Chapter 376 - Dorino (1/2)
”I'd have never thought you would be the type to outright speak to them.”
”Well,” inside the showroom with the boys still peering in, ”-I sort of saw Julius and I in those two. We weren't that close, but it seemed familiar. Anyway,” the head shook in dismissal,”-I rather not think of the past,” paused before an ever slick red and white sports bike, ”-this one?”
”Yeah,” she nodded.
”Isn't red a bit loud?” they debated with an assistant close-by. The latter gave a many o' glances trying to figure who had come. The car outside drew attention; the first impression was of someone important, very important.
”Excuse me sire,” mustering courage, the girl spoke politely, ”-is there anything I can assist with?”
”Yes actually,” he flat-out ignored Courtney's argument for sticking with the red, ”-do you have this model in black?”
”The Monif-4T?”
”Yes, the 4T,” interjected she boldly, ”-excuse me, but I'm the one who's going to ride the steed.”
”O-ok?”
”Go ahead,” he spoke trying to reassure the assistant, ”-she'll be the one discussing of what to have. Be sure to call on me for payment,” the sentence ended with a nod. He moved to a lounge area off to the right – the suit-jacket had the bottom button untied to allow ease of movement.
In a blueish-glow, the smartphone displayed a peculiar interface. Those assisting Courtney were too busy meeting her demands to pay heed. 'Time to see what has been happening around the world,' many o' sources and many o' information was neatly sorted and laid to rest. The handy work of Éclair, the spirit behind the AFR.
'Companies declaring bankruptcy, what a shame. The economy sure is crashing.' Whilst collecting thoughts on the matter, a transaction of arms was seen via a small window, '-I forgot about tonight. There's a big shipment of weapons heading to Iqeavea; Elina wants to arm-up. I don't see anything abled to create havoc at the moment. Starting a fight will destroy both parties – I sure hope the rulers know what they're dealing with,' scrolled one after the other, '-found it. The duty assigned, so, we have the Jefferson's Family fighting against the Lerado's. How's she going to resolve this conflict. The Jeffersons are Godfather Stanley's close allies whilst Lerado's are under Renaud. Peacefully settling the issue is a far-stretched. The Lerado family have it tough – I've heard their activities revolve around importing and never re-selling. They're left out of the money being made. The Jefferson's are renowned for being one of the more violent families out there. No wonder Stanley loves them so much. I can see it ending only in bloodshed,' a message blinked from Cake, '-I see,' he smiled, '-Lerado know they're going to lose; that's why Shadow is being called as reinforcement. Her presence alone should discourage the Jefferson's, not that I need to worry. If push comes to shove, she might kill a few lackeys and destroy their house. No killing, as Renaud said, no killing other prominent family members.'
”Brother!”
”Y-yeah,” the hovering screen toggled off, ”-what's the matter, did you need something?”
”Time for payment,” a massive grin made her look like a clown.
”How much?”
”1,000,000 Exa.”
”Seriously?”
”Don't you dare say no, I didn't complain when thee spent over three million on a car.”
”Fine,” with no grounds to argue, the paperwork and payment were complete.
”Who the hell are those two?” wondered a sale-man roaming left to right impatiently.
”No idea,” said the lady who assisted them, ”-they all but bought the bike as if it were nothing. Guess there's no limit to how much wealth a rich person can acquire,” the door opened with the bike readied to leave.
”Hey sire,” came a boyish voice.
”What is it?”
”What did you buy?” asked he who had a charming personality, the frankness was admirable.
”A bike,” he pointed to the street where Courtney readied herself to leave.
The engine growled as she stopped, ”-I'm off, see you later, boss.”
”Wow,” said the boy as she burnt along the asphalt, ”-the Monif-4T, sire, you're very much rich.”
”One could say so,” he climbed aboard the car, ”-be sure to get home soon. The bigger the light, the bigger the shadows.”
Soon came the next day, the prior night was spent at the heart of the capital. A press of the button had the curtains part to show the idyllic scenery. A call later, waiters brought over a succulent breakfast. Stood on the balcony, the sky seemed constrained by the planes.
*Ring,* vibrated the phone onto the bedside table. Coffee in hand and wrapped in dressing grown, ”-hello?” he spoke with a touch of fatigue.
”Father-in-law.”
”Emperor Sultria, good-morning, what can I do for you?”
”Did thee forget of our prior night's engagement?”
”Are you referring to dinner?”
”Yes, obviously – I convinced my sister with much wait to have her be present.”
”And my sister was adamant about getting a new toy. The whims of fellow siblings are issues we must deal with. What's the reason you called, surely it's not to rant of something so frivolous.”
”Point well made,” the voice trailed as he backed away physically, ”-where are you?”
”At Melmark.”
”Good, wait for me – we have much to discuss.”
”Before hanging up, about lady Loftha, is she perchance in the AHA?”
”No, we refused her since the job is far too dangerous.”
”Such a waste.”
”Excuse you?”
”Do I have to repeat myself?”
”…”
”Good,” said Staxius, ”-I'll be waiting at the town-square. Make sure you reach by 11 o'clock, don't dilly-dally.”
”Alright,” the phone hung.
”This is a view worth admiring,” said Adete half-awake.
”Not from my point of view,” he stared at her face.
”I know, I know…”
A loaded day began. Seated inside the car, Staxius drove around the capital to explore and see what brands were well-seated. 'Here we are,' he stopped shy of a luxurious shop, the large windows with clothes and accessories of which held a massive price-tag. The other shops paled in comparison, a direct show and assertion of power. 'Meldorino, the business has been slow since Elkdo came onto the market. A fall from grace, Elkdo has the same clothing style with its prices affordable to the regular joe. Luxury brands and whatnot, Meldorino doesn't have anything to distinguish itself. A bloated brand passed its time. The owner is going through a lot, a wealthy divorce, and a lack of business. They had to shut-down shop in Iqeavea and Hidros – Alphia is the only place where a few of their product can be found. Look at the workers, opposed to smiling, they hold woe – such a shame, what a waste of manpower,' as if fate, a phone call came with Cake's details as the caller.
”Hello?”