Aleksis hummed happily as she set the dining table assisted by two android staff. Six-year-old Ireland and Scotland happily helped her arrange the fruits on the table.
"Ah ... thank you for your help," Aleksis said as she kissed the cheeks of her two sons alternately.
"Are we going to have guests today?" Ireland asked in his adorable voice.
"That's right," said Aleksis, nodding.
"Is that Grandpa Lauriel?" Ireland asked again, mentioning the name of Elios and Nicolae's father, who now lived in China.
"No," said Aleksis.
"Is that Grandpa Caspar and Grandma Finland?" Ireland continues his guessing by mentioning Aleksis' parents.
"No."
"Is that Uncle Terry? Is that Uncle London, Aunt L, and cousin Lily? Is that Uncle Rune?"
He mentioned the names of Aleksis' three brothers gleefully.
"No."
Ireland looked confused. He knew his father did not like people. They only welcomed family members in their home ever since they lived in Manhattan. He had mentioned almost all their family members he could think of, but it turned out that tonight's guests weren't any of them.
Who is it, then?
"You have met them, but it was a long time ago, so maybe you don't remember anymore. The ones who will visit us tonight are Mischa and Takeshi. They should have come with Kai, but Kai must go out of town."
Kai was Elios Linden's foster son, who was in charge of RMI's business in North and South America, and he lived in New York. They occasionally met on weekends. However, Takeshi and Mischa had not been to this mansion since Elios and his family moved to Manhattan.
"Who are Mischa and Takeshi?" asked Scotland, who now became curious.
"Oh .. Mischa and Takeshi are your father's foster sons. They are very kind and pleasant. You will like them."
Mischa and Takeshi were Aleksis' favorites among Elios' four foster children. They used to be her bodyguards when she was young.
"Oh ... I can't wait to see them ..." Ireland said excitedly.
As the youngest children in their family, they were always spoiled by their older siblings, Altair and Vega. It felt nice to have more brothers.
***
"Wow ... you look more handsome than the last time I saw you!" exclaimed Aleksis when she hugged Takeshi and Mischa alternately. She took a good look at them one by one and smiled broadly. "How are you guys?"
"I am healthy and enjoying life," commented Takeshi Rhionen, a tall, handsome Japanese man with neat short hair. He glanced at his foster brother, Mischa Rhionen, who came with a bouquet of lavenders for Aleksis. "Mischa brought gifts for you, Mam."
"Oh .. thank you. This is beautiful ..." said Aleksis with a big smile while she received the lavenders from Mischa.
She was delighted because they always remembered her favorite flower.
"Lavender bloomed early in Romania this spring," Mischa said with a sweet smile. This man was extremely handsome. Mischa always made Aleksis reminded of the adult version of Little Lord Fauntleroy, from Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel.
His body was tall and sturdy. His wavy blond hair was gorgeous, framing his handsome face with a pair of brilliant blue eyes. Now, he always wore all-black attire, in stark contrast to his fair face and blond hair, in the past he loved wearing colorful and flamboyant outfits that made him look fresh and playful.
"I hear you're very busy," commented Aleksis. "Thank you for taking the time to come and visit us here."
"There is a conference and business meeting here in New York that I must not miss. So, I thought I might as well stop by here," Mischa said with a smile. He raised his face and looked behind Aleksis. Elios Linden just came from the garden with Ireland and Scotland. "Good evening, Sir Alaric."
"Welcome, Mischa." Elios displayed his rare smile and approached Mischa and Takeshi. He then hugged them alternately.
Mischa and Takeshi were still accustomed to calling Elios Linden by his real name, Alaric Rhionen, and Elios had no problem with it at all.
They sat for dinner together while talking about the past and trivial things about RMI. After Ireland and Scotland slept, they continued their talks on the terrace of the mansion overlooking the swimming pool.
"I heard you're getting married?" asked Aleksis. "Her name is Lisa, isn't she?"
Mischa nodded. His handsome face was beaming. "That's right. We've known each other for eight years and lived together for six. I feel like she's the one."
"Whoaaa... congratulations! I'm happy to hear that," said Aleksis, smiling broadly. She patted Mischa's shoulder excitedly. "You must let us know as soon as you set the wedding date."
Mischa suddenly looked depressed. "I haven't proposed... I still have a lot to come clean to her before I ask her to marry me."
"Oh ..." Aleksis could guess what happened.
Mischa was now one of the leaders in the largest technology company group in the world, RMI. But before that, he was an assassin. That was a part of his past, and he had never shared it with his girlfriend, Lisa.
Besides that, even though he was now 42 years old, his appearance still looked like a man in his early 30s. This would never change.
Six years ago, he was gifted the immortality potion that would keep him forever young. This was a far greater secret than his past as an assassin.
It wouldn't be easy to share such a secret to an ordinary person. Lisa might think Mischa is crazy, mentally ill, or delusional for thinking that he was an immortal.
"It's not easy ..." Mischa said resignedly. "I'm sure I want to marry Lisa and spend the rest of my life with her. But I don't know if she would accept me after she knows all my secrets."
"If she loves you ... she will accept you for who you are," Elios said curtly. He glanced at his wife and felt so grateful for his luck.
When he met Aleksis 17 years ago and shared with her his darkest secrets, the woman accepted him wholeheartedly. At that time, he actually claimed that his face was disfigured and ugly, and he had to hide behind a mask. She took him in a heartbeat.
Aleksis also accepted his past as an assassin. She truly loved him unconditionally.
"What if she doesn't accept me?" Mischa asked doubtfully.
He really loved Lisa and wanted to live with her forever. He could hide his past as an assassin, but he would not be able to hide the fact that he was an immortal.
He must reveal this secret if he really wanted to marry her.
"My advice ... you try to get her to talk properly, and start with your smallest secret. If she could accept it, you can continue with the next secret," Aleksis suggested. "I'm sure she will understand and accept you for who you are if she really loves you."
Mischa sighed and finally nodded. "Alright. I'll give it a try."
***
After Mischa and Takeshi left, Aleksis asked Elios if he thought Mischa would succeed.
Her husband just shrugged. "I've met Lisa. I know she's a good woman, but I'm not sure she will accept Mischa's past."
Aleksis could only sigh sadly. She felt sorry for Mischa.
"I hope you're wrong," she whispered.
Elios nodded. "I hope I am wrong too."