72 – Agirem (7)
“…What brings you here?”
Bella inquired with a cold voice directed at the man.
Not only her voice, but Bella’s gaze towards the man was equally icy.
However, despite Bella’s frosty demeanor, the man remained unfazed.
“Just because.”
“…What do you mean?”
At the man’s response, Bella’s expression twisted.
“Wow, your stare is quite sharp.”
Observing his expression, the man seemed surprised, yet there was no sign of genuine shock in his exaggerated gestures or expressions.
“It’s a joke, just a joke.”
The man chuckled, waving his hand.
“….”
Bella’s gaze sharpened.
“If you crack two jokes like that, you might lose a person. I thought we were at a level where we could exchange such jokes lightly.”
“Get to the point.”
“Oh, come on, so cold, so icy.”
The man sighed softly, lowering his head.
Then, he spoke again.
“You’re not taking any new commissions lately?”
“…I heard such rumors. Busy, I suppose.”
“Busy indeed. But can’t you spare a moment to listen to such news? Especially when it’s about you.”
Saying so, the man flashed a charming smile.
His tone was gentle, as if directed towards a young nephew.
“Don’t talk nonsense. It’s obvious your subordinates rushed to spread the news.”
Bella’s tone of response was sharp to the extreme.
“It’s truly frustrating not being understood.”
Though he expressed his frustration through words, the childish smile never left the man’s face.
Watching him, Bella had to suppress her rising irritation.
“Alright, since you’re so obviously showing your reluctance to be here, let’s steer the conversation back.”
Finally, the man lifted his back from the chair he was resting on.
“How’s the progress?”
At his words, Bella’s mood sank heavily.
That simple sentence, after all the lightness she felt lately in her interactions with Wade, instantly dragged her emotions down, pulling her out of dreams and back to reality.
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Hmm. But I couldn’t help but worry a bit. Perhaps you forgot a promise?”
A mischievous smile spread across the man’s face with a soft chuckle.
“The deadline is approaching. You know that, right?”
“…”
“Judging by your expression, it seems you haven’t forgotten. Well, it doesn’t matter to me either way.”
The man who finished speaking settled back into his chair.
“The conversation is over. Leave.”
“…”
With a disdainful look at the fallen contract, Bella turned away from the man.
In her heart, she wanted nothing more than to plunge a knife into the man’s throat right then and there.
But she couldn’t.
In the end, suppressing her anger, Bella quietly had to leave the room.
***
As Bella stepped out of the building, she wasn’t heading towards home.
Her steps led her to a neighboring building, not in the direction of her house.
Entering the bustling ground floor like other buildings in the entertainment district, she sat at a secluded table.
An unassuming spot where no one paid attention.
Sitting there quietly, it wasn’t long before someone appeared and took a seat in front of her.
He was a man of ordinary appearance, dressed in the typical attire easily seen around here.
“You here to pick up?”
“Just show me the list you brought in.”
“You must know it’s not just one or two.”
“In the order of priority. Just give me five for now.”
“Fair enough.”
Nodding lightly, the man took out a few papers from his pocket.
Bella took the papers from him, quickly scanning through the contents.
Then she spoke.
“I’ll take all of these.”
“…What?”
“I’ll take them all.”
The man, who had been expressionless all along, widened his eyes slightly.
“Hmm… Are you trying to fill the gap? Well, it’s not a bad deal on my end. Then, during the time I designate you, I won’t take any urgent requests─”
“No. Keep them. I’ll be back in three days.”
“…What?”
This time, the man’s expression changed to one of utter disbelief.
“…I don’t know what you’re thinking, but even for you, handling five cases in three days is impossible─”
“Enough. Just watch.”
With a brief remark, Bella stood up from her seat.
And she promptly left the building.
Handling five requests in three days is undoubtedly no easy task, even for her.
Perhaps no one in the industry except her could pull it off.
But she had no choice.
The deadline was approaching rapidly, and there was no time to slowly solve each problem in order to raise the target amount before the promised day arrived.
That’s why her pace quickened.
Rumors of her possible lateness had already spread.
Her figure disappeared into the darkness of the city.
From Noble mtl dot com
***
After finishing the household chores today,
She sat quietly in a chair, having prepared a meal.
However, the food she made was cooling off, the sun was gradually setting, yet she didn’t expect her to return.
“…Will she be late again today?”
Lately, Belle had been going out frequently.
Moreover, she often returned late, and there were even days when she didn’t return at all.
As those days had lasted quite a while, I had grown accustomed to her tardiness.
What was she doing outside?
Why was she getting delayed like this?
Predicting that wasn’t that difficult.
It was probably because of her main job.
Not coming home for days was likely due to having to go outside the city.
“…I hope she’s okay.”
Honestly, I was worried about her.
I didn’t worry much about her getting hurt.
She was someone even I couldn’t see through properly.
Her skills might not be superior to mine, but at the very least, the ability to hide her skills and demeanor was unmatched.
Add to that her ability to disguise beyond recognition.
The disguise was so sophisticated that it might be more appropriate to call it a transformation, as in the blink of an eye, she turned into a completely different person.
If her secrecy combined with her disguise ability, there wouldn’t be many people who could find her if she decided to hide her presence, even if they searched the entire continent.
That’s why I didn’t worry much about her getting caught or hurt.
Of course, I didn’t completely dismiss the idea.
But my concerns were directed elsewhere.
Exactly…
Click—
At that moment, the sound of the door opening was heard as someone entered.
Without needing to confirm the face, there was only one person besides me who would come in here.
I immediately went to the entrance.
Sure enough, a familiar face was walking in.
“Welcome.”
“I’m back.”
With a face showing deep fatigue, she replied.
“I’ve prepared the meal—”
“I’m sorry. I have to go out again soon.”
Without looking in my direction, she said so calmly.
“…I see.”
Glancing at me briefly, she left the house right after finishing her shower, just as she had mentioned earlier.
“…I’m sorry.”
Leaving a brief apology before closing the door, she departed.
“……”
Left behind, I stood awkwardly in the hallway.
‘What is she sorry for?’
It’s not her who should be sorry, but me.
Since reuniting with her, I’ve been receiving help unilaterally.
Yet, she apologized to me.
“……”
She hadn’t even been home for a few days and had to leave hastily upon returning.
How busy could she possibly be?
Perhaps it’s because of me.
Maybe she’s been away for so long because of me.
Various thoughts swirled in my head.
It wasn’t just about her looking busy or tired; it was more about fundamental concerns.
The current her seemed extremely agitated.
She didn’t appear like someone merely caught up in a busy schedule.
She seemed more anxious and uneasy.
Like someone being chased by a monster.
***
“It’s done.”
Facing a familiar face she had been encountering frequently lately, Bella spoke with a weary expression.
“…That was quick.”
The man nodded with a tired look, indicating he was fed up.
“What’s the next task?”
“…Are you planning to handle the next task right after this? Even if you are, taking a short break─”
“Stop. Hand over the next task.”
“…You really don’t listen.”
Grumbling to himself, the man took out a few papers from his pocket and handed them to Bella.
“I know you’re skilled, but you won’t last long in that condition.”
“Mind your business.”
Though it was a somewhat concerned remark, Bella coldly cut him off and rose from her seat.
Leaving the building, she headed towards the next mission location.
“Ugh….”
Suddenly, her body wavered.
Barely managing to grab onto the wall, Bella managed to avoid falling.
“……”
The headache that had been felt for some time now worsened.
Probably because of not being able to sleep properly.
The body was screaming in pain.
Rest immediately.
However, that was not possible.
The deadline was looming.
Gritting her teeth, adjusting her posture, Bella urged her steps forward once more.