Taming SSR And UR RANK Superwomen-Chapter 25 — A Promise: We’re Going to Be Better

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 — A Promise: We’re Going to Be Better

Thomas blinked a couple of times, genuinely surprised.

"A job?"

Lucía nodded casually and set her cup down on the table.

"The person who used to clean quit a week ago. She was someone I trusted, but she found something better. Since then, I’ve been handling it myself, and I don’t have as much free time as it might seem."

Thomas narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What kind of job?"

"General cleaning," she replied bluntly. "Inside and outside. Twice a month. Garden, windows, floors, dust buildup, roof inspections if necessary. Nothing out of the ordinary."

Iris looked at her brother curiously. Lucía continued in the same calm tone:

"It’s not a daily job. Just two full days a month. I can pay in cash."

Thomas rested his elbow on the table, thoughtful.

’Convenience... or strategy?’

Lucía held his gaze, outwardly calm. Internally, however, her reasoning was methodical and clear.

’If he works here regularly, I’ll be able to observe how he interacts with Iris. If he’s truly responsible, I’ll confirm it. At the same time, I’ll solve my staffing problem.’

It wasn’t absolute distrust, but calculated verification. Thomas tilted his head slightly.

"Why me?"

Lucía didn’t hesitate.

"Because you need the money. And because, if you’re going to take Iris with you, I’d rather have a legitimate reason for her to come back here from time to time."

Silence stretched between them for a few seconds. Thomas sensed the raw honesty in her words. There was no obvious manipulation—just cold logic.

"How much would you pay?" he finally asked.

Lucía answered without hesitation.

"Two hundred dollars per day."

"Four hundred a month?"

"If the work is good, yes."

Four hundred dollars for two days of work wasn’t insignificant. It would cover a considerable portion of their basic expenses. And it would give him regular access to the house.

’Access to the environment of an SSR, Rank C woman... without forcing anything.’

Thomas didn’t answer right away. He leaned back slightly in his chair, weighing not only the money but the implications.

’No need to rush.’

He looked at Lucía again.

"I need to think about it."

"That’s fine."

She picked up her cup again and took a small sip before continuing.

"If you decide to accept, contact me through my aunt Elvira or just come directly to my house. I don’t mind."

Thomas nodded.

"Understood."

The atmosphere settled into a calm neutrality. There was no pressure or insistence.

Shortly afterward, Thomas and Iris said their goodbyes. Lucía walked them to the door, maintaining that serene expression that seemed impossible to decipher.

"Take good care of her."

"I always do," Thomas replied.

The door closed softly.

The air outside was cooler than before. The sun was already rising steadily, illuminating the neat façades of the residential neighborhood.

Iris walked beside him, holding her small backpack.

"Brother... are you going to accept?"

Thomas looked straight ahead.

"I’m not sure yet."

"I’m little and I don’t know much about adult stuff, but it sounds like a good job."

"It is."

Iris gave a small hop as she walked.

"And that way I could visit Miss Lucía."

Thomas noticed the sparkle in her eyes.

"Do you like her?"

"Yes. She’s serious, but she’s kind."

Thomas didn’t respond immediately.

’Serious... but kind.’

They continued walking down the sidewalk. The distant sound of a passing car broke the silence from time to time.

"Brother," Iris continued, "are we really going to be okay?"

Thomas lowered his gaze toward her.

"We will. We’re going to be better. That’s a promise I intend to keep."

Iris smiled, satisfied. And that was when he felt it—an invisible pressure. Not physical. More like a sensation digging into his back, right between his shoulder blades.

As if someone were watching him with unbearable intensity. Thomas slowed slightly; his body tensed almost imperceptibly. His heart gave a sharp thud in his chest.

The sensation was clear—heavy and dense. He turned his head quickly. He looked toward the house windows, the rooftops, and across the street.

Nothing.

No one seemed to be paying attention. An elderly man was watering his garden in the distance. A woman was walking her dog. Everything looked normal. But the sensation hadn’t been his imagination.

It had been real. Intense.

’What... was that?’

"Brother?"

Iris’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"What is it?" Thomas blinked and relaxed his shoulders slightly.

"Why did you stop?"

He looked around one more time. The pressure had vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

’Didn’t Iris feel it?’

They resumed walking. Iris began talking about school, an assignment she had to finish, and a new classmate.

Thomas answered automatically, but his mind was elsewhere.

’That wasn’t Lucía.’

He hadn’t sensed any hostility when they left her house. This had been different. Colder. More... distant. A faint chill ran along the back of his neck.

’What exactly did I just feel?’