January 19, 2021: Vedriti

"My apologies, I am indebted to you for the third time. I will come over later."

{{ "You better. I'll give you some reprimanding." }}

"I'd gladly take all that in. Thank you and bye."

Even though it was only a quarter off of midnight, the streets were as alive as they were in the daylight. After ending the call, Syn made a break for it, disregarding whether she bumped into whoever, or whatever was blocking her way on purpose. It earned the jeering of several pedestrians.

However, she could not, for the life of her, care about the opinions of people who had no particular importance in her future.

'That is it!'

A heavily tinted black Sedan was stationed right across the convenience store. A leery man, having the appearance of a bulky American football linebacker, was leaning on the passenger's side of the door. He was the man named Louis, Syn's personal driver for all of her appointments that were connected with the agency.

Louis spotted Syn drawing near him, so he waved his hand with all his might.

"Syn! Here! I am here!"

She hurriedly traversed the last stretch of pavement to reach the car. She stopped a meter away from the man and acknowledged his greeting by bowing once.

"I am sorry to trouble you at this time of the night, Louis."

"What are you saying? This is my job. No need to feel apologetic."

"Thank you. You're the best."

The man beamed, pleased of the compliment that he had just received. Immediately after, he opened the door to the backseat of the car.

"Now, get inside and I'll take you to where was it again? Sors Bar?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Got it!"

Louis circumnavigated the vehicle, entering through the driver's door. He put on his seat belt, proceeding to turn the key to start the engine of the car. He reminded himself to drive cautiously because Syn will be grooming herself up in the back seat.

The instant she was seated, Syn removed the articles of clothing from the paper bag. Despite having a semi-plunging neckline, the structured, double-breasted white coat, with a puffed skirt reaching halfway down her shins, exhibited elegance. It was partnered with a black buckle belt to cinch her waist that was already slim to begin with.

There was also a red-bottomed, 5-inch pointed leather stiletto pumps in the same shade of white that the coat was in. Omitting the accessories that were chosen to embellish her get-up, she went on and got clothed. A glam make-up to let her features glow was the finishing touch.

"Louis, do you think it is fine if I leave my personal necklace and earrings on? These gems look much obnoxious. I don't wanna wear them."

"Sweety, no matter what you put on, a glimpse of your figure is enough to send someone into submission."

"N- no, that's not my intention. If you say that it's fine, then I guess it is."

"Besides, you won't take them off anyway. Those are mementos, right?"

When the word memento landed in her ears, Syn carefully touched the chain adorning her neck. A pitiful melancholy somehow washed over her being. It was simply a long strand of minuscule rose-gold chain links. It was designed in such a way that the short rod on one end would go through the ring, the former extending down the middle of her chest. 

"Yes..."

"Then you have your answer."

"You always give the simplest response, Louis. Now, the sole thing I'm missing is a bag or a purse. I cannot use my backpack, obviously. I might be seen as a weirdo."

"Oh! I forgot to tell you. Here," As Louis talked excitedly, he handed Syn another paper bag that he fetched from the passenger seat.

"It is our anniversary gift to you. We are aware of how hard you've been working ever since you joined the agency. And you were also the shining bridge of our relationship! Clark wanted to say his thanks personally, but he's overseas."

"But-!"

Syn wanted to decline the gift. The packaging alone made her think that the item was too expensive for her conscience to accept.

"If you reject this present, I won't talk to you anymore dear! Hurry! My hand is supposed to be on the shift! We'll die if you do not get this out of my hand this instant!"

She could only chuckle at the rather harmless joke that Louis spouted. At this point, the lady made an oath to return the gesture to these two people who had stayed with her through the ups and downs of her adulthood.

Syn wholeheartedly removed the bag from his hand and inspected the content. It was a pearl-white, grainy-leather top handle bag to match her outfit.

"I will express my gratitude on another day, Louis. Still, this is wonderful."

"It is evident in your voice, dearest. No worries, I'll be expecting it."

"Please do."

"Transfer your things pronto. We've almost arrived."

"Roger that."

Her small make-up pouch, hygiene pouch, wallet, phone, and a small notebook were the only necessities that she was planning on bringing.

VIP clients, unlike normal paying customers, preferred to have a polyamorous relationship with tractable prospects. They would solely settle to an exclusive contract with their partners, the reason why an extensive interview was traditional as the first meeting.

And that would be Syn's plan for tonight.

Latterly of a few minutes, the car soon halted in the middle of the driveway of the meeting place.

"Here we are, dear."

Syn gazed at the establishment where the car pulled in. It wasn't that extravagant of a place, to say the least. Nevertheless, it gave the atmosphere of luxury with the marbled walls, partnered with the intricate carvings on the stone pillars by the double doors, that were accessorized with stained glass portraits.

"Louis, do you really think that I will fit in that place?"

"If you don't, then no one does! Come on, hurry now. Hit me up when it's over."

Syn breathed out a sigh to pump herself before she exited the car. 

"Louis, thank you so much. I'll be meeting you again later." Syn said as she gave Louis one last look.

"Certainly, dear. Have a good time!"

Right after the end of their goodbyes, Louis drove off, abandoning Syn at the entrance of the bar. She was left alone to tread the snow-free path directly towards the entryway.

'Remember self, the goal is to acquire as much freedom as possible.'

Ilya soon ended her conversation with herself. She was now in front of the entrance, making her tap her chest in repeat.

'Why do I feel unnecessarily anxious? I've met up with a lot of clients. This isn't supposed to make me nervous.'

Mustering up some courage, her hand reached for the handle. As soon as she swung the door open, a man was there blocking the entry.

At that moment, their worlds became connected through their gazes.