Chapter 75: Still Remembered

"Your service has been impeccable, so I'd like to ask you something."

"Would you be willing to work for me?"

"The tasks wouldn't be too demanding—just managing my estate and handling a few minor matters while I'm away."

Harvey noticed Sonya stiffen slightly at his offer. He had already thought this over and decided to voice it now. After months of working with her, Sonya never once tried to pry into his business, not even casually. Her discretion, coupled with her sharpness and quiet competence, made her an ideal candidate for the role Harvey had in mind.

"It would be an honor to be invited by Mr. Kassadin," Sonya responded with a polite smile, her eyes gleaming. "But may I ask where your estate is located?"

Sonya was a native of Xandar, having lived there all her life. Though traveling to other planets wasn't hard, she hoped the job would keep her close to home, ideally still on Xandar.

"I'm planning to build my estate here on Xandar, so you don't have to worry about leaving your home behind," Harvey explained. "The job might be a little more demanding than your current one, but it'll come with a lot more freedom. You won't be stuck in a position where you're constantly catering to someone else's whims."

"Does that sound like something you'd be interested in?"

Harvey could sense what Sonya's underlying concern was, and he wanted to reassure her. He also saw this as a chance to test her sincerity. If Sonya was truly honored to work for him, as she claimed, then she would accept without hesitation. If not, it was merely flattery.

"If that's the case, then I'd be more than happy to accept," Sonya said with a graceful bow, a genuine smile on her lips.

Harvey had been ready to press her further, to see if her enthusiasm would falter under scrutiny, but to his surprise, she agreed readily. This was his first time choosing someone to handle personal matters for him, so he wanted to be sure he made the right decision. He hadn't expected her to accept so easily.

"You didn't even ask about the salary," Harvey said, a bit taken aback. "And yet, you agreed?"

"Mr. Kassadin, I trust that your offer isn't something you made lightly," she replied, her voice soft but assured. "I believe you're not the kind of person to be stingy."

Sonya had spent enough time observing Mr. Kassadin to understand him. She knew he was someone who weighed all the options carefully before acting. If he was offering her a job, he had certainly given it thorough consideration.

"I suppose you're right," Harvey said with a chuckle. "It wouldn't be easy to shortchange someone with your insight."

"I don't have high expectations for pay," Sonya continued. "I'm currently earning 30,000 a month, with bonuses bringing my yearly average to 436,000."

"As long as your offer isn't lower than that, I'll gladly work for you."

Harvey had initially planned to pay more. Finding a good personal assistant or estate manager could cost anywhere from 500,000 to over a million a year, and for someone he could trust, it would be worth it.

"Alright, if you work for me, I'll pay you 500,000 a year. Does that sound fair?" Harvey asked, deciding to offer a modest raise.

"More than fair," Sonya replied with a slight nod. "When would you like me to start?"

"About a month from now," Harvey said. "I'll be staying here at the hotel for another month, and by the time my estate is built, you'll officially start working for me."

Sonya realized now that everything up to this point had been a test. Kassadin wasn't planning to leave the hotel immediately—he'd just been gauging her response.

"Understood," she said, bowing again with a calm smile.

At that moment, a message popped up on Sonya's communicator. She glanced at it before turning back to Harvey.

"Mr. Kassadin, someone downstairs has asked to speak with you. He wants to know if you remember a man named Darm?"

"Darm?" Harvey paused, recalling the name for a moment. "Yes, I remember him. Send him up."

Harvey hadn't forgotten the guard from Xandar's gates, and he was a man of his word. If Darm was reaching out, Harvey was ready to honor his promise. Moreover, he saw an opportunity. Spreading the Void's influence across Xandar required support, and those in low-ranking jobs, like the guards, could be ideal recruits.

"I'll go bring him up," Sonya said, nodding before heading off to meet Darm.

It was the first time anyone had come to see Mr. Kassadin during his stay at the hotel, and Sonya was intrigued to meet the person who had managed to leave an impression on such a mysterious man.

Meanwhile, in the grand lobby of the Elite Hotel, Darm sat stiffly on an ornate guest couch, feeling completely out of place. The luxurious surroundings were nothing like anything he had ever experienced. In his world, only high-ranking officers of the Nova Corps could afford to stay in a place like this. For someone like him—a lowly city guard—the Elite Hotel was a dream far beyond his reach.

He had no right to be here, except for the slim chance that Kassadin might remember him. When he asked at the front desk, he was relieved to find that there was a guest by that name staying there. But without Kassadin's permission, the best the receptionist could do was send a message on his behalf.

Now, as he sat waiting for a response, nerves gnawed at him. What if Kassadin didn't remember him at all? Would his trip here have been for nothing?

Suddenly, the sound of a door chiming echoed across the lobby, and Darm looked up. From the hotel's floating lift, a stunning young blonde woman stepped out. After speaking briefly to the receptionist, she made her way toward him.

"Mr. Darm?" she asked, her voice as polite as her graceful manner. "Mr. Kassadin remembers you and has asked me to bring you to him. Please, follow me."

Darm's heart raced in disbelief. Kassadin remembered him? A nobody like him? He stood up hurriedly, trying not to show how awestruck he was.

"Thank you," he stammered, following the woman toward the lift.

As they ascended, Darm's mind buzzed with questions. Maybe, just maybe, his life was about to change forever.

Note: If you are interested you can read up to chapter 110 at patreon.com/MythicForge11.