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Just as Rick and Evelina emerged from the large gate at the entrance of the Whispering Wetlands forest, they found themselves encircled by a small group of individuals who seemed to have the same goal in mind: buying whatever had been procured from the forest.

And it was not just for Rick and Evelina. It was a common sight for those who had just ventured through the forest. Anyone who walked out of the Whispering Wetlands would be surrounded by a bunch of men, like flies, wanting to buy anything that they found inside the forest. It was like a moving marketplace.

So to avoid unnecessary attention and potential recognition, Evelina had already taken steps to conceal her identity. She had covered her face with a scarf, tousling her hair, and soiling her clothing to avoid drawing attention She slipped behind Rick, attempting to stay out of the spotlight and let him handle the persistent individuals vying for their purchases.

"No, I don\'t have anything," Rick firmly replied, attempting to extricate himself from the circle of men. He took Evelina\'s hand and started to make his way out.

The group of men, however, was not easily deterred. They persisted and urged Rick to reconsider, insisting that he part with whatever treasures he had acquired from the forest.

One of the men, with a toothy grin and a hearty demeanor, addressed Rick, "Come on, buddy! Don\'t be so tight-lipped. You\'ve got something good in there, I can tell. How about you make some quick cash? I\'m sure we can come to an arrangement."

"Brother, we will take anything that you found inside. Plants, animals, gems, rocks or anything else," Another man spoke up as he leaned forward close to Rick, "Even if you killed someone and robbed him. We will help you get rid of the spoils." The man whispered.

Another man chimed in, playfully referring to Evelina, "Hey, sister-in-law, don\'t be so quiet! Tell your brother-in-law what you found. We\'re all friends here."

The men jostled around Rick and Evelina, each trying to outdo the others in their quest to strike a deal, and please Rick and Evelina.

As the men addressed Evelina as "sister-in-law," Rick\'s ears perked up, and his demeanor changed, and he quickly sprang into action, trying to take control of the situation.

Evelina, too, sensed the change in Rick\'s demeanor and wondered what he might do in response to the unexpected situation. She watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as Rick approached the men.

"You know what, buddy?" Rick began, draping his arm around the man\'s shoulders in an exaggerated display of camaraderie,"Listen. I\'m moved by your affectionate words. You have really touched me."

"But unfortunately, I don\'t really have anything to sell," Rick said, wearing a faux smile. He tightened his grip around the man\'s neck in affection, and swiftly pulled a handful of hundred-dollar bills from his pocket, pressing them into the man\'s hand without much contemplation.

"I\'m after this girl, you know?" Rick winked, signaling his intentions.

"You guys have already startled her," Rick said in a whisper, "You\'ve done your part. Now, clear out and let her be." His gesture was an attempt to pay the men off and create an escape route for himself and Evelina.

"Wait, what? Pursue this girl? Done my part? What do you mean?" The man stuttered, taken aback by Rick\'s unexpected statement.

"You don\'t need to worry about it. Now it\'s my time to be the knight in shining armour." Rick leaned in closer, his tone more serious. "Just take the money. Call it a... token of appreciation. I really appreciate your...

help."

Rick then looked in front of him, at the massive crowd gushing in and out of the Whispering Wetlands and pushing each other. He then asked the man for help, "Now, just help us get out of here, will you?"

The man exchanged glances with his friends, an awkward silence hanging in the air. After a moment, he seemed to nod hesitantly. "Uh, yeah, sure, man. You just want that?" He asked, his voice carrying a mixture of confusion and relief.

"Absolutely," Rick replied with a friendly pat on the man\'s back, gesturing for him to move along. "Now, scram."

The man comprehended Rick\'s not-so-subtle message, and he gathered his friends together to comply Rick\'s orders.

The men took charge and began dispersing the others, creating a path for Rick and Evelina to leave without further interference. As soon as the way was cleared, Rick and Evelina hurried off, eager to distance themselves from the Whispering Wetlands and the unwelcome situation they had encountered.

Once they had some space, Rick and Evelina retreated from the scene. As they walked away, Evelina couldn\'t help but inquire about the exchange with the men. "What did you tell them?" she asked Rick.

Rick offered a casual shrug, not wanting to elaborate. "Just made up some excuse and paid them off to help us leave the crowd," he replied, trying to downplay the encounter.

"Oh!" Evelina nodded, accepting his explanation without delving further into the matter. Soon, the pair left the environs of the Whispering Wetlands behind. They hailed a taxi and embarked on their journey back to the city.

The cab traveled several kilometers, the city lights gradually replacing the rustic wilderness of the wetlands. Finally, when they were a safe distance away, Evelina loosened the scarf that had concealed her face, letting out a sigh of relief.

~~~~~

The cab continued to move along the road, towards the city, the sun was already set and there was complete silence in the car. Rick and Evelina had not spoken a word since the moment they had sat in the cab. Evelina would occasionally steal glances at him, wanting to initiate a conversation, but she would fell short from letting words out of her throat.

Finally, as she saw the lights of the city almost reach them, Evelina, feeling the need to bridge the gap of unfamiliarity, suddenly turned her face to address Rick, "You know, you haven\'t told me your name yet."

Rick glanced at her lazily, appearing disinterested. "Why does it matter now? I\'m going to drop you at your hotel, get my money, and be off." Rick, seemingly uninterested in further conversation.

"But—" Evelina attempted to push the conversation further, yet Rick halted her in her tracks.

"You were the one who suggested we keep this strictly business," he reminded her. His tone casual, not displaying an ounce of enthusiasm.

Evelina hesitated but then tried a different angle. "That..."

Rick, however, cut her off. With an air of nonchalance, Rick shifted gears. "Which hotel are you staying at?"

Evelina was momentarily flustered. "What?"

Rick repeated his question, more directly this time. "Your hotel. Where are you staying?"

Evelina was momentarily taken aback by the sudden change in topic. "Um, the Karma Jewel Hotel," she responded, noting Rick\'s almost disdainful reaction.

"You\'re staying there?" Rick crinkled his nose with a curious expression as he looked at Evelina.

Evelina noticed a hint of aversion in his expression, she picked up on his reaction and questioned, "Is there something wrong with that?"

Rick paused for a moment, stopping himself from saying anything more. He averted his gaze and muttered, "Nothing."

Evelina was almost on the verge of loosing her mind with Rick\'s mood swings. She wanted to punch Rick hard on his face when she suddenly stopped as something clicked in her mind.

"You... You\'re staying at that hotel too, aren\'t you?" Evelina exclaimed, a sense of understanding dawning on her, "Tell me, I\'m right, aren\'t I?"

Rick chose to ignore her and addressed the driver instead. "Brother, you heard her. Take us to the hotel."

~~~~~

"Thanks boss," arriving at the Karma Jewel Hotel, Rick paid the cab driver with a friendly smile, giving him a generous tip for the ride.

He watched the cab drive away. However, as he turned to head into the hotel, he found Evelina wearing a mischievous smirk, her curiosity clearly piqued.

With an inquisitive glint in her eyes, she asked, "So, which room are you staying in?"

Rick, however, was quick to dismiss her inquiry, his tone firm. "Don\'t pry, okay?"

With those words, without waiting for her to press further, Rick turned on his heels and bolted into the hotel, leaving Evelina behind. He moved swiftly, determined to put some distance between them.

Evelina was left fuming, her frustration building. She couldn\'t stand being in the dark any longer. Determined to uncover Rick\'s secrets, she decided to follow him, but Rick was a step ahead. He dashed into the hotel and slipped into the elevator, leaving Evelina in his wake.

Frustrated, Evelina couldn\'t contain her anger, and she angrily kicked the elevator doors just as they closed. She watched with satisfaction as the elevator began its ascent. The floors ticked by as the elevator climbed, and finally, it stopped on the sixth floor.

Evelina\'s smirk widened, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "I\'ve got you," she whispered to herself.

"But wait... Why does it feel like I am forgetting something?"

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