👱🏻♂️
"Officer Allegra, I have reservations about your suitability for this position. I agreed to your assignment based on a trusted recommendation. If you are truly capable, please demonstrate it through your actions. I expect to see strong results and your ability to manage the responsibilities and challenges of this role."
I looked at my dad with a questioning look. Did he just give this tomboy a chance to prove that she can do a man's job? Unbelievable!
The tomboy flashed a crooked grin, eyes sizzling with challenge as she stepped up. My dad's words didn't rattle her—instead, she looked dead set on proving him wrong.
Why did the stubborn fire in her eyes seem almost cute to me? Crap. Get a grip, Lucas. She's still just that tomboy.
"Yes, sir. I'll do my best." The tomboy looked at my dad as if she really respected him. She didn't even look at me like that, just pure disrespect and disinterest.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at how easily she gained my dad's approval. I still can't stand her, though.
"We have to talk, Lucas." Dad looked at me and nodded, signaling for me to follow him out of the room.
We excused ourselves from the two and walked outside. He asked the bodyguards to get the tomboy's things and place them in the room beside mine.
Tch. This whole setup grates on me.
"I know you don't want this kind of setup, but this is the best option to trick your enemies. If they really know about you, they will think that the girl officer may be your weakness. The officer is a beautiful woman you could easily mistake for any submissive woman. I also investigated that officer and found that her rank is already Inspector, even though she is only 23 years old. She solved more cases than other officers who were more tenured than she."
"But Dad—"
"But she's still a woman. She lacks physical strength and cannot protect you from every enemy you and I have; that's why I hired bodyguards. Do you understand me now, Lucas?" said Dad sternly, and I nodded instinctively.
I lowered my head in shame. I realized I acted childishly in front of my father, whom I respected the most. That was embarrassing. And it's all the tomboy's fault. I should act more civilly with that tomboy from now on.
"Now, go inside and make peace with Inspector Adara. I'll go now. Your mom is waiting for me at home." Dad gently tapped my shoulders, then went to the parking area with his bodyguards. He went to his car and waved goodbye before his car was out of our sight.
And I went back to my house, where that detestable tomboy is. Should I make peace with that tomboy? Nah! I don't think so; her pride is taller than she is.
—
👱🏻♀️
"I did not expect the attitude you've shown earlier, Avery. You're being unprofessional," Uncle said while helping me arrange my things in my new room at the pig's mansion.
"I really apologize, Uncle. I don't know why I was so irritated and annoyed with him that I couldn't even control myself."
Thinking about our past conversation, I seemed out of character earlier. I don't lose my cool easily, but that pig just got to my head.
"You should apologize and have more patience with him. You two live in different environments, but you should find a middle ground just for this mission to be successful."
I slowly nodded at what my uncle had to say. But of course, I will make that pig say the word before me. It's all his fault.
Knock knock.
We stopped what we were doing when we heard someone's gentle knocks. We stared at each other before my uncle decided to open the door. And there I saw the pig's handsome face again. Tch.
"Oh, Mr. Axworthy! Come in," said Uncle, and gave the pig a warm smile.
The pig managed a stiff smile for my uncle, but when his eyes landed on me, it twisted into a forced smirk. Tch. Typical.
"Can I talk to Miss Allegra, sir?" the pig politely said to my uncle. My uncle immediately smiled at what he said. I bet he's thinking that this pig wanted to make up with me. Just like a child, eh?
"Yes, you can. I'm going back to work anyway," Uncle replied to the pig and looked at me with a worried look. "Take care, Avery. I'll go now." He then hugged me so tightly, indicating that he was worried for me. I hugged him back to let him know that I would be fine.
He stood as a father to my other two sisters and me when my dad died. So I can't help but love this strict but kind uncle of mine.
"See you soon, Uncle. You should take care, too," I said and kissed his cheek, and when I tried to get out of my room to see him out, he stopped me.
"Don't bother seeing me out. Just stay here and chat with Mr. Axworthy," he said and closed the door behind him. Now I'm stuck with the pig in my room.
Tension snapped between us the instant my uncle left. Mr. Axworthy snorted and slouched warily into a corner. I blew out a sigh—this day was just getting longer.
We didn't just stare; we glared—challenging each other to blink first, as if plotting mutual destruction.
"Miss Allegra, I know you don't like me, and I don't like you either. But we need to be on good terms so we can work together, and we can catch the culprit…"
I almost flinched. Was this really the pig talking? I didn't peg him as someone with common sense.
"…So you need to apologize to me."
WTF! He says it like I'm expected to apologize first. I'm snatching back every word I threw out earlier. He's needling me so intensely, I'm ready to throttle him right here.
This guy is a hopeless case. Can I withdraw from this mission?