Chapter 3

DAY 2

Arriving at Mr. Calen Levi's company, Aggy took a moment to admire the opulent surroundings. The lobby exuded luxury, with marble floors and tasteful art adorning the walls. She approached the front desk, where a poised secretary greeted her.

"Hello, I'm Aggy Freeman. I have an appointment with Mr. Calen Levi today," she said, offering a polite smile.

The secretary glanced at her schedule. "Yes, Ms. Freeman. Your appointment is at 10 a.m. Please feel free to make yourself comfortable in the meantime. Can I get you anything?"

"A coffee would be wonderful, thank you," Aggy replied.

"Of course, I'll be right back," the secretary said, standing up and walking away.

As Aggy waited, she took in the art displayed around the office. One piece depicted a poor family in tattered clothes, their expressions a blend of resilience and despair. Another showed children gathered together, their faces alight with innocent joy, accompanied by a man and a woman who seemed to radiate warmth and protection. The final piece was a striking portrait of a man in a Nazi uniform, his stern visage contrasting sharply with the other paintings.

Lost in thought, Aggy was startled when the secretary returned, holding a steaming cup of coffee. "Here you go, Ms. Freeman," she said, handing over the cup.

"Thank you," Aggy said, taking a sip. "These paintings are fascinating. They seem to tell a story. Are they from World War II?"

The secretary nodded. "Yes, they are. The woman beside Mr. Calen in one of the paintings is his wife."

Aggy's eyes shifted to the portrait of the man in Nazi attire. "And who is this man?" she asked.

"That's Madam Annelise's brother, a close friend of Mr. Calen. He was deeply involved in the war effort but tragically died during the conflict," the secretary explained, a note of sadness in her voice.

Aggy absorbed the information, feeling a pang of curiosity and sorrow for the lives captured in the art. "I see. Thank you for sharing that with me."

The secretary gave a polite nod. "If you need anything else, please let me know," she said before walking away.

Aggy pulled out her notebook and began to write, her mind buzzing with thoughts and questions about the man in the portrait and his connection to Mr. Calen. A few minutes later, the secretary's voice interrupted her reverie.

"Ms. Aggy Freeman," she called.

Aggy looked up. "Yes?"

"Mr. Calen is ready to see you now. Please follow me," the secretary said.

Aggy stood up and followed her down a corridor to a large, imposing door. The secretary knocked once before opening it and ushering Aggy inside. The office was as impressive as the rest of the building, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.

Mr. Calen Levi stood up from behind his mahogany desk and extended a hand. "Hello, Ms. Freeman. How are you today?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. This is a beautiful office, and the paintings are quite striking," she replied, shaking his hand.

"Thank you," Mr. Calen said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Those paintings serve as a reminder of a difficult time in history and the people who lived through it. The portrait you mentioned is of my dear friend, Donald. He played a significant role in my life and during the war."

"I could tell the art held a deep meaning. It's powerful," Aggy said, her eyes meeting Mr. Calen's with genuine interest.

Mr. Calen nodded solemnly. "Yes, they do. Now, shall we begin our discussion?"

"Yes, let's," Aggy agreed, taking a seat and preparing for the meeting ahead.

Aggy stepped into Mr. Calen Levi's office, her eyes still lingering on the captivating art she had seen in the lobby. She settled into a plush chair as Mr. Levi greeted her warmly.

"So, Mr. Calen, I'd love to know more about your background—your family, your origins, everything," she began.

Mr. Levi nodded, his eyes softening as he prepared to delve into his past. "Of course. My full name is Calen David Levi. 'Calen' was a name given to me by my grandmother, who was from Greece, while 'David' is a tribute to my Jewish heritage. But most people called me David."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant as he recalled his memories. "I was born on June 20, 1917, and raised in Germany as a Jew. Unlike many Jewish families who kept their cultural and religious identities distinct, we assimilated well into German society. Some people accepted us, but many did not, as anti-Semitism was rampant."

Aggy listened intently, captivated by the depth of his story. She could almost feel the weight of history in his words.

"My father was a Jewish teacher, a man of great wisdom and kindness. He always taught us to be good to others, regardless of how they treated us. My mother stayed at home, often baking bread with the other women in our neighborhood. We spoke both German and Hebrew, but I felt more German in my actions and thoughts. This made it easier for me to blend in."

Mr. Levi's face grew somber as he continued. "Everything changed when I turned 16. My family and I had to move to another neighborhood because my father fell ill, and we could no longer afford to stay where we were."

Aggy could almost see the tense atmosphere of that fateful evening, the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of his family.

"We moved to a quieter neighborhood, but the fear was always there. A year later, my father was diagnosed with cancer. We struggled to afford his treatment, and despite my mother's best efforts to bake and sell more bread, he eventually passed away, leaving my mother a young widow."

Mr. Levi's voice wavered slightly, and Aggy could sense the lingering pain of his loss. "I had to step up. I learned to bake bread and biscuits, which we sold around the neighborhood. I would climb the apple tree in our yard, picking apples to sell at the market. We made apple juice and other fruit products, and soon we were back on our feet. My mother and I worked tirelessly to survive."

A faint smile crossed his lips as he recalled the small victories. "I returned to school and did well academically. I wished my father could see our achievements. After school I often sat in an apple tree, watching the other children play, too shy to join them. Our neighbor's yard was separated from ours by that tree. The neighbors had two children—a beautiful girl named Anneliese, who was thirteen, and her older brother, Donald, who was my age."

Aggy leaned forward, sensing a pivotal moment in the story. "One afternoon, as Anneliese went inside, I noticed a deadly snake slithering towards Donald. I shouted, 'Run!' but he was frozen in fear. Without thinking, I jumped from the tree, nearly injuring myself, and grabbed a nearby cutlass. I aimed for the snake's head and struck hard, killing it instantly."

Aggy's heart raced as she imagined the scene. Mr. Levi's voice softened as he continued. "Donald's mother, Madam Gisele, rushed out, seeing me standing there with the cutlass and the dead snake. She hugged her son tightly, then turned to me. I was paralyzed with fear, but she smiled gently and took my hand, leading me inside their home."

His eyes sparkled with a mix of nostalgia and emotion. "She gave me milk and freshly baked biscuits. That day, I met Anneliese for the first time. As our eyes met, her deep blue eyes seemed to pierce right into my soul, holding a universe of stories and secrets. Her pink lips curved into a gentle smile, and I couldn't help but notice how perfectly they complemented her freckle-kissed cheeks. Her brown hair, soft and wavy, framed her face like a halo, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Her soft, sweet voice, as she greeted me, echoed in my ears, like a melody I couldn't forget. Even now, that voice lingers in my memories, as clear as if she were standing beside me.

"Hi, I'm Anneliese," she said, offering me a cup of water.

Our hands brushed against each other as I took the cup. Her touch was soft, like the petal of a flower, yet it sent a jolt through my body, leaving goosebumps in its wake. I managed to whisper a "thank you," my voice barely more than a breath. She smiled once more, a smile that made my heart skip a beat, and then she turned and walked away.

As she disappeared from sight, I was left standing there, the imprint of her presence etched into my heart. That fleeting encounter, those few moments, felt like a promise of something profound and beautiful. And though it sounded crazy, I knew I had to find a way to see her again.

Aggy felt the intensity of his emotions, the deep connection he had with Anneliese. "Madam Gisele asked for my name, and I hesitated. 'My name is David,' I finally said. 'I am a Jew.' To my surprise, her smile widened. 'David, you are very brave. Thank you for saving my son.' She made me feel welcome, She chatted with me for a while, making me feel welcome. Then she took me home, where my worried mother was waiting. Madam Gisele explained everything, and somehow, she and my mother became good friends from that day. Our families grew close, and Donald became my very good friend.

Mr. Levi paused, lost in his thoughts, the room filled with the weight of his memories. "That's all for today," he said, standing up. "We can continue tomorrow."

Aggy, moved by his story, nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Levi. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your story."

As she left the office, Mr. Levi suggested, "Why don't you get something to eat at the restaurant before heading back to your hotel?"

"Thank you," she said, her mind buzzing with the powerful story she had just heard. She made her way downstairs, her thoughts lingering on the remarkable journey of Calen David Levi.

Aggy's heart raced as she stepped into Reign's dazzling party, the soft glow of the lights casting a warm ambiance around the room. Her black dress clung to her curves elegantly as she scanned the crowd, searching for him. Suddenly, a gentle tap on her shoulder pulled her attention.

"Hi Reign," she greeted with a shy smile.

"You look stunning, Aggy," he complimented, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

A blush crept onto her cheeks as she accepted the praise. "Just arrived?" he inquired, his voice warm and inviting.

"Yes," she replied softly, her excitement palpable.

"Do you know Hillary Vanderwood, the writer of the famous book 'Mary's Hunter's Dog'?" Reign asked, his tone eager.

Aggy's eyes widened in excitement. "Yes, I do! I've loved every part of her books," she exclaimed.

"Well, I've invited her over, and I thought you might want to talk to her," Reign offered.

Aggy's gratitude overflowed as she went in for a hug. "That's amazing! Thank you so much," she gushed.

"You're welcome," Reign replied, his smile radiant.

"Shall we go see her?" he asked, extending his hand for her to take.

"Yes, please," Aggy agreed, placing her hand in his. Together, they made their way to where Hillary was.

"Hello, Mrs. Hillary Vanderwood," Aggy greeted with excitement, offering a handshake.

"Hello, dear," Hillary responded warmly, her eyes twinkling with wisdom.

Aggy was struck by her grace and presence. "Your nephew has told me about you and your books, and your current project," Hillary remarked, her tone filled with interest.

Aggy glanced at Reign, surprised. "Your nephew?" she asked, chuckling.

Hillary chuckled in response. "I saw one of your books, 'The Hunktree,' and I must say, I fell instantly in love. Your work is truly impressive," she praised.

Aggy's heart swelled with pride at the compliment. "Thank you so much," she replied sincerely.

Hillary's offer of collaboration left Aggy speechless. "Thank you so much," she managed to say as she accepted Hillary's card.

Reign interjected with gratitude, causing both Aggy and Hillary to laugh.

As they watched Hillary depart, Aggy turned to Reign with overflowing excitement. "First of all, thank you!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe she's your aunt. This is a lot," she added, laughing.

Reign smiled warmly, his eyes reflecting her joy. "What matters is you have that card and more opportunities for your career," he reassured her.

Aggy's heart skipped a beat as Reign suggested going for a drink. "You know, I went to see your dad today," she shared. "His story was captivating, and I can't wait to hear more about it."

Reign's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "His birthday is around June, and I would love this book to be launched on that day. He's turning a hundred years. Can you do that for me?" he asked eagerly.

"Yes, it should be ready in 2 to 3 weeks, just according to how far we can finish up," Aggy replied, determination shining in her eyes.

As they clinked their glasses and sipped their wine, the music shifted to a slower tempo, enveloping them in its gentle melody.

"Shall we dance?" Reign offered, extending his hand.

Aggy's heart fluttered as she placed her hand in his, and they moved together, swaying to the rhythm of the music. Their eyes locked, sparking an undeniable connection as they danced the night away.