Chapter 3 Three

3

My jaw opened so wide that I swear it would have slammed the floor if it could, the entire place had been opened to the main living room, "Oh my shingles," I stepped out of the elevator to be treated by two maids who bowed like the guy back at Walmart. I have no idea what the fuck to do; do I really bow back? Say hello. Breathe? I was so perplexed as to what to do that the first one did not raise her head but said, still in her bow, "we have finished all we needed, if you require anything Miss Sebastian, please ring the bell on the main dining room table, have a peaceful visit." They walked towards the elevator behind me, keeping their eyes glued to the floor while pushing the cleaning cart, and as I walked in, I was amazed by the Asian decorations. I feel like I am in a Jackie Chan movie, everything is marble, gold, and with cute bonsais around, this place looks peaceful to stay in, the sofas are white with pop gold pillows with dragon designs, one thing I did see on the window was a symbol, a gold tree with a dragon growing from it, "that is the symbol of the crazy strict rich family, they wait a minute," I stay still when I realize where I have seen that logo, "oh fuck" the elevator dings again, and I lo "Looking for me, Hacker King?" I snicker, feeling like the safest person alive, "So now you know who my family is?" I nod with a big smile, making him laugh: "Do you now feel safe with me?" Do you need any more convincing?" I scrunch my face, "Honestly, now I really want to know why you were hiding in a Walmart. Of all places," it was his turn to scrunch his face, "not a proud moment, I swear, but okay, I will tell you, I did not choose this, I am trying to get out of this mess." His cell began to run again, and his expression changed to one of pure dread and annoyance: "Yes?" He responded without a care in his words, and I pressed my lips at how he was behaving; clearly girl trouble; perhaps he was hiding from a girlfriend or an ex; that must suck, but it would not make sense given what his family does for a living; they are the world's leading hacking company, and they have purchased other companies to keep themselves hidden from the public; my friend Ted and I are obsessed with his family's role in all of this. After a while, I realized how uncomfortable this was for him, so I decided not to push him any further; from what I am seeing, he is had a rough day. "Hey, if it is okay with you, I do not want you to explain anything to me; in fact, let us just call it a truce; you have had a fantastic day, and so have I; right now, I need to go home to do some things." He looked at my hand, which held my cell phone, and said, "You mean your plumbing problem? I can send someone and have it paid for; you have literally given me fresh air to breathe; I have never needed a free friend; I mean, what I mean to say is that I did not have to elevate you or something like that, or call in a favor that my company could." I laughed at how hard he was trying to clarify. I understood what he meant by a true friend who did not want anything from him, but in reality, even though I was older, I wanted third base with the guy. Is it just a crazy idea for a 32-year-old to go bow chicka wow on a 24-year-old? No? Was it just me? "Thank you for being there for me despite the wondering eyes; do not worry about the plumbing; I do not mind telling the truth unless it bothers you." Calming down, I looked at him and shook my head, saying, "That will be perfect; just say it is to help a girl in need; you saw her at a stupid Walmart." "Not a big deal." He did not take my final words lightly: "Aside from the plumbing, is there anything else you need to do?" I shook my head, "Well, let us get some food, and you can go home if you want?" I smiled, a full stomach never hurts me. He walked to get a tablet and handed it to me, "here, order whatever you want, I am getting changed, as much comfort as this is, I have business meetings tonight with my family," he looked back at me. "I will be back soon," I told him as I ordered my food and waited. He has a dinner meeting with his parents? Look up to see him; he has already left, "damn". I said aloud, maybe he will be fine without my order. As soon as I submitted it, my phone texted back, it was Arthur, and as I opened the text, it read "he knows." My eyes widened. I looked around the room and realized I was alone. I tapped my cell for the clearing code and then answered my friend. "I am not home, but did he arrive?" I waited a few moments after hitting send before he responded, "No, he could not find you; from what the tracking shows, you are fine, but fuck was that a close one; do you want me to go over that?" I thought about it for a moment.