Chapter 33 – A Morning of Work
The next day, Razan, Loona, and Charlie woke up tangled together on the main room's couch.
Razan opened one eye first. Loona was sleeping wrapped around his chest, her muzzle pressed against his neck. On the other side, Charlie had thrown an entire leg over his face. With all the care in the world, he moved the princess's foot off his face, looked at the two of them, and shook his head with a small smile.
Let them sleep a little longer.
He stood up without making a sound and went straight to the meeting room. Even though every muscle in his body screamed, "run from this torture called paperwork," duty called.
Carla was already there, organizing stacks of documents.
— Boss, where are Loona and the princess? I don't see them.
Razan sat down, grabbed the first folder, and answered without looking up:
— Sleeping on the couch. And from the way you said it, sounds like we're glued together all the time.
Carla sat on the other side of the table and began helping with the papers.
— Sir, you're the only one who hasn't noticed. You and Miss Loona have been inseparable since we met you. And ever since you became friends with Princess Charlie, she treats this mansion like her second home. Just the other day I saw her coming out of your room with some things… When I called her, she ran away.
Razan slammed his hand on the table, remembering instantly:
— I KNEW IT! I hadn't lost my limited-edition comics! I saw her looking at that shelf with a guilty face… That girl is gonna see. Next time, I'm putting pepper in her sweets!
Carla sighed and thought: They're young… let them solve this alone.
Razan changed the subject:
— Forget that. Do I have any appointments today?
— Yes, sir. A meeting with Mrs. Carmilla Carmine.
— Great. Time to close that weapon contract with her. — He yawned. — How long should it take?
— The contract is simple. You won't have to stay long in the meeting… I know it's something you really dislike, sir.
Razan smirked.
— You really get me, Carla. I'm off.
He opened a portal and, on the other side, was already at the entrance of Carmilla Carmine's building.
He entered the lobby and immediately recognized the receptionist — the same one from the first time he came with Loona.
— Good morning! Been a while, huh?
The receptionist looked up and froze for a second. Ever since Carmilla warned her that this guy was dangerous, she never forgot his face.
— Yes… a long while. Can I help you?
— I'm here for my meeting with Mrs. Carmilla. She should be expecting me.
She quickly made a call, confirmed, and stood up.
— Follow me, please.
Razan followed behind. After discovering that his sense of direction was as good as Zoro's, he didn't trust himself not to accidentally end up in Paradise.
They stopped in front of a door. The receptionist gestured toward it.
— The boss is inside.
— Thanks a lot, you saved my life, he said with a wink.
— Just doing my job, she replied awkwardly before walking away.
Razan opened the door and saw Carmilla sitting down, arms crossed, expression serious.
— Why the serious face? Stress causes wrinkles. Would be a shame for such a beautiful woman to ruin her face.
Carmilla raised a brow.
— I am dead, and I'm a demon. Do you really think I can get wrinkles?
Razan sat down, still smiling.
— Even if the chance is low, we shouldn't risk ruining that perfect face. And honestly, even with wrinkles you'd still be gorgeous.
Carmilla let out a tired sigh.
— You know, I'd rather deal with Velvette and Vox a thousand times than deal with you.
— But I'm super chill! I didn't even do anything!
— Exactly. You do nothing and still give me a headache.
Her tone shifted.
— Let's get to business.
One hour later, contract signed, values arranged, product exchanges set.
Razan stretched.
— That was fast. Didn't even get the chance to take a nap.
Carmilla glared.
— You were planning to sleep in my office?
— Well, I can't help it. Even with such a beautiful lady to admire during the meeting, my desire to avoid work and sleep is stronger than your beauty, Carmilla.
She rolled her eyes and changed the subject:
— I saw the broadcast of your show.
Razan blinked.
— What broadcast?
Carmilla slid her phone across the table. On the screen: Razan, Charlie, and Loona singing on the cosmic stage, the entire Hell watching live.
— If you want, now that we're business partners, I can find out who leaked it and… take care of her.
Razan picked up the phone, watched for a moment, then laughed.
— Let it go.
Carmilla narrowed her eyes.
— Why?
— Because she's my fan. She's screaming that she loves me, poor thing. I'm not hurting a fan of mine. And who cares if all of Hell saw it? It was just a fun moment with the people I like.
Carmilla stared at him, stunned, not believing what she was hearing.
Razan zoomed in on the video.
— Look at that… this girl is really good. Look how she grabs the audience's attention. I could hire her to do the same marketing job Velvette does for the Vees.
He returned the phone.
— Good meeting, Carmilla. Now I have to run and eat breakfast. If I'm late, Charlie will eat my portion. Sometimes I wonder why I taught her that human food tastes good…
He opened a portal, waved, and disappeared.
On the other side, already home, he saw exactly what he feared: Charlie devouring his entire plate.
— CHARLIE, THAT WAS MY PORTION!
— Who told you to take so long? she replied, mouth full.
Loona sat at the table, drinking her coffee silently, watching the two argue, and thought with a discreet smile:
Two idiots… there's always more food, but they love fighting during breakfast.