Chapter 56: Chapter 55 - The Rebel
Heading to their destination, Caelum felt the wind caressing through his skin with Alexandra blitzing through the road. She was unbelievably fast that any moment could lead to an accident yet kept going amazed by her action. He hardly felt in danger since everything seemed mundane to him after experience fighting mythical creatures and devils. It was another normal day to him while everyone it was an eventful one.
After a few minutes, the two arrive in an apartment complex driving through the parking lot where Caelum is able to notice that expensive vehicles were parked.
"Get out while I park my bike."
"Go ahead. Do these cars belong to you?"
"Yes, well technically it's my father but he never uses it and is just a waste of money in my opinion."
"By your tone, I can see that you two don't get along huh?"
"Don't get along is an understatement, he practically disowned me."
Her tone seems to show the deep hatred toward her father and inwardly confused why she was compelled to keep talking to Caelum despite having grown to distance herself from anyone. She found him strangely interesting and wondered what was the reason that drew her in.
Caelum's words were sincere and did not hold any ulterior motives like the others. She grew to know when someone was aiming for her due being the daughter of William Bardot, the second largest share within the Eternum stocks. His eyes were filled with sincerity and seemed to see through her tough she'll.
He already knew that she longs for someone that could be real and show her true self. She obviously wanted to stand out as herself and not the family that disowned her.
"I think that's for the better to be honest."
"What? I thought you'd try to be more sympathetic?"
"Why would I do that? You clearly don't like anyone giving you pity."
"...."
"Actually wouldn't that mean you're your own person now? If I had to guess then you had to work hard to buy that bike, correct?"
"No shit, Sherlock. How did you get that answer?"
"Disown? It's quite clear that you want to detach herself from you father as much as possible and try to show that you don't need his dirty money."
"I'm impressed that you were able to get all that despite talking to me only a few times. Anyway, come on and start working on the project before we smell like exhaust fumes. "
"Lead the way."
Caelum followed her reaching the floor where her apartment was and it was quite simple yet elegant and didn't have any spot of dust. It obviously didn't belong to Alexandra and from how her emotion being sent to him obviously didn't like being there. He vaguely guessed that only neglectful memories were brought every time she came home.
"Make yourself comfortable."
"Nice place. It feels cozy and peaceful…yet sad at the same time."
"What are you whispering about!?"
"Nothing much, just appreciating this place of yours."
He took off his jacket then noticed how Alex seemed to be checking out his body and pretended to not notice. Caelum then sat down on the couch looking around, seeing the apartment had quite a handful of expensive decorations.
Though it hardly fazed him when he literally made a floating island that had a palace. He glances at Alex that was out of place from all the expensive decoration and looks at the clock.
"It's still early, we should be able to finish it before mom gets home."
"So you live with your mom?"
"I'm not giving you my life story. Let's just start this project and be done with it."
"Oh come on! How can we work together if we don't know anything about each other?"
"I prefer that way, it keeps things simple. Besides, you're not even my friend and just some guy I ended up being my school partner."
"You might feel that way but not me. I see every moment as an opportunity and you may never know who you will meet. I'd rather regret being persistent than just giving up."
"You know what? You wanna play that game. Alright, I'll bite. You can ask your question or whatever. Pour your hearts out for all I care. But every time you do, you gotta do an extra 25% of the project. Deal?"
"That's it? Fine with me."
"What!? You were supposed to say no."
"Hehehe like I said I'm a persistence guy."
"You're quite an idiot, you know that right? Well whatever….less work for me. Go ahead then."
Caelum smirked, leaning back into the sofa thinking of any interesting topic looking at her then found the topic he was interested in.
"Care to tell me about your family?"
"...I knew this was coming…"
Alexandra despite being reluctant to answer, told him about her family which sounded like the typical rich family problem where his mother is a drunk woman while his father is egotistical, a frick that sees himself about everyone and her twin brother Axel that was spoiled without care.
"...as you can see our family isn't your perfect rich family."
"Is there anyone that you don't hate from your family?"
"That has to be my grandma. She took care of me when I was young and was the only person who was there for me."
"...Where is she now?"
"...She has already passed away."
"Sorry…I guess we're the same huh? Though I was not neglected, I've experienced my fair share of hardship and loss. My family went through hell where I had to stop my last year of highschool to just support them."
"Huh? How old are you?"
"21 almost 22."
"You're kidding, right? I thought we're the same age."
"As I was saying…things settle down a bit and now I am able to experience being free again."
"Here I thought you're one of those city boys that hadn't it rough. Thanks but I'm not seeking anyone's sympathy. I've learned to handle things on my own."
"Sure you do. Now for my next question, is there anything you do for fun?"
"Right, I love swimming. It makes me feel free of all the things like stress, problems and worries….they all just fade away. It's where I found peace. And I also play Eternum."
"Oh you're also a player? Here I thought you would resent it."
"I almost did a few years ago out of spite. But really…a world where you can escape reality and live a new one? Yeah, I'll take it, thanks."
"Maybe we can either have a race in swimming or play some Eternum next time."
"I don't know….I've been busy with school, swimming and working at a tea shop. I barely have free time."
"Tea shop? Guess where you get your income huh? Let me guess you're saving money to get out of this place."
"That's right I don't own a single dime from my father. I don't want his money or anything from him and show that I don't need him. "
"That takes a lot of perseverance from my experience. Like I said earlier, I had to drop out of high school for a few years and did quite a handful of odd jobs from being a masseur to a construction worker. "
"I didn't ask for your life but thanks for sharing anyway."
"Are you really religious by any chance? That cross seems…special."
Caelum was able to see that the cross had been blessed by spirit protecting Alexandra. He had to guess that it was her grandmother who lived with her so much that she had not moved on to the afterlife.
"No, never was. My grandmother gave it to me for my birthday. She was the devout one but I never was one even my family. We went to church when I was young but it just wasn't my thing. I don't know if there is life after death. But if that's the case then…I doubt going to church determines whether a person goes to heaven or hell."
"Then I guess it holds significant value to you."
"Significant value…? No...I just like it because it is cool. Plain and simple."
"If you say so. This will be the last question I guess, how many tattoos do you have?"
"Quite a lot. I've gotten my first tattoo because of my dad while this one was when I was at mexico."
"Didn't you have one in your legs?"
"Huh, nice try but you won't get strip tease. I won't give a free show."
"Hehehe just saying."
"How about you, do you have any?"
"No, but if I did then I'll show it to you."
"Even in your ass?"
"Of course…unlike someone."
"Huh! You think that I'm ashamed to show my body?"
Caelum was only teasing her and didn't expect to strip showing the tattoo on her long slender legs. She incredibly fits around the same as Dalia. He was surprised for sure but a welcome one at that. Alex showed her body without shame and confused why she was actually enjoying getting his attention. Soon enough she went to wear her outfit and sat back down.
"Too bad, I don't have one on my chest."
"A real tragedy it is. Maybe next time."
"Keep dreaming. Still I don't know why you're interested in knowing me."
"There are things we cannot explain why people draw us to another. I could care less what kind of family you have and just wanted to know more about you as Alexandra, not as Bardot."
His words seem to have made an impression on her heart having raised the parameter. She tried to hide her blush yet it was not escape Caelum eyes and only lightly chuckled.
"Hehehe alright, let's end here. Sit back and relax while I handle everything."
"No, I was just joking about it. We'll do this together."
"Change of heart?"
"Shut up before I change my mind."
Caelum teasingly said before the two started to work on their project. It was relatively easy since they were able to find the perfect topic to handle and finished their task before sun down.
"Done! I didn't expect us to manage to finish quite a lot with the project."
"Told you that knowing each other makes it easier to perform as partners."
"Yeah I hate to admit it but I guess you did something good."
"Anyway, want to play some Eternum? Let's say tomorrow evening? It's obvious that you'll spend time swimming in the morning anyway."
"You're persistent again huh? I guess you might be able to help me if you are at a high level considering I found something really special."
"Gem of doom?"
"Better than that."
"Better? Calypso?"
"Bingo! I found it yet can't obtain it."
"Why is that?"
"You're unfazed?"
"I'm surprised but I'm not enough to scream like an idiot. Anyway, what do you mean, you can't obtain it."
"It's because the server it is located on is unavailable to the public. I'm certain it's in that place but I couldn't find a way to get in."
"Hmmm...I might be able to find someone to hack the server into getting us in."
"Who would that be?"
"Just trust me. So am I in?"
"Fine, help me get Calypso then we'll share it."
"Deal. I'm curious if you know what kind of weapon it is?"
"No one is sure but….rumor says it is some sort of code that defies the norms of the game."
"Well that just breaks the game balance."
Caelum chuckled before sensing people were heading upstairs when the door clicked Alex was shaken and terrified at what was about to happen telling him to stay quiet before a middle aged woman that had a bottle of wine came inside. She seemed a bit drunk looking at Alex before Caelum.
He narrowed his gaze not enjoying what he was seeing since Alex was acting differently than before and learned that her mother was divorcing his father leaving nothing but the apartment yet her mother blamed her about it.
"Come on Caelum, let's leave before…"
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