Chapter 157 - The Engagement Dinner (2/2)

”Oh, really? How did you convince him?” Finland asked in amazement. ”You didn't buy LTX's majority shares and changed the company's leave policy, did you?”

”Haha... that's too easy,” Lauriel said. ”I used the hard way because I like challenges.”

”So?”

”I told him the truth about Jean, that I will try to cure him. If Jean can remember you, of course LTX will benefit because he is now very famous.”

”You told him the truth and Tony believed you? Doesn't this all sound too strange to outsiders?” Finland asked in amazement.

”Not really. I think I was quite logical when I told him all the facts. Tony immediately understood and agreed. You can start working part time next week, so I have time to prepare for our trip. I'll buy you a satellite phone so you can keep working from the Amazon... ”

”Oh, okay.”

Lauriel's car arrived in front of Finland's apartment building but their conversation was not over yet.

”Want to come in and have some tea?” Finland offered Lauriel. ”We can talk about the trip to the Amazon. I am clueless as to what to prepare...”

”Hmm... okay.” Lauriel looked for an empty spot to park his car before following Finland into her apartment.

Finland boiled water in a pot and made tea for them both. After taking Aleksis to sleep in her bed, she joined Lauriel in the living room for tea.

”Caspar still hasn't replied to any of my texts. He also doesn't pick up my calls,” Lauriel said suddenly. ”Do you have to meet him in person?”

Finland was quite stunned. She felt very sad to know that Caspar did not want to see her at all. Her heart ached at the thought.

”This isn't something we can talk about over the phone... I really hope to see him...” replied Finland.

Lauriel seemed to think for a long time, finally he sighed and gave up, ”Okay... I will break my habit and attend the clan event to look for him.”

”What do you mean?” Finland asked.

”Two months from now there will be a wedding, and all Alchemist clan members will gather in Scotland to attend.” Lauriel took a sip of his tea. He looked miserable. He clearly did not like to attend those events. ”Normally I avoid crowds, but we have no choice...”

”Oh, Rory...” Finland felt uneasy. It seemed like Lauriel sacrificed too much for her and Aleksis.

”It's okay, Ned and Portia have been in a relationship for more than 100 years and I know them well. I don't mind meeting them to give my blessing.” Lauriel frowned as he continued, ”Besides, it may be good for me to meet all the clan members for the last time...”

Oh... Lauriel was still thinking of dying, Finland thought bitterly.

”How do you know that Caspar would come to the event? You can't contact him...” Finland asked. She suddenly felt uneasy; was meeting Caspar again worth the loss of Lauriel?

”He has to come, because he will be the one to marry Ned and Portia off. It is his responsibility as the clan leader,” Lauriel answered. ”This may be our last opportunity to meet him, because very few marriages happen among my people. If Caspar wants to disappear and does not want to be found, even if I try, I will not be able to find him.”

Finland bit her lip. She only had this one chance to meet Caspar and tell him what had happened.

If her efforts later failed, she would be forced to explain everything to him via text or email. Not the ideal way, but she would have no choice.

***