Breathing Fire

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                                                        ~~~~~~~~~Ky-Ryu's POV~~~~~~~~

Sitting in my car as I watch her strut away from the café wondering what possessed me to pursue her in that way.  This is just a job I keep repeating to myself. As I continue to watch her till she fades from view. I pull off turning up the car radio hoping to drown out my conflicting thoughts on the matter. Driving home mulling over the events of the day. I thought of the man Odette drew for me,  I will be making some calls for her. Someone has to know who he is. Pondering on who I should call that may recognize this whoever this guy is. In the middle of contemplating what to do next before grabbing the last of the collections. The shrill ring of my phone interrupts both my music and my thoughts. I look at the number flashing on the screen before answering f**k!! of course my mother would call at a time like this. quickly deciding whether or not I am up for her s**t today. I answer "  안녕, 어머니 내가이 기쁨을 무엇에 빚지고 있습니까?" ( Hello, mother to what do I owe this pleasure?) " 안녕하세요 Ky-Ryu 저는 다음 주에 당신과 당신의 형을 위해 파티에 Minnow를 초대 할 생각입니다. 미래의 아내와 시간을 보내는 것이 좋을 것입니다. 그리고 아마도 당신은 당신의 형제에게 적합한 짝을 찾도록 도와 줄 수있을 것입니다. ( Hello Ky-Ryu I am thinking of inviting Minnow to the party for you and your brother next week. It would do you good to spend time with your future wife. And maybe you can help me find a suitable match for your brother as well.)  Sighing loudly " 어머니 나는 그 소녀와 결코 결혼하지 않을 것이며 우리의 탄생을 축하하기 위해 당신이 어떤 엉뚱한 계획을 세 우든 전혀 관심이 없습니다. 원하는대로하세요. 코린에게. 이. 나는 일하는 중이다. 안녕 엄마." ( Mother I will never marry that girl and I really have absolutely no interest in whatever asinine plans you are making to celebrate our birth. Do whatever you want, even better call Korin with his with . this. I am in the middle of work. Bye mother.) Hanging up quickly before she can berate me with more nonsense on an arranged marriage I have no intention of following through with. Feeling beyond annoyed with her and what is sure to be another birthday focused on finding Korin a match.  I pull off into Jolene's to speak with her and to grab the money she owes us. I walk up looking at the line starting to form, at least going into business with her was a good idea. Jolene always brought in the money, either from the tourists getting drunk and paying to hear whatever sad local she is paying to play music for the evening or milking the regulars with her overpriced drinks and access to whatever they were looking to play with for the night. Walking past the line of grumbling people upset at me skipping the line as I plaster my best grin on relishing in there anger and disappointment at being treated like the pathetic schmucks they are. I walk past the cheap security guard with a quick nod. This is not my first time here and they know better than to stop me. As I breeze past the sickening amount of velvet that decorates the walls and stairways straight to Jolene's back office. I stop at the heavy oak door as I hear what sounds like another person in the room, contrary to my better judgement I pause to eavesdrop for a moment. " Listen I know you need off for Saturday but maybe I can convince you do come in for just 2 hours around 2 and you can leave for the night at last call around 4 ?" " I wouldn't ask if I had someone else, but no on brings in the cash like you and since your going to be leaving me for college soon I would like to get my moneys' worth before my cash cow leaves for the season." I hear what sounds like a dissatisfied sigh " Jolene I told you a week ago I needed off for this coming Saturday. I am sorry you don't have anyone, But what if I could someone for you? Someone who sings every bit as well as me, someone who would make an excellent bartender too since a little birdy told me you plan on finally firing captain no show?" I continue straining to figure out where I have heard that voice before. When I remember I am hear for work not to listen to workplace gossip. I proceed to walk in not really giving a damn who she is speaking with. I am hear for money and could care less who she hires or fires for that matter. I step into the office with little regard for whoever she is preoccupied with. 

                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Odette's POV~~~~~~~~~~

 I turn as the door to Jolene's office opens, why would she tell me to come discuss the schedule if she already had a meeting planned? I exhaled signaling my annoyance at the rude interruption when I see who burst into the room. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before I found my voice again to speak. " Why are you here Mr. Lam?" He laughed " Please Mr. Lam is my father, I believe we already exchanged names Princess, But I am here on business. And you?" As I am abut to respond Jolene cut me off " Hey Ky, I have the cash right here, maybe not unnerve my most lucrative employee as we are negotiating right now." Ugh I hate when she describes me this way. I can feel Ky-Ryu's eyes on me as he is trying to figure out what I do here. I know Jolene's reputation but it is also where I make my rent money. I rub my temples trying to keep it together. I turn to face Ky " I sing here a couple of days a week and occasionally waitress as well. A girl's got to eat and not all of us have daddy's money to fall back on. Not that it's any of your business." I watch him quietly and to be honest curious about what he is going to do next. He begins to what I assume was walk towards me as I felt my heart speed up at the idea of him being so close to me again. But he simply brushed past me to grab the hefty looking envelope on Jolene's desk. I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of disappointment that he really was just here for money. Inwardly I scolded myself, why would he be here for you. We just met and I did tell him I would rather kiss a snail than him. Yet I still couldn't seem to help what I was feeling and even more disturbing was the fact that I wish it were just him and I in this office. I observe as he put the envelope in his back pocket as he turned to walk out of the office. He leaned in close to me and whispered " Let me know if she gives you a hard time, oh and I'll see you tonight." simultaneously walking to the door and planting a kiss on my cheek. I shivered and he grinned while he hurried out the door. Jolene started in the moment he closed the door leaving the two of us alone again. " So I was not aware that you two were an item?" I mused " I am not sure why you would assume that. We just met. He seems like a dog and I have no interest in dating at the moment. So I'm not sure what gave you that idea but your wrong. And while we are at it, I meant what I say I will not be coming in this Saturday. I will be more than happy to find you a replacement if you need one. Text me later." I hurriedly walked out rushing past the slow moving crowd getting ready to rush the place for karaoke fun night emphasis on the "fun" I could not have been more grateful for the fresh air after being cornered in her office. I reach my car in record time and sag against in just breathing slowly still thinking about the feeling of his warm breath against my cheek or the warmth that spread through my body at such an intimate contact with him. Ugh what is wrong with me, I never felt like this about Casey.  What makes Ky-Ryu so special. Searching for a logical reason and comin up with none. I decide to just get in my car and try and use what time I have left to relax before work tonight. I turn on the engine ready to pull out when I hear a tap on my window. I look over to see Casey standing outside of my car with a sardonic smile on his face. All I potentially think of doing is just pull away as fast as possible. The sound of the tires screeching while sped off. Still feeling ill at ease even after driving off without speaking with him. I wasn't sure I wanted to be alone,  yet I had no clue who I would call. Everyone I would have been able to call pondering for several minutes, too nervous to drive home in case Casey tried to follow me there. I drove around the neighborhood careful to avoid the block I live on for about 15 minutes when I decide to say screw it and call Ky-Ryu as I carefully drive towards my childhood home to the bank to find out how much more it will cost me to buy back my fathers' old shop. The phone rings several times Giving me a chance to realize it was probably a mistake to call someone I just met no matter how on edge I was feeling knowing Casey was around. " Hey, Princess I didn't think you would call me so soon after seeing me. If I didn't know any better I would almost assume you like me." At that I immediately regret calling him. " I only called to see if you had any information, we hardly know each other and are certainly not friends so please. I snap before continuing " And for the millionth time if you call me princess again I may be forced to kill you." The sound of his laughter made me smile which only further irritated me. How I could possibly enjoy someone so much when I hardly know them is flustering to say the least. After a brief pause. " Listen I seriously do not know what you find so funny but.... " I hesitate before involuntarily scream "f**k!"   as I see Casey again on the corner just watching me speaking with the man from Mystica the other night. Inwardly I panic forgetting completely that I am on a phone call with Ky-Ryu. "Odette? Odette? Are you okay? Hey!" He shouts in response to my silence pulling me back from my panic. "Huh um what, no I mean yes. Actually Ky no I'm  not okay. Casey has been staling me for awhile now and well I was driving around to avoid him if I am being honest. I thought I lost him but now he is two blocks from where I wanted to be speaking with that man I told you about from work. Are you busy? "  Without hesitation he asks " Well where are you, I'll be there in 5  minutes I did have plans but my brother and I could use some fun, I can't remember the last time we got into it without someone that didn't involve work." I nod realizing he can't see me nod " Sorry, I am just off of Adrianou Street. I was headed to Capitola Bank." He quickly answered " Are you still in your car Princess? I want you to listen to me. Pull over by the one way to the left of you and m brother and I will be waiting." I nervously laughed maybe he can help or he is overhyping his powers and I have seriously sealed my fate. But I guess I have nothing to lose by trusting him. And at least I get to meet his brother, maybe he is the normal one. Although who am I kidding. If I have learned anything by now its' that I am a magnet for crazy and death lets see which one it is this time. 

                                        ~~~~~~~~~~ Ky-Ryu's POV~~~~~~~~~~

It has been less than thirty minutes since I saw Odette at Jolene's, and I know I shouldn't be flirting with her. But I just can not seem to help myself.  As I speed down these narrow streets thinking back on her reaction to my proximity to her. She can't help herself either,  maybe that will work to my advantage. I know this is just work, but all work and no play makes for a very dull life. And I would be lying to myself if I couldn't admit how much I want to play with her. I keep my reckless thoughts to my self as I pull into the driveway with all collections for the day finally done. I walk inside and waste little time heading straight to my fathers' office and place the money in the wall safe. I turn to lock up the room as I leave when my register the sound of my phone ringing , to answer it or not answer it. It is probably just my mother again and I will set myself on fire before I deal with her again today. I let it ring a few more times when I realize it could be work or even better Odette. I pull the phone out of my pocket without looking to see who is call me. I hear the sound of her delicate voice and smile broadly to myself. Till I hear the panic hiding in her voice then hear her openly panic. I decide to help, as it is the perfect opportunity to get closer to her and well to release some of this pent up anger from the day. I hang up and waste little time calling Korin " Hey my favorite brother, you up for beating some ass together?" Korin hastily responds " Why of course dear twin just name a time and place you know I'm there."  " Good meeting on the corner of Adrianou Street in 3 minutes." I reply I swiftly travel the astral plane to meet Odette. I see her voluptuous exit the car. I slowly walk up to her cat calling " hey princess, what is a girl like you doing in a place like this." She chuckled breathlessly as she turned to face me and was my turn to be mesmerized. Still in the same outfit from our meet in the café. I felt compelled to kiss her again, as stunning as she looked I could see the fear in her eyes. Despite her ability to put on a brave face and all I ached to do was kiss away her anxiety. I closed the distance between us. " He is down the block with that asshole right?" She nodded silently in response. Her silence worried me more than anything. I knew Casey and he was always just another pretentious pretty boy. No threat to anyone really, whatever he must have be up to he definitely isn't up to it alone. Someone must be helping him. Shaking myself from my thoughts I wrapped my arms around her enjoying both the closeness of our bodies and knowing that she felt comfortable enough to let me touch her even with the stress she was currently under. It brought me a strange level of comfort to know she trusted me that much.  My arms still around her I leaned in to kiss of some the top of her head feeling some of the tension leave her body. Feeling emboldened by her sudden comfort with me I chose to see how far she would let me before Korin finally arrived. I keeping one arm firmly around her waist, I gently lifted her chin meeting her nervous curious gaze with my steady one  Without giving her a chance to protest I placed my lips on her with all the passion I felt at Aphrodite's. Feeling ardent passion continue to rise as my tongue explored every inch of her mouth. Growing more excited as Odette returned my passion with a fervor I never expected from someone like her. Basking in the passion between us till " Brother who is the delicious redhead your tonguing down?" The irksome voice of my twin bellowed from behind me. Watching her shirk from my touch and avoid my gaze hurt me in a way that was utterly unfamiliar to me. I am a psychology major. I should be in more control of myself and my feelings than this. Why is this girl so absolutely vexing to me. Pausing a moment to take in Odette's demeanor and I knew she was equal parts unnerved and aroused. Emotions that really mirrored my own at the moment. " My name is Odette and what you saw will both never happen again and is none of your business. Who are you anyway?" She inquired as she awkwardly adjusted her skirt and smoothed down her top. I tried to answer before he cut me off with an exaggerated bow and handshake " If you couldn't tell I am Ky-Ryu's twin brother Korin. Wonderful to meet you. I had no idea my brother was hiding such an exquisite woman from the family." I observed silently as a smile slowly curled on her mouth. " So what kind of service am I hear to provide, Odette?" My brother questioned eager for a fight " Well I am not sure if you know Casey Adonis? But he has been well putting it lightly is Casey has been being a generally nuisance in my life. But now he has been creepily following me and is chatting with a man that was trying to get me alone with him... and well with the previous behavior of Casey. I thought it would be best to call someone with um experience in this sort of thing." She explained Korin hastily took off down the street leaving me to catch up and Odette to just stand there wordlessly.