The awkwardness radiating from Devin and Lexin, met only by Lian's icy demeanor, pulled the room into a stifling silence.
"Lian, I am terribly sorry... but it seems you won't be able to watch television just yet?" Lexin ventured.
"Forget it," Lian replied.
Lexin shot a glance at Devin, signaling him to intervene. Taking the cue, Devin stepped toward Lian with a practiced politeness.
"Lian... is there anything else you would like to do? We are here to assist," Devin offered.
"No need."
Devin forced a smile, though his hands tightened into hidden fists. Beside him, Lexin let out a long, weary sigh, resting his hands on his hips.
"Do you two have a problem with me?" Lian asked suddenly.
Both of them flinched, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Ah, no! It's not that... Devin and I were just... Ah! How about we play a game together?" Lexin blurted out.
Lian arched an eyebrow. "Huh!?"
Devin immediately grabbed Lexin's arm, pulling him close enough to whisper harshly into his ear. "Lex, the Boss will dock our pay if he finds out about this," he hissed.
"We're just keeping his guest company so he isn't bored. It's about hospitality," Lexin whispered back defensively.
"Fine, but this is on your head, Lex."
"In your dreams."
"If you two are quite finished whispering," Lian interrupted, his voice flat, "I'd like to sleep. Wait outside."
Lexin and Devin glanced at Lian, nodded obediently, and beat a hasty retreat. Once the door clicked shut, Lian let himself fall back onto the mattress.
"Play a game... how long has it been since I last played...?" he murmured to the empty room.
***
In the living room, Lexin and Devin sat opposite each other, the tension from before still lingering.
"Dev, seriously, how does the Boss even know someone like him?"
"Drop it, Lex. Remember what the Boss said: do not argue with him."
"I know, but that guy... honestly, speaking to him is a headache, and staying silent is even worse. It's exhausting."
"Mind your manners. We're still under the same roof as him."
"Ugh... you know I'm trying. You were annoyed too, weren't you?"
Devin looked away. "Let's not make this a bigger deal than it is."
Lexin leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. Boss... who exactly is this Lian? he wondered silently.
***
Meanwhile, Zigh arrived at the Civil Registry Office. He strode directly to the reception desk.
"Ah, Sir Zigh. Sir Asley mentioned you could head straight to his office on the ninth floor."
"Understood. Thank you."
Zigh hurried to the elevator and pressed the button for the ninth floor. A moment later, a sharp ting echoed, and the doors slid open. He made a beeline for Asley's office and knocked firmly.
"Come in, Zigh."
Zigh entered to find Asley buried in paperwork at his desk. He quickened his pace. "I have the data you requested ready."
Asley let out a heavy breath without looking up. "Zigh, surely you can see I'm swamped. Wait by the aquarium for a moment."
Zigh turned his attention to a large tank filled with vibrant ornamental fish. One, in particular, caught his eye—a slender creature with striking colors and an exotic shape.
"Since when did you start liking fancy fish?"
"A man needs some form of tranquility in his workspace, don't you think?"
"Expensive hobby you've picked up."
"Just sit down and stay quiet, Zigh. That is, if you want me to actually handle your request."
Zigh sat, folding his arms. "That one with the red patterns and yellow tail... the way its fins spread like a fan... that doesn't look like something you'd find in a common aquarium shop."
A few minutes later, Asley finally joined him. "How many sets of documents are we talking about?"
"Three."
"Quite a handful. What for?"
"Managing my house."
"Oh, that massive place on the outskirts of the city?"
"The very one."
"Fine. Give me the data."
"I'll text it to you. Give me your number."
Asley stood up, grabbed a scrap of paper and a pen, and handed them over. "Write the details here. As for the photos, you can upload them directly to my computer later."
"Alright. Oh... Lian... I need to contact him first," Zigh muttered.
"Problem?"
"I'm missing one set of details. Hold on."
Zigh stood and walked toward the window, dialing Lian's number. After a few rings, a sharp, curt voice answered.
"Hello."
"What's with the attitude?" Zigh asked.
"You haven't paid for the TV subscription."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "I'm rarely home, Lian. I don't keep track of those details. Besides, I'm not much of a television watcher."
"Fine. Why are you calling?"
"I need your personal data and a photo. Send it immediately; I'm processing the documents now."
"I see..."
"What now?"
"Can I play games with your subordinates?"
Zigh paused. "You mean online?"
"I suppose?"
"Do whatever you want. Just don't delay sending that data."
"Understood."
Zigh hung up and sat back down, meeting Asley's gaze. "You can start with the first two. The third one will follow shortly."
Asley picked up the paper containing the names for Nox and Ron. As he read, his eyes nearly bulged out of his head, and his hands began to tremble.
"Zigh! Their surname—it's Eosvile!"
"Keep your voice down," Zigh snapped. "Just process it."
Asley stood up abruptly. "How can you let strangers use your family name?"
"Asley, enough," Zigh warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "Do your job, or I'll start digging into your secrets."
Asley clicked his tongue. "You're always like this. Infuriating."
Despite his grumbling, Asley returned to his desk and logged into the civil registry system, beginning the data entry for Ron and Nox. Zigh watched him in silence, his eyes scanning the room.
***
Back at the house, Lian descended to the living room to find Lexin and Devin.
"I need your help with a photo. Now."
The two jumped to their feet, offering strained smiles. "Of course we can," they said in unison.
Devin scanned the room, looking for the right lighting. He pointed to a quiet corner. "Lian… that spot over there should provide the clarity needed for a formal capture."
"Fine."
Lian stood there, his expression a mask of indifference, and handed his phone to Devin. "Use mine."
Lexin's tired eyes suddenly sparked with life as he saw the device. "This phone... isn't this the latest flagship model, Dev?"
"Not now, Lex. Move aside so I can take the picture."
Lexin stepped back. Devin opened the camera app and framed the shot.
Click!
The shutter sound echoed, and the image was saved. "Here is your phone, Sir."
Lian immediately sent the details and the photo to Zigh. "Done," he whispered. He then turned his gaze toward Lexin.
"Er... Lian, is there something else?" Lexin asked nervously.
"Your Boss said we could play games."
"Yes!" Lexin cheered, his excitement returning in a flash.
Devin sighed, though he didn't protest. "Lian, what would you like to play?"
"I have never played a mobile game before..."
The silence returned to the room, heavier than before. Lexin's euphoria vanished instantly, and Devin could only stare at Lian with wide, disbelieving eyes.
***
Ding!
A notification chimed on Zigh's phone. He checked the screen. "Alright, the main player has arrived."
He walked over to Asley. "Finished with the first two?"
Asley's fingers flew across the keyboard with practiced precision. "Almost."
Zigh looked back at the aquarium. "Which fish is your favorite?"
"None of them. I just wanted something alive to fill the void in this office."
"I see..."
Asley pulled his hands away from the keys. "Done. Zigh, connect your phone to the cable on the CPU and send over the third person's data."
"Got it."
For the next twenty minutes, Asley worked on the final inputs. Once finished, he sent the files to the archival department for printing.
"It's done. Now, tell me, Zigh—who are these people? What are you planning?"
"Two of them are my subordinates, and the third is a business partner."
"Subordinates? You mean you're hiring them just to look after your house? Those two have your surname!"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Not really. It's your life."
"Good. Can I take the ID cards now?"
"Yes. You're welcome, by the way."
"Thanks."
"You're truly a piece of work, Zigh."
"You too."
"Get out of here!"
Zigh snorted and headed for the door. He paused just before exiting. "Asley, don't play with fire."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're acting strange."
"Take it as my way of saying thanks."
Asley smiled thinly. "Fine, Colonel. Safe travels."
Zigh headed to the archives, where a staff member approached him. "Sir Zigh, here are the identification cards you requested."
"That was fast."
"Of course. With the latest Estogazt technology, printing and processing have never been more efficient. These documents are handled in record time."
Zigh went quiet. Estogazt... Leyra…
"Sir? Is everything alright?"
"Nothing. Thank you."
The staff member return to his post.
Zigh looked at the three cards in his hand. Ron... he looks better in this. Nox... why is his face so smooth without a single scratch? And Lian... can the Estogazt machines really make their complexions look this bright?
To be continued...