gun—it's always with me—as I moved slowly behind the corner. There she was—a person, no, a girl—bent over a kitchen drawer. She had headphones in her ears, her back turned, and that brown ponytail…
I pointed the gun at the back of her head, and she immediately raised her arms, removing her headphones. Slowly, she turned around.
Agent Red, of course. How could I forget her?
"Seriously…this is the second time," she muttered under her breath.
Did she recognize me?
Edward came running and stopped, looking at both of us. "Why are you both here again?" he asked.
"Have we met before?" Agent Red inquired.
"No," I replied, withdrawing my gun.
"Well, I called her 'Mr. Kelvin' for negotiation," Edward explained.
"You were supposed to tell me, no?" I said to him.
"I did text you," he defended himself.
I sighed.
Agent Red cleared her throat. "Umm…can you tell me where the sugar or toffee is? My coffee is getting cold."
Sugar? At someone else's house…seriously?
"It's there," I pointed toward the specific drawer.
"Ah, okay." She took out the sugar and added a spoonful to one cup.
"Well, I don't think you drink coffee with sugar, right?" she asked me.
"No," I confirmed.
"Hmm…as expected," she said, passing me a cup and then sitting down on my favorite couch—the one even Edward never dared to sit on.
"What?" she asked, noticing Edward's shocked expression.
"You're sitting…" he stammered.
"Yes, I am sitting, and…" she began.
"You are…" Edward was interrupted by me.
"Leave it," I said, moving to another chair to face her.
"Well, I guess you already know what I want you to do," I said.
"Yup, your assistant told me," she replied.
"Good…and you'll complete this task in…" I asked.
"In a month," she said, looking at her coffee.
"Good. The faster, the better. But are you sure…"
"I'm pretty sure. Let's talk about my pay," she interrupted.
"How much do you want?"
"You're asking me? Think again, Mr. Kelvin. I'm too expensive," she tilted her head toward me.
"Say it," I insisted.
"Hmm, this is rather risky work, not to mention I'll do it quite swiftly…50 million it is," she said, finishing her coffee.
"50 million?" Edward exclaimed.
I raised my hand to stop him. "Alright, make it sixty," I agreed.
"Good. Thirty before and thirty after the task," she said, standing up.
"Okay…happy cooperation, Agent Red," I stood up too, extending my hand for a shake.
"Happy cooperation, Mr. Kelvin," she took my hand, shook it, and left.
By the texture of her hand, it felt like she'd been in this field for a long time. God! What am I thinking about?
I sighed and sat back down.
"60 million?" Edward burst out.
"Yes," I replied calmly.
"Seriously, and you even let her sit there…you don't like her, do you?" Edward probed.
"Are you stupid? Shut up," I snapped.
Perhaps I kinda liked her nerves.
---
It was almost 4 pm when I stepped out of the café, seeking a moment of relaxation. As I settled into my seat, I absentmindedly played with my phone. Soon, a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake arrived.
I savored both slowly, but then it happened—the unmistakable sensation of her powers. Katarina. I glanced in the direction where a woman with flowing brown hair had just left the café. My heart raced. Could it really be her?
I stood up, leaving money on the table, and followed the faint trace of her energy through the crowded street. Yet, all I caught was a glimpse of those brown locks. She remained elusive.
As I pursued her, I sensed another source of power. Spies, perhaps? If my guess was correct, they were also searching for her. Edward had been right—the Northern Realm had dispatched agents. I couldn't allow them to find her before I did.
In a dark alley, I muttered a spell and released my fist in their direction. My magic would cloak her aura, shielding her from their detection. I hoped it would work.
And it did. Soon, both men entered the alley.
"It's coming from here," one of them said.
"Looking for me?" I confronted them.
They turned, shock evident on their faces. They recognized me.
"Your Highness…" they stammered, bowing.
"Yes?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing, we thought…" the other began.
"Yes," I interrupted. "Nothing."
And just like that, they vanished. I smiled. There was no need to hide myself—They are well aware of my status.
Leaving the alley, I realized her aura had faded.
Now, more than ever, I had to find Katarina before they did.