As Alexa had suggested, Isabella left the hotel and gently placed the microscope back on the same table from which she had retrieved it. With measured steps, she walked over to her elegant handbag, where her cellphone rested, and lifted it gingerly like a delicate flower swaying in a gentle breeze.As her fingers caressed the phone screen, she dialed her father's phone number."Ring, ring."Alexander, cloaked in a patchwork of tattered clothing, each piece bearing the wear and tear of countless days on the streets, heard his cellphone ringing from his pocket.He wore a faded, oversized coat with frayed edges that hung loosely on his slender frame, making him appear smaller than he truly was. Under the coat, he layered multiple threadbare sweaters, whose colors faded into muted shades of gray and brown.His pants were ripped and stained, held together by a length of fraying rope in lieu of a belt. His mismatched and scuffed shoes had seen better days, with holes in the soles that allow
"It doesn't matter what my father thinks of you, Alexa. What I think of you is all that matters, and I know that I trust you. You have proven yourself to me.""I haven't proven myself to you, Isabella, but Master Alexander is still my primary user. If he hates me, then he might probably just disown me when everything is finally over. I am so sad, Isabella," Alexa said."Do not worry. When this is finally over, you will receive credit for all you have done. The ones that can go on the news will go on the news, and the ones that need to remain hidden will remain hidden. But to my father, you will take all the necessary credit, and he will love you for all you have sacrificed for us," Isabella assured."But what do you mean those that need to go on the news will go on the news, and those that need to stay hidden will stay hidden?" Alexa asked."Hahaha!" Isabella laughed shortly before she said,"You will agree with me that there are some things we did that need to be reported on the news
After checking out the video, Isabella finally arrived at the reception, and the lady she met there was different from the one she had encountered when she booked the hotel the previous days.Nevertheless, this change in staff didn't deter her from renewing her stay at the hotel. Understanding that hotel staff often work in shifts, she politely said, "Hi, I'm Isabella Rosewood, and I'm here to renew my stay at this hotel."With a gentle smile, the lady behind the reception desk looked up from the computer screen she had been staring at and said, "Certainly, Mrs. Isabella Rosewood. My name is Lily, and I'm happy to assist you today. Please allow me just a minute to retrieve the logbook."Lily rose from the comfortable chair she had been sitting in, and Isabella noticed her attire. She was wearing a well-fitted baby blue blazer over a crisp white blouse. Her dark hair was neatly pulled back into a sophisticated bun, and she wore a pair of elegant silver hoop earrings that added a touch
Seeing that the bartender recognised her, Isabella worried about what the man might be thinking about her, and her curiosity surged like loud music. However, if she didn't ask, it would be a lie.“You saw the report?”"Yes, I did," the man said excitedly, pushing Isabella’s drink towards her and placing both hands on the high table like a captain taking command of his ship before a thrilling voyage.Seeing the expression on his face, Isabella's curiosity began to wane, like a wilting flower in the scorching sun.With this, she felt more relaxed, knowing that whatever the bartender knew wouldn't damage her reputation around the hotel, like a well-guarded fortress.Nevertheless, it didn't mean the bartender wouldn't say more; this way, he took a glass cup from the cup shelves rightly behind him, and hence, he poured a drink into a cup for himself from a large, dark bottle with no label, like a magician conjuring a mysterious elixir from the depths of his enigmatic repertoire.“What you
The man exuded timeless charm with his vintage attire. He was dressed in a finely tailored three-piece suit, reminiscent of the 1920s. The suit was a deep shade of charcoal grey, adorned with pinstripes that accentuated his tall, lean frame. His crisp white shirt was impeccably tucked into high-waisted trousers that tapered elegantly down to polished, two-toned Oxford shoes.In the same vein, a silk pocket square adorned his breast pocket, matching the deep burgundy tie knotted neatly beneath the collar of his shirt. His hair was slicked back, revealing a well-groomed moustache that added an air of sophistication to his overall appearance.“I am fine, thank you,” Isabella answered politely, then turned back to her drink, noticing the bartender emerging from the back room.Certainly, Isabella did not appreciate the man's fashion sense who had just approached her. Nonetheless, his voice was charming and masculine, much like his appearance, which told her deep within that he couldn't be
Hearing what the man said, Isabella's eyes expressed shock. Though she could make sense of who the man was, Alexa's words to her earlier were beginning to be real.“Is this man and the bartender one of the ninjas of assassination missions?"“How do I get out of this situation?"“My God, why didn’t I just go to the bar outside in town? Why did I come to this hotel garden bar?"As random thoughts filled Isabella’s mind like liquid substance filling up a cup and the cup overflowed, it did not mean enough time was wasted. In fact, all her thoughts lasted only about ten seconds.Nevertheless, it did not mean the man beside her did not understand the messages written in Isabella’s eyes.“What are you thinking about?” He asked. “There is nothing you would do to save you from this situation.” The man confidently said it again. His voice was a little above a whisper.Though they were not the only ones in the hotel garden bar, the more Isabella looked around, she saw more different people sitt
As Isabella asked the man to get into the boot, Isabella’s car boot at this instance opened up like a hungry abyss, ready to swallow secrets whole.Hence, even as the man pleaded, he got into the boot, and the boot closed on him. To this effect, a locked sound occurred, and Isabella rested her aim.Looking right and looking left, Isabella slipped into her car and peered into her wrist."12.30pm,” she muttered.Immediately, she pressed the button on her car dashboard, and the car itself roared to life."Welcome, Isabella; I see we have a guest." Alexa's voice sprouted out immediately.“Can you help me run a background check on him, Alexa?” Isabella asked. "Certainly, yes, Isabella. Allow me a minute, and I will be back.” Alexa answered. Right at this moment, a continuous chime sound continued to happen like the second hand of a catholic wall clock.Even so, before ten seconds, Alexa's voice sprouted again like a persistent weed breaking through the silence."Isabella, this man in you
The next day arrived like a whisper, gently unveiling the secrets of dawn. Isabella’s eyes opened slowly and moved from a blurry, hesitant vision to a clear and conscious one.She rose from the bed but remained sitting, stretching her arms and yawning like a contented feline.“Good morning, Isabella. I trust that your night was good?” Alexa’s voice suddenly broke out.Realising Alexa’s voice, Isabella, who had temporarily forgotten about the mission she had to accomplish, suddenly remembered and said quickly, “Alexa, I can't remember what time I fell asleep yesterday. Could you help me remember?”“Certainly, Isabella. I will tell you the exact time you fell asleep yesterday, and it was 1:10 PM.”“What?” Isabella exclaimed, finding what Alexa had just said to be unbelievable.“You don't believe me? Wait, I will explain,” Alexa said and continued, “Experiencing extreme physical or emotional stress, such as a severe illness, a traumatic event, or a high-stakes situation, can lead to such