The person who had spoken to us looked like he was about 25 years old. He was a man of medium stature and who stayed in shape but without going over. His short hair was light brown and his sharp brown eyes hid under old-fashioned glasses. He wore a business suit that clashed a lot with the relaxed and friendly air of the cafeteria where we were. Everyone, including Noel and I, although well groomed, wore casual clothes.
-I knew it. You're the detective that Marielle wants to talk to, right? - Noel looked from head to toe to the 'intruder'. After concluding that he did not present a threat to me, he gestured for me to get up from my place and sit next to him. Where he could best protect me from a 'possible' attack by anyone, including the one who was about to sit in my old place.
I sighed as I watched as the detective looked at us carefully. I got up from my place and did what Noel had ordered. While I sat in my new place, Noel made sure to move my piece of cake and my milkshake and put it in front of my new chair. Clearing that other area of the table.
-Please sit. - Said my bodyguard after removing the dishes from that side. - Forgive us for having already ordered our snacks, but we didn't expect your presence until much later.
The detective sat quietly in the seat I had vacated. He adjusted the glasses he was wearing and with a friendly smile he told us. - Don't apologize. I didn't expect to meet you here until the time we had decided to meet when you called to make the appointment. Also, I came so soon to investigate the site before the meeting.
"Mmmn... So he investigates the places proposed by his clients before meeting them... The detective you recommended Alphy, he isn't bad at all. Good job." - I said with affection to the small light that changed a bit of his color when listening to my praise.
[Of course I have done a good job. Hm! I am very professional. ] - My system responded a little proud even when he was still blushing.
"So professional that you forgot to activate the plugin as soon as we set foot in this world..." I reminded him mentally.
[Host!!!] - Alphy responded offended.
"Well, let's leave it like this." I looked away from the little ball of light to see that both men were watching me. I blushed in shame as Marielle would. The detective broadened the smile that had already appeared on his lips. And after repositioning his glasses well, he spoke to us.
-My name is Belmont Bourgeois. I am a professional detective with several years of experience in the information gathering market. I am also the president of a small but effective detective agency. I handle select cases like yours, Marielle Daract.
-Than... Thank you. - I said shyly.
I felt Noel sigh when he saw my shy response. He knew that although I had gained confidence when talking to people outside my family in these months, it was still hard for me to talk to acquaintances or just strangers. Noel gave me a little pat on the back encouraging me and at the same time letting me know that nothing was wrong. That I had him to take care of my back. I took a deep breath and breathed twice before looking more firmly at Belmont, who was in front of us.
-You don't need to be so nervous Miss Daract. Take your time. - Belmont answered kindly.
-I... I have invited you because... because I need your services. - I said trying to cope with 'my' shyness although my voice stopped several times while saying that phrase.
-Marielle. He already knows that you need his services. - Noel said looking at me kindly.
-The truth is that I am curious because I have been hired by the little miss Daract and not by the father. - He said looking at us seriously. - I investigate my clients, their relatives, friends and acquaintances. You should understand that investigating and discovering people's secrets is a dangerous job. Some of the investigated may want to get rid of the evidence or witnesses if they discover us. Now you understand me. - He said the latter with a wink to remove the seriousness of the subject. After all, for him I was just a teenager.
-Marielle, not everyone is like your parents or siblings. - Noel intervened.
-Hmm. - I responded by nodding.
-True. - Belmont said showing us again the kind smile he had before. - You are one of the few clients in which I have not obtained something bad in my research. Both, you and your family are good people who don't break the law. It is quite rare in high society so I am very intrigued of why you, the little princess of the Daract, whom they protect and care for as if you were a treasure, need my services.
-You see... Mhmm... - I tried to start a conversation but it didn't work as I intended. Seeing me like that, Noel turned to me.
-It's what we talked about a while ago, right? - He saw that I nodded. - Then let me explain it to him because otherwise we will be here forever and I am sure he has other things to do. You can intervene whenever you want to add more information or make more demands. - After telling me this and after giving me a little pat on the back he turned to Belmont.
-Before you say anything I want you to know that my services are not cheap. Here you have a list with the approximate prices of the orders. - He took out a paper sheet and handed it to me.
I looked at all prices and services his agency offered. "Quite affordable to be the most hired detective. Well, better for me."
-The... The service that I wan... I want is not here... - I said looking at him blushing with shame.
-Mhmmm. And what is the service you require? - Belmont asked curiously while adjusting his glasses in a gesture that should already be integrated into his DNA.
-Complete surveillance. 24 hours a day. Until new notice. - I said each sentence by raising one of the fingers of my hand as in a enumeration.
After saying this, I noticed the surprise on the detective's face and I also felt Noel put himself in a vigilant posture. I also heard Alphy say the following very nervous.
[Host, quick, do something!! If you do not reason your behavior now and the OOC alarm is activated, you will have failed and we will be expelled!!!]
[50% ... 55% ..]
"What! What happened!? Quick, give me a summary of why we have reached this situation.!" I said to Alphy while worried and anxious.
[Host!! Remember that although you are paranoid in nature, Marielle isn't. To put a classmate in full vigilance 24 hours a day, is something that without an 'innocent' and 'naive' motive as she is, Marielle would not do! Look at the tension posture of 'your' bodyguard and the detective's surprise!] - Alphy replied alarmed, making small leaps.
"Shit! Think Sarah! Think!" I told myself while out of the corner of my eye I watched my two companions look at me seriously.
[78% .. 79% ..]
[Host !! Quick!] - Alphy exclaimed.
"I have it!"
-Marielle? You're good? - Noel asked worried even while maintaining his alertness.
-Yes... I'm sorry to make you worry. No need to get so tense, Noel. - This time I gently stroked his shoulder. - You know that this topic has me worried. Many nights I go to bed late thinking about this. I feel guilty for feeling this while I am close to her... - I said looking at the table at the same time that I kept stroking him on the shoulder to reassure him.
-Marielle... - Noel began to say.
[85%...]
-Let me finish. I know it's weird that I ask for something like that. Full vigilance and 24 hours a day until I decide... It's strange, but so is what I feel every time she is close to me... - I took a deep breath twice even when I had Alphy almost screaming at me in my head. Then I kept telling what I wanted to say.- Dad and mom have ever told me that if I feel that there is something strange, I must investigate it thoroughly until I discover the truth of why I felt this way. And having a detective following her and getting information from her, isn't that a good thorough investigation? Have I done something wrong? - I asked Noel doubtfully while gently grabbing his shirt with the hand with which he had stroked his shoulder.
I noticed that Noel relaxed a little, then he sighed. "We are almost expelled from this world..." I told Alphy mentally.
-No, it's just that I never expected to hear something so extreme from you. - Noel said.
I also heard his whisper that said something like 'I should have imagined that the people that are overprotected sometimes do extreme things because of their lack of knowledge...' or something similar.
-Interesting. Why don't you tell me more. - Finally spoke Belmont who had been watching us carefully from his surprise until now.