91 Influenced 2 (2/2)

Gio was already near Sofony's stalls. He frowned a bit after seeing a man next to her. Since he was closed, he could hear the pest trying to strike a conversation with his girl. Sofony looked annoyed though. Not long after, he saw the other walking away. Then this pompous-looking guy walked into somebody else's stall, surprising the man in there with a loud smack on the cheeks.

'That's what he gets for pissing off a hypnotist,' he chuckled, the frost that crossed his eyes seemingly vanished like it was only an illusion.

”Sofy,” he called out. This called her attention.

He watched as her pulled-down lips turned into a happy smile. ”Gio!”

Sofony left her gun on the stand and excitedly ran to him. Amusement showed in his eyes and lips when he saw this.

”Are we going back? Or are you going to join me here?” she asked.

Gio stared at her for a while. He remembered what the malicious woman tried to make him believe and shook his head because he realized again how ridiculous it was.

He squinted his eyes a bit. He tried to remember every bits and piece of memories related directly and indirectly to her. There were their hot affairs, some outings to his resorts or parks, idle conversations at home, and the dance at her societal debut. Two months were just too short to get attached that much to someone.

But when he thought about it carefully, though subtle and mostly ignored, he always felt like he's known her for so long and that them tumbling on the bed, laughing at each other's company was just normal.

Also, the feeling of deja vu kept getting stronger, making him feel like even Sofony's annoyed face which he rarely sees ever since they met was something he saw many times before.

It was really very puzzling and mysterious.

'Am I hypnotized?'

He shook the thought not long after.

'Not possible. The images are sometimes so real. Also, I doubt mind-work will work on me.'

”Let's stay for a while, let me see your hard work,” he said after glancing at his wristwatch. Its hands pointed to 4:40.

Sofony nodded. She picked up the gun again and began to point at the target five meters away. Her aim was good. It seemed some of his acquaintances took care of her.

Time passed. He imparted some pieces of advice on how she could improve her marksmanship.

Sofony never complained of sore arms or numbness which most newbies bemoaned of. But when he saw her hands starting to get unsteady, he made her stop and brought her out of the place.

”You don't have to push yourself that much. You already did well,” he said as she half-leaned on him while walking towards his car.

”...Nn,” she unwillingly nodded.

He didn't like it but it seemed she was really bothered by her weaknesses. She looked so eager to improve on that aspect as if being good at it would help increase her sense of security.

With his dark eyes pinned on her face, he wondered just how insecure she felt against those people. What could give her real peace of mind?

He greatly suspected that she really doesn't know the extent of her abilities. Just like she doesn't understand how dangerous she already was.

'The other problem with her is that she still can't see herself as someone who can also destroy others. Maybe she already knew, but her naivety is preventing her from fully acknowledging it. However, without recognizing this, how is she going to make full use of it?'

Her hypnotic ability was powerful by itself. If she could exploit it, for example by using it on important personages, then she'd be able to do things unimaginable to normal people. If she would just be daring enough, she could ask him to set up a meeting with a military higher-up and he would gladly do so. He wouldn't even care if she put everyone under her spell.

'The problem? She doesn't have the guts yet.'

After frowning a bit, he cleared his mind, and he informed her,

”Sofy, someone sent me a message...”

”She wants to meet up with you at the Cryptos, this 7 pm.”