Chapter Twenty
"We're here." Ren parked the car carefully before turning around to look at the two silent ladies in the backseat.
The drive from the parking lot to DM Mall had been excruciating. Neither Monica nor Elena had spoken a single word to each other, and Alex had given up trying to play mediator after the third attempt. The tension was so thick Ren was surprised he could breathe.
Monica huffed in frustration as she opened her side of the door and got out before slamming it shut, stunning the others inside the car.
'What is she mad about? I didn't even do anything.' Ren blinked, genuinely confused. 'Hangry women sure are terrifying whether it's VR or real life.'
"Miss Lavel, my friend is usually very sweet and understanding. It's just that she's hungry." Alex explained, turning her body towards Elena as she flashed an awkward smile at her that seemed to be begging for understanding.
Elena pressed her lips in a thin line forcing a small smile on her face before nodding and acknowledging Alex's explanation before exiting the car as well.
'God save me.' Alex sucked in a huge amount of oxygen before exiting the car along with Ren, entering the tense atmosphere between the two ladies.
Grrrrrr…
A deep red blush crawled up Monica's cheeks as her stomach growled loudly in the heavy silence, making even Elena's forced smile twitch with genuine amusement.
Ren bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He crossed the distance between them in three quick strides, his hand finding the small of Monica's back. "Let's get you fed before you commit murder with that glare."
"I don't glare," Monica muttered, though her eyes were still fixed on Elena with an intensity that suggested otherwise.
"You're doing it right now."
Monica's head snapped toward him, her ruby eyes wide with indignation. "I am not!"
"You are." Ren's lips quirked upward. "It's cute. Like an angry kitten trying to intimidate a lion."
"I'll show you kitten—"
"Miss Lavel must be hungry too," Alex interrupted smoothly, stepping between them with the practiced grace of someone who had broken up countless arguments.
Alex looped her arm through Elena's before the pink-haired woman could protest at the public display of affection in front of her eyes. "There's a lovely café on the third floor. My treat?"
Elena's eyes flickered to Ren, then back to Alex. "That's not necessary," Elena sighed, her voice cool but not unkind. "I'm getting late for work."
She gestured toward the mall entrance, where a modest sign reading "Takeway Restaurant" glowed softly beneath a larger holographic display.
The restaurant was on the ground floor, easily visible from where they stood. It was a small, unassuming establishment tucked between a luxurious shoe store and a purse shop.
"How about we dine in the restaurant you're working at, Miss Lavel? You can clock in first and I'll ask the manager for a little favour so that you can eat with us."
"Ah! That-" Before Elena could have completed her words a loud male scream interrupted her, stunning the three ladies.
"MR. ESPER! MR. ESPER! THERE YOU ARE!"
Ren's head snapped toward the source of the commotion. His military instincts kicked in immediately as his body tensed and hands tightened.
Barreling toward them from the mall entrance was Doctor Harrison, his white coat flapping behind him like a cape. The old man's face was flushed crimson, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool afternoon breeze.
But it wasn't Harrison that made Ren's eyes narrow.
It was the man beside him.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Expensive suit that probably cost more than Ren's entire apartment. Gray-streaked hair slicked back perfectly. Eyes that assessed everything in a single glance.
'This…,' Ren thought. 'He reminds me of that rich brat, Noel's grandfather. Schemer.'
"Mr. Esper!" Harrison gasped, skidding to a halt in front of them. He was breathing heavily, clearly having run from wherever he'd parked. "I've been looking everywhere for you! When you left the hospital so suddenly, I didn't get a chance to—"
"Doctor Harrison." Ren's voice was flat, cutting through the old man's rambling. "What could possibly be so urgent that you're running to me at your age?"
Harrison's face went through a fascinating series of expressions of embarrassment, excitement, nervousness, and something that looked suspiciously like greed.
"I wanted to introduce you to someone!" Harrison gestured wildly at the tall man beside him. "This is Mr. Donovan Marsh, the owner of DM Mall! And my oldest friend!"
Donovan extended his hand, his smile polished and professional. "A pleasure, Mr. Esper. Harrison has told me so much about you."
'I bet he has,' Ren sighed. 'Probably about the four million dollars I threw at his hospital like confetti.'
Ren forced a smile on his face, retracting his hand from Monica's back as he took Donovan's hand. "I can't say the same, Mr. Marsh. However, it's nice to meet you as well. How may I help you today?"
"Mr. Esper!" Harrison interjected, flashing his white teeth at Ren. "Actually, my friend here wants to sell the DM Mall. And, when he asked me about a buyer. Your name was the first that came to my mind. Are you perhaps interested in buying it?"
'Buy the mall?' Ren's mind raced, calculating figures faster than he'd ever done in his life. 'The entire DM Mall? How much would something like that even cost?'
"Doctor Harrison," Ren said slowly, releasing Donovan's hand, "are you suggesting I purchase a multi-story commercial complex on a whim?"
Harrison's grin widened, oblivious to the incredulity in Ren's voice. "Why not, Mr. Esper? You clearly have the resources! And Donovan here is offering a fair price. Very fair. Almost charitable, I'd say."
Donovan's smile remained fixed, but his eyes watched Ren like a hawk watching a mouse.
"I see," Ren said, his expression unreadable. "And what exactly is this 'fair price' we're discussing?"
Donovan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small paper, bowing in a perfect 90 degree and holding it out for Ren. "It's a very fair price, Mr Esper. I'm not taking even a cent of profit."
Ren hummed, taking the piece of paper from Donovan and opening it.
[$40,052,545.454545…]
It read. Ren's face quirked upwards as soon as he noticed the recurring decimal. "Hahahaha! You're quite funny, Mr. Marsh."
The old man stood straight back up, flashing his fox-like smile back at Ren. "I am pleased to have entertained you, Mr. Esper. So, what do you think about the offer?"
"Hmm… You'll have to ask my angry kitten about that."
"...Me?"