Sickly Twisted III- Schemes

With such impolite hanging up the phone from the man on the other line, Eric snickered rather delighted to himself. It's not a total surprise when Simon said Aurelia burned his house, that girl is just another crazy people he knows in this life, but it's somewhat amusing that the girl can pull through such a trap in his cousin's back—which is an absolute madman in the field that is always sharp for such petty schemes.

What happened to that sickly twisted man who has only the logic of serving justice to the blackened society?

Alas, if Simon just truly knows the true nature of that beauty.

Eric whistled as he descended the stairs of his house, the house is quiet other than the low noise of the television. James observes him from the corner of his eyes and when he ensures that the man is quite in a good mood is when he snuggled himself on the comfort of the sofa bed. He's carefully walking on eggshells with Eric given the discovery of him being an enemy's helper. But that didn't mean he's not trying to provoke him or what because he sure is.

But the last of their recent argument just gave him the idea that Eric is also trying to aggravate him.

Though he may or may not believe what he just revealed.

He's quite disappointed that their enemy is advancing because he thought all of the means are in favor of him even from the beginning.

He already missed Aurelia. No, he still is missing her.

"Why don't you rest now James? It's already one in the morning," Eric asked him when he passed the sofa he's currently in to get to the kitchen and find water to drink. James could only sigh to his heart, it's instead hard to talk casually to Eric now because all he wants to do is to strangle the man here and there to know all the truth.

But it's not likely to solve the problem just like that because he's not the main culprit. Though he's the mastermind in what he guesses, Simon is the one that should be deterred.

How dare he mess with Aurelia, that twisted doctor.

It seems that every doctor he met is a lunatic, how tragic is that?

"Good morning then," James greeted with a non-existent enthusiasm that counters the 'good' in his good morning. Eric just chuckled though in his mind he's starting to feel the mood change between them. Eric knows that something had changed in James after just a day.

He counts back on what Simon had said to him in his call, he suspects that James had something to do with Aurelia escaping and burning the house, but how? It's not scientifically possible for James to be here with him all the time but still help Aurelia to break the door of Simon's house for her to escape. It's not that he can teleport from here and there, not to mention he does not know where the two were residing. He also supposed to have amnesia that just remembered Aurelia being a dead person, right?

Though Eric has his doubt on the last reason, the first two are enough for him to conclude it's quite impossible for James to conspire with Aurelia to let her escape. And if and only if, he had helped her why would he still be here?

Still, Eric is confused about the fact that Aurelia does not have any means to have and get gasoline to burn the house, and also, he knows firsthand that Simon's houses come with the most hi-tech security systems that keys and chains are not enough to filter or breakthrough. He's not convinced that Aurelia just got her little hands on a key and can manage to then run out.

It's truly a mystery that Eric is anticipating to solve. As he watched the lazy figure on the couch while drinking, he smirked in himself. Surely, that man on the sofa has secrets of his own. Either he himself is potent enough to do that or he has a backup plan and supporter, Eric doesn't dare to belittle this man. It's what makes him interesting in his eyes after all.

---

After Aurelia change or rather put on clothes, Simon lead the way to the building. She followed him without saying anything and just looking around the place. It's clear to see that people in here are quite lively but she's not sure if this is a hotel or a company as people have been divided into two groups, one clothed as doctors and the other clothed as civilians. There are no other signs or emblem in the reception room but all just things that made the whole floor looked elegant.

Simon had been called often by the people they passed by and he will nod once to acknowledge it, sometimes smiling and giving high fives here and there. But something told Aurelia that Simon has not had a deep relationship with these people and just an act that he always pulls when he's dealing with his job, like the first time they met. He's smiling and all, but all is just a professional pretense.

Now that she thinks about it, she never even saw him smile as in for real. She really did not know this man at all after all.

Also, she didn't forget the puzzle of Simon's true name.

Though Simon had said before it's not his true name, what is that document before that she saw then? Why everyone here called him Simon as well? Is it just his alias or there's another Simon or what?

"Oh, can you look at that? Why are you here again Dr. Miller?" A man in his lab gown greets Simon with a teasing tone that earned him a pointed look. Aurelia looks back and forth at the two in front of her and even if Simon, for the first time didn't smile and greet back the one who addresses him, it's obvious they're quite close.

"Karl, what are you doing polluting the air here?" Simon asked and he stepped into the elevator and Aurelia follows. The man smiled at them but his eyes lingered on Aurelia before following them inside.

"That's harsh but I'm taking off actually when I saw that you finally leave your almighty abode that you seem to enjoy these past few days." The man said and it seems that his tone is naturally sounded like a mockery. Simon sighed and peeked at Aurelia.

"Well, my almighty abode is probably ashes now so I—we are staying here." He cleared his throat and Aurelia didn't know why her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Does he really need to announce that to the world?

Though Simon didn't say her name only an idiot will not get what he's indicating.

"Really? Why? I didn't take you as someone who will be that irresponsible Simon," The man disappointedly said while shaking his head to add a point.

Well, it looks like this man is an idiot.

Simon just ignored the man so silence then followed until the elevator tinged. They get out and walked into the hallway full of doors on either side in Aurelia's surprise. The whole floor is huge complete with a chandelier and themed with gold and black colors that contrasted the red carpet like a five-star hotel.

"Where are we going?" Aurelia whispered to Simon in her side. He ignored her and just walked and walked until they get to the end of the hallway where there was an odd black door that stood out from the yellow dimmed light.

"You can leave now," Simon stated and just closed the door abruptly at the man's face when they entered the room using a key card. Aurelia saw the man smirked before Simon already closed the door and she can't ignore the meaningful look that she got from him when he does so.

Why does that man always have his eyes on her this whole time? Well, she knows she's charming with incredible looks but that man is not her type so he better back off.

Okay, that's extra. It's obvious that man is malicious but not with himself but with Simon. Does he think that she has a relationship with Simon?

She looks at Simon.

Well, he's not that bad.

No!

Goodness, she still has a boyfriend, hello? Why does she always forget James in this kind of situations? She's not single that can openly flirt with just anyone. Much more with a crazy man. Who also kidnapped her.

And whom she stabbed and burned the house of.

Right.

"Well, you're undoubtedly rich huh? Say, how many houses do you have?" She asked after clearing her thoughts as her mind wondered with nonsense. Simon is currently pacing about the room like checking for something.

"Hm, I just rent houses from my colleagues. We have houses in every state." He answered vaguely and Aurelia's jaw dropped. What? Does that mean that the house that she just burned maybe not his? Damn she hopes not, if then how shameful to burn the house of others like that.

But on the second thought why would she feel remorse? They're the first one that should feel ashamed because they're kidnapping people that is likely to retaliate no?

"I will wash up first and I will introduce you to them." He said while facing her after he got clothes from somewhere. She nodded absentmindedly but then widened her eyes.

"What? Why?" Aurelia asked with a defensive tone but Simon just snickered at that and walked to what she assumed the bathroom's direction.

"You said, you can be my job partner and I assumed today will be your first day. Though," He looked back at her while stopping in front of the bathroom's door, "It seems that you have already forgotten your words." He added with a much serious tone and Aurelia immediately shakes her head.

"No—I-I didn't, I'm just surprised that we will start today. Yes, you can introduce me later then." She let out with a rush that she stuttered and in return Simon turn his back on her.

"I didn't ask for your approval though," Then he slammed the door. Aurelia just scratches her left cheek, why does he be so moody today? She thought. It's scary, he's worst than her in her 'time of the month' days.

Probably because he just lost a house?

Maybe. That shit looks expensive now that she remembered.

She walked about the room, inspecting this and that. Like the hallway outside, it's fabulous that it speaks money everywhere she looks. How much they are paid that they can offer this much for a stay-in room?

Seems like a scam.

Though they're not the ones that being scammed but the scammer. They scammed innocent people even if Simon said he's doing this ludicrous job for justice.

What's with that anyway?

But she must admit the job is really tempting. Houses in every state, wow, that's a lot.

As she looked around she thought of James. When they will meet again, she worders that made her sigh in dismay.

That tricky dog will not let him go for sure so hoping is useless.

What a scheming bitch.