Novel Ships
Looking out for you
Sinful: I can handle the likes of them, Mr Alpha. How is it? Have you had time to check out the upgraded one I sent to you?
Alpha: I haven’t, I logged in to see your name all over the main page. Why don’t you drop your contact information, I will get back to you once it has been tested.
Lily paused and read the chat over and over again, deliberating whether or not to get involved with the man on the other side of the screen. Due to the knowledge from her past life, she has little idea of the minor competition between himself and his cousin, Fredrick.
{I will advise that you keep in contact with him. He already made it clear he wants to keep working with you the last time. If you keep declining him, it might make working together in the future awkward}
{You can’t always fly under the radar, and if you want to, you’ll need someone to help you cover your tracks. You can’t do it all by yourself. I know you’re capable on your own but even the best of us need a little help sometimes. Besides, you don’t have as much influence as you had back when you were Victoria}
Lily sighed thinking about the system’s words, “But he has no reason to help me at this time. The service I rendered could be done by someone else, it might just take a little more time.” she argued with a frown.
{If you don’t wish to give him your contact then don’t or I can get another number registered for you under another identity that can’t be traced}
“Please do that” Lily encouraged, checking the time she realised it was almost time for Merissa to pick her up, Lily stood up and made sure all our things were packed and ready to be moved.
By the time she was done getting dressed, the system had finished generating a number for her, “Can I use it? Won’t I have to get a physical Card or something?” she asked curiously.
Feeling proud of its work, the system raised his invisible nose to the sky and his voice became smug and proud. {I am the highest artificial intelligence in this world, how would anything I make be faulty? You can use it however you wish, all calls will be directed to your main number without it being traced}
“Alright, I will trust you,” she muttered and went back to the computer.
Sinful: Here is my contact information. 678*****456, you can get in touch with me whenever you get it tested.
As she sent the message an idea popped into her head and she typed out another.
Sinful: I have a favour to ask, is it okay if I do?
Mark paused his movement on the keyboard as the second message came in. ‘They are aware of how the business world works and they know asking me a favour would make them owe me, yet they want to ask? What are they playing at?’ he thought to himself and glanced at the contact information sent to him.
He clicked on the string of numbers and forwarded it to Vengeful.
Alpha: Trace this number for me
Vengeful: Is someone bothering you?
Alpha: Can you not ask for more information when you are asked to work? Why are you so unprofessional?NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
Vengeful: I want to be sure that you are not getting involved in any illegal things. Someone has to keep you in check at all times.
Alpha: I’m at the airport, Celina is back.
Vengeful: Fuck off. I will get it checked immediately.
As the airport speaker announced his flight’s arrival, he hurriedly typed out a response to Sinful chat.
Alpha: You can ask.
Sinful: I need an affordable building for a fashion studio. Something small for a starting company, something between a million and two.
Alpha: I will send you a list of buildings that meet your budget. Although you won’t be able to get it around the busiest commercial area.
Sinful: The location doesn’t matter for now. I just need a good place for the registration.
Alpha: I will get it sent to you soon.
Sinful: In exchange for the favour, I can help you upgrade the Nex phone.
Lily offered after much deliberation, that she has always wanted to continue her mother’s projects and have them upgraded in her last life, this time with the help of the system she would be able to fulfil that dream.
The sound of a car thinking below her window brought her out of her thoughts as she received a message from Alpha.
Alpha: Let’s talk about this some other time.
As Lily stepped out of the house, she saw Merissa standing by the car, her face twisted in disgust as she glared at the apartment building. She looked as if she had bitten into a sour lemon, her lips pursed and her brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?” Lily asked, pretending not to know the reason for her expression. “Did someone do anything to you?” she probed further.
Merissa forced out a smile, as she turned to Lily, “No, I’m fine. It’s the first time I’ve ever been here. It’s quite… different from what I am used to” she explained, trying to sound as polite as possible but her expression betrayed her thoughts. Lily hummed, without a word she picked up her bags and placed them in the car trunk.
The drive back to school would take almost three hours. Lily closed her eyes to catch up on some sleep before they arrived but Merissa had other intentions as she struck up a conversation with her. “Dad got us an appointment outside the school, so you will be able to recover properly, I have gone to check it out, you will love it!” she announced with a giggle making Lily scowl in irritation.
“That’s generous of Mr. Smith but I would prefer to stay on campus. Due to my head injury, it will be difficult for me to travel back and forth every day.” she declined with a cold tone, startling Merissa.
Not wanting to give up the opportunity to make Lily grateful, Merissa pushed further, “It will be no stress at all, besides. The school offers private transport for students living off campus, we can always go together.”
“Why are you so insistent on us living together?” Lily asked, slightly exasperated. “I know we were paired up in the dorm last year, but that doesn’t mean we have to live together off campus. I know you want to move out, but you don’t have to use me as an excuse to do so. I’m perfectly content where I am, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop trying to push me into your bidding. Thank you for the offer, but I’m going to stay in the dorm.” Her tone was polite but firm, leaving no room for argument.
Merissa glared at her, unable to hide her contempt for a brief moment but knowing she was the one who wanted the favour she swallowed her dissatisfaction, “I’m only looking out for you.” She gritted out, “If you don’t want to stay off campus, it’s okay”
{Are you trying to cut off contact with her now?}
“No, but living with her will put a strain on my movements. I do intend to live off campus because of the company but not with her. I’m afraid if I choose not to give her my designs she will steal them and then make me the thief”
{Then didn’t you think you went too far with your response just now}
“As they drove onto the large university campus, Lily scoffed, “Do you really think someone like her will take the hint? She won’t back off until she gets what she wants. I can knead and push her however I want until she has completed the competition,” She stared out the window, watching the buildings and students pass by. A mixed feeling settled in her stomach as she thought about her upcoming days in an unfamiliar environment.
As she got out of the car, Merissa followed her and they both walked into the student registration office, Merissa bit her lips and glared at Lily’s back with hatred. She walked faster until she was beside Lily, “Since you don’t want to stay with me off campus, then it’s fine just let me know when you need anything” she offered with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
“You don’t have to worry about me Miss Merissa, I only have a head injury that will heal in no time, I’m not a cripple I can take care of myself!” Lily snapped and walked faster leaving behind a livid Merissa.
Merissa clenched her fist I’m anger and stomped her feet, “You wait and see! I will make your life in school a hell until you have no one to run to except me!” she gritted out angrily and stormed back into the waiting car.