Illicit Touch (English. GxG)

Her Most Cursed People

“How do I look?”

I spun in front of the mirror as Hogue watched me. His arms crossed over his chest, giving me an inspecting gaze.

“You look so good, like those girls working in the corporate offices.” He walked towards me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “There’s no reason for Natalia Johnson to ignore you.”

Biting my bottom lip, I turned my head over my shoulder and stared at myself into the mirror again. I observed my navy blue coat covering my silk blouse and knee-length skirt. “Alright, I look like a decent and respectable human now.”

My hair was done in a smooth bob. I made it modern by adding a side part, brushing my hair sideways for more depths and volume — professional and edgy. For the makeup, I just made it simple but highlighted the favorite part of my face which was my eyes. Eyeliner and mascara did the trick, making my lashes thicker.

Seven days of continuous practice and preparation were quite effective.

To be honest, I felt a little self-conscious about putting on formal attire. I used to work at the Daily Express wearing a jacket over my sleeveless blouse and a pair of denim trousers. What does it matter what you wear? Even the reporters that hang out in the newsroom were dressed in shabby clothes. Stanley was the only one who was dressed up formally. It was because he always had some visitors from other media companies.

“You know what, babe, this new look of yours suits you big time. You should start going to our office like that.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Oh, no. Never. I’ll rather file for a sick leave than show up in fancy clothes. This is not my thing. I’m only doing this to catch the attention of my assignment. I badly need to get closer to her.”

Hogue nodded, getting the purse from my hand. His other hand wrapped around my waist. "If that's what you prefer, madam. Now let’s go ahead before the traffic gets heavy. If we want a fresh good start, you must be an early bird in her building.”

I took a deep breath and beamed at him. My heart was pounding in both excitement and tension. “Hope this day ends well,” I whispered.

My mind was focused on how I should carry out my plans throughout the entire road trip. First and foremost, I must present myself well. Then I needed to do everything I could to grab her attention. I knew I wasn't the only reporter after her, so I had to go to any length to get her to look at me... and possibly speak to me for more than a minute. I had fully prepared and memorized my questions for her. I also double-checked that all of my devices were in functioning order. It would have been awful if I had failed the project solely due to a malfunctioning device. That was inexcusable.

Hogue pulled over in front of the Illicit Touch tower. I couldn’t help but gape at it the moment I jumped out of the car. It was glorious, like most of the buildings around it. Natalia was indeed one of the finest entrepreneurs of the modern days. Her place was perfect, as well as the people coming in and out of the building. They all dressed as if showcasing the elegant clothes they were wearing.

I checked my clothing — I indeed looked like them. All I have to do now is act and behave like them.

"Would you like me to escort you inside, babe?" Hogue spoke in front of the driver’s seat.

“No," I murmured, still gazing at the massive entryway. "If I want to be effective on my mission, I need to at least step inside on my own. But thank you so much, babe. I admit that without your support, this would be impossible for me to undertake."

When I turned around, Hogue was already behind me. His warm smile seemed to be calming the anxiety coursing through my veins. On the surface, I appear to be as cool as a cucumber. But I was anxious on the inside at the thought of going into unfamiliar territory to perform a difficult job. This was like passing through a bunch of sleeping lions just to win the victory flag.

"I have faith in you, babe. There isn't anything you can't accomplish. Seriously, compared to what you went through years ago only to get away from your false aunt, this is a piece of cake. At the very least, no one will harm you here. Just imagine the things that will happen if you succeed." He winked.

"Still, I owe you a lot. I don't know how to repay you." I wrapped my arms around his neck, never getting weary of gazing into those deep-settled hazel eyes.

"Hmm..." He raised his brows, and the way he grinned down at me said it all. "Just a simple dinner is enough for me. And after that..."

I laughed and then murmured to his ear, knowing exactly what he wanted. "Then you can do anything you want to me at the end of this day."

"Damn," he groaned, his palm gliding across the small of my back. "If only you knew what I was thinking when you were putting those sexy clothes on."

"May I ask as to what is within that dirty mind of yours?"

“Nothing. I'm just picturing myself undressing you."

"You're insane."

"For you," he muttered and planted a chaste kiss on my lips before handing me my bag. "Now, lovely, get to work. It's going to be a hectic day."

"All right," I said as I hugged him one more time. "I'll see you later."

o0o

The grand lobby was far larger than I had anticipated. Oh, what if I got lost in the first place? I didn't even know which way to walk or which elevator to take. I felt suffocated despite the fact that it was unbelievably big.

I moved before my feet began to root on the ground. That was when I realized the people were looking back at me. They wore a strange smile on their faces as if mentally greeting someone significant.

Wait, is it really me they're staring at?

My attention was drawn to the sound of heels echoing from behind me. When I looked back, I noticed a familiar facade and my breathing paused for a second. My world came to a halt as well when I saw her. She was dressed in a knee-length white coat. Her gleaming chocolate hair shone brightly with radiance as she strolled gracefully. Wow, she was much more stunning in person.

“Welcome back, Miss Natalia…”

Natalia's golden bag was taken from her grip by a woman in a dark coat and pencil-cut skirt. It must be her assistant who continued to trail her as they made their way to the elevator. Even the staff employees who went by smiled and said hello. Natalia, on the other hand, continued to ignore them.

...and I simply keep staring at her as if it was the first time I've seen a human being!

What are you going to do now, Charley?! Grab your f*****g chance now, before the target vanishes right before your eyes!

I let out a gasp as if my internal nagging had struck me across the cheek. But just as I was about to go, a series of loud voices cut through the air, catching everyone on the floor in surprise.

She's right there! Natalia Johnson is there! Quick!

Natalia had vanished in the blink of an eye. Perhaps she was used to being pursued, which was why she was so good at escaping and hiding.

But not good for me. I just lost track of my target, for freakin' sake!

What must I do? Blend myself with those reporters who are as desperate as I am?

I began to walk through a less crowded corridor. Then I spotted an opening elevator not far from where I was. It was empty and very available.

Before my mind could process what would happen next, my feet carried me towards the elevator.

I was leaning against the elevator's reflective walls before I realized it. Only the sound of my heavy breathing could be heard throughout the compartment.

I examined myself in the mirror. A clump of sweat began to form on my brow and my hair began to fall on my face.

Oh, great, merely a few minutes in this place and I'm already looking like a mess.

I didn't want to show up in front of Natalia in this sorry state. She was so sophisticated. If I stood next to her, I'd probably be mistaken for a beggar.

The elevator door opened unexpectedly, jolting me out of my irritated thoughts. My eyes widened as I slid out and saw which floor I had been carried to.

"70th floor?"

I tried to find a washroom despite feeling disoriented down the long corridor. Thank goodness the elevator was only a few steps away.

After retouching on the mirror, I occupied a cubicle minutes later. Peace rushed through my veins for a brief while. Now, I was able to think clearly for the first time since I entered this building.

I heard the washroom door open, followed by forceful clicking of heels against the floor and a thud of hands on the counter before I could get out of my cubicle.

"How did those reporters get inside my building, Lulu? Haven't I ordered the security to blacklist them for good?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Natalia, but the reporters have disguised themselves as employees, according to the guards on duty; nonetheless, I guarantee you that—"

"All right, tell HR to fire those guards, and make sure no one from the press is left in my place — they're the individuals I despise the most."

"Right away, Miss Natalia."

Though I was silently hiding in the cubicle, I covered my lips with both hands when I heard Natalia Johnson's command. Seriously, she would terminate them just like that?

This has only increased the burden of my task. How could I get close to her if she seemed to despise my job from the way she sounded?