Mr. Carlos

Now that she mentioned it. Indeed, we barely reach ten. But why would Mr. Alec hire me on the spot then? He even said I qualified for the job. It made me wonder what are the qualifications. I was only following what Ethan instructed me at that time.

Well, whatever. There's no use thinking about it.

Seeing that I didn't respond, Alicia didn't bother me anymore.

Exactly opposite the rowhouses' area is the area solely designated for bungalow houses. They were only separated by the rather wide brick road and mini garden.

They were also the nearest to the guardhouse.

Although the moon isn't very bright tonight, thanks to the street lamps and lights coming from some of the houses, we didn't need to hassle ourselves bringing lamps.

Our job is only to do night patrol, so we only surveyed the area in awkward silence with nothing significant to really talk about. It's not that we were close enough to become pretty chummy to each other anyway.

I mean, it's kinda true to me at least. Alicia and Dominick were quite close. Ha! Why do I feel like I am third-wheeling here?

"This job is kind of… how do I say it. Anticlimactic." Dominick murmured to himself. He probably didn't intend to say that out loud but due to the deafening silence, we clearly heard him.

"Right? And here I thought we are in for a nerve-wracking, adrenaline-inducing mission. It's definitely Haru's fault for overhyping us!"

No! I'm definitely grateful it's not as you expected guys!

"Seriously, you guys. You really want me to leap into action in this state?" I said jokingly while pointing to my splint. "Look at that. Aren't you a sadist?"

"Uhh… We didn't mean it that way, Mr. Jack. Please don't get the wrong idea." Alicia defended. "It's just that it's too boring here."

"No,I was kidding. By the way, speaking of Haru. Has he always liked ghost stories?" I asked. I wanted to know more about his hometown but they might probably think I'm a creep for suddenly wanting to know about his place. So I asked about his behavior earlier instead hoping to get some information. I am pretty sure there must be a peculiar there.

I can't afford to lay dormant any longer. Though Ethan is doing his 'research', I needed to do something as well.

"Oh! Believe me or not, Mr. Jack. It's impossible not to hear about ghosts and other supernaturals if you are with him. He just won't shut up about them."

"I can imagine that. But looking back at the way that he's talking about them, he was so passionate about it. What does he usually say about ghosts?"

"All crazy stuff only kids will think of. Like they can pass through walls, inflict mental tortures, follow you around if they become attached to you. But seriously speaking, Mr. Jack. Why are you suddenly interested in his ghost stories? Don't tell me you believe in them?"

"Not really. It's just that you mentioned Haru and that was also the first time I met him. He has left quite an impression."

"I see. I remembered avoiding him at first because I thought he was a perverted eccentric who doesn't know how to flirt. But that didn't last long since I later found out that he was actually a nice guy—if you ignore his weird obsession towards ghost stories."

"You've known each other that long huh. Aside from Haru, were there other employees I haven't met yet?"

"Hmm… There's one more! But I don't really wanna talk about him. He's a real eccentric. And if I were you, I would rather not stay close to him."

Another guy and a weird one? Why am I not surprised? Well, almost everyone in the agency has their own quirks.

Our short conversation pretty much ended there and we're back to the sea of awkward silence.

We were almost done circling to this area and were about to move to the next one when a familiar figure got out of the door in one of the bungalow houses near the mini garden.

I squinted my eyes, raking through my memory where could I have possibly met him.

"Mr. Jack? Is that you?" he suddenly asked. His voice was rather loud.

"Mr. Jack. Do you know that guy?" Alicia whispered.

It took me quite a while before I finally remembered as a certain memory flash in my eyes. He was none other than Mr. Carlos! Miss Patricia's father.

"Mr. Carlos, good evening! I never anticipated we would meet here!"

He strode towards us and bowed slightly as soon as he arrived. I did the same.

"I'm glad you remember me, Mr. Jack. And neither did I! I never thought I would meet you here tonight. And about last time, allow me to say thank you again. And also, forgive us for all the trouble." as he said that, he was looking guiltily at my splint.

"If you don't mind, would you and your companion like some tea?"