Ghost (Kai)

Very few things can shake Kai Blackwood. Even fewer things can shake his best friend, Raylen Vale. 

Naturally, Kai cannot help but wonder why Raylen has called him over at such an ungodly hour for a simple settlement. This is something any contractual lawyer worth their salt can deal with. 

His only consolation is that Raylen is not immature enough to call him over as a joke. The younger Raylen might have been a hot, rebellious, and angsty mess, but he has long grown out of it. 

Frustratingly, Raylen declines to explain the reason despite Kai's gnawing curiosity. "Be patient," he states, refusing to elaborate. 

"I am trying to," replies Kai. "But it is three in the morning. Forgive me for being just a tad sleep-deprived and cranky."

"Forgiven." 

"I will hit you with a very heavy brick."

Raylen gives him a wry, tired smile in response. "This will be worth your time. Trust me."

"If it isn't, I am acting on my threat."

"If it isn't, I will let you hit me with a very heavy brick."

"Our word," Kai quotes playfully, "is our bond."

Before Raylen can respond, they hear a couple of knocks. "Mr Vale, your guest is here," says the old butler. 

"Let her in."

As the twin doors open, Kai instantly understands why Raylen has called him over. 

Delaney Sackville-West—the love that Kai has been secretly harbouring for fifteen years—has returned from the dead. 

Raylen shoots him a knowing look. "I had the same reaction," he murmurs. 

"Impossible…" Kai whispers, more to himself than to Raylen. "It cannot be." 

Indeed it cannot be. Kai himself gently held Delaney's hand after she died. Her flesh was cool, almost clammy, and she was lying in the hospital morgue, bloodless and even paler than usual.

It was the only time he got to hold her hand.

Despite the shock, it takes Kai all of five seconds to snap out of it. 

Delaney is dead. Even if she weren't, she would be thirty-four this year. The woman before him is simply too young to be the real Delaney. 

But he cannot deny that the resemblance is uncanny. Not only does she share Delaney's solemn yet child-like beauty, but her demeanour is similar as well. Everything from the uncertain gait to the loose clothing to the furtive glances. 

It is as if the past nine years have been a nightmare that he is, at long last, waking from. He is finally back in a world where Delaney is alive again. 

"This is," Kai hisses quietly at his best friend, "a cruel joke."

"I can assure you, this is not a joke."

Kai is not the least bit reassured. 

Raylen turns his attention to Delaney's doppelganger. "Please have a seat, Ms Allister."

After the woman obliges, Raylen continues, "I am Mr Vale and this is Mr Blackwood. I am sure my lawyers have gone through the terms with you. If you sign the non-disclosure agreement and avoid speaking to the media, you will be fifty thousand dollars richer. Are these terms palatable to you?"

"Y-y-yes."

"No objections you would like to raise?" 

"No, Mr Vale."

Just four words, and Kai cannot help but notice she sounds like Delaney too. He also spots Raylen flinching slightly from being addressed so unfamiliarly. 

'It must hurt,' Kai realises, 'to hear Delaney's voice addressing him like he's a stranger.' 

"Alright," says Raylen. "Now that the heavy stuff is out of the way, I have some questions for you."

"I am not sure," Ms Allister replies, "I have the information that you're looking for."

"I am sure you do understand. What is your relationship with Delaney Sackville-West?" 

Ms Allister blinks a couple of times. "I've never heard of such a name."

That is clearly not the answer Raylen wants.

He steeples his hands. "Ms Allister, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can answer honestly or I can buy the company you work at and fire you. I can also ensure that you never get a job in the industry again."

'Harsh,' Kai thinks to himself. But he cannot blame his friend for acting so uncharacteristically. After all, Raylen still blames himself for Delaney's death. 

In truth, Kai blames him too. 

Ms Allister seems to sit up a little straighter. "My answer is the same. I have never heard of such a person."

Raylen leans back and Kai knows that this is the sign for him to play the good cop. 

"Ms Allister," he begins. 

"Yes, Mr Blackwood?"

"Please," he says warmly, "call me Kai. We just want to get to know you better because we think you may be the clue to a person we are trying to locate. We mean you no harm." 

"O-o-okay, Kai." The doubt in her voice is evident. "But I am not sure how I can help you when I've never heard of the person you're looking for."

Kai subtly nudges Raylen to remind him to relax his expression. "Don't worry about that," Kai says cheerfully. "Just answer a few questions for us."

"Alright."

"Are you from around here?" asks Raylen.

"No." She shakes her head. "I am not originally from Sicaster. I was raised in Plinas."

"Plinas huh?" Kai interjected. "The city of cherry blossoms."

Ms Allister looks confused. "My city is not famous for that. The city plant is azalea." 

"Ah," he responds smoothly. "I must have gotten it mixed up." 

That is decidedly a lie. 

"And you're," he continues probing, "here for?" 

"Work. I received a job offer from the Sicaster Broadcasting Company after graduation and moved here last year." 

"Were you ever in Sicaster before this?" 

"No, never. I am still exploring the city." 

"What is your family situation like?" 

"Erm… My mother was a high school teacher and my late father was an engineer. My mother's health is poor and she lives with my elder sister who is her caretaker." She begins to look increasingly uncomfortable. "Mr Black— Kai, I'm not sure how this is relevant." 

"You" interrupts Raylen, "will be compensated for your time. So please answer Kai's questions." 

"Alright, Mr Vale." 

From the corner of his eye, Kai sees that Raylen does not flinch this time.

"Last question. Plinas is far from here. What prompted you to accept a job offer so far from your home and family?"

Ms Allister looks a little embarrassed. "Well, Plinas is a small city. Almost a town. I'd always wanted to see what life was like in a big city. After graduation, I specifically applied to jobs located in big cities. I didn't mind moving." 

"Thank you for your time, Ms Allister. I have no further questions," concludes Kai.