Chapter 127: A different version

The following morning, Tom woke to the System’s familiar chime.

The daily task panel opened before he had fully open his eyes...

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[DAILY TASKS]

1. Engage in one hour of intensive exercise

2. Get Josie Hale to take you out for dinner tonight

Reward: Random Chest

```

Tom’s eyes lingered on the second task.

Getting Josie herself to ask him on a dinner wouldn’t be a soft request. It definitely wouldn’t be in form of a woman chasing company because Josie hadn’t been behaving like she needed company.

The only version that would work was the useful one: bring her something valuable enough that reciprocity became natural. That meant Information on the mafia problem. It was a progress she could not ignore.

"That is the route." Tom nodded as his mind set on that.

"First things first then," he muttered.

Then he got out of bed, set a timer on his phone, dropped to the floor, and started the exercise. He started with Push-ups first, then sit-ups that pulled hard through his core, then switched back to push-up. In no time, he had began sweating, breathing hard through his mouth but his endurance was increasing.

When he was half way, a knock sounded on his door.

"Good morning, Mr. Harlow," Bree said from the hallway, in a loud, yet polite voice. "I wanted you to know I’ve arrived."

Tom checked the time mid-rep. 7:00 a.m. sharp. He lowered himself from the last push-up and turned his head toward the door.

"Why so early?" he called from inside.

"That’s what the contract stipulates." Bree’s response came through from outside.

Tom let out a short breath, still on the floor. Of course it did. Bree did not treat punctuality like a suggestion.

"Yeah. Right." he mumbled more to himself.

Then an idea landed. He sat back on his heels, wiped his wrist across his brow, paused the timer and looked at the closed door with more interest. "Come in, Bree."

The door opened and Bree stepped inside. She was already dressed for work, both physically and mentally. She held a tablet in her hand and stood at alert, ready to jump into work if need be.

And The moment she saw him on the floor, all sweaty, her eyes moved over the room with practical assessment rather than surprise.

"I can find a gym closer to the house and register you, It would be more efficient than this." she said.

Tom nodded sharply in a dismissive sense; "No, You can do that later."

"I can do it this morning." Bree replied. She instantly unlocked her tablet and was already scrolling before Tom could say jack.

"Your schedule isn’t tight today." Her thumb stopped, and she began reading off the schedules of the day;

"You need to be at L×L for an official welcome with the other models who are your colleagues now. It’s a brunch. The company tradition. After that, camera testing by 4:00 p.m. And that’s all. There isn’t much."

Tom nodded quickly, absorbing the shape of the day while his breathing slowed.

"Great."

At that, he pushed himself up, crossed to the bedside table, and picked up his phone. "Don’t go out for the gym registration yet. I have an assignment for you."

Bree lowered the tablet immediately. The shift was instant. She was allowing task to replace her suggestion.

"I’m ready for the assignment."

"Write this number down." Tom unlocked his phone and read out the contact he had taken from the gang leader at the building. "I want details on this man. Seek him out. Once you have a solid location, call me immediately so I can come over."

"Can you do that?" He asked.

Bree entered the number without hesitation, her mouth set in concentration. "Yes, I can do that. I have a tracker who can work from a phone line and narrow location."

Tom watched her save it, then his voice hardened slightly. "Be careful. He’s a gang leader."

Bree looked up and met his eyes directly. "I understand, sir."

He expected her to leave with that. Instead, she walked straight to the wardrobe, pulled it open, and began sorting through the new arrangements with quick movements.

Tom frowned, still holding the phone. "What are you doing? You’re supposed to be on your way."

"I need to select the perfect outfit for your day first." Bree replied, glancing at him briefly then back to what she was doing. She drew out an emerald-colored suit, checked the fall of the jacket, then matched it with a pair of shoes dark enough to anchor the color. She gave a small nod, satisfied at what she just did.

"This will do."

After that, she close the wardrobe and laid out the outfit on the bed. Then without saying any other thing, he headed for the door.

Tom remained where he was for a second after she left, and a low chuckle sounded under his breath.

"She is too dedicated... Relentlessly thorough." He muttered to himself in admiration for the woman.

He dropped his phone then went back to his exercise. He forced the last sets out despite the burn, then went into the bathroom.

By the time he came out, showered and dressed in the emerald suit she had chosen, the morning had grown sharper. It was around 8:30AM.

~~~~~~~~~~

Tom checked his phone and when he hadn’t gotten any feedback from Bree yet, he decided to go find something to eat as breakfast.

He headed for the living room.

In the living room, he met Sienna standing, her posture signalling that she was waiting for something or someone actually.

She appeared dressed for outside. She had on a tailored cream short gown that stopped below her knees and followed the line of her waist and hips perfectly.

She was dressed for work, and she was standing around like that?

That alone was enough to draw his attention. She was not passing through in haste or half-present the way she had been during their colder stretch of mornings. She stood near the dining area fully put together, waiting with intention.

When she noticed him, she turned fully and flashed a bright smile at him. It was sweet, friendly, and just slightly over-controlled, as if she had decided on the tone before he entered and was now committing to it.

"Good morning. Trust you had a great night." she began. The warmth in her voice was unmistakable, even if the effort beneath it still showed around the words slightly. Then, after the smallest pause, she added,

"I’ve been waiting for you so we could have breakfast."

Tom’s steps slowed.

His lips parted slightly as he processed the words that had just left her mouth. Of all the things he had prepared to meet this morning, this version of Sienna had not been one of them.

What was that about?