Proposal

‘Ding’…’Ding’. Koremar heard the door to the café, turning around from wiping the back countertop. She looked up at the customer and smiled brightly.

“Hello, how can I help you today?” Her voice came out like cool silk against warm skin. The man who had walked in looked rather confused for a moment. He looked around for who was talking before noticing Koremar standing near the register. She continued to smile, used to the fact that many people didn’t notice her since she was only four feet eleven inches tall. She had various step stools around the café to assist in her doing her job.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t see you there for a moment.” He flashed her an apologetic half grin.

“Oh no worries it happens all the time. I forgot to step on the stepping stool before I began to speak, that usually helps.” She let out a soft laugh, the man seemed to visibly relax hearing that he had not offended her.

“Well that’s good to hear, I…” He stopped mid-sentence and just seemed to stare at her.

Koremar stared back at the man, sometimes people get lost in thought. After a few more moments she cleared her throat, feeling rather uncomfortable now, “Is there something I can get for you, Sir?”

The man seemed to snap out of whatever was going through his mind before he pulled out a little black book from his lapel. He glanced up at Koremar a couple of times, writing something down before he ripped out the page and handed it to her, “I’m sorry, I have to get going. If you ever are looking for a change in career, I could use a model for a new project I’m working on. Nothing major, but I think you’d be perfect. Anyway, have a wonderful day!” He bowed his head at her as he rushed out of the door.

“Well that was odd…” Koremar stood there for a few more moments in shock and confusion on what just occurred. She then remembered the note, she glanced down and looked at the scribbles, “55ZZ N Fallacy Avenue…. Pretty sure that’s just down a few blocks…” Before Koremar could think about it anymore another customer arrived at the café. She quickly shoved the paper in her back pocket and got back to work.

Koremar got home later than usual, for some reason there was an influx of customers today, and with Sam out sick, she was all alone. She threw her keys on the hallway table as she closed her door to her apartment. She slowly made her way to the kitchen, grabbing a water from the fridge, she made her way to the living room and plopped down with a large huff.

She grabbed the TV remote and was about the turn it on when she remembered the piece of paper the man gave her. She reached into her back pocket and pulled it out. From being in her pocket all day, and her moving around, it seemed a little more crinkled than before. She un crinkled it and looked it over. The address was still legible, so she pulled out her phone and look it up, “I was right. Looks like four blocks from the café, not too far. Hmm… Oh, what’s this?” She noticed a bit more writing a little further down the paper. She straightened it out some more before being able to read what it said, “6:00pm on Saturday,” She furrowed her eyebrows. Saturday was in a couple days, so that gave her some time to think. Not like she would be so stupid as to go to some random address from a stranger, but even so, her curiosity had been peaked.

The rest of the night was just relaxing. She watched TV for a few hours before getting up to take a shower. Koremar stood in front of the mirror, looking over herself. She let out a sigh as she stared at her pastel pink hair. Even with her people it was an unnatural color. They had banished her to the human world, feeling that she was a bad omen, which only got worse as she grew older, which is why she finally had to leave. She understood their reasoning, or at least tried, and there were many reasons to believe them, but it still stung to think about even two years later. With one last glance at herself Koremar jumped in the shower, washing away the exhaust and events from the day.

The days seemed to move by quicker than she expected, and soon Saturday had come. Koremar hadn’t given the note another thought until she was cleaning up the living room and found the note stuffed into the couch. She looked it over once more, glancing up at the clock, “It’s 3:00 now…I could make it if I hurried…” The curiosity got the better of her. She quickly ran to shower and find clothes. She was unsure of what to where, or what this was even about, but a newfound feeling rose inside of her…excitement.

It was 5:45 when she arrived at the address. It was a little further than she had anticipated, but the good thing was it didn’t look abandoned. She walked up to the building, opening the front door. As she walked in, she had to blink a few times. The inside of this building was stunning. It had gorgeous tapestries and artwork everywhere. The floor must have been marble and was a beautiful black with what looked like flecks of gold.

“Eh hmmm” A voice yanked Koremar out of her dazzled state as she noticed a desk in front of her with a young lady sitting behind it.

“Oh sorry, it’s just so beautiful here.” She gave the lady an apologetic grin as she made her way over to the desk.

“It’s alright, it happens quite often, now how can I help you?” The lady had a very inviting voice, soft and melodic.

“Well a man in a suit came to the café I work at a few blocks from here and handed me this note,” Koremar handed over the crumpled note to the lady, “I wasn’t able to catch his name. I’m sure this is probably just a wa—” Koremar was cut off as the lady quickly got up from her seat and started walking away.

“Hold on one moment, I’ll be right back.” She smiled brightly at Koremar before disappearing around the corner.

Koremar was a bit perplexed but stood there, the anticipation growing inside of her like a raging forest fire. She wanted to know what this was all about, even if it was just a silly prank, she liked the feeling it gave her, the rush of the start of an adventure.

“She’s right over there.” Koremar heard the woman, turning to look in the direction she was speaking from, she saw two men. One of them was the gentleman from the café, the other she didn’t recognize. Koremar slowly stood up, ready to greet the two men.

“I’m so glad you decided to come, I forgot to give my name when we met, I’m Victor, and this is Eros.’ Victor motioned towards the man beside. They both were tall, but Eros towered over the both of us. Victor stuck his hand out, waiting for Korey to shake it.

“Oh, yeah…I’m Koremar, but a lot of people just call me Korey.” I stuck my hand out, shaking Victors, who return it with a firm grip. She then turned to Eros, hesitating before putting her hand out. He took it in his, gripping it tightly, maybe a little too tight. She smiled, trying not to react to his tight grip before he dropped her hand.

Victor side-eyed Eros before looking at Korey with a large grin plastered to his face, “If you follow me this way, I would like to discuss a few things with you. We both would, and I think you’ll like this.” Before Koremar would protest, Victor and Eros were walking the way they had come from. She huffed to herself before quickly walking after them. They went through different hallways before coming to an elevator. Once inside Victor pressed the top button, which sat all by itself. ‘He must be the owner of this company’ Korey thought to herself.

As the elevator began is ascent Victor turned towards Koremar, “So how long have you lived here in the city?”

Korey was surprised by this questioned, did she stick out that much…Well she did have pastel pink hair in a city that seemed to be rather reserved, or rather, devoid of color in all honest, “Could you tell that easily?” She let out a small chuckle.

“Well there are very few people with hair that color, and most of them are either tattoo artists or bands passing through for a concert.” He shrugged, flashing her a grin.

“It’s been two years since I…moved here.” She looked at Victor who seemed a little too interested in any other possible details.

“Oh? Where did you come from before that?”

Koremar shifted slightly. She wasn’t prepared to answer that question, no one had ever asked her and when she applied at the café, they didn’t care, “Uh… It’s a complicated story.” She smiled at Victor, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Enough Victor.” Eros spoke, his voice was gravelly, but smooth at the same time. It was mesmerizing to listen to and Korey wanted him to speak some more.

“Oh, my bad, I didn’t mean any disrespect Korey.” Victor smiled, turning towards the elevator doors as they dinged, opening up slowly.

“No, it’s alright. It’s a natural question I suppose.” Korey caught Eros glance at her with an interested look before motioning for her to follow Victor. They walked down a hall, entering through a large office door that had frosted glass on the sides.

The office was rather large, housing a regular seating area off to the left and then a large desk off to the right with a very comfortable looking chair behind it. There was artwork all over the room, but there was something odd about the paintings, they didn’t seem normal, if that made at sense. Korey was dazzled, noticing them both walking over to the desk, she quickly followed suit.

“Have a seat Korey, do you want anything to drink? Scotch, whiskey, a cocktail?” Koremar sat at one of the chairs in front of the desk.

Looking up at Victor she hesitated, “Uh… Can I have a water? I’m not old enough to legally drink?” Technically she was probably in her fifties, but on her Earth, she was only Nineteen.

“Oh? Yeah that’s fine, how old are you even?” Victor walked over to a small fridge that was stationed by the bar Korey hadn’t noticed until now. It was situated by the door they had walked through.

“I’m nineteen, I turn twenty next month.”

“Is that so?” Eros mused, as if not believing her.

Victor gave him the same look that he did when they were downstairs. Eros huffed before taking the seat behind the desk. Korey realized he must be the head guy around here as Victor took the seat next to her, handing her a water.

“So…Can I ask why I’m here? I don’t mean any disrespect.” She looked between the two, they seemed to be having some silent argument before Victor spoke up.

“We…It’s a sensitive matter. You…” He seemed to be dancing around the subject as if it were on fire.

“You aren’t from Earth.” Eros blurted out, staring Koremar down with an intense gaze.

‘Oh no, oh no…” Korey thought to herself, trying to think of a response, she decided to laugh, that usually threw people off. She let out a gentle laugh before speaking, “Of course I am, where else would I be from? Mars?”

Both men were staring at her rather seriously, she knew she had been caught, but how? She was careful. It couldn’t be her hair, there are plenty of humans in the world that have pink hair.

“Don’t play games. You never even changed your name, which was rather stupid of you.”

Korey suddenly felt threatened, her face fell and she had the urge to run towards the door. Her eyes betrayed her as she stole a glance at the door, gauging if she would make it before they could catch her, “We won’t hurt you Korey, we just want to talk.” As if he could read her thoughts, Korey looked at Victor. She knew her eyes held a look a fear. She didn’t want to hide it, because she was afraid, and she was now on guard.

“Victor is correct, we actually have an offer for you. You’re…unique. There has never been a Fae on Earth before, at least not in many years. I want to offer you something. You can say no if you want and leave without a second thought.”

She stared at Eros; he had been hiding who he was this entire time. Both him and Victor had. They were werewolves, she could sense it now. They must have dropped whatever it was shielding them. How could she be so stupid, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her again. “Okay, what is it?”

“$20,000. I will give you $20,000.” Korey’s mouth gaped open; she was stunned.

“What’s the catch?” She glared at him, waiting for him to respond.

“Marry me, in one year. Or don’t I suppose. I’ll give it to you either way honestly.” He shrugged it off, as if the money was nothing but pennies. Well I guess it probably was, by the looks of the company alone.

“Okay…Why?”

“Like I said, you’re unique. I need a Luna for my pack, and you are the best option.” Again, he just casually spoke, as if it was of no consequence to him.

“You have a mate somewhere, and I’m very sure it’s not me.” She must have hit a touchy subject as he recoiled, looking out towards the large windows.

“I don’t have one. The Mood Goddess told me so.” Eros got up, reaching for a case that was off to the side. He placed it on the table, opening it up. Inside was the money. “Like I said, I’ll give this to you whether you say yes or no. I know you need this, definitely more than I do. You are alone, cast out by your people. It’s not fair, and I want to help out a fellow supernatural.”

Koremar stared at the money. It was tempting, but she felt guilty. “Why in one year?” She lifted her gaze, staring at him.

He mused, humming slightly as if realizing she was a few words away from agreeing. “Since we are not destined mates, it allows us both time to get to know each other.”

Again, she sat there in silence, thinking about what she should do. After a few moments of silence, she began nodding her head, looking up at him, “Alright. I think that’s fair.”

He closed the case, handing it over to her without another thought. She glanced over at Victor, he had the largest grin on his face, making him look like a child.

“I would like to court you immediately, if you’ll allow.” Korey just nodded, still in awe at the entire situation. It was unbelievable to be just given this amount of money. She was actually kind of excited on what the next year would hold.

~~One Year Later~~

“Korey hurry up, their waiting!” Francis, a werewolf Korey had met from Eros’ pack, and had become close friends with, had burst into the room. The year had gone by so quickly, like a blink of the eye. Just yesterday it felt she had met Eros and was given a proposal so absurd most would have left laughing. As the days went on, their feelings blossomed like a flower. It was magical, and Korey was glad she didn’t leave that office that day.

She now stood in front of him. His entire pack filling the outdoor seating. The priest asked the words she had been waiting for, Korey smiled brightly, staring at Eros, speaking loud enough for all to hear, “I do.” The end to a perfect fairy tale.