“Considering the things you’ve done, the council has decided to let your family stay here for as long as forty fortnights,” one of the council members spoke with Russell.“Thank you for your kindness,” Russell bowed his head before them. Nora mimicked him and also bowed to the elders.“What a good-mannered child,” the female elder picked her up. “What do you love to eat?”“I like fruits and sweets,” Nora said.“She’s got a sweet tooth like her mother,” Russell said.“I quit eating chocolates, though,” Jessica snorted.“What’s your favorite fruit?” the female elder asked Nora.“Bananas,” Nora didn’t even need to think.“Then let me take you to the plantation,” the female elder said and was taking her away.“Daddy,” Nora called for him. “Come on.”Russell pursed her lips.“You think she’ll be here without you?” Jessica said in a low voice. “That’s not going to happen.”“I will stay here for a few days then and convince her,” Russell said.“Good luck, but what about the pilot?” Jessica a
Gabe brought Mia and his friends over to Eco Waves, which used to be Tuna Waves until yesterday.Gabe ordered items that were on the menu but only those whose recipes were given by his mother.“My mom is a chef in this hotel, guys,” Gabe happily told them. “She’s good, so you won’t leave the table disappointed.”Nevertheless, Dave ordered prawns and lobster meat. Baazee ordered roast lamb chops. Victor ordered vegetarian food.Mia was the only one who didn’t order anything because she was looking forward to eating Nicole’s dishes like Gabe, and he silently appreciated that.“By the way, Mia,” Baazee spoke informally with her, “you used to wear glasses in school, right? Why are you not wearing them?”“I can look better without the glasses now,” Mia replied. “But I’m surprised that you remembered that I used to wear glasses.”“You used to wear big glasses, so of course, I remember that,” Baazee said. “Don’t take this negatively, but you looked much better in those glasses.”“Well… every
Gabe told his teammates to come to his home the next day so that he’d give them the things that would change their lives. By doing this, he was also giving them one night to think about it.Later on, when Gabe and Mia were going home, she asked him, “What if none of them show up?”“It’s fine. You can’t build a good team overnight,” Gabe said. “Even if they all come, it’d take time to gel with each other. As the leader, it’s my responsibility to keep peace within the team, and that’s my top most priority. We already have enough things bothering us from outside, and the last thing I want is someone within the team messing up our minds.”“Yeah, Baazee was a bit annoying in that regard.”“He grew up in a small house full of relatives, where they quarreled about every penny for an hour,” Gabe said. “So, he’s probably been influenced by them, especially his grandmother. If we give him some time, I think he’ll change himself.”“I hope so.”A few seconds passed.Gabe was driving in his mustan
“So, yeah, you can have four dates with different girls for 20 dollars,” he said.“Is that so?” Mia squinted her eyes. “You sound very experienced in this field.”Gabe’s heart skipped a beat as he realized that he spoke a little too much. “U-Ugh, not really. It was a long time ago when online dating was the growing trend. Now, I’m much more grounded. I don’t know if we can both drink coffee for five dollars anymore.”“Is that so?” Mia calmly said. “Then let’s stop at a cheap restaurant. If the price varies from what you said, then it means you’re telling the truth.”“A-Alright.” Gabe felt like he was in a bad mood. All he could do was stop at a small coffee shop that didn’t look like it was even painted in at least five to ten years. He stepped out as a tense man, but Mia was smiling.It was already night time.Both of them sat at a table. The chairs were also old and delicate. “This is definitely the place,” she said.As a waiter came to their table, she looked at Gabe, “You should m
Gabe and Mia were on their way to Russell’s mansion. They still don’t know that Russell and his wife and child went out and that Bertha and her family were currently enjoying the freedom in the building.Mia was viewing her mobile, checking the trading websites.“What are you looking at?” Gabe asked her.“Since we have a lot of money, I’m looking for ways that we can invest our money,” she said. “Investing in multiple sources would be a good idea.”“Mm,” Gabe looked out through the window and noticed a young woman walking her cat on the pavement. “What do you think about investing in cat food and cat products?” Gabe asked.“Huh? Cat products? Where did that come from?” she couldn’t help but ask.“I mean, a lot of women are staying single these days,” Gabe said. “So, I think they’re going to buy a cat. So, the demand for cat food and products will increase in the future.”“Why only women? Don’t men want cats?” Mia asked.“Single men are generally at peace, so they won’t be inclined to
Gabe and Mia reached Russell’s mansion.Before they entered the building, one of the maids gave them a letter, in which Russell had written the details.Both of them read it and understood what’s happening.“The Black Crows…” Gabe frowned. “It seems, they’re too big of a threat that Russell couldn’t risk tussling with them.”“We can’t ignore them if they’re looking for your system,” she said. “You remember the guy in the stadium, right? He was also wearing a crow mask. He might be part of the organization called Black Crows.”“Ah, you’re right,” Gabe’s expression turned serious. “That guy gave off a bad vibe for some reason. I didn’t mind him too much because of the ongoing battle. Perhaps, I should have sent a tail after him. Is it possible to track him now, Systa?”[No.] Systa was quick to reply. [They are members of the Agnar family, and their unit is specialized in assassins. So, their stealth is top notch. Even modern surveillance systems won’t be able to capture them. So, findin
Later that night.Gabe and Mia had already eaten outside, so they were full. Nevertheless, they sat down at the dinner table to talk with Bertha and her family.“Don’t take any food to Freddy,” Gabe told Carrie.“He can’t bear hunger,” Carrie said.“He’s not a child,” Gabe indifferently replied. “Let him starve a little. Let him experience some pain so that he’ll pay attention the next time we speak.”“I agree with Gabe,” Mia said, so there was nothing Carrie could do.“What about the maid?” Bertha asked. “After Freddy touched her, she ran out of the house and hasn’t come back. If she tells Russell Lynn what happened…” Just thinking about it made her heart race.Even Gabe and Mia didn’t want that to happen.“We will find her and talk with her,” Gabe said. “However, I think Freddy should also apologize to her. Otherwise, it will be hard for her to move on and act like nothing ever happened.”“If it’s just an apology, I will make Freddy apologize to her,” Carrie said, even though her eg
After dinner, Gabe and Mia came to the balcony, not to enjoy the cool air, but to talk about something important.“I did not forget what that woman tried to do,” Mia said. “If you are going to their anniversary party, then I’ll come with you.”“I was planning to go, but I didn’t expect Russell to leave us like this,” Gabe said. “He didn’t even tell where he’s going. And I have no idea where he’s now, or when he’s returning. He did say he’ll be back soon, but soon could mean a day or a month.”“Yeah, he should have at least told us before he left, instead of leaving a letter,” Mia opined. And she could read Gabe’s expression. “What’s bothering you? Do you think Russell is up to something?”“I’m trying not to doubt him, but he left his house with his family, and without telling us anything about it,” Gabe said. “It just doesn’t feel right.”“Maybe he was in a hurry?” she gently grabbed his arm. “Don’t jump to conclusions fast. Russell and Jessica didn’t seem like tricksters to me. Put y