Illaria Point of View

I plastered my ear to the closed door and tried my best to hear what is going on inside.

This is the first time I truly regret that the doors of my hotel rooms are absolute soundproof. I only thought it would give the guest good privacy if the doors are also soundproofed but who would know that I would regret my own selfless decision one day?

Nonetheless, I continued to dig a hole into the door with my ear and just listen to the great thing going on, on the other side.

Asmund, who is beside me tried to listen as well but after a minute and several trials, he came to a realization that he cannot hear anything so he just casually gave up.

"Ms. Allard, even if you pull out your eardrum and squeeze it through the small negligibly thin opening between the door and the doorpost, you still cannot make it out what exactly is happening inside. Why try at all, we will just wait for Mr. Almond to come out and tell us."

"Asmund, this is of great importance to us. Isn't it quite natural that I'm curious and anxious about it?" I whispered, although I know that even if I talk loudly, I will not be heard by the people inside.

It has been nearly fifteen minutes since Devon went inside and closed the doors behind him, I wonder what was taking him so much time.

"Say, will the trick work to our favor?" I asked Asmund casually. Glancing at him diagonally, I scrunched my eyebrows, gesturing him to speak.

He just looked at me with an expression clearly saying you-wish and shook his head. "Nope."

For a moment, I was startled by his answer. "You think it would still not work? Not even Devon can do it?"

"Ma'am, how much do you understand Mr. Mayhem?" Uh, now this is something not easy to answer.

How much do I understand disco ball!

I know he is extremely weird.

I know he is a headache.

I know he has strange glaring sense of aesthetics.

I know his mind doesn't work like normal people on the planet.

I know he has strange mental disorders.

I know he is almost unbreakable when it comes to his personality.

He can break anyone but not just anyone can break him, that much I could understand.

Looking at the slight realization dawning on my face, Asmund nodded proudly at me. "You see? Mr. Mayhem, for one, is anything but he is not a man with stable mindset. Do you think Mr. Almond, who is a considered a glory among men – by you – can handle a mental case?"

To be very honest, I actually kind of believe Devon can handle Uno Mayhem.

"I do." My response startled Asmund.

"You do? Why?"

"Because Almonds and Almond family is not for beginners." I grinned and turned my focus towards the door again.

Almond family, by itself, is a family of disorders and madness. For a person from Almond family to handle a normal person like Uno Mayhem is like Koreans eating noodles with chopsticks.

It's that easy.

Ten more minutes later, The door slowly opened and just in time, I moved back, not to appear eavesdropping.

Devon walked out slowly and closed the door behind him. I wanted to go inside and be smug in front of disco ball but Devon stopped and took me and Asmund to the hotel lounge area.

After choosing a table and ordering some drinks, Devon cleared his throat when he looked at my anxiously awaiting eyes.

"You are right about this man. He is indeed a crackhead." I nodded to his serious and plain remark, waiting eagerly for him to continue.

"I had a good chat with him. After a good warning, he did promise me not to overdo and cross his limitations in Allard premises. However, I cannot do anything about his password disorder though. You know that such conditions are related to mental and emotional frame." I expected as much!

Being a member of great Almond family, I know Devon is more emotionally connected with people who have similar conditions like his family. They empathize with each other and have better affinity with them.

"Illaria, you don't have to worry much about this man for now. He will behave from now on and if he did anything out of order, let me know and I will handle him for you." His reassurance calmed my heart for a bit.

Yes, with Devon's support, I can control Disco ball's atrocities for a bit.

"Thank you. I know my request was absurd but you still considered it because you take me as a part of your family. I will remember this favor. In the future, if you need something from me, do tell me without any hesitation."

Devon nodded politely but I know he did not take my offer seriously. Devon is a type of person who does everything by himself and rarely asks something from someone.

This is one of the qualities I like about him so much.

"Sure. In that case, I will take my leave now. We plan for our next expedition during the coming weekend. I will be pretty busy this whole week. Is that alright with you? Just check your schedule and let me any time is you are not available."

"Alright. Since most of the things are settled, the last bit of work can be delayed for a week. There is no hurry as of now." I nodded and said with a grin.

Devon seems frozen for a moment before his eyes shook away from me.

Uh, what happened to him suddenly?

Not taking it to heart, I followed him out to the parking lot and just when he was about to wave his hand in goodbye, I took the car keys from his hands, went to the driver's seat and settled myself there.

"Let me drive you back home." I offered and before hearing his reply, I started the engine.

I popped my head out of the car window and threw my car keys at gaping Asmund. "Follow us to Almond house."

"Come one, Devon. Hop on." Devon nodded and got into passenger's seat beside me.

"Don't trouble yourself."

"Anete is still at Almond house. I got a message from her that her car broke down; since I'm a little free and still in the vicinity, why not pick her up?" I explained and drove off.

The traffic in the inner circle of the city is terrifying so it would take at least forty-five minutes to reach Almond colony even if we drive through residential streets.

While driving, suddenly a thought flashed in mind and my curious heart wanted to know about it.

Glancing at Devon from peripheral sight, I saw him typing away something on his phone seriously. I waited for him to get it done with before I talk.

A couple of minutes later, I saw him put his phone down so I took the chance to slowly make my way to the important topic.

"Hmm, can please open my backpack." Devon nodded and took my backpack that was kept on the back seat and opened it.

"Please take out the blue color box and open it. There's a packet of paper towel in the bag, take out some." He did as I said.

After taking the box, he attached the small convertible food stand between us and placed the box and paper towels on it.

After opening it and removing the lid, a whiff of delight knocked both of us. Devon stared at the box and food inside it inquisitively and doubtfully before turning back to look at me curiously.

"Let's have something before we reach home." I offered the nice big sandwich with barbequed meat in it to Devon while I took the smaller one among them.

There's easily at least eight pieces of sandwich neatly and cleverly arranged in the small box.

"Did some keep replenishing the food for your through out the day?" Uh? What does he mean?

"I got my cook make them in the morning. I thought having some home packed food with us will be better when we are expected to walk around a lot."

Devon considered my words for a minute. His hand hovered over my backpack for a couple of minutes, before he returned it to its previous place.

"You took nearly five boxes and ten drinks from morning. Not just that, you brought out many things out of this small bag. Where exactly did you store everything inside something so small?"

Devon, oh Devon! You have such a large family with several women and still don't understand something so basic?

"Don't you know that a woman's handbag is like a magical sachet that has unlimited space to put all the things. Didn't your see your mom or other female relatives taking out impossibly larger things from their smaller bags?"

Men... cannot understand the talent of a woman when it comes to her handbag.

"Right." He nodded in realization.

"So.. since that's clear, can I ask you something?" When I looked at his raised brow, I immediately put on my defense up. "You can tell me only if you wish. It's no compulsion."

"What is it?"

"So, you are an Almond right?" I started off on a bit hesitant note.

"Um hmm."

"Like every Almond, you must have a condition of your own too, yes?" I asked carefully not to sound rude or offensive.

"Um hmm."

"What is it?" Finally, I asked it.

I have been curious about it for quite some time now.

Come on, please tell me. I know it's a secret and information very close to you. Still, tell me please.

I want to know what is unique about the person I started to like.

Devon, surprisingly gave off a very small unnoticeable smile.

"Guess?"

Eh? He wanted me to take a guess?

Uh, not again. I don't want to do this guessing business!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Hello Sweeties,

Next chapter is here. Enjoy!

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Devon accepted the request and went to warn off Uno Mayhem?

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Lady Prim