Chapter 6: Unexpected Visitor And Call

Silence and the sound of the TV are the only things that can be heard in the condominium as I wait for the cleaner to arrive.

(Knock knock knock)

I glance at the wall clock.

It's already seven PM. I stand up and walk towards the door to open it. As I open the door, it's the woman I've been avoiding who will clean my condo.

Did I forget to ask who the available cleaner would be? I forgot she's also a cleaner here.

Tsk.

"H-hello, sir. I-I'm the available cleaner for now. C-can I start cleaning?" she stammers nervously.

Note: The provided translation is an attempt to convey the meaning accurately while maintaining the essence of the original text. Some phrases and expressions may have been modified slightly for better readability in English.

I silently observed her. She's so sim-

"Sir?"

"Ah, yes." I opened the door wide for her to enter.

"You can start cleaning the living room."

"Alright, sir." She responded while dragging the cleaning cart.

I closed the door as she entered. I picked up the bowl from my meal and placed it in the sink.

"I'll be here at the poolside. Call me if you have any questions or need anything." I instructed, grabbing my cellphone and laptop before heading to the poolside.

I laid down my belongings on the swing table before taking a seat.

Did I just almost get starstruck?

Tsk. I need some distraction again.

I opened my laptop to catch up on some updates.

Twenty minutes have passed now. I'm sitting on the sofa in my living room, staring blankly at the TV.

"Good evening, Mr. Manson." she began. "Sorry for visiting you without notice."

"It's fine," I replied. "What's the visit for, Inspector? Is it about your proposal?"

I had an unexpected visitor, and it was Inspector Gomez.

~Flashback~

I was busy with my tasks when she knocked on the glass door.

*crick*

I heard the sound of the door opening.

"What is it?" I asked without looking. I knew she could hear me.

"Y-you have a visitor, sir," she answered.

A visitor?

"Please inform the visitor that I'll be there in a minute. Thank you."

"Alright, sir."

Who could it be? It couldn't be my father.

I finished what I was doing, shut down my laptop, and put my cellphone in my pocket. I carried the laptop as I walked into the living room.

"Inspector Gomez." He stood up when I called her name.

"Take a seat," I gestured to the sofa and sat down, placing my laptop on the center table.

~End of flashback~

"It's half about the proposal and half a request," he answered.

"What request, Inspector?"

"Um, sorry for interrupting the conversation," he hesitantly said, standing by the side of the sofa. "I cooked some food, and maybe you'd like to eat first. I've also finished cleaning the living room and kitchen. Should I proceed to clean your room now?"

"Let's eat first, Inspector Gomez," I suggested.

"You can join us as well. You can clean the room afterward," I added, and Inspector Gomez nodded in agreement to my offer.

After entering the kitchen, I could smell the aroma of my favorite dish—adobo.

Inspector Gomez fetched some plates, glasses, and spoons from the cabinet before placing them on the table.

The Inspector sat in front of me while she sat beside me.

We ate in silence. And then, Inspector Gomez broke the silence.

"Are you both the same age?" he asked.

"Maybe, I'm seventeen. How about you?" I glanced at her and asked.

"I'm also seventeen, sir," she replied, bowing her head slightly.

"Where do you study?"

"I transferred to Xavier University."

"Xavier University," I repeated.

"Are you sure you're in senior high school? What strand did you take?"

I sensed that Inspector Gomez was trying to break the ice.

"STEM," we said in unison.

"Same age, same school, same strand. What a coincidence," he said jokingly. "Maybe you two are destined for each other."

Neither of us responded to the comment. I saw her in my peripheral vision, lowering her head.

"It's just a joke," he assured us.

I simply nodded in response.

After that, complete silence filled the room until we finished our dinner.

I placed my plate in the sink, and she stood beside me, placing the remaining dishes in the sink.

"I'll take care of this," she said. "Inspector is already in the living room."

"Don't use 'po' with me. We're the same age," I told her.

She slowly nodded in agreement.

Fate? Forget it.

I washed my hands before heading to the living room.

"Is she upset with me?" he asked quietly.

"No, maybe it's just her personality," I replied. "She's a shy type of person."

"Let's get back to the reason why I came here."

"Yes."

"Do you have an answer to my proposal?" he asked seriously.

"I'm unsure," I answered.

"It's fine. There's still plenty of time," he said. "The reason why I came here for the proposal is connected to something."

"There will be an event happening next month with the theme of High School Detectives. High School Detectives from different places will attend, and they will be assigned to a few specific Great Detectives," he explained. "Just from my proposal, you already know that I don't have an assigned High School Detective under me."

I nodded in understanding.

"Can I request something? Can you come with me to that event? You can turn it down if you don't want to," he asked.

"I will think about it, Inspector. Are there specific dates for the event?" I inquired.

"Not yet," he answered.

"You can also bring a friend or a date," he added while looking at me as he entered the room to continue cleaning. It seems like he had finished washing the dishes. "We call them plus one. But choose wisely."

I nodded in response to his remarks.

He stood up and said, "I think I should be leaving."

"I'll walk you to the door."

We started walking.

"Call me or text me with your answers, Mr. Manson. I already gave you my calling card."

"Yes."

"You can turn him down if you want," he advised.

We both stopped when we reached the door.

"Thank you for the dinner," he said before walking away from my condo.

"You're welcome, Inspector."

I entered and closed the door.

I walked to the sofa and sat down. I glanced at the door to my room and noticed it was wide open.

My laundry. Damn.

I hurriedly walked over and knocked on the door before entering.

"Why, sir?"

The 'po' thing again. Forget it.

"There was laundry in the basket. Can you wash it for me?"

"Sure, sir."

"Thank you."

I returned to the sofa and opened my laptop.

I scrolled through social media in silence. I came across numerous posts about families bonding with their parents.

I felt irritated and logged out.

I don't envy anyone or anything, but when it comes to that, maybe I do. I never experienced a peaceful and enjoyable family bonding with my mother and that bastard of a father.

Tsk.

I logged into my organization account and also opened my personal email to check my section and schedule. I noticed an email that was sent a while ago, so I clicked on it to view the contents.

"STEM - A - ANGUS" would be my assigned section.

Afterwards, I logged out and accessed my organization email account.

Returning to the organization page, I scrolled through to see some tasks.

Twenty minutes passed, and I was still scrolling and reading through completed tasks.

(Ting ting ting)

"Hello, sir."

Before I could click on the notification, she appeared by my side.

"I'm done cleaning and doing the laundry. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

I glanced at my glass door, looking out at the pool area.

"It's already late at night and too cold to clean the pool area," I said, pausing for a moment. "You're done. Thank you."

She nodded and said, "I'll be on my way then," as she pushed her cleaning cart.

"Oh, I already hung the clothes in the laundry area," she mentioned, peering through the door.

"Alright."

I locked the door and returned to my spot.

I realized I had forgotten something.

I forgot to ask for her name.

I sighed.

I clicked on the notification.

MariaClara08@gmail.com sent you an email.

Maria, huh. I clicked on the email.

Good evening, Mr. Moriarty.

How are you? I haven't seen you participating on the page. You seem to have a lot on your plate and haven't been joining in.

Did you send someone to find out about my whereabouts?

Maria Clara

P.S.: Sorry for reaching out only now.

She clearly knows about it, huh. After all, we're close.

Our emails are attached to our profiles for certain purposes. For instance, if a client wants to communicate privately, they can send us a request message via email.

I suddenly remembered when it all began. I was a newbie, just two months into the organization when she sent me an email.

I composed my reply to her.

Good evening, Maria Clara.

I'm fine. I'm adjusting to my new environment.

Yes, I did send some men to find out your location.

It's alright, we're both busy now. Congratulations on completing your task. Keep up the good work. More tasks are coming your way, first ranker.

Moriarty

P.S.: I hope we get a group task and become partners.

I sent the email to her.

After that, I logged out and powered off the laptop. I leaned back on the sofa and closed my eyes, intending to take a short nap.

(Ring ring ring)

I fumbled through my pocket to retrieve my cellphone. I opened my eyes to see who was calling. I answered the call when I saw that it was Nanny.

[Hello, my child.] I missed this voice and my mom's voice. [Why didn't you call me yesterday? I forgot, damn it. You made me feel hurt.]

"I'm sorry, Nanny. I forgot," I apologized to her. "Please don't be upset."

I chuckled.

[You seem so happy and in a good mood, huh. Do you have a crush there?] She teased. [Looks like it's love at first sight for you.]

"Nope. Only you and Mom are my women, nanny."

[Really?] She laughed.

"Of course."

"Yeah, I didn't. I didn't have a crush on her."

[Maybe because you have a crush there, that's why you forgot to call.] She chuckled.

"Nanny, I just forgot. I promise I'll update you and Mommy."

[You're being serious again.]

"I'm not."

[Okay, fine. I won't tease you anymore. How are you there, my child?] She changed the topic.

"I'm good, Nanny. I'm free like a bird," I said with a hint of meaning.

[You're being naughty again.] She's starting to cry already.

"Don't cry. I'm not there to wipe those tears rolling down your cheeks."

[Wh-who's crying?] I chuckled, she's sobbing but still not admitting.

"How about you, Nanny? How are you?"

[I'm mi-missing you.]

"I miss you too, and Mommy as well. Go to sleep now. It's already late. You need to rest, Nanny."

[Oh, that was quick. Okay, you should go to sleep too.]

"Good night, I love you."

[Good night to you too, and I love you-- oh, wait, don't hang up yet.]

"What is it, nanny?"

[I visited your mom this morning.]

"How is she, nanny?"

["She's doing well, my child. But she's losing weight. You didn't call her either. You only called when you were on your way to Laguna."]

Damn.

["What about it, my child? Is there something you're not telling us o--" She left it hanging.]

"What?"

["Oh, so you're really growing up. You little devil."]

"I thought you said you wouldn't tease me, nanny."

["Oh, did I say that?"]

"Yup, just a while ago." I chuckled. "Alright, nanny, I'll hang up now. Good night, I love you."

["Alright. Good night and love you too. Bye."] I ended the call.

I went to my room, carrying my laptop and cellphone. I checked the calling card and saved the contact in my phonebook.

I'll send my answer tomorrow and call mom.

I lay down on my bed, allowing the darkness to consume me. Everything turned black.