Chapter 146: I Want To Help You Build

Aria’s complaints about Ross had become a regular topic.

That relationship had clearly reached its breaking point.

Earlier that week she had told him bluntly over the phone:

"I’m done with him, West."

Her voice had been calm but firm.

"I don’t care anymore."

West had asked carefully, "You sure?"

"Completely. I only want you."

Then she had said something that had caught him slightly off guard.

"I also don’t care if you have other women."

West had paused as she continued without hesitation.

"I just want to be your number one."

Those words had stayed with him all week.

But that wasn’t the only thing she had said.

Aria had gone even further.

"The gang you’re creating will grow in number, right?"

"Eventually," West replied.

"Then you’ll need someone managing things on the side."

West hadn’t thought much about that before.

She continued explaining confidently.

"Logistics."

"Scheduling."

"Handling communications."

"Receiving clients or visitors."

"Organizing resources."

"Data..."

She paused briefly before saying something that genuinely surprised him.

"I want to help."

West frowned slightly at the time.

"You don’t have to do that."

"I want to."

Her voice softened.

"I want to be your support system, West."

"In every way that matters."

That moment had stuck with him.

What made it even more meaningful was that Aria didn’t know he could create awakeners.

From her perspective, West was simply a talented awakened starting a small gang.

Yet she was already offering to contribute value...

To become part of the foundation.

That level of loyalty was rare.

So when Saturday afternoon arrived, West finally told her:

"Come over."

"We’ll talk properly."

Now Aria walked toward his apartment building with her pink hair glistening in the sunlight as she moved.

She wore a simple casual outfit today, but even that couldn’t hide the natural elegance she carried.

She smiled when she reached the building entrance.

"Finally..."

The entire week had felt too long.

West was right outside the building so they just happened to bump into each other.

West smirked as he approached with casual confidence.

"You took your time," he said.

She rolled her eyes.

"You were the busy one."

He reached forth to hold her hand as they walked into the building together.

Soon they arrived up where the apartment was located and West proceeded to open the door.

"Come in."

As she walked inside, Aria immediately wrapped her arms around him.

West blinked slightly before chuckling.

"Missed me that much?"

"Obviously."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him.

"You’ve been impossible to see all week."

"That’s because I’ve been busy building an empire."

"Oh please," she laughed.

But her eyes softened.

"I’m proud of you."

West closed the door behind them.

"You said you wanted to talk about helping the gang."

Aria nodded.

"Yes."

She walked further into the apartment, glancing around briefly.

"I’ve been thinking about it seriously."

West leaned against the wall.

"Go on."

She turned to face him.

"Every organization needs someone managing the background."

"Someone who keeps everything running smoothly."

"Schedules, finances, communication with outsiders."

She crossed her arms thoughtfully.

"You’ll be focused on combat, missions, and power growth."

"So someone else should handle the structure behind it."

West nodded slowly.

"And you want that role?"

"Yes."

She stepped closer.

"I want to help you build."

Her voice was softer now.

"And honestly... I don’t want to stay tied to Ross’s world anymore. Its not like he ever involved me or was transparent enough to let me know of anything going on like you."

West studied her expression and noticed her look of seriousness and determination.

This wasn’t some impulsive emotional decision, she had clearly thought about it carefully.

"You’re sure?" he asked.

Aria nodded.

"Completely."

Then she smiled slightly.

"And I don’t care if you have other women around."

West raised an eyebrow.

"You’ve mentioned that already."

"Because I mean it."

She stepped closer again.

"I just want to be your number one."

West chuckled.

"It doesn’t have to be competitive."

"It always is. Life is all about beating the competition."

She leaned closer.

"But I’m confident."

He wrapped one arm around her waist.

"Quite bold, aren’t you?"

Their conversation gradually softened as the distance between them slowly disappeared.

...

~ Minutes Earlier ~

Outside the apartment building, a black vehicle sat parked across the driveway.

Inside the car, Ross leaned back in his seat while three of his gang members sat nearby.

They had been watching quietly for several minutes.

One of the gang members spoke first.

"So... that’s her?"

Ross nodded.

"Yeah."

"Why did I agree to this again?"

Ross added with a facepalm.

"Huh dude did you forget all your complaints about how she hasn’t been intimate with you for up to a month?"

Another member leaned forward slightly.

"Being distant."

"Not answering calls."

"Always busy."

The third member glanced toward the apartment entrance.

"Wait."

"There she goes."

They watched Aria approached the building.

Ross leaned forward slightly and then let out a relaxed look.

"Oh."

"That building?"

"Yeah."

One of the gang members asked,

"You know someone there?"

Ross nodded casually.

"Yeah."

"Her brother."

The others exchanged looks.

"...Brother?"

Ross shrugged.

"Yeah."

"She visits him sometimes."

One of the men frowned slightly.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I’m sure."

"But..."

The man scratched his chin as they watched West approach her.

"They don’t look alike."

Ross rolled his eyes.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well..."

Another member added carefully,

"She has pink hair."

"He has black."

Ross frowned slightly.

"So?"

"And they seem pretty... touchy..."

Ross’s expression tightened.

"...Touchy?"

The men exchanged glances.

"Maybe we’re wrong," one said.

"But it didn’t exactly look like a normal sibling greeting."

Ross’s confidence slowly started cracking as he stared toward the apartment building.

"...You think?"

Another gang member shrugged.

"I’m just saying."

"Maybe we should check."

Ross hesitated before opening the car door.

"Let’s go."

The four men quietly approached the building entrance.

They moved carefully up the stairs toward the apartment.

Upon arriving, Ross stood outside the door for a moment as his heart started beating slightly faster.

For someone who had successfully lead teams that had cleared numerous ruins and faced death countless times... he feared for what might be on the other side of the door.