86. Home (3)
"Aunt uncle, long time no see," Lex greeted. He, Ella, and Maya have arrived at Bentley's residence. Once they came, the Bentley couple had already waited to welcome them.
It was like going back home. There's no need for many preliminary words at all. Paul gave him a pat on Lex's shoulder and back. While Layla gave him a warm hug like he was her own son. "Welcome home," they said.
(In the end, they're my neighbor. That had just coincidentally lived side by side Unlike before when I was a child, I've grown up now I can't be that shameless) But every time, Lex tried to be polite with the Bentley. Whether it was Paul or Layla quickly corrected him in the next moment no need to be polite with them. Finally, Lex gave up and acted like usual in front of them.
Paul asked them [Lex and Maya] to rest first. But Lex rejected his offer after he asked Maya whether she was tired or not. And because they were not that tired, Lex suggested finishing official business first.
Then Lex and Maya were brought to Paul's study room. Lex remembered this place. It was the same place when he and Paul made their agreement in the past.
It's a beautiful room. Two big sofas are facing each other and a table in between. Paul Bentley always used this place whenever he had official business that needed to be done in his home.
On one side, Paul and Layla sat side by side. And on the other side, Maya, Ella, and Lex sat together. Maya is on the left, Ella is on the right, and Lex is in the middle.
Lex readied himself. He looked not too upright and formal but not too casual too. Maya sat so stiffly and upright. She was too nervous in a different way than before. The mansion-like house, the servant, the beautiful decoration, and furniture overwhelmed her. She's afraid (if I were to scratch something… it's impossible for me to compensate it!!)
Meanwhile, Ella sat casually as she enjoyed her pudding. She sat near Lex as much as she could without bothering Lex and Paul's conversation, Paul tried to hide it, but it was too late. Lex had already seen how his eyebrow twitched at her second daughter's action! (I didn't see anything….) Lex immediately threw that scene out of his mind. And Layla smiled like she used to be.
"Thank you for listening to my selfishness at that time" Lex quickly started the conversation before they became awkward because of Ella's action. What Lex means is the time he had in Crimson Eagle. He should be back in three years. But Lex asked them to give him a bit more time which is almost two years. He knew nothing was free in this world. Vera even had explained to him how Crimson Eagle compensated. Means more time. Bentley's house provides more things toward the Crimson Eagle too.
"I'll try my best to compensate it!" Lex said.
"You don't need to mind it," Paul replied, "did you get what you wanted?"
"Eh?" Lex was puzzled by the unexpected reply.
It should be an equal contract. For Lex to work for them and act as Kate's bodyguard. And to fulfill it, Lex asked to learn martial arts, the necessary skill for it. In other words, it's like three-month training before working on the company.
And Lex's training was three years. It was a long time. But if you consider Lex's age and to become elite, it's still reasonable. And Lex asked them to add more time in that long three years. But Paul agreed to his request. He expected to be worked like a horse. (Well, like a horse is too exaggerated. But at least they would work me very hard) is what Lex thought. Yet it didn't happen. (Paul didn't mind it at all)
Lex also didn't know whether Paul expected him to touch the Hidden World or not (, but most likely, he expected me to know about it. It means their enemies could be someone from that side too. Ah! So that's it. The Bentley house wasn't an ordinary underground group but related to Hidden World. The stronger I am. The more they can relax, leaving Kate's safety.)
"Yes. I've been able to reach the level where I satisfied with" Lex said
"Good," Paul said with a slight smile on his face.
(It seems to be the same as what I thought) "do I start tomorrow? Or might be today?" Lex asked
The Bentley couple exchanged gaze for a moment. "No," Paul said, "you're going to enroll in the same school as Kate."
"Hm?" Lex was silent for a second "oh! I could easily protect her when she's on the school" he understood what they meant, but… "No," Paul refuted him again. Lex misunderstood their intention.
"We can protect her when she's outside the school. So you didn't need to protect Kate," Paul explained, "and the school most likely to be safe. But if something dangerous happened, I wanted you to protect Kate. But that's not the priority. Your priority will be to study."
"Ehh?" Lex was puzzled again… no, he was baffled by what Paul said. His work becomes like a part-time job only during school time. And it is even a loose part-time job like the one where you can even play smartphones while working. He was unable to process that.
"It's like this. We are looking for the Future" Layla finally started to explain in more detail. She found the conversation won't proceed like this, "as you know, even in this kind of line of work. Muscle and brute force weren't everything. There are many dangerous things other than force. We want you to be able to protect her from that kind of thing too. That's why you need the necessary knowledge for that."
After Layla's explained like that. Lex was finally able to process what they wanted from him (they didn't know I had a memory from my past life who already experienced work and social life. It's not wrong to think like that)
"You can even be called a secretary too. We want you to be both. Always stayed with her beside Kate. To assist her other than to protect her whether in luck or misery. Able to support her no matter what kind of situation it has in the future. We want you to do that much can you do it?" Layla had a very serious expression on her face.
(So, they expected me that much… what they wanted wasn't something that can be forced. It needs to be a volunteer. But I have already decided that time. I didn't need to hesitate anymore) "I can," Lex replied resolutely
Meanwhile, while Lex thoroughly processed Layla's word. Paul's face froze. His lips and eyebrow twitched a few times when he heard what Layla said ("that's not bodyguard!! It's a husband!!! No! it's already literally a Wedding Vow!!!"). He desperately gave Layla an eye signal. He hoped that he just overthinks it.
When Layla realized Paul ("what? You think Kate can accept anyone else at this point? Do you want her to be single forever?"), she replied with an eye signal.
Paul despaired he didn't think it wrong.
While Lex didn't understand what Layla meant because he was single too in the past, he might recognize the most template wedding vow, or he might hear something similar before. But he didn't think it was essential for him. he didn't have any memory of this kind of thing!
("But she's still young!!")
("It's not like she's going to marry now! You also knew he had many beautiful 'girl' friends in elementary school. It's more like he only has girls as a friend. It's better to have his words first better to be prepared")
("Uuugh, you're right… but still…)
("Don't worry, I recorded the conversation just now. We can hold on it, so he didn't back down later in the future")
("….. you even did that far?")
("Of course,") Layla flashed a beautiful smile ("And look at how your other daughter's eyes whenever she saw him. you might need to be ready both taken by him")
("Noooooooooo~~!!") only Layla knew. Paul's anguish and suffering in this moment.