On their way to the hotel where the function would take place, Stephanie would glance to make sure her boss was okay. This was the least of the many abuses she had suffered in the hands of her family. They were so against her passion for exorcism. She remembered the day she mentioned to her accidentally that she had always been brainwashed and groomed at an early age by her father to be nothing but the best and take over their soon crumbling, multi-billion dollar company.
It was something she detested and had tried hard to put that episode of her life behind her. But somehow, it always resurfaced.
She leaned her head on the tinted mirrors of the car, eyes closing as she grew exhausted and clearly sleepy. She had not rested properly, as her tight schedule didn't give much room for a full four hours sleep. Likewise, she glanced over to Josh, her bodyguard/ personal driver, and he returned her look with an encouraging smile that all will be well.
As they sped down the road, Stephanie was busy leaning over to the back seat, trying to place a folded piece of scarf under her boss head to make her more comfortable in her current sleeping position. This might be the only time she will get to sleep for the coming week, and she had already endured more than enough. She used a piece of tissue paper to thoroughly clean off every trace of blood dripping down her nose.
When they arrived at the grand hotel, which had an underground hall big enough to host the biggest award show of the year for exorcists like Era alike. It was to encourage the people working passionately to fight back the enemy that has crawled out from their hellish pits to wreak havoc on earth. A thumbs up and to let them know their endurance and work in this field is being recognized by the government itself.
They soon found a suitable spot in the parking lot, and Stephanie held Josh back to give Era five more minutes of sleep. So, they agreed and laid back.
''You ungrateful little rat!'' Her father lashed out as he reached over to grab her small arms and drew her close to him, eye to eye.
Era's eyes moved in her sleep in discomfort. She reached for her left forearm, and it hurt similarly to how he grabbed it that morning, she stood up to him and told him no.
His chair was flung back and books scattered all over the table and floor. The girl wept bitterly as his grip on her arms grew painful with each passing second. His face was what scared her a lot. He raged and looked like he has been possessed by a demon and appeared more monstrous as his nostrils flared in hot anger.
''Are you out of your mind, Era?!''
''Father, please, let go. It hurts.''
He bit down hard on his lips, enough for it to bleed, as he raised his hands high above his head and hit her for the first time in his life.
The slap was powerful enough to jolt her awake and realized she had passed out on her way here.
Both Steph and Josh turned to stare at her wide awake with a streak of tear streaming down the corner of her face. Head turned to the window as she stared at the slightly filled up parking lot.
Why does it hurt so much to live for yourself?
She opened the door and stepped out, prompting both Josh and Steph to do the same. Josh waiting behind to auto-lock the car before running to catch up with them. A lot of her competitors would glance her way and gossip as she walked past them to the venue of the ceremony. What they would say about her wouldn't be more than she was really living an unfortunate life.
Her mom passed away at a very young age, and her father was currently at her center to be delivered from a demonic possession. While her siblings have always been reported for one misbehavior or the other. Her boyfriend of three years ended their relationship in the sweetest way ever.
She threw each of them that looked her way a robotic smile and went straight to the entrance of the hall to be checked in. There was no need to linger around and involve herself with those that considered her a big threat in this industry of exorcism.
At the check-point, ''ID?''
She brought out her black card with gold at the edge and showed it to the hefty men. They collected it and placed it on a transparent screen to be scanned and confirmed its not fake. Once she was cleared, she was asked to pay a certain amount for the entrance fee and Stephanie moved forward to make the transaction. Era waiting patiently behind her.
The wait would not be uncomfortable if one of the men at the entrance had his eyes glued to her face the entire time. He looked relatively improper and far from being considered as one of the men guarding this event by the door.
''What?'' She asked when it was getting creepy.
The man shook his head that it was nothing, but he kept staring. Making her have this urge to gorge out his eyeballs if he did not stop.
''Is it that shocking for a female to be an exorcist and be the best at it?''
The man smiled and looked away briefly.
''No. Just that you looked like you've been crying. Maybe have your pretty little assistant fix up your face to hide the stress.''
Era glared at the man before nodding at her assistant who announced that her transfer was successful and that they were free to go in. She spared the creepy guy one last look before making her way in, not before catching the ominious smile he threw her way as the door closed behind her.
Her breath got caught up in her throat.
That was a demon. And he has attached itself to the body of the man.
Her heart raced in her chest as she was led to the table reserved for her and her people at the very front of the stage set up for the ten awards displayed on golden platforms.
Era would look time to time over her shoulder to see if he followed her in. Her spine tingled in response to her unease. No demon has ever made her this anxious before in her entire career. Even if they did, she had always found a way to get accustomed to the eerie vibe they gave.
But this was challenging to brush off her shoulders.
''Are you okay?'' Steph placed her hand on hers and asked. She faced her and lied that she was fine.
Twenty minutes into the award show they had been clapping at different kinds of entertainment brought on stage for them. Asian culture was heavily influenced, and it was charming to sway to K-pop. A speech was delivered by many invited dignitaries, and they were each encouraged and reminded of why they were each called to carry this cross.
The lower demons are rapidly taking over the world and the rate of possession globally is alarming. They were asked not to be discouraged by the growing numbers of demonic possession but to have their eyes fixed on the sole collective goal.
Bring healing to mankind and send the lower, mindless demons running back to Hell.
''Send them running with their asses whipped with holy water.''
They all laughed, except Era at Ash's funny statement on stage. He was dressed smartly in a pair of designer suits and had his blond hair gelled neatly back to give them the illusion that he might be very handsome.
''So, now we've come to the award segment. The main reason all of you are gathered here tonight. I am pretty sure no one is interested in me yapping about demons all night.'' He chuckled and began straight away to calling out the names of her competitors to receive each of their awards.
Era's brownish-red eyes were fixed on the smallest yet the most significant award that would be claimed tonight. There was no need to be worried. No one else in this room would be qualified to claim such an award. She had always won since the start of her career. The more reason she wasn't much loved by her colleagues and has always suffered greatly in their hands.
She sat relaxed in her seat waiting for all these men to be called up to receive the useless awards. She would roll her eyes and frown in irritation when they would climb the stage to try to give an emotional yet cringe speech at the award they won.
They were all wasting her time.
She needs to be back to Hell's paradise. She should be behind her desk working.
''Alright, ladies and gentlemen. This is the moment you've all been waiting for. Who would be going home again with the chief exorcist whip award of the year.''
Ash swayed left and right playfully to ease the tension in the room. She could feel a thousand eyes trained on her.
That's right. It was going to be her again.
A female winning over all you men who have assumed a female is not fit to cast out demons and had always worked diligently to see her fail.
She clenched her hands tight in anger as Ash was really wasting her time. He should call her up already, so everyone could leave and get busy with their time. She shook her head. This was already getting too ridiculous.
''Ladies and gentlemen, please rise as we celebrate…''
Era remained seated. There was no need since she was the one they would be calling out.
''… Malcolm Neal Foxworth as the chief exorcist whip of the year!''
It got all too silent, but they all got over it too quickly and showered the winner with a standing ovation.
Era still seated watched as her handsome ex-boyfriend climbed the stage to receive her award with a proud smile on his face.