by Jayde Scott
"Your parcel will arrive soon," I said, my focus returning to my customer. "As part of our endeavour to provide the best customer service in the world we offer our valued customers the possibility to rate the representative. From one to ten, how would you rate my service?" I made it sound like it was no biggie, but inside my head I was shaking and chanting, Please, say ten, or else I won't be appraised advisor of the month.
"Just get the parcel to me." The line disconnected.
I gulped, a hot flush washing over me as I peered around to make sure no one was listening. A dissatisfied customer wasn't exactly a sign of competence. Hopefully, my boss didn't record the call.
"Thank you for calling Skylife. Have a lovely day," I whispered.
That was the risk of working in customer service, not being able to avoid the usual jerks. Fortunately for them, I had the patience of a saint, which came from my mother's side of the family.
The next few callers were more cooperative. Before I knew it, it was time for my lunch break. I headed for the nearest café to get a grand latte and a chocolate croissant, then returned to my desk and devoured the hot pastry, washing it down with the sickeningly sweet drink as listened to the chatting voices around me. My half hour was barely over when my line rang again.
"Skylife customer service. Cassandra speaking. How may I help you?" I took a last sip of my coffee and almost spit it over my keyboard at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Any updates on my parcel yet?" There were more than a dozen other operators in this room. How the heck did he get directed to me?
"It's been only a few hours, sir. Please wait until tomorrow. I'm sure the post will deliver it first thing in the morning."
"Are you talking facts or are you just making an assumption?"
"I—" My eyes darted about, taking in the tiny desk littered with pens and loose sheets, as I considered whether to lie. If I told the truth, he'd never rate me a ten. "Someone told me."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "You have the inside scoop from the dispatch department."
Huh? "Excuse me?"
"Come on, tell me what you know. Where is it? Is someone making this hard on me on purpose?"
What gave the idiot the impression a huge company like Skyline cared about a single shopper? "We want to keep our customers happy.
Why don't you give me your number and I'll call you as soon as we know more?"
"You'll call?"
He sounded so hopeful, my smile returned. "Of course. We want you to get your items as quickly as possible. I'll make this a top priority."
"Okay." He repeated his number twice, just in case I was too dense to note it down properly the first time around. "Don't forget,"
he said before hanging up.
I'd never met anyone so obnoxious, but the line rang again and I forgot about him. Outside, darkness descended, carrying heavy clouds that promised a rainy night.
"I'm off," Rick whispered behind me. "See you after your holidays."
Nodding, I waved and responded to my last customer of the day.
"You never called even though you said you would," the same guy said.
"How—" It didn't matter why he got re-routed to me yet again. I needed to keep a professional attitude so, naturally, I told a lie. "Our dispatch department is still investigating. I promise I'll get back to you as soon as I know more. If there's nothing else—"
"Actually, there is." The guy took a deep breath. "You're located only a few miles away. Why don't you pop over and deliver the parcel yourself?"
For a moment, I stared at the phone, lost for words. In the twelve months I'd been working there, I received the weirdest requests, but none involved playing postman while being telephone stalked. My anger flared up and Kinky wasn't helping by making himself heard again.
Piss off, mate. Kinky had a point.
"I'm sorry, sir. I wish I could do that, but it's against company policy to visit a customer." I kept my smile in place even though I didn't feel like it.
"Not good enough. I need this parcel today. You don't seem very busy, so make yourself useful and bring it over."
Why, he was one infuriating guy. He could call himself lucky that I took my job very seriously. "I’m afraid that's not possible, sir."
"Why not?"
"Because it's against—"
"I want my parcel."
Kinky snorted. Tell him to pop over and you'll shove it up his—
Don't listen to Kinky. The poor man's desperate, Cassie. For all you know he might be trying to protect his pet cat from wild animals, Pinky said.
Kinky laughed into my eardrum. More likely from your bad breath, you diaper-wearing, inflated—
My customer said something I missed. Was that how a schizophrenic felt? I couldn't take it any more. "Shut up," I yelled. My work mates peered up from their computers screens. I smiled at them and pointed at the papers on my desk as thought that would explain my outburst.
The guy on the line took a sharp breath. "What did you just say to me?"
Kinky looked away, pouting. I slapped my hand against my left shoulder even though I must've tried a million times before and knew there was no chance in Hell I'd get rid of him. "Not you, sir. My colleague's been—" Breaking off, I rubbed my temples. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
"Apology not accepted, unless you bring over my stuff."
Bring over my stuff, Kinky mocked. Tell him, I'll pop over and put the mace—
"But hurry up. The game's starting at seven and I don't want to be interrupted," the guy continued.
My blood was boiling. "What do you think I am? A delivery courier? Why don't you make use of all the waiting on your hands and get a life in the meantime? You'll thank me later."
For the first time in my promising career, I did the unspeakable and hung up on a customer, instantly regretting it. What was I thinking? I loved my job. If I got fired, Dad would request that I move back home and I'd rather not.
You see, as a child, I was always the odd one out. When other girls dressed in pink and white, I could only wear black and blood red
—as in red with loads of blood splatters. It was my father's sense of fashion.
Other girls had puppies and fluffy kittens to cuddle. I had a beast of a hound with blazing red eyes and unnatural speed. Bruno was the stuff of nightmares, and would devour anything coming within a thirty-mile radius. At least, I was never bullied since the few kids that tried, disappeared forever. Dad said they moved home, but I knew better.
I always knew my parents weren't the usual sales clerk and nurse; Mother was a high-ranking angel, seraph to be more precise since she hated being called a mere angel. How she met and fell in love with someone like Lucifer was beyond me, but it goes to show love is blind. Once the infatuation's gone, so are the pink goggles.
Now, when we all gathered for birthdays, they couldn't even pretend to like each other.
"See what you've done, Kinky?" I glowered at his smug smile. He shrugged and disappeared in a huge flame that sizzled. He was just hiding in my purse until the air cleared again and he resumed causing more mischief.
A clock stroke six, ending my last working day. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and headed home. I drove through the crowded city like a maniac, barely halting at stop signs, and arrived at my one bed flat in record time. If Dad wasn't so stingy, I could afford at least a mansion, but he wasn't keen on his only child walking among mortals, and so he kept me on a very short financial leash.
I barely got out of my SUV, an expensive reminder of my family heirloom, when I smelled something in the air. Kneeling on the naked ground, I caught a whiff of a sweet scent I couldn't pinpoint. My heart fluttered in my chest, my legs turned to jelly. This sure beat even the turmoil at work.
Oh, this is good stuff. Kinky was back, his moaning interrupting my concentration.
"It's probably just drama, someone getting into big trouble," I whispered, unlocking the front door. The reflection of a
guy mirrored in the glass. My breath caught in my throat, as I stood frozen to the spot. The hazel eyes, dark blond hair and golden skin disappeared again, and for a moment I wasn't sure whether I imagined seeing him.
You should get a piece of that, Kinky said.
You know you mustn't. Your mother would be very disappointed, Pinky said.
Kinky snorted. Shut up, Stinky. You wouldn't know fun if it bit you in the—
Don't you dare call me 'Stinky'. Unlike you, I bathe every day and—
"Shut up, both of you." I shook my head and headed up the stairs, eager to lock myself up in the privacy of my four walls. I might not be able to escape the irritating angel and devil sitting on my shoulders, but at least I could pretend.
Chapter 4 – The bond
"Cass?" Dallas's voice echoed through the corridor. I turned, my heart catching in my throat. Even though we met months ago and barely exchanged a word, I'd recognise his scent from a mile.
Hundreds of thoughts raced through my mind. What was he doing in London? Did he live nearby? Was he seeing someone? Did he like chocolate?
I peered down at my crumpled denims, and ran a hand through my red, unruly hair, then turned to regard him.
Standing in the hall, a hesitant smile playing on his lips, he was staring straight back at me. His face looked pale against the black of his jacket; the fluorescent light cast a garish glow on his shiny hair. He inched closer, hesitant. "I'm Dallas. You probably don't remember me."
I did. How could I forget the face I'd been thinking of for the last few months? Granted, I could've called over some of Dad's demons and demand they track him down, but that wouldn't have been the brightest idea. For one, they might've decided to bite off a leg or two in the process, or worse—tell Dad about my new love interest. Dad didn't need to know I'd fallen for a mortal, and no less one that couldn't keep a job for longer than three months.
"I know who you are." My voice almost broke off. A hot rush washed over me. My vision blurred. I sniffled, then sneezed very un ladylike. I gathered I must be coming down with a cold.
He beamed, nodding. "Want to grab a cup of coffee? I know it's late and…" He trailed off.
"Sounds great." I smiled and marched over to him, ready to head out again. No harm done in joining the guy for a drink. Dad would never find out. It wasn't like I was running off to marry Dallas, or anything.
"Sorry about the call," Dallas said as soon as we had taken our seats at a nearby café. "I didn't mean to come across like a total jack-off."
I frowned. "What?"
"I'm usually much friendlier, but I really need that security stuff."
My eyes scanned his features because I had no idea what he was talking about. Then it dawned on me. "You're the one pestering me all day."
"I'm sorry."
"Did you follow me?" My voice sounded thin, barely more than a whisper.
He winced, a tiny frown crossing his brows. "I guess you could call it that. I thought I'd pay Skylife a visit to complain when you walked out the door. Your hair seemed so familiar."
I couldn't blame him. A red, unruly mane wasn't very common in the land of L'Oreal and hair straighteners. I smirked. "I'm glad you remembered me for something."
He reached out, his hand stopping inches from my fingers. "How could I forget you? I love your style."
"Thank you. As Oscar Wilde once said, Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." My cheeks flushed. The guy obviously had a great fashion sense 'cause there weren't many people who understood my style of crumpled jeans and lots of colour.
His eyes shimmered in the dim room. "I'm just glad we got to meet again."
One couldn't exactly call it an accident, more like accidental stalking. Come to think of it, it wasn't even accidental since he chose to follow me home. His insolence would have had any other girl fuming, but I was compelled to feel flattered. Guys weren't usually mesmerised by my hair, colour or cut. And then my father's DNA came with a few perks as well, like causing uneasiness in the pit of a mortal's stomach if he so much as glanced at me from a distance in a crowded room. Naturally, some were more receptive than others.
Dallas must belong to a rare species that was completely oblivious to the danger pouring from my every pore.
"Are you angry?" he asked.
I shook my head, mesmerized by his gaze, not to mention the bulging muscles. "Don't assume because I have red hair, I jump to being a hothead."
Dallas shook his head. "Never." I couldn't help but smile. His hazel eyes peered into my very soul as he continued, "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
I blinked, surprised at a guy asking such a question. "I don't." Or so I thought, until a few seconds ago. But I wasn't going to blurt that out.
"I don't follow pretty girls home, but you captivated me like no other I've ever met," Dallas said. "I had to talk to you, no matter what it took. I'm sorry."
"Water under the bridge." I laughed, feeling a slight pull toward him. "But you'll have to work on those telephone manners of yours."
Tell him to jump in the lake. I shook my head at Kinky who'd just made his grand appearance again.
"Let me make it up to, I insist. How about dinner at the place of your choice?" Dallas asked.
I looked at my watch, stalling for time. Did I really want to have dinner with a gorgeous yet mortal guy? Dad would be livid. "It's late."
"My telephone manners might suck, but my dinner manners are halfway decent. I do eat with my mouth closed and I've recently learned to use a fork." I laughed. Dallas's eyes sparkled with humour.
"Listen, it's the least I can do for you. I won't be able to go to sleep knowing I treated you like crap. I'll look like a zombie tomorrow with big bloodshot eyes and—"
Say yes. We'll order lobster and let him foot the bill, Kinky said.
Dinner's very romantic, Pinky whispered. Tell him he mustn't forget the flowers.
Who needs flowers when she can smell him, you idiot? Kinky yelled.
"Shut up," I hissed.
Dallas frowned. "What?"
"I mean, shut up! I'd love dinner." I shot my two companions an imploring look, hoping they wouldn't ruin this date like they ruined everything else such as my life.
"What about right now?" Dallas cocked a brow, expectantly. "I don't have any plans."
I nodded and grabbed the menu, burying my face into the thick cover because I figured if I kept looking into those gorgeous gold-speckled eyes I might just faint. I'd never felt so drawn in before; he was making my head all dizzy. Something was wrong. Maybe the coffee was too strong, causing my blood pressure to jump through the roof.
It's the bond, Pinky squealed. How magical that you should meet your soul mate this way.
You don't want to be tied down for the rest of your life like some ball and chain, Kinky said.
Did he just say 'soul mate'? I blinked, my mind unable to comprehend Pinky's insinuation. It couldn't be. I'd know if Dallas was the one, my soul mate, the one given to me by Fate.
It's him. I can see the silver thread drawing you to one another.
Pinky started clapping in my ear. Look at you! You make such an adorable couple.
"What are you having?" Dallas asked, eyes beaming, face glowing unnaturally. The thought of food made me nauseous. And I was never one to turn down a good steak. Dallas didn't seem to fare any better though. Tiny beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face. Maybe he was as nervous as I was. When he noticed me staring, his cheeks grew red as though he was burning from the inside out.
"Is something wrong with your temperature?" I leaned forward and pressed my palm against his forehead. His skin felt like fire.
Maybe I should run and get him an ice pack. Or pour out the glass of soda and dump the ice over his head. Boy, that'd make a great first impression on our very first so-called date.
He caught my hand and kissed my wrist. His soft lips made my whole body tingle, his hot breath grazed my skin as he whispered,
"Never felt b
etter." Something sparkled between us, the air crackled.
A shiver ran down my spine. Dallas dropped my hand again. "I didn't realise what I was doing."
Something wasn't right. I had to get out of here. I jumped up mumbling, "I need to use the restroom."
"Cass," Dallas called after me, but I didn't stop.
Forcing my way through the crowded tables, I reached the cold bathroom and locked myself inside, then took out my phone, dizzy. I speed-dialled Aunt Krista's number because she was the only person who would know. I mean, the woman had been married a million times, so she had plenty of experience.
"Darling-girl, so good to hear from you." She sounded genuinely excited. I gathered I had her attention for all of ten seconds.
I took a deep, steadying breath. "Auntie, you know the bond?
Have you ever felt it with anyone?"
She let out that high-pitched helium laughter of hers. "Of course I did."
My heart calmed down a little at the prospect of finding out what was going on. "What was it like?"
"Can't tell you before you're eighteen. Your father would kill me."
Ready to lie my way through this conversation, I rolled my eyes.
She wouldn't know anyway. "I turned eighteen a while back."
"When?"
I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "A few hundred years ago."
"Are you sure, darling?"
"Don’t you think I know my date of birth?" I said. "Want me to fetch a demon to bring over my birth certificate? He'd be there in a jiffy." I bit my lip, hoping she bought my bluff.
