"Focus on my social media career even more. So far, I have been splitting it with the few Noir Family jobs I have accepted," Eri replied.
"You still do jobs? Even though you want to leave the family?" Adam asked in surprise.
"It's required, depending on what rank you are, you're required to complete a certain number of jobs within a certain timeframe or face punishment," Eri explained.
"What rank are you?" Adam asked.
"Rank four," Eri replied in a bland tone as if she cared little for the rank.
"That's quite high," Adam remarked.
"It is, considering I only do the bare minimum of jobs needed to avoid punishment," Eri stated in the same bland tone.
"So why can't you just leave the family?" Adam asked.
"It doesn't work out well for people who have tried in the past. The Noir Family has connections all over the universe they do jobs with. All they have to do is offer a discount on a person's next job for information leading to the capture of the family member."
"I see," Adam replied before going silent to think for a while as he stared at Eri, who suddenly became nervous as she felt his intense gaze upon her.
Maya, meanwhile, shifted herself into a more comfortable position before closing her eyes and pretending to sleep once again.
"Ok, here's the deal," Adam finally said, causing Eri to sit up straighter and give him her full attention as he continued to speak. "I will consider assisting you with this if you do a good job being Lorelie's chaperone while we remain within the Felidae Galaxy. However, I don't want you to reveal any of this to Lorelie or the others for the time being."
"Why?" Eri asked in confusion as she added, "I figured you would inform them immediately."
"I don't want Lorelie getting distracted from her music tour because of this. You know better than I how busy she is going to be once the tour actually starts, and the last thing we want is her getting distracted.
Also, Lorelie thinks of you as a friend, and I don't want to have to ruin that if I can help it. If the time comes that I choose to help you, then I will let her and everyone else know the truth, but for now let's keep your identity our little secret."
"I'm fine with that, but it might not be so easy," Eri responded with a concerned look.
"What do you mean?"
"I know your AI is advanced, but can it access the security footage of the hotel?" Eri asked.
"It already has, why?" Adam asked.
Eri nodded, as she had expected this before saying, "Ask it to display the security footage for the foyer, bar and each of the hotel's exits."
"Spector," Adam said, as he wondered what Eri was getting at.
[[Displaying now.]] Spector responded before around a dozen holographic screens appeared, which Maya opened her eyes and looked at them curiously. The holographic screens showed the security footage of each area Eri had requested from different angles.
Eri stood up and looked at the security footage before she started pointing out several individuals. There were seven in total. One outside each of the entrances to the hotel, including the delivery and staff entrance. Two in the foyer and two in the bar.
Adam noticed they all appeared to be Panthera's as Eri said, "They're all members of the Noir Family. I spotted and recognised them as we returned to the hotel earlier."
"Why are they here?" Adam asked curiously.
"I'm guessing that they're here for me," Eri replied with a sigh as she sat back down.
"Pardon?" Adam asked in confusion.
"After I refused to answer my mother's call and even blocked her number, I'm guessing she had people dispatched to forcefully retrieve me in case I still plan to try to steal your ship," Eri explained.
"I see, this is what you meant. You worried that they might act and try to retrieve you either in front of Lorelie or while you're alone, causing her to grow concerned and conduct an investigation," Adam mused as he looked at the individuals on the holographic screen.
"The latter of the two is more likely since the Noir Family prefers to do things quietly, but you're right," Eri replied.
"So what do we do about them? Send Umeko another warning about watching me and my loved ones?" Adam asked.
"I would advise against giving another warning, as that would only let the family know that you're aware of them and thus assume that I'm also aware and, as such, they will just try a different approach."
"Kill them?" Adam asked.
"That's an option, but when they don't report in, the family will only send more people." Eri replied before adding, "Though right now I suggest the best approach is to simply ignore them and pretend as if we don't know they are there."
"That's fine with me, but won't they try to retrieve you as soon as you leave the hotel?" Adam asked.
"I have my ways to slip past them."
"I don't doubt that, but if you keep doing that every time you leave the hotel on your own, something is eventually going to go wrong," Adam remarked before adding, "I think the best option right now is for you to stay here and not leave our side. If you're right, then they won't want to make a move unless you're alone."
"You want me to stay in the same suite as you when you know I'm a thief and after everything I just told you?" Eri asked in surprise.
"Keeping you close is the best way to keep an eye on you," Adam replied as he pointed towards one of the security cameras in the room.
"You mean you plan to have your AI monitor me?" Eri asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Is that a problem?"
Before Eri could reply, a cheerful voice called out, "We're back," causing the pair and Maya to look over and see Tephe bouncing happily back into the room with Aphrodite following behind her.
Tephe headed straight for Adam before taking up Lorelie's vacant seat and sitting next to him. As she did, Maya flew over to her and settled in her lap before closing her eyes again.
"Welcome back," Adam said with a smile before asking, "Everything okay?"
"Yup, just some girl talk," Tephe nodded before looking at Aphrodite and asking, "Right?"
"That's right," Aphrodite said in agreement as she fought against her desire to sit on the other side of Adam and after finally winning, she took her original seat.
"What's this?" Aphrodite asked as she sat down while pointing at the holographic screens.
"Eri was just teaching me more about the different species of Catonian," Adam replied before he closed all the holographic screens.
"Really? Would you like to know about the different species of dragons?" Tephe asked excitedly before adding hopefully, "I can teach you."
"There is more than one species?" Adam asked in surprise.
"Oh, sure, there are loads. My white dragon species is only one of them," Tephe replied happily as Adam showed interest in her race.
"Are white dragons normally able to become iridescent?" Adam asked curiously as he remembered how Tephe's true form had changed colour during their last battle.
"Secret," Tephe replied playfully as she stuck out her tongue.
"Wait, you know what that was? I have never even heard of an iridescent dragon," Aphrodite asked in surprise.
"Yup, but it's a secret," Tephe replied again.
"What's a secret?" Lorelie's voice asked as she, Stacey and Rowena left Rowena's bedroom.
"Tephe's iridescent form," Aphrodite replied.
"Oh, right, I wanted to ask you about that," Lorelie stated as she surprisingly chose to sit down beside Eri.
Stacey surprisingly chose to sit next to Aphrodite, leaving Rowena free to sit in the spot next to Adam while looking at Tephe and saying, "I also wanted to learn more since I have never even heard of a iridescent dragon."
"That's what I said," Aphrodite remarked as she looked suspiciously at Rowena.
"Secret. I will reveal it when I am ready," Tephe stated stubbornly before turning back to Adam and saying happily, "Let me know when you want to learn more about dragons, okay?"
"Sure, let's discuss them when we have some free time, but right now I need to ask Lorelie something," Adam replied.
"What's up?" Lorelie asked curiously.
"I was just speaking to Eri about your upcoming tour and noticed how busy you're both going to be. I therefore think it's a good idea if Eri stays here with us during the whole event. That way it will be easier on both of you," Adam explained.
Lorelie smiled and nodded before turning to Eri and saying happily, "I think that's a great idea, as long as you're okay with it."
"Of course," Eri replied happily.
"Great, we have a lot of planning to do for the tour, so why don't we arrange for someone to collect your things?" Lorelie suggested.
"Sounds good, let me go organise that," Eri replied before standing up and moving away from the group.
Adam smiled as his plan seemed to have worked, though what he didn't notice was that Rowena, who had been watching him closely, smirked as if she had realised something.
"Great, I will contact reception about adding another bed," Lorelie said happily.
"Not like you need one, she can just take mine," Aphrodite offered.
"That's yours since we don't want you sneaking into our bedroom every night," Stacey stated as she shot Aphrodite a warning glare.