Chapter 82_ Homegirl

Back at the hotel, Arya sat on the couch with her eyes closed as she let the long day wash over her and mused silently, ‘I could really use a friendly voice right now.’ She looked at the computer and mused again, ‘Or even better—a brotherly voice.’

She opened the vocal chat and called Alex on a video call, and she smiled when he came into view. “How's my little brother doing?”

“He’s doing just fine, thanks. But what about you?” Alex asked, and Arya raised her brows.

“What do you mean?"

“In the last two days, Kane called from everywhere but the hotel, and he sounded pretty upset. Are you two okay?” Alex said, and Arya fell silent at his words as she thought of what to say to him. She doesn't want Alex to worry about her issues with Kane or ruin his coming birthday. "Hey, are you still there?"

Arya snapped from her thoughts and lied through her teeth, “Yeah... Sorry, the connection froze for a moment.”

"I told you we needed a faster Internet connection. Anyway, screw the Internet. Are you and Kane okay?" Alex asked, concerned.

“There’s nothing to worry about. We're just both working too much, so we are a little more edgy than usual.” Arya answered,

"I see. Well, I won't tell you to take things easy because I know you can't. But please try to take care of yourself, and the same for Kane. You two are the most important people in my life.” Alex said, and Selma's voice boomed with jealousy in the background as she came into view as well.

"Hey! And what about me?" Selma asked with a pout.

"Selma, I didn't think I had to specify that you belong in a category of your own. You are too precious to be compared to mere mortals like my sister.” Alex said, and Selma beamed a smile at him, while Arya let out a small laugh.

“That’s both the cutest and the cruelest thing I’ve heard in a long time.” Arya said,

Alex grinned at her. "I was just teasing you. But it's true that Selma has her own category.” At his words, Selma got red like a streetlight, and Arya looked at them with an amused smile.

“I'm glad you think like that. I was just surprised to hear romantic words from the mouth of my cold-hearted programmer brother. I see your beliefs have changed about romance and love.” Arya said, as her mind flashed back to her conversation with Alex.(Chapter one).

Alex avoided Arya’s eyes as his cheeks turned pink, making him look cute, and Selma leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek at that moment. Alex coughed and raised his nose in the air as he said, “That’s what happens when you stay away too long from your loved ones. It upsets the sentimental balance.”

“I kind of like the new, sentimental balance.” Selma said, and Alex turned to look at her.

“Once they get back home, we’ll restore the old one. I'm a serious, mature man and can't afford to be sentimental.” He said, making Arya and Selma burst into a peal of heartfelt laughter.

“Pfft. Haha!”

Alex glared at his sister through the screen and said, “Hey, I wasn't joking.” But neither Selma nor Arya listened to him; they continued laughing so hard that they couldn't breathe. “Try not to choke on your good mood." Alex said with a scowl and continued, "I have some news for you."

“News?" Arya stopped laughing and raised her brows.

“Remember when I told you that I would look in the Maranello database? Well, I did and found some juicy stuff.” Alex said, and Arya's ears perked up at his words.

"Really? Tell me.” She urged.

"There was a similar scandal a few years ago. This girl. Melinda Cocatti used to leak Maranello's secrets to her competitors. And guess what? She was working in the same Naples office where Victoria and Lewis used to work.” Alex said, and Arya's brows pulled together.

“Couldn't it just be a coincidence?” She said,

"Maybe, but there's more. They left after Melinda got caught.” Said Alex, and Arya sighed, while Alex continued, "That company is worse than a Renaissance court — schemes and traitors behind every corner.”

"Too bad the job doesn't come with one of those amazing Renaissance dresses.” Arya joked, and Alex giggled.

“Considering how much you are battling, maybe armor would be more appropriate.” Alex joked back, and Arya laughed.

"Thanks for the info, Alex. I’ll let you know if I find out something else.” Arya said, and Alex nodded at her.

"I’ll try to dig some more. Now I gotta go; don't forget to reach out every once in a while, okay?” Alex said, and Arya smiled, grateful to have a brother like Alex.

“Of course, I’ll call you soon." Arya promised, and she closed the call as she stared at the black screen of the computer.

After the call, loneliness started digging in Arya's chest with slow and painful pickaxe blows. ‘I wonder what Kane is doing right now.’ Arya mused and closed her eyes, trying to relax, but memories of Kane kept flooding in her mind. ‘It feels so lonely without him.’ She thought, and went through the first rough encounter she had with Kane in the hope of feeling better when he was just a douchebag.

‘Did he drenched me with a puddle just to see through my clothes, or am I just overreacting?’ Arya mused silently, but shook her head afterwards as she took a deep breath. She took a look at the technical documentation beside her and thought, ‘I need to find this Melinda Cocatti. Since she was so eager to sell Maranello's secrets, maybe she will sell me the current mole as well.’

Arya's hands went straight to her phone and she dialed a contact as she thought, ‘There’s no way in hell I can do all this just by myself.’

“Hello, sweetie. How’re you doing?” Chloe's voice was heard over the phone.

"Hey, homegirl. Actually, I have some trouble hunting for me, and I could use some covering fire.” Arya said,

"What kind of trouble?” Chloe asked with a curious tone.

"Why don't you let me buy you dinner, and I'll tell you everything about it?” Arya offered.

“Deal.” Chloe agreed.

"You’re the best. See you later.” Arya said and hung up as she stood up, went straight to the bathroom so she could shower, and dressed up for the dinner date with Chloe.