Observation

Poppy smiled at Alex who was walking down the stairs. He was dressed neatly with his hands clutching a black briefcase and was ready to go to work.

"Good morning, honey." Poppy's smile was so beautiful.

Bravely and without a hint of a smile etched on his lips, Alex walked closer to Poppy. He hugs her tightly.

Poppy, who was surprised, asked, "What's this? It's not like it used to be."

"I still miss you," Alex replied in a deep voice.

"Well, don't leave for work first. Besides, we only got home last night, you must be still very tired."

Alex let go of his arm. She pursed her lips and walked towards the dining table in a very lethargic state.

"Come on, cheer up!" said Poppy, encouragingly. "Billi and Jerome have been home since this morning."

"He left me? Damn it!" Alex cursed.

Hearing the curse, Poppy immediately covered Alex's mouth with his index finger. "Don't swear! I don't like it, okay?"

"I'm sorry, honey, but I'm really, really pissed off."

"How hard are you going to go through today to feel so uninspired?"

Alex scratched his non-itchy scalp. Then he turned to hold Poppy's shoulders and looked him straight in the eye.

He said heavily, "Today I have to fly back to LA, so I have to leave you."

The woman wearing a thigh-high white dress smiled pinching both sides of her husband's cheeks. "You get so excited when you act like this."

"Why do you say that to me?" Alex pursed his lips again. "I will go, you willing?"

"I'm coming, okay?"

"You just got home last night, honey. I don't feel good if I have to take you out on long trips again."

Now Poppy started following Alex in pouting her lips. "So how long will you be gone?"

"About the next two to three days. But I'll try to get home on the second day."

"Okay, that's okay," Poppy asked forcing a smile, her hand turned to caress her husband's cheek and said, "Hurry up and finish your breakfast, so you can leave quickly and come back as soon as possible."

"Okay, honey. I hope you're all right at home alone. If there's anything you can call me right away, okay?"

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your return."

"Be careful you are at home. Breakfast is done. Just use my black card if you want to go shopping or whatever, use it however you want."

Poppy replied with a nod. The man stroked his wife's cheek gently, Poppy closed his eyes to enjoy it.

Alex kissed his wife's lips. "See you later."

*

"Looks like we have to pay close attention to that person," said a casually dressed man.

Another man dressed in a neat suit with a fedora hat exhaled vape smoke from his mouth. Then he fell silent with a flat gaze.

"Not important. Just keep an eye on him," he said.

"Are you sure, Lex?"

It turned out that the two people were Billi and Alex who were sitting opposite each other in a fairly dark room. There was only light streaming in from the vent illuminating them.

A moment after that, a person in a closed suit wearing a statue's face mask came up to them. He sat between Alex and Billi, then took off his mask. He is Jerome.

Jerome handed Alex some photos. Seeing the photo sheet Alex just gave a faint smile.

"Keep an eye on it," Alex ordered.

Previously Jerome had asked Alex "Then what about the three kids?"

"Send them in!"

Billi got up out of the room, while Jerome immediately changed his appearance. They waited for Billi to return without saying a word.

A few minutes later they found four pairs of legs walking in and approaching their position. Alex fiddled with his fingers over the back of the chair he was sitting on.

"Ferry, Reja, Willi, sit down!" said Billi, welcome.

The three of them immediately sat on the available chairs, as did Billi. As soon as they sat down, Ferry got back up and pointed his finger at Alex while shouting.

"You have deceived us, sir!" he shouted.

Alex cracked a smile. Grabbing the boy's hand and then slightly pressing it until he managed to make him whimper and apologize.

"I really didn't enjoy the word 'cheat' you said earlier. You know what? It's really annoying."

"But I'm just saying with what really happened."

Reja pulled Ferry to calm down and sat back in his chair. "You calm down first, Fer!"

Alex asked, "What kind of cheat do you mean?"

"So, sir, you have promised us pleasure before. But where is the proof? From yesterday until now we have only been tortured," Willi said openly.

Alex smiled and then got up from his seat. He walked over to the Ferry. His hand grabbed the boy's chin, he lifted his head. Alex closed his eyes, bringing his face closer to the boy's.

"Tortured? But didn't you guys enjoy it?" Alex let go of Ferry, then returned to his seat. "Don't take it as a torture, because it's just a lesson."

Reja groaned, "Learning?"

"Have you never been told the negative effects of drinking alcohol?" Billi asked, choking.

"We know the impact, but what's the problem with us? As long as we drink, we are fine, in fact we feel very good." Reja's voice sounded very clear.

"How old are you guys?" asked Alex.

Willi replied, "20 years."

"Since when did you guys start drinking?"

"Since we were 15."

"Please take them back to the room earlier!" said Alex.

The three of them screamed begging Alex not to put them in the room earlier, but Alex paid no heed. He ordered Billi to leave immediately.

"Damn you guys!" shouted Ferry full of anger.

Instantly the room turned silent. Alex leaned back in the chair he was sitting on.

"Why are you still dealing with them?" Jerome asked.

Alex didn't answer, he just moved from his place and walked towards a room. When opened, the room contains fitness equipment.