THREE: LE VOIX

NOIR

"Would you like to-"

"I've seen enough for now," I said cutting her off.

I sighed.

Maybe that really doesn't happen all the time.

It didn't matter. Now I needed to get back to the hotel and work on my report. But would I need to include this?

She was still walking beside me.

I just wanted to get away from her.

Once we arrived at the reception she started talking again after dramatically clearing her throat.

"Well, Mr Noir it would be an honor doing business with you." Then she smiled.

"I look forward to it." I meant it sarcastically but she didn't need to know that.

***

As I relaxed in my bed, thoughts of her haunted my mind. I couldn't understand why anyone would have so much pain lurking behind a soul piercing set of eyes. She looked so miserable and I didn't know what to do.

I let out another heavy sigh as I turned for the millionth time. I couldn't sleep and I couldn't concentrate on anything else.

I started to over think again. I hated how my mind would dig so deep onto one small issue, event, person.

A blessing and a curse.

I couldn't help it but wonder about her past, present and future.

Something must've really messed her up.

Whatever it was, I couldn't get her out of my mind and I knew I would start digging for answers.

***

The next morning I was deeper in thought. So deep that I had no idea what I was doing.

It was supposed to be my day off. I would eventually end up doing some more work from the hotel room but I really didn't need to do anything that would stress me out.

But those eyes had become my obsession. So I set up a meeting.

In a few minutes I was seated with Yvonne in her office at the hospital.

After sending the reports last night my father had sent his approval and reminded me to make a good deal.

We sat in her office and I was determined to get exactly what I wanted.

"I sincerely apologize for yesterdays incident," Yvonne started after clearing her throat.

I smirked, making her shift in her seat.

"Its fine."

I picked up a pencil and notebook from her table and started to doodle mindlessly.

She watched silently for a few seconds before clearing her throat.

I looked up at her.

"Do you have anything to say?" I asked.

"Well umm... you don't seem to be paying attention to..."

I looked back down as I continued to doodle on the page.

"I-I just want to inform you now that your deal has been discussed and we'd be happy to work with you Mr Noir,"

I scoffed.

She was getting nervous and that was exactly what I needed.

"Miss Anderson my company is one of the largest in the world. I believe you should all be more than excited to be a part of it," I said with a subtle smirk.

She seemed to be looking for the right words to use next.

"But that's not all. Tell me more about the girl"

"You mean-"

"Yes. You know exactly who I'm taking about."

"Well s-she umm..."

"Aren't you the expert?"

I looked at her from head to crossed legs to toes.

"Yes I am."

"Then why are you choking on your words?"

She stared at me in disbelief. I sighed dramatically.

"Well this is enough for me to walk out the door but I'll sign this contract here and now if you let her out."

Her eyes widened and she finally found her voice. "What!?"

"Are you deaf?" I asked looking up and into her eyes.

"We can't just do that. She's in a very bad condition. This could take a lot of-"

"Stop talking," I said.

"I'm transferring her to a different psychiatrist. You obviously can't handle her condition. You can let me handle the paperwork. Hell, my assistant can get it done and you're sitting there whining about it," I added.

Silence.

"So do we have a deal?"

"You can't be serious" she said getting up.

"But I am," I said grabbing her arm and forcing her back into her seat.

Another moment of silence passed by before she straightened her back and tilted her chin.

"Fine. I'll take care of it"

"Can I trust you to do that?"

"Of course" she replied with a half hearted smile

"You seem to think we work together now. You don't work with me Anderson, you work for me. So you will treat me with a little more respect and you will follow my orders without hesitation. Understood?

"Yes," she said with a nod.

I leaned in closer.

"Yes what?"

Her eyes widened and she swallowed visibly.

"Yes, sir"

I leaned back I'm my seat and stared at her for a few seconds. I could tell she wasn't happy with this deal, but if she didn't sign with me now, her business would fall through faster than she could explain.

Then just like that, I stood up and held out my hand.

She took it and rose gracefully but I could sense how tense she was.

"I'd like to see her now," the words left my mouth, shocking us both.

She reluctantly walked through the door after I opened it.

DANICA

I was seated on the floor with my legs folded. I ran my hands through my hair, hoping to tame it. That never worked.

I wanted to be calm and somehow I managed to create that feeling for a few minutes.

The voices would never be quiet and I embraced them. Not that anything made sense to me but I wasn't thinking of anything in particular.

I focused on the tune I was humming in an endless loop. I couldn't remember where it came from, but it was soothing.

The door opened and devastation took over me at the thought of Yvonne coming back to hurt me. Again.

I didn't stop though.

There was silence for a few seconds before,

"Leave."

Wait... I know that voice.

He walked over to me. His presence was familiar. I immediately knew it was him.

My fingers continued to tangle in my hair and I wouldn't let go of the tune.

He stood there, watching me. I felt his eyes burn a hole into my head.

I stood up and started to pace the room, feeling a sudden urge to get away from him.

He sat on the bed calmly, still staring at me.

What the hell...

"You never told me your name," he said casually.

I stopped and turned around. I looked at him but avoided eye contact.

"Danica."

A small smile appeared on his face.A few more seconds of silence passed by."Why are you here?" I asked.

He stared at me blankly. "I came to talk to you. Don't you get bored?"

"Yvonne keeps me company." The words were bitter as the left my tongue.

"What kind of company?"

I shivered and my legs almost gave out. He noticed and frowned.

"Are you okay?" I let out a small bitter laugh. "People like me don't get to be okay."

He nodded silently. "How long have you been in here?" he asked. I didn't bother thinking about it. "I lost record of time," I replied honestly. The frown didn't leave his face but I could tell he was being careful not to ask the wrong questions.

I tilted my head.

"You're a strange man." My statement seemed to have amused him.

"Why aren't you scared of me?"I asked. That was the most important question to me. He smiled.

"Should I be?"

He looked at me like he was desperately trying to figure me out. So I gave him an honest answer.

"Yes."