Chapter 106 - SwiftZ - The Hacker

An embarrassed Sera slowly stood up on her feet, trying to hide her high heeled shoes resulting in a futile attempt.

If the earth could split in half right at this moment Sera would happily jump to avoid Ethan's discerning gaze which was frighteningly cold.

Lucifer chuckled before walking to Sera's side, his large palm patting her hair softly and she raised her head, a pitiful expression on her small face.

"Okay, now don't cry..", he urged her to walk by pushing her back lightly.

"You too.. Stop behaving like a dorm master. She's no kid!", Lucifer shot Ethan a stern gaze, Ethan raised his hands in defeat and walked inside, Lucifer followed the duo with an amused smile.

The trio finished their inspection on site and prepared to walk towards the gates when Lucifer's phone rang,

"Excuse me, I have to take this", Lucifer shot an apologetic look at Sera before walking to the gazebo in the garden.

When Lucifer was far enough Ethan urged Sera to walk beside him, Lucifer would later join them, Sera nodded her head and followed behind him walking the rubble pathway.

" Miss Lu, I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scare you", Ethan whispered when they were both alone and out of Lucifer's sight.

"It's okay.. I was just embarrassed", Sera meekly answered, Ethan couldn't help but smile at her timid face and sighed softly.

"Let me treat you to dinner.. sometime", Ethan spoke in a soft voice very gently, while the last word was blurted in a hurry after seeing Lucifer's approaching figure.

"Sure", Sera could only accept his kind offer to evade the embarrassing situation from earlier.

- - - - - - -

Zhang Hongmin was furious, his foolish little daughter, Zhang Lili had failed to entice Ethan Lu and the man in question was threatening his authority.

"Ethan Lu, You'll have to abide by my rules!", he hissed gritting his teeth.

"Father..", Zhang Lili saw her father seething in anger, she was out shopping with Liu Li and came back to this sight. Scared, Zhang Lili dared not throw any tantrums.

"Where were you..?", Hongmin shouted eyeing the shopping bags of different expensive brands thrown on the couch.

"I.. I was with Liu Li", Zhang Lili was aware of her father's foul temper, she softened her shrill tone to appease him.

"I told you to keep an eye on Ethan Lu.. That lad is going to get away from our clutches if you don't try harder..", Hongmin sat on the couch, placing his leg on the coffee table his tone was as severe as his gaze.

"I understand father, I'll definitely try harder to captivate Ethan Lu", Sera's smiling face popped up in Zhang Lili's eyes, she furtively clenched her fists.

"You better understand our predicament.. Now scram!", Zhang Lili jumped out of her skin and hurriedly went upstairs.

"Useless piece of trash..", Zhang Hongmin cursed his only daughter, Zhang Lili heard his words and a tear trickled down her beautiful kohl rimmed eyes.

- - - - - - -

The trio were supposed to have lunch together after their run, unfortunately Lucifer had some pressing matters to attend and he couldn't join them.

Sitting in a fancy restaurant Ethan passed the menu with a blinding smile unlike his cold expression this morning, albeit shocked by his sudden transformation Sera obliged with a faint smile and thanked him.

"So? What are your next plans for the art gallery?", Ethan asked Sera who was flipping through the menu.

"I'll probably busy myself with the concept and renovations, that is the major concern as of now..", Sera smiled and ordered the dishes, Ethan didn't say a word and only looked at her and Sera didn't think much of it.

The lunch comprised of fresh Steak and Napa Cabbage Salad with Miso Dressing, Pasta Frittata with Leeks, Arugula and Goat Cheese paired with mild White Wine.

"Lucifer..", Ethan started awkwardly glancing at Sera's face.

"Hmm?", Sera was chewing on the frittata and was afraid that she'd choke on it.

"I see that you guys are quite friendly with each other..", Ethan tried not to sound imposing and mellowed his expression.

"Huh! Yeah..", Sera replied after washing down her throat with wine.

"Yes, he's like that from childhood", Ethan's face softened thinking about their childhood, Sera smiled thinking about the naughty and young Lucifer.

"You must have had a memorable childhood..", Sera's tender expression couldn't hide her pain, she's had a very protective childhood with only Su Yin as her friend.

"Yes, I'll tell you some stories about it later", saying that Ethan picked up his glass and sipped casually urging her to finish eating.

- - - - - - -

At the underground headquarters Adrian was sitting in front of a monitor, his companion, the organization's top hacker SwiftZ was sweating buckets, his fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard, swearing at the man behind the firewall.

"Dai Yu! Have you become rusty all these years? Eh", Adrian teased the man struggling to complete his assignment so that he can sleep peacefully in his bed.

Dai Yu was a lean bespectacled 19 year old teenager, donning a white tshirt with cartoon prints and ripped jeans with neon sneakers and hot pink hair looking like any average young college going boy but he had extraordinary skills in hacking. Dai Yu's first assignment was when he was 15, since then he has been with Lucifer and Adrian.

Dai Yu was working continuously from past 3 days without any sleep, only consuming liquids like milk, soup and juice and minimum 15 minutes of bathroom break in whole 24 hours. Although his eyes were bloodshot the man didn't even flinch, working incessantly to crack the mastermind.

"Bro! I told you this person is exceptional, I'd give anything to become his student, he's my true master.. Ah!", Dai Yu expressed his desire to have a master for the first time in 4 years shocking Adrian.

"Shut up and work faster, Boss is on the way", Adrian spat at him, he couldn't tolerate his constant yapping.

"Oh! Boss..", Dai Yu's face was brightened instantly and his fingers flied rapidly making Adrian's eyes sting.