Its been nine years. The novel's plot is beginning and the enrollment for the school of the aristocratic, Angel's High, is starting... and somehow Lorena found herself in the middle of a big crowd in the auditorium. She still hadn't quite processed her situation and how she got there, so she thought back to last week's events...
"Lorena, you're going to Angel's High."
Lorena coughed and almost choked on the water she just drank. She looked over at Zachary like he had grown a second head. Nowadays, she didn't really bother hiding her emotions from him. He can read her like an open book whether she liked it or not and to be honest, it was just plain demoralizing. Luckily, this was something exclusive to Zachary so she just let it slide.
"Bu-but I'm 22 years old! A functioning member of society! A woman, I dare say! I'm too old to be going to school boss!"
Zachary raised an eyebrow.
"Who said you were going as a student? Are the teachers there not functioning members of society and old as well?"
Lorena's mouth made an 'o' and she nodded in agreement, how could she not have thought of that? Throughout her nine years of working for Zachary, she discovered how ugly this supposed "beautiful" world this is. There are too many nobles with ugly deeds under their belts, not to mention disgusting preferences they have when it comes to females. Just thinking about it was enough to make her lose her appetite. The desire for justice that got her into being a lawyer had resurfaced and she vowed to do what she could to help. In the process of that, she had somehow earned the name white angel. She didn't know if the name came from her skin color or her hair, but that wasn't the most pressing matter at hand.
The main point was that throughout these nine years, with all of her hard work and studies, she finally became the left-hand man to Zachary. Her! Zachary's! Assistant! She calls him Boss now, and she didn't know if it's just in her head, but when she calls him that he seems to be in a better mood. She also thought it was kind of suspicious that none of the mafia members call him that anymore... but whenever she asks them about it, they make up an excuse to leave the conversation. So what could she do?
Another issue was that the old butler, Raymond, was really a slave worker! She shivered just remembering her "training" with him when she was learning martial arts. Besides martial arts, she learned knife throwing, reading, writing, history, bargaining, business, managing, accounting, mathematics, the art of reading people, among others. Zachary seemed to have a pinky dipped in every bowl when it came to business. Restaurants, bakeries, jewelers, hotels. You name it? Chances are he was a part of it in some way. If not? Well, get searching, because he was about to be a part of it.
Speaking of Zachary... he got hotter. Some say time isn't kind to you, but she can say with certainty that it doesn't apply to him. She thought she liked him before? She can say with certainty that she likes him now. Though, only as a subordinate! Any feelings beyond that were impossible!
Since she'll do anything for Zachary, this naturally includes going to the corrupted rich school and play.
"Are you sure, Boss? I think I could do more by your side, as usual. Who will do business deals on your behalf? Who will make sure you don't overwork yourself? Who will make sure you eat all three meals of the day?"
But not without some attempt at convincing him otherwise.
Amused, Zachary did his signature smirk. He looked so mature and handsome! Lorena had an inner fangirl moment and took a mental picture.
As expected of Boss! He's such a catch! I mean, who else would be better suited to be my boss?
Yet with this smirk, Lorena knew her attempts at negotiating were for naught. She failed. Now she was going to be sent to the hell hole. As a teacher, yes, but still! Hell was hell! Especially since she had to deal with teenagers. Zachary continued speaking.
"Well, I need you to investigate a few noble's sons and daughters. I'm planning on funding my own auction house, and I need to "regulate" the lessers. Since I can see you aren't entirely on board, I'll tell you this. There are certain... influential figures who are professionals in their realms of expertise. If you can find them and convince them to teach you, I can assure you that you would learn valuable information."
He hit her soft spot. He knew she loved nothing more than info. Though she knew how to fight, almost every fight she had was with words. Information and words went hand in hand and were the weapons she brought to a gunfight. Blackmail was a very useful tool and information was always the best currency. Everybody loves to have a little dirt on people. That's how you controlled them. That's all and well, but Lorena was the master at manipulating people. She made even the most dangerous words sound safe. Because of her eloquence with words, people in the underworld call her Verbis.
"Fine."
Lorena buried her face in her food, knowing full well that junk cafeteria food was the only thing waiting for her for a while.
"I thank you all, once more, for choosing Angel's High to study! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask one of our student council members or teachers! Thank you, and have a great day!"
Lorena snapped out of her reverie and went to grab her schedule. She had a whole year of school life ahead.
Oh fuck me.
She was already starting to get a headache.