13. Songs and Crushes

"I was worried about you."

Lia told Aster when her call finally got through.

"I'm fine now. I should be asking you. How are you? This should be the first time you faced something like this, right?"

"Yeah, it was unexpected. Does this happen to you often?"

She was insanely curious.

"Want the truth or lie?"

"Lie."

"This was the first time."

Lia chuckled.

"I want to ask you something."

"What?"

"You could get out of this. Such things will happen more and more and the danger will only increase. You could quit right now."

Lia paused.

She had to think about this. She didn't envision saying yes but she saw herself saying no. Maybe earlier she would not be willing to enter this den of thieves. But now, she saw him something as a friend. She didn't want him to fight this all alone.

"I just need you to protect my mom and brother. And also me. I can be your less involved partner."

"Haha."

Aster felt happy. He unconsciously didn't want her to accept this offer.

The question posed itself again whe