Chapter 71 The package.

Chapter 71 The package.
Ariel

“So… how are you feeling?” I glanced at Jonas, who was way more excited about the results of our most current A&R meeting than me. “Your song made it to the tracklist.” 

I shrugged. “Great.” 

He pursed his lips. “You do not look great.”

Yeah, maybe. Mostly because I wasn't exactly sure how I felt. I mean, I guess I'm excited but I'm also nervous and numb and just unsure about this whole inclusion in my own creative direction. Richard had always made sure I had no say.

“I am."

“Are you not happy?”

I folded my arms in front of the elevator on the conference rooms' floor as we waited for it to come up.

“I am. I'm just nervous.”

"Oh, valid. I mean, this is the first time your song is getting the recognition it deserves since you debuted. Anyone would be nervous.”

“Yeah.”

"Well, recording sessions are going to start from next week. Keke said she's going to communicate the time and dates of the concept meetings once everything is set. You're to be in attendance to chip in your ideas for the album identity."

The elevator doors opened and we entered. “Okay.”

“What is next?” I asked when we got to the work van in the underground parking lot.

"Final fittings with Sofia Bellucci for the CMA event.”

Oh right. “And that will be all for today. Tomorrow is pretty light so you don't need to be at the company till…” He took out his tablet and fished out my schedule. “... 2. Dance rehearsals.”

Great.

“I'll send the van for you.”



I was surprised to see a large box sitting in front of my door when I got to my apartment much later that night. A plain black surface with a red flower design and no address – I was scared, of course, until I remembered that Kael had said he would send a package to my apartment today. 

I approached it carefully as I wondered if this was it. I felt around the box carefully. It was sealed. Sleek. And heavy — I realised after trying to lift it. 

Wow. 

What could be inside? He'd said it was for Vincent. Was it like a secret mission thing? It had this briefcase look going on so maybe.

I swiped open my door with my key card before attempting to carry it again. This time I managed but had to use my leg to pull open the door and then shut it before heading into the living room.

I barely made it past the entrance before I felt something cold press against my head. “Oh my God!” I yelped just as the box dropped from my hands. 

A loud bang rang through the dark space.

“W-who are you? What do you want?” I muttered as I tried to make out things in my living room. 

Oh shit. Is Vincent okay? 

Whatever the cold thing was, it moved away from my head just before the lights turned on. I whipped my head back to see the said Vincent by the switch.

“Are you—” was he the one who just held a… gun against my head. My eyes widened as they took in the gun in his hands.

He was still shirtless and bandaged up—only around his torso—but in black trousers instead of the hospital clothes this time. He tucked the gun away and limped to the couch like he hadn't just tried to kill me. What the fuck?!

“What was that for?”

“I thought it was an intruder.”

“An intruder?! That has the access card to my apartment?”

“Digital pads are quite easy to break into. No keycode or… cards necessary.”

Wow. Just knowing that there was a stranger in my apartment, my once safe space, with a GUN was sending me into a panicked state while he just sat there nonchalantly.

I was pissed. But also scared. 

“We should create a signal between us.”

“A signal?”

He nodded. “To let me know you're the one. Numbers? Morse code—”

“There's a front door camera, you know.” I glanced at the camera system setup on the wall close to the foyer angrily. The fact that I need a signal to get into my own home.

He glanced at it too. “Oh yes. I checked it though. It's off.”

“Huh?” I walked towards it and tried to turn it on. It was indeed off and wouldn't work. What the— 

It was working just… a few days ago. Fine, I don't use it often since I know the number of people that came into my own home, so it was possible that it might have gone off days beforehand today.

“Fuck.” I muttered under my breath and turned back to him. “I think it's spoilt. I'll call maintenance.”

“No!” I flinched at the firm tone. “No one can come in here for now.”

Right. But… “You can stay in the room though while they—”

“No. We'll use the doorbell ring. That works pretty well.”

Wow. I nodded after a minute.

Now—oh fuck, the box.

“What is that?” Vincent asked as I rushed towards it worriedly. 

“I don't know.” I inspected it for any scratches. It still seemed pretty good, but something could have broken inside.

“It's not yours?” I glanced up at the sudden bite in his tone.

“No. It's yours.” 

“What? From who?”

“Kael. He said he would send it earlier this morning.”

“Oh.”

He stared at the box with a raised eyebrow. “Open it.”

“What?”

He gestured towards the box. “Open it.”

Shit. Why? Was there something dangerous in it?

I knelt beside the box and felt around for the seal again. Once I was able to pop open the box, I was surprised to find out what was in the box.

“What is it?”

I pulled out box after box of transparent containers containing cooked food and prepped ingredients. What the fuck?

This was what he sent to him? Or did I grab the wrong package? Maybe this wasn't it.

I flinched when Vincent stood up. He started to approach the boxes. “I… I think I grabbed the wrong package. Sorry.”

"No, it’s the right one.”

“Oh.” I stood up properly. I mean, it made sense, but then with this amount of food, how long was he planning to stay here?

He grabbed one of the containers and started to inspect it. I stared at him awkwardly as he did so and averted my gaze when he suddenly glanced at him.

“Uh… I'll go to my room then.”

"Except… You want me to help—”

“It’s fine. You can go.”

Oh thank heavens. I got out of there quickly.