[Three days later– Night]
Darren could not help but suppress a smile as he stepped out of the Inn, bidding a goodbye to Dan who was still awake.
It was his turn to keep watch for the night portion of the day. Gus kept watch for the whole day and Leo kept watch for the whole night yesterday.
That was the rotation they decided on when Charlie instructed them to stake out the Explorer's house and report anything they found to Bulat.
Yesterday Charlie and Big Mike met up with the old man and discussed something with him, no doubt on behalf of Bulat. Not only that but he, Gus, and Leon had been instructed to keep on the Explorer and his home.
Darren had no idea what it was but he knew it probably had something to do with the Explorer. He wouldn't have cared, however, simply knowing that presented an opportunity for him.
The information that there was an Explorer near that slum wouldn't be useful anymore, since a few people probably already know and realistically, it wouldn't have amounted to much even if he had sold it to some other crime boss to get protection.
Not only that but, trading Bulat for another one of his kind was not really changing much of anything.
So the only other person who could protect him from Bulat, would be the Explorer, hence why Charlie and Big Mike visiting Dan was an opportunity as it gave him information he could use to get the Explorer's protection.
'It's not a lot of information, heck it barely qualifies but..'
But it was worth something at least. So knowing that it was his turn to surveil Arthur's home, Darren took the opportunity to do more than just watch.
The unfortunate thing however was the fact that the pawn shop he sold the necklace to had already sold it, meaning the only thing Darren had to show for was flimsy information, which he didn't even have much evidence for.
"Last time he didn't recognize me, hopefully he'll only remember me as one of Bulat's men and not the thief that stole from his home."
Darren hoped in his heart for that one single thing. If he were to escape the slums completely he needed Arthur to remain ignorant.
He hurriedly strolled through the slums making his way to the same house he had robbed barely a week ago.
As he walked, he racked his brain for any information on Bulat that could be useful enough, so he wouldn't just be relying on the information he had now.
"Bulat is planning something against you"
It isn't exactly information worth knowing, as it is easy to guess that Bulat would be making plans to get rid of the person who opposes him.
He briskly walked through the streets of the slums, he walked past various individuals, some of them being dirty homeless men using the alleys as their bedroom, using old smelly rugs and cardboard as blankets.
Others are drugged-out junkies standing there either experiencing a high or waiting for their fix to arrive so they can experience a high.
Each alley he passed by had someone doing something, and every now and then, there would be a waft of the horrid smell of piss and shit carried by the wind into his nose.
He had gotten used to many things in the slums, all its smells and activities; however, for some odd reason today he just couldn't ignore the smell.
He couldn't tell if that was a sign telling him that this was his last night in such a filth-ridden pig sty, he didn't understand how Bulat built a whole house in this place instead of just buying one in Central.
Eventually, Darren made it out of the slums and stepped onto the edge of the capital, with just a few minutes of walking he made it to the yard of the familiar house.
The lights were still on, a clear sign that its residents were awake. With a deep sigh, he leapt over the gate and made his way to the door.
He never really managed to think of any good information to use as a bargaining tool; however, he figured begging and pleading should work fine, provided they aren't heartless.
"Hmph!"
A snort escaped through his nose, he hadn't used the tactic of begging and pleading since he was a kid.
Being a kid in the slums often made you rely on the fact that you are a kid to even get a single scrap of food.
It used to work especially well on women, hopefully, it works just as well here.
With a slight adjustment of his posture, he knocked.
...…
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Arthur and Esme had just finished having dessert, which was a cake bought from Cathy's bakery. Both had a single slice before they finished and Esme had to wash the dishes.
"Arthur Stop!"
She screamed, hands still deep in the sink, her head focused on her husband who was cutting himself another "small" slice of chocolate cake.
"What? It's just a small piece, I'll leave some for you"
"What are we going to eat tomorrow then?"
"We'll just buy another one"
He waved her off and proceeded to cut the cake.
"You've been having a "piece" all day. You can't eat a whole cake in one day!"
She quickly wiped the water off her clothes and moved to stop him. They had visited Cathy's bakery as promised and got themselves a rather delicious chocolate cake and throughout the day, Arthur had been devouring it like there was no tomorrow.
"I can eat a whole cake in one day"
He affirmed while immediately dodging Esme's attempts to stop him and raising the cake above himself.
Seeing him hold it over his head made her crack a small smile, it was a bit amusing to see him act like a child.
"Heh! Are you a child?"
With a small chuckle, she asked him, honestly it was curious, if Cathy had never brought a cake would he have been acting this way?
"In a way, you could say I need this to satisfy my inner child, so yes to your question"
He gave her a small smile in return as he spoke, showing that he was also a bit amused by the whole thing.
"I was planning to use it for lunch tomorrow, we'll have it with some tea, like last time"
With a huff, he relented, realising it was a bit too childish of him to be acting like this. As stated being an explorer did not allow you to enjoy luxury things like cake anytime you want.
"What is with you and cake? It's not going to run away or go anywhere"
He gave her a shrug and handed the cake over to her. She was correct that it was not going to go anywhere.
Taking the cake off his hands, she turned and put it away before returning to doing the dishes.
Arthur couldn't help but get another good view of her nice and plump behind. Although the long skirt she was wearing hid most of it, which was a shame.
"In any case, I've been thinking about…"
Esme cut herself off with a pause, wondering why he had suddenly gone quiet. She was about to turn and look at him however before she could do so she felt arms snake around her waist.
Her eyes bulged open and her body jerked back pushing Arthur away and forcing him to immediately let go of her and hold his hands up.
"Oh! Sorry, did I scare you?"
She turned and heaved a sigh, what he did was something she didn't expect from him.
"A little bit, I thought you had left the kitchen, I'm sorry"
Being touched like that in general was not the norm for her so it was understandable how she reacted, not only that but the only other person who sneaked behind her like that was her oldest brother, he loved striking the back of her head for some reason.
"No, I'm sorry, got a little carried away there"
He decided to apologise, He felt a bit turned on and simply acted, however their relationship hadn't gotten there for the time being.
They had sex sure but according to her that was more of a necessary custom than anything else, so she had yet to get comfortable with him, at least not completely.
They've only spent a week together so it was understandable.
"No, as your wife, I should be receptive to your touch, reacting like that is–"
"Esme it's fine, Ah–"
He cut her off, only for him to also be cut off before he could finish his sentence. A knock came from the door, it was gentle, almost hesitant, like the person knocking did not actually want to.
"At this hour?"
It was a bit odd, they didn't have people who would be friendly enough to knock on their door at this time of night.
"Who could it be?"
"I'll check it out, keep doing what you're doing"
Arthur volunteered, and quickly made his way out of the kitchen and into the living room. He briefly considered getting a weapon but discarded the thought, there wasn't anyone here with enough power to overpower him.
Right as he reached the door, the person knocked again. Arthur easily opened the door without even asking who it was.
"Good evening sir, I'm pleased to meet you"
Darren extended a hand for a handshake, he had a small disarming smile on his face, and had his posture straight as he could manage.
Arthur simply looked at the hand and looked at Darren with a curious look.
He extended his own arm almost as if to give him a handshake but he instead pushed Darren back and closed the door behind him.
"What are you playing at?"
Giving the lad a threatening look Arthur asked. It was awfully bold if not disrespectful for him to show up like this at this hour no less.
Darren was quick to assume an apologetic bow and immediately spoke with as much sincerity as he could muster
"Sorry sir, I have news on what Bulat is planning and wanted to let you know. I promise I didn't come here with any ulterior motives"
Arthur looked at the lad with an expression that told him he was not impressed, but he was curious about what Bulat might be planning.
Not only that but he could still sense that people were watching, which was a bit odd, after all if Bulat sent one of his men as a trick wouldn't it make more sense to pull back on the surveillance?
Or perhaps he's reading the situation wrong? He decided to let Esme know, hoping she would give a better perspective, or rather he did not want to be hasty in his actions.
"Hold on"
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