"Call me V!"
"Sure thing, Vivian. I'll call you V in public, and you can call me L. But we're at home, aren't we?"
"I said — call me V!"
Her rigid stance exuded a menacing aura, but Leo was unfazed. "You're getting all worked up again. Honestly, I think Vivian is a pretty name."
V clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning white like granite. She looked like she could crush a skull with a single punch.
Unfortunately, that skull belonged to her employer. And as a professional mercenary with principles, she wasn't about to go all kaishaku on him.
Fighting was off the table. Swearing? Also no good. That left her with only one option — tactical retreat.
Tap tap tap!
Bang!
V slammed the panic room door shut, making her protest loud and clear.
Leo smirked. Same roof, same apartment — where could Vivian possibly hide?
It only took him twenty minutes to flush her out.
Knock knock knock!
"Dinner's ready! Come on out!"
Knock knock knock!
Persistent knocking brought the desired result.
V stormed out with a scowl, trying her best to maintain an intimidating presence. But her wandering eyes and fidgeting hands betrayed her.
Leo cheerfully led her to the dining area.
On the table was a classic Western dinner — synthetic steak, cheesy bacon mashed potatoes, vegetable salad, and some side dishes. A modest feast by Night City standards.
V dug in with enthusiasm, while Leo found himself less impressed. The meat just wasn't quite right, lacking the texture of authentic steak.
Noticing his grimace, V smirked. "Disappointed? This is Heywood. If you want real Western food, head to the City Center."
"What should I order next time?"
"Heywood's mostly Latino. Go for Mexican dishes or Brazilian barbecue. But honestly, this dinner's already luxurious. Most folks in Night City don't eat nearly this well."
After dinner, they cleaned up and settled on the couch.
Leo casually tossed V her membership card. "Don't forget this, Vivian."
V toyed with the card, not putting it away immediately. She hesitated, then fixed her gaze on Leo.
"There's no such thing as unconditional kindness. I learned that as a kid. We've only known each other for a few hours, and you've already spent more on me than I'd earn in a year."
"So, just be straight with me — what do you really want? You're not about to say it's love at first sight and try to keep me as a sugar baby, are you?"
For a brief moment, Leo was tempted to nod just to see her reaction. But he quickly realized this wasn't a game. If V bolted, finding a replacement merc of her caliber would be a nightmare.
Before he could respond, V doubled down. "And just so you know, I'm from Heywood, not Watson. I'm not like those girls who'd crawl into your bed for a stack of eddies."
"If I wanted easy money, I'd implant a doll chip and work the Cloudtop. But I chose this life. I won't compromise myself — no matter how much you throw at me."
She said it defiantly, but the slight quiver in her voice and the flush on her cheeks gave her away. The sheer idea of that much money was obviously unsettling her.
Leo pondered for a moment, carefully choosing his words.
"Vivian—"
"V! That name's too soft. If you're going to make it on the streets, you need something that hits harder."
"Fine. V Zhentian. How's that for a loud name?"
Before she could respond, Leo pressed on. "You're way too defensive. I haven't even done anything, and you're already putting up walls. We're a team, remember?"
"What the hell is Zhentian? Ugh, never mind that. And I'm not too defensive — you're just too naive."
V crossed her arms. "This is Night City. Lies, betrayal, and backstabbing are part of the air we breathe. Nine out of ten people are no good. A guy like you — rich, trusting, and loaded — is practically waving a 'come rob me' sign."
Her words were harsh, but Leo appreciated the concern.
"I know. But I don't trust blindly. I have a particular knack for reading people."
He gestured toward her. "Like you, V. The moment I met you, I knew you were someone who values loyalty, fights against injustice, and has a good heart. That's why I hired you — because I admire your character."
"Y-You do?"
V blinked, visibly caught off guard. She liked hearing it, but it still felt too flattering.
"Absolutely. And since you've got that sixth sense for people, tell me — what's your read on Jackie?"
The image of a muscular man with a topknot flashed through V's mind. She nodded slowly. "Jackie's solid. The kind of guy the whole gang respects. He's definitely a reliable teammate."
"Exactly. Besides Jackie, I know the best ripperdoc in Night City and a mystic who's oddly cheerful for this place."
Leo spread his arms dramatically. "Think about it. First day in Night City, and I've already surrounded myself with four outstanding people. Is that blind luck, or maybe just a talent for picking the right ones?"
V couldn't argue. His logic made sense. Finding good people in Night City wasn't easy — if Leo could do it so effortlessly, maybe he wasn't as clueless as he seemed.
"So... you chose me for my talents?"
"Your character and your talents," Leo corrected. "When it comes to bodyguards, trustworthiness matters more than skill."
V exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Alright, fine. But just so we're clear, I'm damn good in a fight. Unless someone's got insane implants or gear, I'm taking them down."
The conversation grew more relaxed as V leaned back on the couch. "But seriously, no funny ideas. The way you looked at me when we first met... it gave me chills.
For a second, I thought maybe I looked like your dead wife or something, and that's why you were staring."
Leo snorted. "Your intuition is scary good."
"Damn right it is. I've survived on these streets since I was twelve, relying on my gut to spot threats and liars. That's how I made it this far."
"Twelve? That's... young. How old are you now?"
"Seventeen. Almost eighteen."
"That explains the baby face."
V shot him a glare, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "You're lucky I'm on payroll, or you'd be getting a black eye for that one."
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