Rion and Ethan at the bus stand
Elias and Rion sat at a broken sick bench, waiting for thier bus to Kahuna Town. Where Balleni estate is. A stray puppy mingling around legs of Rion.
"Jesus christ, why do i have to be with you. We can't fight if we are on same team. We are hunter and prey,not partners"Rion lights up a ciggerate.
She nudges head of puppy with her feet. "What is even name of that brat?"
"She is a sweet girl as much i have heard and her name is Lily balleni"Ethan crouched and feeds the puppy a biscuit.
"Lily? That sound like a name of every kid you can imagine. Hahahahahahahahhah"Rion laughs at her own joke.
"Even Astrid had no authority to reject the work." Ethan stood up."Yup, she didn't"
After Elias paid for Ethan and Rion presence for his daughter security. Astrid wasn't able to refuse due to the academy rule that teacher can't cancel the assignment registered by higher ups. Unless she doesn't have any mandatory reason regarding the position of assignment. Which she didn't had.
"Do you think, the girl will be really a brat?"Rion asked. Exhaling smoke on Ethan face
"Kids are sweet, Rion. Who told you that kids are brat? Don't call her that" Ethan swats the smoke away from his face.
HONK-HONK
A car stopped in front of them
"What you kids waiting for, who told you to catch a bus for Kahuna town. Sit on back" A old man spoke up.
Rion and Ethan didn't moved. Her hand instictitively on her dagger on her waist.
"My name is Giovanni Santoro. Elias sent me. Okay? Or do I need to call him out?"
"Call him white hair, we would appreciate that "Rion pulled her dagger out.
"Are you really that stupid girl. Get in, i don't have time for your child play."
"Try another time old man. To get a girl like me, you either bring a good car instead of this old rusty. Look, it's older then my grandma" Rion flips finger on old man and grabbed Ethan hand, pulling him away "let's go"
"Wait, atleast see if he calls Mr.balleni" Ethan hesitated, she stopped and pulled him behind her
"You gotta call? Or we leave" Rion said
"Kids nowdays " The old man dails a number
"Hello?"
Few moments later
Ethan and Rion sat in the car. The leather seats old but comfy. Cleaner then expected by any of them and a smell of tabacco.
"Told ya brats, that Elias sent me. Like you ain't even important for anyone to kidnapp you." Old man grunts.
"I am woman, white hair. And i appreciate my safety" Rion gave a kick on the back of the driver seat, Giving a push. Old man pushed back against her legs as well
"Woman? you seen yourself. Your boyfriend seems more of woman then you do."
"He ain't my boyfriend!" Rion started choking old man with her bandana
"Figured out, he rather looks like a girlfriend and you seems more do a boyfriend" Old man speaks out, grabbing and pulling Rion hair with one hand while driving with other hand.
Ethan sighed and looked away with embarrassement.
At the Balleni estate.
Upon entry through steel gate, the entrance was far ahead through small marble rock floor. A fountain before the mansion. Garden spread behind the mansion.
"Remember, if you get lost, don't scream. They probably think you are uneducated, which despite being accurate statement is shameful.Get out now"
"Fuck you old man, I am gonna choke you next time" Rion shows middle finger to Old man, and steps out. Pulling Ethan with her
A butler waited for them.
"Benvenuto, signor Cole. I am Follow me, I'll lead you to dinning table. You should have lunch".
Butler led them towards the dinning table, where Elias was already waiting for them.
"I hope that there was no problem, no problem at all. I sent my trusted men, Giovanni" Elias spoke calmly as he smiles, gesturing towards food at table.
Table was spread with various italian, Japanese and Korean dishes. Ethan just awkwardly drinks water, but Rion ate like a starving wolf.
"So , who is your daughter. Mr balleni?" Ethan asked.
"Lily!" Elias called out. Few minutes later, a young girl, of about 6 years old came running. She sat next to her father. "Yo" she said to Ethan and Rion
Elias chuckles "she learned that greeting from Francisco and he learned from God knows whom."
"Hello" Ethan smiles at lily. Meanwhile Rion snorts "Alright. The infamous, Elias balleni. The one who earns more in a week then my bloodline earned so far. And you are telling me, you need two amature to keep ya kid safe. It doesn't sit right with me"
"Rion, we shouldn't be so dire—"Ethan tried to interfere but she held a hand. Waiting for Elias to respond.
Elias says "we will discuss that in future. Right now eat and Attend to my daughter needs.".
"Look, others are getting one day assignment, two day assignment at most. But you straight up gave us 2 months assignment." Rion paused and ate a large portion of dishes. As if planning a return to accademy.
Ethan sighed. He took his time before calmly speaking
"We won't be attending classes, we won't be attending training. And it can affect our schedule. Also, you pulled strings and even after Astrid tried continuously, principal didn't accepted the assignment being cancelled " Ethan stood up, ready to leave.
"So what do you want since your daughter protection is not what you expect from us. It's different. Unless you don't tell us, we have to leave"Rion stood up, her jacket hanging lower then her shoulder.
"Daddy...."Lily, held her father hand. Looking at Ethan with wide wondering eyes.
"Alright, you'll be protecting lily for one month. You will be training under my surveillance. I'll see if you can do it good enough for one-month. And we will do plan B for rest of month."
"Is it related to your brother?" Ethan asked
"Yes"
"So, where is he exactly. Wasn't he lost , Ethan told me" Rion asked, looking suspicious.
"We found about his whereabouts"
"And that's....."
"Prison."