I passed people rolling dice, shuffling cards, a bunch of pole dancers, a tender table with a strong smell of alcohol, before finally entering Elena's room.Before entering it, from outside, I could see the shadow of someone who was turning his back.I guess it only took a second for her to realise I was watching.When her face turned around, I almost jumped out of my skin.At that moment, my hand was already holding the door knob. Making us inevitably come face to face, again. "Michael?"Michael looked at me for a moment, then back at Elena."Mr McKane," Elena said, full of her usual elegant composure. Yet, somehow, I could smell the uneasiness on her face. "You didn't say you were coming."That was actually appropriate. I scratched the back of my neck, which wasn't itchy. "Is this a bad time?""Actually--" Elena's words were quickly interrupted by Michael. "I've finished saying what I wanted to say, you can continue this alone.""Are you sure, Mr Hughes?""Do I look like someone wh
"So..., Mr McKane? I'm all yours now," Elena said, resting her chin on a clump of hands.She was not wearing a long researcher's robe or a professional tuxedo today, but a maroon dress with a V-shaped cut-out in the chest. Her curly hair was 'tossed' over the right side of her body, exposing most of her slender left neck.I realised then that Elena was a mature woman, and a very beautiful one at that.It left me at a loss for words."Mr McKane?" she repeated."Ah, um..." I hiccupped and it must have looked really stupid. What was I supposed to say just now? Ah, right. "Someone's after me!"Elena's gaze turned sharp and serious. "You mean... offensively?""I see." I started by sitting down on the chair provided, and then began to tell the one that had been bothering me the most lately, though it was doubtful if Elena or her team had any concrete answers. "Long before meeting you, I actually met this girl. She introduced herself as Evangeline Hudson, whether that's her real name or not.
That's an astonishing fact. It's like discovering that Neil Armostrong didn't actually land on the moon.True, it's just a joke and conspiracy material. But then, so was the phenomenon Elena had revealed earlier. "Of course, it's still just a raw, untested theory. My team and I need more concrete data to come to a definite conclusion, so... other than that, is there any other info that could help?"I bit my lip. "I don't think so."If Elena was disappointed, then she hid it well. "This is truly groundbreaking information, Mr McKane, and we find it very helpful." He cleared his throat briefly. "Have you considered signing the contract we gave you?"I hadn't thought about it, at all. "Uh, yes... I think that would take a lot of time."Elena sighed. "That's too bad. I'd like to compensate you more, but it would be difficult if our partnership hasn't been formally established yet. Is 3000$ enough for you?"I widened my eyes once more. It was an amount even smaller than my level-up reward
That's the fourth one.KNOCK! KNOCK!Well, after this, he must have given up.KNOCK! KNOCK!Huh? What the hell?Tsk! It looks like I'm facing a more determined opponent now. Then I must show the same persistence.I'll keep waiting.Waiting.Waiting.Waiting.Waiting.It's like the tenth time, but why isn't she leaving. The repetitive barrage of voices was getting on my nerves.Fuck whoever it is, I've had it!I walked out of the room, stomped my feet, and grabbed the knob of the exit door. When it finally opened, my mouth was already open and ready to slap whoever was standing behind it.But, standing there was... "Carl?" "You... what are you doing here?" No, I'm not. That's not quite the right question, actually. "Where have you been all this time?"The last time I saw her was at the beginning of my encounter with Susan. It was a moment that was quite vivid in my memory, and seemed to have happened years ago.He suddenly appeared with a look that was... quite unrecognisable.Her hair
"Wait, flattered?"Jason shrugged. "Well in the middle of your busy schedule of studying, you can make time for me and this party.""Well, that's..." Actually, what I said in class earlier was just a momentary boast to make what he was trying to do less important than what I was going to do.But, I was the one who proved it wrong, and here I was. Jason didn't seem to care about my continued words (as usual). Instead, he turned and said, "Walk with me," he said, still the same way he had when giving orders. "What do you think?""What about what?""The party. It's certainly no more interesting than your favourite world history, but--""I never said I liked history class," she said suddenly in an angry tone.Jason never liked being interrupted. See, even though he tried to hide it, there was a twitch at the corner of his eye that indicated that he was annoyed with my attitude.However, so be it, because anyway, yes, I didn't like the way he said it as if I found writing far more enjoyab
"Okay, okay. But, this is because of your request, okay? Susan told me that her family's situation is difficult, and her mind is in turmoil, so--""Liar!" snapped Amanda. "You think I'm stupid? I've known her longer than you have, and know more about her than anyone here. I've been his friend since he was a kid! I'm his best friend. His family is fine--"I interrupted her again. "You failed as a friend when you said that!"Amanda gasped repeatedly. Her mouth opened, then her hand closed in a shaking motion. "You... how could you...""Damn sanctimonious man! Why are you being so cruel, anyway?" Kimberly said as she put her arms around Amanda who started crying.I couldn't understand more. "What? Cruel? Me? Isn't that you guys?"And that's when Jason was suddenly in front of them.Like an unlikely hero whose arrival was never anticipated. "Stop it, McKane. Keep your tone down. It's a girl you're dealing with."So what? "Stay out of it!" Ah! Ah... I get it. I get it. So this is all the r
Again my body moved on its own, and this time the cause was anger.I lunged, raising my hand, but it wasn't a slap. I threw a free fist at David's arsehole mouth, which was immediately held back by a more formidable hand."What do you think you're trying to do, hm?" said Jason in a tone that was so jarring.Huh. That's right. Both of them were the same.They called me a hypocritical hero, huh? They call me a loser?Let's prove here, who really is the loser.Believing in my enhanced physical abilities, I confidently tried to break free.I'm trying to break away.I'm trying to break away.Why couldn't I?Jason smirked at my pathetic attempt. "Your cheap tricks won't work on me, just so you know."Really? There was no way he knew!But, even Carl knew. And Elena. And maybe David. Wait, does everyone know already?Was this all just a magic trick that I was caught up in for a moment?Am I just being tricked by a false reality?Jason tugged on my arm and body like an adult tugging on a baby'
She made us look like prey and it was so annoying. However, I'd better keep quiet now. "Another target?" When I asked that, whether it was due to the influence of momentary emotions, my brain went blank and didn't come up with a single name."Well... it's kind of pointless if I show you something if you're going to lie to me again," Eva said sarcastically. She was holding a mobile phone that from its faint cutout displayed a blurred image.Do I have to convince him now?I was actually too lazy to do this, but Eva seemed to really want me to. "I won't lie to you, again.""Really?""Yes.""You promised."I sighed and joined in with my chest. "It's getting late and we don't have much time. If you want me to help, you better give me whatever you can find right now."Eva grinned, chuckled, and flipped the screen. It showed a picture of a middle-aged man I didn't recognise.Wait.He wasn't really unrecognisable.In fact, it was the middle-aged man I knew so well.The man who fills my wildes