Chapter 31 New Friend

Chapter 31 New Friend
Knowing damn well that some dangerous men was looking for her, yet she came to the place that stranger woman asked her to. Not because she was blindly dumb, but because she hanging on even the smallest chance for her to get the access into northern underground battle.

Elodie spotted the woman right after she saw the grand entering of the conservatory garden, waiting for her in more casual look. She waved to Elodie, smilling as Elodie walked toward her.

“I thought you’re going to wear something short like last night,” she smiled and talked like a mock, but her dark eyes didn’t leave Elodie from head to toe.

Elodie said, “I listening your advice, besides, this is more comfortable.”

“I know,” then her half-smilling eyes darted to James like speed of archer, “but why is he here? You said he’s not your boyfriend.”

“He is, but he’s like my…,”

“Bodyguard,” James snapped nonchalantly, “temporary but dedicated.”

The woman smiled at James. “I can see.”

“So, I’m Elodie. What’s your name?” Elodie asked, “and what we’re gonna do here?” her eyes exploring the place in awkward.

The woman held her smile, reaching her hand to Elodie.

“You can call me Hime.”

“Oh, you’re Chinese?” Hime glanced at James, the silence was enough to shut him up. She returned to Elodie, a polite smile soften her sharp jaw. Hime grabbed Elodie’s hand, taking her inside but James also holding Elodie.

James playful eyes shifted into something warning, his eagle stare talking without him making any sound.

“I just want it’s to be me and Miss Elodie.”

“Is it a date? Because I don’t see it is and I’m sure that you remember who I am.”

“Yes, Gabriela, I remember. But she’s willing to be my friend, and I only got two tickets.” Her long-red crimson nails pressed on James’ skin like reminder about last night gamble; that she was the winner. She pushed James from Elodie gently as she reached his radar to say, “I wear long pants with a reason, and if you wondered—I can fight.”

James didn’t blink, but Hime didn’t hesitate about her word. James let Hime walked Elodie inside, when they already disappeared from his eyes, he frowned.

“Who the hell is Gabriela?”

Meanwhile, Elodie hadn’t been keeping track of how long Hime had been holding her hand since they’d walked in. The place was filled with flowers, arranged so beautifully and creatively—her eyes were filled with awe until she realized Hime hadn’t said a word.

“You seem to really like flowers, Miss Hime.” Hime looked at Elodie, her gaze drifting down to their hands before she let go and stepped back a little.

“Me? I don’t like flowers. But it seems like you do.”

“Ah, I guessed because you haven’t spoken since we walked in.”

“I haven’t spoken because you’ve been too focused on the flowers here. You didn’t deny my guess.”

Elodie realized she’d gotten a little carried away by the atmosphere.

“I know a little about flowers; I used to own a flower shop,” Elodie explained, a hint of longing visible in her eyes without her needing to say more.

Hime noticed this and asked, “A family business?”

Elodie nodded.

“Well, guess I took you to the right place.”

Elodie smiled, her face slightly lowered to hide her sadness because more than just remembering her old life, she was thinking of Ethan.

And because she was thinking of Ethan, she looked at Hime just as Hime returned her gaze—a gaze holding back something big from being spoken.

“Miss Hime …”

“Don’t call me that. Just Hime,” Hime cut her quickly, and smile a little playful while leaning closer her face to Elodie. “Hime means princess already.”

“So, you are a princess …?”

“Yes, in my house—my territory. What do you want to say?”

Elodie looked at Hime with a hint of hesitation, but she asked anyway because she couldn’t pass up an opportunity that might only come once.

“Have you ever been to the Northern Battleground?”

Hime tilted her head slightly, as if she hadn’t expected that question on their cozy date. However, she didn’t ask why—as if she’d already gotten the answer at the gambling table last night.

“I go there often.”

Elodie’s eyes widened, her pupils dilating.

“How do you get in there?”

The question came out so naturally, as if it was something she’d been wanting to ask all along. Hime’s eyes were fixed on Elodie; intense and unreadable. For those who didn’t know that eyes can speak louder than words, they wouldn’t understand if someone knew something and chose not to talk about it for a reason.

Oh, poor Elodie…

“Are you interested in violence? Or looking for something there?”

She fell silent because Hime’s question hit the mark, setting off an alarm inside her. Her eyes looked up at Hime’s calm face; the woman’s tall frame seemed to block Elodie’s presence, making it difficult for James to watch them from outside the conservatory.

“Ah, damn. What are they talking about?” James asked irritably, unable to enjoy anything at the amusement park except focusing entirely on his task.

He thought about buying a ticket right away to gain entry, but as his eyes glanced briefly in another direction, he froze and a warning light flashed in his head when he saw a familiar face.

“Shit?”

And when he turned to look at Elodie, she was gone. James bit his lower lip, holding back the frustration he really couldn’t contain.

“Shit.”

Screw the ticket and stuff; he had legs. He’d get in on his own feet.