Prologue

[Can I tell you a secret?]

It is a comfortable weather. A sleepy mood right after a rainfall. As if the mother nature is trying to lull me to sleep, close my eyes and pass out.

[If I tell you, will you keep it safe?]

I put my head on my working desk and look outside the window with painfully opened eyes. He is staring at me, like always, ever since I was given this desk beside this window. With that flashy toothy smile holding that toothpaste in his hands.

[No, more importantly, will you believe it?]

The desk suddenly vibrates with a loud thud. I jolt up and look at the fresh new collection of files before me. Calm down heart! Don't give up now.

[Even if it sounds crazy?]

"Take a few day off. You look horrible." Mia says with a cold face but I know she is worried.

"Yeah, I agree. It's not like you need to come here everyday anyway. You can work from home." Cienna walks over from her desk with her phone and her life support, a cup of self-made coffee.

[Do you promise not to laugh it off?]

I try to laugh it off, but it sounded pathetic even to myself. "What are you talking about? I have the current most handsome man staring at me. How could I not feel motivated?"

Mia looks outside and sighs. "I am going to call them to take that damn billboard off."

[Are you going to stop being my friend after hearing it?]

"What? You can't! His smile is the only thing keeping me sane right now." I try to reason. It is somewhat true.  I mean, he is currently my favourite celebrity afterall.

Mia and I argue, like always. Cienna is used to our constant quarrels and instead chooses to scroll through her phone.

[Are you going to think I joined some weird cult?]

"Gosh, the water filter broke." A co-worker says in the background. Mia stops our 'talk' to focus on the sudden crisis, since she was given the responsibility of this floor.

"Again?" Though she doesn't want to, her voice sounded cold.

"Y-yeah. I didn't do it though. Why are you accusing me?" The same co-worker asks in panic.

She wasn't accusing though.

[I cannot actually prove it to you, but I can feel it.]

Mia sighs. "It's alright. I will talk about it to the boss." Then turns to me, "and you," she points a finger at me, "finished those files I gave you a few days ago?"

"Yes ma'am"

"Bring them to my office then." Then turns on her heels.

"Ooh chilly." Cienna sips on her coffee.

"Go back to work, Cienna."

[No, it actually happened to me some times.]

I sigh and dig up through the previous files. I feel like a headache forming. Maybe I should tell Cii to make a cup for me the next time.

I stand up from my seat, ignoring the ache. For some reason, I start hearing strange whispers. The whispers in a language that doesn't exist in this world. A language that was taught by my grandma for some reason.

[Ok, so... the thing is...]

I walk outside the hallway and towards the stairs. The whispers sound gribblish and I can't make the words out of it. I was so focused on the whispers that I didn't notice stepping on the puddle of water.

<<...And let the water guide us to the other end of the loop >>

Everything suddenly went white before I found myself standing over a puddle of water in the central city park.

[Do you believe in magic?]