Chapter 17: Chapter 17

It has been two weeks since the assault incident occurred. His condition was getting better so there was no reason for him to stay at home. He got back to his usual. Worked at the cafe, while doing his new routine, working at Umberbridge’s mansion as Thyme’s confidant after his shift at the cafe was over. Running two jobs at once was very difficult, so he had to admit, he admired Hazel who could work in two different places without ever complaining. It was hard to describe whether Hazel really enjoyed her job or not because she always wore a flat face whenever she went to work and looked excited every time she came back home. Even the woman took the time to bring the cakes and sweets that she made in her spare time. Always made sure to tell him that all the cake that she made for him contained low-calorie. In return for all the cakes, he always prepared Hazel's favourite Italian dish for dinner.

He walked into the employee-only room, changed his work clothes to his normal clothes as his shift was over.

‘Raymond, don't forget your promise!’ Mike suddenly appeared from behind and slapped his shoulder so hard that he almost jumped in surprise because he did not notice Mike's presence.

‘Yes, I know. Today is the last day I treat you, right?’

Mike nodded. Suddenly, Mike brought his face closer to Raymond. His eyes narrowed as he studied it, making Raymond a little uncomfortable with that.

‘It’s just my feelings, or are you a little bit more gloomy than when you started working here? Do you feel uncomfortable with the job?’

Huh? What was Mike talking about?

‘It's not that I don't like it, but…’

‘Ah, I understand!’ Mike interrupted him with a wink. ‘Not feeling uncomfortable, so it means you are actually hungry, huh? I got it, I got it. I'm really hungry too. There is a noodle restaurant nearby. We’ll go there. Remember, it’s your treat.’

Raymond smiled wryly at that. This guy just wanted to listen to what he wanted to listen, eh? Just told him straight from the start if he was hungry. How could he almost think for a second that his co-worker was worried about him?

‘I'll wait in front of the cafe! Don’t make me wait long!’

Without waiting for his approval, Mike was already running out of the room after winking at him. He shook his head slowly, lazy to comment on Mike's excitement. He took a deep breath, reached for his smartphone and closed his locker. Again, it seemed that he needed to inform Thyme that he would be late. As soon as he finished texting Thyme, he walked out of the employee-only room and closed the door.

‘Thank you for your hard work today.’

He jumped up in surprise and turned around, to find Edward tapping him on the shoulder from behind. What was with these people? His co-workers, his manager, they did the same thing. Were they planning to make him die young by shocking him over and over? He tried to calm himself down while putting on a polite smile at his manager. He watched Edward unconsciously. The man's face was much more tired than when he last met, but strangely enough, his expression was gentle when greeting him earlier.

‘Y-yes, Manager.’

Edward raised an eyebrow, then smiled softly, making him a little surprised because he did not think that the cafe manager who always made a stern face to everyone could make this expression. This man stroked Raymond's hair. ‘Did I surprise you?’

'No.'

‘Great. Glad to hear that.’ Edward took his hands away from Raymond as he stuffed both of his hands into the pockets of his black trousers.‘Sorry.’

‘For what?’

‘Because the female employees assigned their work to you, and made you catching a cold. It’s all my fault. I have to admit, they are a little too much.’

‘No! I’m fine! It’s nothing, really.’ Raymond immediately waved his hands together. What kind of reason had Hazel said to Edward to make this grumpy-faced man change to a completely different person? How scary!

‘I changed the rule, so you don't have to bother. I also warned Rachel and her friends. So don’t worry. They won’t make trouble for you anymore. At least, in front of my sight,’ Edward turned his back on him. ‘I still have a lot of work, so I’ll go back. Be careful on your way home, Raymond.’

Raymond smiled awkwardly, swallowed hard while holding the hair that Edward had stroked earlier. Suddenly, he felt a strange feeling he had never felt before. Was he overly sensitive, or did he think that something was wrong with his manager?

He was ruffling his hair, walking out of the cafe. In front of the cafe, Mike, who was waiting for him, immediately pulled his hand, invited him to go to the restaurant he mentioned earlier, and managed to get rid of the strange feeling he had for a while.

***

Raymond took off the coat he wore when he arrived at the Umberbridge mansion, gave it to the butler who was standing in front of him while he walked down the corridor. The sound of his footsteps echoed across the corridor along with a group of well-built men full of aura of intimidation walking past him while giving short greetings. He kept on walking until his eyes saw a signboard with the name Thyme Umberbridge written on it in front of the door to the brown room full of unique wood carvings. His hand pulled the lever after knocking the door and was allowed to enter by Thyme who was already in the room.

‘Sorry I’m late again,’ Raymond closed the door, walking over to Thyme's desk. They seemed to be busy reading the documents with a serious look that did not match their cute face at all, before turning their gaze from the documents to him.

‘Wait. I’ll be done soon.’

‘There's no need to rush. Relax.’

‘Okay. What do you want? Just say it, I'll ask the maid to prepare your order.’

‘I'm still full, so I declined the offer. Thank you,’ said Raymond quickly. After eating one large serving of noodles with Mike earlier, he could no longer digest any other food. He pulled the chair in front of him.

As Thyme said, it did not take them long to finish the job. They pushed the documents out of their sight and were now leaning towards Raymond with their hands in a pyramid-shape. ‘How about that, Raymond? Are you already comfortable with your job here?’

Was it true that the one who sat opposite him was currently sixteen years old, just like Amanda Chloe? Their attitude and way of speaking reminded him of his former boss when he was still working as a detective. Even the question was the same. Only their appearance was cute. Their attitudes were completely like a middle-aged man.

He nodded his head.

‘Good. How about the delivery of the goods? Have you arranged for it?’

‘They should have arrived today,’ he said as he took out a cigarette and a lighter. ‘May I?’

‘Go ahead,’ Thyme replied, indifferent, and took a sip of their drink. From the aroma, it was chamomile tea. ‘I just got the information. Clive's group began to move. What I heard, all of them were triggered by their members who suddenly disappeared after stalking Amanda Chloe.’

Their tone was suddenly sharp, and their eyes turned to him. He returned their gaze without hesitation, creating a moment's silence in the room. Thyme pulled theirself away from Raymond and laughed, looking satisfied with his reaction. ‘I knew it. I’ve chosen the right person.’

‘I'll take it as a compliment.’

‘I like your methods. Oh, I forgot. It's a bit late, but I'm sorry for your loss. I mean, for Arnold Walter's death.’

‘You know?’

‘Of course. When we met at the teahouse, I wanted to give my condolences, but Gerald interrupted me. So I can say it now. Honestly, Arnold's ability as the best hitman was well known all over the world. His killing accuracy was precise and he always completed his work without leaving a trace. Neat and practical. That's why I thought about recruiting Arnold before hearing the news of his death. Well, I guess I was the unlucky one.’

Even Thyme knew about Arnold, Raymond muttered to himself. It was just him who learned the other side of Arnold after his friend’s death. All this time, he thought that his late friend was an ordinary person. Not. To be precise, all he only knew was Arnold came from a mafia family who tried to be an ordinary person because he did not want to be involved with mafia organizations. Yes, he used to just believe what Arnold said to him. He was really a fool. Success being the dumbest person, being the only person who did not know anything about his late friend.

‘Yes.’

‘It must be tough. I know how it feels,’ Thyme's eyes wandered away as they said that. ‘Honestly, it's hard for me to accept the fact that Brother Nicholas is no longer there. I was too dependent on him when he was alive. That's why it's quite helpful to have you here, Raymond.’

He could not reply to Thyme. The reason for the man who Thyme called Brother Nicholas died was also his fault. Honestly, he actually felt unworthy of being in his position, replacing the person he had indirectly killed because of his carelessness. Thyme seemed to understand what he was thinking, as they immediately shifted their conversation to another topic.

***