Raul made his way through the corridor of a large mansion which was his family home. He entered a room with huge glass windows and bookshelves that reached the ceiling. A man in his sixties stood facing the window.
"Father..." Raul called softly.
"Good to see you," said Raul's father looking at his son's reflection in the windowpane.
After the initial greetings, Raul got down to updating his father about all the new things in their family business.
"There is something I would like to ask." he said after he had finished " Do you happen to know the Vodas?"
" The Voda kids are all grown up and causing trouble eh?" said his father after a pause.
"It is nothing much, but have we done business with them in the past?"
His father turned around and looked at Raul without changing his expression.
"No, we haven't."
"I thought you would know something"
" If the Vodas choose to dig up an old wound, in the end, there will be nothing left but pus and blood. Those in our family who had any involvement in their affairs are already dead and there is no need for you to interfere."
"Yes father"
"Instead of worrying about a fallen family's affairs, you should manage your own so as not to have their fate."
"I understand Father " Raul bowed and made his way out.
"Oh and Don't forget Lady Gaya's invitation to tea today." his father told him before he left.
*************************************
A young lady with long black hair and olive green eyes sat at a tea table set in a huge garden. Her name was Victoria Gaya. A couple of servants stood at a distance attending her and her guest. Her guest for the evening was none other than Lord Raul Adara. She looked at everything around her and smiled with satisfaction. Everything made a perfect picture. The tea was perfect, the table cloth was spotless. The well-pruned rose bushes surrounding them gave away the perfect scent. Raul Adara sat across from her in an aloof but respectful manner.
Lord Adara was young, handsome, good at business, and extremely powerful. He would bring in fine genes for her family and solidify her businesses. When her father had first mentioned the Lord to her, she was not so sure. But having seen his abilities for herself she could say with confidence, that no other man in the noble realm would suit her so well as Raul Adara.
" Would you like more sugar in your tea?" she asked him.
" No, thank you," said Raul lost in his own thoughts.
Raul sat thinking about the Vodas. The image of Tyde Voda stuck with him. She looked just like his younger self. Not powerful enough but yet desperate to survive as a noble ....
"You seem to be deep in thought Lord Adara." said Lady Gaya
"I'm sorry my Lady. " his attention was brought back to the lady who sat opposite him.
It had been going on for some time now, these weekly appointments for teas, lunches, dinners. He knew that his family approved of an alliance with this Lady, who was of the Gaya family of the earth clan. She had the looks and the smarts and had single-handedly improved her family business.
They expected him to soon propose to her. But he had been putting it off.
Whenever they met, they talked about business. She was certainly an intelligent noble lady who always chose her words carefully, and always paid attention to time. She was perfect for him and his family, but he did not seem to have the time to start anything intimate with her.
After their tea had ended, he got up and shook hands with the lady," If it is not too much trouble for you, lunch with me next Wednesday."
Gaga had told him Wednesday would be alright according to his schedule.
Lady Gaya smiled and nodded her head.
When Raul had left, she poured herself another glass of tea. 'Good things take time', she assured herself.