128. An Important Step.*

" Carlitos!! "

My mother just as I left her. Even those jewellery she wore remained more or less the same.

" Ma, you look well. " - I received her sugary hug and checked the main room but other than father and a few servants there was nobody else.

" Julius, introduce us to your friend. "

My father as always saw opportunity in people and Zeph screaming that.

" Zephyr meet Rico and Julia Em. First donors to his holiness Viego IV. This is my friend and Rival, Zephyr Astoria. "

" It's my pleasure to meet you both. " - He bowed politely and made some looks at the former slaves now our servants standing in the corner.

Poor creatures.

I have pity for them all Zeph but, we're not here as liberators.

" My, my..look at you. " - mother shamelessly walked around him. " Please tell me your available, handsome one. "

" Julia! "

" I'm obviously not thinking about myself dear. One of the..

" Unfortunately.." - he took her hand of his shoulder where she rested it. " ..I am married. "

He gave me a pointed look.

" Yes Zephyr is a friend who accompanies me we can't stay for long. I'll have business with Yelena and we leave tomorrow night or morning after at the latest. "

" Why not stay? What business you have with your wife that despite weeks of travelling will only take a day? "

I checked first but after he nodded. " We left Insatel yesterday morning. Zephyr here is also ..

" OF COURSE HE IS! "

Father startled us both, the bloody lunatic.

" I'm sorry dear boy. But, will you show us your blessing? " - he stepped up himself but not to close, remembering mothers blunder of familiarity.

" You see as the family closets to his holiness we can quantify your powers better than anyone. "

Horse shit.

I gave my first 'I'm sorry' look. Although, I did warn him.

" Absolutely Lord Em. Once rested, I'll be happy demonstrate it. "

Zephyr, no..you gave him time..

" Excellent! Let us reconvene before nightfall? "

" Sure. "

(CLAP,CLAP.)

" GIRLS! " - mother turned too the servants in the corner who almost fell down trying to appear in front of her.

"" Y-yes milady. ""

" Take my son and the handsome rival, Zephyr into the golden guesthouse. "

"" Right away, milady. ""

They arrived in front of us while I saw Zephyr's eyes literally turn colder.

Ice blue eyes are sure scary things..

I took the initiative walked forward before anyone could talk.

We walked in silence until we reached the grand garden of Em.

It was a small lake there surrounded by beautiful greenery.

Well at least in the spring and summer.

I can see how this place is cared for. I spent a lot my childhood swimming in the now frozen lake. Climbed those trees..

" Em...tell me."

I stopped when seeing his cold eyes watching the slaves...cleaning the ice one top of the lake.

" Those..are criminals whom the church condemned and..mother using them for various nonsense tasks as punishment. "

Like cleaning ice..

I saw him getting heated just watching those struggling with the pointless task.

I feared he might do something..like massacre the pope..but he just sighed and turned ahead.

" Let just go.."

Boy..he was angry.

I turned and lead him away quickly and thanking Ehlite it's not summer..when mother makes them clean the bottom of it.

The golden guesthouse was built in the middle of the garden and it's never been used by any guest..

It was just a vanity project by my parents.

The walls, the furniture, the base and the top was adorned with gold. Hundreds of pounds of it, other gemstones, rare and old furniture and paintings of people and landscapes we never knew or will ever see.

" Thank you..ladies. "

The servants were shaking like an leaf considering their light clothing and maybe from the kinder than usual words they received.

I saw a morsel of smile before they walked away.

" Stop!"

Zephyr waived them to come closer which they reluctantly did..don't worry ladies he would never hurt you.

" What's your names? "

The poor girls were so confused it took them some time to register the unusual command but Zephyr waited patiently.

" Sien..

" My name is Welma, Lord."

" Sien..Welma..thank you for the help. "

He just wanted to thank them by their names...

Now, I saw real smiles.

As a response to the kind gesture they received from a rather handsome man.

For a second they looked like girls...like any other.

They bowed and run out. Probably didn't wanted to lose those good feelings, they received.

I waited in the silence for his thoughts experiencing a complete different world.

A more disgusting one.

" Im sorry.." - he kept scanning the room as he said something unexpected.

" What are you sorry for? "

He turned around his demeanour changed. " It's not my place to judge how others live..or how they treat others as livestock or even worst."

He walked over looking exhausted. " Why don't you cut this trip and get over with ..the thing. In the meantime, I'll rest..in this...shiny useless, room."

He looked around the white and gold room frowning the entire time.

I know Zeph...what's the actual point? Also..

How are people supposed to have a good night sleep here?

I was relived he didn't do something drastic..and of course he was right.

" Alright then..rest..or do the best you can. " - I smiled thinking how annoying those windows are without a drape. " I'll finish this quick Zeph.."

I took a few deep breaths and walked away..

" Em?.."

"Yes?"

He ran his fingers on the shiny leather couch and walked around and sat down.

" Good luck, brother."

He smiled confidently and it was just the damn thing I needed to quell my mind and reaffirm my resolve.

" Thanks Zeph, for everything. "

I turned away from the younger man who changed my destiny and promised to help achieve my dream.

Today, coming back...this meeting with her.

Is an important step for our future families

happiness..