Chapter 525: Manager (1/2)

A looming mystery brought itself onto a young chef's platter. Questions about what he pursued created doubt. The culmination of mishaps changed an otherwise happy and elated profession into hell. Talent compared to hard work and in the end having hard work best talent. Short-run, those with talent can outshine just about anyone, however, when it comes to the mid and late stages, hard work always wins.

Sat peering through the infinite blueness of the sky; Igna wondered. 'Is this really ok?' It had always been the same, once reaching what appeared to be the top, an incident would always ruin the carefully built road. A castle made of cards blown by a gentle breeze. Then and there, it dawned on him, '-why did I let myself get killed?' the hidden agenda, '-to go underground, to hide from the world and allow the name Staxius to be a fond memory. Too many eyes followed my movement, I needed to getaway. The curse of death reaper – I gambled… and it paid off. The death-element sleeps and my body feels weak but better. If things come to worse, I have the blood of the first progenitor in my veins.'

The jet pierced the white-cloud to show the immense continent of Alphia resting in her lonesome beauty. Not actually visible, there was change; it felt different. ”Two hours until we land,” said the pilot. Laidback to stare the fuselage, '-a nap seems nice.'

*Screech,* a rocky landing jolted him awake, '-time flew by fast,' thought he. Amsey and Lia stood impervious from the journey, they exchanged pleasantries as if forgetting Igna's presence.

”We're in Alphia,” came Amsey after whispering to the attentive lady.

”I can see that,” sighed he to a stand, ”-what now?”

”It's a night out. My mansions in the Eldow's High, want to join me?”

”No,” refused Igna, ”-I'll feel like a burden. How about I stay at a cheap inn somewhere.”

”A cheap inn,” he faced Lia who held an expression of '-don't look at me, I don't know.'

”Listen,” giving up on her, ”-Odgawoan isn't such a good place to be,” he spoke per experience. ”There's a lot of mob-influence. Being so far from actual civilization makes it more the reason to be on edge. The town is massive, don't get me wrong.”

”Are the surrounding woods that scary?” asked he half-in-jest.

”Yeah, you bet they are,” the hands tightly gripped the leather seats, ”-it's common for runaway people to find bodies in the forest South-West. They've conveniently dubbed it, the Weeping Forest.”

”A good name for a scary movie,” added Igna, ”-I'm not changing my mind about choosing a cheap inn.”

”Listen,” added Lia, ”-don't worry about what Mr. Amsey says.”

*Ding,* ”-I've sent a detailed map of the area,” said she, ”-we'll drive into town first.”

”Alright,” said he casually walking off the jet. '-Not what I expected,' the airport stood at an hour drive from town. The divide between them both was of the forest, an apparent feature of this supposed land 'o dreams.

The car arrived and it began. Igna spent more time studying the map. Odgawoan was divided into four major parts. First came Eldow's High on the northern-most area of town. It rested near and close to the foot of the Fuda Mountains. Second, came Konlda, the downtown followed by Mi's and Fulha's district. Stanley's homage was erected in the middle of the three district borders. The center of town, an extension of the downtown.

”Where are we headed?” wondered Igna after entering the town. The well-lit buildings, flashing advertisements, and never-ending nightlife is shown a new view of life. People were very well-dressed. Ladies were classy and very sexy at times, the men wore suits, some chose more fashionable attire. One thing never changed - the well-decorated streets and constructions. Custom lamps provided light for drivers; traffic was more of a hassle, the city bustled with activity.

”We're heading downtown, there's a lovely restaurant I'd like for us to visit,” said Lia coyly. ”The tab is on Mr. Amsey, no need to be shy about the prices,” she winked.

”I'm paying?” he frowned, ”-I didn't agree…”

”Stop being stingy,” sighed she, ”-a millionaire doesn't have that right.”

”Shut up,” he soon moved to admire the outside. Stopped at a busy intersection, they headed west, to the outskirts of town that laid on elevated grounds. From the bustling and obviously lit to somber and appeasing to the eyes, the car moved without stop for the lack of traffic. Said part had few buildings being renovated, and the road winded up to warmly light white and black buildings.

L's restaurant, ”-what a pleasant surprise,” said Amsey realizing the destination, ”-I don't mind paying now.” It took another hour to arrive due to the traffic. A quiet establishment perched onto the sloped hill they recently climbed. A private parking-lot showed a moderate number of cars, most of which screamed rich.

”Lady Lia,” said Igna, ”-this establishment seems expensive.”

”Cost is no issue,” added Amsey, ”-good food must be paid handsomely.” Past an arch made of plants and flowers came a tiled walkway of marble beside which rested statues and fountains. What intrigued most was the view, the tall-buildings of Odgawoan were at full display. Expansive and the glamor alone showed how thriving the city was.

”Come on,” whispered Lia, ”-let's go.”

'Oh boy,' a deep inhale led them to the best seating. Upstairs overlooking the landscape of the city. Waiters came in full to greet Lord Amsey, even the manager bowed his head and flowered him with compliments.

”Quite popular,” commented Lia.

”Don't act as if you don't know,” orders were placed.

”Well, it's to be expected,” said she scanning the area, ”-where is she?”

”She?” wondered Igna.

”Pardon me,” she cleared her throat, ”-nothing, don't worry.”

'Suspicious.'

Starters arrived in silver-platter fifteen minutes later, Lia seemed preoccupied and kept glancing the glass stairs. Another ten-minutes past and the mains arrived. No words exchanged for the deliciousness of the plate had hypnotized the mouth.

On the last bite, heels echoed against the fragile-looking stairs. A lady in her early twenties dawned a beige-colored dress atop which she had worn a white scarf and jacket. The dark-brown hair ran down her back till shy off her waist while the front rested just shy of the chest. Hazel eyes fluttered per long lashes; the gentle touch of eyeliner gave a hint of sternness. She stared about with a nonchalant expression until locking onto Lia, who waved. The heels approached strongly; the purse showed the brand of Meldorino.

”I apologize for coming late,” said she in a chilled lower tone, ”-Lady Lia, Lord Amsey, a pleasure to see you again.”

”Oh, so there she is,” said he stood for an embrace, ”-take a seat.”

”Thank you,” she gracefully lowered to be seated. The profiled look showed her curt, rounded nose and sharp-edged ears. 'Half-elf?' or so was the impression. 'I better not stare too much,' he faced the scenery.

”I didn't know you were in town,” said Amsey, ”-what's become of the idol group?”

”They had a falling out,” said she, ”-the fame and stardom brought delusions of being gods. You know,” she softly tied the hair loosely exposing more of her sharp-jaw and prestige cheeks, ”-drugs, alcohol, one led to another and bam, they killed themselves.”