𝐘𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐡! - 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡

10. Unpleasant News

'Normally I don't walk away from a duel, but I have urgent things to do. I'll see you in the final on Saturday.' Neith shows her complete heart container.

'Don't walk away from me! At least tell me your name!' 

She turns back for a moment. 'It's Neith. What is your name?'

'Quattro,' he yells because she walks away from him. 'I'll be waiting for you!'He does consider to try it differently. 'Wait!' He goes after her without knowing why.

Finally out of sight, Neith notices something above her. To see that Nebula is back. 'Did you find anything?' 

The robot hooks on Neith's back. 'There is something else first. Your father is not at the office and someone called because of a meeting.' 

'His office first then.' Wondering what it will be this time, Neith flies to the building. 'Anything on Quattro or Trey?' 

'No miss, I can't find anything. Not even a birth certificate,' explains Nebula. 'Based on that, I think that those names aren't their real names.'

***

At the building, Neith lands on her feet. 'Keep searching for other Number cards, and for anything related to my mother. After this, I'm going for lunch.'

Nebula keeps her wings out. 'I will, miss.'

Neith goes inside and straight for the elevator. What takes her to the top floor.

'They are waiting for you, miss.' Kiki responds, pointing at the conference room.

Neith recognizes the secretary and walks into the conference room. 'Alright, gentlemen, ladies, why am I here?' To stay by the head of the table. 

'It's about Mason, your father,' starts a man. 'Not only is he drunk here in the office but he also misses appointments and meetings. We don't find him suitable to be the CEO. The reason you're here is that it is your name on the building too. Either Mason turns around or we fire him and find someone else to run this company.' 

Perplex Neith looks from one to another. The next moment, she has everything back under control. 'I understand.' She looks down at the agenda for the meeting, including the rapport from the previous meeting. 'Is that all or do you need me for this meeting?'

'We need you for a few things.' Someone else adds.

Neith takes a seat. 'Take five minutes and I have read this from the last meeting.'

Immediately some men get up from their seats.

Someone waits till the others left the room. 'What Mr. Himura neglects to say, is that this with your father is going on for the last few months. We might vote to fire him.'

'From his own company? Without him, none of you had a job. I'll catch up and we do the meeting. I'll see what I can do with my father.'

The man nods. 'You do that. Otherwise, the board takes over.'

Neith understands and starts to read the rapport. 

Somewhere else...

Walking to the dungeons, he makes sure that his face is covered by his hood. Especially since he's close to the cell. Down the hall and around a corner, he arrives. Through an opening, he slides some food and drinks into the cell. 

The woman, who sat in a corner first, now comes closer and starts to eat immediately. After swallowing a bite, she looks up to her capture. 'Do you want to keep me alive or do you want to kill me? This is not enough.'

'Silent, woman,' he spits out at her. 'This is all I can do for you. It's this or nothing.'

She makes herself even smaller. 'You're telling me that you can only give me this once per day? I will starve to death.' 

Without saying a word, he takes the food away.

'No, I don't mean any disrespect. I... I mean I have lost weight already in the last few days. Please, I don't want to die.' She begs him with tears in her eyes. Even her stomach is making noises. 

He shoves the food back inside. 'I need you alive but don't test me again.'

'I'm not testing you. I'm not, honestly. It is a question. Why is there no toilet here?' She sure doesn't like the smell. It's like torture. At the same time, she wishes she could take a shower and put some clean clothes on. 

He can't smell a thing. 'Basic things only, I'll see what I can do.' Even seeing her like this, he can tell that this is not a place for a human. He leaves her and goes to a tower he has all to himself. Activating the crystals. Only to see the last duel from Neith and that she, in just five turns, wins the duel and gains a Number card. Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon. He wants the card himself. Rather today than tomorrow. Knowing what to do, he creates a portal to Neith. To see that she's back at her base from where she works the most. 'How is the hunt going?' 

'Just fine.' Neith turns around. 'Nebula, can you give me a moment alone.' 

The robot is to be seen for a second. 'Right away, miss.' 

For that, he does respect Neith. Professional, respectful, and one hell of a duelist. 

'We're alone.' Neith turns back. 'I have another Number card. That makes eleven in total.' 

'Good, when do you think you have the other Numbers?' He wants to know.

'I honestly don't know. Especially since I found out that I'm not the only one trying to find them. That might make things more...challenging.' Neith explains. 'There is a tournament held, the World Duel Carnival, that could make things more interesting but there might be a chance of me losing.'

He looks her straight in the eyes. 'Don't make me doubt my decision. I could ask someone else or take someone from your family. I know that you have a sister.' 

Neith straights her back and crosses her arms. 'Don't threaten me. Take her away from me and I will come for you. Nor will I get more Numbers.'

He stays quiet for a moment. 'Is that a threat?' 

'No, it's a promise. The deal is your help for my help. Threatening my family won't work.' Neith sure doesn't listen to threats. She never has. 'Well, that's the update from my side. How about you? Any lead or trace about my mother?'

'Nothing.' He keeps his answer short. 'I will check in another time.' He closes the portal. 

*** 

Just who is the hooded man? Keep reading and you'll soon find out.