Chapter 42 Professor Claude's Doubts
A slow smile curled on Anna’s lips…
Then she suddenly raised her hands, the smile still on her face. “Easy with that stare, old man. Even though you claim to have done research about me, I can sense malice in your gaze. I feel threatened,” Anna said, the smile still plastered on her face.
I was so confused by what was transpiring between Anna and Professor Claude that I quickly stepped in between them.
“What’s going on, Professor?!” I asked, wondering why he could never trust anyone.
“I’m sorry, Layla. I just wanted to know why someone of her caliber would work for you. There must be a reason, maybe personal interest or a goal,” Professor Claude said, still staring intensely at Anna, who continued smiling the entire time.
Anna sighed, placing her hands behind her head before yawning widely. “Professor, I think you’re getting worked up over nothing. You might think I’d earn much bigger pay taking solo jobs and getting my hands soaked in blood. However, I don’t want to live that kind of life. That’s the reason I quit my job. Even if I were to stain my hands with blood, it would be for a good cause, protecting my boss.”
“Initially, I didn’t plan to protect anyone or be a bodyguard since they were only looking for a maid. I thought it was a decent job, free of violence. But when I met the boss, she was very nice to me, so I revealed my ability to her and vowed to protect her,” Anna explained.
I saw Professor Claude’s shoulders lower slightly as he adjusted his eyeglasses, staring down at the floor.
“Alright, that’s all I wanted to know. I found it strange, and it kept bothering me even though I didn’t want to bring it up. I’m sorry for doubting you,” Professor Claude said.
My mouth hung wide open, so wide a fly almost flew in before I shut it.
The professor I knew would never apologize. Was old age finally making the old man go senile?
“PROFESSOR! I FINALLY FOUND YOU, HEHE!”
A loud voice echoed, and when I looked up, I saw Rudy charging toward us, superhuman speed kicking dust into the air behind him.
“Shit! I don’t want to see him!” the Professor cursed in panic. In the next moment, he packed up his equipment, hopped on his hoverboard, its thrusters firing at maximum output, and shot off toward his basement.
Barely five seconds later, Rudy arrived, skidding to a halt as he noticed the Professor already airborne. He panted lightly, sweat dripping from his forehead.
“Fuck! He got away again,” Rudy muttered before smiling. “I should’ve snuck up on him. I messed up.”
“Why does he always avoid you?” I asked curiously, noticing how the Professor always kept his distance from Rudy.
“Ah, it happened a few years ago when I accidentally broke one of Professor Claude’s projects in his lab. Not only that, I also destroyed the prototype weapon he asked me to test in real combat. Since then, he doesn’t want to see me. He knows I’d apologize, so he avoids me at all costs. But for how long, heh,” Rudy grinned, clearly enjoying teasing him.
Despite everything, Rudy and Professor Claude’s relationship was somewhat friendly. Even if the Professor acted this way toward Rudy, he genuinely cared about him and would ask about him through me or others.
“So… Layla. You’re as beautiful as ever,” Rudy suddenly said, taking my hands and snapping me out of my thoughts.
“M-me? Don’t tease me!” I protested, yet once again I felt powerless in front of him. It was as if all my defenses vanished, an overwhelming heat spreading throughout my body.
“Haha, you’re all red now. I wasn’t teasing you, I was simply stating a fact,” Rudy laughed softly before releasing my hands.
I felt relieved that he didn’t push further today, and when I glanced to the side, I noticed Eric and Anna facing the opposite direction like blind people, acting completely oblivious.
Why did I continue to feel this way toward Rudy? Why did all my defenses crumble in his presence?
“So, Layla. How’s your training going?” Rudy asked, acting normal again.
“Well… I’ve improved. I could say I’m finally back to my old self,” I replied. The next moment, I picked up the Glock and fired five shots in rapid succession with my eyes closed, each bullet striking the same mark.
“Scary…” Rudy muttered. “I get excited whenever I see you shoot, and jealous too. You’re exceptional, Layla. When all this is over, we’ll go on a trip and talk things out,” he said, suddenly holding both my hands and closing the distance between us.
Since he was taller than me, I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. My face flushed, my heart raced, and that strange heat returned, this time gathering at my lower lips, twitching as if craving something more.