Chapter 56 - Maybe this is my karma (1/2)
Finland just finished taking a shower and was getting ready to sleep when Caspar called her.
When Finland saw Caspar's name appear on her phone screen, she immediately recalled the incident this afternoon when Katia said things that made Finland nervous, especially when she said that Caspar had dumped many women.
How many? Who were they?
After one minute, finally Finland picked up Caspar's call.
”Hello,” she said softly.
”Hi, Finland. How was your day?” Caspar sounded a little worried because he heard Finland's unusual tone.
”I'm happy,” Finland said briefly. ”How was yours?”
”It's OK. I'm pretty busy, but I had a chance to meet my brother Aldebar. I told him about you. He was very impressed and invited you to come to Germany to attend his 200th birthday celebration.”
Finland could only shake her head when Caspar casually talked about his brother's 200th birthday celebration. She didn't know when she would get used to Caspar and his family's weirdness...
”He was born in 1818?” Finland asked.
”End of 1818, right. December 31 to be exact.” Caspar chuckled. ”People like us only celebrate birthdays every 100 years. Aldebar and I usually hold big parties by inviting all relatives from the Alchemist clan. It is a rare opportunity to meet and exchange news. Otherwise, my people only meet in meetings once every 10 years or in large events such as weddings. Weddings are usually the only time that our clan accepts new members, namely ordinary people who will receive the immortality potion as a wedding gift from us. Like Louis, Flora's husband. We have had very few weddings because the Alchemists are very picky when it comes their life partners. There are times when we don't have any wedding at all in a hundred years.”
”Oh...” Finland suddenly thought about Katia who said that Caspar dated many other women during their 50-year relationship and he usually dumped them after one month.
She then scolded Caspar, ”Could it be that your people are not into marriage, not because you are all picky... but because you don't really value other people, and prefer dating different partners without having to make any commitments...?”
”Do you think I'm like that?” Caspar asked in surprise.
”Katia said you dated a lot of women, even during the time when you were engaged to her. That was why she left you. Ben also said that you had many women before you met me.” Before Caspar could answer, Finland hastily added, ”No... don't you blame Ben anymore. He was just telling me the truth, which Katia confirmed.”
”Finland, since I met you at the airport four months ago, I did not date any other women,” Caspar said firmly. ”Why would I be with anyone else? I have found the one.”
”You dumped women after one month, that's what I heard from Katia,” Finland said softly. ”Frankly, I'm afraid... You and Katia, who have been together for 50 years together, can break up. What about us? We have known each other for only four months... Do you understand how I feel?”
”I...” Caspar didn't know what to say.
”I admire you, and I think you're a very great person...” Finland said. ”Last week I was almost sure that I really loved you... But at the same time, I was increasingly afraid that if my feelings for you would became deeper, then the pain when you leave me will get worse...”