The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

260 Last Meeting Before the Attack

Hearing Levi’s words, Emma responded with a chuckle. “Maybe when I’m old, I’ll be like that too if I feel lonely. As I said, people shouldn’t spend their old age feeling lonely.”

“Thanks for putting my mom in a better mood, Emma. I so much appreciate it,” Levi said. Then, he looked into Emma’s lap, “Is there anything of yours left in my house?”

“There isn’t any,”

“Fine. Let’s go now. Maybe I’ll hurry a little, since it’s getting late,” Levi said.

“There’s no need to rush. I’ve already had dinner at your house, so it’s fine if I get to my house a little late.” Emma answered. Then she remembered something, “Oh, come to think of it, Lukas came home later than the last time I came to your house, doesn’t he?”

Levi nodded, “Because I have to take Pixy to the Vet, my job is taken over by him.”

“Oh, looks like your work really piled up,” Emma said.

“Approximately So. Did my mother say something unnecessary to you?” He asked carefully.

“Huh?” Emma said. Her face looked thoughtful.

.....

Levi could see from Emma’s face that his mother must have said a lot of unnecessary words to her. He knew that his mother really liked the girl sitting next to him.

His mother even openly always asked him when he would have a relationship with Emma. However, it wasn’t something he could do, and his mother was too old and innocent to understand how complicated the situation he was in.

“My mother’s words; you don’t have to take them seriously,” Levi said, making Emma turn to look at him.

The man smiled faintly. “I know my mother very well. Even before being old and somewhat senile like now, she did have a rather pushy nature. She also likes to exaggerate things when she talks. Without realizing it, she can burden someone with her stories. So, you don’t have to take what she said too seriously.”

“Whether I feel burdened or not, it is my choice. I can choose which I should pay attention to or ignore. You don’t have to worry,” Emma smiled at him. “Thanks for thinking about my feelings.”

“You are indeed an independent woman.”

“If you think so, that means I’ve succeeded,” Emma said with a big smile.

“Success in what?” Levi asked.

“My main goal. All the things I did, that even got me here. I’m trying to be independent.” Emma answered.

“I’m pleased to hear that.” Levi smiled sincerely.

But Emma instead looked at him with a suspicious look. It was realized by Levi who could see the girl out of the corner of his eye.

“What?” He asked in confusion.

“I don’t know if it’s just my feelings or what. But you look like you want to say something but restrain it,” Emma said.

“Oh, it seems your feelings are right,” Levi said flatly.

“What is it?”

“Well.. It’s about the thing when we were talking with my mother. Actually, you didn’t need to say that to my mother. I mean, I know you want to make her happy, but I honestly don’t like it when you have to lie to her.” Levi explained uneasily.

“Huh? Lying about what? I didn’t feel like I was lying to her. What are you talking about?” Emma asked, trying to remember what she said at Levi’s home.

“You said we were going to see a movie. Even without saying that, my mother would still be happy just to meet and have a talk with you tonight.”

“Oh..” Emma finally understood what Levi was talking about. Then she looked at the man meaningfully. “Don’t you want to take me to see a movie? Is it cancelled?”

Levi’s brow furrowed. “I-I thought, you didn’t like it. So, I cancelled it. I won’t force anything on you.”

Emma smiled faintly. “Now that I think about it, It’s kind of fun too. I haven’t seen a movie in the cinema in a very long time. I like horror movies,”

Levi was silent for a moment. He seemed to be deep in thought. Then, he cleared his throat uncomfortably. “You.. There’s no need to push yourself, Emma. Could it be that you feel sorry for me?”

Levi’s question took Emma by surprise. How could he possibly read her mind?

In fact, Emma did feel sorry for Levi. She thought, how would it feel to be in that man’s position? It must be so hard when you’re surrounded by problems and didn’t have the chance to have a little fun to keep your soul healthy.

Even before Nancy said Levi was having a hard time, Emma had had some empathy for him since they were both locked together in the beach barn.

When Emma remembered what Kathy had said to her, she felt that she should give Levi a chance. It was not a chance to get closer to her, but a chance to feel happiness, because she knew that Levi had feelings for her.

Overall, they had agreed that there would be no special relationship between the two of them. And in the end, they would only be friends.

At one point, it made Emma feel safe because her subconscious would keep telling her never to take every moment they had together seriously. She also would not feel guilty towards Levi because it was he himself who made this agreement.

Levi chuckled. “I’m right,”

The man’s words brought Emma out of her thoughts.

“Levi, I...”

“It’s okay, Emma. You don’t have to feel sorry for me.” Levi cut her. A smile was still visible on his slightly red lips. “From the start, I was the one who kept begging you. So, it’s only natural that you feel sorry for me.”

Then he continued, “I accept your pity. You can feel sorry for me if it keeps you by my side.”

**

Sunlight shone through the stained glass windows. It made the colourful light reflect on the wooden floor. It was a stunning view, just like a pair of light brown eyes pensively staring at it.

Finally, after the Black Swan’s finances had stabilized and improved, one of the large windows on the third floor overlooking the sunrise was changed with stained glass.

It was an idea that Emma came up with when the building was still under renovation. The stained glass gave a painting of glass pieces that form a group of swans making the building became even more charming.

Emma had not forgotten why she came up with the idea of ??installing stained glass in the building. She would always remember it. Every time she saw the stained glass, Emma would think of Levi thanks to what happened at the beach barn.

‘You can feel sorry for me if it keeps you by my side.’

‘Is Levi that depressed to say that?’ Emma thought.

From the start, Levi always made Emma confused – made her think. How could a person have such an annoying nature, yet on the other hand, he could be so warm? Maybe Levi accidentally played with other people’s feelings because of his bipolar illness.

Mental illness was indeed terrible. There was no tool that could detect it. It was a disease that did not cause visible pain. The symptoms that arise were also not like physical illness. It attacked a human’s way of thinking and behaviour.

It felt like the person was gone, even though his body was still intact and alive before our eyes. He would be a different person than we knew. And it was not something funny or weird. They needed help, but still many people took it for granted and laughed at it.

“Emma,”

The girl snapped out of her daydream. “Y-yes?”

Kathy chuckled. “Did I surprise you?”

“I was daydreaming. Of course, I was surprised.” Emma replied, also with a little laugh. “Is there something?”

Kathy nodded. “Frank has found the Beast Empire’s main headquarters. It is a mansion located in a warehouse area near Chingsu District.”

“Near Chingsu District? That’s a bit surprising,” Emma’s eyebrows shot up as she accepted a map from Kathy.

“Apparently, the Creeper was also not aware that the base was near their territory. Beast Empire has been hiding it well. After checking it, it turns out that the base is also Derric Hubbert and Juan Xavier stay house,” Kathy explained.

“We predict that the base doesn’t hold too many men. Most of the Beast Empire’s men are in the main human warehouse. The building is only a palace for the higher-ups of the Beast Empire. They enjoy their money in there.” The green-eyed girl continued.

“Then, we’ll just have to worry about the main warehouse,” Emma muttered with a nod of understanding.

“I think so too. However, Ian said, we still have to find out how powerful Derric and Juan are. Why are they so confident, leaving the base where they live with only minimal protection?” Kathy said.

“Well.. Ian has a point,” Emma mumbled to herself, then looked back at Kathy, “Can you find any traces of those two on the internet?”

Kathy shook her head. “They don’t play games and they don’t use social media. I’ve even looked for bank accounts under their names, but to no avail. Chances are, they’re using data that doesn’t belong to them.”

“The business they are doing is a serious crime. That must be the reason they are so strict about hiding their identities. They are very careful,” Emma said.

“Even so, I did find some social media belonging to Beast Empire’s men. However, it’s only the subordinates who stand on the lowest level. It seems Derric forbids all his core members from roaming the internet world.” Kathy said.

Emma nodded. “Thanks for the help, Kathy. Let’s have a meeting tonight. Looks like an attack is on the way,”

**

Emma, ??Rachel, and Kathy entered a door. Behind the door was a room with seven men inside.

The three girls sat on the sofa facing a table surrounded by other sofas and chairs.

“The attack will take place tomorrow night. We’ll start moving at nine.” Emma said.