Chapter 10: Favor
It was but a brief encounter.
I was left to stare at the spare keycard I always bring in case I forgot the original. My mind was cluttered, trying to think of possibilities how it even slipped out of my purse.
Or maybe it didn't. The mysterious stranger must have rummaged for it when he delivered me home.
But how did he even know where I lived?
I knew I should have asked him about that when I had the chance. However, he seemed to have no time for chatter and left as soon as I recovered enough from my shock.
He merely chuckled in response to my exclaim upon recognizing him.
Yet he left me with way too many queries. Unfortunately, I was stupid enough not to learn anything about him.
"Stupid," I mumbled, my eyes gazing at the door. A tiny ounce of hope made me wish he would walk right back in. I'm dying to understand how he even managed to carry me to my apartment and tucked me in bed.
The entire thing seemed absurd; now that I think about it, I sure had been reckless.
I couldn't stop thinking about the stranger. Aside from his charm, I was more worried about his knowledge of me.
Rory came around, whistling cheerily, and was about to slam his hands on the desk, but I chose that moment to whip my phone, excusing myself.
"Hey!" he called out to me.
"Bathroom break!" I whisper-shouted, reminding him to be discreet. We were in the library, after all.
I needed a break so I could call one person who could help me in my situation.
Locking myself in the bathroom, I had the toilet cover down and dialed Wizardo. He picked up after the third ring.
"I was just about to call you."
"Could that wait? I have something urgent," I bit my lower lip.
Wizardo whistled but didn't say any snarky comment.
"Shoot."
"I need you to hack the camera right outside my apartment."
"Do I want to know what this is about?"
I threw my head back a little, pinching the bridge of my nose before gathering the courage to tell him about what I had done last Saturday.
"I went out for a drink last Saturday," I paused, waiting for his comment. When nothing happened, I decided to continue. "Got myself accidentally drunk and barely made it back to my apartment by myself."
"Uhuh, what happened?"
"So," I cleared my throat.
I have been working with Wizardo for years, but this was the first time I was going to tell him about some guy I might even have a crush on.
Talk about awkward.
But I needed his help. Therefore, I had no choice.
"There's this guy who appeared out of the blue. I don't know how he even knew where I lived, but he managed to bring me home. I didn't give that matter much of a thought yesterday."
Wizardo patiently waited for me to go on.
"Earlier, he came by at my workplace to give back my keycard. Now, I don't know who he is or if he knew me," I bit my lower lip. "You get the picture, right?"
There was silence. I was afraid I chased away Wizardo by my shamelessness. This was a personal favor, after all.
But it could be a work-related case.
My identity was in the line.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. But you know, Amiel, my services aren't free."
I rolled my eyes, annoyed but also relieved.
Among the people in my circle, I could trust Wizardo the most. Not seeing his face was not an issue.
He was the most reliable person coming into my life after my parent's death.
I couldn't count how often I ran to him and sought his help.
And he never refused.
Although, of course, as he had already mentioned, it was never free.
Despite needing to compensate him from time to time, he was the emergency person I put on my phone and the only other person who knew me too well.
Aside from Bruce and Seven, the two father figures whom I couldn't thank enough, Wizardo was the closest family I had.
He was like a protective older brother.
However, we were almost the same age. So calling him elder bro didn't seem right.
I wonder if he even had a girlfriend.
"Name your price later. I need all the information you can gather about this guy before he would drive me on the brink of losing my sanity."
There was an amused chuckle, Wizardo not even trying to hide his mirth.
"I'd like to see that when it happens."
I snorted.
"You'll have to come and see me in person for that to happen."
"Are you willing to gamble your sanity just to see a glimpse of me? I'm touched."
"Perhaps," I smirked. "Would you even do it? I bet you'd chicken out at the last minute."
"Is that a challenge?"
I snorted.
"I'll bet all my money, but I'm sure you would never show your face."
There was a pause. I heard a soft knock tapping on the bathroom door.
"Just a minute!" I called out, waiting for Wizardo's response.
Every time he went silent, I imagined that he would be leaning his back against the chair or whatever he was sitting on. His left fingers would drum on his thigh while the other hand massaged his invisible beard, tracing that line by his chin.
"I hope you don't take this personally, Amiel."
I scoffed.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to, so don't worry about it. You're still the best partner I have despite being just the mysterious voice."
Wizardo gasped dramatically. It was followed by boisterous laughter.
"Just so you know, Amiel," he said between his laughter.
"What?"
"I have this on record," he clicked his tongue. "I'm undeniably the best partner you'll ever have."
Simultaneous beeping followed his remark.
I was left to stare at my phone. He hung up on me after revealing that he had recorded our call.
"Son of a—"
I gritted my teeth but had to calm my nerves.
"Just wait until I find something dirty about you, big brains," I muttered, leaving the bathroom with a revenge plan in mind.
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