168 What is he upto?

"My apologies for keeping you guys waiting. I ran into some unexpected glitch," Hui said, climbing into the car.

"Uh, Ms. Lin, would you mind sharing your cell phone with me, just for today? Mine seems to be facing major technical glitches and is not even performing the basic most functions. I don't want to buy a temporary phone for just few hours. I have given it for repair already," he requested and offered an explanation.

Jia Li was at a loss of words again at this man's behaviour. But she couldn't find any reason to say no to his request. Anyways, no one had this number of hers apart from Karim and a few more people in Tunis. She wasn't expecting any calls or messages from any one. She handed over her phone to him with a shrug. He looked pleased with himself, as if she had handed over a top secret nuclear code or something.

Truly, she had never met anyone else in her life, where she wanted to roll her eyes up at the person's behaviour so often.

Karim was nonplussed at the client's behaviour. Though there was nothing ungentlemanly about his conduct around Jia Li but he seemed to take an unholy level of interest in her. He couldn't understand as to why would a man of his stature and calibre be interested in people situated at such low level of the totem pole. Nevertheless, they had only two more days to go with the man and both he and Jia Li would walk away nicely warm in their pockets post those days.

Her phone was clean, too clean…just like how it should be of an operative. Slowly but surely, his suspicion about her was turning into solid proof. Unfortunately, the report from China had matched whatever that she had claimed about herself. As per the information received from Eric, she had been residing in some remote place in the past year or so. Had she been operating undercover there? God, the mystery was driving him crazy. Till he didn't know who was behind the plot, how would he counter it?

By the end of day, he handed over the phone to her. If he couldn't find out anything more, he had no use for it or her.

"Ms. Lin, your services will not be required henceforth. Don't worry. I will be reimbursing you for tomorrow as promised. Thanks," he bid her an abrupt goodbye as they reached back to his hotel.

"Uh, will you not be joining us for dinner tonight, like the previous days?" Karim asked cautiously.

"No, I think I have had enough of people exposure to last me months," he replied, almost with a shudder.

Karim was unsure if he was joking or did he mean that horrid remark. He gave him a wave and gestured the driver to start the car.

"Phew, that's one weird guy. I mean what is his problem? Wasn't he the one who kept wanting to eat out with us every night? Then why did he make it sound as if we had been the ones imposing upon his hospitality," he grumbled.

Jia Li replied with a smile, "how does it matter? He is paying us to tolerate his whims and I think he is alright as a person, maybe a little eccentric. Just another day and you won't have to see him anytime soon."

Karim grinned at her. She looked slightly better than she had looked the first day that he had seen her. The sunken cheeks and sad eyes still existed but were less prominent now.

"By the way, I am considering a couple of job openings in other countries as well. Thanks to Mr. Ying, I may have found a direction that I want to follow," she said with her fingers crossed.

To her surprised delight, Jia Li had a reply waiting for her in her inbox from one of the potential recruitment agencies. They liked her resume and had the right job waiting for her. They were willing to spend on her air ticket, provided she could fly quickly.

Jia Li responded with an affirmative. She had a valid visa and was able to fly the very next evening.

"Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Ying. We hope to see you back here real soon," Aziz spoke in an ingratiating tone.

They were standing at the airport along with Karim.

"It has been a pleasure working with you. I hope you were not disappointed with my services," Karim addressed Ying Hui sincerely.

Hui simply nodded his head politely before biding them farewell. Once the work was over, he couldn't wait to be alone with his thoughts, away from people. That's how he had always been. He preferred his own company infinitely over that of others, whosoever they maybe.