It was morning when the sun greeted Ivan's face with its sunshine. Ivan groggily woke up from his hang-over induced sleep to recollections of last night. Braginski knew he had gotten a little too drunk last night, which made his mood turn sour and reminded him of his loneliness.
He got up from the floor, slowly at first as he felt the wave of dizziness hit like a ton bricks thrown at him. He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. He scanned the room to see where he was and then checked his watch to see the time.
It was already 9:00 am, so he sighed in relief.
"At least I'm not late. I have to be there on time to make the show again," Ivan said to himself. He knew that he would head to work at the studio in the afternoon, leaving him free for some time. He was about to head into his bedroom to fetch his towel to take his regular morning shower when a voice stopped him.
"Are you okay?" a gentle voice asked.
Ivan turned his head slowly, his eyes widening at the familiar, melodious tone.
He saw the figure and it soon growled. All the pieces fell together.
"You! I told you to get out of here."
The boy raised his left eyebrow in arrogance, but he heaved a small sigh since his worry outweighed his irritability.
"I'm just wondering if you're okay...You seemed really out of it last night."
Ivan decided it was best to answer this stranger for now. He could investigate the reason why he was here, and he knew he would not get his question answered if he continued. He looked carefully at the stranger in front of him. He appeared much younger than himself, and he was dressed in a long white sleeved shirt with a maple leaf where his heart was located. The ensemble was completed with beige khakis and brown shoes.
"I'm fine. Now I want to know, why are you here?" Ivan asked with a icy tone that made Canada's hands clench shut. Ivan smirked at his reaction, hoping to scare him into confessing. "If it's is money you want, I don't have any. But if you want to get hurt, I will be more happy to oblige, da?" He threatened so darkly that his thick accent showed. Canada quickly stopped the man's murderous train of thought.
"Wait, you don't understand! I'm not here to rob you."
"Ohh?" Russia said, still not believing the young man's words. His eyebrow elevated, hinting that he was humouring him. But his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I don't understand why I'm here in the first place!" Canada yelled out, and Ivan could see from his face that he was distressed and confused as well. "It is like I can't rest in peace until I do something."
Ivan was at a loss of words. He had just thought it was the hangover he was experiencing making him hallucinate. His head was still pounding, and the boy was still there. He played along just to humour him while he feigned interest in his so-called story.
"What do you mean?" Ivan asked.
The boy replied, a bit unsure, "Well, I think...I don't know, I'm surprised that you saw me. I've been wandering around the city, praying that someone would see me, and that is why I decided to go back to this condo. It used to be my old place before I moved out after getting my new job." Ivan continued to listen. His heart was slowly believing his words, but his mind yelled out that it was a trick. He did seem very happy talking about his old memories.
"Listen, I'm sorry for bothering you. I'm so glad that I was able to talk to someone...after...since..."
Ivan's ears picked up the sad tone and he frowned. "Da? What was that?"
The Canadian hurriedly replied, "It's nothing, eh?"
Ivan's curiosity sparked and he was itching to know more about this boy. Ivan could tell there was something surreal about him, something very ethereal about his appearance, and he could not deny that he was absolutely stunning.
Ivan's phone rang, and he turned his face away to look at the caller ID. He was about to excuse himself, but the boy was gone from sight.
He growled at his stupidly for letting him escape, although it was not only the reason. He wanted to know more about him.
"Nyet, I will figure this out, I must be dreaming," Ivan rationalized in his head. He answered the phone to see his producer calling him.
"Kesesesese, Ivan, where are you?" the albino greeted, and Ivan's mood plummeted.
"Gil, what is it?" Ivan could never understand why and how the Prussian man became the producer of his show. He had had the funds and they met three years ago with dreams of becoming successful hits in the TV industry.
"I'm at home, why?" Ivan had to ask, and judging by Gilbert's answer, his day was probably about to get much worse.
"You have to come a bit early to the studio. We're doing another interview with that Natalya babe. The ratings went through the roof after her appearance." Ivan's stomach flip-flopped. He did not want to see her; he was really scared of her.
"We could do someone else. Why don't we do someone else...I planned on speaking to the Ukrainian farmer who won the lottery and now owns Europe's largest milk company?"
Prussia scoffed at the idea. "No way. I'm telling you everyone want her, she is hot! Kesesesese."
Ivan was about to hang up on his producer until he thought to ask him about the stranger in his living room.
"I know what you did was a prank. It was funny but must stop, da?" Ivan said sweetly, but Gil knew his tone meant trouble.
"I do not know what you're talking about, but it wasn't me. It could have been Alfred's crazy idea."
"It must stop...or I could say it would be a sad day if your pet bird had no head."
Ivan pouted and the albino growled, "Leave Gilbird alone. He is too awesome for your pathetic death threats!"
Ivan giggled. "So you must stop. It was the paid actors, da? I must admit, the male you hired is very attractive."
Gilbert was dumbstruck. "I did not send anyone to your house. I know I did it last time with that Asian man, but you must be mistaken or something."
Ivan decided to end the call after hearing his producer's honesty. He wasn't quite sure what to make of this situation.
He decided to freshen himself up to be more mentally alert, and to watch the morning news to see if there was anything important to talk about in his show.
A nice, relaxing shower later, and fully dressed, he headed downstairs to turn on his TV to his favourite news channel. He entered his kitchen to make himself a hot delicious breakfast, and he absentmindedly listened to the latest story.
"In other news, there has been an increased incident of organ trafficking in hospitals. Last week, a few coma patients were discovered to be missing organs, assumed stolen from them through illegally medical surgeries. The police have begun an investigation in this with the chief inspector Arthur Kirkland, who is here with us now to discuss this growing concern," the news anchor woman announced. She looked at her special guest. The male blond who had a stern face that meant business now faced the camera.
"I'm Chief Inspector Kirkland, and we are investigating the details of the latest crime scene. So far we have no leads on the who the perpetrator might be, but nevertheless, I will make sure that Scotland Yard will apprehend the criminals responsible," he said with a strong conviction which made the news reporter solemnly smile, praying that Kirkland's words would come true. The inspector took a breath to continue his explanation as the newscaster attentively listened on.
"Organ trafficking is a serious crime and it is horrendous to know that whomever is responsible is not only doing this for money, but also committing murder. Most patient don't survive."
"Are there any other details you would like to share?" the reporter asked before it was time for the weather forecasts. Arthur nodded. "We have now sent out patrols to several possible hospital where the attacks may occur. We narrowed it down to a particular area in London."
"Thanks so much for coming on the set, Inspector," the lady said with a smile. Arthur replied warmly, "Glad to inform the public."
"Now we go to -"
Click.
Ivan had lost his appetite. He was already feeling anxious at the bottom of his stomach, knowing that he was living in the same area. He felt silly afterwards and thought that no harm could come to him; avoid the hospitals for now and everyone will be okay.
He decided to go the studio to prepare his show. He wanted to plan out another escape route in advance; Natalya would try to use every excuse in the book to get his number, or worse, to be his girlfriend. Ivan had only known her for a week, and he was extremely concerned about whether to set up a restraining order or not. He had heard rumours that she had a hard time accepting that people could say 'no' to her.
He was still in denial about his so-called intruder and was settled on finding out who started this prank. He quickly got his things ready to leave.
Canada sighed at the Russian's disbelief. He was watching him from the far corner of the room behind him, so he was unable to notice his presence. He did not understand himself why he had appeared at his house. He always ended up here, perhaps because it was the place he had of sentimental value since he was the previous owner of the condo, or was perhaps because Ivan was the only one who had actually seen him for weeks now. That was real reason why he wanted to know what made the Russian man so special.
As he continue to observe him, his ears went back to hearing about the organ trafficking. His mood sank and his lips couldn't help the frown forming on his face.
He was lost in his thoughts until another wild idea popped in his mind, and soon a wicked smile bloomed on his face. He wanted to get some payback and possibly tease him some more.
An idea soon popped in his mind, pushing the distressing issue behind him.
"Don't believe in ghosts, eh?"
AN: Hey guys I'm so sorry for not updating these few months. This semester made me extremely busy. Do not fret, I will plan to update my stories eventually hint and hint Taking Lessons. Reviews greatly appreciated. This is edited by fakiagirl.