The next day

The rest of the day passes quickly and I go to bed. Ram does not try to sleep with me this time, so I go to bed alone.

The next day also passes normally. Ikumi makes dinner for us, Missandei and Ram clean the house, Hermione is alone in the library as usual and Rosalina and Ikumi get along more and more.

As evening approaches, I go up to my room to change. Just as I button the last button of my shirt, there is a knock on the door. "Come in," I call and look at myself in the mirror.

The door opens and Ikumi comes in. "Wow not bad" she says and looks at me. I turn around and grin at her. "Oh yeah?" She bites her lower lip for a moment. "I'm sorry. I... I was going to ask you if you wanted something to eat."

"I think I'll get something at Reginald's, thanks," I say to her and smile. Ikumi continues to look over me and comes closer. She puts her hands behind my head and adjusts my collar. "So that... should be better" she says, blushing a little.

"Thank you for your help. I'm afraid I have to get going." Ikumi, who must not have noticed that she's been staring at me the whole time, immediately looks away. "O-ok," is all she says and darts out of the room.

Seems like her soft side is coming through, I think to myself and put on my shoes. Then I go down the stairs. In the living room, I see Rosalina, Ram and Missandei watching TV.

"Rosalina, can you come for a moment?" I ask her. Rosalina gets up and comes running to me with waving steps. If I didn't know better, you'd think she was floating across the floor.

"What do you want James?" she asks, smiling at me. "Could you check on Hermione again? I know you're getting on pretty well with Ikumi so far, but I'd like to integrate Hermione a bit more." "Of course I'd love to. I'll try to talk to her a bit.

"When will you be back?" she asks. "I think very late. I don't know what Reginald is up to, so I'm not sure." "Well, have a good evening then. I wish you the same" I reply and put on a jacket. "See you later" I call into the living room. The girls wish me a good evening and I walk out.

Outside I walk to my car and then drive to the address Reginald gave me.

I find myself in front of a gate to a gated community. Wow Reginald must have even more money than I thought. I speak to the gatekeeper who has been informed by Reginald and lets me in.

As I drive by I can easily make out a black haired head moving up and down in front of the gatekeeper's knees. I just grin and then drive to the house with the number 17.

Reginald's house is huge. Probably twice as big as mine with 4 floors, a big front lawn and a basketball court. I feel a bit strange in my old car, I think to myself as I get out. I go to the door and ring the bell.

After a few seconds the door opens. "Good evening, you must be Reginald's guest." When I see who opens the door, my eyes almost pop out.