702 T.D.o.N.B: Favor
In the next few days, the relationship between Tihana and Celestine grew at an astonishing pace. They were spending a lot of time together. My fake daughter seemed to be helping by explaining a lot about how things in Arc worked, and the brunette in return, helped her with English studies, as she actually majored in that subject.
Moreover, she knew a lot about literature. But, as I found out, she was actually more interested in psychology and social studies, but never got the chance to pursue those interests, because she didn’t have both the time and money for that.
Meanwhile, I chased after some information about Xuzards. I managed to find out that a lot of them left for the village of Uhm’s, to protect them, because the aliens who briefly occupied the city couldn’t wrap their heads around the peaceful species, and tried to harass them a lot. This made Ki’rai step in. Some of the little lizards stayed behind, but it was only a few.
I also watched carefully from the distance the relationship between Tihana and Celestine, still unsure if I should pull some strings to help the brunette, but in the end, I gave up and visited Will. I invaded his office as he tried to eat lunch. He was sitting behind his desk, with a mouth full of a burger.
The papers on his desktop suggested to me, that he was flooded with work.
– Hi – I said after barging in, just as the blondie appeared behind my back.
– I told him you are unavailable! – she shouted.
Will tried to say something, but we only could hear inaudible mumbling, and in the whole process some food fell out of his mouth, which led him to shut up completely. I took the situation into my own hands, turned around, and slowly, but with unrivaled strength, closed the door behind myself, looking the secretary straight in the eyes.
At first, she fought me, but then she realized that there was no way she could stop me, ao she pouted and gave up.
I stared at her to the very end with a blank face, asserting my dominance, then, with a sly smirk, I sat in front of Will, who was fighting with tissues, to clean up the mess he made.
– What do you want? – he growled at me.
I immediately knew that he was more pissed at himself than at me, because of the mess he made, so I ignored the way he spoke those words.
– I need a favor – I said straight up.
– Does it involve the brunette Tihana came with a few days ago? – he asked immediately and even averted his eyes from the stains on his pants to look me straight in the eyes.
– Yep.
He snorted, and shook his head, then threw a handful of tissues into the garage bin next to his desk, but missed. A silent ‘fuck’ left his mouth. He was about to lean to pick them up, but I used ‘Telekinesis’ to help a friend out. I have no idea why he didn’t use the skill himself.
– Come on, we should help one another – I said as I was doing that.
– I already did. I was actually wondering why you didn’t come sooner – he said after sighing heavily.
– I had a few things to figure out about her…
– Who even is she? – Will asked, and I noticed a note of genuine curiosity in his voice.
– I met her on my trip.
– Oh, right… – a big smile appeared on his face.
– No, not like that – I corrected him. – She was in trouble, and I helped. Then we met again in a bookstore, but still, nothing happened. We just talked. I was actually surprised when she appeared here, but the girl really has some trouble so… She seems like a nice person, so I’m helping her out.
– And you are counting that in exchange she will help you out? – he asked, barely managing to hold his laughter, then he few times puffed one of his cheeks out, using his tongue in a very suggestive way.
– Fuck you – I responded rolling my eyes.
– Oh, yes, I feel like there will be some fucking, but unfortunately, I won’t be involved – he said, still with the stupid grin.
I wanted to get my comeback on him, but I had nothing. This was a fight I couldn’t win, which, I’m not gonna lie, was very frustrating, but losing to a friend is not really losing.
– Thank you – I just said, trying to be the more mature one.
– Oh, trust me. There will be a lot of thanks, but not to me. Miss – he quickly glanced at one of the papers on his desk – Celestine Carter is gonna be thanking, soooo, soooo much to you. And you are going to be sooo, sooo happy about that!
He had to rise his voice because in the middle of his sentence I was already out of the room. Sadly, I still could hear him in the corridor, and it was annoying. The secretary clearly took her boss’s victory over me as hers, as I noticed a smile on her face, but at least she didn’t have the audacity to glare at me.
Then I left the building. On my way back, I did some groceries, because I already had a decent idea for a dinner.
When I entered the house and went to the kitchen to drop the ingredients, I noticed Tihana and Celestine talking in the dining room over a coffee. I decided to pop in there before I began preparing the food and drop the good news.
My fake daughter immediately focused on me as I showed up.
– I have good news – I informed them. – You are going to be accepted, miss Carter.
I did it with a straight face, and Celestine got completely bamboozled. At first, she looked at me, then she quickly glanced at Tihana, like she expected her to say if it was a prank or not.
– R-really? – then left her mouth, as her lips slightly twisted in a smile.
– Yep. Good old Willy is gonna accept your application – I confirmed.
– Willy? Do you mean William? The William? The strongest hunter, and the head of the whole city? – her eyes went wide.
I guess Tihana didn’t spill all the beans to that point, because the reaction would be different.
– Yes, to some of what you said, but the strongest part is highly debatable – I pointed out, then turned around and left, finally allowing myself to smile.
I really wanted to leave her in a state of complete shock. The last thing I noticed was a massive smile on Tihana’s face.
After, I returned to the kitchen and focused on cooking.