Black Hole

"Whoah…. Do we really have to do the tutoring session here? Can't we do it in BBB instead?" Harker asked. 

They were facing a very tall and grand hotel, looking like a long golden finger pointing to the sky. There must be at least 40 or so floors there. The interior design reminded Harker of those fancy French ballrooms. 

This hotel was pretty famous in Manhattan, and he's sure Roland mentioned being there before. But Harker did not really pay much attention to the 'bourgeoisie' things so its name remained at the tip of his tongue. 

In fact, he feels quite allergic to expensive and fancy things. Just looking at them makes his wallet scream in pain.

"It's pretty late so not many people would be going to the BBB, so it would be quiet." Harker told Xi Hua. "We can order food as we study—"

"Oh, but I'm easily distracted and I want to focus on my studying." Xi Hua said. "And I already had it reserved, so…."

He sighed. Guess he had no choice. Xi Hua was paying anyway, and she offered quite a large sum of money just for 'tutoring'. Harker's not dense. A girl pays him more than his income just for one night of tutoring, and they're doing it at a luxury hotel. Alone.

But one rule of thumb his father taught him was no matter how much he trusts his observation and intuition, he shouldn't jump into conclusions until it was proven 100%. 

'Don't get it twisted'.

As long as there's a solid excuse to prove his hunch wrong, he had to be considerate. He's not a genius or a perfect being after all. Maybe Xi Hua really prefers quiet places to study. She does seem like the studious type. 

"Which floor would we be on, then?" He asked as she took the room key from the receptionist.

"39." She said, "The whole floor is a suite so it's all to ourselves."

"Right." 

He clicked the 39th button then put his hands on his pocket.

Xi Hua blinked. "Are you nervous? Do you happen to be afraid of heights?"

"Nah, it's not the heights that bother me…." Harker said honestly. "It's the expenses."

"The expenses?" Xi Hua couldn't help but chuckle.

"Look, I'm a simple guy with a simple mind. I'm not that ambitious. As long as I get me and my family to survive another day, I'm all good. Big numbers scare the hell out of me! Especially when it's expenses."

She was legitimately surprised. "Big numbers…. scare you?"

"Yep. But you gotta keep that a secret, okay? You're the only one who knows that." He laughed, slapping his knee. "Hell, even Roland doesn't know my irrational fear of big numbers!"

Xi Hua realized he's not joking. It's a strange fear, but she shrugged it off. 

"That's fine. I won't show you the bill, then." She joked. 

Ding!

They left the elevator, and were faced with this fancy suite that might as well be a whole mansion. There were red velvet sofas, animal furs, chandeliers…. 

Harker's mouth was agape, then he frowned. "Actually, about my fear…. Don't get it twisted."

He explained. "When I see big expenses, I keep thinking about how the hell will I manage to pay it. Or if someone else paid for me, even if it's a gift, I'll keep tossin' at night thinking of how I'll repay them. I just don't like being indebted to people. So Xi Hua…." 

Harker scratched his head. "Can you lessen my pay to just 100 bucks per session, at least? 1000 is too much…."

Xi Hua frowned. "If you're so worried about that, why did you agree to the tutoring?"

"Well, I actually do want to help you out. It's just that I'm really busy. The money shocked me so I quickly agreed, but 100 dollars would be enough." Harker said. "It'll be a big help to my family already. Even 50 bucks would be fine. 20 is actually a more fair price, it's just tutorin' after all."

"20 dollars? 50? 100? That won't do, Harker. You're worth more than that." She placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"Hah, but I really don't want to owe you too much—"

She made him sit on the sofa. "You don't owe me anything. I'm sure you'll provide me with great service to compensate for the payment."

She's leaning in front of him, wearing that cherry-red smile with her cleavage in perfect view. 

Harker narrowed his eyes as he realized something. The smell of Xi Hua's perfume was getting stronger….

He had noticed this smell as soon as they first met. It was like some nice and mellow flowery scent he can't quite place. But now it's so strong that it felt like it was invading his nose and making him feel lightheaded.

"Uh…. Right. Ok, let's just get started then. Hold on, I would have to go to the bathroom first." He said, standing up.

This wasn't right.

The fact that the smell just keeps on getting stronger could not be excused anymore. Something's going on, and he had to quickly think of an escape plan while he's in the bathroom. 

"Haha, silly boy. You don't even know where the bathroom is." She took his hand. "Let me show you the way."

She led him to the bathroom, almost dragging him there. As expected, it also damn fancy inside. She pushed him to the toilet seat and closed the door. 

Then, she sat on his lap!

Harker tried to resist, but the smell was making him drowsy and it's now hard to keep his eyes open. 

"We're here to…. Study…." He said, choking on that floral scent. 

"Yes." She whispered to his ear. "Let's study biochemistry together. How bodies react when different hormones increase….. Like serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline…. Our blood pumping wildly as we get feelings of excitement, arousal and fear…."

She trailed her fingers over his chest and undid his buttons just by slicing them with her long fingernails.

Slicing…..

Harker gulped, and sweat poured out his forehead. 

"What's the matter, Harker? Hehehe~" She giggled innocently. "You look tense…."

"I really…. I… I want to…"

"Hm? What is it?"

"I want to kiss you." He said.

"Oh?" She chuckled. "Right now? Didn't you say we're supposed to study?"

"I never kissed anyone…. Before…" He said, putting one hand behind Xi Hua's head. "Let's do it…." 

He curled his fingers around her fiery red hair and she smiled wider.

"Alright, then~" She leaned in….

And Harker quickly pulled her by the hair, slamming her head against the wall!

Blood splattered like a fountain. He definitely cracked her skull open. It should have knocked a normal girl out. But Harker long knew that Xi Hua wasn't a normal girl. 

So he ran out as soon as he hit her!

"YOU SLY LITTLE RAT! COME BACK HERE!" She shrieked and tried to grab onto him, but only managed to grab his shirt away.

Harker ran for his life. He was close to passing out but he still pushed through, even knocking out the lavish sofa to block Xi Hua. 

He stumbled his way to the elevator…..

But like a snake catching a rat with its tail, Xi Hua's hair grew longer and coiled around him from head to toe! 

Harker was dragged all the way back to the suite!

"NO! HELP! SOMEONE FUCKING HELP ME FROM THIS CRAZY DEMON BITCH—"

Everything went black.