Free Web NovelChapter 47: Just keep your wallet ready
April turned her attention back to Samuel as they reached the valet circle. The cool night air hit them, a sharp contrast to the suffocating luxury of the restaurant.
Samuel stood under the bright canopy lights, the ghost of his heartbreak still hovering in his eyes, but his professional conditioning was fighting hard to take back control.
"Miss April," Samuel said, his voice quiet but noticeably steadier than before. "There is a twenty-four-hour hypermarket about ten minutes from here. It has the largest inventory in the commercial district. If you... truly want to go, I can drive."
"Perfect. Lead the way, Samuel," April said, giving him an encouraging nod.
She knew exactly which hypermarket he was talking about. In fact, it was one of the major supply hubs she had marked on her mental map for the apocalypse.
Back then, everyone was trying to get supplies from there, but it was also the most dangerous place to venture. Because just as it was large, the number of zombies there was equally large.
Going there tonight wasn’t just about distracting a broken-hearted assistant; it was the perfect opportunity to scout the layout, check their bulk storage logistics, and maybe—just maybe—discreetly slip a few extra crates of goods into her Level 2 spatial dimension, after payment of course.
As Samuel walked ahead to bring his car around, Alexander leaned closer to April, his tone dropping to a whisper. "Are you really just taking him out for snacks? Or is this another one of your ’visions’ at work?"
April adjusted the strap of her bag, her eyes flashing with a brief, unreadable glint. "A good strategist never reveals her full itinerary, Alexander. Just keep your wallet ready."
They got into the car and the moment they did, April brought out the box of gold leaf matcha tart she had kept in her spatial dimension and it materialized in her grasp.
Alexander could not get used to this. This kind of magic... was it even real? He was seeing it but it felt so out of this world.
"How do you even do that?" He asked, staring blankly at the polished white box that had just materialized out of thin air.
April side-eyed him, her fingers lightly tracing the satin ribbon on the packaging. "I thought I just said a good strategist never reveals her full itinerary, Alexander. Don’t get curious when you know I won’t be telling you."
Alexander nearly pouted, crossing his arms and leaning back against the leather seat of the car. Unbelievable, he thought.
He was the one who came all this way in person to give it to her since he said he would deliver it to her—though partially because he was scared for his life and felt the safest place would be with her. The absolute least she could do was be a little nice to him, right?
April ignored his wealthy indignation, utterly focused on the prize in her lap.
She carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid, her eyes lighting up as she looked at the stunning pastries.
Each tart was a masterpiece, dusted with premium matcha powder and topped with delicate, shimmering flakes of real gold leaf. This was her first time tasting tarts—especially ones from a bakery so famously exclusive—and a rare spike of genuine excitement bubbled up inside her.
But before she could even dip her hand into the box, Alexander was already pushing his luck, boldly reaching across to grab one.
She immediately smacked his hand.
"Hey!" Alexander exclaimed, rubbing the back of his hand as April fiercely pulled the box toward her chest.
"I didn’t think I needed to teach your arrogant ass some manners when it comes to this," April said, her voice dropping into a dangerous, protective purr. "You got it for me, which means it is mine. I say if you can have it or not."
Alexander winced slightly, looking like a chastised golden retriever, but his eyes were still locked on the vibrant green pastries. "Then... Can I have one?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
April gave him a completely flat, deadpan look. "No."
Without waiting for him to complain further, she picked up a tart and took her first bite. The rich, buttery crust practically melted on her tongue, perfectly balanced by the earthy, sophisticated bitterness of the premium matcha and the decadent sweetness of the cream filling. It was delicious. Exceedingly, wonderfully delicious.
And if she were alone, she might’ve burst into happy tears but she wasn’t alone so that meant she had to contain herself.
Seeing her thoroughly enjoying the luxury treat, Samuel quietly pulled the car over by the curb of a well-lit 24-hour convenience store. "Miss April, please wait a moment. Pastries like that can be quite rich. I will fetch some beverages to accompany them."
"Oh, thank you, Samuel. Get something crisp, like soda," April called out, highly approving of his flawless situational awareness even while heartbroken.
While Samuel stepped out to buy the drinks, Alexander kept up his relentless, silent golden retriever stare from the side. April chewed thoughtfully, letting the golden flakes dissolve on her palate, before she finally rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Take one."
"Yes!" Alexander snatched a tart before she could change her mind, taking a large, thoroughly satisfied bite. "Wow. Okay, now I see why people wait three months on a list for these."
And thanks to him being a Greels, the guards didn’t even need to wait for five hours. Though three hours was already a lot of time to buy pastries. It was out of town so with the time considered, it was all worth it.
When Samuel returned, neatly handing a chilled bottle of soda to April and a water to Alexander, April felt a rare wave of generosity. She held the box out toward the driver’s seat. "Samuel, have one. It’ll uplift your spirits."
"Thank you, Miss April, but I must politely decline," Samuel replied with a soft, grateful smile in the rearview mirror. "I am currently driving, and I wouldn’t want to get crumbs on the upholstery."
April couldn’t be happier about his refusal. She instantly pulled the box back to her side of the car. Perfect. More tarts for me.
