Chapter 24: Dinner Plans

Leon stared at his shadow for a few seconds.

"If you keep staring like that, it makes things weird," Shadow said.

"Well, it’s weird hearing my voice. I didn’t think you would have your own mind," Leon said.

"You expected a robot that you could control?" Shadow asked. He leaned back into bed, then stared at the roof.

"This place is a shithole, you know," Shadow said, then looked at Leon. "You could do better."

’Did my shadow just insult my living condition?’ Leon was stunned. He pointed at Shadow. "You do not get to tell me that."

The shadow rolled his eyes and then got up. "Come on, you have made quite a bit, so why not splurge?"

"First, how do you know I have money?" Leon asked, raising his brow.

"I’m connected to you. I’m literally a part of you. Your thoughts still flow into my head," Shadow explained.

"Wait, so you can hear everything I think?" Leon asked in worry.

"No, no. I can read most of your basic and open thoughts and also tell how you are feeling and what you are thinking about, but if you wanted to hide something from me, I would not be able to access it," the clone explained.

"Tch, I guess that makes sense. Either way, welcome to the team, I guess. I don’t really have much strength myself, and that’s..."

"Why you got me, I understand that," Shadow said.

[....]

The break of day came soon, and Leon got up early because he had quite a bit to do that day. Today, he would be meeting with the two hunters he had met yesterday, and he also had dinner with Sophia.

He pulled up his phone and very quickly started finding a place to make a reservation for dinner. He wanted somewhere pretty decent but not over the top, so after searching for a bit, he found one with a four-star review and two Michelin stars.

"That seems decent enough." He placed the reservation for two and moved to another site to start looking at houses.

"Taking her to somewhere fancy, I see." Shadow popped his head out of the ground and stared at Leon.

"I have to make a good impression," Leon replied.

"She seems to like you enough as a person. You don’t really need to go overboard," Shadow said.

"Tch, she might not say it, but for sure, she wants to be treated right."

"Urgh, you are a stubborn fellow," Shadow said and popped out fully. He snatched the phone from Leon’s hand.

"Hey, give that back," Leon yelled and tried to get it back, but Shadow made himself taller to ensure Leon could not reach.

"Give me a second here," he said casually and started tapping on the screen. After a few seconds, he turned the screen and showed it to Leon.

"There is an open-air steakhouse at the edge of town, and it seems people love it there, so if your bougie plan falls through, keep this as a backup."

Leon snatched his phone back and clicked the side button to turn it off.

"I’m not that far gone that I would need you to help me with a date."

"Haha, you are helpless. It seems I managed to carry what little charisma you have," Shadow said before vanishing into the floor again.

"Tch," Leon clicked his tongue. He plopped back onto the bed and stared at the screen again, looking at the steakhouse.

"No way this would work," he muttered and continued his search for houses, but even after searching online for a new place to rent, something always made him not click on the ones he saw. Maybe their pricing or the agent in charge having low reviews.

"I might have money, but I can’t use it recklessly. And besides, if I use a public means to get the house, my information will be out there. I’d better call Kate."

He placed the phone call, and it did not ring for up to a second before she picked up.

"I did not give you my personal number so you can call whenever you like, you know?" she said immediately.

"But you picked up immediately," Leon replied.

He heard her heave a sigh and then continue to speak.

"Do you need something?" she asked.

"Well, yeah. I want to rent a new place, and I’ve not found what I like online, so I was wondering if you could..."

"My driver will come pick you up in thirty minutes. Be ready," she said before he could even finish.

"Alright, thank you."

"Yeah, yeah."

He cut the call and placed the phone down.

"Damn, she is efficient. Why does she even go out of her way for you?" Shadow popped up and asked.

"I really don’t know," Leon replied and got up. He walked into the shower to clean up, got dressed afterward, and stepped outside. In twenty minutes, a black car pulled up in front of his apartment.

He headed down. The driver was a man in a fully black suit and a flat cap. He stepped out and opened the door for Leon, then walked back into the driver’s seat.

"Good morning, sir. We will be heading to Lady Kate’s personal home," the driver said in greeting and set the car in motion swiftly.

Shadow popped up between Leon’s legs and looked at him. "This is some serious luxury."

"Get your head down," Leon said and shoved him down.

"Did you say something, sir?" the driver asked.

"No, nothing."