The World Is Ending

Renee wasn't sure herself why she wanted to meet the stranger again.

His golden eyes, the minute she saw it, she couldn't mistake it. She didn't believe it was mere coincidence to meet someone bearing the same eyes that's presently glued to her mind like a vivid painting on a black canvas, and in order to fully confirm if he was the same stranger at the funeral, she needed to meet with him and conclude the matter once and for all.

Somehow, she managed to convince Robinson to lead her to the man's quarters, using the apology and her gratitude as her excuse, even if she did mean them, and after a few decisive 'i'm afraid that will not be possible' responses, he eventually gave in at her third plea.

He brought her to the man's doorstep, and Renee could swear on it that her brain suffered from a momentary shutdown after trying to memorize the path so she knows her way back. This part of the house was adroitly designed and it gave an even chiller vibe.

It was much colder down here, like a winter breeze cutting through, but what was she expecting when he led her down an underground staircase? It was like those horror movies when one goes into the basement and never comes out alive.

Except... this is way more classy, intimidating, but well-structured that it nearly distracts you.

After standing at his doorstep like a criminal about to face trial, Renee straightened her back and knocked on his door, but there was instant silence.

Her gentle knocks echoed within her surroundings, and being here, all by herself, was starting to make her a little nervous.

On second thought, maybe she doesn't have to be here, and what if he's busy? So many excuses to leave this place instantly filled her head, but unfortunately, there was no turning back, because the door suddenly opened just when she was able to stop herself from knocking again.

Renee didn't need to meet his gaze in order to know he was staring at her. She could feel his glare penetrating through her body like two laser beams ready to fire at her conscience. She was well aware of what she wanted to say to him, she even rehearsed it on her way here, but now that he was in front of her, she felt tongue-tied.

From the way he questioned her presence, it didn't take that long to realize how unwelcomed her presence was for him. He was still upset with her concerning her earlier action, and she couldn't blame him for that.

"I wanted to apologize for what I did earlier…"

"Shit!" She heard him cuss. It was so unexpected that it drove away whatever speech she had in mind to say to him, and the next thing she knew, she was being pulled by her arm inside his room, with the door closing swiftly after her entrance.

She never once imagined her circumstances would lead to this, and now she truly regretted coming here by herself!

Why did Robinson leave her to herself?

In her quiet lament, she froze when he shut the door. He was leaning against it with his ear pressed to the wooden frame, as if trying to detect any sound, or maybe footsteps? She didn't know, but he suddenly breathed out to what she interpreted to be a sign of relief.

He turned around to look at her, and Renee couldn't stifle the gasp that escaped her lips.

All the time she was talking, she had her gaze fixed to the floor, but with her eyes on him right now, she couldn't help but subconsciously take note of how… improper he looked.

His silver-white hair looked messy on his head, like a chaotic cascade of starlight, but that only enhanced his golden eyes even more. His pristine white shirt was partially unbuttoned, his collar skewed, but then… it was unnatural cause this disheveled look gave him an unintentional, alluring appearance.

"You shouldn't have come here." His reprimanding tone snapped Renee's thoughts to the present, his voice was exactly as she remembered it to be, and she was gazing into his glaring eyes again.

He had his arms folded, and he didn't even mind that he was standing in front of her like this.

"I'm sorry if I bothered – I'll just take my leave if you're busy then." Renee didn't want to spend another minute here with him, not like this, she felt she was intruding, but when she brushed past him to get to the door, his hand reached the doorknob just in time to stop her from opening it.

His bigger hand overlapped hers, his fingers subconsciously interlacing themselves in the space her dainty ones provided, and Renee's pupils dilated.

"You can't go out now." His hand still didn't move away from hers, "you'll have to wait for me to take you out myself."

"W-why?"

"Do you know the way back?"

"I believe I can manage." Renee tried to open the door, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and led her deeper into his spacious room. He didn't stop until he led her to one of the couches situated in what seemed to be his private living room, and he made her sit on it.

There was a hint of displeasure in her eyes, but it was veiled by her mindfulness concerning where she was presently, and he didn't need anyone to tell him she was going to be a handful once she's cleared up all her insecurities, he could see it for himself already.

"Stay here." He cautioned, "monsters are on the loose, if you wander by yourself and end up running into one, I won't–" he sighed, palming his forehead like someone who was having enough problems dished on his plate.

"I won't save you from it, do you understand?" His hands were on his hips now, unintentionally giving him a posture that screamed modeling, and his serious expression did nothing to lessen the charms he emitted.

"Listen," Renee adjusted herself on the couch and released a deep breath. "I only came here to apologize for what I did earlier, okay? Why are you treating me like this?"

"Apology accepted then, now tell me, is that all you really came here to do?" He raised an inquiring eyebrow, and he was giving her the same look she remembered at the funeral – as if he could see right through her intentions without needing her to detail it out for him.

"Is that really all?"

He tilted his head in contemplation, but he wasn't smiling. "No answer? Okay then. Different question, do you have a safe place to hide for the meantime?" He dropped, causing Renee to blink confusedly at the sudden question.

"What?"

"Well it's unlikely to survive the whole night with monsters raging the city. Neither of you incurred bite marks from those things, so your blood is clean. Certainly, you two must have hid somewhere through the whole night right? Where did you hide?"

"At… at home?"

"How secure is your home? Cause I don't want you staying here." He went on solemnly, "for your safety, it's best you leave this place tomorrow once your brother wakes up."

"I had no intention of staying."

"Uh-huh, that was unexpected." he contemplated her response before smiling politely, "glad we could settle this amicably, now if you'll excuse me."

"Wait!" Before he could turn his back on her, Renee already grabbed his arm, making him halt due to her unexpected hold.

She was looking straight into his eyes now, and she had her other palm just inches away from his face, obscuring everything else but leaving just his eyes exposed for her to see– those eyes that captured her attention for particularly no reason.

"It was you who came to me at the funeral, wasn't it?" She asked, withdrawing her hand away after figuring out the answer she needed. "You're the same person."

"Really? Didn't think you'd figure me out so soon." The corner of his mouth quirked up in pure amusement, Renee couldn't tell if it hinted at a smile, but his words didn't sound like a compliment either. Was he teasing her right now?

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"This is our first proper conversation, what were you expecting to hear from me?" He rubbed the back of his tensed neck as he walked away from her. "It won't really matter, will it? Since this will be our last meeting together."

"Can I ask you for a favor then?" Renee rose from the couch, and the word 'favor' made him stop in his gait. He turned his head to look at her questioningly.

"Hmm?"

"Can you help me understand what's going on?" Her voice softened into a plea, "do you have any idea concerning what's happening?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Huh?"

"The world is ending."

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A/N: please leave a review on this book if you enjoy it!! It will really help to get it noticed<3< p>