Chapter 16: Six Years Ago pt. 9

Her usual dominating aura at work isn't present now. She only feels concern from her look and her presence exudes a lighthearted atmosphere.



Things aren't just adding up.





Ms. Corpuz is a thirty year old woman who have been serving the chairwoman for a decade already. She was one of the beneficiaries of DC Group's scholarship.



She did well on her studies at the university that the chairwoman noticed her and became one of her close workers.



She was tasked to look over Rian as the girl works part-time at the restaurant and hasn't reached the legal age yet.



Her hostility toward her was just a front to avoid unwanted attention since she's known as a terror manager as well.



She looked past Rian and saw a man sitting on the couch. She returned her look at Rian who is now slowly recovering from the shock.



"Who's he?" She pointed the man with her gaze.



"Oh, that is Mr. Stern", she said while gesturing Ms. Corpuz to come in.



Xander stood up with that cue. He smiled politely and offered a handshake.



Ms. Corpuz did the same and shook his hand while observing him carefully.



"Is this the one who's hurt that you told me over the phone?" She asked Rian seriously looking at the man on the floor.



"Yes, he is."



"I see, but what is this Mr. Stern doing here?" Ms. Corpuz raised her eyebrow as her gaze switched from Xander to Rian.



"You know, this unknown man suddenly came up to my bed while I was asleep and then covered my mouth with a handkerchief..." She breathed, "Then I barely escaped while poking his eyes before I pass out and then I opened the door." She narrated while gesturing her hands like she was really opening a door.



"And thankfully, I saw Mr. Stern passing by and screamed for help." She continued. "And he helped me by fighting off this unknown man, that's why his face is like that now."

That was a lot of storytelling. Please believe it Ma'am.



"I see" Ms. Corpuz nodded slowly to show that she understood her story.

This man is definitely suspicious. In this types of scenes in the movies, the one who's first to help is likely with the assailant.



"But what were you doing in the middle of the night Mr. Stern that you were coincidentally right in front of my niece's house?"

Rian might not have noticed it since she's still young. He might be gaining her trust first and attack her after I leave.



"He said he was coming home from work." Rian answered the question in time.



If it comes down to worse, I'll just tell this woman everything about how Rian rescued me. She's far too meticulous to be deceived by our petty lie. Xander thought.



"What do you do for a living Mr.? And where is your house?" Ms. Corpuz asked again.

It's wise to ask him where he's staying. If he came here for the sole purpose of hurting her it would be likely his first time in this neighborhood. This apartment is the only residential establishment in this area, the rest are business stores, shops, and a chapel. One lie and you'll be busted.



Ms. Corpuz laughed at the back of her brain but it seemed loud enough for Rian and Xander to hear and make their hands sweat.



They were both stunned with her question for they haven't thought that far because Ms. Corpuz arrived very early than expected. They were sti in the middle of brainstorming when they heard her knocking on the door.



"I'm actually a missionary." Xander started that made Rian lift her head up. "I was coming home from a long day if work when I saw Ms. Rian in need for urgent help and as a disciple of God, even if I'm not very good at throwing my fists, I insisted to fight the man." He said very gently that Rian almost didn't recognized his voice.

Whoah, he's a good actor.



"I stay at a Mormon chapel, five hundred meters away from here." He added.



Ms. Corpuz was quite surprised. "What about this rock? It has some blood on it."



"Oh about that," Rian interrupted. "When Mr. Stern was in the verge of defeat, I smashed that rock that I found outside on the stranger's head and he lost consciousness." She answered enthusiastically.



Both felt uneasy and an unknown awkwardness filled the room with Ms. Corpuz's unceasing questions that hints suspicion. The room was filled with silence until Ms. Corpuz looked back at Rian.



"So you want me to take care of this man?" She asked



Xander and Rian breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, she has stopped questioning. She must have believed it at last.



"Yes please" Rian smiled



"Okay" Ms. Corpuz took a red phone from her purse and tapped some letters on it and put it back again.



"Mr. Stern", she called his attention. "Thank you so much for doing us this very big favor. I ought to repay you tomorrow with this good deed of yours. I'll bring you to a hospital myself to get your wounds checked." Ms Corpuz said with gratitude.



"There's no need for you to repay me. Just think that I'm a good Samaritan who's just passing by. This wounds of mine are just scratches. They will heal in no time." Xander replied gracefully as if a priest giving sermon to a mass.



Rian did her best to hold her laugh as she watches him.



"Okay if that's what you want. But shouldn't you get going now Mr. Stern? You should be very very tired right now."



Xander paused and he looked at Rian whose eyes widened by Ms. Corpuz remarks.



Xander chuckled, "I should. Very well then may the grace of God be upon you and avoid you from any misfortune." After saying this he grabbed Rian's black envelope that was laying on the center table and walked outside.



Rian was baffled to where he is supposed to go.



"Rian, some will come here to pick up this man but let's first tie him so he won't get away when he wakes up."



"Ok, I'll get some rope." Rian ran to her room while Ms. Corpuz went and locked the front door.



Now Xander is walking aimlessly, not knowing where to go. He looked at his clock and it was already four in the morning. The sky was already a little bit bright too.



Shit! I forgot my phone. I can't call 17. He must be waiting there already. 17 won't leave without me. He must be having a hard time hiding in that shitty place, I don't want him to stay there any longer. But she might look for me if I disappear suddenly. But this is what I also planned from the begging—leaving unnoticed. Ugh, I hate this what should I do? Should I just leave already?



Xander was torn from the idea of staying to say goodbye and leaving like what he originally planned. He can't let 17 wait for him any longer nor does he want to worry her.