章 18: Got His Number 2 (Gina)

"Holly crap! You're shocking me!"

Gina turned around while pressing her chest. Her heart felt like it was going to jump from the shock. In front of her, an old woman with shabby clothes stood. She didn't smell rotten, which would indicate she was a bum.

"Don't go into that academy! Get out of here!" she said in a dramatic tone.

"But why?" Gina's forehead frowned.

"You have to listen to me." The old woman gripped Gina's shoulders. Her eyes widened and she stared intently. "You will bring death...to yourself and everyone you love."

"What are you talking about?"

"Throw away the peony. Throw it away!"

Gina fell silent when the woman mentioned the flower that was given by Zeryon. She was not sure how she knew about it. Maybe she smelled it, because the peony was still in Gina's bag.

From a distance, two security guards were seen running towards Gina. Then they immediately grabbed the old woman's body and kept her away from her.

"Let me go! Let me go!" The elderly woman struggled and screamed.

Her gaze was still locked on Gina. It made her feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, the big man was stronger than the old woman and was able to take her away.

"Who is she anyway? Why was she approaching me in that manner?" Gina asked out of her curiosity.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, miss. That old woman has schizophrenia. She often hangs around here and annoys the people around her. So don't mind what she has told you." One of the security guards approached Gina and gave an explanation.

"Ohh...makes sense now. Thank you for the help." She slowly sighed.

"You're very welcome," the guard responded.

Gina just realised that her prediction was incorrect. Maybe it was just a coincidence that she was talking nonsense about peonies, she reasoned.

The two security guards were about to take the old woman away, then she came up to them and asked, "But if I may ask, where would you take her?"

The guard glanced at Gina, then he explained, "We will take her to the hospital. That's a better place than wandering the streets and disturbing people around here."

"Oh okay. Thank you." At least Gina was relieved that the old woman would be okay.

Gina took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. It took her a few seconds to rephrase her thoughts again. Whatever it was, she didn't want what just happened to ruin her good mood. Meeting with Zeryon and receiving a bonus scholarship made her day. She raised her head then stepped into the downtown.

Gina walked into the In n Out burger shop. The smell of bread and meat fresh out of the oven pierced her senses. She then went straight to the cashier.

"Could I please have two burgers Flying Dutchman, and one with Extra Toast?" she asked.

"Sure," the young man responded.

Modesty would definitely love the two meat patties and two slices of melted cheese without buns. Gina, on the other hand, prefered extra-toasted buns with a crunchy texture.

"And one Fries Well-Done, please." Gina suggested ordering extra crispy fries.

The cashier nodded, and told her to wait patiently. This was the first time Gina bought herself food. Eventually, the pocket money she had collected so far would be useful. It was quite enjoyable for her.

A few minutes later, the cashier handed over Gina's order, and she paid eight dollars to him. She then went straight home.

She occasionally hummed as she walked up and down paved streets. The warmth of the sun caressed her fair skin. Her gaze moved from one building to another, each of which is neatly arranged and has its own distinct style. Everything from Victoria to Gothic Revival to Brick Warehouse to Modernist appealed to her.

Without realizing it, Gina had walked up to the front of the house. She wiped the sweat that was forming on his brow. The hot air started to evaporate. She couldn't wait to go inside, so she took the key from her bag and open the door.

"I'm home!"

Gina stepped into the house and went to the kitchen. She sat down on the chair. After placing the bag on the pantry table, she poured water from the teapot into the glass, then drank it in a few gulps to quench her thirst.

"Modesty, where are you?" Gina raised her voice so it could be heard.

"Sup?" Modesty emerged from the living room.

"Why didn't you answer me when I got home."

"I'm busy."

"What were you doing?"

"Playing games."

"Right. Do you really have things to do other than playing games?"

Modesty did not respond. She continued to stare at the phone while tapping her fingers on the screen.

"Have you eaten?" Gina asked.

"Not yet."

"Here's your burger. Two burgers that I promised you this morning." Gina handed her the packet of fast food.

"You kidding me?" she looked at her sister, then her gaze shifted to the bag. "Yeay!"

Without doubt, Modesty immediately put her cell phone on the pantry table. Then, she opened the package.

"Wow, my favorite Flying Duthman. This is a very good bribe."

"What?" Gina widened her eyes.

"Technically, this is a bribe. Thank you as well."

"Whatever."

Gina took her burger and bit into it with big bites. There was no point in arguing with her thirteen-year-old sister.

While they were enjoying their lunch, suddenly, Modesty's cell phone rang.

She peeked at the phone screen and said, "It's Mom," she whispered.

"Don't say anything, okay?" Gina said in a slightly threatening tone.

"Okay, if you buy me another burger next time."

"It looks like you really want to drain me, huh? You little monster."

Modesty giggled before answering her mother's phone call. There was only a short answer and a nod from her. Maybe her mother reminded her of what she had to do even though she had explained it before leaving town. Gina thought that she would never change; she would have always been a controlling mother.