First Condition

"You want to help me, right?"

"Then take me home with you right now!"

"Or I will tell every single media outlet that you ran me over!" Mallory curl her hands into fists and look at each other like they are locked in a staring match.

"What did you just say to me?" Her bluntness astounds Axel.

"I believe you heard me right, Mister. I don't need to repeat myself."

"I am not in the mood for games!"

"Well, I wasn't in the mood to get run over, either." Mallory cross her arms and shoot him a challenging gaze. 'There's no way I'm letting him off that easily.' She said to herself.

"What are you even planning to do if I take you back to my home?"

"If I were you, I will take the girl I run over with before someone sees what happened." She said crossing her arms and standing up.

"You either take my offer or I will take it elsewhere and you know exactly where I'll take it." His entire expression freezes and some part of Mallory doesn't feel good threating him.

'But what choice do I have at this moment?'

"I'm going to give you a countdown so we can speed it up." His expression gets more urgent and desperate.

"Three… Two."

"Alright!"

"Finally come to a decision?"

"It's not like you give me much of a choice." She can hear intense anger in his voice and Mallory don't blame him but at the same time, she don't feel too bad.

'How come I feel alive despite what happened? Could it be because I've never acted like this before?'

He strides past her, opening the passenger side door. "Just get in before I change my mind."

Mallory maintained an unbothered expression. "My, my, such a gentleman."

"Keep your mouth shut in the car."

"Hmph. I'm taking back the compliment."

"As if I need it from someone like you in the first place."

She look at him sharply and give him her best smile.

"Keep up that attitude and your next front-page news story will sell out fast." He instantly goes quiet.

'I will not let him boss around me!'

"Let's just get this over with already."

-----

"Wow, this place is bigger than what I've expected." Mallory couldn't help but awe as she roams her eyes around the living room.

Before Axel could utter a word, the doorbell rings indicating that there is a visitor. "I'll be back in a moment. Don't touch anything." He said in threatening voice.

Mallory gasp when she saw the flowers upon the table. They are a delicate shade of pink, yet the kind of color that feels confident, proud to bring radiance to the room. Upon nearing them they give a gentle aroma, one that brings summer to her imagination.

Once again, she roams her eyes around the room to look for a vase were the flowers can be put.

"Hello! How's my favorite patient?"

Mallory immediately snaps her head when she heard a woman's voice. "Who could it be?"

"You always tell that to everyone." Axel said making the woman laugh.

"Perhaps his lover." Mallory shrug her shoulders as she puts the flowers in the vase. "I can't believe he lets me stay here when he has a girlfriend. I mean she might jump into conclusion and think I'm flirting with her boyfriend." Axel clears his throat making

Mallory jump in fright and knock over the vase.

*Crash*

"Oh, no! A-Axel! How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." He said looking over the broken vase. "Didn't I tell you not to touch anything?"

"Y-yeah sorry about that. I-I'll just pay for that."

"Don't worry about it! Axel is rich so the vase is just a penny for him." The woman smiled sweetly. She was wearing a white shirt and faded jeans. Her eyes were devoid of any make-up and her hair was in a tight but, not a strand out of place.

"Whatever." He said rolling his eyes. "This is Dr. Bella I called her a while ago to check if you got any injuries."

"Hello, I'm Mallory. Sorry about what you heard earlier." She said awkwardly.

"Don't worry about it."

Axel felt his phone vibrating, when he looked at the caller his eyes started to panics. "Sorry I need to take this call. I'll be in the kitchen if you need something."

"Axel told me what happened." Dr. Bella said putting some ointment on Mallory's wounded head. "Based on your injuries, you must be having a hard time now considering you lose a lot amount of blood but how could you manage to stand up and walk right now?"

'Oh, no! She can't find out the truth about my revival.'

"I guess I have a high pain tolerance?" Dr. Bella raises her eyebrow but she didn't bother asking anymore questions as she but bandages in Mallory's injury.

-----

"So let's get things straight. You just want to stay here and then you'll never tell anyone about what happened?"

"Oh, that was just the first condition." Mallory smiled.

"Excuse me, did you just say first?"

"Don't worries I'll only stay for one hundred days then I'll leave your sight the next day like I never existed."

"And why will you stay one hundred days exactly?" Axel raises his eyebrow like his not believe her words.

"I just like the number." Mallory crosses her arms.

"Furthermore, you're not allowed to ask me too many questions."

"If this is about money then just say it." He said grumpily. "I can pay any amount that you want as long as you leave me alone."

"Now where's the fun in that?" She gets up from the sofa close in front of him. Even though he maintains a cold expression, she can see that his panicking inside.

'I must admit, it feels good to be a little bad.'

"Relax, I'm not going to make you do something crazy and I don't really care about money."

"Then what is it that you want from me?" His voice raised but Mallory keep her calm smile.

"For now, I just want to have a shower and bed."

She put her hand in her waist. "I'm sure you have that in this big expensive house, right?"

He lets out a loud, tired sigh. "You can stay in the guest room."

When Axel closes the door, Mallory couldn't help but drop her jaw for the second time. 'How come this is just a guest room?' She thought.

Mallory instantly lounges on the comfy queen-size bed, a blissful sigh escapes her lips as she let herself relax. "What a long day! I can't even remember the last time I lay in such a comfy bed."

"I'm good your enjoying yourself."

"GAHHHH!" Out of nowhere, the Grimm Reaper appears at the bedside. "You gave a heart attack! Can't you knock next time?!" She said angrily.

"Sorry." He said, shyly.

"How did you even get here?"

"I walked through the wall." He said demonstrating it.

"It's one of our basic ability. And I'm here to guide you for the next hundred days remember?"

"Oh right! How could I forgot I got run over a car, stopped in the afterlife, meet the king of hell and be revived again?" She said, sarcastically.

"You forgot to mention that you're in one of the most expensive penthouse in the city!" He pushes the curtain with a flourish.

Mallory get off the bed to see a stunning view of the city. The city lights flicker beautifully in thee night.

"Wahhh! I can't believe I'm this high up!"

"The world is still beautiful, right?" She could sense some hopefulness in his face.

"Yeah! It's beautiful if you're rich and successful."

She sighs. "But for people like me, it's like hell on Earth."

"Now, now! I didn't revive you just so you could sulk more."

'No matter what he says, I won't change my mind.' She said to herself.

"You can't keep being like that, Mallory." He gives her a gentle, warm smile again.

"Life is a mystery. You can never tell where it'll take you tomorrow."

"Speaking of that, what am I supposed to do now?" She said lying in the bed again. "What will I do for the next hundred days?"

"That's for you to know. It's your life, after all."

She raised her eyebrows. "If you're alive now, what will you do?"

The Reaper seems to be shock by her question. "Well, let's see. I think I will treat myself some ice cream." He said, blushing.

"That's it?" She asked. "You're free to do anything and you just choose to eat ice cream?"

"It's been a long time since I eat one. I no longer remember what it tastes like." He said shrugging.

"Anyway, why don't you start thinking about the things you really want to do before you die?"

"I'm drawing blank every time you ask me that. I've just never thought of it before." He places a hand on her shoulder. His smile is starting to warm her up inside.

"That's why you have to think carefully for this is your last chance to live the way you want without any fear and regret." Suddenly, his body seems to fade.

"W-wait don't leave me!"

"Sorry but duty calls. Don't worry I'll be back before you know it." And just like that he disappears as quickly as he appeared.

She lay back on the bed and stare at the ceiling. "My last chance to live, huh?" She closed her eyes, trying to think of something.

*Growl*

"Thank you for the answer, stomach!" She gets up and looks at the clock. "In the end, I never got to sleep but who cares? I can't think with an empty stomach!"

"Whoa!" Her jaw drops at the beautiful and polished kitchen. "This is exactly what I've dreamed of my kitchen." She flourishes the furniture.

"Everything looks brand new… err I change my mind, everything seems like it's never used." She examines the fridge.

"How can someone live with just a takeout?" She shrugs her shoulder as she start to mix eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and water. In another bowl, she combines the flour and baking powder. She hums while pouring the egg-milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is just a bit lumpy.

Mallory did some dance moves while preparing a tablespoon of butter to a non-stick pan. "Okay time to pour the pancake!" She waited for a minute until small bubbles start to pop on top then she flip another side for 30 seconds.

Just when she's done, Axel walks into the kitchen. They nod awkwardly at each other. "I see you're also evading my fridge."

"S-sorry I should've asked permission."

'Wait a minute! Why did I break my character?! I'm supposed to be the boss here.'

"No worries. I'd rather someone use them before they go bad."

"In that case, thank you for the meal!" Axel nods quietly, moving to sit on one of the stools and check his phone while waiting for the take out to reheat in the microwave.

Mallory looks at the plate in front of her. 'I should make some for him too.' She gets a plate to make another pancake. His attention moves from the phone and onto the plate.

He raises a questioning eyebrow. "I don't feel comfortable if someone watches me eat."

His gaze shift to her. "Are you trying to poison me?"

'Wtf! The nerve of this guy!'

"Yes, I'm trying to poison you so I could take over your house."

"I can't tell if that's sarcasm or you're being stupidly honest."

"Whatever! I'm leaving this here." She turns her heel to sit on the opposite side and quickly eat her pancakes. "Oh, it's so fluffy!" She whispers happily.

After a minute, he takes a bite of it and in a few seconds he gobbles it all up. "You know it's not healthy eating takeout every day." He refuses to meet her eyes, awkwardly clearing his throat.

"I know. Thank you for the pancakes. It was delicious." Mallory was surprise by his compliment. For some reason she couldn't believe her heart is beating a little faster.

She gives him an appreciative smile. "Do you want some more? I made a lot." He looks a little hesitant at her offer.

She smiles happily, moving to make another serving for him. "You do know it's rude to stare, right?" She can't help but feel a little unnerved by his stare.

"Do you always flatter yourself? Maybe my eyes are on the fridge or worse…" He points behind her shoulder with a serious face. "Maybe there's something behind you."

Mallory gulps nervously, glancing at the wall clock. It's already 3am "You shouldn't joke about stuff like that at this hour."

"Something tells me you don't know the story behind this place."

"W-what story?" She said trying to act tough.

"The story of an actor that was gruesomely murdered by his fan."

"Nonsense! I never heard that story before."

"It happened a long time ago so people forgotten about it but every 3 am, he makes sure whoever stays here for the first time..." His voice becomes lower with every word and at the same time, the pounding of Mallory's heart grows louder. "…must be reminded of his death."

His smile curls into a menacing smirk and she her body starts to tremble uncontrollably. "And today is your turn!" Out of nowhere, the sound of thunder fills the kitchen.

"GAHHHH!" She shuts her eyes and cover her ears, ducking down the floor.

'Come on! I just died a while ago!'

"Ahh. Did I go overboard?" A pair of warm hands uncover her ears.

Mallory slowly open her eyes to see his face close to hers. The menacing smile from earlier is replaced by apologetic one. "Sorry. I didn't know my acting was that good." She blinks at him a few times.

"You were acting the whole time b-but what about the thunder?" He holds his phone up with sheepish smile.

"I didn't know it would be that loud." She gave him the deadliest glare she can muster.

"Does it mean I won't get another pancake?" He asked, innocently.

"I HOPE YOU CHOKE WITH IT INSTEAD." She yelled.

'I swear to God. I want to murder him myself!'

Axel covers his mouth to stop himself from laughing to loud. "Ahh. That was a good exercise. I really got into character!"

"Wow! I'm so glad to be your practice dummy." She roll her eyes.

"Well, a part of it is to study you a little bit more." She looks at him sharply. "People show their true nature when they're afraid, after all."

"And what exactly did you see?"

His cool, attractive smile moves closer and closer. "I'm not yet sure. I need a bit more studying." Her throat suddenly goes dry at his silky voice.

'Okay, Mallory. Now you know that you should never underestimate a professional actor.'

Axel lends his hand to help her up from the floor. She still makes him another pancake and they eat in silence. Her heart, however, won't stay still. "What's wrong with me?" She whispers. She start thinking about her next plan as she munch on the pancake.

She glances around the luxurious home, hoping for inspiration until her eyes rest on the shiny chandelier. "That's it!" She said raising her hand in the air.

"What?" Axel asked. "What do you want now?"

Mallory smile mischievously as a plan forms in her head.

-----

"Hello, how may I help you?"

"Hi! My friend here is in dire need of help with fashion." For the next hour, Mallory try on clothes that she swears she could never afford in her lifetime.

"So what do you think?" She asks wearing a pink fitted dress.

Axel clears his throat a little too loud. "It's nice. Are you done? We have to go to the salon nearby. God knows how long it's going to take." His tone is icy but Mallory thinks she can see a hint of blush on his cheeks.

"Wait, are you blushing?" She asks making him even more blush.

"That's cute." She whispers.

"Is there a chance you turn her into human?" Axel jokes.

"We'll see what we can do." The makeup artist examines her face and hair. "Oh boy! This will take long."

After sitting for nearly four hours the makeup artist wipe her sweat. "It was tough but I did it!"

Mallory couldn't help but gasp as she stares at her reflection with wide eyes. "Is this really me?" She sees Axel watching her in the mirror, his eyes are wide in surprise but he looks away quickly when she catches him.

"I fulfilled your request. Are we done now?"

"Done? Are you kidding me? This is just the beginning. Come on!" Mallory grabs his hand.

He looks at her begrudgingly. "Where are we heading?"

"You'll see."

Mallory keeps dragging him as they enter the park, a slight breeze rustles the leaves making them fall to the solid ground one by one. The air was warm, the beams of sunlight glowing on their skin. "Ah! It's been a while since I last visited this place." The park has a miniature gardens for the elderly. They also have benches, ornamental trees, flowers year round and water fountains in clear lakes that were stocked with Koi.

"Take a seat. I'll treat you something nice." Axel examined his surroundings, he smiles when he sees the children dancing along with the music.

He closes his eyes, enjoying the moment. "I guess you've never been in this part of town, huh." Mallory said, offering a Pretzel. "Here try this."

"Thanks."

"You should try to explore the city, Mr. Actor. Who knows maybe you'll be in love with this place." She said taking a huge bite of her Pretzel. "You see that guy? He plays that music every weekend that I've memorized the lyrics." She laughs. "And… and look at that old man, his always here feeding the Koi in the lake behind that huge tree."

"Wow, you sound like a stalker." Axel smiles amusingly.

"Did you say something?" Mallory playfully punches him.

They sit in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company until Mallory realize that Axel's been staring him of a while. "Am I so pretty that you can't take your eyes off me?" He rolls his eye.

"I forgot to buy some drinks." Mallory stands up. "Wait here." She said, rushing towards the vendors.

After a couple of minutes waiting for the next line, Mallory heard a loud shrieking voice. "Mallory is that you?" Mallory didn't even bother looking at the person as she tells the vendor her order.

"Mallory waittt!" The man yelled desperately. "I'm sorry about what happened before." He holds her wrist tightly.

"But you know, if you're not such a nosy and flirt in the beginning. You won't even get fired."

"Are you finish, Axel? Can we go now?" Axel doesn't respond. His eyes are intense for some reason.

Mallory wrap her arms around his waist. "Pretend we're a couple." She whisper.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Axel lips curl into a smirk. "Excuse us." Axel said, pushing him gently.

In a few minutes, they are driving away from the Park but Mallory's entire body won't stop shaking. The car ride is silent as usual. She look out the window, blinking back hot tears. She was trying her best not to cry but her eyes give up in the end and she just burst out crying. "Why?" She scream in frustration at her weakness.

"In the end, I can never fight him back." After a moment, she heard Axel's quiet reply.

"I know exactly how that feels." The pain in his voice sounds very deep.

'I wonder who that someone is...'

Once their back at the penthouse, Mallory collapse on the bed right away. Her head keeps replaying today's event as fresh tears start to form her eyes again. "Why am I so damn weak?"

"Please don't say that Mallory."

"GAHHHHH!" Once again, the Grimm Reaper appears out of nowhere. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock first?" She yelled throwing a pillow at him angrily.

The Reaper smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, it's a bit of a bad habit."

"That's not an excuse!" She said throwing more pillows at him.

"Okay! I won't forget to knock next time."

"Hmph! You better knock or I will never talk to you anymore!"

"C-come one. Don't be like that. I'm your guardian angel after all." She looks at him in disbelief.

"Oh really? Then where are you when I need you the most?"

He rubs the back of his head. "I'm so sorry for being late."

"Who am I kidding? I should've just stayed dead." She cut him off angrily. It's unreasonable to blame him about what happened. It's not his fault yet Mallory keeps taking it out on him. "

"I tried living my life without any fears and regrets like you said but I'm already regretting it." Her chest is heaving wildly after her rant. She cried silently until she calmed down and realize what she said.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Mallory." He smiles as usual but she can see that his crushed by her harsh words. "I admit my mistakes so don't be mad at yourself, okay?" He smiles kindly and gently pats her head.

'But it's not your fault!' She wants to apologize but she can't form the words.

"You have a really bad day so I'll let you cool off first. I'll check up on you again later." He gently pats her head again. "Take care Mallory."

"Wait!" Once again he disappears, leaving her alone in the big guestroom. She feels lonely and empty making her cry once more.

"I'm sorry."

*Knock*

Mallory stands up even though she is struggling to see the door through her clouded vision. "Sorry for disturbing but are you okay?" Axel ask.

She stop herself from making a sarcastic remark. 'I already hurt one person tonight.'

"I don't think I will be okay tonight."

"Well, I have some chamomile tea with me. I thought you could use some to help you calm down."

"Sorry."

"I understand. I'll be around if you need anything." She can hear dismay in his voice. She fall back onto bed when she hear him walk away but the bedroom door open suddenly and she's facing Axel again.

"What are you doing, Axel? I told you I want to be alone."

"Sorry but I won't let you cry alone tonight." At his words, tears spill from her eyes again.