"They are openly opposing grandfather?" she asked, frowning.
"Yes. With their connections in politics, I think grandfather would have a hard time with everything."
"I understand."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You didn't think I am crazy?"
"Nope. Let me look into it. I will call you once I get something." Gabi uttered. She then continued listening to her cousin talk about the company and the Quigly. Soon, the two had tea and talk about an upcoming party.
"You wanted me to accompany you?"
"Isn't it time that you show yourself to everyone?"
"I— When is this?"
"It's a charity gala. That would be next week. You should come with me and meet some people." He was staring at her nervously. Seeing this, Gabi couldn't help but laugh. Being tense around her doesn't really suit her handsome and tall cousin.
"Alright, just stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?" he asked.
"Like a puppy. It doesn't suit your face. If a woman would see you like this, they would surely not see you as a future husband but treat you just like a good brother instead." This face is very popular for second male lead characters in the novel that she read in the past.
Good, kind, and caring. Sweet and gentle. Someone that would treat the female lead better than how the toxic male lead treats her. Of course, the female lead would always choose the toxic male lead since they have a colder look on their face, a much freezing gaze, and twelve-packs abs.
Just the thought of it, made her laugh.
"Really? Puppies didn't sound so bad."
"…" she was speechless.
"Alright… I will not bother you anymore. I will leave now. I will see you tomorrow. Let's have dinner together."
"Alright." She waved her hand and watched him leave the bamboo forest. She then closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of bamboos around her. It was refreshing, relaxing. No wonder why her grandfather love to stay in this place.
Gabi lifted her head and stared at the blue cloudless sky just as a cold breeze of wind made its presence around her. This place was too peaceful, she love it.
She stared at the small hut nearby. It wasn't really a hut but just a small outdoor seating made of bamboos. It had a roof, a table, and bamboo chairs. Behind one of the chairs was a cozy hammock.
Smiling, she made her way into the hammock, immediately making herself comfortable.
When was the last time that she spent some time like this? Closing her eyes, she extended her senses and smelled the surroundings while listening to the chirping sound of the birds. If she knew that a place like this was inside the Ren Estate, she would have come here sooner.
"Hey…"
"Huh?" she opened her eyes and froze when she saw a huge face in front of her. "Wha— "
"Booo!"
"Aden?" Gabi gasp, her hand covered her lips when Aden withdrew his face. "Why are you— " Was she dreaming? She rubbed her eyes before slowly pinching her leg.
This... Wasn't a dream. "How come you are here?" Almost immediately, she looked at the CCTV's surrounding this place.
"Ah, no need to worry about anyone seeing us. The CCTV's won't work in this area for the next ten minutes."
"You— Why are you here?" Freezing the CCTV's and secretly coming inside the guarded estate made it look like he was here to do some bad things. Was he here to assassinate her? Her gaze turned guarded, her senses on high alert.
She didn't have anything to defend herself right now, aside from her nails that could surely scratch his handsome face. That is only if he would give her the opportunity to attack him. Then… what about his crotch? Her gaze landed on his crotch. He was tall and—
"Wait… are you planning to attack me, right now?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"Why are you staring at me like that?" His tone turned accusatory...
"Like what?"She didn't cower in front of his cold eyes.
"Are you planning to kick my male sexual organ, right now?"
"Huh?" Her mouth dropped, she dragged her eyes towards his as her face turned hot. "What— What are you talking about? And how could you say something like that in front of a maiden?"
"Heh."
Turning her head away, Gabi immediately cleared her throat. She had overreacted. If he was planning to attack her then… he wouldn't personally come here inside the mansion where there were a lot of security personnel around. Moreover, he wouldn't really greet her before killing her, right? "Anyway…"
"Gosh, you are so obvious." He walked towards one of the bamboo chairs and sat like he owned the place. "Come… sit and stop thinking that I am here to kill you. If I wanted to kill someone, I would just kill them in their sleep, less effort, quick and easy."
"…" She gulped. This man… is weird. "Why did you personally come here? I mean… you can't just barge in my grandfather's property like that!"
"Why not?"
"People would think you are here to assassinate someone."
"But I'm not."
She knew she wouldn't win this argument. She took a deep, soothing breath to calm herself. "Why did you come?"
"I wanted to tell you something and since I was around the area, I decided to visit you."
"…"
"You don't believe me?"
"No."
"Alright," he nodded.
"…"
"Anyway, I came here to let you know that Lyle Quigly had been begging her parents to let her marry your cousin."
"Alfons?"
"Yes. And it seems that she is planning to… hurt you."
"Huh?" Why would she do that?
"You are young. Assuming that you didn't have a will, everything that belongs to you would go to Alfons if you die. That would give him both the money and influence to stand next to that woman."
"…" Unbelievable. Lyle wouldn't be that stupid, right?
"I came here to look around and discovered that the security is lacking compared to your mansion. The CCTV? I can hack it in ten seconds."
"…" So fast? Was he boasting?
"The electronic gates, I can unlock it in seconds too. Even the window in your room isn't bulletproof. Too lacking… it's just too lacking."