Crimson Ties

Monday, October 14, 2024

Solara, Solstice, Bog Bay City

132 Fletcher Lanes apartment, Selbury

Morning

The morning air outside the apartment was crisp and alive with the quiet hum of the city waking up. The faint rustle of leaves from a nearby tree mixed with the occasional chirp of birds perched on its branches. Cars passed in the distance, their engines muffled by the early fog that clung to the streets. A street vendor had already set up his cart near the corner, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafting upward, mingling with the faint tang of dew evaporating under the rising sun.

Inside his modest apartment, Vince was toweling off sweat from his neck, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. The aftermath of his morning exercise routine—weights, pull-ups, push-ups, and a brutal round of shadowboxing—left his muscles taut and his skin glistening. After grabbing a water bottle from the counter and draining it in a few gulps, he headed to the bathroom for a much-needed shower.

The steady stream of hot water against his skin melted the tension from his workout, and he lingered for a moment longer, letting the warmth seep into his shoulders. Wrapping a towel around his waist and another around his neck, he stepped out into the apartment, water still dripping from his hair as he wiped it dry.

A sharp knock echoed from the door. Vince turned his head, his brow furrowing slightly as he called out, "Hold on, I'm coming!"

After a moment, he opened the door, pulling it inward to reveal Hannah standing there. She was staring down at the floor, absentmindedly fidgeting with her fingers, her expression distant as though she was lost in thought.

Vince raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly against the doorframe. He snapped his fingers in front of her face, the sound sharp but playful. "Hey, you all right? What brings you here so early?" he asked, his tone light.

Hannah flinched slightly, her head snapping up to meet his gaze. Her eyes widened, and her face turned a vivid shade of red as she took in his appearance—half-naked, a towel hanging lazily around his neck, beads of water still glistening on his chest.

"W-What are you doing?" she stuttered, stepping back slightly, her voice almost a squeak. "Get some clothes on, why are you naked?"

Vince shrugged nonchalantly, as if her embarrassment barely registered. "You came right after I showered. What did you expect? Come on in first," he said, stepping aside and pushing the door open further.

Hannah hesitated for a moment, her hands clutched around her phone, before stepping inside. Her movements were slower than usual, her body language suggesting she was unsure of how to approach the conversation she'd come for.

He observered her, from head to toes. Her uniform, formal and polished, got a subtle allure in the way it accentuated her youthful frame. She wore a fitted navy blazer, its crisp lapels adorned with a subtle silver crest embroidered on the pocket—a delicate design of laurel leaves encircling a chrysalis, the school's emblem. Beneath it, the white button-up blouse was snug, the material lightly contouring her shape, with the top button left undone, exposing the soft curve of her collarbones. Her short skirt, pressed and precise, rested high on her waist and skimmed mid-thigh, its slight sway with her movements offering a playful vibe to the uniform's otherwise structured appearance.

Her black knee-high socks clung tightly to her legs, highlighting their graceful length, while her polished loafers added a subtle touch of charm to the overall ensemble.

Suddenly, a gruff voice echoed through the stairwell below, loud and full of irritation. "Where's that little brat? Damn it! She pushed the buttons for every damn floor, and now I've gotta wait for the damn elevator! Tch, kids these days."

The voice carried the distinct tone of an angry old man—gravelly, sharp, and full of exasperation, each word punctuated with a huff of frustration.

"Naughty, naughty girl," Vince teased, his lopsided smirk forming as he turned his gaze to Hannah. "You managed to piss off Mr. Eugene. You know, he's the type to take that personally. Better watch out—he might come up here and spank you."

Her eyes widened again, and she flailed her hands frantically in front of her, her blush deepening. "It's not like that! I was just confused because I didn't know your floor! I'm not like that!" she protested, her voice cracking slightly as she tried to defend herself.

Vince chuckled, crossing his arms over his still-bare chest. "Oh, really? And here I thought you were trying to prank the old man for fun."

"I-I wasn't! I swear!" Hannah said, waving her hands more urgently.

"You sure?" Vince leaned down slightly, his smirk widening. "Because he sounded pretty convinced that some kid was out to get him."

"Stop teasing me!" she huffed, pouting slightly as she stomped a foot.

"All right, all right," Vince said, chuckling as he straightened up. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt—this time. But next time, maybe try calling me first instead of pissing off Mr. Eugene. Could save you some trouble."

"But you didn't give me your number," she mumbled, her voice barely audible as she glanced to the side.

Vince smirked, motioning casually toward the coffee table in front of the couch. "You can help yourself," he said, nodding at the phone resting there. Without waiting for her reply, he turned and disappeared into the bedroom to get dressed.

Hannah hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between his phone and the couch, before reluctantly stepping closer.

Vince's phone was unassuming yet sleek, with a matte black surface that bore the faint scuffs of frequent use. On the back, the silver "G" logo was the only distinguishing feature, subtle but unmistakable. It fit snugly in his hand, its weight reassuring without being bulky. The edges were smooth, the screen large and clean, reflecting only the faint glow of light around it.

She leaned forward, picking it up with the delicate care of someone handling something unfamiliar. Her fingers hovered over the screen, unsure of whether to proceed.

A few minutes later, Vince reappeared, the faint creak of his boots announcing his return. He wore a leather jacket that showed its age in the best way—dark brown, with creases and a faded patina that spoke of years of reliable use. Underneath, a deep blue button-down shirt peeked out, its long sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. The rich color complemented his rugged, understated demeanor, blending practicality with a subtle sense of style.

His dark jeans, sturdy but not overly fitted, fell neatly over a pair of well-worn boots that looked like they'd seen their share of action. Around his waist, a functional belt held a few compact utility pouches, carefully positioned for ease of access but designed not to draw attention. On his wrist, he wore a minimalist watch—streamlined, practical, yet still carrying a quiet elegance that hinted at his attention to detail.

He rubbed a hand through his damp hair as he crossed the room, his sharp gaze flicking toward Hannah. "So," he said, raising an eyebrow, "figure out how to call me yet?"

"Yes, I do," Hannah said quickly, then set Vince's phone back on the table. She rested her hands on her thighs, fidgeting slightly as though unsure what to say next.

Vince leaned against the arm of the couch, folding his arms across his chest as he studied her. "School's closed today, so you decided to pay me a raincheck?" he said with a smirk, his voice light but teasing.

Hannah blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. "What?" she asked, her tone both startled and confused. "How did you know?"

Vince chuckled, tilting his head as a faint grin spread across his face. "It's all in the details," he said, gesturing casually toward her. "First off, you're in your uniform—clean, crisp, no scuffs or wrinkles. But it's already 8 a.m. If school was on, you'd already be there. Instead, you're here. That tells me school isn't open today."

Hannah opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, clearly unsure how to counter his logic.

"Second," Vince continued, pointing at her blazer, "you walked here, didn't you? That's unusual for you. You're usually driven to school in your mom's car."

"What? How do you know that?" she asked, her brows furrowing.

He grinned knowingly. "When I came to the Kensington Manor before, I noticed you had a car parked in the driveway—a clean, high-end audi. The kind of car important people drive their kids around in, not something they'd give to a chauffeur or let a teenager borrow. Then there's the state of your yard—the hedges are trimmed perfectly, the grass is spotless, not a leaf out of place. That tells me you had a full staff once: gardeners, housekeepers, the whole deal. But that day, I noticed something else—no one was around, probably because they were retired or let go after you were kidnapped. Your parents wouldn't trust anyone else to handle things now, especially you.

"And your father?" Vince raised an eyebrow. "He's just gotten back from overseas, hasn't he? Not much time for daily driving. That leaves your mother. And I know you were driven, not just because she's careful, but because of the butterfly trinkets hanging in the car. I saw the same ones in your room—your style. You put them there."

Hannah blinked rapidly, her cheeks flushing again as she instinctively touched her school bag. "I… okay, maybe you're right," she admitted, her voice quiet.

"And then there's the time," Vince added, gesturing at the clock on the wall. "It's 8 a.m. If you walked here, you must've left home pretty early. For someone who usually has every second of their day planned for school, to end up here at this hour? That tells me you weren't sure what to do with the free time, so you came to me."

Hannah's lips parted slightly in amazement, her words catching in her throat. "That's… that's creepy," she mumbled, though there was a hint of awe in her voice.

"Creepy?" Vince laughed lightly, pushing off the arm of the couch. "Nah. Just paying attention. So, am I right?"

She hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Yeah. School's closed today. I don't even know why—they just told us to stay home."

Vince crossed his arms again, his smirk softening slightly. "Thought so. Now, the real question is—why me? What's got you so worked up that you had to come all the way here to talk about it?"