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CHAPTER 5: Weird Woman (2)

When Himari lifted the cup of coffee to her lips, she noticed Jin still staring at her with suspicious eyes. Not that she could blame him. After all, Himari appeared to have an ulterior motive when she mentioned his position in the mafia just a minute ago. Himari met Jin's gaze and gave him a smile, which he simply ignored by turning away.

"The auction will take place tomorrow, as planned," Lester said before returning his attention to Himari. "You will be joining us tonight at the casino."

"Testing me right after you appointed me to my new job?" Himari asked him before placing the cup of coffee she was holding back on the table.

"I just wanted to make sure that you still have the necessary skills."

"You know you are giving this newbie so much anxiety?" Lester responded with a sneer when Himari said as he grinned at him.

Himari laughed aloud at that gesture.

"This is the question I have been dying to ask." Dice started. "But how did you know each other?"

"We met at one of Lester's business partner's previous parties," Himari replied, assuming Ace would never answer. "He was the one who found and returned my lost ring. I still remember him giving me that ring with that 'friendly' smile."

Himari bursts out laughing as she recalls the exact scenario from before. Lester can fool anyone with his smile, but Himari is not one of them. You can not easily fool someone who is also skilled at fooling other people's eyes.

"He personally handed me the ring as a polite businessman. Ace found me while I was playing in the casino at the time. I asked him for a poker match as a way to thank him. Let's just say that we started the little business partnership that we have right now."

As soon as Himari concluded her story, various expressions appeared on their faces. Lester's frowning at her once more, Dice, Vincent, and even Gael, who was just lying around, are now looking surprised, Lily's face is troubled, and Jin's expression is blank.

"Who wins the match, then?" Vincent asked.

"Would you believe me if I said..." Himari asked, looking at Lester.

Himari then smiled meaningfully at them.

The two energetic managers jumped in their seats with excitement after she smiled at them.

"Whoa, whoa. So you are telling us that you defeated Lester in a poker game?!" Gael asked Himari. "The 'Lester Lim' who has never lost a game?"

"Are you for real?!"

"Or maybe the true goddess of luck? I mean, since we started working in this business, we have never seen Lester Lim lose a game, particularly in gambling!"

She had just noticed that Gael, who had been lazily sitting on the sofa earlier, was now paying close attention to the story she was about to tell them. Himari can only assume she piqued his interest. At the very least, the guy is not as boring as she had expected.

"But I never claimed to have beaten him?" Himari said, before laughing again.

Talking with those guys was fun for her.

"You lost then?" Jin said.

Himari stops the urge to raise her brow at him. Jin Takishima is showing interest in her story for the first time.

"Hmm... Kind of." Himari simply replied before reaching for her cup of coffee again.

"I do not understand." Vincent said with a slight frown on his face.

"Enough of it," Lester finally said, getting up from his seat. "We still need to double-check the items. "Dice and Vincent, come with me."

Taking this as a cue, all of the managers began to leave their seats. As Himari set the cup on the table, her phone vibrated again. She looked at the Caller ID and pressed the red button before getting up.

"Let us meet later at the casino," Himari said before exiting the penthouse lobby. Her phone rings again, and the same Caller ID is displayed on the screen. She picks up the phone this time.

"You are calling me as if I am missing."

(It is because you really are missing.)

Akito, who finally heard Himari's voice, said before letting out a relieved sigh.

"I am now back in our city." Himari cuts the chase and tells her location. She was pretty sure that he would discover her whereabouts sooner or later. "You can follow me next week after you finish your paperwork."

(No. I will be taking the earliest flight I can get now. My paperwork can wait.)

This time, Himari is the one who lets out a sigh.

'Is there a way for me to have a break from this guy's overprotectiveness?'

Himari slipped out of the hotel they were staying at and left Akito in New York without saying anything. Knowing him, Akito will find her as soon as he discovers she is missing.

"Akito, you are aware that the documents in your possession are important."

(Then I will bring these with me. Besides, you are more important.)

"Aww... You are so sweet. Be careful though. I may fall in love with you if you continue being like that." Himari said before laughing. She heard him sighing again on the other line, which made her laugh more.

(I will go there as soon as possible. Stay away from trouble. I am begging you.)

Himari could hear the exhaustion in his voice. Still, it makes her smile.

"Hmm... Fine. I will give you a little break, so I will stay away from trouble until you arrive here. Have a safe trip!" Himari said before ending the call.

As Himari patiently waits for the elevator, she senses a presence behind her. Jin is standing not far from her, staring—No. He is observing her.

"What is your motive, woman?" Jin asked moving his feet and slowly approached her.

Himari slowly blinks her eyes, as if she is trying to process the question she just received.

"Motive?" Himari asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Stop playing games with me," Jin said, hoping that the woman in front of him would not prolong the conversation.

Himari looks at him for a second before letting out a soft chuckle.

"Mr. Takishima, will you believe me if I say I just want to have fun in life?" Himari asked him another question.

They then have a long silence.

"I do not trust you," Jin firmly stated.

"Yeah?" Himari asked and tilted her head a little. "Then that is good. Because I also do not trust myself."

When the elevator door opened, Himari remained in her spot. Himari saw Jin entering the elevator. She simply smiles at him until the lift door closes.

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