Janelle returned to the Rovella mansion after midnight. She hadn't expected Erik to be there. Seeing his car, she walked over. She suddenly craved a cigarette. Erik's brand tasted good; she quite liked it.
Janelle appeared, and Erik, sitting in the car, immediately noticed her. She stood outside.
"I want a smoke." Janelle didn't elaborate, but he sensed her low mood. He tapped a cigarette from the pack, placed it between his lips, lit it, took a couple of drags, and then handed it to her.
Janelle took it, leaning against the car body, exhaling smoke. In that moment, she seemed fragile, heartbreakingly so.
Where had she been? Who had she seen? What brought her back in this state?
"You okay?" He wanted to offer comfort, but she often rebuffed kindness. He wasn't afraid of rejection; he feared accidentally touching a wound and hurting her again.
"You don't look happy, Janelle. I told you, whatever you're going through, you can tell me." He wanted to share the burden.
"I'm fine." Janelle remained closed off. Some things, even if spoken, couldn't be changed. Others couldn't truly help; ultimately, she bore it alone.
"Get in." Erik said. If she was unhappy, they should do something enjoyable. Better than stewing alone here.
"Where to?"
"Don't worry. I'm not selling you." Janelle truly didn't want to be alone right now, nor return to the Rovella house. She opened the door and got in.
As soon as she sat down, Erik lunged over.
"..." Janelle seriously considered punching him. Was the man that desperate?
But he merely reached for the seatbelt and buckled her in himself. "Found a pretty good spot recently. Great for stress relief. Taking you there."
"What were you thinking? While I do want you, I don't go into heat anytime, anywhere." She was upset; he couldn't just think about his own pleasure. "Of course, if your preferred stress relief is sex, I'm happy to oblige." He'd do it purely to help her; he was very principled, you know.
"Can you shut up?" She just wanted quiet.
"Okay."
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan navigated Graham City's streets, arriving quickly at their destination. Getting out, Janelle realized he'd brought her to a military-affiliated shooting range. She knew of this place, but ordinary people couldn't enter. How could he get access?
"Erik, who are you?" The Mr. Lorenz of the border, CEO of Haoting Group in the Imperial Capital... and what else?
"Not important. Come on. This place is great stress relief." Erik made a call. Soon, a young man in combat fatigues, probably in his early twenties, emerged.
"Erik! Long time no see!" The young man, Chi Yu, was thrilled to see him.
"Long time." Erik gave a brief greeting and introduced them. Chi Yu was Erik's cousin.
"Janelle, very pleased to meet you!" Chi Yu was especially enthusiastic; it was his first time seeing a girl with Erik.
Janelle exchanged a few polite words. Chi Yu led them inside the shooting range. It was nearly empty. Chi Yu wanted to stay – Erik was an incredible shot. He'd been taught by Erik but could never quite match him. He wanted to learn more, but caught Erik's meaningful glance. Chi Yu belatedly realized: Erik brought a girl here to show off. Me being here isn't appropriate. He made an excuse and left, giving them the range.
Erik put protective glasses and earmuffs on Janelle.
"Know how?" Janelle shot him a look. Who did he think he was underestimating? Chi Yu had been practicing disassembling and reassembling a pistol when Erik called; the gun was still in pieces. Janelle took over, reassembling it flawlessly in under a minute. She then gave Erik a lazy glance.
Erik applauded. "Impressive. Under a minute." His girl was truly remarkable. Even knew firearm assembly. Naturally, she excelled at everything.
"Careful." Erik stood beside her, watching. The guns here were real. He knew she was capable, but couldn't help the reminder.
Janelle aimed at the target and fired eight shots in quick succession. Each one hit the bullseye dead center.
"..." Erik applauded again. "Sharpshooter!"
"Hardly." Janelle ejected the magazine, loaded a fresh one, and started again. Another eight shots, all perfect bullseyes. Shooting really was excellent stress relief. If blowing someone's head off wasn't illegal, she might have been tempted.
After an hour, Janelle handed the gun to Erik. Erik ejected the magazine, reloaded, aimed, and also fired eight shots. Every single bullet passed cleanly through the holes she'd just made. Not a millimeter off.
Janelle gave him a thumbs-up. Truly the untouchable Mr. Lorenz. His marksmanship was unreal.
"Want to play more?" Janelle shook her head. She was tired; work awaited tomorrow.
"Let's go back."
Erik called Chi Yu to clean up. Seeing every single bullet had passed through the existing bullseye holes, Chi Yu was stunned.
"Didn't Janelle shoot?" Had Erik just brought her here to watch him show off?
"She did. All these were hers. Impressive, right? I've taught you for ages and you still miss sometimes. Look at your Janelle."
"..." Chi Yu couldn't believe his ears. Erik, having lived on the border, being a crack shot was one thing. But finding a girlfriend this beautiful who was also a sharpshooter?
"Really?"
"Really. Go reflect on yourself properly." Erik picked up his overcoat. "Leaving. Dinner some other day." He hadn't eaten with the kid since returning.
"Okay." Chi Yu tidied up and personally saw them out.
After an hour of shooting, Janelle's shoulder felt sore. On the drive back, she was quiet. Erik draped his suit jacket over her legs. "Rest if you're tired. I'll wake you when we arrive."
"Mmm." Erik had only driven a short distance when Janelle fell asleep. Habit was a frightening thing. She was naturally vigilant, yet habit allowed her to fall asleep beside a dangerous man like Erik.
The car stopped in Erik's villa garage. Janelle hadn't woken. He opened the door and lifted her out.