Ten Million Dollars Mission

c.72- Caleb Rowane

L's eyes sparkled under dim light.

The art portrayed a prince crying over the sight of war. Maybe because the prince had responsibility to lead the army, he did not bawl out. It was just a few tears streaming down on his cheek with a soulless expression. One glance and people could feel sorrowful over the art.

This kind of masterpiece put a smile on L's face. At last, she found him. General Row, the author loved historical period. His books were about the complicated royal affairs with a bit of romance within. Since, L knew the full name, she instantly came to one conclusion.

Linking the points, the only possible impression was that the artist behind this art was Caleb Rowane, for sure! "Now, shall we meet him?" Wearing a smile, L approached the central center. "Excuse me?" "Yes, how may I help you, Miss?" A woman returned a smile.

"It may sound random and weird"

L beamed. "I will try my best to help you, Miss" Not knowing she was welcoming the trouble in, the woman replied. "To be honest, I am a huge fan of the artist Caleb. I have been wondering if I could meet him by any chance. Can you help me with that, please?"

L batted her eyelashes. In order to get what she wanted, she used her teary gaze. Making the woman gulp. "We would have been able to help if it was other artist. But Mister Caleb does not accept any meet up, Miss. I am sorry to inform that it is impossible for us to help"

The woman apologized. It drained L's energy. So mysterious and shit, huh? Seemed like she had no choice. "Really?" L sighed. "We are sorry, Miss" "Well, what can I do? I will just support him in silence. I actually have a cancer. His arts encouraged me to live on without care"

The woman blinked in disbelief. "It's been my dream to meet him. But I guess I can't due to the circumstances" L sighed. She had deceived the woman successfully. By making up an absolute nonsense, she fooled everyone. The woman, now, felt bad for rejecting her.

"Um, how about this?"

L's eyes glinted in curiosity. "He is actually here to deliver his arts. He is in the guest room. If you take right turn after passing through gate 4, you will meet the room. Maybe, you can fulfill your wish in that way. But please don't tell him that I informed you" The woman pleaded.

It was when L grinned in bliss. "I promise I won't. Thank you so much for your help. I don't know how to repay you" Pouting, she thanked the woman. "It's okay" "Thank you!" And so, L rushed to the room the woman directed. On the way, phone ringtone ripped apart the silence.

Irritating her. "Please don't be the annoying bald eagle" L peered down into her purse to mute the phone first. However, before she managed to answer the call, her forehead bumped into a hard wall, or so she thought. "Ugh!" The pain struck L, causing her to groan out loud.

"Can't you see a whole person?! How could you bump into someone recklessly?! This is a restricted area! Who are you even?!" Being yelled, L's brows wrinkled. She collected her energy to yell back at the person, but her body froze when she met the unexpected person.

There were two men.

The one who yelled at L was not even the one she bumped into. The real man who got bumped remained silent the whole time. And the catch was the man she bumped into turned out to be Caleb whom she had been stalking. "Are you okay, Miss?" His gentle tone permeated.

"Caleb, stop being a softie. She is the one in wrong here! She should have avoided you!" The man in the back raised his tone to express his frustration. Making L grit her teeth. What a shitty personality. Would it kill him to politely ask her who she was and why she was here?

"You are scaring her, Finn" Caleb threw a frown at his friend as Finn rolled his eyes. "It is okay. Ignore him. Are you lost by any chance?" Sweet like candy, soft like feather, Caleb flashed a smile. And L knew she got a fine man for this mission. "I am not lost. I was looking for you"

L returned a beam. Her words perplexed Caleb. "Who are you?! How did you even find this way?!" Suddenly, Finn stepped forward with his finger pressing on L's chest. It panicked Caleb wholly. "Hey, hey, chill out. She is not a criminal" He tried to pull his friend back.

"I am sorry, Miss. He is-"

"Sexual assault, harassment by words. Do you want me to charge you with those, Sir?" Wearing a smile of an angel, L asked Finn. Causing him to clench his jaw. "The fuck did you just say?!" Even Caleb was stunned over the response. "You heard me clearly, didn't you?"

L batted her eyelashes. "You!" "Stop, that's enough, Finn. Miss, why don't we go somewhere else to talk?" When he realized a fight might break out between the two, Caleb dragged L outside. "Sorry, my friend is short-tempered" Firstly, he apologized. "Oh, it's fine"

L promptly waved her hand. "I don't even have him in my head. I am here for you" She pointed at the man which quieted him down. "Miss...?" He asked for the name. "Lilith, Lilith Arnold" L extended her hand. "Ah, Miss Lilith, do we have anything to talk?" Caleb shook hands.

Not certain of the situation he was in. "I am your fan, to be honest. General Row or artist Caleb, I love your works" The silence conquered. Caleb blinked with a small smile containing shock. "Um, did I say something wrong?" L disclosed her puzzlement. "Oh, no, no"

The man shook his head.

"Sorry. This is my first time meeting someone who knows both of my identities. It is quite a surprise for me" He let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, don't worry though. I haven't said anything to anyone. This is between me and you only" L sent a wink which made the man smile.

"Very well. I am Caleb Rowane. It is nice meeting you, Miss Lilith" Once again, he asked for handshake. He was extremely polite and well-behaved so that L wanted to spoil him so bad. "Can I get your signature?" L took her pen and small notebook out to play the fan role.

"Of course" Caleb did not refuse at all. He accepted the notebook and signed. "Can I work under you, Sir?" All of the sudden, the request came up from the woman. Surprising the man entirely so that his widened eyes lifted. "Pardon?" Confusion wandered.

"Don't get me wrong, Sir. It is just my doctor told me I have one month left only. So, I wanted to spend the rest of my time working by your side. Even if being your driver is the only option, I am fine with it. As long as I get to learn a lot from you, I am willing to cooperate"

Caleb fell into deep silence.

Thoughts ran back and forth as no reply came up. He stood there, confused. "Or is it impossible for you to approve?" Furrowing brows, L used her sparkly eyes. "Well, this is kinda random. And I am sorry to hear about your situation" Caleb returned the book.

"But I have no intention to have someone work under me. Why don't you spend your precious time on something more useful?" The man actually bought the lie. Although he did nothing wrong, he still felt bad. "But you deserve my precious time, Sir. I truly admire you"

L grinned. And the man's eyes slightly widened. She admired him? Caleb sighed. "To be straightforward, this is happening a bit quickly for me. We don't know each other so well yet. The only thing I know about you is your name and your situation" He tried to soothe out.

Making things not awkward for her. "We can get to know each other in the future" L never knew defeat. She tried her best till the end. Now, the man was cornered "What about your parents or guardians? Don't you have any goals in life? I will help you achieve it if you have one"

Caleb tried his best.

"My goal is to learn from you before death" With a smile so innocent, L disclosed which filled the man's heart with guilt. It was his first time meeting her. He had no clue whether she was saying the truth or not but he felt as though he should not reject someone. "I'll think about it"

L's eyes sparkled with delight. "Thank you! Here is my phone number card. You can contact me when you have decided. I will be waiting for good news" She handed the card. "Oh, okay. Return safely" Caleb, born with a gentle behavior, accepted the card beneath a smile.

"See you, Sir"

And so, L promptly rushed back to her car.