May 22, 2010

*knock, knock*

"Son, wake up, your co-worker is here."

Early in the morning, my mom knocked on my door, calling me. Coincidentally, I similarly knocked the door away in the video game I was playing. I was up all night playing the newly released Battlefield. (Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is released on March 2, 2010)

"What co-worker? Why is your co-worker looking for me, mom?" I replied somewhat absentmindedly.

"I said 'your' co-worker, not mine! She said her name is Lynn, she's waiting downstairs."

Lynn? Ah, shit. I totally forgot that I'm employed now as her assistant and we're going to Monaco today. I mean, it's Saturday, good grief.

I lazily got up, brushed my teeth and took a quick bath. Downstairs, I found Lynn seated on a sofa, facing mom as they chatted to some tea. I don't know what they're talking about though, so I minded my own business and silently ate the breakfast.

After I finished eating, I couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"I promise to take care of your son no matter what," Lynn said somewhat resolutely.

"As I said, don't say misleading things. Look, the readers aren't amused."

"What are you talking about? It's only normal for their seniors to take care of their juniors, isn't it, Mom?"

Who are you calling mom? And when did the two of you get so close in the short period of time that you met?!

"Yes, that's right. I'll leave my son to you~" Mom chuckled lightly.

"You can count on me!"

"Oi, you. Meet me outside." I vowed to instill some shame into this girl's head. With a beating, of course.

"More importantly, what are doing? Why are you bringing all of the things in your house with you? We're only going there for 3 days tops!" I said while pointing at the three huge pieces of luggage at her side. They were almost at the height of my waist with each of them bulging.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Lynn replied while tilting her head. "Oh, you mean these? Naturally, I came prepared. I brought a week's change of clothes with me in case something happens. I also brought my newly purchased swimsuits with me. There's also towels, bathrobe, blankets, pillows, sunscreen, and even Sheila and Maya."

"We're not going on a vacation! And don't casually stuff dead bodies in there! Good grief..."

"What are you saying? Sheila and Maya are my pet dogs. I can't leave them unattended while I'm away for a few days, can I? Besides, it's okay." Lynn revealed a crafty smile. "If we can just pass the baggage check, they won't notice any abnormality."

'No, because you're the abnormality here.' I cursed in my mind.

"Anyways," While pointing at her luggage, I coldly declared. "Leave those two and your dogs."

"No way?!" Lynn's eyes widened in surprise.

"Leave it or we won't leave."

"Kuk...!"

"Bring only spare clothes enough for 3 days. The dogs can stay here. Mom will take care of them."

Lynn gritted her teeth. Crouching down, she opened one luggage and took out the dogs in the cage. This girl... Who puts dogs inside their bags just to sneak it to the airport? Even I who just woke up from coma know that airports have a strict policy of allowing animals to travel. Besides, you can't get past the thermal inspection even if you put ice inside that bag.

"Uuu... Alright... fine." With teary eyes, she apologized to her dogs and promised to take them on the next trip.

"Please take care of them, Mom." She said to MY mom.

"You can rest assured. I'm already taking care of 1 dog, so 2 more is not a problem. Have a safe trip, okay?"

In the end, she was forced to take just one luggage. She stuffed her clothes and swimsuits until it burst out, so I had to limit it again. We then flagged a taxi to the airport.

"By the way, what did you bring? You can't possibly fit all your clothes inside that small backpack, right?" Lynn curiously asked.

"I can." I curtly replied.

"See, you can-- huh? What?"

Naturally, I used a variety of [Space magic], tier 5 [Storage]. But I can't possibly say that out loud, so I just changed the topic immediately.

"More importantly, what's your plan? You can't just barge in hoping for an interview, you know?"

To my question, Lynn instantly grinned and took out something from her handbag.

"Fufufu. I already processed all the things we're going to need; from airplane tickets to Grand Prix tickets, and even two rooms in a hotel! Preparation is the key to success! Aren't I great?" She puffed her chest out irritatingly as she boasted the tickets.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I replied, uninterested.

"Now, let's go to Monaco!"

"Don't shout, this is not a shounen manga. Good grief."

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Monaco is best known for its tax-free casinos. It has always been a trip destination for rich tycoons that love gambling. It is even safe to say that tourism became the number one source of income of the country because of the casinos. Although, the weird thing is, locals of Monaco are not allowed to gamble. Must be awful to live in a country of gambling that forbids you to gamble.

There are no airports in Monaco. That is why; our plane would land on Cote d'Azur Airport in Nice, France, which is just a 30-minute ride to Monaco's capital.

Our 9-hour flight passed by quietly, and it is already early evening when our plane arrived in France. Furthermore, we traveled again for 30 minutes just to get to our hotel in Monte-Carlo. Imagine how fatigued a normal human would be after that traveling.

"Ugh. So tired. Wanna rest."

See? Even the ultra-energetic Lynn instantly slumped down to bed after arriving in the hotel. Hotel de Paris. Apparently, this is where Stark will be tomorrow before the Grand Prix. However...

"You said two rooms. Why are we in a room with two beds then? Where's the other room?"

"Geez, don't mind the small details. As long as... there's a place to sleep... it's fine..." She continued dawdling on the bed until she fell asleep, even forgetting to remove her shoes and change clothes.

"Good grief."

I went to the other bed and similarly prepared to sleep.

I closed my eyes, waiting till sleep takes me in.

But it never came.

Ever since I came back here, I never experienced sleep even once.

I sighed.

"Good grief indeed..."