Chapter 22 - 22: Discharged

At Charles' Residence

Charles was having a conversation with Phantom over a phone. One week had passed but still he couldn't find Elle so he decided to inform Phantom about what happened. Of course, he was badly reprimanded by Phantom for not informing him immediately and for not accompanying Elle during her mission.

"Master Phantom...I still don't have any news about Catseye! When will you coming back?" Charles said in a worried tone.

"I warned both of you not to underestimate Skull Gang and you should be careful but see what happened now, you were trapped in their own game." Phantom lectured him.

"Master.... I am afraid....Catseye is dead."

"Can't you be so pessimistic! Don't spout nonsense. She's alive. I am sure of it. I know her." Phantom reprimanded him again.

"But a week had passed, if she is alive why is it she does not contacted me yet?" Charles asked him.

"She might have a reason for that. She probably mad at you for not picking her call when she needed you! I think she is punishing you right now. You deserve it. haha" Phantom laughed at him

"This is not the time to laugh and joke around master! Your beloved deciple is still missing! I know it was partly my fault, you don't need to point it out." he sounded frustrated.

"Alright! Have you investigated Skull Gang? Did you see any noticeable movement from their end regarding Catseye?" Phantom asked him.

"Yes, I confirmed that her mission failed since James Arison was alive. Then upon further investigating, I learned that the day after the failed assassination attempt, some Skull Gang members were dispatched to look for someone in all the hospitals in City Z." Charles informed Phantom.

"If that's the case then definitely she got injured but surely Catseye is alive. They are still tracking her down so don't worry to much. Elle is Elle. You know her. Her motto is to kill and not be killed," Phantom assured him.

"Wait for her. She will contact you when the times come. I will not be able to come back at the moment but update me. If after three days, you still can not hear from her. I'll come back and help you find her. For now, just continue monitoring the Skull Gang."

"Ok master!"

Their conversation ended and Charles' worries lessened after talking with Phantom. Yeah, they knew Catseye. They knew her capability. She was not the type who can be easily killed. She experienced much more life and death situations other than this and she always survived.

Charles did not have any idea that Elle was really in a tricky situation right now that is why she couldn't contact him yet. Apart from it, Phantom was right, Elle was annoyed with Charles. If not for him she might not be in this situation right now wherein she was put under the care of a detective. She wanted him to suffer a little in finding her that's why she didn't make an effort to inform him about her whereabouts. She was sure Phantom would have scolded him if he knew that she was missing.

She was recovering well at the hospital and she would be discharged today. She would continue recuperating at Erick's home. She would plan her escape later on, for now she would just go with the flow. She would just consider it to be on vacation until she fully recovered.

On the other hand, Erick was now driving, he left at the office early to fetch Elle at the hospital. When he arrived he politely knocked on the door before sliding it to enter. 

Upon entering, he already saw a figure standing in a distance in front of him. He took one look at her, and something flashed briefly in his unfathomable eyes. 

Her beautiful, long hair was already done up. She was simply pretty with her clear eyes that were like ocean and when you look at her it seemed like you are falling into the deep abyss, so hipnotizing but quite charming.

She also had a pointed nose, thin red lips, and a mysterious aura around her. She seemed reserved and cold but she looked gentle at the same time. She wore a simple plain yellow dress that complemented her fair complexion.

When their eyes met, they both shared a moment of absent-mindedness but they returned to their senses quickly. It was Erick who spoke first. He greeted her with a smile.

"Sorry, did I make you wait that long?"

'This is it. Time to act. Let's pretend to be kind.' Elle thought to herself.

Elle also smiled back at him "It's okay. I know you are busy with your work. I should be the one apologizing for being a burden to you."

Erick walked towards her and looked at her in the eyes. "Don't say that. You are not a burden. Let's go. You've been staying here for long I can sense that you are bored. It's time to leave."

Elle was stunned for a moment. 'He really knows that I was bored staying here and doing nothing. He is really that observant.'

"Yeah, you're right. I am so eager to leave here. I don't want staying at hospital." Soon, they left at the hospital to go at Erick's place. It was already 6 p.m. when they stepped out of the Hospital. 

It was quite a distance between the Hospital and Erick's apartment, so it took some time for them to arrive.

The two of them did not talk on the road as he focused on driving and kept looking ahead.

After passing a traffic light, Erick finally turned over to the woman beside him. She had been quiet with her eyes closed this whole time, so he decided to break the silence.

"Do you feel uncomfortable staying with me?"

His sudden voice stunned Elle for a moment. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Then, she replied quietly, "Not really. It's not like it is permanent. I understand my situation right now."

"Don't worry. I promise I will protect you."

"Sorry for dragging you in this. I want to thank you for saving me." Elle said to him.

Erick was also stunned for a moment when he heard her. For the past few days that he spent with her he knew this woman had always suppressed her feelings, and would not express herself. He also learned that she was aloof and a woman of a few words. He just glad that they were having a casual conversation right now.

"No need to thank me, I did what I have to do. I am really glad that I saved you."

Erick glanced at her again and gave her a gentle smile before averting his gaze back to the road in front. They did not say anything else. 

Elle stole a glance at the man beside her who was now very focused on his driving. She frown and thought to herself. 'This guy always smiles. He was really charismatic. And now I will be living with this handsome detective.' then a devilish smile appeared on her beautiful face.