It’s exactly what I need at this time.

Mona returned his smile with one of her own, though her eyes, sharp and inquisitive, seemed to be already assessing him. After the brief pleasantries, Nico wasted no time in explaining his intentions regarding the disaster that had struck a remote village. His words were clear and direct, but as he spoke, he noticed a flicker of confusion in both Mona and Cecilia's expressions.

They exchanged a glance, silently communicating their shared bewilderment. It wasn't that disasters were uncommon, they happened often enough, and people did what they could to help. But something about Nico's intense focus on this particular event struck them as odd. Why this disaster? Why now? And why was Nico, of all people, so intent on getting involved?

Finally, Mona voiced the question that had been on both their minds.

"Mister Nico, do you have any relatives in the disaster-struck area?"

She asked, her gaze steady as she tried to read his reaction.

The question caught Nico off guard.

"My relatives? No, I don't think so. Why do you ask?"

He replied, momentarily thrown by the unexpected inquiry.

Mona tilted her head slightly, her curiosity unabated.

"Oh, I was just wondering. It's just that your determination to help in such a remote village seemed personal. But if that's not the case... then why do you want to help so desperately?"

Nico hesitated for a brief moment before responding. He knew that his answer needed to be both sincere and convincing, without giving away too much.

"Well... there's no particular reason,"

He began, choosing his words carefully.

"I just want to help people in need, and this disaster happens to be the most immediate and nearest one. There's really no other reason behind it."

He tried to make his explanation sound as plausible as possible, though he couldn't shake the feeling that Mona's sharp eyes were seeing through him. Still, he understood her scepticism. If he were in her shoes, he would probably be even more suspicious. A disaster in a far-off village wasn't something that typically drew this level of attention from someone like him. But Nico knew that he couldn't reveal the deeper reasons driving him, reasons tied to a personal mission he hadn't shared with anyone.

Mona studied him for a moment longer, her expression thoughtful. There was a pause, the kind that stretched just long enough to make Nico slightly uneasy. But then, to his relief, she seemed to accept his explanation. Her posture relaxed slightly, and she nodded, as if coming to a decision.

"Alright, Mister Nico,"

She said, her tone now more understanding.

"I can see that you're genuinely concerned, and that's commendable. Let's discuss how we can assist you with this."

Nico exhaled quietly, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. It seemed he had managed to convince her, at least for now. He couldn't blame Mona for her earlier questions, it was only natural for someone in her position to be cautious. After all, he was asking for help in a situation that seemed out of the ordinary, and she needed to be sure of his intentions.

As they began to discuss the details of what he needed and how she could help, Nico couldn't help but reflect on how this meeting was a pivotal step in his mission. While the conversation with Mona had been more probing than he'd anticipated, it was necessary. He needed allies, people who could provide him with the information and support required to navigate the complexities of the situation ahead. Mona, with her connections and experience, was one such ally. And now, with her tentative trust secured, Nico felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he knew he was on the right track.

"Here are some files regarding the recent incident in that remote village, which I tried to collect as much as possible from various sources,"

Mona said, handing Nico a neatly organized folder. Her eyes held a gentle smile, yet they also conveyed the gravity of the situation.

Nico's excitement was palpable as he took the folder from her.

"Oh... Already?"

He exclaimed, impressed by how quickly she had gathered the information. He wasted no time in opening the folder, eager to delve into its contents.

Inside, Nico found a comprehensive array of data, meticulously tabulated and arranged for easy understanding. The reports included details about the disaster's impact, casualty figures, and images that vividly captured the devastation. Some of the pictures were particularly harrowing, scenes of injured people, destroyed homes, and even a few of the deceased. While the file was marked as preliminary, it was clear that Mona had done her best to compile as much relevant information as possible in a short time.

"It's exactly what I need at this time. Thank you, Miss Cecilia and Mona,"