Luke rolled his eyes. “That’s just a big bathtub, alright? Besides, you can also heat up the water. You can take a bath right now if you want.”
Selina’s eyes glittered. “Darling-“
Luke said, “Wait! Let me think about it.”
After some consideration, he decided not to argue with Takagi anymore.
Takagi was a successful old man who was insistent and clever. Luke wasn’t confident that he could persuade him to change his mind.
Luke had nothing to say if Takagi believed that his life was worth this villa. Luke could give him a hand again if he ever needed it.
He knew that that might have been Takagi’s plan all along.
Considering Luke’s abilities, Takagi might have to ask for his help one day. This house was both a gesture of gratitude and an advance investment.
This house was indeed worth a lot, but it was still nothing for Takagi.
It was nothing to give this house away, as long as it could help him stay in touch with Luke in case he needed Luke’s help in the future.
After Luke checked the house, he called Takagi. “Thank you, Mr. Takagi. I’m very satisfied with this house.”
Takagi simply smiled. “That’s fantastic, Detective Luke. Keep in touch.”
Luke chuckled. “Alright, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything. Goodbye.”
After hanging up the phone, Luke shook his head and put thoughts of the clever old man aside. He said to Selina, “Let’s go home first to grab your swimsuit, unless you plan to jump into the pool in your underwear.”
Selina exclaimed with wild joy and went to get the car.
After a few round trips, they had moved most of their necessities to their new home.
Luke had noticed that the furniture and appliances in the villa were barely used.
This villa must’ve only had the basic furniture in the beginning, and Takagi must’ve gotten the other things put in over the last half-day.
It was homey and comfortable, and not ostentatious at all.
Takagi must’ve selected such a no-nonsense villa because he found Luke to be a down-to-earth man.
Sure enough, Luke was quite satisfied with it.
Moreover, Luke’s family didn’t have to stay in a hotel anymore. There was even enough room for Selina.
Selina had always been a doer. Once she was settled in, she immediately tried out the “big bathtub” in the backyard.
Luke, on the other hand, prepared the ingredients he had brought for dinner.
Since they had moved into a new house today, Luke thought that he should make something classy.
Champagne was definitely necessary, and they wouldn’t eat at the table, but by the swimming pool.
Very soon, Selina ran back excitedly and told Luke that she had figured out the mechanism for the big bathtub.
Luke nodded his head and got her to help him take the dishes out to the backyard.
Selina then put down the ice bucket and took off her clothes, before she jumped into the water and spun around in the pool, laughing.
Well, in a pool that was three meters long and three meters wide at most, spinning was the best she could do.
Luke allowed her to do as she pleased since this Christmas had been rather boring for her.
He put the steak on a tray next to the pool and said, “Stop playing. Have some food first.”
Selina obediently sat on the steps on one side of the pool.
She accepted Luke’s service happily and said, “I didn’t know you’re also good at waiting on other people!”
Luke smiled. Standing in the warm water, he stared to the west.
This was the west side of Beverly Hills, and the backyard faced the west. There were no tall buildings around here, so the view was quite splendid.
Although the commute from here would be longer, Luke didn’t think that Selina would want to go back to their old apartment.
Enjoying the steak, the champagne, and Selina’s occasional questions, Luke thought his life was wonderful.
The stars in the sky illuminated the night like small lamps.
The next day, Luke went to the police department at Dustin’s request.
Since Selina had taken the car to pick up his family, Luke had to take the bus.
He wore a tracksuit today because he wasn’t here to work, but to meet Dustin.
Somebody else was in Dustin’s office, so Luke simply waited outside the office for a bit.
Soon, the person came out and smiled at Luke. “The boss is asking for you.”
Luke nodded and entered the office. “Boss, what’s up?”
Dustin pointed at the door. “Close the door.”
Luke immediately knew that they were going to discuss something confidential.
After the door was shut, Dustin asked, “How did you persuade Takagi? He said that he wouldn’t be giving you the reward money.”
Luke told the truth. “I asked him to give me something else that was less eye-catching.”
Dustin didn’t pursue it further since it was a private manner.
It was bad enough that he had intimated that Luke should turn down the gift; it would be inappropriate for him to poke his nose into Luke’s new reward.
He nodded his head and said, “Takagi also said that he will personally donate 500,000 dollars to the Major Crimes Division so that we can buy more equipment.”
Luke shrugged and said, “That’s good.”
Lost for words, Dustin said in a low voice a moment later, “Yes, it is. Do you have any thoughts? The chief says that he can give you special treatment.”
Luke found that strange. “What do you mean?”
Dustin coughed and said, “Say, if you get a college degree and pass the civil service test, you’ll be promoted the moment you get your cert.”
Luke was disappointed. He wasn’t interested in a promotion at all. “I would rather get money.”
Dustin was surprised. “What?”
Luke said, “I’m too young. It’s not good if I’m promoted too fast. I think it’s better for me to gain more experience from the bottom.”
Dustin was unconvinced. “Are you serious?”
Luke nodded his head. “Yes. I don’t think I’ll consider a promotion for a couple of years. For now, a pay rise would be good.”
After a brief silence, Dustin said, “Alright, that works too.”
He wasn’t entirely convinced. “You really don’t want a promotion?”
Luke nodded his head with a smile. “No, I don’t. I told Elsa the same thing before. I’ve only worked for half a year. I’m in no rush.”
Dustin finally remembered that, technically speaking, Luke had only been a police officer in the big city for three months.