"What the fuck?"
Nova was taken aback by the sudden unexpected question. Her hand holding the glass of water shook. She badly wished she can splash the content on his stupid face. Better yet if it was some dangerous liquid that would damaged his skin for good. Then slam the glass on the table and stumped out of the floor after knocking her chair to the ground. Just to show how pissed off she is.
Instead, she stared back at him flabbergasted as her face slowly heat up.
"If you'll excuse me. I have a plane to catch if there's nothing else to discuss." She seethed, she would be damned if she stayed behind and talk about her sex life over a glass of water. Still she needed to act being polite. But since the job was done, she no longer needed to entertain the bastard.
"I'm kidding! I apologize I took it too far. I was only curious on how you'll react." Mr Ben rushed when she left her seat ready to leave, snatching her arm before she leave. Although the expression on his was everything but sorry. If anything, he seemed quite pleased.
"Sir, I'm running out of time. I'm afraid I can't afford anymore jokes."
"Nah you'll be just fine, I assure you. Mr Anderson is currently locked up in the mansion when I...." He caught his words and cleared his throat. "Anyways, you have few more minutes to spare. Or should I invite Lee himself out for lunch? It's only proper to celebrate your victory." His eyes narrowed threateningly.
Nova paused, taking in what he said. He said she would be fine, but how can he be sure? Did he know Mr Anderson personally? And what with his last words? Was he threatening her?
Nova held his gaze for a few breaths before nodding slowly and sat back down.
"Alright. But I would greatly appreciate it if we keep the jokes at bay."
"Again, I apologize Miss Nightowl."
"𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳. 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘳."
"Right, Miss Walker. Please, don't let me waste your time anymore than I have to."
He clapped his hands once, and a waitress popped out instantly and saved her from the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Her mouth watered at the amazing aromas of the appetizing dishes she couldn't name, but she couldn't bring herself to actually focus on the food.
Muttering an excuse, she left the table and made her way to the restroom.
"For the sake of thy freedom, thou shalt withhold thy wrath." She chanted out loud, splashing cold water on her face.
You'd think that growing up in the slums, Nova would be quite efficient at managing her rage. There was no point in being angry over what's left of her shredded dignity. Although her environment has changed now, it would save her lots of trouble if she simply look the other way and focus on her job.
That doesn't mean she wasn't leaving a nasty ass review on their site though.
Nova came out of the restroom after five minutes. As much as she would love to take her time avoiding the motherfucker, she couldn't exactly avoid him for long.
She returned to the seat and pretend enjoy the overpriced meal enough to feed ten adults on an average day. With her stomach in knots, the food tasted rather bland on her tongue.
Mr Ben had been busy on his phone since her return to pay her any attention.
Thank God.
She was half tempted to text Maximus and ask him to call her just so she could claim that something came up and needed to leave.
Actually, that sounds like a good idea. Ana snatched her bag from the table to retrieve her phone when the elevator opened up as more people walked in.
A woman walking directly towards them on the opposite end of the room caught her attention. She was followed closely by two younger ladies in similar outfit. The woman's stern face with sleek make up and sophisticated attire looked awfully familiar. Although she couldn't place a finger from where she saw her.
She haven't been in the city for long, and the woman is definitely not someone she knew back at Willow. Nova brushed it up as a face she met in one of the numerous clothing stores she had been to over the last few days.
"Someone you know? Nova snapped he gaze to Ben's at the man's voice. She didn't even realize she was staring.
Nova shrugged. She noticed that he looked tense. The careless aura he had around him before had vanished. She could tell at a glance something was wrong, but that is not her problem.
She went back to her problem, which was ideally the phone in her hand, but her gaze strayed to the middle aged woman once again.
"Shit!" Nova ducked under the table, knocking her bag so at least she can pretend to pick it up.
She knew it was a bad idea to come here in the first place. But what are the odds of running across the bride she had oh so mercilessly wrecked her wedding? The city was supposed to huge!
The stern lady, which she had now identified as the bride's mother sat two tables away from their seat. And if it wasn't for the blonde herself who was sporting dark circles the makeup failed to conceal, Nova wouldn't have recognized them.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah I'm good. Look, I really have to go." The woman is staring in her direction. "It was nice working with you." Grabbing her bag, Nova all but bolted out of the room. Grateful for the elevator on the other side of the room, she wouldn't have to pass by their table and cause a scene.
That was close! If Nova didn't know any better, she would have thought Mr Ben had set up the lunch on purpose. Besides, no one working with The Underground can be trusted.
"You reek." Maximus announced when she was finally in the car. "Bitch, what?"
"I don't know how, but trust me, you don't smell good." He shrugged starting up the car.
"You'll need a bath before we leave."
"I have already wasted enough time on unnecessary things."
"Unless you want knock the passengers out, I suggest you wash. Well, if you were even allowed aboard."
"I do not smell! What the hell, Max? No one ever told you not say that to a girl?"
"Whatever. When was the last time you had a bath?"
"The doctor said to not wet the bandage. Beside, I clean up every night."
"Suit yourself."
"Shut up."
All the way back to their apartment, Nova grumbled at the jab. If she really smell bad, he would have mentioned it before the lunch, so she knew she was fine. She had stayed longer without one back at the base. Besides, the twins had the sense of smell equivalent to their dog.
And once she settle down in a cozy home in a land far away from here, she would have the time and luxury for all the luxury she couldn't afford without the constant fear for her life.
She had already made the plans for all the gang members. Anna would handle their makeovers while somehow, Freddie had managed to convince Oga to get fake identities for all 38 members. For a price.
Out of the 38, only 8 of them were in their prime. The rest were either too old or too young.
Yes, she had made the right decision of sending them away.
She would be lonely without them, but it's for the best.
For another 30 minutes, Nova busied herself in the bathroom cleaning up when they arrived. She until she was sure she'd scape herself clean.
Wearing a large pajama shirt that reached her knee, she came out drying her hair. Unfortunately, the bandage was soaked despite her effort and need to be changed immediately.
While Nova dried her hair and wait for Maxim to bring over the first aid kit, the sounds of a helicopter on patrol rumbled over their head.
______