Bry’s father’s initial reluctance dissolved, understanding that Hera was seeking a favor for her friend, which conveniently benefited them as well. With a nod, he affirmed, "Then, we’ll cover your friend’s rent for the duration of our stay." He added, cementing their agreement.
Anticipating his response, Hera came prepared with a solution. "Actually, Uncle, she’s willing to hire you as temporary caretakers for a while. Instead of paying rent, she proposed that she wouldn’tpensate you with a sry for cleaning and maintaining her ce. This way, you can stay in her apartment without any financial burden. Additionally, she mentioned her superstition about unupied houses attracting lost souls. That’s why she’s keen to have caretakers present, especially since her original caretaker is unavable."
Hera adopted a yful pout, resembling a cute child, before continuing, "Uncle, my friend is a bit of a scaredy-cat and hates her house being empty, even for a day. Could you do this for me? I’ve already assured her that I have reliable people who can take care of everything for her..." Her voice trailed off slightly as she awaited Bry’s father’s response.
She meticulouslyid out every detail, even carefully orchestrating the scenario and briefing Cindy on what to do to enhance its credibility. Besides, Hera knew that even if she revealed that the property belonged to her and offered it to them, along with asking for rent, Bry’s father would undoubtedly decline. He was the type to avoid inconveniencing Hera and would never entertain the thought of taking advantage of her kindness.
Hera understood the rural mindset well—people from the countryside valued self-reliance and were wary of burdening others. If everything was simply handed to them, they would feel ufortable epting the favor, unless they were confident they could repay it somehow. They wouldn’t hesitate to work tirelessly, even as a maid, just to settle the debt. Above all, they were fiercely independent and stubborn, unwilling to be indebted to anyone for long.
Hera felt a strong desire to reciprocate their hospitality, especially given her fondness for Bry and the bond she had forged with their family. To her, they were more than just acquaintances—they were like family friends. As she saw it, the city was her domain, and she felt a responsibility to look after them during their stay.
Moreover, Hera reasoned that the situation made sense, considering the property was currently vacant. Having someone upy the space to prevent any sense of abandonment seemed like a sensible arrangement. With her conscience clear, Hera wore a genuine smile, showing no signs of deceit as she looked expectantly at Bry’s father. Witnessing Hera’s sincerity softened Bry’s father’s heart, prompting him to nod in agreement without hesitation.
Upon securing Bry’s father’s agreement, Hera provided Cindy’s phone number. "Uncle, this is the number of her neighbor. The caretaker left the keys with her before she left, so you can retrieve them from this person after seeing Xavier and Zen off to their destinations." Hera’s exnation was delivered with sweetness and a touch of excitement.
Bry’s father shook his head in resignation, but his gaze towards Hera was one of fondness, akin to how he would look at his own mischievous daughter. After expressing a few more words of concern to Hera, much like a caring mother, he departed with his son and younger brother. Hera could only apany her guests to the elevator, as they insisted she stay put since darkness had begun to fall, and she deserved a well-earned rest after the long day they had.
Hera refrained from pressing further and simply saw them off as they boarded the elevator. Yet, as she watched them depart, a nagging feeling lingered, hinting that something was off. Try as she might, she couldn’t quite grasp the elusive thought, and eventually, she relinquished her attempt to make sense of it. With her mind feeling like a tangled mess, she decided to let go of the puzzling notion and allow herself to unwind.
After lingering by the elevator for a few more moments once it descended, Hera retraced her steps back to her penthouse. Weary from the day’s events, she decided to indulge in a hot bath before retiring for the night. Feeling exhausted, she opted to keep the bedroom dimly lit, with only a single bedside tablemp providing a gentle glow. She left the curtains open, knowing they would automatically close before dawn, ensuring an undisturbed night’s sleep. This way, Hera could gaze at the stars from her window while finding sce in the tranquility of the night.
Heading straight to the bathroom, Hera wasted no time in drawing a warm bath,plete with a luxurious rose petal bath bomb. Immersing herself in the soothing water, she aimed to ease the weariness from her body, ensuring a restful night’s sleep ahead. Emerging from her bath after half an hour, Hera then lit a calmingvender-scented candle. This aromatic touch was her secret weapon to ward off any potential interruptions to her sleep, such as lingering body aches or restlessness.