Chapter 2

"Karina? Where are you? Are you coming home soon? What's for dinner? Are you going to cook?"

Shein answered. 

Shein Allegre is my sister. She's the second child after me, and she's graduating from BS Tourism this year. She is the other 'Karina' whenever I'm not home. She guides our other siblings and treats them strictly.

Well, compared to me, Shein is quiet. I'm not.

"This is Karina. I'm walking home. Of course, I'll be home soon and I don't know what's for dinner, and no. I won't cook. I'm dead tired, Shein. Let Zumo cook."

She has so many questions, but I don't mind. It just means that she at least think about me or something closer to my welfare. 

She wanted to work while being a student at the same time, but I didn't permit her to do so. I don't want my siblings to be stressed thinking about how to manage their time always. I don't want to divide their attention from studies for part-time jobs or even freelancing.

It's dangerous. Especially, when I know that there are uncountable cases of scams before. I don't want them to be in any danger if possible. 

"Okay, I'll tell him. Wait, are you walking from somewhere far again?" She asked. 

Did I tell you before that Shein sounds like Enola Holmes? Just the quieter version. She loves to investigate things and watch crime movies. She's a little weird, but a caring sister to me. 

"I'm not sure," I shook my shoulders even though I know that she wouldn't see me doing so.

"I told you to just borrow my car. I don't know how to drive anyway," she lectured. Wah! I'm the sister here!

If you're wondering how come my sister has a car, but I don't, it's because it's a gift from her father. Well, before her dad passed away, he gave her some of his assets. Shein and I don't have the same father. 

I'm sharing more of those later. 

"Oh, shut up, please. I also don't know how to drive," It's a lie. 

I used to drive my mom's car before. It's now outdated and really old, its engine can't work properly anymore. 

"Tsk! Lies," she breathed. "Just ask for help, if you need one. You're not a wonder woman. You will eventually need someone's help too."

See? She's weird. She doesn't even fit to be a tourism student. She's fit to be a criminology trainee. She's a nagger quietly. It doesn't look like it, but she is. 

"Yeah, yeah whatever."

I ended the call. 

It didn't even last a minute yet and my phone suddenly rang again. I thought it was Shein again but when I saw the caller ID I suddenly felt strange. Why? Because the Caller ID isn't registered. 

Only a strange and unfamiliar number is posted on my phone's screen.

Due to shock, I wasn't able to answer the first ring. I thought the caller would stop approaching me after seeing that I didn't respond. 

But I was wrong, it even texted me. 

**152 379 0643

Hi, Ms. Allegre. This is Argus Antonius III. Madam Aurora's Assistant and bodyguard. She's asking me to fetch you now. May I ask what is your current location?

What? Is this even for real? How did they find out my cellphone number? I didn't even give any personal information to that woman aside from my name! 

I don't intend to come! Please don't call again, I might get bitchy to you. I'm kind of tired due to walking kilometers for four hours now. You won't like my tired-annoyed attitude.

Ringing...

Holy god! What to do? What to do?! 

I just pressed the call button! I prayed for them not to call me, but why the hell did I?! 

This is honestly annoying. 

"Ms. Allegre?" I heard a voice in the other line. 

What should I say? Should I tell him the truth? Should I tell him that I don't want to come to that godforsaken dinner? I know it's a humble invitation but I just don't want to go.

First of all, I need to come home. Second, my dinner is supposed to be spent with my siblings and not with this random stranger who happened to invite me for dinner. Lastly, I don't want to come because I'm being cautious. 

I don't want to trust a stranger even though she looked nice. No one knows what will happen if I come to their house. Just thinking about them making me dinner makes me shiver.

"Are you still there, Ms. Allegre?" Somebody talked from my phone. 

I got shocked once again, my phone fell. It slipped from my grip! Goodness! It's my only phone! Why am I being so lucky, huh?

"WAAAH! THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!" 

Instead of picking up my phone, I stomped on it. Repeatedly until the phone is not near to being recognizable anymore. 

"WHY AM I EVEN POOR?!" I shouted in the sidewalks. It's nine in the evening so there are not many people to see me throw a tantrum here. 

Or, that's what I thought. 

"Maybe because you are?" My attention immediately went to this unrecognizable guy. 

He's wearing a helmet so I couldn't see more details of his physique. 

"What do you mean?" My annoyed voice suddenly sounded like a curious cat. 

"You're poor because you are. No questions, the questions are the answer themselves sometimes too." 

Is that a riddle? I don't understand! I graduated my college days with flying colors, but I can't understand this guy. 

Then, I realized, why am I even talking to this man? Why am I even throwing a fit over an old phone? 

Well, maybe because that phone is one of the most important things in my job? But how about this man?

"Hey! I don't even know you, why are you even talking to me?" 

 All he did was remove his helmet. I couldn't believe what I'm seeing. 

Hell! I must be dreaming.

Good, God! Allistair?!