"..."
It was silent, almost peaceful even. But the strange awkward silence that hung in the air was beginning to get on my nerves.
I took another bite from my steak, it had been a while since I ate something like this. The hospital served good food but only those they deemed necessary for good health and steak wasn't on the list.
I've been craving it for a while now, which was why I decided to have the meeting here.
"Is something the matter?" I asked. My question was directed to anyone that would answer. From Nicholas who ate awkwardly, to the steward that refused to leave our table.
"You," I looked at the steward, I could feel my brows furrowing.
"What are you still doing here? Weren't you supposed to leave the moment you brought me to my table?"
"..." The steward was silent at first before suddenly bowing and turning around to leave.
Sigh.
I placed down my utensils and glanced up at Nicholas.
"Way to ruin my appetite."
"I'm sorry sir."
"Just speak to me formally, before you ruin my appetite to get a house." I rolled my eyes. I gulped down the rest of my water, before pushing back the chair and standing up.
Nicholas looked at me with a confused expression. I felt the urge to facepalm. For some reason, now that I wasn't trying to ignore everyone or suck up to them, I was beginning to see just how annoying people can be.
"Let's go. You can get yourself something to eat later."
Nicholas looked saddened for just a moment before he got up, adjusted his suit and picked up his suitcase.
"Hehem," he cleared his throat as he walked to my side.
"There are a total of five houses located in the fourth and fifth districts—" he began as we headed out the restaurant.
"Which one is the most secluded?" I interrupted him. I reach out to receive my card from the waiter. I gave it to him after he served us so he could make payments.
"Umm—" Nicholas quickly opened his briefcase, balancing it on one hand and searching through with the other.
"Where's your car?" I asked as he continued what he was doing. He raised his head and quickly searched around.
His eyes seemed to lock on someone and I turned my head to see the valet. Noticing him, the valet immediately hurried off, most likely to get his car.
"Uhmm… There are two that meet your standard but only one is viable."
"Location?"
"The viable one is here, in the fourth district."
"..." I became quiet, lost in thought. I was trying to think which would be better; to remain here in the fourth district or to go to the fifth district.
The fifth district was a place known for its artistry. For this reason, although it was a great tourist region, it also had a low population compared to the rest. It was the optimal place for me.
Compared to the fourth district where the hospital is. In case my family or someone from the hospital wants to find me, it would be easy for them.
I don't want that.
"I take it the one that isn't viable is located in the fifth district?" I asked Nicholas just as his car arrived.
It was a slick jeep, a nice choice. Most men of his status would be driving sports vehicles around, blaring noise and shit. Although Nicholas was a contractor, he was firmly in the lower end of the higher stratum of society.
My impression of him went up a notch.
"Yes."
I gestured my hand towards him, my face said all I had in mind,
'Give me your keys, I'll drive.'
Nicholas was stunned for a moment before handing over the keys he just received from the valet to me. I went around the vehicle and entered it.
The inside was impressive, with all of the latest designs. There was a small space close to the steering where the key was to be pressed against.
There was a small vibration as the key was scanned and the car started on its own.
"The key is more of an identification thing." Nicholas chimed in from the passenger side.
"You've got great taste." I complimented him. His eyes widened in surprise. I ignored it and began driving.
"Why isn't the house viable?"
"Uhmm…." there was an awkward silence before Nicholas finally spoke.
"People think it's haunted."
I glanced at Nicholas, my look told him all he needed to know. He immediately blushed, probably ashamed of himself.
"Ghosts don't exist."
"There were many witnesses. The house has been rented and bought by five people, all of whom left in two weeks."
"Tsk." I clicked my tongue. I felt disappointed and my impression of Nicholas went back down. It was common sense that ghosts didn't exist. There is no supernatural.
I've had several arguments with many wannabe artists that try to believe in the supernatural, in the fact that there is something greater than ourselves out there.
Apparently, it helps them unlock their artistry potential.
I call bullshit. Before I couldn't say it to their faces but if I meet them now, I'll be sure to let them know that even after unlocking their artistry potential, I'm still way better than them.
I've read countless books about the supernatural and fiction and that's all there is to it. It's called fiction for a reason, it's just imagination.
"How secluded is it?" I asked, not bothering to think about anything else.
"I believe it would be to your liking sir."
"..."
I wanted to correct Nicholas but I decided against it. For someone who believes in ghosts, he deserves to call me sir.
*
The rest of the drive was silent, except from the occasional sound of the AI that directed me to my destination.
After about thirty minutes, we arrived in the fifth district. The change was immediate. One moment we were looking at business buildings, skyscrapers, restaurants designed professionally and then the next we were looking at the same thing, except in the artistic version.
Restaurants weren't bland anymore, now they had various designs. Not just in painting and decorations but in the very construct itself.
The architects must have put a lot of work into it.
As I drove through, I couldn't help but marvel at the sight. There were posters of paintings, musical advertisements, signboards with poems and the likes.
The side of the road was filled with pedestrians dressed like they all had a runway to attend.
I looked down at my clothes and I suddenly felt underdressed.
"Is this your first time in the fifth district, sir?" Nicholas asked and I immediately composed myself.
"...Yes." I replied.
"It's quite the sight, isn't it?"
Nicholas smiled as he stared out the window, gazing at the beauty that was the fifth district.
I was sure that more than half the people here weren't even residents of the area, most were either visitors or tourists.
The true residents would be in their studios or workplaces.
Sigh.
After a few minutes of marveling, we left the general public area and began to head towards the secluded places. The more I drove, the fewer the buildings and the people.
It got to a certain extent that there was no sign of life anymore. All that was left was a large flatland filled with grass and a road in the middle.
We followed the road until I began to see a manor at the end of the road. It was situated in a small compound.
Standing there alone in the sun, I felt a surge of warmth in me.
"Is this the haunted place?" I asked Nicholas with a smirk.
He chuckled nervously, blushing once again before replying,
"I heard it looks scary at night."
"So you haven't even experienced it yourself? Or seen the ghost?"
I knew he hadn't but I just had to taunt him. Nicholas remained silent, his head lowered. He didn't act his age.
I parked the car outside the gate and got out. Nicholas followed after me.
"Well, let's go check it out." I said before taking a step forward. Nicholas soon followed behind me.
Ba–Thump! Ba–Thump!
As I stood before the gate, I felt my heart beat speed up. This was the final piece I needed to start my life afresh, this was the final stage of my rebirth.
For some reason, the gate seemed larger than it should be. After spending almost a year in hospital and off the grid, it was finally time for me to return to society.
I didn't want to, but I have to. I have to prove to all of them that I am my own person, and I don't need any of their help to fight for myself.
"Sir?" Nicholas' voice brought me out of my thoughts. He stared at me with a worried expression.
"Are you having second thoughts sir? Maybe we shouldn't go in, what if the ghost is actually there?"
"Shut up Nicholas."
I pushed the gate open, surprisingly, it didn't make a single noise. I took a step and headed inside the compound but not before looking at Nicholas.
"Ghosts aren't real."
I didn't know that I was totally oblivious to a pair of eyes staring at me. A pair that weren't Nicholas'.