5 Magnus Cromwell

"Brother Magnus." Arianne craned her neck. A man with commanding presence stood before her with one hand stuffed inside his black tapered leg slacks. Arianne could see the outline of his well-build body even with his business suit on. Hair darker than the night combed into sleek classic coiffure accentuated his regal features. A pair of compelling orbs dyed in deep red like the most expensive rubies. A tall nose arched in a sharp slope and luscious lips like blooming rose petals. Her brother looks like he came out of a fairytale story about a western vampire.

Magnus fixed his scarlet eyes on her form. A faint smile floating on his lips. "Did I startle you?"

"Not. Definitely not. My brother is always welcome." She responded and approached him in little steps. His death in the past was so sudden that she didn't even have the time to bury his remnants. Seeing him alive, well, and breathing, Arianne circled her arms around his waist. "Brother, I miss you. " She held the tears on verge of falling. She did her best to sound as normally as possible but Magnus could still sense a tinge of sadness.

"What's wrong?" Unconcealed concern emerged in his red pools. His pale hands stroke her crimson hair softly. His smile was gone replaced by bone chilling expression.

"Nothing. Just let me hold you for a while." Arianne couldn't bring herself to reveal her past life. She only wanted to indulge in this moment, hoping it would last forever and the doomsday wouldn't come.

Magnus was very adept at reading people. Arianne's little tricks trying to cover up something couldn't pass his judgement. Though he very much wanted to eliminate what's bothering her, he chose to cater her request and find the answer on his own. Magnus would not let anything pose a threat to her. He would keep her safe forever and by his side. He waited for her emotions to settle down before bringing up the matter of her birthday. "I wanted to celebrate your grand occasion with a banquet. Is it okay?"

"I don't have any objections." Arianne inhaled the ambergris scent on him in small whiffs and gradually calmed down. She lifted her head and met his captivating eyes in a trance.

A low chuckle escape from Magnus' throat waking Arianne from her stupor.

"Don't you have any request?" Magnus continued to stroke her smooth hair enjoying the feeling of her silky tendrils slipping of the gaps of his hand. Arianne was very different today. She wasn't the type to cling on him and only maintain a distance following proper decorum. Magnus raised the strength in his hand while his eyes tried to engrave her exquisite facial features in his memory. She was always this beautiful and even more now but he prefer her to be dull, at least men would look elsewhere. Magnus realized that he made a mistake in planning a banquet. He should have chose a private family dinner instead at least Arianne would not have time to socialize with others.

"I do not. I trust Brother will plan very well." Arianne smiled showing a set of white teeth.

Magnus was attracted by the dazzling sight. It almost appears that she was standing on sea of roses. He really had an urge now to cancel the reservation plans he made for her birthday banquet. "Good. How about breakfast. I cooked your favorite seafood porridge." He could only distract himself by changing the topic.

"Alright." Arianne held his hand and dragged him downstairs.

Magnus was very surprised but glad at the same time. He indulged himself a bit and hoped her sticky behavior would last longer.

A dining room spanning 200 meters entered their sight. Vintage round table and crystal chandelier, cabinets dilled with rare antique utensils costing several hundred thousand and beyond decorated the room. A rich variety of sumptuous meals scattered on the table covered by creme satin and silver eating apparatus besides the plate and ceramic bowls painted with painting of chinese landscape arranged impeccably.

Arianne recalled the apocalyptic days and sighed.

Magnus heard it and glanced at her back, frowning greatly. Looks like her problem was nothing trivial, he concluded.

The two occupied the seats. Arianne didn't distant herself and sat beside Magnus. The latter was very pleased deep inside. He picked up pieces of food and piled it on her plate forming a small hill.

Arianne uttered a word of gratitude and devour it. For the past two years, she could not eat a proper meal and only noodles, hard moldy bread, tasteless biscuits were available. These things could not satiate her stomach but there was nothing she could do. The earth could no longer be grown and factories were no longer operating. People only depended on pre-apocalyptic food.

The man watching her eating four bowls of rice was startled. He put down the spoon and waited for her to finish. A storm was brewing in the depths of his eyes. A bunch of thoughts sprouted in his head trying to find some reasons behind Arianne's behavior. He decided to contact his psychiatrist friend afterwards, hoping he could give some light on the matter. "Slow down. No one will take them from you."

Arianne paused and forgotten her odd behavior. "Brother, the meals were very delicious. I couldn't stop myself from eating more."

"It's good to gain weight. You're skinny but don't eat too much otherwise you'll have a stomachache." Magnus didn't expose her lies.

Arianne nodded.

By the time she finished her six bowls, Magnus had already excused himself and gone to work in a hurry. His expression was very imposing as if something urgent and important was on the way.

Magnus opened the window of his office on the 50th floor. His eyes unfathomable as deep sea bed gazed at picture of a smiling child whose ruddy hair tousled in a messy bun. Two small arms held a bouquet of wild flowers, while the white dress on her was full of mud. Magnus extended his finger touched the little child's face in gentle and slow movements. After awhile, he dialled a string of numbers on his personal phone.

"I need Arianne's phone records and also give me a detail report of what happened to her for the past months."

Soon after, Magnus received the result of his first order. The name on the topmost corner brought him a wave of unpleasant memories. The perfect lips stretched to a straight line. Two ruby eyes full of sullenness were spewing blazing fire as he read the conversation between his dear sister and the man.

Magnus once again picked up the phone and gave another order. "I want filth on this guy." It's time to clean up some people.