"You have arrived at your destination."
The GPS's electronic voice brought Jack's attention back inside the car.
The address Cindy gave him was for a gate community, and not just any community, either.
The place was one of the top five most expensive neighborhoods in the city. While it wasn't as extravagant as his current place, Jack could tell the place was quite expensive.
The grass at the roadside was trimmed to perfection. Even the tall palm trees were at equal height. The property developers must have spent a fortune to achieve such superficial, yet impressive detail.
As for the homes, the few Jack could see from the entrance were all expensive modern bungalows with gardens twice as big as the homes themselves.
Cindy lives here?
From their last meeting, Jack thought she was desperate for employment. That was the only reason he agreed to attend the gala with her, but now he wondered if she truly needed a job or it was an elaborate excuse to make him attend the event with her.
She's not as straightforward as I thought.
While he was lost in his thoughts, the car stopped in front of the guardhouse. Barco opened the door and got out, perhaps to talk to the guard.
Jack remembered how he talked to the towing company. Naturally, they couldn't understand a thing since they couldn't see him signing. In the end, Jack had to call them himself and arrange the pickup.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked. "Use sign language on him too?"
Barco shrugged, scratching his head.
"Let me talk."
Jack stepped out of the car. Takeshi decided it was too much work and stayed in the driver's seat.
They could hear loud snores when they reached the booth. The guard was slumped in his chair, probably dreaming of the women who lived inside.
At least finish your sandwiches before dreaming about bitches.
Jack sighed, noticing the half-eaten sandwich on the guard's lap. Either the old man was working multiple jobs, or he was just a lazy bum.
Why am I thinking so much about it?
Jack shook his head before knocking on the glass window.
The guard moved his head, but didn't wake up.
Jack knocked again, this time harder than before, but the result remained unchanged.
Irritated, Jack kicked the booth, and yet the guard didn't wake up. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Jack turned to Barco.
"He's all yours," he said.
Barco cracked his knuckles before shoving his hand inside through the opening in the window and grabbed the guard by the collar.
The guard opened his eyes, but it was too late. Barco yanked him forward, then pushed him back. He kept repeating it, forgetting about the purpose of yanking the man.
"Oi, mute brute, that's enough!"
Barco let him go and as soon as he did, the guard fell out of his chair.
"Who the hell do you think—?"
The guard got up all agitated, but all that disappeared when he saw Barco glaring at him.
"Ahem, I apologize for my friend's behavior just now," Jack said.
"I-It's fine, sir. How may I help you?"
"We're here to visit house number 27. Could you let us in?"
"Sure, sir. Please wait a minute."
The guard picked up the landline, calling someone. A few seconds later, he nodded and opened the gate.
"Have a good day—night. Have a good evening!"
After saying so, the guard quickly disappeared into his small room.
I should tell Cindy to hire another guard. This one is too timid.
Jack and Barco returned to the car, and they headed inside. Within minutes, they arrived at Cindy's house.
Yeah… she's doing too well for a struggling influencer.
Jack was about to ring the bell when the door opened and Cindy walked out, looking even more stunning than usual. That lasted until he realized something.
The dress she was wearing was identical to the one Anna wore, only hers was white. It wasn't an important detail, but for Jack, it looked like a strong premonition.
Despite all that, Jack had to give credit for where it was due. The dressed looked better on her. Unlike Anna, Cindy had all the assets required to pull it off.
"Um… Jack, you're staring…"
"I'm sorry," Jack said, smiling. "I got overwhelmed since I don't get to see such a beautiful sight often."
Jack's compliment seemed to have made her more comfortable. She smiled and twirled to give him a complete look, but stopped midway when she noticed Barco standing behind Jack. He noticed her gaze and chuckled.
"Don't worry, Miss Myers. He's here for my security."
"Security?"
Jack clicked his tongue, realizing his mistake. In all the excitement and issues, he forgot about how Cindy perceived him. He was a homeless man not long ago, and suddenly, he had a bodyguard and a luxury car. It would look suspicious to anyone.
He was thinking about how to explain it to Cindy when she grabbed his hand, her eyes twinkling.
"I get it, Jack. I get everything now!"
[Target: Cindy Myer's affection +20%]
[Current Affection: 57%]
[$2,000 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $934,699]
"…?"
In Cindy's eyes, Jack had just confirmed all the rampant theories in her head. She had a feeling he was someone famous and capable, and seeing him with bodyguards and a luxury car was all the evidence she needed.
Meanwhile, Jack wondered what Cindy was talking about, but he didn't want to go poking around since the trouble averted itself.
She was still holding Jack's hand when she suddenly realized just how close she was standing to him. Her chest was brushing against his, making her breasts seem even bigger than they were.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she quickly jumped back, letting go of his hand.
"W-We should leave," she stammered. "I don't want to be l-late!"
Without waiting for a response, she walked past Jack, standing near the car.
Jack looked at her, unsure of what had just happened. He looked at Barco, who seemed uninterested in his affairs.
"…not a word about this to Anna."
Barco made a gesture of crossing his heart before walking to the car.
"Is this your doing, too?" Jack asked, looking at the night sky.