Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty Three: Conversations (a)
Xia's eyes were admiring the beautiful building. It was an old fashioned building giving vintage vibes. Bricks and cement had been eroded away, washing the colours from the once beautiful building. There was a big and beautiful tree just few beers away from the house, adding more beauty to it.
The house looked just like any other in the district, red brick with a peaked roof of slate. It was a double storey building. The main door was wooden polished in blue. The upper portion of the door has glass panes held by think iron bars. The main entrance was decorated by flower pots placed in the side ways.
The upper storey of the building has a beautiful small balcony. The door of the balcony has wooden frame but it was a glass door. The edge of the balcony was covered with enchanting climbers which has flowers of different shades of pink. It was interesting to see so many shades from one plant. Few flowers were hanging on top of the roof of the balcony.
The windows of the house looked hundred years older yet perfect in every way. The glass, though clear, is as thick as a beer bottle. Each ancient mullioned rectangle window, held in place with brown wooden frame. Below the lifted panes very clean worn curtains were hung.
Xia quickly marched into the house. She couldn't wait to explore it. She was fascinated by its charm. She ran around to see the house.
Ancient and creaking floorboards, latches on solid oak doors, walls lined with dark oak panels and were painted candy pink.
The ceiling lined with massive wooden beams, spiral staircase which was covered with blue carpet.
A kitchen that's seen better days, it felt like that only. Black and white tiled kitchen floor like a chequer board, noisy hum of old refrigerator, chipped vinyl counters and utensils.
The grey stone chimney, dishevelled neglected garden with mossy stepping stone path, paint peeling from half-height five bar gate.
There's no electricity, but the fireplace looked like it still works and there's a woodpile in the corner.
When the faucet finally gives way the old copper pipes start to sing - a chorus from the crumbling brick an plaster. The water doesn't flow, but splutters, spitting it out in chaotic bursts. Xia reaches forward only to retract her hand even faster. It isn't simply cold water, it's orange and dirt flecked. Somewhere down the line is an iron pipe. She glanced over her shoulder at Orion who gave her a smile. Tora was standing at the window peeping outside.
"Bienvenue," Orion said with a smile.
"This old house belongs in a story book," Xia merrily.
"I assume you like the place," Orion said with his husky voice.
"Like? I love it," Xia replied cheerfully.
Orion chuckled.
"Wait. You gave us this place?," Xia questioned him with curiosity.
"Yeah. I knew you guys weren't happy about being separated because of different batches. So I thought this might make you guys happy," he replied.
"How thoughtful of you," Tora said gleefully.
"Yeah. Thanks," Xia said to Orion.
"Both of you carry on with your exploration. I have to go now," Orion said and left with a smile.
Tora and Xia looked at each other and smiled devilishly.
"Let's pick our room before the boys come," Xia said to Tora.
"Yes. We need time to unpack our things and decorate our room," Tora replied.
Tora and Xia took the room with the balcony. They looked around the room and decided where they want there stuffs to be. Luckily the rooms were already clean so they don't have to do dusting and cleaning. The room was semi furnished. There was two beds on the opposite sides of the room, near the window was a study table with a lamp. There was a cupboard in there room which made things more easy for them. At least they don't have to worry about their clothes and shoes.
They both started working on their mission *ROOM MAKEOVER*.
****************
Someone patted on Gordon's shoulder from behind, he turned to see Orion was standing there with expressionless face.
"Hi," Gordon greeter him.
"Hmm," Orion replied dryly.
"What's wrong?," Gordon asked with concern as it's not easy to make Orion worry about something and from Orion's weird behaviour its crystal clear that something isn't right.
"We need to talk in private," Orion said monotonously.
"Sure. Just give me one minute ," Gordon replied and signalled his hands to wait.
He looked to see where Reese is and he saw him standing with a girl. He went to him.
"Ahem," Gordon said from behind.
Reese turned to found Gordon standing there so he excused himself from girl.
"Hey man," Reese gave him a toothy smile.
" What are you doing? I thought we were searching for our rooms," Gordon said raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, but then I thought if we couldn't find our rooms, we can share someone's else," he winked at him and smile.
"Typical you. Keep your amorous nature in control," he sighed.
"Look I'm going with my brother. If anything happens just call me," Gordon stated.
"Sure," Reese said.
"Oh yeah. I guess our rooms are behind this block at right hand side," Reese chuckled.
Gordon gave him a thumbs up.
Gordon and Orion went for a walk outside the internship area.
The village which has been chosen for the internship program is quite bleak in terms of development. There is still a lot more things needed to be done here.
They walked on the grassy path around fields.
"Will you say anything and put an end to the suspense," Gordon said with annoyed look.
"I'm just thinking how to start. I mean its something inexplicable," Orion said looking at the ground.
"Hey. You know you can always trust me. I'm always there for you brother," Gordon looked at him with an assuring smile.
"I know," Orion said.
Orion was still not sure how to explain Gordon what's going on. Actually he himself was not sure about it. Usually he is always ten steps ahead of his enemies but now it seems like he is lacking behind. Someone is succeeding in penetrating his security levels. Because of this he thinks the traitor is someone who is very close. He hadn't opened up about what happened to him that night and why kidnappers attacked Xia but now it seems like he needs more help. He alone cannot handle this whole matter. Finally Orion made his mind to discuss this with Gordon.
"You remember I didn't came here on the day I was supposed to?," Orion asked his brother.
"Yeah. Typical you," Gordon rolled his eyes.
Orion chuckled shaking his head.
"Yeah because when I was on my way to Auckland I stopped at for gas and then the next thing I remember was lying on a boat," Orion stated with straight face.
"What?," Gordon asked with astonished look.
" Yeah. A group of rogues tried to kill me with poison or dark magic I'm not sure about that. They threw me in the Tasman sea. Luckily Xia was there and she saved my life," Orion explained him.
"This is too much to process," Gordon was clearly worried now.
"How can someone do this to you? How can you be so careless? You know if anyone got to know about this what will happen? Someone just tried to kill the heir! Does uncle know about this?," Gordon started rambling. He was totally perplexed.
He was clearly shaken by listening the whole story. It's not everyday's new that someone attacks the heir of vampire kingdom. It clearly shows someone is challenging their family. Orion's reputation was also at stake. Usually people start shaking at mere sight of him and now someone is trying to kill him and they were even nearly successful in that. It was a conduit of threat.
"Look I'm working on this. I told you this in case if you notice something odd going on inform me about that. I have a feeling Xia is also in danger ," Orion stated looking at Gordon.
"I'm glad you trusted me. At least let Azar know about this. I'm sure he will be more than willing to help us. He is always game for showing himself as scintillating man," Gordon laughed.
"I will when the right time comes. I need to find some answers on my own. I have some qualms on this. I don't want to disturb him with trifle issues," Orion replied.
He noticed the sun is setting and sky is turning red. The surrounding around him was transmogrifying, green grasses and bushes were sparkling with the beam of orange sun light and other half portion was darker due to the lack of light. Trees were dancing with light wind. Birds were returning back to their home.
"Let's go back. Your gang must be looking for you," Orion smiled.
Gordon nodded.
*************
Xia and Tora were done with their mission. They were sitting in the porch waiting for others to come. Reese joined them.
He told them about a village girl he met.
"What's her name?," Xia asked cheerfully.
"Eve. She is really very beautiful and hot. She is smart too. I just love her. I think she is the one for me. My forever love," Reese chippered.
"I bet. Just like all other girls you meet and dump them after two days," Tora quipped.
"Here goes Miss-I-will-judge-you-forever," Reese scoffed.
"Okay guys. Peace please. We will meet her and then decide about it. It's getting dark let's go inside and find some candles," Xia got up and gestured them to come inside.
"Why there is no electricity in our building?," Tora sighed.
"Let me go and check the electric board one more time," Reese said and left.
"Hey I found some candles and a matchstick," Xia shouted from the kitchen.
Both of them placed candles in the living area. Xia was looking outside at others' building.
Their building was small as compared to others'. Those buildings were three storeys. The building were build beside the other. Each apartment has two windows and their own balcony and there was a staircase in each other that joined one balcony to the other. Xia can see her classmates sitting and chilling in the balcony and interacting with each other. She noticed those building even have electricity.
Her building was separate from others and different when compared to the architecture. It's like others are part of more urban areas whereas her's was giving more of a country side look.
She heard a knock on the door. She went look and found Gordon standing at the door with Orion.
"Is this a time to come? You cunning fox! Saved yourself from doing all the work!," She thundered at Gordon.
Gordon looked at his feet and sighed. Orion chuckled and gave a hi-five to Reese and sat on the couch.
"Don't laugh. You too have not been very useful. Electricity hasn't come yet," she frowned at Reese.
"Fuses are damaged it's not my fault okay," Reese replied with a bored look.
"This block has electricity problem. Don't worry it will be solved by tomorrow. Look at it as a special opportunity to spend evening in candle light ," Orion smiled looking at Tora.
"Yeah. It's not that bad after all," Tora replied and sat beside Xia.
Xia saw Tora blushing and she rolled her eyes at her.
"C'mon he is not that good," Xia whispered to Tora.
"Oh please! You're blind or what?," Tora answered.
"What's up guys?," Gordon joined Reese and Orion on the opposite couch of Xia and Tora.
"This whole situation is giving the perfect feeling of camping," Reese said joyfully.
"How about we talk about horror stories?," Reese added looking at everyone.
"Sure,".
"I don't mind,".
"Not a bad idea,".
And a confirmatory nod.
"Well let's get started then," Reese chippered.
To be continued......
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