The Devilish Assassin Meets The Angelic Detective

Another day had passed. Everything looked so normal and peaceful. No one knew that troubles would come in an unexpected manner on the following days. And today, another piece of bad news would arrive.

Elle was busy entertaining their customers when someone came to see her. It was James. She seemed surprised the moment she saw him.

The last time they talked was when she told him about his father's illness. James also offered her a hand and to collaborate with each other. He wanted her to come to his side and he promised her that he would protect her using Skull Gang power.

Elle hadn't given him her answer yet. James was waiting for her that day but she chose to return home and face Erick.

After that James became busy, planning and making moves against the Dark Knight Organization. He became occupied for the last few days.

He went to an out of town trip together with his trusted subordinates. He started to interject and sabotage one of the Dark Knight's dealings. And they succeeded to snatch their resources.

Today he just returned from his travels and he heard about Elle that she started working again at the Falcon Cafe. After hearing that, he headed straight to the Cafe just to see her and have a talk.

Elle and James met each other's gaze as they exchanged meaningful glances with one another. It was James who spoke up first.

"Can we talk?" he softly mumbled as he asked her.

Elle just nodded at him. Then she left what he was doing for the meantime and asked Lu to entertain the customer on her behalf. She guided James to the corner table as they sat down on the chair facing each other.

Elle could see the fatigue in his handsome face. He looked tired and exhausted.

"Coffee, juice, or tea?" Elle asked him as she offered him drinks.

"Coffee please," he replied to her as he gave her a gentle gaze.

Elle signaled Lu to prepare a coffee for James. After a few minutes, Lu brought the coffee to their table. Elle and James remained silent for a moment. 

She somehow knew the reason why James came to visit her today. She still owed him an answer. But she didn't know how to start the conversation with him.

James lowered his head and looked at the cup of coffee for a while before he spoke up.

"You came back to work. Does it mean that you also return to him?" His tone was plain but his eyes were cold.

"Yes, I did." Elle simply replied to him.

James raised his head to look into her eyes. Elle noticed the subtle darkened expression on his face.

James took a deep breath and said, "Did the both of you reconcile already?"

He already knew the answer but he still asked her. He felt a tinge of pain deep inside his heart. It looked like things did not turn out the way he wanted.

"Yes." Elle had conflicting emotions just facing James right now. 

"James, I truly appreciate your offer that day. But I am sorry I can't accept it." she gave him a faint smile. 

"You don't need to concern yourself about my personal life nor my safety. I can do it myself." Elle was being frank and open with him.

"Why can't you choose me over him? I can support you in every way. You don't need to worry about your crimes. We both have a connection to the underground world. I can be useful to you. Why don't you grab this opportunity and seek power?"

Elle could hear the sense of helplessness and desperation coming from him. She paused for a moment, staring at James. 

He looked different than before. He was no longer the arrogant and overbearing person she knew. His eyes seemed genuine.

Elle heaved a deep sigh. "This is not about power nor the benefits that I can get if ever I accept your offer. James, you don't understand me. I don't care about those things. What I want is to start a new and simple life together with the person I loved."

"I am tired of walking in this dark path. I just want to finish my last mission. Yes, I am a sinner but I also deserve a second chance. Meeting Erick, it gives me new hope. I want to redeem myself because of him and live a happy life." Elle was being honest with him.

James's eyes darkened. His tone became heavy as he continued, "I can also give you that."

"But you and Erick are different persons. I love him. I can only be happy with him."

James had no words at the moment. Hearing it straight from her mouth, he couldn't stop himself but feel hurt. He felt envious about Erick.

He smiled bitterly. He felt utterly defeated as of this moment. "Alright, I understand. But if ever you change your mind I'll still be here. You can come to me anytime. Don't hesitate to find me. I am also willing to give you help if ever you need it."

Elle just nodded at him as she gave him a grateful look. She was glad that James no longer considered her as an enemy. She felt a tinge of contentment with this kind of set-up between them.

Feeling dejected and heartbroken, James had no choice but to leave. Elle already made clear to him that she still chose to be with Erick. So he stood up to bid her goodbye.

As a courtesy, Elle followed him outside to send him off. When she was about to walk back inside the Cafe, James grabbed her elbow to stop her.

Elle turned to face him. He took a glance at her with a gentle gaze yet filled with complicated emotions. At that moment, he was reluctant to leave her.

His grip on her elbow tightened. He had the urge to confess his feelings for her. However, when he met her questioning gaze, his courage just faded in an instant.

The words were stuck in his throat. He was afraid to hear another rejection from her. This was the first time he felt vulnerable like this towards a girl. He couldn't let her go but he already knew that she couldn't reciprocate his feelings as of now.

Oblivious of what's going on in his mind right now, Elle was waiting for him to tell something. She just kept silent while looking at James intently.

After his long silence, finally, James found his voice to speak up. But instead of confessing, he told her a different thing. 

"Elle, take good care of yourself. I wish you happiness. I hope despite everything we can still be friends." 

James released her elbow after saying those words. There was a gleam of sadness in his hazel eyes but he smiled tenderly at her.

Elle returned his smile and just nodded at him as a response. 

Then they heard a voice from behind calling Elle.

"Lady Boss!"

Elle turned around to see Lu standing at the entrance. He looked like he had something important to tell her. She took a glance at James one last time before she walked back inside the Cafe.

"I like you, Elle. I think I've already fallen for you." James mumbled as he looked at her walking away from him. He felt the heaviness in his heart as he left the Cafe.

Meanwhile, upon entering the Cafe, Lu gently pulled her towards the kitchen. She could feel the urgency in his action.

Elle looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong? What happened to your eyes? Did you cry?"

Lu's eyes were red and he had a grim and dark expression on his face.

"L-Lady Boss." Lu was having difficulty to talk as he was suppressing himself not to cry in front of her.

Elle started to have a bad feeling about this.

"Tell me quickly. Is there a problem?" she tried her best to sound calm but there was a hint of impatience in her tone.

"The rescue mission failed," Lu said in a low voice as he looked down.

Elle's eyes widened after hearing that. Her heart started to beat rapidly on her chest. She knew he was referring to the rescue mission involving Master Phantom.

"What happened? Is Master Phantom alright?" Elle couldn't hide the deep concern and worry in her voice.

"I think Master Phantom is alright… but we lose one of our comrades."

Elle felt relieved hearing that Phantom was alright but she felt saddened for that piece of bad news. That's explained why Lu seemed like he just cried.

"L-Lady Boss… b-brother Xu… he's gone."

She had no idea what happened. She knew that this was a huge blow to them, especially to her Master Phantom. Elle clenched her fists. Losing a comrade was like losing a family member for them.

"In our line of job, losing our life in the process is inevitable. Every mission that we do, we are always putting our lives in danger. It is okay to feel sad but after that, we must rise again for our fallen brother. Lu… be strong. We will not let his sacrifice be put in vain."

There was darkness in her eyes after saying that. She was consoling him but at the same time, she was thinking of avenging his death.

She didn't have a close tie with them but they were important people who belonged to Phantom and he cared for them too. That's why she also felt the rage and fury in her heart as of this moment.