Chapters (23)
I took long breaths to calm myself, wishing I could rub my temples. A pounding headache had emerged from nowhere right behind my eyes. Daiyu’s icon suddenly flashed on the lower corner of my helmet. ACCEPT CALL?
I blinked and cleared my throat, before replying, Yes.
My glass helmet darkened, and Daiyu’s face filled my vision. She had scrubbed the makeup from her face and let her hair down, tying it into a single braid.
“Hi, Jason.” She smiled, and it was genuine. It lit her whole face. So different than the image of the blank-faced girl that had been broadcasted nationwide standing on the plaza of the memorial hall just twenty minutes ago.
“Hey,” I said.
“I saw you in the square. I hadn’t expected you to come.”
So she had seen me in the crowd.
I gave a strained smile. “Of course. I wanted to hear your father’s big announcement.”
Her straight brows drew together. “What’s wrong? You look strange.”
I laughed. A tired but real laugh. “Too much partying last night?”
“That’s a lie,” Daiyu said. “Angela’s been looking for you after my gala and keeps sending me sad messages. Jason, the absent and lost prince from California.”
“Huh. I must keep missing her.” A corner of my mouth tilted up. I could tell by the brief purse of her lips that she didn’t believe a word of it. “So what’s up, Miss Jin?”
“I wanted to fulfill my end of the bargain,” she replied. “Are you free tomorrow for a personal tour of Jin Corp?”
Perfect. I was hoping she’d initiate the invitation rather than my having to ask. Less suspicious or desperate that way. This tour was crucial to our mission, and I needed to gather more intel for Lingyi.
An airambulance landed in the square, a stone’s throw away from me and the sick man, its sirens and lights blasting. Daiyu’s eyes widened in alarm. She couldn’t see what I saw, but she could hear everything.
“Yeah, I’m free,” I said. “Come to my apartment and wear your suit.” I paused. “Please.”
You boys had good manners, didn’t they?
She opened her mouth to reply, but I broke our connection before she could say another word.