Ch 31: The perfect Place- Part 1

Selene continues training with Ethan and Zara every two days, pushing herself to the limit in dungeons. 

When she isn't fighting monsters, she spends most of her time in her hotel room, resting, researching, and planning. 

Each day, she grows stronger. Her stamina increases, her reflexes sharpen, and she starts to understand the mechanics of battle better than ever before.

And exactly A month after all this began, the real thing Selene had been worried about happened.

While sipping her coffee in the hotel lounge, she overhears two staff members talking in hushed voices.

"The Vale family is searching for someone. They've been asking questions around." 

The maid says, glancing around as if worried someone might hear. 

Selene's fingers tighten around her cup.

It's only a rumor for now, but she knows better than to ignore it. If her family is looking for her, it's only a matter of time before they track her down. 

Staying in one place is too risky. She needs to move before it's too late.

Luckily, she had already made reparations in case this happened and it was time for her to reap these benefits.

As if on cue, her phone vibrates on the table. She glances at the screen and sees an unknown number. Cautiously, she answers.

"Miss Selene? Your house renovations are complete. You can move in whenever you're ready." 

A man's voice greets her and Selene instantly recognizes him as the worker she had hired to renovate her house.. 

The timing couldn't be better since Selene knew she needed to move out of this hotel soon.

"Thank you. I'll come by today for a final inspection. Please make any final preparations you need to before I move in." 

Selene says, relieved. Finally, her biggest worry had been taken care of. Once she entered that house, she would be able to go off-grid and never be seen again.

Her family likely won't try too hard to look for her, but if they did, they would be in for a surprise.

She wastes no time preparing to leave. The sooner she relocates, the better.

Later that afternoon, Selene grabs her car keys and heads for the parking lot, but just as she's about to get in her SUV, a familiar voice stops her in her tracks.

"Going somewhere?"

She turns around to see Ethan leaning against a nearby car, watching her with mild interest. 

His golden eyes glint with curiosity, but his face remains unreadable as usual. But the interest he showed Selene made her skin crawl.

She exhales, already knowing this conversation will be a hassle. 

"What do you want? I am in a hurry today."

Ethan tilts his head slightly.

"A dungeon run. Just the two of us."

Ethan looked excited when he asked, and considering that they just had a dungeon run yesterday, it was a surprise to see him here.

Selene knew that it was good for her to train, but she did not have time today.

"Not today. I have somewhere to be." 

She replies without hesitation, but that was a mistake. She had not expected Ethan to take interest in her words. 

Ethan studies her for a moment, then smirks.

"That so? Where to? Can I come?"

Selene narrows her eyes. 

"It's personal."

Instead of letting it go, Ethan pushes away from the car and walks closer. 

"Then I'll come with you."

Selene scowls. 

"I don't need company."

Ethan merely shrugs.

"I wasn't asking. Well, you can either take me with you, or I can follow you secretly. Which one would you prefer?"

She clenches her jaw. Arguing with him is pointless. 

Knowing Ethan, he was not beneath stalking her to get what he wanted from her.

If he wants to follow, he will, no matter what she says. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she unlocks the car. 

"Fine. But don't get in my way."

Ethan smirks again but says nothing as he gets into the passenger seat.

The drive is quiet, but Selene can feel him watching her occasionally, clearly trying to piece together why she's being so secretive. She ignores him and focuses on the road.

When they finally arrive at the house, Ethan lets out a low whistle, taking in the secluded property. 

"Not bad. Good location, secure perimeter… You really thought this through. Is this supposed to be a bunker house for the apocalypse?"

Selene doesn't acknowledge his comment. Instead, she steps out of the car and approaches the man in charge of the renovations.

"Miss Selene. Everything is ready for your inspection. Please, follow me." 

The man greets her politely. He also glanced at Ethan with a questioning look on his face, but when he did not get an explanation, he decided not to ask anymore.

'Indeed, the manager is good. It was the right choice to hire these people.'

Selene nods and walks inside. Ethan, of course, follows without waiting for an invitation.

As they move through the house, the renovation leader explains the upgrades, from reinforced windows to hidden storage spaces. 

Ethan observes everything with interest, occasionally making comments.

"The security system is top-notch. This place could hold out for a while in a crisis." 

He notes, running a hand along the reinforced walls. 

Selene presses her lips together, annoyed by his presence but unwilling to waste energy trying to get rid of him.

After the full tour, the renovation leader turns to her. 

"Are you satisfied with everything, Miss Selene?"

She nods. 

"It's perfect."

The final paperwork is signed, and Selene transfers the remaining payment. The expense leaves her with little money left, but she isn't concerned. She planned for this.

The person in charge of the formal proceedings was fast and Selene managed to finish everything within an hour.

Just as these people started to gather their stuff and leave, Selene decided to give them a final piece of advice.

"You all should start stockpiling food and other necessities for the next month. I should not be telling you this, but because I like you, I will spoil something- you all should start stockpiling things now. There are going to be some changes in the future and you all might want to take advantage of it."

Selene did not tell the people directly about the apocalypse, but she did hint that things were going to change.

These people in front of her were smart enough to decide that things were likely going to get expensive soon.

Usually, people would not have believed the words of a young teen like her, but because of her money and family name, these people decided to give her the benefit of doubt,

But whether they would choose to follow what she told them or not was a different matter and depended on how lucky these people were.

Selene had done her duty toward them and she had nothing left to give anymore.

Once the business is settled, she looks around for Ethan—only to realize he's missing.

______

Managed to do an extra chapter today. My contract is done, and I'll go prem at ch 34. You can buy priv this month. I will replace all of it next moth anyway.