"Miss, how do you feel?"
We were on our way to the National Defense Development Center (NDDC). I asked Hina sitting next to me while we were driving on the highway.
Hina was on the shotgun, again. I guess I'll just have to get used to this…
"Honestly?"
"Yes, honestly, please"
"I feel like throwing up"
"Don't worry, you will be fine, Miss. We have an important target to achieve today but I believe you can do it"
"No, that's not what I mean"
"What is it then, Miss?"
"I think I had one too many sandwiches for breakfast"
"I think you did, yes"
"I'm really full, Sin. What should I do?"
Jesus, I'm not your mom… and more importantly, you are not a kid anymore. An adult shouldn't stuff herself to the point you feel sick.
I was staying at the Chan mansion for now although the interview we had with the journalist from a few days ago cleared up any gossip about me being her potential lover.
Just what are people even thinking these days…
In any case, staying with Hina meant that it was around-the-clock work time for me. It was physically and mentally tiring, but this also meant I was spending zero expenses for living and was getting paid very well for all those overtime hours.
Maybe if I did this long enough I could build my room to be a bit like Hina's…
What this living together experience also told me though is that Hina really was such a child in some ways. Because Hina was still in the learning process, it was almost like I was her private tutor giving her a crash course on the company work and industry.
During my teachings, Hina came up with some very smart answers and questions that caught me off guard, showed impressive and ridiculous mental gymnastics, and demonstrated some warped logic bordering on genius level. However, now and then, there were flashes of intensity that I came to recognize as something she had inherited from Chairman Chan. I do not know her brothers well enough in private to be able to tell if they too possess these qualities, but Hina definitely had that "je ne sais quoi"
Unfortunately, though, today's morning was when she showed the side of her that drives me mad banging my head against the wall in my mind and screaming 'are you a frigging child?!!" inside.
Ema makes nice avocado and bacon sandwiches. There are chefs working at the Chan mansion around the clock, but Ema makes a few things that Hina absolutely loves, probably because she grew up on them.
One of those specialties was her avocado and bacon sandwiches. There was nothing spectacular, but everything was just about perfect. Hina though went crazy with mayonnaise on them. Yes, avocado and bacon sandwiches should contain mayonnaise, but not to the level where the layer of mayonnaise is as thick as one slice of toast.
And Hina had five of those.
How can this girl even eat that much and stay in shape?
Blessed genes, I guess. She certainly was blessed in many ways.
"Miss, we could stop over for a bit so you can get some fresh air. That might make you feel a little better"
"Good idea, Sin. Thank you"
"BUT WE WON'T"
"Huh? What?"
"Miss… if I may speak frankly, you need to learn some moderation. Especially when you know we have a big day ahead"
It was about time she learned her lesson.
"Hey, Ema never scolds me for eating too much"
"She spoils you too much"
"Sin"
"Yes, Miss"
"Do you know what goes into an avocado and bacon sandwich?"
"Toast, avocado, bacon, and fried egg, isn't it?"
"Yes. And mayonnaise"
"Ok"
"Do you know what mayonnaise is made out of?"
"Eggs?"
"Yeah and I ate tons of it"
"I know"
"I'm starting to feel a little bloated. Are you sure you want to be trapped in the car with me now?"
Shit. I'm pulling over.
After a few minutes of break at a small resting space on the highway, I was fortunate to find, Hina seemed to feel a lot better and we got back in the car.
"Thank you, Sin"
"Please, let's not do this again"
"Sin, you are no fun"
"Never mind… so, are you ready for the meeting now?"
"I think so"
"Please tell me what we will be doing at NDDC, Miss. Just to recap"
":Sigh: If you wish. So, we are going for a little chit-chat with the propulsion research and development team right?"
"Yes, and please continue"
"We will probably be thrown into the lion's den. A room full of Dr. This and Dr. That. All rubbing their hands waiting for me to slip"
"Yes, but to offer you some encouragement, there are some people who will be supportive of us. They are on 'our side', so to say"
"Is that even legal?"
"Our side within legal boundaries. That's all there is to say"
"Riiiiiight"
"What you don't know, you won't be responsible for"
"Who would then?"
"Whoever made such arrangements"
"Who is it for us?"
"Me"
That made Hina go silent for a full minute or two, then she broke the silence.
"Sin"
"Yes, Miss"
"Don't risk yourself for me. Ever"
Chairman Chan valued me greatly and I was fortunate to work with him and earn his trust enough to see everything that happens behind the scenes too. I knew whatever happened to me Chairman Chan would find a way to rescue me. But we were always in it together. Anything that might be considered questionable practice, we were in it together. We took the risk. I had his back and he had my back, and I was always grateful for that. What Hina said just now was something else, though.
It would have been a lie if I said I wasn't moved by it.