Chapter 5: Tacenda
A tangible dream or a surreal reality. Or maybe both. These phrases to some extent can describe the city of Bern, a blooming English rose. Such fuzzy thoughts cloud Theo's mind as his eyes behold the amalgamation of metropolis and nature.
After wandering around the whole city, shopping, hopping from spot to another, trying out every activity, dragging Zoey along, Theo finally decides to take a break. Their search for a perfect resting place brings them to the banks of Aare river. The river in front of them appears like some huge crater filled with gems and jewels, when the sunlight hits its surface. They stand there hypnotised by the spell of nature.
They are supposed to finish settling Theo up in his new apartment in a few days. But, here they are— sightseeing at the behest of a hyperactive brunette. Did he forget giving a heart attack to Zoey with his little fainting mishap on his first day at work? Of course he did, since he himself does not recall any of the events. How? Why? When? What? Nothing.
"This is enchanting," Words roll out of Theo's tongue in soft whispers, afraid to shatter the serenity of the scene before him.
"Beautiful indeed, " Zoey whispers back, his eyes roaming around spellbound, "But Stettlen is still far better and more peaceful," Zoey utters with a firm voice... with a hint of… sadness?
Hearing, Theo turns towards the figure beside him with an eyebrow raised in question. He crosses his arms, "What's with your sudden mood swings? What's with this long face now?"
"Says who?" Feeling offended by such accusations coming from the person who himself always seems to be on a roller-coaster of emotions, Zoey veers towards Theo, "It is not about mood swings and I am not sad. I am just speaking the truth," he shrugs.
"Oh! You know this trick of yours can only work on kids. You can't make me miss Stettlen when I am yet to start working here. And if I don't start exploring the world then… well… how will I find them?" Theo contradicts, uncrossing his arms and stomping his feet, very much particular to a 'kid', but his expression melts into a dreamy departure towards its end…
"But, do you really need to work here? Theo, you're still recovering," his expression morphs into concern as unease drips from charming features and he feels a bitter taste at the mention of 'them'— Zoey hates bitterness.
"It's my dream job and I know I am recovering but how long am I going..." he stops in mid sentence pressing his lips in a thin line. "Well, I am not going to compromise my dreams, trading it for anything or anyone! But that's not it, I meant to say that you…how long will you…"
Clouds of perturbation and trepidation gather on Zoey's countenance. He takes hurried trudges towards the younger and clasps his shoulders in a protective, genuine grip, "Don't. We agreed not to think about it, Theo. You're not a burden."
"It does not change anything. Whether you believe it or not, we both know that I am. How can I, a complete stranger, keep leeching off your money?" Theo shuts his eyes after letting out grating words.
"Theo! Please stop it. You're not a stranger but a person I trust and find comfort within. It was my decision to take care of you after all..." not being able to draw an end to it, Zoey looks away, when a guilt adorned sigh leaves his chapped lips.
As soon as those words come out of Zoey's mouth, Theo's victimisation evaporates. In a moment Theo is in front of the older one, seizing his rough yet swamped hands in his own velvety ones, followed by velvety breaths, "If we agreed not to talk about me being a burden then we also agreed to stop playing this stupid blame game. Whatever happened that day, none of it was not your fault," he enunciates with confidence, giving Zoey's hands a squeeze of assurance.
"Even though you say this, still, at the end of the day, I am the reason you are suffering, Theo," not being able to bear the gnawing pain, Zoey pulls the shorter man in his embrace trying to seek relief from his wounds of liability, that he has been continuing to inflict on himself from ever since.
Theo composes himself from the shock of a sudden embrace but returns it by wrapping his dainty arms around the muscular man's, "You are my saviour and guardian. Stop blaming yourself…please…"
At such benign and balmy words, Zoey dips his head down to take in the natural petrichor smell of the brunette. Home. Family. That is what a small man in his arms is now to him. And maybe something more…which he is yet to confirm.
"Now let's stop being such emotional fools and let's not ruin our 'trip' alright? I can't cry and mess up my face while roaming outside. What if I meet them and they see me like this? Plus, it's not everyday I acquire a sick leave for no reason," Theo says in a petrified voice pulling himself out of the syrup of their embrace, "Enough of this melodrama! Next stop Bear Park. Let's go," he yells, pulling better to say again, dragging Zoey behind him.
Zoey lets himself get tugged around and ignores the pinch of ache at the reference to 'them'. A small smile stretches across his face, pondering how he can do anything for this carefree man's happiness— even if it means giving up on him in future, but can he really?
***
Aggressive flipping of papers and hurried scratching of pen are the only sounds indicating the presence of a living being among the deafening silence of inanimates. In the centre of the room, on a posh chair sits the young CEO, Lorenzo Andros, working like a machine. His hands keep moving and creasing between his defined brows, conveying only tensity. And they say only low level employees work like animals.
Working hands harmonise with the ticking of the clock but the heap of documents in front doesn't seem to shrink. And throughout, at every occasion, he is reminded of the incident that occurred at Louis's company, that halts his every movement every now and then.
Lorenzo's mind replays the scene of the silly stripling falling on him out of nowhere, "What type of people is Louis recruiting now? Such a weakling. Fainting on the day of work itself," he mumbles to himself with half amusement and half disappointment. What was the reason that made the boy faint? Was he really sick? Or was it something else? And why Lorenzo is concerning himself with some stranger? Question after question, piles of questions fill in,messing with his mind to the extent that he can only keep revisiting the occurrence. His work lays forgotten.
Ringing off the landline hauls his drowning self out of his pool of thoughts. Lorenzo picks up the receiver and places it in the gap between his right ear and shoulder, one of his hands resuming the ocean of work, the CEO answers, "Hello?"
"Hello, sir–"
"You fool, you know how caught up I am now? It better be something important for you to disturb me at this hour." dominance dribbles down each word. It better not be any new conference or sight visit. In his current mood, he will not hesitate to play with his favourite colour… red. "Or you are a dead meat."
"Sorry sir, but Miss Emilia Bieri is here. She is asking for you urgently. She says she has an appointment with you," comes the answer from the other, fear evident.
At the mention of the very name, Lorenzo slams the receiver down feeling the throb in his head worsening. His mood souring with thought of the forced 'date' if it can be called that. He reclines on his chair, massaging his forehead to ease the pain and makes sure to toss curses at this father for this.
Lorenzo's eyes become cloudy, and he seeks solace from who always has been his refugee, "Noe…" he shuts his eyes, "Noe… I am tired. I can't keep this facade of being aloof anymore. What should I do, Noe?" he whispers like a distressed child, his hands, in an instinctive response, grasping the rings tied around his neck— promise rings they called it.
After a few moments, he stands up, crossing his room with long strides each, reaching for the doorknob, "Endure it Lorenzo. For Noe."
The elevator opens with a ding as it reaches its destination. With a stoic expression imprinted on his face Lorenzo comes out only to meet with the sight of the person he is more likely to avoid for the rest of his life if he can— 'if', only letters of doubt swims in life now.
"What do you want now, Miss Bieri?" he grunts his question out, not even bothering to look up from his phone to acknowledge the presence of that lady in front.
"What do I want? I want you to keep your eyes on me and fulfil your promise to take me on date," Emilia replies making sure to be heard by everyone and uses her extravagantly manicured fingers to grip Lorenzo's chin and turns his face towards hers.
As if electrocuted, Lorenzo jerks his face out of the hold and glares at her ,not minding the scratch from the vicious hold of her sharp nails, "Do not touch me. Do not even dare," he practically growls at her like a predator in the wild. "And do I even need to remind you? It was not me who promised anything at all! It is all just your fantasy, aided with some threats, correct me if I am wrong!"
"Aww, look at you," Emilia cooes at how adorable Lorenzo seems, "Whatever. Now follow me like a good fiance or you know what I can do, don't you, sweetheart?" she replies unfazed, walking out of the elevator, towards the exit of Lorenzo's possession.
Her heels make clicking sounds as she walks, not forgoing to sway her hips. And if the eyes of other men linger at her, then it is only to her benefit, boosting her ego and all that.
Nauseated Lorenzo plods behind her with his heavy steps repeating only one thing in mind— For Noe. Endure it.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone