Called Back Out

Shortly after Roland arrived back at his home, he received a call and headed straight back out after quickly changing his shirt.

He soon arrived at his destination and was greeted by a brilliantly smiling familiar face.

"Tilly, I'm glad you called. I was supposed to meet up with Roni today, but she had to cancel. I really wanted to come out for a nice meal."

"Humph! So, I'm just a replacement, am I?"

Roland frowned and scratched his nose. "You know I didn't mean it like that."

"What? You can't even tell that your sister's joking with you? What's wrong?" She was surprised he'd taken he joke seriously.

"Oh, sorry, I've just had a lot going on recently."

Tilly grinned. "Hehe, tell me what's on your mind, this is where I excel."

"In a minute. First, let's order our food, the wait here can take quite some time."

"Sure. By the way, a friend of mine will be joining us, I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all, as long as you're not trying to set me up with someone again…"

…

After ordering their food, the siblings sat down at their table to chat as they waited for Tilly's friend to arrive.

"…so I left the program to run overnight, and we'll see how things turn out in the morning."

Tilly couldn't take Roland's worries seriously. "I can't believe you're even entertaining the idea that Roni could be this Nightingale."

"I know, it's absurd, but I just want to erase all doubt."

"You have to as the CEO—I get that—but even so, to use your own super program to track this hacker, that's going overboard."

Roland sighed. "I just… want to be sure; I have to be sure."

"Well, it doesn't matter what you do. It won't be her, and she'll never find out about this, simple as."

"I guess…"

Out of the corner of her eye, Tilly's eye seemed to catch something. She coughed lightly and suddenly turned serious.

"Um… Roland, my friend is outside now, but they're waiting there for now."

Roland furrowed his brows. "Why? Are they shy or something?"

"Hmm… kind of, maybe." She took a sip of water to calm her nerves. "Roland, you know how we always joke that I won't ever get a boyfriend because I'll never find a man who lives up to you?"

Noticing the graveness and nervousness in Tilly's demeanor, Roland's countenance turned similarly serious. "Yes, but what's that got to do with anythi—"

"Well I found someone who meets my requirements…"

A voice appeared from behind Roland. "Nice to meet you, sir. I've heard a lot about you."

The voice shocked Roland. He could tell it was this person Tilly was talking about, but they didn't sound as he had expected.

"Roland, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Ashes."