Hello, my dears. Again, many, many thanks to Quidam the Namless for helping me immensly with this chapter. Critique is much appreciated. Again, it will be a while again before this is updated. I know who I'm going to write about in the next chapter, but... it will take a while. I hope you enjoy this. Btw... I'd really like some constructive critisism instead of fluff. Also... what do you people think about Keller?

-Serendipity Kat

Chapter 8: Reaper

"Sir? Your next meeting is in 15 min." a black tom poked his head in the spacious office.

The black leather chair swiveled around to reveal a tom that could be considered beautiful. He was a pale blonde and white- long furred tom. His short brown hair was slicked back in the European style that was popular. He was dressed impeccably in a brown suit that was the most popular one at the time.

"Thank you, Carlan." He acknowledged the other tom. Carlan left and Reaper swung his chair around again and stared out at the New York skyline. He could smell leather and chrome. He hadn't been in this particular place too long and so the newness of everything still lingered. Like her scent. He scowled as a face drifted into his mind. It was a very attractive face, but one that was from the past. He was very proud of what he had accomplished in the four years since he had dumped her. She had been too much for him to handle. He was enraptured with her at the start, but after he had proposed to her, she became almost unbearable for him. She was clingy and demanding and obsessed over her work. So he had looked elsewhere. He sighed inwardly. Of course he felt bad about it, but in his mind he justified it as being the best thing to do. But then she caught him and he had to break off the engagement. It was the proper thing to do. He couldn't have her ruining his name and spoiling his credentials. But even now, she still seemed to haunt him. He turned back around and his eyes fell onto his desk. There was a magazine that he didn't remember bring there. There were papers on top of it and he could only assume that Carlan had brought it. As he pushed the papers aside, her face was plastered on the front. "No, no, no!" he moaned. He didn't want to be reminded of her. Dammit! She was still as beautiful as ever. She was leaning against a wall with one paw on her still slender waist. The other one was hanging limply by her side. Even now, he couldn't fault her taste in clothes. She was almost his equal in having an impeccable taste in clothes. She had on a short sundress. It had a handkerchief hemline that flared out a bit and accentuated her figure. Which, he noted was still as perfect as it was when they were dating. The top had a plunging neckline that showed off her generous white chest. Her hair was short though, instead of long and flowing. He remembered the feel of it against his paw as he had run it through her hair. A picture flashed by in his mind.

It was at the New York High Society Annual Glitter Benefit, also called The Glitter. The champagne was flowing, the jewels sparkling, and the rich mingling. He was dancing with the most beautiful queen ever. Her dress sparkled and she looked radiant in the jewels he had given her. They were his birthday present to her. He gave her a lot of things. He vividly remembered calling for the attention of the audience and then bending down on one knee and giving her the 2-karat marquise cut stone set in platinum. He remembered the look of joy on her face.

He looked down at the magazine on his desk. He flipped open the pages and started to read. It talked about how she was going to be showcased at the Fashion Gala coming up in mid December. He was impressed. It hadn't taken her long to get over their break-up apparently. He put down the magazine and picked up the rest of the mail. As his blue eyes scanned the envelopes, one near the bottom caught his attention. It was addressed to a Mr. Reaper Helaer at 347 Chante Ave. France. He frowned at the address. It had been a year since he'd lived in France. He looked at the return address and scowled. He thought that he'd taken care of everything. He scanned the contents. The gist of the letter was simple enough. It only said that his presence was needed as soon as possible. It didn't say why, nor who it was from. It also included an invitation to the community Christmas party on the 18th. He sat down in the chair and pulled out his desk calendar. Today was the 1st. He had to be back in town for the Fashion Gala, but he could spend time down there. It was ok because Helaer Company wasn't directly hosting a designer, so there was no time to be wasted back in New York on a clothing line. He pushed a button on his desk. The frosted glass door to his office opened.

"Yes, sir?" Carlan asked.

Reaper leaned forward. "I'm taking some time off. Several weeks, in fact. I need you to get a hold of Markalia for me. I'll need you to put off my appointments until I get back I will back in time for the Fashion Gala, however. I'll take my phone and labtop, but unless it's an emergency, I won't come back until the 19th." He sat back and rubbed his paw over his immaculately combed hair.

"Yes, sir. May I inquire as to why?" Carlan asked politely as he stood up.

Reaper rolled his eyes and replied. "I have some unfinished business to take care of."