ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR (VOL. A)

"So, you need to hold the axe this way, otherwise you won't be able to control it properly. You might miss the wood and hit your leg, or something on that same line of danger, okay? Now let me see you try."

Eron was taking the time to explain step by step the whys and hows of the first work he had done in the lumber yard when he first arrived. He thought that working with the axe would be the less dangerous option for the new kid among the many different jobs that they had in the yard. He chose that instead of taking him to one of the larger machines or letting him go with Max's team who cut or transported the logs.

And the former city boy took his time working with Orlando.

With determination, the still-tense newb followed step by step all his lumberyard nanny's instructions. He carefully aimed, held the axe tightly in his hands and hit the first blow.

"Good job!" The less recently hired newcomer enthusiastically praised as the kid smiled widely. "Now just remember well the position of your hands and body so you'll be safe at the very least. Check your work and see how you can improve. If you regularly practice those pointers, I'm certain that you'll get even better than your teammates in no time."

"Thank you, Eron… uh… Sir," the younger shyly addressed.

The Charmer huffed bemusedly, "No need to call me sir, ok? You have just a few days less experience than I do, so you could say that we are actually learning together, all right? Besides, I don't think I'm more than five years older than you."

"Oh! No, no… I didn't mean at all that you were old. I was just… trying to be respectful," the younger said, in almost a murmur, his cheeks lightly tinted in pink.

"I see. Well, all the more reason, then to not call me that then," Eron laughed, "There's no need to be formal with me, dude. Okay, now that you didn't cut yourself on your first try, I'll go down to the sawmill for a bit. Don't worry, if anything happens or if you have any questions, just stop, get over back there and ask me, ok?" the older and wider-framed male instructed him in a friendly tone.

"I will. Thank you for being patient with me. And for agreeing to teach me. Your help really means so much to me, Si… I mean, Eron."

"Nah, don't mention it. You're learning well and fast, so it's really no problem at all for me. So yeah, just keep trying your best! You're doing great and just remember the tips I gave you. See you later!" the slightly older male said with a confident smile, which seemed to be contagious, because, soon enough, the younger one was smiling as well. "Also, get used to calling me by my first name. Remember, it's Eron and not Sir…"

For how long would that smile stay on their faces? Their silent but seething secret audience continued to ask themselves.

Judging by how Max's gang looked at their interactions, it wouldn't be long before trouble came to take them.

Eron walked towards his new position and perfectly took word by word from his eidetic memory of what Jack had explained to him before. He then started working.

He quickly noticed that it was a lot less effort, and faster to complete his work. Eron was now sure that he could easily handle his babysitting Lando along with the quota of work that he had for the day.

In a couple of hours, he had gone through half of what he had to do for the day. So he turned off the machine and went to visit Orlando.

"Hey, Lando… Do you mind if I call you that way?"

Even if he tried with all his might, Orlando visibly shivered at hearing that name used on him again. It had been years since the last time someone called him like that. And certainly, even if he didn't dislike it, the memories that it brought to him made it something he would rather not have to go through.

Especially at work…

"I… would prefer if you… don't call me like that, Eron…" the young man softly answered. The young man was visibly affected, but not angry or uncomfortable.

Just very sad.

It took Eron a moment before he could say anything, seeing all those emotions reflected on Orlando's face. "I'm sorry lil' bro, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am. Just not used to hearing it again," he replied as he attempted a smile.

"Okay…" Eron said, not fully convinced. "I came to see how you're doing. Still unharmed? No blood anywhere? Maybe just inside your body, perhaps? Don't tell me that's all gone too, hehe."

Orlando's smile, little by little, had soon returned to his face, as The Charmer used his talent to help him feel better again.

The Charmer…

It was one of his ex-boss's favorite personality traits and one of the code names that was mostly used by the Governor.

Eron, not only could he easily make anyone like or adore him, but he was very open and flexible to do whatever he needed to do to complete a mission. Therefore, he was the most successful of the Ärgerlich army assassins. Something that perfectly complemented Hiromoto's serious, brooding and quiet personality and steady proficiency in analysis and strategy. That was one of the reasons why Edward Kahlagu had placed them on the same level and called them Left and Right hand instead of General, commander, lead, team lead or any other name.

As a matter of fact, the title suited both men like a glove.

And, after many years of being used to 'charm' everyone around him, for 'business' purposes, Eron would easily use his abilities without him even noticing it.

But those around him in his current line of work hated the ease with which he could win people and escalate places. They would say, he would win favors by simply sweetening the boss' ears and wagging his tail. Or at least that's what they thought it took to choose to oversee his hard work and effort, and even the fact that he enjoyed his job.

It didn't matter to him, anyway. It wasn't the first time that people would think he used his charm, or even his physical attributes to get to higher positions.

"Hey, Jack…" Oscar walked towards their boss, followed by two other guys. "Why is the new guy working on Boss Max's sawmill?"

"Because it's not Max's but the company's. Plus, I already saw Eron work on it and thought he was pretty good for that."

"How can he be good for that position? The day he tried it for the first time, he almost killed you and Diwana with the accident he caused!" one of the other guys who walked with Oscar said.

"Jeff, did you know that there was an investigation, and it was found out that this machine was tampered with? You need to check your facts before accusing someone of something like that, you know?"

"Max said it was him, and we don't have a reason not to believe him. You made his team lead for a reason too," the third guy in the small gang added, evidently more heated in his mood than the other two. However, his teammates didn't seem interested in holding the man back.