Jade was just about to call out to her young master in the back garden when his eyes caught the couple is hugging tightly in Rose Garden.
Awkwardly, he approached them quietly without a sound and clearing his throat.
"Ahem .. sorry, young master. Great Grandpa requires your presence in the hall now .. "
"Oh ..."
Cristan pulled himself from his embrace unwillingly while, at the same time, Arissa sighed in relief. When Cristan was hugging him, it feels weird and made her heart thumping uncontrollably inside.
But, in the next minute, Cristan took her hand all of sudden and ask her to follow him with a bit of forceful pull. Jade who saw it just shake his head and smiled inwardly. He was getting used to the attitude of his young master who often acts childishly but this is the first time he becomes very possessive towards a woman. Did his young master really like her?
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The music still playing softly inside the hall but some guests are still chatting with the host.
The old man seems to enjoy the party that was held for him. His jolly mood was obviously radiant that night. He kept laughing and chatting with his guests, especially when he saw Cristan who is walking towards him while his hand is holding Arissa's hand behind him.
Seeing it, the men who had a crush on the girl spontaneously smiled wryly, including Jonathan Levy. They knew their position and status can't compete with Cristan Levy who was a direct descendant of Dominic Levy a.k.a clan leader himself!
Arissa felt very awkward with this overwhelmed scene while all eyes set on them both and completely uncomfortable with how Cristan treated her in front of the public. Moreover, she felt that Cristan was acting differently at her. Sometimes, she feels that Cristan is being too protective of her and even seems a bit possessive. Although his demeanor is cool and most of the time, relaxed, Cristan is never ashamed to show his affection towards her and always shows up at the right time whenever she needs him. Arissa bit her lower lip nervously and walked nervously when Cristan keep pulling her hand in front of all guests who still looking at them both with astonished eyes and they headed straight towards Great Grandpa who is sitting right in the middle of the room.
Jojo is no exception. His eyes looked at Cristan and Arissa confusedly until the old man said, "Miss Arissa, thank you very much to come by at my party tonight. I'm sorry if my stupid grandson has bothered you a lot these times. "
Arissa shook her head quickly as she replied, "Not at all, Grandpa. In fact, Cristan has helped me a lot so far. I also feel very honored to be present at your party. Happy Birthday…"Arissa took out a small box from her pouch bag and gave it to Great Grandpa.
"I've prepared a present for you, Grandpa. I hope you like it. I sincerely wish you good health and a long life… "
Grinning widely with a happy face, Great Grandpa accepted the gift from the girl's hand and kissed her back palm gently. For some reason, this girl's presence can make her birthday occasion even feels more special now.
"Thank you, Arissa. You are so kind."
His eyes glanced in a meaningful look at Cristan who still standing next to Arissa. Cristan, of course, totally understood the meaning of the old man's gaze towards her. Indirectly, Great Grandpa told Cristan to hurry up and take her as his woman!
A rose blush was clearly seen on Cristan's cheeks and for some reason, the collar of his neck suddenly felt a bit tight. Then, Cristan cleared his throat for a moment.
"It's getting late, Grandpa. I'd better take her home now ... "
"Ok, take care and be careful, huh?"
After giving a kiss to the old man's cheeks, Great Grandpa finally let them both go with the huge grin on his face that he shamelessly showed while Jojo and Jade are tailing Cristan and Arissa.
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Along the way home, Jojo told Arissa with great enthusiasm that how lucky he was to come to the party tonight and meet lots of fabulous people. Especially his idol designer, Denise McKenzie. What even greater, the designer will spare a chance for an internship program for Jojo as a junior stylist in his boutique. Side by side with the Summerville boutique manager when dealing with their high-class clients.
Arissa just smiled and nodded while listening to Jojo's stories while Cristan and Jade being unusually calm along the way.
Until finally they arrived in front of the apartment and Jojo waved goodbye as he got into his car. Cristan led and accompanied Arissa to the entrance and then, stopped there.
"You're not coming in?" Arissa asked with a forlorn look at her face to Cristan who still standing next to her.
Cristan shook his head firmly.
"There are a few things I need to handle now. Please go home first and don't forget to lock the door ... "Cristan whispered softly in her ears.
Arissa nodded slowly and did what Cristan told her without saying much.
Cristan himself waited until Arissa's room lights went out on the 2nd floor and saw her lock the window before turning around and back into the car.
"We're going back at the Rose Mansion, Jade ..."
"Yes, young master ..."
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Starting from the Crusade War in16th century, one of the aristocratic families who was a fanatic about the vision and mission of the army and swore to bring peace to the world, made an association called The Levy. The name itself was taken from one of the 12 tribes of Israelites when they left Egypt to go to Promised Land.
Precisely, this tribe was assigned as the tribe that was designated to serve God in the Holy Temple and didn't get any land like the other tribes. They only got few cities from every area occupied and inhabited by the other 11 tribes of Israel.
Leone Accardi (1567 - 1658) was the founder of The Levy, widely known as the Levy Clan. The clan that focused itself on the humanitarian mission and maintain the balance of mankind from various calamities due to political interests and at the same time, controls the world as a shadow ruler. As a noble association of the richest politicians and famous businessmen from time to time. The clan's provision aims to create various innovations and stabilize the economies of many countries in the world. They also working behind the scene to prevent civil wars in Third World countries and hinder monopoly prices among the core members and tried to restore world conditions after World Wars 1 and 2.
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Currently, the pinnacle of supreme power was held by Great Grandpa who was still a biologically linked with Leone Accardi. His facial expression was unreadable and his behavior was unpredictable. Even so, his heart was gentle, especially towards his late daughter-in-law, Arina Levy.
During Arina's leadership, Levy Clan had reached the pinnacle of wealth and glory. In the past, the clan was vastly known to be very private and exclusively limited their members in secretive. But, in Arina's hand, the clan changed its image and turned it into a symbol of prestige for the upper class. For every core member of the Levy Clan who is proven to have made positive contributions to the clan, he or she would be entitled to serve as a member of the Senate and may use all the assets and facilities of the clan if necessary. Meanwhile, regular members of the Levy Clan, would be entitled to receive funding sponsorship from the clan if their acts give a positive contribution to the humanitarian mission and not violate the clan's vision. White rose is the main symbol of Levy Clan and each member must have a rose-shaped eye mark that signifies their identity as a member of the clan either in the form of a ring, necklace pendant, or brooch that is pinned to the chest or shirt collar of each member
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Cristan walked down some hidden hallways under the hall and Jade was tailing him. His facial expression darkened while his body stiffened as he imagined what might happen in the council meeting of the clan tonight. Soon, they arrived in front of a large painting, Cristan slowly pressed a secret button on the back of the painting, and instantly, the painting shifted to the side. There is a hidden door with a curved staircase behind it.
Cristan swiftly walked down the stairs followed by Jade who pressed the same button so that the painting shifted back into its place.
The dungeon was humid and illuminated by the faint glow of dim fluorescent lights but Cristan and Jade didn't bother with it. They both already very accustomed to the ambiance in the hallway which a bit scary for the commoner but not for them. After a while, they finally arrived at a giant metal door with a mini 3D scanner on the left side.
Cristan sighed and showed his ring which is engraved with a rose on the top and pointed it at the machine. Jade also did the same. The difference is, the rose carve that he has is on a pendant necklace that he uses now.
The giant iron door quickly opened for those secret visitors.
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