Under the Veil of Night

"President, I can stay at the hotel?" Kanae was stunned when she heard Kevin's instruction at breakfast the next day. Shouldn't she come along on a business trip and not only stay at the hotel?

"There's something that I need to take care of first. I'll return back when it's time for lunch or a bit later than that," Kevin explained.

Kanae nodded. The only time that wouldn't be convenient for her to appear would be for clan matters. She was sure that Kevin came here also because he had something to say to the Tamari Clan. If not because of that, there was no need for a clan head to brave through the danger of entering another clan's territory like this.

"Be careful, President."

"I will."

Neo was about to walk away when he recalled something. "Oh yeah, Taro is staying at this hotel too. If you're bored, you can ask him to accompany you."

Kanae's lips twitched upon hearing the name Taro. She already heard a lot about this notorious man lately on the news. Why did he come to a simple hotel like this? Shouldn't he be spending his time with his friends at a lavish five-star hotel?

She made her way to the lobby and immediately got her answers. Taro was not dressed as a man today; rather, he was wearing a long dress. She was not sure what he ate normally, but he had a slender body that would put women to shame. If one didn't know better, that person would not be able to guess that the stunning lady was in fact a man.

"Taro," Kanae called.

Taro turned his head. His eyes showed surprise and astonishment upon seeing Kanae standing not far from him. His lips curled up into a smile. It has been a long time since the last time he saw this little girl.

"Hello Kevin's secretary. What are you doing here?"

"I'm accompanying Kevin on business. What about you, Taro? I don't think someone like you has that much free time," Kanae remarked.

Taro's body turned stiff. It was true. He didn't have as much time anymore to play around as he liked. However, he still did it because it was fun. As for coming here, there was no need to ask. He escaped from his family guards and sneaked away dressed as a girl.

"I need some free time too," Taro grinned.

Kanae rolled her eyes. "Do you want to walk around the city? This is the first time I've ever been here, so I'm planning on going outside to take a look."

"Sure. I'll show you the best places around here."

After that, Taro practically dragged Kanae around to see everything around the hotel. The most famous location was the market, which was also the second place that Taro brought her to. The large crowd and the numerous stalls made it rather hectic.

"I can't even see far ahead without people blocking my view," Kanae said in astonishment.

Taro laughed. "This is the most famous location in this territory. Because the clan here barely pays any attention to the citizens' well-being, many people started to build shops near the street. Their number increased as time went on, thus making this a famous and crowded market."

Kanae nodded. She was not that familiar with the history of each attraction in the city. However, this location was surely one of the most crowded places that she has ever visited.

Her eyes wandered around as she noticed that there were a lot of people around her eyeing Taro. Well, she had to admit that his appearance was stunning as a woman, but she would never say it outright. Knowing that he was in fact a man made her treat him as a man rather than a woman even when he was cross-dressing.

"Is there anything else you want to know?" Taro asked smugly.

Kanae laughed. "This is enough, thank you Taro."

Seeing Kanae laugh freely and the beautiful smile on her face, Taro felt his heart thumping. He didn't understand. Her face was rather ordinary compared to other girls, yet she still managed to make his heart beat faster.

"Kanae, what are you doing here?"

Kanae turned around at the sound of someone calling her. Her eyes almost popped out when she saw Jason standing with a bag in his hand. His eyes were staring at the two of them in bewilderment.

"Oh! My brother Jason, you're here," Taro waved his hand excitedly.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Don't call me brother. What are you doing here?"

"I'm on a work trip here. President asked me to wait at the hotel, but I thought that it would be better if I spent the time exploring this area instead," Kanae answered with a wry smile on her face.

Jason nodded, but then his brow creased. "With this person?"

"Yes, is there anything wrong?"

"…" Don't you remember what he is famous for?

If it were anyone else, Jason wouldn't mind seeing Kanae walk with that person. However, this man was completely different. He couldn't bear seeing Kanae with him as he knew how poor this man's relations with women were. Taro was a complete womanizer, so of course he would try to approach anyone he fancied.

"I'll take you around."

"Wait! I'm the one to take her around first!" Taro complained. His high-pitched voice and dress up made people think that he was a damsel in distress.

"You're untrustworthy; I'll take her around instead."

"What are you talking about? You're even more untrustworthy!"

Kanae's lips twitched as she saw this scene. "Can I be the one to choose?"

"Yes!" the two of them turned their heads to Kanae in a split second, waiting for her answer. Their argument didn't seem to be able to reach a conclusion as they only made things worse for one another.

"I pick Brother Jason," Kanae answered.

Jason smirked. "Then let's go."

Without waiting for anything else, he grabbed Kanae's wrist and took her away. Taro was startled with Kanae's answer that he reacted late. When he realized that the two of them were gone, he yelled indignantly.

"That's unfair!"

With the crowds of people separating them, Taro didn't have the chance to follow after them. Jason and Kanae soon stopped as they reached the other side of the market.

"It's really funny," Kanae laughed as she recalled the face that Taro made.

Jason shrugged. "You should know that he's always like that. Anyway, won't Kevin be worried if you don't stay at the hotel?"

"He didn't say that I have to stay inside 24 hours a day," Kanae rolled her eyes. "Also, what are you doing here? I thought that you should still be inside the Wells Family mansion."

"I have to confirm a business deal in this area, so I came here," Jason shrugged. He was walking around after signing off on the deal when he stumbled into Kanae. "I already registered the name of the company for you and your sister. All you need is just the product and the management team."

"My sister will take care of those. You have sent the confirmation papers to her, right?"

"I have," Jason nodded. "Now that you already plan to start a company, will you leave the street?"

"Not yet," Kanae's brow creased. There were still many things that she had to do as part of Black Street. In addition, the forces that she built up all this time were very convenient for her current and future plans.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No, not at all," Jason smiled.

"Now, let's find a good place to eat at. I'm already hungry."

"It's only 10 AM!"

"I'm hungry."

"You glutton."