9. Two Creatures

Jasper was afraid that the depths of Zalina's eyes would squeeze into his mind, and that would overshadow the days to come. However, he was not willing to let go of those desperate eyes.

After an agonizing silence, Zalina let go of Jasper's hand. The man's face seemed ready to explode, still with his arrogant attitude. Zalina turned gloomy because she had guessed that Jasper would reject her.

"What if I don't live up to your expectations?" Jasper asked as Zalina was about to walk away.

Zalina undoes her steps to return to the sofa. He looked back at the handsome man in front of her.

"At least I will find a reason why you are different from the others."

"Sorry, I can't help you, Zalina. There's no time for me to do trivial things like this. I also don't want you to stick around by my side. I have an image to maintain."

Zalina now sees an arrogant and unsympathetic face. Tears started to well up in her eyes. She blinked a few times so Jasper wouldn't notice her feelings, maybe because she had too much hope in Jasper.

Jasper noticed Zalina's efforts to get rid of her tears. He didn't want to be influenced, so he chose to walk toward his desk.

"You've got my answer, so you have no business here anymore."

"Help me, Mr. Jasper!" Zalina begged back.

Jasper turned his gaze to the computer screen. "No, please come out. I have to work."

Even though she was reluctant to go and wanted to try to persuade Jasper, Zalina had to get out of that place. For some reason, her chest felt tight, as if he had a broken heart. Even though she had often been rejected, she wasn't a crybaby either.

After taking her bag to the sofa, Zalina then looked back at Jasper, who was starting to get busy with the piles of documents on his desk.

"Sorry for taking up your time, and thanks for helping me. Excuse me."

Jasper didn't answer until Zalina disappeared behind the door. Zalina wanted to cry right then and there, but she was still in a public place. When she came down, and through the lobby, people looked at her with disdain.

"Your cunning trick worked, you wolf in sheep's clothing!" said Rose, speaking loud enough for others to hear her.

Zalina ignored Rose's reproaches and continued to walk out of the Blackmore company building.

"Image, he said. Huh, what's wrong with me? Am I that bad that it can affect his image?" Zalina muttered while walking.

 Recalling Jasper's attitude made Zalina annoyed.

"Is it because he's great? Is it because he's famous and wealthy? Is it because he's handsome that makes him act arrogant? Even if he were a beggar, I wouldn't care. I would still touch his hand. I want him to help me!"

Zalina talked to herself until the people around looked at her strangely.

She stopped at a red light to cross the street with other pedestrians. When she looked across the street, she saw a man dressed in all black standing looking at her.

Suddenly, her chest felt so tight that it made it difficult for her to breathe. When her view is blocked by a passing bus, she no longer sees the man's figure dressed in all black. And at that moment, she was able to breathe normally again.

'That person is the same person I saw earlier.'

Zalina looked breathless, looking around.

Before Zalina collapsed in front of the lobby and was carried by Jasper to his room, she saw a man dressed in all black pass. At that moment, Zalina immediately felt something strange in her body, her neck seemed to choke, and she had stomach pain.

Is it because after meeting and seeing the man, Zalina feels pain in her body? If so, why did it happen? Who is the man in all black?

When she was on the double-decker bus, Zalina was still shocked by what had just happened. She was stunned with a raging thought.

"Why do I have to experience strange things in my life? What's the matter with me?" Zalina mumbled to herself, looking out through the bus window.

In the morning, Mrs. Roston opened the bedroom door and found her daughter lying in bed. She knew Zalina had opened her eyes.

"You're not leaving today?" Mrs. Roston asked.

"No, Mom."

"Finding a job is hard, especially not having experience. But eventually, you'll find a job that suits you."

"No one will hire a strange woman like me," said Zalina under the covers.

"Who said? Yesterday I met Mrs. Nora. She asked about you. She said you could work with her for a pretty good salary. You might try the job."

Zalina opened the blanket covering her body, and her mother's words attracted her.

"What kind of job?"

"If you want, I will call her, and she will explain."

Zalina thought that instead of constantly contemplating in the room, it was better for her to work. She agreed with her mother's proposal to see Mrs. Nora.

"What? Is she a psychic?" Zalina asked when they headed to Mrs. Nora's house.

"She's a psychic. People who come to her often and from all walks of life."

"But I don't want to be like her, Mom. You know, I'm terrified of ghosts."

"You work to help Mrs. Nora, not to become like her. Instead of constantly lamenting your fate, you can use your abilities to make money."

There is nothing wrong with her mother's thinking, although Zalina does doubtful about the type of work she will do. When they arrived at Mrs. Nora's house, a different aura began to be felt. The smell of incense was so pungent that it pierced the nose.

 "Come in!" Mrs. Nora smiled at their arrival. The woman was about sixty years old.

They entered one of the rooms and sat facing each other.

"Finally, I got to meet you. I've heard of you, a girl of death," said Mrs. Nora.

Zalina showed a displeased face when she heard Mrs. Nora's words. She hated that nickname.

As if she understood what Zalina was feeling, Mrs. Nora immediately added her words.

"You don't worry, and there's nothing like that even in my world as a psychic. Death isn't something we can control. Nothing can escape death wherever we run."

"We understand that, Mrs. Nora. I'm sad people avoid my daughter like she's a venomous and poisonous animal."

"I see. Zalina, I have an easy job for you. You have to wait and see what happens to them. My abilities have diminished due to age. I heard you need to touch their hands. Is that right?"

Zalina nodded while glancing at her mother. She was sure her mother had told Mrs. Nora beforehand.

Mrs. Nora extended her hand to Zalina. "May I touch your hand?"

Zalina nodded and held out her hand. Zalina could see the image coming from Mrs. Nora. Mrs. Nora seemed to be frowning.

"Have you been disturbed by something or experiencing mystical things?" asked Mrs. Nora.

Mrs. Roston and Zalina looked at each other for a moment. Before Mrs. Roston finally answered.

"No, why?"

"Two creatures are roaming around you, especially around Zalina."

"A creature?"

"Yes, a kind of stealth," said Mrs. Nora.