**Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Thank you for all the supportive comments, I'm beyond grateful. For those wondering, don't worry, our favorite narcissist will get his nickname one day, it'e been tricky only writing Noll and Oliver, I keep writing Naru and have to do a lot of editing. I'm planning on making this story quite long (hopefully at least thirty chapters with multiple cases and character developments). Again if anyone from the UK would like to message me any common phrases or words for items that would be greatly appreciated! I try to do as much research as possible to make this story as authentic and realistic as I can. I'm trying to write as much as possible too so once my husband and I have to go back to work I can just upload already written chapters. **
Chapter Four
It was a beautiful spring morning. The warming sun was shining from behind a few stray clouds and there was no rain in the daily forecast. The first day of her new job was already shaping up to be a good one. Mai let out a satisfied sigh as the hustle and bustle of the crowd on the sidewalk reminded her of Japan. She had to admit, this was better than her old commute back in Tokyo. She was happy her new job was closer to her home because now she was able to walk to work. BSPR was located on the outskirts of London, just over a twenty minute walk from her flat complex.
She looked to her left and saw her reflection in the large glass window of a local business. She smoothed her flowing yellow skirt that came mid-calf, and straightened her denim jacket that complimented the white blouse underneath. Her brown leather ballet flats were fashionable yet comfortable, perfect for the walk to work. She hoped she looked the part. She chuckled to herself when she thought back to her old fashion sense back in high school. She liked to think time had helped her mature in more ways than one.
Since today was her first day she wanted to make a good impression. She knew she wouldn't have to attend Oliver on any "cases" as he called them. She highly doubted he wanted a rookie to go hunt ghosts on their first day. Mai reached up to push a long strand of auburn hair behind her ear, thinking about what transpired between her and the blue-eyed man just two days ago.
Two Days Prior
Mai rushed to keep up with the long strides Oliver was taking. He had paid for a lift to the outskirts of London and they were now making their way up the large stairway of the BSPR building.
"BSPR?" she read out loud.
"This building serves as our headquarters. This is where you will come daily at nine o'clock precisely, unless specified," he informed the brunette, coming up to two large glass doors. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key before unlocking it and holding the door open for her.
Mai stepped inside and looked around the large and empty room curiously. The first room, the lobby, was very bright due to all the windows. There was a large secretarial desk in the center of the room with "BSPR" displayed behind it in large metal letters. To the right side of the room was a wooden door as well as two black leather chairs, a matching settee, and an oval glass coffee table with reading materials for the ready. To the left of the room was a small kitchenette, a restroom, and a large glass door with a plaque she couldn't quite make out on it.
"That is my father's office. He is the CEO of this company," Oliver informed and led her through the wooden door next to the sitting area. Inside she found a larger sitting area with two grey sofas and two chairs all circling a rectangular wooden coffee table. On the opposite wall there were two wooden doors, also with plaques.
"Is this where you interview your prospective clients?" she wondered.
"Precisely. This will also be used as your office. I will make sure you have everything you will need by monday," he replied professionally. He motioned to the far right corner of the room. There were large wooden filing cabinets that lined the wall. "Your desk will be over here. My office is the door right next to it. The door to the left is Koujo Lin's office, you will meet him on Monday."
Mai nodded along and followed the tall man into his office. He made his way to his desk and motioned for her to sit down. Taking her pick of one of the two guest chairs she took her seat and watched as the professor pulled out his laptop and turned it on.
She sat there in silence while he began to type something. "Are we writing up my contract right now?"
Oliver looked at her blankly. "You have the day off, correct?"
"Well, yes," she started.
"Then I don't see the problem," he said truthfully.
Mai should have known better. She had always sensed that this man was a workaholic but it was a Saturday and she had been really hoping to finally explore the city. She let out a small sigh. Oh well, she thought, at least she was getting a new job out of all of this.
"Tell me about these dreams you have," the raven-haired man requested, straight to the point. He couldn't deny that he was curious to know more about her ability.
Mai placed a thoughtful finger on her chin, thinking of how to begin. "Well, I don't really have control over them. They just kind of...happen. Sometimes they happen after I have visited a particular place, but more often than not it is just a random dream while I'm asleep."
"I see," he murmured, typing everything she said as she spoke. "And do all of your dreams revolve around death or murder?"
She shook her head. "Thankfully no, but those do tend to be the ones I remember the most. Sometimes the dreams are just memories, good or bad. I thought they were just odd dreams at first but then I started to see obituaries or articles in the newspaper and realised they were the people I saw in my dreams."
He nodded along as he continued to type down her responses. "In these dreams are you a third party?"
"As in a bystander?" she clarified. "Yes, I'm always off to the side watching the scene almost as if it is a movie. But actually...there was one dream…"
"Go on," he pressed, intrigued.
"There was one dream I experienced through the victims eyes," she said softly, looking down at her lap.
He could see the discomfort the memory brought her but this was the type of information he needed to know. "Tell me about that dream."
Mai bit her lip nervously, something he noticed she did quite often. "I didn't like that dream. I could feel it all. Everything the victim felt, I could feel. It was too real."
Oliver's eyes narrowed. Interesting. "And this was the only dream of its kind that you experienced?"
"Yes, it was a one time thing, thank goodness," she sighed. "I don't know if I'd want these dreams any more if they were all like that. They're already difficult enough. To witness them first hand like that other dream would probably break me."
"When did you begin getting these dreams?" the man continued.
"It was right around the time my mother passed away. It's one of those things that would have been easier to cope with if I had a parent around for support," she trailed off. Oliver stopped typing and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. She tilted her head. "Care to share?"
He looked over at her. "Psychic abilities often begin to show after a stressful or traumatic experience. Losing both of your parents may have been the catalyst that triggered your ability to have post-cognitive dreams."
Mai hadn't thought of that before. "That makes sense," she said quietly.
The next half hour consisted of him questioning her about past dreams. Mai reached her arms above her head in a stretch, this seat wasn't meant for sitting in for long periods of time. She wondered if that was intentional since Oliver didn't seem like a very big people-person. She looked up at the man sitting across from her when she heard a pause in his typing. He was rubbing his temples. She remembered the last time he had done that he said he was going through "tea withdrawal." She remembered seeing the entryway to the kitchenette back in the lobby.
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" she asked, getting the approving wave of dismissal as a response.
Mai made her way out into the lobby and then into the kitchenette. She saw an electric tea kettle and a basket with a selection of teas. After filling up the kettle and plugging it in, she began to search the basket for black tea. She was disappointed to find only one generic tea bag left and made a mental note to run to the store tomorrow. Within minutes the tea was steeping and she began rummaging the cupboards in hopes of finding her secret ingredients. As expected, they were nowhere to be found and so she made another mental note. After making due with what she had, she finally made her way back to Oliver's office.
The dark haired man had been typing away on his computer when he heard her come in. He looked up as she entered and raised a brow at the teacup in her hand.
"Don't see this as a representation of my tea-making abilities. Your kitchenette is lacking," she informed him.
"Yes, I know," he drawled. "Our secretary has been slacking in that area." He took the drink from her and brought it to his lips. His brows furrowed slightly. How did it still taste good? He had made planty a cup of tea from that kitchenette and there were not enough additives to make the tea this good. A thought came to him and he turned back to his computer before quickly jotting something down.
Mai craned her neck to try and catch a glimpse of what he was writing. "Is that my contract?"
Oliver nodded curtly before turning the screen to face her. She was surprised with how quickly he had written an entire contract for her. "'Daily responsibilities: answer the phones; arrange interviews/meetings with prospective clients and BSPR personnel; liaison between BSPR and other essential personnel'…what does that one mean?"
"BSPR has a handful of voluntary staff we call if we feel they are needed during a particular case," the man explained.
"Oh! That's handy," she awed and continued reading her daily duties. "Lets see, where was I? Ah! 'File paperwork, complete any tasks asked of her, and…'" She looked at the next item on the list and shot the man a look.
"Go on," he coaxed.
"And 'make tea,'" she finished blandly. "Did you really have to add that in?"
"It is one of the most essential responsibilities on there," he shrugged.
"Clearly," she said sarcastically. She looked back at the screen and noticed there was another section to the contract. "'Responsibilities pertaining to cases: help load/unload any or all equipment; participate in setting up aforementioned equipment; record and collect data such as, but not limited to, temperature readings and audio recordings; help interviewing witnesses and clients; and record any work related dreams in a journal.'"
Oliver nodded along as she read. He pressed a button on the screen, sending the contract to the printer. "That last one is vital. If you wish to hone your abilities I require you to record any and all work related dreams into a journal I will provide you. Do you understand?" he prompted.
Mai nodded. "Sounds simple enough."
"Good. Now, on the subject of payment I have written a yearly salary on the next page. Is it satisfactory?"
Mai took the contract from him and turned to the second page. Her eyes felt as though they would pop from her skull as they went so wide. "W-Wh...But...Wow! I can't accept this, this is too much. There must be a mistake."
"Nonsense, I have written down precisely what I intended. Do you agree to your salary?"
"I-I, well yes, I'd be daft not to accept," she sputtered, still in shock.
"Brilliant. Now upon signing this contract you agree to the terms and condition as well as a waiver claiming you acknowledge the possibility of injury, whether minor or severe, including death." He was all business as he spoke.
"Death?" she gawked.
"We have never lost an employee during a case and I intend to keep it that way. However, this job has its risks, and they can be severe. Do you acknowledge and agree to those risks?" he repeated.
Mai paused for a moment. Did she agree to those terms? That was a lot of information to take in during such a short amount of time. But then she thought about it. She hadn't even started and yet she already felt like she finally found her calling. She never felt fulfillment from any of her previous jobs, and she had dozens throughout her life. The pay was exceptional, and she was also going to be learning how to use and control her powers. So what if she got hurt from time to time...or died?...
She looked down at the contract in her hand and then back up to those cerulean eyes.
"Do you have a pen?" she asked with determined resolve.
A pleased smirk graced his features as he held out a pen.
A passerby on the sidewalk bumped into the brunette, pulling her out of her reverie. She clutched the paper bag in her arms closer to herself, keeping its contents safe. She looked up and realized giddily that she was a block away from her new job.
"Here goes," she muttered to herself and began climbing the familiar stairs. She took a deep breath before opening one of the large glass doors.
There was a bespectacled man sitting at the secretary's desk. He lazily looked up from his computer and smiled coyly when he saw her.
"You must be the new hire, huh?" He had a kind voice, but the manner in which he spoke made her think of a playful kitten looking at a ball of yarn.
Mai hiked the paper bag onto one hip and stretched out a hand in greeting. "Mai Taniyama. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The man shook her hand and smiled again. "Osamu Yashuhara, at your service. You can call me Yasu. You're from Japan as well, aren't you? I have a feeling we will be good friends, Mai."
"I sure hope so," she laughed sweetly.
"What's that you've got there?" he asked curiously motioning towards the bag in her arms.
Mai held the bag up to the man. "Supplies for tea. I noticed there wasn't much last time I was here."
Yasuhara's eyes crinkled in amusement. "Ten points to Gryffindor, Miss Taniyama. Boss told me I'm no longer on tea duty, you're a lifesaver. You're going to fit right in here, I can tell."
Mai smiled brightly and motioned towards the kitchenette. "I'm just going to go put this away and I'll be back in a jiffy."
She made her way to the small kitchen and placed the paper bag down on the countertop. Reaching in she pulled out two bags of black tea leaves, an infuser, a glass jar of clover honey, and a sack of fresh lemons. She found a place for each of her items and was about to start the kettle when Yasuhara appeared beside her.
"I wouldn't start that just yet. Boss and Lin are in a verbal sparring match at the moment so who knows how long that will last, and boss gets in a mood when his tea isn't hot."
Mai sighed and put the kettle away. She could hear a man's raised voice coming from the direction of Oliver's office. "Good to know, thank you for the heads up. I should probably stay out in the lobby with you until they're finished." She figured she could learn more about her new coworker since she had the time. "So, when did you come to the UK?"
Yasuhara shrugged and made his way back to his desk in the lobby with her in tow. "I think it was six years ago. I originally came here to get my masters degree but I wound up running into Mr. Davis at my university when he was a guest speaker and he recruited me."
"Oliver did?" she questioned.
He shook his head. "Big Boss; his father. You'll probably meet the old man by the end of the week. He strolls on in here after he's done at the lab, " Yasuhara informed her.
"The lab?"
"Martin focuses more on the science behind paranormal phenomena as well as psychic abilities. He's the CEO but spends most of his time at the lab. His wife, Luella, uses her talents as a psychiatrist to help those personally affected by hauntings. It's a whole family affair."
Mai leaned against the tall desk. "Impressive. They seem like a talented family."
Yasu nodded. "You're telling me. Just wait until-"
"Noll, you need to tell her to stop." Mai turned to look in the direction of Oliver's office and winced. The man, Lin, seemed to be rather peeved at her new boss. She looked back to her new work friend with a raised brow.
"Lin's wife is eight months pregnant and keeps insisting on going on cases. She's a hard woman to say no to and so Boss hasn't banned her from attending cases yet," the bespectacled man replied. "I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to be the one to break the news to her either. She's been my mentor since I've been here and she hates to miss out."
Mai nodded in understanding. "I'll keep that in mind when I meet her."
The continued to learn more about each other for a good twenty minutes before Oliver's door opened and he walked out, followed by an even taller and leaner man. This must be Lin, Mai thought to herself. He had black hair that covered one eye and a stern and slightly intimidating expression. The two made their way to Yasuhara's desk in the lobby and Oliver nodded in greeting to the both of them.
"You made it here on time I see," he mentioned to the woman. "Mai, meet Koujo Lin."
Mai reached a hand out which the man took hesitantly. "Mr. Lin."
"Lin is fine. Welcome to the team Miss Taniyama," the Chinese man greeted and bowed his head politely. He turned back toward Oliver. "I'll go gather all of the equipment and prepare it for tomorrow."
Oliver nodded in response as the taller man took his leave.
Mai tilted her head. "What's tomorrow?"
"Your first case."