Chapter 4: The rumor

...CHAPTER 4: THE RUMOR...

How do show interest in a guy?

First, try getting alone with him.

It was pretty easy for Clandestia since the target is a bodyguard and it’s his job to stick to her and Neon 24/7.

So here she is, standing in front of a blond guy, watching his handsome face changes expressions from confusion to skepticism.

“Please accept this.” She smiled, pushing a little box in to the guy’s hand. “It’s a Beetle watch that would be useful to the phone you’re using.”

Second, give him something personal.

Cold black orbs like abyss of darkness were scrutinizing her. There was clear annoyance shown on his perfect and sharp features. Just as she expected. But this is what she’s here for.

“Why are you doing this, Miss Clandestia?” Unlike everyone, he doesn’t call her “Lady”, just a “Miss” like he’s considering her only an extra of his work and not his main job like Neon.

She’s a bit irritated for some reason. The guy’s very cautious of her. He built a really thick wall around him, plus a warning sign that read “don’t get near me”. That kind of sort!

Fine, it’s not like she’s really interested. She’ll just have to act the part and that’s it!

Steeling her resolve, she looked at him shyly. “This is to apologize for my rudeness yesterday.”

“Sorry for making you uncomfortable…” She casted her eyes down, all giddy like a school girl. “And I got you this on the way back from my walk.”

Damn, she should be eligible for an Oscar award now. She secretly applauded herself.

Kurapika fought the urge to roll his eyes. Did she think she’ll make it any less uncomfortable by doing this?

“I can’t accept this, Miss.” Was his curt and cold reply.

Well, she expected this much. She snorted internally.

“Please do keep it as I don’t have any use for it anyway!” She cheerfully added.

“Plus, it’s quite handy, you know? Once connected to your Beetle phone, it can be used like a spare phone with full features of the original.” She explained enthusiastically, feeling like she’s copying Leorio now.

She saw him scowled. She’s cool though. Better dislike than hostility. So she flashed him another big smile.

“Hope you’ll like it.” She tilted her head.

Not giving him a chance to retort, she pivoted on her heels. “I’ll see you around then.”

And she gracefully added a mischievous wink. “Goodnight, Kurapika!”

With that she promptly disappeared into the hallway, leaving a certain bodyguard frozen in utter disbelief. Was Basho right?

He should have returned the gift to her earlier but he was taken aback.

Truthfully, it’s the first time that he had a girl hitting on him. He couldn’t react better.

He sighed and walked back to his room.

He’ll have to return it another time then.

\~\~

From a corner of the hallway, a certain girl covered her mouth in astonishment.

Eliza couldn’t believe what she just witnessed.

Being a maid at the Nostrade for a long time, she’s grown quite close to both Ladies of the house. But she never seen Lady Clandestia interested in anyone. Now the Lady’s interested in a bodyguard?

Eliza’s in a relationship with Scuwala, a bodyguard, too. But the Lady is of different status. Sir Light might even kill that bodyguard if he knew the guy’s involved with his niece.

But from the look of it, that guy was totally trying to reject Lady Clandestia.

Eliza sighed heavily. She doesn’t know how to feel about this.

Poor the sweet Lady.

Kurapika is indeed an ice-cold guy.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

In a room at the West wing of hotel…

Pulling a towel to wrap around his waist, Kurapika closed the bathroom behind and stepped into the bedroom.

He picked a simple sleeveless shirt and a pair of comfy shorts.

At last, he sat on his bed, using a towel to dry his drenched blond hair. Tonight it’s not his turn to guard any of the Nostrade Ladies so he’s off to bed early.

The soap smell and the hotel room’s soft lavender aroma refreshed his mind a little.

He glanced at his phone lying on the bedside table. There was a small black box next to it.

He grabbed the box and opened it.

A simple designed watch lied quietly inside the box. He lifted it up to examine it.

At last he sighed and put it back.

No Nen- element detected. Not even a tracker.

It’s plainly just a Beetle watch.

Kurapika ran a hand through his hair and lied on the bed.

She really just gave him a watch.

He must have been thinking too much? She might be a mindless girl just like Neon Nostrade.

Well, he’ll let her be for now.

He’s got a plan for himself to focus on. He needed to gain the Nostrades’ trust first so it’d be wise playing along with whatever they’ve got up their sleeves for now.

If Clandestia’s got any ulterior motive, he’ll find out in no time anyway.

By gaining the Nostrade’s trust, he’ll rise to a position that he can easily access information regarding his tribe’s stolen eyes.

After that, he’ll annihilate all those disgusting collectors like Neon and Light Nostrades.

His eyes gradually turned red at the thought.

He closed them for a moment to calm himself down.

At last, he sat up again and glanced at the watch.

Thinking of it. This is the first time he’s got a gift from a girl.

Back when he was with the Kuruta tribe at his village, Pairo and he were the only children. There was no girl around his age. After he left and learned of the massacre of his tribe, he’s got no time dealing with matters like this. The thought of getting close to anyone has never crossed his mind.

So this is the first time something like this happened to him.

Suddenly, he’s briefly reminded of that girl’s bright smile. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.

The young bodyguard slowly turned to sleep, unforeseen of what is about to happen the next day.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***