Just like what Sam told Alex, Harold and Jodi indeed went to fetch Shantal in her room. They agreed to persuade the other party to go with them at all costs. But to their surprise, when they got there, they saw that Shantal was already busy packing her stuff.
"Are you okay?"
Jodi could not help but ask when she noticed that blank expression on her cousin's face.
"Yes. Just give me a minute and I will come with you"
Shantal answered with a voice devoid of any emotion and while she was in the middle of packing her bag, Jodi insinuated something.
"There is something that I needed to tell you. But let us just talk about it once we return to your place."
Harold, who happened to be standing at the far end corner of the room and was observing them quietly raised an eyebrow when he heard Jodi's words. Meanwhile, Shantal did not think that much about what the other pa
I took the lead and left the room by myself, leaving the two people that supposed to fetch me inside. I did not waste time and headed straight to where the stair was and climbed it down immediately. I heard Jodi and Harold following behind me but I did not wait for them. However, when I went downstairs and saw Alex talking to another girl, I was stopped on my track.I don't know what had gotten into me but the moment I saw them walking together and making their way towards me, I felt weak and helpless. I am not sure if this was how it feels to get jealous, but all I know was that it makes me freeze."Let me apologize for this inconvenience. She won't do anything like this again."Jodi was sincere when she said sorry to Alex. Meanwhile, the other party only responded to her with a nod of his head. Then he turned to face Shantal and talked to her directly"I trust she won't. She promised." 
When Alex saw Shantal offering her hand for a handshake, he did not know what to do. He was not sure if it was okay for him to accept it. But in the end, he still grabbed it. Alex did not intend to hold the other party's hand for an extended period of time, but before he knew it, he was already holding on to Shantal's hand as if he has no desire to let go. It was only when Shantal deliberately cleared her throat did Alex realized that they had been holding their position for more than a minute already."Goodbye."He mumbled under his breath as soon as he let go of Shantal's hand and the other party's reply came shortly and not to mention, brief."Bye."Shantal continued avoiding Alex's gaze until the last minute and after that short farewell, she did not even looked back to see the other party's face for one last time. She left just like that. It was if she was eager to just leave the place and forge
But just as when Shantal and the others were about to get inside their car and drove off to leave the Blackwater City for good, a group of people that was headed in their direction manage to catch their attention. For a while, the four of them halted what they were doing and just followed the passing crowd with their eyes. It was hard not to notice them anyway, especially when this rowdy crowd was being loud."Don't be silly."One of the guys with a bulky muscle who almost looked like he was doing bodybuilding for ages went on saying as he led his friend toward the inn. His voice boomed and could be heard clearly even amidst the sound of their laugh. The rest of them were also in the middle of having a conversation of their own."That is nonsense."The other man who has a stature that looked no different from the first guy seconded him."It is pure nonsense, indeed."
"Ma'am we are here."The man in the front said as soon as he got inside. But to his surprise, Auntie Hersia was not the one who welcomed them, but instead a young man."Oh, hello."The man mumbled as he bowed his head to greet the other party. Alex, on the other hand, also took a ninety-degree bow to show his respect as he tried to welcome his guests."Hello. May I know how can I help you today?"He asked with a confused expression because last time he checked, they were only expecting one reservation for that day and he already heard the owner canceling in with his own two perfectly working ears."We came here to eat. We already booked an appointment beforehand. Asked the owner for a reservation under Manuel Oriole."The man declared with conviction. But the frown on Alex's face only deepened in confusion.
ALEX's P.O.V ~~~ I was surprised when a bunch of people came up right after Shantal and the others left. I was planning to close the restaurant as soon as they were away, but I guess I would have to delay it for now. Because obviously I cannot just simply shut the door and tell our customers to go eat somewhere else. However, what got me even more surprised than I already am, was when the man turned out to be the same person who booked the lunch appointment. It left me wondering if he just did not get the memo. Because I clearly saw with my own eyes that Auntie Hersia called them this morning to settle the arrangement. But then realization dawned on me. I recalled Auntie Hersia telling me that she only got to talk with the receptionist of the hotel. Most likely than not, this guy over here decided to gather a group of grown-up men first thing in the morning and left his accommodation early, and that was how the recepti
SHANTAL's P.O.V ~~~~ "I am not sure if I was supposed to tell you guys about this. But I remembered the old lady leaving in a hurry this morning." When I heard Sam saying those words, something inside me was awaken as though a light that has been flicked by a blow. I knew that it was not right for me to feel delighted after hearing that news. But I just could not help it, because it felt to me like even fate was making its way to give me and Alex a chance to work together. I guess love really moves in a mysterious way that even the wisest of men would not be able to fathom its ways. "Are you meaning to say that Alex was the only person who was inside the resto as we speak?" I tried my best to sound nonchalant when I asked Sam that question. At the same time. I heard Jodi asking the other party as well right after me. "Will he be able to accommodate all
As soon as I got to the kitchen, I took the apron that belonged to the old lady and started wearing it. I heard Alex's footsteps following behind me but I did not pay him any heed. "What do you think you are doing? You were supposed to get out. You promised me, remember?" He asked me just as when I was busy to tie the lace of my apron. So I turned to him and rather than answering his question, I asked him a question of my own. "Can you cut sashimi?" He shook his head before saying. "No?" He sounded sheepish when he admitted that and I honestly found it cute. However, I did not allow it to show in my face. I kept a straight face and with a nonchalant attitude, I asked him one more question. "Have about pajeon? Do you know how it should be served? "I have not tried preparing one yet." Alex replied without bothering to hide the truth. "Well, I can. So I will leave right after doi
Alex was not a bad cook himself. In fact, living an apartment with no one but himself for as long as he could remember left the other party with no other choice but to learn the deed, along with other chores that one has to master if they wanted to live a decent life alone. However, unlike Shantal who not only has a specific liking for culinary but also happened to take a unit related to one, the girl clearly has an edge. It was for that same reason why despite they both used to live alone, Shantal was capable of cooking for many while Alex could not; he only knew how to do a single serving of food, and attempting to cater for a considerable number of customers was definitely out of his option, especially when there was someone else's business that was at stake. Besides, Alex was not confident that the taste would be at their liking, to begin with. That was why, in the end, he relented and allowed Shantal to work in the kitchen.Meanwhile, from how Shantal carri
"Gosh it's good."Harold said when he got to taste how refreshing the drink was. When he looked at the other two guys, he saw them gesturing to their head but he did not give them much attention."Yes.Sam repeated the same thing with a voice and face devoid of emotion."Something needs fixing."Harold told Sam afterward and so Sam fought back to urge to do and eye roll before replying flatly to him."Okay."This time, Harold noticed that Rico and Michael still keep on doing the same thing so he asked them instead,"What? Is your scalp itchy.""No."The two answered in unison. Jodi on the other hand who was watching all of this farce unfold right before her eyes, could not help but let out a sigh."You sure are made for each other."She said to no one in particular and it was also as seemed she was only talking to herself."Anyway. Michael, I need you to go to Casterly."
"I am right here. Respect my existence."Michael insinuated afterward before he sarcastically added,"Do you guys want be to get you a room instead?""I should not have fallen asleep that night."He muttered to himself as he recalled the night Jodi asked Rico out for a date. He believed that if only he was not asleep that time, then maybe Jodi would also consider dating him.On the other hand, Rico seemed to be out of it and oblivious of him."Lover."The other party mumbled to himself as he observed the tarot card in his hand.'"I did not know this will happen. I feel so lonely."Michael muttered to himself out of despondency and while he was in the middle of self pity. Someone walked into the room.They though the one arrived was some random girl who was in full glam and obviously had just gone to salon for her touch up when it decided to have some coffee."Wow! I told her she would be pretty."
"That robot was sometimes human and sometimes a robot for me and that was why others who can't understand my situation mistakes me as someone who hallucinates and believe a robot as a human just because I am treating it just like one. But for my opinion, my situation was no different from those who loves their pets so much, they even considered them as their child and called themselves as furparents.""My emotions were input into that robot and that person. That is how this miracle happened. That fact completely changed the way I view things. This will be yet another scoop for the reporters present. Nordstorme Corp will go from financing mergers and acquisitions to investing in futuristic industries that involved human sensibilities. Just like what Alpha Tec Inc pioneered years ago.""This is your first change in business strategy in 15 years. Do you have anything mapped out?"One of the reporters raised a question just like what a normal press conference should
On the flip side, just like what Shantal assumed, Mr. Takashi with Mathilde's instruction called for an emergency meeting on that afternood. Which happened to coincide to the time when Shantal will hold her press conference.Moreover, since Mathilde would not be able to make it there since she was still held in prison, her secretary presided the meeting."We shall begin the emergency board meeting."Secretary Ye declared loudly and her voice reverberated in the room. Jiro was also there along with other board members."The agenda is the dismissal of Director Shantal Nordstorme and the cause is as you were all informed. An illness."She continued while everyone was silent and anxiously prayed so they could ever this meeting once and for all. On the contrary, Mr. Takashi was nodding his head on the side and though he was anticipating for this day come.Mr. Takashi nodded his head toward Secretary Ye to signal her to start it once and for
In there, Jodi found a list of shares under her name as well as a soft copy of memorandum of renunciation address to Shantal with her name on it and it was then that Jodi realized that her mom had already long planned about it ahead of the time.As it turned out, Mathilde was thinking of using her influence to oust her cousin out of the position.In addition, inside the flash drive she also found an old email account with records of bunch of emails and it took Jodi more than four hours to go through all of them.But by the time she finished reading the exchange of chats Mathilde had with her hitman, Jodi's eyes was bloodshot.It was unsure if this was cause by her prolong exposure to the screen or if it was exhaustion that was doing this thing on her body, but when she get up from her chair, Jodi balled her hands into a fist.She slammed the door shut behind her back as she left the office and on the screen, the last conversation
It was late in the evening when Jodi received a call out from nowhere. When she checked that registered on the caller ID, she was surprised to see Jiro's name.Truth be told, he was the least person he would expect to contact her. After all, the two of them never talked to each other for ages.Jiro used to be a good friend of hers as well. Just like how she and Shantal were cousins, Jiro and and Zorens were first cousins too so naturally all four of them get to know each other and as a child, they eventually became acquaintances in no time.Besides, since Zoren's parents were a family friend of the Nordstorme they often had an opportunity to hang around during their childhood.However, ever since the day Zoren committed suicide due to the incident regarding the Nordstorme controversy, Jiro also stopped communicating with them.So this made Jodi wonder what had come to Jiro to decide and phone her at this time of the night.But
"In other words, she wants me to become director and cover up all his shortcomings?"Mr. Takashi insinuated after his contemplation. He did not exactly declined the offer this time, unlike before. Although he also did not directly implied that he would do it.Nonetheless, Secretary Ye considered his response as a good sign. At least, the other party was no longer adamant at turning them down.So with the same insinuating manner, she answered him back."That would make it easier for you to do your duties once you become a director. All that was left for you now is to leave Ms. Shantal Nordstrome no other choice but to step down and abdicate the position of board directory to your hands.""Ousting her is not enough. He will just come back. We must make sure he loses the will to come back."Out of nowhere, Mr. Takashi declared with conviction and for a second, the secretary was taken aback by this.One moment, he almost drove her a
"You told Jodi about everything?"Mathilde asked her secretary as soon as the two of them were finally allowed to have some private conversation within the prison hall where she was currently detained. Panic was noticeably present on the other party's face when she raised her question. Meanwhile, the secretary remained silence yet that was all enough for Mathilde to guess her response and not long after that, her shoulders dropped on the side when the realization hit her."I guess she was bound to find out about it sooner or later."She muttered under her breath with despondent undertone.An exasperated sigh escaped Mathilde's lips afterward. But then, she suddenly tenses up when she recalled about something else.Leaning towards the other party all the while grabbing a hold to the iron bars, Mathilde looked around her warily first to make sure that no ears were on them.Only when she confirmed for the umpteenth time that no one was listenin
Adelaine Smith's P o V~~~~While Jodi and I were driving down the road looking for any sign of the robot, I received a call and when I checked who it was, I found out that it was Amanda so I accepted the call right away."Ms. Smith, the robot just got on the bus number 707."I heard her voice telling me the moment it picked her call"Great! Thank you for the information."I replied and not long after that, she hung up on her because I reckoned that it would be best if I could relay this news to the other search parties. In this way they would also know where to start looking. Of course, the first one that I tried to call was my lady boss. However, to my dismay, I was only redirected to the voice call feature of the phone.'The number you have dialed is busy at the moment. Please try your call later or leave a message aft