NEW LIFE : A SECOND CHANCE

It was now 9.30am.

The receptionist was ready to cry at her desk.

She had found out from Mr. Smith's PA that they had an appointment with CEO Charles at 9am. She truly believed that they did, unless their identities were fake. Yet, why wasn't their name on the list? At the very least, the young Kyle Smith's name should be there in her appointment book.

The moment it was 9am, she could feel the air of displeasure from the group waiting patiently at the lounge start. As the minutes ticked by, the feeling of uncomfortableness became more and more to the point that she felt as if there was some impending doom looming above.

She cursed Pauline for the umpteenth time. Why was the call not getting through? She had kept on trying and trying. She was even tempted to go up and ask personally but there was no one to man the desk if she did.

So all she could do was keep on trying every 3 minutes yet failed.

When she saw Pauline walk through the lift, the receptionist was so happy that she wanted to kiss the floor. Finally! She was safe!!

As Pauline walked out the lift, her eyes fell on the striking group of people at the waiting area. She had to admit, they did pose a rather pretty picture. Yet, that's all that it was. A pretty picture. No substance. Though she did give them points for not throwing a tantrum at having to wait so long.

As Kyle watched the person responsible for the farce this morning, he didn't bother to hide his displeasure. He wasn't really angry since this was something he had been expecting, but he had to put on a show of some sort. What reasonable man would be happy to have been kept waiting? Just displeasure and not any killing aura.

He almost smiled though when he thought of the way Xing Han kept trying to get him to teach him how to do it. Yet, how could he? He couldn't very well tell Xing Han that he managed to achieve that by tapping into his memories of his death? Of the sense of desolation, anger, and helplessness which gave rise to a feeling of intense anger? The anger that was intensified due to the Smith genes?

It was a well-known fact that the Smiths reached where they are now due to their meticulous and often cold-hearted approach to business. What was not known was that such an approach was due to the volatile temperament in their genes.

The Smith's have an extremely violent history, full of physical abuse and mass murder. It was Kyle's great-great-great-great grandfather that finally put a clamp down on that by intense discipline. The Head of the Smiths were those that actually managed to hone that into a positive path. Kyle had already passed the test when he was 9-years-old, thus cementing his fate as the next CEO.

Pauline plastered a fake smile on her face as she gave a little bow and said apologetically, "I am so sorry to have kept you waiting, Kyle. CEO Smith had been held up at an emergency meeting."

Kyle didn't get up but instead, leaned back on the chair and stared at her. Then he turned to Sam and said, "Take note. Pauline Hans, personal secretary and assistant to CEO Charles for the past five years. Evaluation: Incompetent and disrespectful. Status: Red"

Pauline was taken aback. What was this? He knew who she was at a glance and her work history? And what evaluation? What status? Who was he kidding anyway? He was just a kid playing CEO. He had no real power to do anything. The initial shock she had was brushed aside quickly but she couldn't stop her face from showing an expression of ridicule before she smiled indifferently again.

Everyone caught that look and they looked at each other quietly.

Kyle got up, and the others - other than Kay who was busy at her laptop - did as well. They were quietly withholding the sense of anger and dissatisfaction that had only increased as the time ticked by. Kyle took his time, as he looked down and smoothened his suit before finally looking up.

With his height, he was not at any disadvantage even though she was wearing heels and he took advantage of that.

"Well, since CEO Smith has finally deemed himself free to meet with me, lead the way, Ms. Hans," Kyle said, ignoring, for now, the way she addressed him so familiarly. He was keeping count. Unfortunately, Pauline took it to mean that she had been right in her estimation of him. She, though a secretary, was superior to him since she was older.

Kyle ignored the gloating look on Pauline's face as he turned to Kay and asked, "Is it done?"

Kay made a few more taps on her keypad before closing her laptop and answered simply, "Yes."

She packed her laptop and stood up, waiting next to Kyle. Kyle then looked at Pauline, raised an eyebrow and said simply, "Well? Lead the way then."

Kay walked beside Kyle, while Sam was at a respectable distance to the other side of Kyle. Ali and Xing Han were but a step behind them. They followed Pauline into the lift and it didn't take them long to reach the desired floor.

As they exited, curious glances were sent their way. One even went up to Pauline who was walking to CEO's office and asked, "Who are these kids, Pauline?"

"Oh, just some visitors for CEO Charles," she answered simply.

The lady was shocked and looked at the group who were quietly following Pauline then asked again, "CEO is always so busy. Why does he have time to pander to these kids?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Pauline said loudly, smiling as she thought how the kids behind her would be feeling. Yet, they didn't say anything, which made her feel even more arrogant.

"They're even dressed up as if they are real businessmen," the lady laughed as she walked beside Pauline.

[Calm down, Kay]

[Argh. How can you just stand there and say nothing? I want to go and scratch those eyes out. Sew those lips shut]

[Tsk tsk] Kyle said, a smirk slowly forming on his lips.

[She's just too much! Go do your thing, brother]

[My thing? My thing?! What, am I a circus act now?]

Kay gave him a glare, not appreciating his lame attempt at defusing the situation. Kyle could see the anger simmering in her eyes and he sighed. Lately, the Smith Anger thing was manifesting within Kay more often. He made a mental note to get her to go through the anger management refresher course.

[Fine. How strong do you want it?]

Kay grinned. [Enough to make her faint or something]

[No problem; but you're really going to have to deal with your anger management. It's becoming more frequent]

[That's because you indulge me, my dear brother] Kay said smugly [I know I can't act on it but you can since you're the one who knows the limits]

[Yeah, yeah, fine. You got me there. It's all my fault. I won't pander to you anymore then.]

Kay's laugh echoed in his mind as Kyle focused his gaze on the lady next to Pauline. The unsuspecting woman was still mouthing off about them when she felt this chill filling her entire body. She shivered, fear gripping her heart for some reason.

It was bright outside. The air conditioning wasn't on full blast. She had a jacket on. So why the chill? It was ... it was as if ... there was a ghost in the area. She's always been superstitious and the moment the thought entered her head, she started to panic. Ghosts would even come out in the day??

Her eyes darted left and right but she couldn't see anything. Then she felt stupid for thinking she could. After all, they were ghosts, right? Then, her gaze landed on Kyle and as they locked eyes, she felt her surroundings fade out. All the noise, gone. All she could see was his eyes and she felt as if her soul was being sucked in. She couldn't move.

The next thing she knew, she was on the ground and people were in a panic.

She sat up suddenly, looking around her in total fear.

"Where is he? Where is HE?!" she said as she grabbed the nearest person.

"Who?"

"That kid. No, that wasn't a kid. The devil! That's what he was! The Devil!" the lady was blabbering.

At that time, the 'Devil' was entering the CEO's office. Pauline had already gone in.

[Satisfied?] Kyle asked.

[Very] Kay said as she turned back and looked at the lady. She was staring at them with wide eyes, full of fear.

Kay noticed that people weren't looking at them but at the crazy lady instead. She was also partially blocked by Xing Han and Ali so most would not be able to see her properly. The lady, however, had a clear straight view of her - and she was staring at her right now.

Kay stared at her in the eyes and slowly smiled. Then, as if in slow motion, she brought her hand up to her neck, closed four fingers into her palm with the thumb sticking out a bit. She smirked as she made a slicing motion across her neck before pointing at the lady.

The lady's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she promptly fainted.

[Really, Kay?]

[Just taking the trash out, dear brother.]