Chapter 31 - The Don and The Second Root 4 (1/2)

The young Don and his servant excused themselves after the long briefing of their meeting. He went to a seclusive place to discuss the mission. His butler used his unknown magic to secure the place, preventing anyone to eavesdrop their conversation.

Hermes sat down on a single-seat chair, crossed his legs, and folded his arms across his c.h.e.s.t. Chin-up.

”Justin, what do you think? The situation is too complicated to contemplate it. I'm still a rookie in this kind of event, to be honest. You're my advisor and my Consigliere, so I hope you give me some answers to this problem,” he asked, calmly.

His servant rubbed his jaw and he replied, ”I do agree with your sentiment, my Don. Even I was watching from behind, I was not too sure to myself if we should go with it or not.”

”More like, we're just being used as a pawn for their own beliefs. We don't know yet who are we dealing with. Anyways, do you have any idea about that group they've mention?” said Hermes, pressing his index on his forehead.

His servant raised his eyebrows in curiosity, ”Group? You mean the 'second root', my Don?” The young Don sighed, ”Yep, the second root. To be honest, I don't know who are they and what is the function and purpose of their group. So, now that you mention them, do you have any idea about those rascals?” His question made his servant contemplated it, and he nonchalantly shook his head that made the young Don heaved a disappointing sigh.

”I can't believe they exist. This ain't part of the story so far,” Hermes muttered that only he could hear.

His servant tilted his head and politely asked, ”Excuse me?”

”It's nothin'. Nevermind that.” he waved his hand, preventing him to tackle what he muttered earlier. ”Anyhow, what should we do about that?”

That question made his servant contemplated it briefly inside his mind. The situation they were in right now was a little bit complex, or more like, it was putting his master, the boss of the Archnemesis clan, in difficult terrain. There's a possibility that his advice would put his life into danger, and that was not what he wanted to prevent no less.

Right now, his master asked his full support and collaborated to plan whether they grab the mission or not. He needed to play his part to be useful in his accord.

”My Don, the situation is not yet profoundly explained properly when you think about it. To be fair, the Priestess' request was a genuine approach, but the way of speaking and how the Chief's reaction when you decided to take a break was a little bit suspicious,” he pressed his index on his left cheeks and tilted his head with a worried face.

The young Don's eyes turned sharp when he heard it.

”How exactly he was suspicious from your sight?” he asked.

His servant raised one finger and he replied, ”Well, first of all, I don't intend to destroy the trust between you and that man, so I don't think it is a wise idea to ask me for it. It might be a hunch, but let's skip it out, for now, my Don.”

The young Don sighed.

It turned out his servant really hated the chief from the very start. He didn't understand why Justin was so suspicious and hostile against him, but looking at how cynical this man was, he would note to watch his back from the chief, too.

Justin added, raising another finger, ”Well, we're not going to do it without getting a good benefit in return, so I fully advise to reevaluate first the mission before we decide to accept it, sir.”

”In short, we review that file first? Is that what you want to suggest?” said Hermes, glaring.

His servant nodded and he replied, ”Exactly. We review the file first and then, we will call for another meeting after that. To sum up it all, you're the one who'll decide whether we do the mission or not. As your advisor, I suggest to put your life first in the safety precaution and never let others force you to take 'any' responsibility. We are just their employee and they are our clients. Even I like her to become your wife, I mean in the future, don't let her beauty distracts you, sir. Always remember, this is business.”

”You don't need to remind that. I know my thing. And, who do you think I am? I'm not going to lick her shoes to accept me or more like, I won't even dare to flirt with someone like that. Gosh, we're wasting our time on nonsensical topics, so far. Anyhow,” he paused for a second and he hesitated to continue. His servant tilted his head when he showed a worried face. The young Don heaved a sigh before he resumed, ”Anyhow, we will do what you suggest then. It will be in no time before someone gets in here, so we better go back now before they think we abandon them.”

”Okay, my Don. As you wish.” His servant hung his head.

Before the young Don stood up from his chair, someone knocked thrice behind the door.

”Who was it?” Justin slowly moved behind the wall and he waited for the person to respond.

”Mr. Aljen, this is Mambo. May I come in?” he asked, respectfully.

”Mambo?” Hermes tilted his head.

His servant slowly opened the door after he recognized him. A man wore a white suit with a black bow tie neatly fixed on his collar entered. His entrance made his butler easily recognized his appearance.

The two tall men exchanged a smile with one another. Both of them shook hands before they moved closer to the young Don.

”Master, let me introduce you once again to Mambo. Remember the black guy we helped four days ago? This muscle-brain man was that person. Oh, I don't mean any disrespect, sir. But that's how exactly I know you before,” Justin explained, sarcastically.

Even it was insulting remarks from this person, Mambo remained himself composed and he lowered his head before the young Don. He simply smiled in respect.

”Good afternoon, Mr. Aljen and Mr. Justin. It is my deepest p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you two once again,” and he laughed slightly. ”Mr. Justin is always like this, right? I just learn somethin' new about him. I'm honor to be recognized, at least. To be honest, I thought you guys had already forgotten about me. It's so nice that two saviors of milady and mine are still healthy and well. Especially, you, sir. I'm so glad that we finally meet once again. It's been four days when I saw you back then.”

He's a good man according to his profile, and he had no bad records according to his background. The only thing Hermes knew about him was his allegiance with the Priestess and the Pope.

According to what he read from his biography, the Priestess saved him from the alleged theft. He got accused of stealing a barrel of cotton from a white guy, but it turned out the white guy was the culprit, after all. He was ferociously tortured by the authorities and almost got killed when the judge condemned him of execution before he got released. The judge condemned him not guilty of all charges against him after the Priestess intervened during his trial. That time, he devoted himself to watch the lady until his last breath. She's his savior and he wouldn't hesitate to give his life to protect his light.

Mambo raised his hand, waiting for the young Don to shake it.

Hermes hesitated at first, but his friendly demeanor made him gave in.

”Oh, it's nice to see you again without any bruises on your body. How's your life?” Hermes simpered with a fake facade. He released his hand after he shook it.

”Oh, Mr. Aljen, you're also saying jokes like him, huh. I'm okay and happy to be alive right now. The Priestess was too energetic for the past few days since the time you saved her from those bastards. I feel so great because my one and only master keep her purity until today. It is all thanks to you,” he answered, happily.

”Tell me in full details,” Justin pulled out his notepad from his c.h.e.s.t pocket.

”The Priestess was so glad to receive a picture of Mr. Aljen. The photos were all preserved in her room. I'm so glad that Mr. Aljen accepted her request to send her some of your finest looks. It was a very accomodating and excellent gift according to milady.” said Mambo.

”My photo? Wait, a gift?” Hermes, confused, asked it.

”Oh, mamma mia. I forgot to send another batch of his album. Next week, I'll make sure to send it again.” Justin interjected.

Mambo clapped his hand once, happily.

”Oh, I'm glad. Milady will be pleased to hear that good news. I'll make sure to tell my master about it.”

”Wait, what's going on?” Hermes's face turned pale.

”Oh, Mambo. Don't worry. Just make sure to tell your master that we need compensation for all of his gifts.” his butler reminded.

Mambo nodded, ”Of course, the goods will be sent right away as an advance payment.”

'I don't know what's going on here, but my guts tell me to stop this madness.' Hermes thought.

He quickly stepped between the two men who were making a deal with their transaction.

”Oh, it's good to hear that. Oh, well. It's nice meeting you here, but we have to go.” Hermes stood up from his seat and he excused themselves from his presence.

Mambo blinked his eyes several times, cluelessly.

He just returned him a smile, and he replied, ”Thank you, sir.”

”Hey, Mambo, next time. Let's have a coffee after the meeting,” suggested Justin.

”Okay, sir.” He raised his hand to say his regards before the butler closed the door.

On their way to the room, Hermes was in a bad mood.

”Justin, please don't do that again,” he demanding, angrily.