Latent Troubles II: Helen's Gift



(WIP)

“Ms. Brunhilde?”

“Hm?”

“Is it really alright to let him go alone? Mr. Laskaris hired many bodyguards. He might have a hard time getting past them.”

Sitting on a black sedan's driver seat was a young man in black suit. He eyed an establishment to his right where a man with peach hair had just disappeared into. The upper portion of his face was concealed lightly by a shadow, leaving his pursed lips and bangut tattoos on his jaw exposed.

His gaze had shifted to the rear-view mirror, reflecting an image of a young woman with an eye-patch. She used a red lace to tie her soft onyx hair in a ponytail. At that, he caught a glimpse of the curves of her delicate neck and shoulders. They were veiled thinly by a red, backless lace dress, which nudged him to drag his eyes down to the attenuated cloth over her cleavage (Reference).

“Of course it's alright," said the young woman as she flicked strands of her hair behind. "Wynston may look wimpy, but he's a perfect assassin in disguise. I've never work with him before so I'm letting him loose to assess him myself.”

“But you're going to..... Oh, that's why you brought the spider droids. To film him.”

“Certainly. I'd rather keep my hands clean.”

In case her distant cousin messed up, she won't be there to share the burden.

Brunhilde lifted an wine glass in front of her, checking its cleanliness before reaching for a bottle of red wine. She peered outside the darkened car window, and paused for a moment. Her glinting dark purple glanced at the rear-view mirror, and caught a pair of chocolate eyes staring back at her. In a split second, those eyes hastily darted from left to right, followed by a faint sound of gulp travelling to her ears.

Naughty boy, she thought, concealing an evil smile in her mind. Ironically, she's a year younger than him.

“Lesley, aren't you forgetting something?” the young woman said with a small smile.

Her words froze Lesley's mind in place. Then, his eyes widened at the car's steering wheel, which he grasped without a second thought.

“A- Right. My apologies, milady. Zodiac, route to Sun Sprite Casino.”

[New destination: Sun Sprite Casino], a robotic female voice said.

Lesley quickly pushed down the sedan's hand break, and looked at the wing mirrors before stepping on the gas pedal. The car steered back to the road, driving past slow cars and away from the brimming life of Vale's red-light district. A bluish screen popped on the car's windshield, which flashed a traffic warning in red light. The car's system began plotting alternative routes in green color to their destination.

Not long after leaving the red-light district, buildings around them became taller, more aesthetic with palm trees and grass lined neatly on the sides of the road. Sports cars and limousines dominated the streets as diverse crowd of well-dressed people ruled the sidewalks, pedestrian lanes, and glassed bridges. Some were still dressed in their corporate attire, an indication that they went straight to this place after working overtime. A police car suddenly blared beside the sedan car, chasing down a white Lamborghini moving sporadically not to far from them.

Brunhilde kept her eye on a tablet's screen with a pout on her face. Her fingers typed rapidly on it, composing an email containing these words: ''Mr. XXXX, pre-selling condos will be available in two days with an introductory price of X million. But as our loyal customer, you will have a discounted offer........''

Even after working hours, her day work found its way to spoil her night. Retaining a highly valued, loyal investor in the company's the pocket is more tedious than attracting new ones. To retain was to leverage on emotion, particularly sense of self-importance. And to stroke that emotion, Brunhilde had to do this personalized e-mail, also for appearance's sake.

The young woman sighed when she hit the send button. She tossed the black tablet aside, and clasped her filled wine glass.

“Lesley, don't wait for me. I think I'll stay here for tonight.” Brunhilde said, after taking a sip of red wine.

The sedan had slowed down, almost coming to a stop in front of a tall, V-shaped building. On top of the building's entrance, the cursive words “Sun Sprite Casino” shone brightly in yellow color.

“Wait, y-you don't have escort, Ms. Brunhilde.” Lesley said, nearly swallowing his words as he turned his head to the young woman. “If that's the case, I must come with you. It's not safe.”

The raven-haired beauty shook her head. Her smirk reached her ears, as if telling that she didn't take his concern seriously. She leaned her body forward, and drew breath closely to Lesley's ear while grasping his rugged shoulder

“Lesley, darling, I'm not in the mood right now.” she whispered softly, breathing every word she said.

Trivia

 * In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy was considered the most beautiful woman in the world.