"What a load of rubbish!" Rubben mutters with great annoyance. "The way she talk about Buddha and Confucius, she totally won me over and then she stole my watch" Rubben added stuffing food into his mouth.
"It's hot!" He spat the food and annoyingly thrown the spoon. He closed his eyes briefly and said to himself in encouraging tone, "I must eat well in times like this to get my energy up. Right! he picked up the spoon again."
"If she's hiding in the north pole, I'll strangle the Penguins and If she's hiding in the south pole, I'll punch the polar bears in the solar plexus. I will find you in any costs." He said as a dark glint lit up in his eyes.
"Polar bears live in the north pole and penguins live in South Pole". Serene voice came in from the door.
"You startled me!" Rubben jumped up in shock like a thief who entered the house caught by the owner when he heard Serene's voice.
"Did you come over here to point out my mistake when I'm sick?" Rubben complained with sullen expression.
"You sounded awfully sick on the phone but you are eating well" Serene said curtly.
Rubben raised his brows at her, shooting a deathly gaze at her. "I'm not dead yet. Why would I skip my meals?".
"Right! Why did I worry about you and food? It's pointless" Serene rolled her eyes. Rubben gave her a look once over before stuffing the food again. "How are things in California?".
"Well, you see... Serene looked away and sighed.
"I paid the private investigator very handsomely. How can a private investigator struggle to find a girl?" Rubben shrugged.
"There's no culture of expediting cases like we did here!" Serene grumbled.
"Call him again and tell him as soon as he finds her, he'll get ten times the retainer I paid him." Rubben said impatiently.
"What? Ten times... Serene exclaimed.
"It's not like I can rush him because he's not here. I need him to see how much I'm willing to pay to get this done. That way, he will take seriously." Rubben snapped.
"I have a question". Serene cocked a brow at him, "Are you tried to find the watch or the girl?" She asked curiously.
"Of course it's...."
Serene paid rapt attention to his face, and confusion was evident in his eyes.
"Of course, it's the watch!" Rubben exclaimed in a high tone.
"Yes, the watch. I almost thought because of the girl" Serene said with a crooked smile.
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"This is the list of the loans he took out". The lawyer handed a file of papers. "The gallery is in worse shape than I thought" The lawyer sighed wearily.
Jisonia sat in a daze holding the papers.
"He donated all the money and assets to charities and only kept a gallery that's about to go bankrupt and he didn't even have any helpers to maintain a manison like this." The lawyer added in sad tone.
"Even though we've been friends for 40 years. I don't know if I respect him, or find him stupid. What a foolish person!. The lawyer continued.
"I'm thinking about getting rid of all my assets to save the gallery including this house. If you can help me please find appropriate buyer". Jisonia said, her voice was sad and low, filled with so much pain.
"Okay, I will ask around." The lawyer reached for Jisonia's hand on the table. "Everything will gonna be alright" The lawyer comforted, rubbing his hands over Jiosnia's.
------
"Where are you headed in that state?" Serene asked. She walked over to Rubben who was in front of the mirror.
"I have to stop by the hospital and some bank stuffs to take care of." Rubben said.
"If it's bank stuff, you can make me do it!" Serene muttered pursing her lips.
"Why would I ask for your help when it's my personal business?" Rubben said putting his hands on his hips. "Why would I trust you?" Rubben added, accompanied by a laugh that was so crispy.
Serene stiffened hearing his words. "Gosh! Is he crazy?" Serene shrugged her shoulders staring at his back.
"I am sure he was possessed" Serene mumbled placing her index finger on her lips.
------
"Your bank errands was just checking your bank book?" Serene peeps up her head.
"Look away!" Rubben glared at her.
"With just a bank app, you can check transactions, transfer money and exchange currency. That's the world we live in. Who uses a bank book?" Serene smirked.
Rubben paused and spoke in firm tone, "Money is only real when you can touch it with your hands, see it with your eyes and printed in numbers." Serene gave him a scrutinizing look as she listened.
Serene let out a dry, mocking and humourless laugh, "I don't understand such a weary person fell for a total stranger and lost his expensive watch!".
"I didn't fall for anyone!" Rubben hastily replied in fierce tone. "Go and wait in the car" Rubben glare at her lethally.