Chapter 22 - A jealous magician

― Are you sure I can interrogate the staff now?

― I think it's best to take advantage of the fact that the visitors are not around. Once those gates are opened, it will be difficult to collect information.

The detective sighed heavily before nodding his agreement. He would be disheartened to have so many people to talk to, as the circus was completely messed up with the back and forth of staff. However the detective certainly felt motivated to get started.

― Very well, I'll be going then. ― Turning to the boy, the detective cracked a wide smile.

― Leonardo.

― Right, I'm Giovani. If I need anything else, it's fine if I turn to you, no?

The young master had retained his own surprise at the request. The detective probably wouldn't trust Vicente, since he hadn't mentioned the administrator once. If were in his place, Leonardo would make the same decision.

That clown was like a sneaky snake waiting for the right moment to strike.

Agreeing with his head, the boy pointed to the shack they were near. Barley was working on the construction of one of the cars, surrounded by boxes of parts.

― I work there as a trainee. But I only stay here in the afternoon and then leave early because of college, and on the weekends I have another job.

― You are very busy for such a young boy.

Leonardo let out an embarrassed laugh, scratching the back of his neck.

― I need money to get by, the adult world is too cruel.

― Very well, see you around then. Have a good job.

As he waved goodbye, Leonardo came to the conclusion that the detective had chosen to trust him. Even though he didn't see any problem with Giovani, the young master had chosen to keep his defences up. You never know when someone is using the mask of a good guy to get what he wants. Besides, having his trust he would be able to keep him under surveillance.

During the afternoon he had seen the detective going from one place to another talking to the employees. Barley had even commented on the police presence in recent days, and how the employees seemed agitated at being seen as suspects in a disappearance. Leonardo wouldn't blame them, but he had remained silent.

Focusing on one's work was the wisest thing to do when one had an heir identity to be kept secret.

For the next few hours Leonardo had gone into full concentration mode on building the circus car. Only when Barley had tapped him on the shoulder alerting him to the end of his workday had the young boy finally abandoned his tools.

Before leaving Dreamland Circus, he noticed that the detective was still there questioning the employees. Taking advantage of his distraction, he had left the circus to go to the park and enter the narrow street that had become familiar.

If the detective came to know about the mansion, he would certainly begin to suspect everyone who resided there. Especially Vincent, who seemed to keep him out of the running of the whole park.

It had been almost a month since he had moved into the mansion, and he had gotten used to the place. Getting in and out of the park was still disturbing, but every time he passed through the fog that surrounded the roads it was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, sweeping the fear away.

Well, he was getting used to it. He didn't have much to do.

As soon as he arrived at the mansion, he took advantage of his emptiness to go to his room and study a bit. He had a few hours free until he got ready to leave. To his chagrin, he had accumulated some work since the circus automation project had robbed him of a few more hours of his workday.

He had to be careful with his concentration. It could be dangerous if no one was around to alert him that he needed to stop.

Fixing his hair with a hairpin and putting on his glasses, Leonardo kicked off his trainers to get barefoot and start studying. For more than two hours he sat there, what would have stopped if the alarm would have rung. But the mobile phone ran out of battery, leaving the university student stuck in his own studies for some more time.

Only when he heard knocking at the door did Leonardo take his eyes off his computer and notebooks, turning to Aslan. The blond boy held up two hangers, blinking in astonishment at what he saw.

― I thought you'd be done by now.

Blinking a few times, Leonardo looked at the time in the notebook and stared.

― I lost the time again! Holy shit...

Quickly the young master got up from the chair going to the wardrobe to get his clothes. Before shooting himself to the bathroom, he looked at the hangers Aslan had brought. One had a long-sleeved shirt and the other a button-down shirt. Pointing at the former, it had soon disappeared from the blond's sight.

Aslan had looked at the shirt whose long sleeves were red, and turned to leave the room finding Ray standing in the doorway. The sharp, reddish stare he had received made all his skin shiver.

― What are you doing in the young master's room, my piece of cloud?

― Asking for his opinion. ― he answered, trying to hide the nervousness in his voice.

― You don't usually wear this kind of shirt. Is there a special occasion?

Aslan was crossing the corridor with the magician at his heels. Even though he hurried his steps to get away from him, the said magician continued in his shadow until he reached his room. Irritated, the blond suddenly turned to Ray, who immediately stopped to avoid bumping into the boy.

― What do you want, you pervert?

― Well, just to know what you're planning.

― I'm going out with the young master, that's all. Now leave because I need to finish getting ready.

Closing the bedroom door, Aslan had not seen the surprise and displeasure of a certain jealous magician.

Aslan had gotten ready without knowing for sure what kind of clothes one wears to go to a bar. It would be the first time he visited a place like this, making him anxious. Choosing light jeans and the shirt the young master had pointed out earlier, Aslan finished the look with a thick black jacket and all star.

He was tempted to wear make-up, but he didn't know if Leonardo's friends would find it strange. In the end he chose to go with a clean face so he could leave the room and wait for the young master in the living room.

But the instant he stepped on the living room carpet he felt the bad mood of two people who were sitting on the sofa with their arms crossed. Vicente was sitting next to them, drinking tea and not seeming to mind the atmosphere.

Ah, he imagined he would have to deal with the jealousy of the two. Aslan let out a tired sigh.

― Aslan, I am glad you are getting on well with the young master. ― Smiles Vincent, seeming to put gasoline on the flame.

― Getting along very well indeed. ― growled Benjin ― Just when I can't be near him, you are attacking him, you pest.

― You can stop now, because it's the young master who is showing his claws here.

― Stop it, both of you. ― argued Aslan, crossing his arms. ― That's why the young master doesn't get along with any of you, you keep fighting over anything he does.

― But I am surprised the young master asked you out. What could you have done to make him like you?

Vincent seemed like the integrity in person if it weren't for his thorny words. Aslan was used to his sneaky way of causing intrigue. He would use the question to calm the others' tempers anyway.

― He said we have very similar tastes, and he thinks I will get on well with his friends.

― I see, so you will meet the young master's friends.

― That sounds like a guy taking his girlfriend to meet his friends. ― Benjin whimpered, throwing himself on the sofa. ― Why didn't he invite me too?

Ray jumped to the floor, getting down on his knees in front of Benjin, smiling broadly.

― Because we can't go out.

― But I want to see him play drums again!

― He's vocal. ― reminded Aslan as he tilted his head, receiving an intense look from Benjin. ― There's no point in frowning at me, Ben.

The trapeze artist clucked his tongue impertinently, returning to his seat on the sofa. If it was so hard for him to stay away from his young master, then he shouldn't have proposed that bet, Aslan wondered. And before he could calm him down with some blackmail, the young master had come down the stairs all perfumed and dressed up as he usually did at the weekend.

― Vicente, I'm taking Aslan with me to work. We're going to eat there, so don't wait for us so early.

― As you wish, young master.

― Hahaha, young master, I want my piece of cloud early! ― Ray laughed, crushing a pillow in a hug. ― Just like Cinderella.

Leonardo arched an eyebrow, alternating his gaze between Aslan and Ray before asking.

― What is it with you two? Are you two together to be so jealous?

Aslan froze, grabbing the young master's arm and pulling him out of the mansion.

― Stop talking nonsense and let's hurry up or you'll be late.

In the living room, Benjin rested his face on his knees looking at the magician whose smile had frozen.

― You see, until you are honest with him, you won't get out of your seat.

Ray hugged the cushion, taking on a melancholy countenance as he leaned back on the upholstered couch in the same position as the trapeze artist.

― Look who's talking.

Vicente sipped his tea, smiling at the growth of those two children. The best of all was that he did not intervene much. Leaving the empty cup on the coffee table, the administrator turned to the two boys.

― Benjin, it's show time.