43 Mark (1/2)
”What do you want to talk about now?”
Mark asked looking at Paula who was sitting in front of him.
The four of them was now back at the south wing of the rooftop sitting on the chairs they left there before. Mark and Paula faced each other while Ange sat beside her friend and Mei beside her Gege.
”Paula, it was rare for you to look this serious.”
Ange said in confusion.
Paula glanced at Ange before looking back to Mark. She sighed and loosened her shoulders before finally saying her intention.
”It's not that serious. I just want to know and confirm a few things.”
She looked straight at Mark's eyes in which the latter stared back.
”But please, answer my questions without lying. I just want to know the truth.”
”You think I'm a liar?”
”Yes.”
Paula answered Mark's question frankly.
”It's back then when Uncle Bernard asked you about why you saved us. I know you that not all you said were the truth and parts of it are lies. And also, don't try to feed us with things that only delusional patients would say.”
Hearing the last sentence, Mark felt an arrow piercing his back. Mark could only sigh.
”You're really an archer aren't you? You can even shoot arrows with your words.”
”I don't know where you got those references but please be serious in answering my questions.”
Ange felt really confused now. She did not realized or maybe, she did not think deeply about what Mark said that time. Mei did not seem to care about it but she looked at him curiously.
Mark shrugged his shoulders and replied.
”Alright, you got me. You can ask now. I promise to say the truth but don't expect that I will answer everything.”
Paula nodded.
”Actually, what I wanted to ask first was the true reason you saved us but I won't. I will ask first about who you really are.”
”My background?”
”Yes.”
”Isn't that a little private? It's not like I really mind but I will ask you the same later.”
”It's fine.”
”Alright. If I were to say, for the major part, I'm just a shut-in.”
The three girls were surprised. Looking at their surprised faces Mark continued.
”It's been three years that I started living this way alright? I don't go out of the house too much and only go out if I needed to buy something or I have to do something important.”
”You don't work?”
Ange asked.
”I do you idiot. I'm a shut in but I'm not a NEET. Well, most of the time. I'm a freelance article writer and programmer and I also have a few online side jobs. When there are projects, I have work but there are also times that I don't. The pay on the projects was good so I can get by when I don't have work.”
When Mark finished, Paula sighed. She could see that Mark was not lying but this did not explain the things he was capable of.
”I can tell that you're saying the truth but that doesn't explain several things.”
”What things?”
”First was your fighting capabilities, another was your disposition and looking at that crossbow you made, you were also proficient in making weapons like that and also knew how to operate those power tools correctly.”
”Geez, you want to dig that deep?”
”Yes. But if you don't want to answer, its fine.”
”Well, I guess, she will keep on pestering me if I don't answer.
Mark pointed at Ange who was looking at him with a face that was asking him to answer. Paula sighed at the appearance of her friend but did not stop her either.
”Alright Angeline, I'll tell so stop making that face.”
Ange made a triumphant face like she won something.