“Come have a seat, Miss Radi. I have something to ask you.” Vincent smiled coldly at the confused girl.

Nafisa cautiously stared at the man seated before her. No matter how she looked at it, he was totally suspicious.

Noticing her stare, Vincent laughed cheerfully before patting the table in excitement.

“Sit sit. I don’t have all day.”

Naifsa glanced around, noticing that the empty cafe was no longer so empty. Without her noticing two men dressed in black suits and shades were standing at the entranceways and any doorways. As if they were guarding it.

She turned back to the man sitting before her, “Who are you?”

“Ah, ah, language young lady. No cursing in my presence. Now for the last time. Sit. Down.” as the words came out of his mouth, Nafisa felt as if her vision glitched black and a bell was rung in her head.

“Ugh.” She clutched her head as she stumbled, her vision going blurry. A strong sense of pressure pushed down on her body, suffocating her with the feeling of being stared at by a hungry….thing. Before she could fall, strong cold hands grabbed her and forced her into a chair.

“One London Fog Tea Latte and a chocolate croissant for the young lady please.” The cool voice told her.

Nafisa did her best to focus but it felt as if her head was still ringing even though the sense of pressure was gone.

Within a couple of minutes, a fluffy white latte and warm steaming croissant was placed in front of her but she ignored it and stared at the man across from her.

“Drink and eat. I doubt you’ve had time to do either today.”

She completely ignored him, her eyes trying to see through his impossibly black shades.

“What did you do to me? What do you want with me? And why do you have my phone?” Nafisa firmly asked. Even now, even though she was doing her best to restrain it, her body wanted to shiver and she wanted to run off. She felt afraid. Horribly afraid. Even though the man before her was smiling, it felt like a cat smiling at a fun mouse before eating it.

“Ah. My apologies Miss Radi. I’m not used to repeating myself much less three different times. I lost my temper but don’t worry. That’s more of a reflex than anything, I have no intention of attacking you so you do not need to shiver and be afraid. I promise during this meeting I won’t hurt you.” Vincent smiled softly before picking up the cell phone and playing around with it.

“As for your other questions. How about I talk and you eat? You look like you’re wasting away.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Seeing her firm expression of refusal, Vincent didn’t get angry. He simply held the phone in front of her face and began to squeeze his hands. The pale slender fingers didn’t look as if they had much strength but then.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Right before her eyes, the phone screen began to shatter and the metal began to bend. Nafisa could only stare at him in shock.

Although it looked like a regular phone, it was a phone made with special reinforced metal and glass to prevent it from being accidentally destroyed by individuals with super strength. Although she knew physique wasn’t an indicator of an individual’s strength or superpowers, it was generally a good indicator. Seeing the lean man in front of her easily crush the phone, she was shocked.

“Still not eating? Shall I just destroy it completely? Or do you want to experience the previous feeling again?” The man mockingly asked.

“How do I know you didn’t poison it?”

“Why would I need to poison you? Are you mentally ill?” The man seemed confused as he looked between the phone and her.

Fair enough. He could damage her quicker than poison. Sighing, Nafisa took a big bite of the croissant and glared.

Laughing once more Vincent put the phone down. Rather than speaking, he lifted his book and removed three photographs. He used them to fan himself before smirking.

“Do you want to see what I have in my hand?”

“I have a feeling you’ll show it to me anyway,” Nafisa muttered while sipping the latte. It was delicious.

“Correct. Here is the answer to your other two questions Miss Radi.” Vincent placed the photos in the middle, intentionally spreading them out so she could see each one clearly.

Nafisa gazed at the images in shock before snatching them up. Although she wanted to say that they were photoshopped, her mind kept shaking.

The first image was of a disgusting monster holding her against the wall while choking her. Her body was glowing, the light bright and golden.

The second photo was of a man with an umbrella carrying her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and facing off against her father and….Police commissioner Falkor? Even though she couldn’t see his face, she had a sinking feeling it was the man before her.

And the third photo. The third photo was a friend of her family. Uncle John. He wasn’t related to her but he was so close that all her siblings called him uncle. Her Uncle John was a quiet, soft-spoken older man with grey hair and a kind smile. Although he had powers, he didn’t use them to be a hero. Rather he had opened a therapy clinic. More specifically, he used his powers to help people forget traumatic experiences. He would then implant happier memories inside of them. In the picture, she was lying down in a hospital bed and her Uncle John was using his powers on her, evidenced by the faint white glow around the two of them.

Seeing the photo, she felt her previously gone headache coming back.

“…How did you get this? What is this? Are you messing around with me?”

“Is that all you have to say to me?” Vincent smiled while sipping his now cold tea.

Remembering the figure with the umbrella, Nafisa gritted her teeth before asking, “Are you Vincent Angelo Grace?”

“Bingo! I'm so happy your brain works. And I happened to save your life. No need to thank me. Your father has already done that.” Vincent smiled broadly before pulling down his sunglasses exposing the vivid red orbs that winked at her.

Hiding his eyes once more, Vincent spoke softly, his voice sounding like the dark seductive whispers of a devil.“Aren’t you curious as to what’s going on? Why is a monster choking you? Why did I save you? What is your Father hiding? Did John Shi really wipe your memory? Do you have…powers? Do you want me to tell you? Shall we make a deal?”

Nafisa glared at the man who sounded as if he were toying with her. Although she wanted answers, his every question resonated in her heart, she knew this man was a monster that could not be trusted. Who knew if he had fabricated the photos themselves or how he had taken them? She needed to investigate every detail personally.

"No thank you!"

“How boring.” Vincent calmly told her.

“What?”

Vincent leaned back on his chair as he stared at the ceiling, before slamming back down on the ground with a sigh. “I said how boring. I’m sure you’re having doubts like ‘Oh he’s a villain I can’t believe him, yada, yada, yada’. That’s so boring. You can keep the photos and here’s your phone back. I fully expect you to investigate and find the truth out for yourself. And when you get stuck, just remember that I offered you a deal.”

“Now you know how quid pro quo works right? I gave you your phone and even some extra information. Nothing in this world is free. I have a question for you.”

“If you’re asking me to betray or expose my family to you, then dream on!” Nafisa yelled out even though she

“Pfft, I don’t care about that.” Vincent burst out laughing. What a silly girl, trying to act tough even though she was shivering in fear and looked like she was about to cry.

“Then what’s your question?” Nafisa glared at the man laughing at her expense.

“Miss Radi. No, Nafisa. Are there any Magicians or witches in your family?”

“What?”

Nafisa stared at Vincent in confusion as he asked a question completely out of the left field.