Selina asked, “But… she’s not going home for Christmas?”
Luke shrugged. “You know that many kids run wild and never go home once they get free. Jimena said that she wanted to stay here and try her luck.”
Selina asked, “At becoming a star?”
Luke said in amusement, “No, she’s changed her goal. A manager in her company called Gennero enlightened her, and she wants to see if she can work in the finance sector.”
Selina remarked, “…Is she drunk? Aren’t finance people all from Ivy League schools? Did she even pass maths in high school?”
Luke secretly agreed with her. Finance was all about numbers, and considering Jimena’s lack of talent in maths, it was unlikely that she would become a finance elite.
But Luke could only say, “She’s still young. Nobody can stop her from trying everything; that’s her right.”
Selina didn’t say anything.
It indeed wasn’t her place, nor was it Luke’s, to tell Jimena what or what not to do with her future.
They could offer suggestions, but they couldn’t force Jimena to accept their opinions.
After a brief silence, Selina asked, “Then, where are you taking her for Christmas? You can’t bring her here, or I’ll get mad.”
Luke chuckled. “I certainly won’t. Nakatomi Corporation is having a company party on Christmas Eve, and as an intern, Jimena gets to attend… Well, fine, she’s actually going to be working, like pouring wine for other people. She doesn’t have to, of course, but it’ll be hard for her to work in the company for long if she doesn’t. So, you know…”
Selina was speechless for a moment. “How are you getting in?”
Luke said solemnly, “As a member of LAPD, it’s my responsibility to go out on patrol on Christmas Eve for the safety of our citizens. There’s no need to thank me. This is voluntary overtime.”
Selina: “…”
She felt that she had asked a dumb question, and she pouted gloomily.
Watching TV alone on Christmas Eve was too depressing
Luke smiled. “Don’t be angry. I prepared lunch and dinner for you. You can just heat them up before you eat; it’s your favorite steak.”
Selina nodded dejectedly, looking like she was traumatized.
Luke, however, didn’t have a choice.
He was a regular guy, and hadn’t had sex since breaking up with Jimena half a year ago.
It wasn’t because he didn’t want to, but that he couldn’t find the right person or time.
There was Selina, but he didn’t want their relationship to turn into a romantic one.
Brothers could become enemies after starting a business together; the same could happen to partners who became romantically involved.
Jimena had always been a passionate person. When Luke spoke with her, she had practically said, “Come find me, and bring protection.”
What else could Luke do, except gladly accept the offer?
The next day was 24 December, Christmas Eve.
Luke drove off, leaving Selina to gloomily watch soap operas on her own and curse him in the apartment.
Luke was wearing casual clothes. This wasn’t work, after all, and he didn’t have to wear a uniform.
It was already dusk by the time he reached Nakatomi Plaza. Luke drove the car into the underground garage, a limo following behind him.
Luke looked back to discover that the driver of the limo was a short, charming black man.
Luke didn’t pay much attention to him, and took the elevator to the lobby.
He asked the middle-aged receptionist a question, and she pointed to a screen not far away and said, “Type in the name of the person you’re looking for, and it’ll tell you the floor they’re on.”
Luke wondered if Jimena was on the list, since she was only an intern.
Another man soon joined him. He was also looking for someone.
The receptionist said the same thing to the man, and Luke hurriedly made way for the man.
A moment later, Luke watched the man type in a name: Holly Gennero. He remembered that that was the name of the senior manager whom Jimena had mentioned.
He hurriedly followed the man to the elevator.
The man was in his thirties, and wore a white singlet under his shirt. Luke didn’t even need to think to know what the man did for a living
He was a police officer! And a very good one, no less.
When they reached the elevator, the man turned around warily and asked, “Who are you?”
Luke said with a smile, “My friend is an intern at Nakatomi Corporation. I couldn’t find her name on the list, but I was told that Gennero is her manager, so…”
The man had an odd expression. He seemed unhappy, but Luke sensed that the man wasn’t upset at him.
They entered the elevator together. To avoid the awkward silence, Luke asked casually, “May I know your name?”
Stumped for a moment, the man said with a vague smile, “John.”
Luke nodded and said, “My name’s Luke. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Officer John.”
The man was stumped again. “How did you know that?”
Luke chuckled and showed his badge. “Because we’re colleagues.”
The man was surprised. “You’re a police officer? Is LAPD hiring boys now?”
He immediately realized how insulting his remark was, and quickly apologized. “Sorry, I just meant…”
Luke raised his hand. “I know. Most police school graduates are in their twenties. But do you know that certain people can ignore the rules?”
John asked curiously, “Are you one of those people?”
Luke grinned. “Not exactly, but I had a minor conflict with one of them, and he somehow got me transferred here. However…”
John was interested. “However what?”
Luke replied, “However, it seems that the guy’s already forgotten about me.”
John was dumbfounded.
Luke finally smiled again. “So, I’m not rich, and I don’t have a powerful dad. I’m just a regular guy from Texas.”
John looked more relaxed now. He extended his hand to Luke. “Let me reintroduce myself. I’m John McClane, from NYPD’s Major Crimes Division.”
Dazed for a moment, Luke smiled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Luke, from LAPD’s Major Crimes Division.”
John was even more curious. “How did you…”
