The bus ride had been long, the roads stretching endlessly beneath a dimming sky as Olivia kept her head down, her fingers idly tracing the leather strap of her duffel bag. By the time she arrived at Sunset Beach Condos, the sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting the complex in warm, golden hues. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, a stark contrast to the storm-laden air she had left behind. Apartment 109. That was her new hideout.
She moved quickly, keeping to herself as she dashed through the halls to her door. The key turned smoothly in the lock, and as soon as she stepped inside, she shut it firmly behind her, locking it as best as she could. Only then did she exhale, pressing her back against the door for a moment, letting the weight of the past few days settle.
The apartment was small, but it would do. A modest living space, a tiny kitchen, and a bedroom that, for now, held nothing but the bare essentials. The layout was simple and unassuming. Exactly what she needed. She dropped her bag onto the couch, shaking out her arms as she rolled her shoulders. The fabric of her sleeve shifted, revealing the faint curl of inked script along her upper arm, ancient words etched into her skin like a whispered promise.
Moving to the bedroom, she unzipped her bag and began to unpack, neatly folding her clothes into the empty drawers. The hum of the ocean outside was soothing, a rhythmic lull that almost made her believe she could rest. Almost. But Olivia knew better. She had bought herself time, nothing more. She kept her mind focused on unpacking, strategically leaving her magic-laced items in her bag until she could get a more private and secretive compartment to keep them in. She slid them under her bed for now, continuing to make her living space more comfortable. She'd ended up making more noise than she meant to as she slid a few things across the ground, but the place was starting to come together.
She moved quickly, keeping to herself as she dashed through the halls to her door. The key turned smoothly in the lock, and as soon as she stepped inside, she shut it firmly behind her, locking it as best as she could. Only then did she exhale, pressing her back against the door for a moment, letting the weight of the past few days settle.
The apartment was small, but it would do. A modest living space, a tiny kitchen, and a bedroom that, for now, held nothing but the bare essentials. The layout was simple and unassuming. Exactly what she needed. She dropped her bag onto the couch, shaking out her arms as she rolled her shoulders. The fabric of her sleeve shifted, revealing the faint curl of inked script along her upper arm, ancient words etched into her skin like a whispered promise.
Moving to the bedroom, she unzipped her bag and began to unpack, neatly folding her clothes into the empty drawers. The hum of the ocean outside was soothing, a rhythmic lull that almost made her believe she could rest. Almost. But Olivia knew better. She had bought herself time, nothing more. She kept her mind focused on unpacking, strategically leaving her magic-laced items in her bag until she could get a more private and secretive compartment to keep them in. She slid them under her bed for now, continuing to make her living space more comfortable. She'd ended up making more noise than she meant to as she slid a few things across the ground, but the place was starting to come together.
"Bloody hell!" He snapped irritably in his deep, British accent as he shot up to the sitting position on the couch he fell asleep on. He paused, looking around for the annoying noise that woke him, but didn't see anything that would cause the sound. He soon heard the scraping sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor. The noise seemed to have come from the condo next to his, which had been vacant for the longest time. I guess I have another new neighbor. He thought to himself as he noticed this one probably wasn't going to be as quiet as the ghost one on the other side of him.
He rubbed his large hands over his scruffy face to wake him up a little more, as he was still exhausted from the lack of sleep. He had been helping Sadie take care of the bar as a significant situation came up and took her attention elsewhere. So, he had been going to sleep rather late in the early mornings, which led him to sleep in. Or at least tried too, until the ruckus next door woke him. He slowly stood up from the couch and went to the fridge in the miniature kitchen to grab a bottle of water. He chugged it down quickly, tossed the bottle in the trash bin, and headed towards his bedroom. He was just about to go get a few more hours of sleep when he heard the noises again. With the paper thin walls, he wasn't surprised that it sounded like it was occurring in his apartment.
He looked towards the direction the noise was coming from and listened closely. Picking up any other noises besides that of nails to a chalkboard. He could hear the faint heartbeat of one person in the apartment next door and realized it may be that they are having a hard time moving their furniture around. So, he decided to do the neighborly thing and offer assistance, though he much rather caught some shut eye. He looked down and realized he was just in his boxer briefs, so he decided to throw on some basketball shorts, white T-shirts, and tennis shoes. Once he was dressed, he walked out of his condo to the door next to his and knocked. He would wait for the person inside to answer and ask if they needed help.
He rubbed his large hands over his scruffy face to wake him up a little more, as he was still exhausted from the lack of sleep. He had been helping Sadie take care of the bar as a significant situation came up and took her attention elsewhere. So, he had been going to sleep rather late in the early mornings, which led him to sleep in. Or at least tried too, until the ruckus next door woke him. He slowly stood up from the couch and went to the fridge in the miniature kitchen to grab a bottle of water. He chugged it down quickly, tossed the bottle in the trash bin, and headed towards his bedroom. He was just about to go get a few more hours of sleep when he heard the noises again. With the paper thin walls, he wasn't surprised that it sounded like it was occurring in his apartment.
He looked towards the direction the noise was coming from and listened closely. Picking up any other noises besides that of nails to a chalkboard. He could hear the faint heartbeat of one person in the apartment next door and realized it may be that they are having a hard time moving their furniture around. So, he decided to do the neighborly thing and offer assistance, though he much rather caught some shut eye. He looked down and realized he was just in his boxer briefs, so he decided to throw on some basketball shorts, white T-shirts, and tennis shoes. Once he was dressed, he walked out of his condo to the door next to his and knocked. He would wait for the person inside to answer and ask if they needed help.
The new apartment was proving to be more work than she initially thought it would be. She had harshly underestimated the amount of furniture she would have the itch to move. Letting out a slow breath, she sat on the couch for a moment, rolling her shoulders. Her arms were already sore from moving furniture, and she wasn’t even halfway satisfied with the layout. The itch to keep working pulled at her, but just as she pushed herself up to continue, a faint noise caught her attention. She paused, body stilling as her senses sharpened. Nothing immediately threatening. Probably just the apartment settling or a neighbor moving around. Still, she hated being on edge like this. With one last glance around, she pushed aside her tension and turned back to the layout.
Just before she could start moving things again, there was a knock on her door that startled her. "Coming!" she called, quickly analyzing her room to make sure nothing suspicious was laying out. She then tugged her shirt sleeve down as far as it would go before making her way over to the door. Her face quickly changed from the cold and calculated look to a wide-eyed and doltish one as the door swung open. She found herself looking up at a man that must have been at least six feet tall, assuming it was one of her neighbors. "Oh my god, hello! Are you, like, my neighbor?” she asked, shifting her weight onto one hip, eyes wide with exaggerated curiosity. “That’s so cute! I was just thinking I should, like, meet people or whatever.” She let out a breathy little laugh, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder. "Totally! You can come in." She stepped back from the door following the invitation, walking back over to the work she'd done so far.
He didn't seem like a threat to her at the moment. Not that she was so easily trusting, she had something up her sleeve in case things somehow did go south here, but she didn't think she would need it. Surely, he wouldn't want any trouble with his new neighbor. "So... I totally underestimated how much I would want to move my furniture, and-" She paused momentarily before a nagging question popped into her head. "Oh my god, was I being too loud? Is that why you came over?" She covered her mouth, playing into the exaggerated gestures. Her internal dialogue was a stark contrast to how she interacted with others. At least with people she wasn't comfortable with yet. She needed to leave the door open on the off chance that this act would save her. "I'm so sorry... I can wait to finish moving things in the morning if that would be better?"
Just before she could start moving things again, there was a knock on her door that startled her. "Coming!" she called, quickly analyzing her room to make sure nothing suspicious was laying out. She then tugged her shirt sleeve down as far as it would go before making her way over to the door. Her face quickly changed from the cold and calculated look to a wide-eyed and doltish one as the door swung open. She found herself looking up at a man that must have been at least six feet tall, assuming it was one of her neighbors. "Oh my god, hello! Are you, like, my neighbor?” she asked, shifting her weight onto one hip, eyes wide with exaggerated curiosity. “That’s so cute! I was just thinking I should, like, meet people or whatever.” She let out a breathy little laugh, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder. "Totally! You can come in." She stepped back from the door following the invitation, walking back over to the work she'd done so far.
He didn't seem like a threat to her at the moment. Not that she was so easily trusting, she had something up her sleeve in case things somehow did go south here, but she didn't think she would need it. Surely, he wouldn't want any trouble with his new neighbor. "So... I totally underestimated how much I would want to move my furniture, and-" She paused momentarily before a nagging question popped into her head. "Oh my god, was I being too loud? Is that why you came over?" She covered her mouth, playing into the exaggerated gestures. Her internal dialogue was a stark contrast to how she interacted with others. At least with people she wasn't comfortable with yet. She needed to leave the door open on the off chance that this act would save her. "I'm so sorry... I can wait to finish moving things in the morning if that would be better?"
When he knocked on the door, he wasn't expecting the reaction of the person behind the door. A blonde woman answered the door in an obvious over exaggerated welcome, then proceeded to invite him in as she continued to ramble. He hadn't even been able to say a word since she answered which amused him slightly, but shocked him more. He just stood in the door way a deer in the headlights, listening to her speak. He was trying to figure if she was actually this clueless or playing the ditzy blonde. Though as to why she would do something like that, Creed wouldn't know but it had him curious.
He let her continue to go on her tangent before he would speak. His irritation that brought him there was long gone, replaced with slight amusement and curiosity. As he observed her, he sensed she was of something else. Not that it was his business, but the way she was acting, if it was an act, had him intrigued. When she finally stopped talking, he snickered at her as his large frame stood in her doorway. "First. You probably shouldn't just let anyone into your apartment with how seedy this neighborhood is." He paused and smirked at her with a hint of amusement in his blue eyes. "Two. I am your neighbor. I am in 108. And yes, I did hear the moving of the furniture. I actually came to see if you needed assistance. It sounded like a struggle in here and that the furniture was winning."
He looked her with a lazy, amused smile and waited to see if she would take his offer to help her. "I am Creed, by the way." He introduced himself, though this time he stayed in place when he did. Especially after the last time he introduced himself to a blonde he didn't know.
He let her continue to go on her tangent before he would speak. His irritation that brought him there was long gone, replaced with slight amusement and curiosity. As he observed her, he sensed she was of something else. Not that it was his business, but the way she was acting, if it was an act, had him intrigued. When she finally stopped talking, he snickered at her as his large frame stood in her doorway. "First. You probably shouldn't just let anyone into your apartment with how seedy this neighborhood is." He paused and smirked at her with a hint of amusement in his blue eyes. "Two. I am your neighbor. I am in 108. And yes, I did hear the moving of the furniture. I actually came to see if you needed assistance. It sounded like a struggle in here and that the furniture was winning."
He looked her with a lazy, amused smile and waited to see if she would take his offer to help her. "I am Creed, by the way." He introduced himself, though this time he stayed in place when he did. Especially after the last time he introduced himself to a blonde he didn't know.
She listened, wondering why he was just standing in the doorway. Presumably it was because of one of the points that he brought up - that she shouldn't just let everyone into her apartment. She knew that. It worked in her favor, adding to the belief that she was genuinely stupid. But luckily, she could take care of herself, so it was a risk she was willing to take. His analyzing look made her think that he'd known it was an act, however. She wasn't being super obvious, which made a few thoughts bubble up in her own head about whether or not he was human, but that thought would have to wait.
Olivia tilted her head slightly, her bright smile unwavering, but her eyes, just for the briefest second, assessed him. Creed. Apartment 108. She made a mental note for future purposes in case she would need it. “Oh my god, that is, like, so sweet of you!" she gushed, clasping her hands together with a little bounce. "And, like, you are so right, this furniture is totally kicking my ass." She sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her hip before flashing him a sheepish grin. "I didn’t think it through when I decided to do it all myself, y’know? So, like, if you’re offering… I would totally owe you one.” She let her voice dip just slightly, her tone just warm enough to suggest gratitude, just teasing enough to make it sound like a joke. Nothing too suggestive, just enough to make her sound like a harmless girl in over her head.
She motioned for him to come in, her room still half-organized with a few pieces of furniture awkwardly out of place. As Creed stepped past her, she quickly let her expression settle for just a heartbeat, her lips pressed together, her posture shifting as she silently measured the weight of his presence in her space. Then, just as quickly, she flipped the switch back on. “Oh my gosh, okay, so, like-" she dramatically gestured to the half-moved couch, “I swear it was not this heavy when I first pushed it. I think it, like, absorbed all my energy and turned it against me." She huffed, then pouted at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Sooo, Creed, think you can, like, help me out...?" She giggled, light and airy, while carefully tugging her sleeve down just a little further over her tattooed script. No need to give him more to analyze. Not yet. "I'm Olivia, by the way."
Olivia tilted her head slightly, her bright smile unwavering, but her eyes, just for the briefest second, assessed him. Creed. Apartment 108. She made a mental note for future purposes in case she would need it. “Oh my god, that is, like, so sweet of you!" she gushed, clasping her hands together with a little bounce. "And, like, you are so right, this furniture is totally kicking my ass." She sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her hip before flashing him a sheepish grin. "I didn’t think it through when I decided to do it all myself, y’know? So, like, if you’re offering… I would totally owe you one.” She let her voice dip just slightly, her tone just warm enough to suggest gratitude, just teasing enough to make it sound like a joke. Nothing too suggestive, just enough to make her sound like a harmless girl in over her head.
She motioned for him to come in, her room still half-organized with a few pieces of furniture awkwardly out of place. As Creed stepped past her, she quickly let her expression settle for just a heartbeat, her lips pressed together, her posture shifting as she silently measured the weight of his presence in her space. Then, just as quickly, she flipped the switch back on. “Oh my gosh, okay, so, like-" she dramatically gestured to the half-moved couch, “I swear it was not this heavy when I first pushed it. I think it, like, absorbed all my energy and turned it against me." She huffed, then pouted at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Sooo, Creed, think you can, like, help me out...?" She giggled, light and airy, while carefully tugging her sleeve down just a little further over her tattooed script. No need to give him more to analyze. Not yet. "I'm Olivia, by the way."
After he received her answer, he stepped into her apartment to help where she needed assistance. He noticed that her sunny smile never left her face, though for the briefest moment, he saw a hint of calculation in her eyes. Which only confirmed that she was more than likely playing clueless, so he figured he would play along. For now. Nothing escaped him. It was in is nature. Especially with what and who he was. He let it slide as he walked past her and towards her living room. "You wouldn't owe me anything. I am happy to help a damsel in distress." He said as he turned around and looked at her with a piercing blue gaze with a charming smile on his face.
He started sniggered with her theatrics of having the hardest time with the couch, but didn't let on that he knew it was act. "I am at your disposal, miss. Just tell me where you want me to move the couch." He sincerely wanted to help, though he was curious as to why this girl was acting like a pillock. He assumed she was hiding from someone or something, but if that was how she wanted to act, then who was he to judge. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Olivia." He spoke as he bent down to pick up the couch from one end and pull it to where she would say where she wanted it.
He started to understand what she was by the atmosphere in the apartment, though it didn't bother him. He wasn't there to judge her, just to help her out. Once he was done with moving, whatever she needed him to move, he turned his back to her to wipe his face off with his shirt. Giving the pretext that he broke a sweat with all the heavy lifting, though it didn't weigh much to him. He kept it up for appearance sake. When he lifted his shirt if she was looking, she would see a glimpse of his tattoo on his back from the rise of the back of his t-shirt. He soon turned around to face her again as a smile crossed his face and reached his eyes. "So, have anything else for me to do, Olivia?" He said in his deep, British accent as he waited for her to find something else for him to assist with.
He started sniggered with her theatrics of having the hardest time with the couch, but didn't let on that he knew it was act. "I am at your disposal, miss. Just tell me where you want me to move the couch." He sincerely wanted to help, though he was curious as to why this girl was acting like a pillock. He assumed she was hiding from someone or something, but if that was how she wanted to act, then who was he to judge. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Olivia." He spoke as he bent down to pick up the couch from one end and pull it to where she would say where she wanted it.
He started to understand what she was by the atmosphere in the apartment, though it didn't bother him. He wasn't there to judge her, just to help her out. Once he was done with moving, whatever she needed him to move, he turned his back to her to wipe his face off with his shirt. Giving the pretext that he broke a sweat with all the heavy lifting, though it didn't weigh much to him. He kept it up for appearance sake. When he lifted his shirt if she was looking, she would see a glimpse of his tattoo on his back from the rise of the back of his t-shirt. He soon turned around to face her again as a smile crossed his face and reached his eyes. "So, have anything else for me to do, Olivia?" He said in his deep, British accent as he waited for her to find something else for him to assist with.
Olivia let out a light laugh, shaking her head as she crossed her arms loosely over her chest. “Well, aren’t you just a gentleman?” she teased, tilting her head slightly as she watched him. "That’s sweet and all, but the offer’s always on the table. You never know when you might need a favor.” Her voice was smooth, casual, but there was an undeniable weight behind her words. She smirked slightly but kept her tone playful rather than overly flirtatious. “Just, like, let me know what I can do to help, or I’ll feel completely useless.”
Her grin never faltered, even as her mind flicked between sizing Creed up and keeping her act firmly in place. Her eyes caught on the flash of ink along his back when he wiped his face, the brief glimpse making something in her stomach twist in a mixture of curiosity and caution. She was definitely going to ask him about that in a minute. For now, she'd pretend she hadn't seen a thing. "Wow," she breathed, fanning herself dramatically. "Strong and polite? You're gonna put all the other guys in this building to shame." It wasn't much of a compliment. He was the only guy she'd met, so she couldn't say for sure that the others weren't like this, but it was a nice thing to say regardless, and she wasn't keen on making any enemies if she didn't have to. Her smile stayed light, but her gaze lingered a second too long on where his tattoo had been. Curiosity itched beneath her skin, but she pushed it down. Asking too many questions too quickly would seem invasive.
Still, she couldn't resist. "That's a pretty cool tattoo, by the way," she said casually, brushing nonexistent dust off the arm of the couch. "Well... I didn't see the whole thing, but, like, the part that I saw looked super cool. What does it mean?" She punctuated the question with a breathy little laugh, eyes wide and disarming, wanting to see how much he'd share. She didn't stand idly waiting for his response, however. There was a box in the middle of the floor that she went digging through filled with pictures of people that looked like randoms to almost everyone outside of those from the town her family was exiled from. She barely even knew them herself, truthfully, but they were family. "Oh, there is another thing, actually." She gestured toward a heavy-looking bookshelf pushed up against the far wall. “Think you can help me scoot that over a little? I swear I measured, and it’s like an inch off-center. It’s driving me crazy.” she muttered, more focused on handling the pictures than the conversation. She looked up briefly and flashed him an innocent smile, though the amusement in her expression made it clear that she was thoroughly enjoying putting him to work.
Her grin never faltered, even as her mind flicked between sizing Creed up and keeping her act firmly in place. Her eyes caught on the flash of ink along his back when he wiped his face, the brief glimpse making something in her stomach twist in a mixture of curiosity and caution. She was definitely going to ask him about that in a minute. For now, she'd pretend she hadn't seen a thing. "Wow," she breathed, fanning herself dramatically. "Strong and polite? You're gonna put all the other guys in this building to shame." It wasn't much of a compliment. He was the only guy she'd met, so she couldn't say for sure that the others weren't like this, but it was a nice thing to say regardless, and she wasn't keen on making any enemies if she didn't have to. Her smile stayed light, but her gaze lingered a second too long on where his tattoo had been. Curiosity itched beneath her skin, but she pushed it down. Asking too many questions too quickly would seem invasive.
Still, she couldn't resist. "That's a pretty cool tattoo, by the way," she said casually, brushing nonexistent dust off the arm of the couch. "Well... I didn't see the whole thing, but, like, the part that I saw looked super cool. What does it mean?" She punctuated the question with a breathy little laugh, eyes wide and disarming, wanting to see how much he'd share. She didn't stand idly waiting for his response, however. There was a box in the middle of the floor that she went digging through filled with pictures of people that looked like randoms to almost everyone outside of those from the town her family was exiled from. She barely even knew them herself, truthfully, but they were family. "Oh, there is another thing, actually." She gestured toward a heavy-looking bookshelf pushed up against the far wall. “Think you can help me scoot that over a little? I swear I measured, and it’s like an inch off-center. It’s driving me crazy.” she muttered, more focused on handling the pictures than the conversation. She looked up briefly and flashed him an innocent smile, though the amusement in her expression made it clear that she was thoroughly enjoying putting him to work.
"I can assure you, I am usually no gentleman." He looked at her with a smirk and continued to move another piece of furniture around. For the millionth time. He paused in his movements for moment when he heard her comment that the offers always on the table. He straightened up and turned back around towards her, studying her briefly again. The way she said it felt weighted, yet she still had the bubbly smile on her face, and then she started rambling again. Her act was amusing him greatly as he went back to moving a table of some sort. "You can handle your knick knacks. I can handle the heftier furniture. So that you don't feel ineffectual." He gave her a playful wink and waited for her to give him another task.
He soon heard her say something about how strong he was and put other men to shame. He just chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow at her. "I will take that as a compliment. Though, I don't really like to draw attention to myself. Nor go out of my way to put on an act for anyone." He said this in honesty, but with an underlying meaning that he knew she was acting. Without directly calling her out. When he said this, he realized he had stepped towards her and that his gaze was directly looking into her eyes. Though it wasn't menacing, it was that of inquisitiveness and intrigue.
He could feel her sizing him up when he was moving her fixtures, but he had ignored it it for the time being. Now that he stepped closer towards her, he noticed she looked like she wanted to ask him something. And asked him something she did. "It's something I received when I turned 18 years old. The tattoo's meaning that of a guardian, so to speak. Symbolism is that of a protector." He answered vaguely as possible about his mark. Though it had appeared when the beast inside him had awakened. He waited to watch her reaction if she had one before he continued.
He started to move the book shelf she said that she would like to move... again. When he asked, "What brought you to Sunset Beach, Olivia?" He asked, making small talk as he noticed her rummaging through her boxes. He glanced at her and saw she was looking over pictures that had her focus, rather than the conversation. "I don't know about you, but I think we may need a breaking point and could use some sustenance. Especially if you are going to make me rearrange the room a tenth time." He jokingly said the last part as he gave her a playful wink and waited to see what she decided as he leaned his shoulder against the wall. With his arms across his broad chest.
He soon heard her say something about how strong he was and put other men to shame. He just chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow at her. "I will take that as a compliment. Though, I don't really like to draw attention to myself. Nor go out of my way to put on an act for anyone." He said this in honesty, but with an underlying meaning that he knew she was acting. Without directly calling her out. When he said this, he realized he had stepped towards her and that his gaze was directly looking into her eyes. Though it wasn't menacing, it was that of inquisitiveness and intrigue.
He could feel her sizing him up when he was moving her fixtures, but he had ignored it it for the time being. Now that he stepped closer towards her, he noticed she looked like she wanted to ask him something. And asked him something she did. "It's something I received when I turned 18 years old. The tattoo's meaning that of a guardian, so to speak. Symbolism is that of a protector." He answered vaguely as possible about his mark. Though it had appeared when the beast inside him had awakened. He waited to watch her reaction if she had one before he continued.
He started to move the book shelf she said that she would like to move... again. When he asked, "What brought you to Sunset Beach, Olivia?" He asked, making small talk as he noticed her rummaging through her boxes. He glanced at her and saw she was looking over pictures that had her focus, rather than the conversation. "I don't know about you, but I think we may need a breaking point and could use some sustenance. Especially if you are going to make me rearrange the room a tenth time." He jokingly said the last part as he gave her a playful wink and waited to see what she decided as he leaned his shoulder against the wall. With his arms across his broad chest.
Olivia smirked, tilting her head as she regarded him. “Oh? Usually no gentleman?” she echoed, crossing her arms. “What made you change your mind this time?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. She watched him for a beat longer before turning her attention back to nudging a small box aside, going back to being deeply invested in the placement of her pictures. His words about not putting on an act made her pause for the briefest moment, but she recovered quickly, flashing him a bright smile. “Well, good for you,” she quipped, keeping her tone light. “But where’s the fun in that? A little theatrics keep life interesting, don’t you think?”
Her gaze flicked to the tattoo again as he explained it, a small, appreciative smile tugging at her lips. “Well, whatever it means, it looks good on you,” she remarked casually, her tone light and easy, as if the comment was merely an afterthought. But there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, even if she chose not to push for more. Instead, she turned her attention back to the pictures in her hands, letting the moment pass without pressing him further.
She wasn’t the type to pry. At least, not openly. If he wanted to keep things vague, that was fine. But the little details always had a way of sticking in her mind, and she was nothing if not resourceful when it came to finding answers. Maybe she’d do a little research later, just to rule out any wild theories, but she wasn’t going to learn everything on day one. Besides, there was something intriguing about letting the mystery unfold in its own time.
When he asked about Sunset Beach, she hesitated for the briefest moment before covering it with a playful grin. “Oh, you know. The usual. A change of scenery, a fresh start, endless opportunities to make strong men move furniture for me,” she teased, giving back one of those playful winks he'd been giving her. "Speaking of which, you make a totally good point. Let's get some food and then we can, like, rearrange the furniture about ten more times. What do you say?" She was joking about having him move her furniture ten more times. Honestly, she was surprised he put up with moving things around as much as he had already, but she found it amusing. "So, like, I only have snacks since I just moved, soo... we'll either have to go somewhere, order something, or settle for snacks instead of a meal. Up to you since you've been doing the moving. My treat." A smile played across her face as she watched him lean against the wall, trying to predict which option he would choose.
Her gaze flicked to the tattoo again as he explained it, a small, appreciative smile tugging at her lips. “Well, whatever it means, it looks good on you,” she remarked casually, her tone light and easy, as if the comment was merely an afterthought. But there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, even if she chose not to push for more. Instead, she turned her attention back to the pictures in her hands, letting the moment pass without pressing him further.
She wasn’t the type to pry. At least, not openly. If he wanted to keep things vague, that was fine. But the little details always had a way of sticking in her mind, and she was nothing if not resourceful when it came to finding answers. Maybe she’d do a little research later, just to rule out any wild theories, but she wasn’t going to learn everything on day one. Besides, there was something intriguing about letting the mystery unfold in its own time.
When he asked about Sunset Beach, she hesitated for the briefest moment before covering it with a playful grin. “Oh, you know. The usual. A change of scenery, a fresh start, endless opportunities to make strong men move furniture for me,” she teased, giving back one of those playful winks he'd been giving her. "Speaking of which, you make a totally good point. Let's get some food and then we can, like, rearrange the furniture about ten more times. What do you say?" She was joking about having him move her furniture ten more times. Honestly, she was surprised he put up with moving things around as much as he had already, but she found it amusing. "So, like, I only have snacks since I just moved, soo... we'll either have to go somewhere, order something, or settle for snacks instead of a meal. Up to you since you've been doing the moving. My treat." A smile played across her face as she watched him lean against the wall, trying to predict which option he would choose.
"Well, given my recent encounters with beautiful women. I have learned a thing or two about what not to do." He gave a small, self-deprecating laugh after he said this as his gaze met hers. "I wouldn't say 'change', but more on the cautious side of how I interact with people." He gave her a small smile and watched her fiddle with pictures. After he made the comment about not putting on an act, he listened to her respose but noticed how she had paused slightly before she actually answered. "It can be fun to an extent. But where would the limit actually reach its peak when it's not fun anymore and just painful to watch?" He asked her sincerely, but not really expecting her to answer.
He pushed himself off the wall with his shoulder and walked towards the sliding door where the patio was and looked out. He heard her statement about his tattoo but didn't respond as she seemed passive about it. When he pivoted and faced her again, she gave the generic reply to why she came to Sunset Beach. Though he did see the brief hesitation, he wouldn't push for an honest answer. He looked around the room and... "It looks like it's finally coming together in here. Though these apartments are pretty quaint, it doesn't really take much."
When he made the joke about taking a break and getting something to eat, she playfully bantered back with it being a good idea and then joked about rearranging her furniture again. He smirked at her with amusement in his eyes, as she started talking about snacks and whatnot. "I don't think a snack will appease an appetite like mine." He paused as he chuckled and raised his hand towards his mouth to think. "I am pretty sure that we could go get some great tacos from the bar that's not too far away. I am positive it's around lunchtime now and the cook recently hired is a friend of mine. Not to mention my little sister owns the place. What do you say?"
While he waited for her response, he looked around the room again, making sure everything was in place for her. Then his gaze looked back at her, trying to gauge what she was thinking. "I promise it's is just a friendly invite to lunch. Nothing more, nothing less." He spoke honestly with a sincere smile on his face. He wanted to see if she would drop the ditz act some if she got to know him a little more. Possibly see that he could be a decent friend to have if she let her guard down slightly. "I am going to go next door. If you do decide to join me for lunch, I will be leaving in about twenty minutes. If not, I promise no hard feelings." He gave Olivia a small smile as he walked past her to her front door. Before he walked out the door, he turned around to say one last thing. "I hope you do choose to come. You could meet a few more people who could make great friends if you let them." With that, he walked through the doorway and went to his own condo to take a quick shower, getting ready ready for the day. If she met him on the way out, great. If not, it was no loss. He helped her with what he could and then go meet up with his friends.
He pushed himself off the wall with his shoulder and walked towards the sliding door where the patio was and looked out. He heard her statement about his tattoo but didn't respond as she seemed passive about it. When he pivoted and faced her again, she gave the generic reply to why she came to Sunset Beach. Though he did see the brief hesitation, he wouldn't push for an honest answer. He looked around the room and... "It looks like it's finally coming together in here. Though these apartments are pretty quaint, it doesn't really take much."
When he made the joke about taking a break and getting something to eat, she playfully bantered back with it being a good idea and then joked about rearranging her furniture again. He smirked at her with amusement in his eyes, as she started talking about snacks and whatnot. "I don't think a snack will appease an appetite like mine." He paused as he chuckled and raised his hand towards his mouth to think. "I am pretty sure that we could go get some great tacos from the bar that's not too far away. I am positive it's around lunchtime now and the cook recently hired is a friend of mine. Not to mention my little sister owns the place. What do you say?"
While he waited for her response, he looked around the room again, making sure everything was in place for her. Then his gaze looked back at her, trying to gauge what she was thinking. "I promise it's is just a friendly invite to lunch. Nothing more, nothing less." He spoke honestly with a sincere smile on his face. He wanted to see if she would drop the ditz act some if she got to know him a little more. Possibly see that he could be a decent friend to have if she let her guard down slightly. "I am going to go next door. If you do decide to join me for lunch, I will be leaving in about twenty minutes. If not, I promise no hard feelings." He gave Olivia a small smile as he walked past her to her front door. Before he walked out the door, he turned around to say one last thing. "I hope you do choose to come. You could meet a few more people who could make great friends if you let them." With that, he walked through the doorway and went to his own condo to take a quick shower, getting ready ready for the day. If she met him on the way out, great. If not, it was no loss. He helped her with what he could and then go meet up with his friends.
Olivia let out a playful hum, tilting her head as if considering his words carefully. “Oh? Recent encounters with beautiful women, huh?” she asked, arching a brow with a smirk. “Is this, like, your way of saying that I'm beautiful?” Her tone was light, clearly teasing, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes as she went back to arranging her photos. She didn’t miss the way he acknowledged her theatrics without outright calling her out on them. A small, knowing smile flickered across her lips, but she didn’t respond, instead continuing to sort through her pictures and carefully setting them up. He wasn’t wrong, there was a fine line between playful deception and over-the-top performance. This was not specifically for him, though. So she could live with being painful to watch if it made her life easier.
As he moved toward the patio, Olivia glanced over at him briefly before refocusing on her task. “Yeah, it’s getting there,” she said, stepping back to survey the room. “Quaint is one way to put it. Cozy, if I’m feeling optimistic... small... if I’m being honest...” she muttered, starting to feel unsure about the space before reaching for another frame, deciding which surface it should claim next. “But hey, at least now I can say I had some world class muscle help with the setup.” Then, she watched him with an amused glint in her eyes, hands sitting idly in the almost empty box as he extended the invitation. The mention of tacos was already tempting, but the added detail about his sister owning the place piqued her curiosity. She could tell he was trying to reassure her, subtly hinting that he saw through at least some of her antics. That only made her more inclined to keep up the playful front... though, if she was being honest with herself, a part of her was genuinely considering taking him up on the offer.
She let out a thoughtful hum, tapping a finger against her chin. “Well, that does totally sound better than my original plan of subsisting on granola bars and wishful thinking.” Her lips quirked into a smirk before she added, “But I don’t know… twenty whole minutes to decide? That’s an awful lot of pressure.” Her teasing was lighthearted, but when he turned at the door to offer his final words, something about his tone made her pause. Making connections here. That was definitely something she needed to start doing now that she lived here. She was struggling with grasping the fact that she moved from the only home she'd ever known, but it all seemed to click in that moment. So instead of responding to that, she just lifted a hand in a mockingly serious salute. “Noted. I’ll see if I can fit some socializing into my very busy schedule of furniture rearranging, Mr. Creed.” And with that, she let him go, waiting until the door clicked shut before exhaling softly.
She glanced around her now mostly set-up apartment before shaking her head with a small puff out of her nose. “Tacos it is.” With that decision made, she quickly grabbed her bag and disappeared into her room to freshen up. She made her way into the bathroom to check her reflection, pulling her hair out of the ponytail and fluffing it a little. She paused for a minute, choosing to add some lip gloss before rolling her eyes at herself. That seemed like a bit much just for lunch, but that didn't stop her from changing into a breezy pink blouse that hung off of her shoulder. It certainly looked better than the tank top and jacket combo she'd been wearing since she left her old home. Satisfied, she grabbed her bag and keys, taking a deep breath before stepping out the door.
The hallway was quiet, but as she turned to get ready to leave, she spotted him just locking up his own place. He looked freshly showered. She smirked, calling out, “Good timing! I totally almost left without you.”
As he moved toward the patio, Olivia glanced over at him briefly before refocusing on her task. “Yeah, it’s getting there,” she said, stepping back to survey the room. “Quaint is one way to put it. Cozy, if I’m feeling optimistic... small... if I’m being honest...” she muttered, starting to feel unsure about the space before reaching for another frame, deciding which surface it should claim next. “But hey, at least now I can say I had some world class muscle help with the setup.” Then, she watched him with an amused glint in her eyes, hands sitting idly in the almost empty box as he extended the invitation. The mention of tacos was already tempting, but the added detail about his sister owning the place piqued her curiosity. She could tell he was trying to reassure her, subtly hinting that he saw through at least some of her antics. That only made her more inclined to keep up the playful front... though, if she was being honest with herself, a part of her was genuinely considering taking him up on the offer.
She let out a thoughtful hum, tapping a finger against her chin. “Well, that does totally sound better than my original plan of subsisting on granola bars and wishful thinking.” Her lips quirked into a smirk before she added, “But I don’t know… twenty whole minutes to decide? That’s an awful lot of pressure.” Her teasing was lighthearted, but when he turned at the door to offer his final words, something about his tone made her pause. Making connections here. That was definitely something she needed to start doing now that she lived here. She was struggling with grasping the fact that she moved from the only home she'd ever known, but it all seemed to click in that moment. So instead of responding to that, she just lifted a hand in a mockingly serious salute. “Noted. I’ll see if I can fit some socializing into my very busy schedule of furniture rearranging, Mr. Creed.” And with that, she let him go, waiting until the door clicked shut before exhaling softly.
She glanced around her now mostly set-up apartment before shaking her head with a small puff out of her nose. “Tacos it is.” With that decision made, she quickly grabbed her bag and disappeared into her room to freshen up. She made her way into the bathroom to check her reflection, pulling her hair out of the ponytail and fluffing it a little. She paused for a minute, choosing to add some lip gloss before rolling her eyes at herself. That seemed like a bit much just for lunch, but that didn't stop her from changing into a breezy pink blouse that hung off of her shoulder. It certainly looked better than the tank top and jacket combo she'd been wearing since she left her old home. Satisfied, she grabbed her bag and keys, taking a deep breath before stepping out the door.
The hallway was quiet, but as she turned to get ready to leave, she spotted him just locking up his own place. He looked freshly showered. She smirked, calling out, “Good timing! I totally almost left without you.”
After a quick shower, he got dressed in khaki colored cargo shorts, a dark blue crew neck t-shirt, and a pair of brown boat shoes. He ran a comb through his messy damp hair but didn't really care if it was perfect. He just wanted it out of his face. As soon as he was ready, he grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet as he walked out the door. As he was locking his door, he heard Olivia say good timing and then what sounded like a teasing remark about leaving without him. This made the corner of his lips twitch with what would be perceived as a lazy smirk and amusement fill his eyes as he raised an eyebrow. He placed a hand over his heart like he was wounded, and... "And here I thought you found my awkward personality, amusing. I think I would have been devastated thinking you declined my offer. I would have had to go nurse my pride from the rejection with a glass of whiskey." He said sarcastically, but in a playful way as he walked towards her.
"On a serious note. I am glad you decided to join me, Olivia. The place isn't that far. We can walk from here." He gave her a faint smile and nodded his head into the direction that they would be taking. As they started their hike to the bar, he would listen to anything she would say or ask if she did. When they were walking in sync, he glanced at from the corner of his eyes, trying to find something to talk about. "So, my sister's name is Sadie. She may or may not be there, but with it being an event, she should be." He casually said to make small talk, and possibly a friendship. He was not a charmer like most men he knew, nor did he really try to. Something inside him had broken a long time ago, like a thread snapped one day. Just as he had felt it tethered. So, any type of flirtations when he tried caused for awkward situations. He would usually just settle on being friends than any type of romantic involvement.
As they drew closer towards The Black Anchor, he showed her some of the shops and places she could possibly patron on the way. He caught sight of the familiar pirate themed exterior and... "It looks like we are here. I know that the food is going to be delicious. I can bloody smell it from out here." He joked and looked towards her and smiled as he reached for the door handle. He paused in his movements and raised an eyebrow at her. "Please tell me you don't eat like a damn rabbit? Salad only type of girl?" He playfully asked and pulled the door open for her, letting her walk in first.
"On a serious note. I am glad you decided to join me, Olivia. The place isn't that far. We can walk from here." He gave her a faint smile and nodded his head into the direction that they would be taking. As they started their hike to the bar, he would listen to anything she would say or ask if she did. When they were walking in sync, he glanced at from the corner of his eyes, trying to find something to talk about. "So, my sister's name is Sadie. She may or may not be there, but with it being an event, she should be." He casually said to make small talk, and possibly a friendship. He was not a charmer like most men he knew, nor did he really try to. Something inside him had broken a long time ago, like a thread snapped one day. Just as he had felt it tethered. So, any type of flirtations when he tried caused for awkward situations. He would usually just settle on being friends than any type of romantic involvement.
As they drew closer towards The Black Anchor, he showed her some of the shops and places she could possibly patron on the way. He caught sight of the familiar pirate themed exterior and... "It looks like we are here. I know that the food is going to be delicious. I can bloody smell it from out here." He joked and looked towards her and smiled as he reached for the door handle. He paused in his movements and raised an eyebrow at her. "Please tell me you don't eat like a damn rabbit? Salad only type of girl?" He playfully asked and pulled the door open for her, letting her walk in first.
A disturbing force was inching closer to apartment 109. Olivia Lovelace, gripping that terrifyingly mysterious box, pushed forward despite the suffocating weight of the charms pressing against her. Each step felt heavier than the last, her body slick with sweat, her breath coming in shallow, uneven bursts. Her knees wobbled dangerously, threatening to buckle under the invisible strain, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on. She had to get it back to her apartment.
The trek from the beach to her building felt agonizingly slow, punctuated by several forced breaks where she had to steady herself against walls, railings, anything solid enough to keep her from collapsing outright. The box itself wasn’t heavy, but the magic embedded in the charms was relentless, sinking its claws into her muscles and clouding her mind with a nauseating haze. Her fingers tightened around the box, knuckles turning white as she forced herself to keep moving. Each footstep sent a sharp jolt of discomfort through her body, but she refused to stop. She was close now. So damn close.
By the time she reached the door to apartment 109, her vision blurred at the edges, and her pulse roared in her ears. She leaned against the doorframe for a moment, forehead pressing against the cool surface as she swallowed back the dizziness threatening to take her down. Just a little more. She had to get this thing inside, out of sight, and figure out what the hell she was dealing with before it drained her completely. After a bit of fumbling with her key, she fell into her apartment, plopping onto the floor with a loud thud as she used her remaining energy to push the box as far as she could muster. If her panting wasn't loud enough, that thud was almost three times the sound, and she was passed out on the floor in front of her door that she couldn't even close. She'd get to the boxes later, but right now she could no longer move her muscles.
The trek from the beach to her building felt agonizingly slow, punctuated by several forced breaks where she had to steady herself against walls, railings, anything solid enough to keep her from collapsing outright. The box itself wasn’t heavy, but the magic embedded in the charms was relentless, sinking its claws into her muscles and clouding her mind with a nauseating haze. Her fingers tightened around the box, knuckles turning white as she forced herself to keep moving. Each footstep sent a sharp jolt of discomfort through her body, but she refused to stop. She was close now. So damn close.
By the time she reached the door to apartment 109, her vision blurred at the edges, and her pulse roared in her ears. She leaned against the doorframe for a moment, forehead pressing against the cool surface as she swallowed back the dizziness threatening to take her down. Just a little more. She had to get this thing inside, out of sight, and figure out what the hell she was dealing with before it drained her completely. After a bit of fumbling with her key, she fell into her apartment, plopping onto the floor with a loud thud as she used her remaining energy to push the box as far as she could muster. If her panting wasn't loud enough, that thud was almost three times the sound, and she was passed out on the floor in front of her door that she couldn't even close. She'd get to the boxes later, but right now she could no longer move her muscles.
Hours passed by on the ground, but eventually she recovered enough to get up. Her head felt dizzy, but she managed to close the door and take some deep breaths. This wasn't good. She really should've stayed for those tacos. The comment she made to the woman at the bar about only having had granola bars was not a joke, but she wished it was. She'd have to order something. Now was not the time to dwell on past mistakes. There was work to be done in that box.
She spent half an hour building a protective charm to shield her from the effects in the box, and, once it was done, she tucked it into her shirt and made her way back to the box. It only looked more ominous than the first time she'd seen its contents. The notebook came out first, hoping there would be some sort of explanation of why these things were sent to her. They weren't physically harmful, and if they're targeting her then they obviously know she's a witch and can break them, so why send it?
Olivia cracked the notebook open, a sick expression appearing on her face the more she read.
Olivia,
Mira has grown restless. No matter what we said, she couldn’t be talked out of leaving. So, we nudged her in the right direction. Had a friend of hers suggest Sunset Beach Condos. That puts her close enough for you to keep an eye on her. Watch her. See how she adapts. If she breaks, well… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Cold and detached. It sent shivers down her spine. Who was this Mira girl the note was referring to? And why should she care? And, something she probably should've questioned first, why was Mira being tracked?
The next part of the note didn't calm her nerves much.
Enclosed, you’ll find two charms. If she starts to spiral, use them. They’ll drain her energy before she becomes a danger to herself or to anyone else. Bring them more than 12 inches away from each other and they won't work anymore. They aren’t a perfect solution, but they should be enough to keep things from getting out of hand. We trust you’ll do what needs to be done.
She couldn't piece together why this pertained to her until she saw the very bottom. A promise of $50,000. What the hell was going on? How dangerous is this girl? And how did these people find Olivia?
The next pages made her stomach drop. Loads of documents about Mira's experimentation, cryptic audios, notes, pictures. She was getting nauseous just reading it. This wasn't what she originally expected. Suddenly she found herself feeling terrible for this girl. The job became easier with this perspective, since she was only tasked with keeping an eye on her and making sure she doesn't spiral. Babysitting, basically, but with everything she just read, she felt obligated to. Chills ran down her spine as she closed the notebook, pulling the charms away from each other to deactivate them. Now it was time to go meet Mira.
She spent half an hour building a protective charm to shield her from the effects in the box, and, once it was done, she tucked it into her shirt and made her way back to the box. It only looked more ominous than the first time she'd seen its contents. The notebook came out first, hoping there would be some sort of explanation of why these things were sent to her. They weren't physically harmful, and if they're targeting her then they obviously know she's a witch and can break them, so why send it?
Olivia cracked the notebook open, a sick expression appearing on her face the more she read.
Olivia,
Mira has grown restless. No matter what we said, she couldn’t be talked out of leaving. So, we nudged her in the right direction. Had a friend of hers suggest Sunset Beach Condos. That puts her close enough for you to keep an eye on her. Watch her. See how she adapts. If she breaks, well… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Cold and detached. It sent shivers down her spine. Who was this Mira girl the note was referring to? And why should she care? And, something she probably should've questioned first, why was Mira being tracked?
The next part of the note didn't calm her nerves much.
Enclosed, you’ll find two charms. If she starts to spiral, use them. They’ll drain her energy before she becomes a danger to herself or to anyone else. Bring them more than 12 inches away from each other and they won't work anymore. They aren’t a perfect solution, but they should be enough to keep things from getting out of hand. We trust you’ll do what needs to be done.
She couldn't piece together why this pertained to her until she saw the very bottom. A promise of $50,000. What the hell was going on? How dangerous is this girl? And how did these people find Olivia?
The next pages made her stomach drop. Loads of documents about Mira's experimentation, cryptic audios, notes, pictures. She was getting nauseous just reading it. This wasn't what she originally expected. Suddenly she found herself feeling terrible for this girl. The job became easier with this perspective, since she was only tasked with keeping an eye on her and making sure she doesn't spiral. Babysitting, basically, but with everything she just read, she felt obligated to. Chills ran down her spine as she closed the notebook, pulling the charms away from each other to deactivate them. Now it was time to go meet Mira.
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