Surviving the Apocalypse with my Multiplier System - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Friends Teasing
Julian was called over to talk with Reginald, leaving Rayne alone with Ella in her room.

“Spill it, Rayne! What’s the deal between you and him? He’s a super hottie!” said Ella with a knowing look.

Rayne smiled at her friend’s antics. Although Ella was usually very reserved and quiet in public, she really loved drama and excitement.

“You should know who he is,” said Rayne, lifting her chin up.

Ella thought about it but couldn’t figure out who he was. “I don’t know, who is he?” she asked curiously.

“CEO of REN Corporation, Julian Barclay,” smiled Rayne, dropping a bomb on Ella.

“WHAT? How did you hook up with the CEO of REN Corporation?!” she gasped. Then her mind started racing. “Wait, wasn’t he pronounced dead a few months ago?”

Rayne nodded. “Yes, it’s a long story, but he had to fake his own death. So don’t go around spreading the news.”

Ella felt her head spin. “This is all just so crazy. My best friend hooked up with the CEO of the richest man in the country…”

Blushing, Rayne walked over to cover Ella’s mouth. “Shush! No one hooked up with anyone! We’re… just figuring it out…” she said shyly. She was worried Julian would overhear their conversation.

Ella lightly bit Rayne’s hand, causing Rayne to pull her hand off Ella’s mouth.

“Figuring it out, my ass! No wonder you don’t wanna move in with me. He’s probably sending you to the moon every night!” teased Ella. She was happy that Rayne had a love interest after everything she’d been through with Dillon.

“Ella!!” cried Rayne, feeling embarrassed. “I swear nothing has happened… yet.” Her mind kept going back to the previous night, making her even more embarrassed.

“Fine, fine. I won’t tease you anymore. Just when you make babies, remember to make me the godparent!” she laughed.

While the girls were teasing each other, Julian was having a private, serious talk with Reginald.

“Very well, I promise not to spread the word of you being alive. Thank you for warning me about this matter,” said Reginald with a serious expression.

“Thank you. Let me know if there’s anything you need. I have a good amount of items, and here…” said Julian, reaching into his backpack. “Take this to protect yourself. If you need more ammo, just ask. I have a large supply.”

Julian pulled out the basic pistol he had and gave it to Reginald, along with a box of spare ammo.

Reginald took the pistol. “Thank you, Mr. Barclay. I hope it doesn’t need to be used, but I will feel better about being able to protect my family.”

“Please, just call me Julian. Rayne and your daughter are best friends. I hope you all stay safe,” replied Julian with a small smile.

Julian then walked over to Ella’s bedroom to see if Rayne was ready to head home. As he entered, he heard Ella giggling and Rayne’s bright red face.

“Seems like you ladies were having a good time in here,” he smiled before turning to Rayne. “Are you ready to head back?”

Rayne walked over to stand beside him. “Yes, I’m ready. What do you think if we invite the Sotos over for dinner tomorrow?” she said in a low voice.

Julian smiled and placed his arm around her. “Of course, I think that’s a great idea.”

Ella watched the intimate actions between the two of them and couldn’t help but giggle.

“Ella, we’re heading back now. I want to invite you and your parents over for dinner tomorrow. I was able to get my hands on some fresh meat and would like to enjoy it with you guys,” Rayne said quickly, not giving Ella time to poke fun at her.

“Oh, we’ll be there for sure! It’s been so long since we’ve had a good meal,” smiled Ella.

After saying their goodbyes and giving them the address of their house, Julian and Rayne walked home.

Since their apartment was on the opposite side of the base, it took them almost twenty minutes to make it back.

Julian took advantage of the situation and reached out to hold Rayne’s hand as they walked.

“Would you like to swing by the job office on the way? That way we can get our contribution points for the mission,” Julian suggested. They would be walking past the job office anyway, so it wouldn’t take too much time.

“Sure, good idea,” replied Rayne, and they walked over.

The job office was filled with people looking to sign up for missions. Many people, especially those who lived in tents, were getting worried about the impending cold, wanting to get contribution points to buy warmer clothes and blankets.

Rayne queued up in line with Julian when she heard some gossip.

“Did you hear they brought back a young man from a mission earlier who was nearly dead? I heard he’s being treated in the medical ward now. I told my son to forget signing up for an off-base mission… it’s too dangerous,” said an older woman to another.

Rayne listened to their conversation and figured that they were talking about the man Kia drove back.

Leaning over, she whispered to Julian, “Maybe we should pay him a visit. Maybe I can help provide some medicine that would help him recover?”

Julian wrapped one arm around her, bringing her closer. “Sure, did you want to do that after we’re finished here? We’re in no rush.”

Rayne nodded. “Yes, let’s do that then.”

They waited a few more minutes in line before it was their turn to speak to the recruiter. Rayne explained that they were on the mission with Kia and had just come back.

The recruiter pulled up the notes and saw that their story added up to what was written down. After handing over their resident cards, the recruiter swiped them through the card reader to add the points.

“You’re all set, thank you for your help,” said the recruiter, handing back the cards.

After they left the job office, they looked for signs that pointed to the medical ward. It didn’t take too long to find it, as it occupied a large building.

Although the entrance to the medical ward was heavily guarded with armed guards, they didn’t prevent Rayne and Julian from entering.

The first room they entered was a makeshift lobby/waiting area. There were simple benches on either side of the room, with a small desk in the center where medical staff sat.

There were only a few people sitting on the benches, keeping the lobby quieter than the job office had been.