The first agenda for Mou in the morning was a business agreement within Country R for him to operate within some newly built shopping areas being built.
He needed permission from the government to build in a foreign land and permission from the owner of the shopping mall. Something that would take him a few days to organize the meetings.
"Just stay alongside me for the meetings. Lennard, I need you to contact the military to ensure mercenary numbers have decreased." Mou said over some food.
Stella ate a small amount of breakfast, just an egg, and a waffle. While Mou ate 2 eggs, 3 sausages, and 2 slices of toast... Lennard wondered if the two balanced out well or not?
"I understand." Stella replied robotically as she took a sip of coffee. She watched Lennard stand up to start work. Before his boss realized that he was just watching him eat...
"The shadow guards can do your job for you. You only need to show yourself to these people." Mou said as he raised his eyebrows.
Stella sat and adjusted her glasses. "Okay." She responded as she waited for Mou to make the first move to leave.
"..." Awkward silence followed. Mou noticed that Stella hadn't eaten a lot. He wondered if that was why she snacked a lot during the day...
Mou soundlessly stood up and went over to his car in the car park. Terel was already waiting. Stella got in the front, and Mou the back.
Terel did know about Stella's identity. He felt a little awkward sitting next to her, he could just feel Mou's penetrating gaze looking through his soul...
Stella looked out of the window as they drove past some war torn areas. 'Shame, the grasslands were always quite nice.' She inwardly thought.
Mou also looked out of the window. He kept his eye on Stella. Recording every emotion she showed. The slight amount of pain in her eyes when looking outside made him wonder if he felt bad for the people or the land? After all, Country R is a beautiful place especially near the beaches which they were.
Before the war, Country R was the tourist destination. Especially their coastal areas. The sea was often perfect for swimming as it was calm. But then certain areas it was a raging ocean, perfect for surfers if they wanted a challenge. Tourism exploded, but so did the corruption. Then the public found out about the corruption and started to riot against the government at the time. Weeks and months passed of constant riots. Then a mistake was made. The army shot a civilian during a riot. That was the turning point for the country.
People were upset about how corrupt the military was. Being able to hold positions of power not based on merit. But on influence and money. So when the military opened fire on the people... crime rose through the roof.
Smuggling, arms dealing, many organizations popped up. Within a couple of years, the country fell from grace.
*Cough* "We've arrived." Terel announced, they had been at their destination for a couple of minutes. But Mou had been in a daze as he looked out the window.
Mou grunted as he opened the door. He started to walk over to the underground elevator as Stella opened her door and followed behind.
The elevator was another round of awkward silence between the pair. Mou put his case he brought on the floor and looked down at Stella's hands.
"Take that for me, it is connected to a device I have in my pocket. If I'm in trouble you will know." Mou explained as Stella nodded.
Mou remembered the look in Stella's eyes when in the car... "Country R used to be a nice place. Growing up me and my family often came here for holidays. It's a shame to see it in the state it is now." Mou started speaking about the past for some reason.
Stella looked up at Mou, before centering her gaze on the door in front. "The country imploded. It is common when something is led by incompetent people." Stella sharply responded.
Mou felt a smile coming along. "I suppose, I heard good things about the current President." Mou commented as the elevator dinged.
Mou placed a blank look on his face as he started to move forward. Stella picked up the case and followed behind. Making sure her presence wasn't felt.
The only reason why Mou could use the President's private elevator to meet him was that he had explicit permission. Most of his business deals was done in the same way. Especially those where the identification of the partner was important to keep protected.
"Mr. Guillard. Please wait just a moment please." The secretary outside the office spoke as he notified the President.
The secretary buzzed for the President but his eyes landed on the cold man walking behind him...
"No need to worry, he's here for appearances." Mou assured, not in an assuring tone.
The secretary nodded with understanding. It would be obvious for the boss of the Guillard corporation to bring a guard behind him for important deals like this.
"Alright. You can enter now." The secretary said to Mou as Mou took steps to walk into the office.
"Mmm, take a seat sir. Would you like anything to drink?" The secretary asked as he led Stella to a side room.
"Black coffee." Stella replied as she took a seat. She placed the case to her side as she adjusted her glasses.
The secretary was a little intimidated by the man. Since he was clearly brought to be a bodyguard then he must be skilled despite his small frame...
"Please wait a minute." He said as he ordered someone to get some coffee for Stella. As he went to do his job as well.
.........
Stella sat down waiting for close to four hours. She didn't speak any more words to the secretary after taking her coffee. She drank it, then just sat there. It was quite an experience for the secretary to experience.
Stella's gaze shifted as the office to the President's door opened. Out walked Mou with a new case in his hands. Stella stood up, dusted herself off. Took the briefcase and walked behind Mou.
"Thanks for the business Mr Guillard. You are welcome at any time." An old voice came from behind Stella. It was the President as he saw Mou off to the elevator.
Mou and Stella entered the car and then Terel started to drive to another meeting Mou had for the day.
"Stop off here." Mou ordered as they passed by a small town.
Terel stopped by the side of the road. Stella was surprised but didn't say anything...
"Pick up some ice cream and watermelon." Mou ordered with a cold tone.
Stella reached for the door handle. "Not you, Terel. Did you hear me the first time or do you need me to repeat myself?" Mou seemed to be a little angry...
Stella froze. Watermelon and ice cream... It was often the only thing she would be seen eating while around Mou... She wouldn't be thinking too much right?
"Yes boss." Terel immediately jumped out of the car and rushed to the nearest store. Despite the overinflated prices, he purchased the best ice cream and watermelon he could find...
"Sorry, I forgot that you ate little earlier." Mou apologized to Stella as he watched Terel rush back to the car.
Stella didn't say anything. Rather, she didn't know what to say. Could she say that she hadn't eaten food for close to two weeks before? Could she say that she only eats food so she doesn't make people around her worry that she hasn't eaten?
"Pass it here." Mou immediately ordered as soon as Terel opened the door.
Terel passed over the requested items like it was a hot potato, he didn't know what suddenly angered Mou. But he was scary okay!
Mou took a look at what Terel bought... He clicked his gums in annoyance upon seeing the watermelon...
Country R was a country in the turmoil of civil war... It was a luxury to be able to get fresh fruits... The packaged sliced watermelon was just sad. 'Not good enough for her.' He immediately put the watermelon out of his sight.
The ice cream... Faired better. It was serviceable. As he passed over five tubs of ice cream to Stella in the front, he then reached under the seat.
"Okay, you can drive now." Mou was satisfied after he gave Stella a spoon to eat her ice cream with. Terel's hands trembled as he started to drive the car.
'Is my boss going through a mid-life crisis! What is going on!?' Terel was terrified, he never knew Mou could get angry at watermelon! The dark gaze he looked at the packaged melon with brought shivers down his spine. Then it looked like Mou was satisfied with the ice cream at least...
Stella ate in silence. As her stomach silently appreciated the snack. And so did her heart...