"What smells so good!" Adrian started.
Sir Shkodra prepared peppered steak, hotdog and roasted chicken, placing it on the dining table.
"Great!" Jessica smiled. Ready to eat.
"Did you guys heard anything last night?" Stormie interfered.
"Not me! I slept like a dog."
"You mean, log?" She corrected.
"Yeah, whatever. That's what I said." He glared, watching Stormie pass the plate of chicken.
Sir Shkodra rolled his eyes at Adrian.
"What is the matter? You don't like porridge?"
"Yes, of course! I do." He woke up to the bowl of porridge in front of him. Deepened his stainless spoon into it and shoved it down his throat.
"Hmm! Yummy!!!" He faked a dry smile while Jessica placed the plate of hotdog right in front of him, in the middle of the marble dining table.
Adrian's hungry eyes focused on the dishes, like pots of goodness.
His mum took a piece of chicken and placed it in the plate right in front of her. She held it with her fork and sliced a part with the eating knife. Placing it in her mouth, Adrian couldn't take his steady eyes off his mother's mouth.
Even for a blink of a second.
Chewing on the stake, Adrian listened to how Stormie gave it a good chew. The sound of her mouth rang in his ears. He couldn't concentrate.
"Hey, mum! Tell us about yesterday!" Adrian busted. "How was your sate? Did you two make out?"
"It wasn't a date." Stormie hissed.
"Yeah, it was just a business date." Their mum admitted, cutting a piece of meat. Guys, to tell you the truth? Yesterday was fun. I feel Jerry and I have a good connection together, and I should hang out with him more often." She glanced at her kids with happy eyes. "What do you think?"
"You guys just met last night."
Stormie sighed. Tired of the talk, already.
Adrian sneezed. He brought out a white hanky to wipe off his nose.
"Are you alright?" Jessica asked.
"Yes mum. It's just a little cold. I'd be fine." Adrian replied, taking another spoon of porridge. He spoilt his mouth at it, as if sour.
Watching his mum chewing the hotdog through his reading glasses, a line of saliva poured out from the corner of Adrian's mouth. He left his mouth open, lost in thoughts.
Stormie turned to Adrian in total shock. She couldn't believe he was salivating.
"Wtf, dude! Are you... Drooling?" Stormie raised her slim eyebrows in disgust.
"What? No! I don't drool." Adrian touched his mouth and noticed the saliva trickling from his mouth. He timidly took the tablecloth and wiped it off.
"We talked about selling the castle and all, but I have to say." Jessica continued. "Jerry seems pretty interested in buying it."
"Sir Shkodra," Stormie gave his haughty face a puppy look.
'Crrkkkk'
"Where would you stay after we sell this castle?"
"Sure, he has a family, Stormie." Jessica suggested.
"Madam Magdalena was my only family." He dropped his cup of coffee and Jessica couldn't help but to notice the frown on his face. It looked creepier. She knew that she would have to do something for him and really quick.
"Guys, we would figure this out, okay? No one sleeps on the street, especially you, sir." Jessica lamented, facing him, but Sir Shkodra didn't turn in her direction.
"So how did Madam Magdalena died, anyway?" Stormie asked and Sir Shkodra drooped his cup with a serious face. As if touched by her question, he just went silent. Like a statue placed amidst them.
Sir Shkodra stood up with his ceramic plate and dropped it. Instantly, Adrian grabbed it with one catch, leaving Stormie dumbfounded. He surprised her at his speed... What just happened?
"Don't worry, Stormie. I'm sure Sir Shkodra doesn't want to talk about that. He gave a brief, cursory look at Adrian before collecting back his plate.
"It's fine, if you want to know. Madam Magdalena was good and kind."
"And how did she die?"
"It was a hunting accident." He said.
"What was she like? Zina, the warrior princess, Cara Mason? Or Rose Leslie?" Stormie asked with excitement.
"She was one of a kind, girl. Excuse me." Sir Shkodra smirked and went to the kitchen, leaving Jessica alone with her kids.
"Mum!" Adrian freaked out. "You know what? When next you're going out with him, put on a fragrance. That way, he would always want to be around you!"
"I don't want to seduce him, Adrian, so... Calm down."
"At least put on more makeup. I understand you are just friends but, we're going to benefit more if you guys end up as more than just friends." He pointed out.
"Okay, fine." Jessica rolled her eyes. "I'd try."
She gulped down a cup of water and left the dining table. Stormie followed, leaving only Adrian on with the plates of steak, hotdog and chicken.
Adrian looked at it hungrily and couldn't hold back any longer. He turned around and looked over his shoulders. Sure that no one was watching, Adrian grabbed the chicken, devouring everything right into his mouth.
Later, after breakfast, Sir Shkodra went to clear up the table. All the plates were empty, and he knew for sure something was wrong with Adrian.
'Knock! Knock!! Knock!!!'
Jessica tapped on Jerry's black gate. They dressed her in a silky mini-gown, designed with yellow sunflower designs. She made her hair in a French plait and wore a brown cowboy boot and belt. She also had a nude make up on, looking younger.
"Hello Jerry! It's Jessica Knight!"
She called, peeping through the door. She pushed it, and like usual, it was open. Jessica walked in. Maybe he is asleep. Maybe he's having a shower. She thought and walked to the main door of the pub building. It stood alone by the side of the market, painted in Black and white strips.
Jessica pushed the door and realized that it was locked. It was a thick wooden door painted in black. Her curious eyes peeped through the windows, but it was so dark inside. She couldn't figure out a thing.
"He's probably not around. What a waste of time!" She neighed to herself and reached for her phone, inside a small handbag she held.
'Beep! Beep! ! Beep!!!!'
Jessica dialed and waited, but there was no reply.
"Like seriously? Is Jerry trying to avoid me or what?" After calling about a hundred times, she hissed, already freaked out. She went back home. Knowing he would come around, hopefully.
Adrian and Stormie were on the market. He persuaded Stormie that they should stroll to get some things. Meanwhile, Adrian was determined to see the new girl, Maria. He wanted to see her at least, before they leave Wolfsberg.
"Why do you advise mum to go out with Jerry? Is it because he's rich and charming?" Stormie asked.
"No, Stormie. Why would I do that? You would love no one mum goes out with." Adrian gasped.
"That's not it."
"Then what? You want a perfect man for our mum? Truth is, there is no perfect man, Stormie. You always scare them away." He stopped and held her closer. Please, don't scare Jerry. Let them date if that makes them happy. Please." Adrian begged.
"Okay, fine." Stormie agreed.
"Good. That's my lovely sister!" He played with her cheeks and arranged a strand of her hair behind her ears. Then he scattered it with his hands and planted a kiss on her cheeks.
"Aw! What's that?" Stormie wiped off her cheeks off her shoulder with a frown.
"It's called brotherly love, Lil sis! Come here." he pulled her closer, playing with her hair. "Omigod! I can't believe we came to Wolfsberg because of you. How insane, right?! You're a genius!"
"Stop touching me." She pulled out, adjusting her black hair. "What are you doing, dude? What's wrong with you?"
"I do not know!" His smile dropped in an instant and he sniffed. He lifted his nose and sniffed again. "Do you smell that?"
"Smell what?" Stormie asked, taking in a deep breath, trying to figure out what it was. "Burning battery?" she guessed. Briefly turning her eyes in a circular motion.
"Fish! Someone is roasting fish!" Adrian jerked up in excitement. "I love roasted fish! Let's buy some of it!"
"No, you don't? You're a vegetarian!" She shrieked.
"Come on, let's buy some of it!" He grab hold of Stormie's hand and pulled her to a corner. There were shops filled with women deep-frying and barbecuing kinds of fish. His in reached pitch his voice was sudden and the way his black eyes danced. Something was off.
Stormie's confused eyes looked around. Some buyers were purchasing while others sat somewhere around the shops, eating it hot.
"How do you know?"
"Wolfsberg is beautiful." he nodded his head, with crinkled eyes and nose. "I mean, the shops and people are just so beautiful. I want to stay longer."
"I don't get you, Adrian. You hate this place, don't you?"
"No, I don't!" He pointed, buying a piece of fish and scarfing it.
"You're acting weird!"
"I feel so different today! And happy. I feel like carrying you up, Stormie!" he tried holding her, but she pulled away. "Don't touch me!"
"I want to lift something up, Stormie. Let's play in the park!"
"What park?"
"The people... The laugher, the dogs. Can't you hear it?"
"Hear what?" Stormie asked, startled. Adrian ran out into another lane. The Wolfsberg market wasn't so big, but they weren't used to the place yet. There were lots of lanes and one could easily get lost.
Stormie ran after Adrian, wondering if something was chasing him. Then, they got to a big, green field. There were children playing with toys and some people with dogs and balls.
"Geez, just look at that grass!" Running to meet the dogs were like walking in the air. He fell to the grass, placing his lying back and facing the blue sky. Adrian closed his eyes, perceiving the freshness of nature. He felt part of it.
"Stomie's jaw dropped in shock. This is impossible. Has Adrian become a Sherman overnight? What's happening?" she wondered, staring at her brother from a distance. She still couldn't believe it.
The dogs around ran to Adrian, licking on his face while he welcomed them. Hugging each one with a big, bright smile.
"Awn... I love dogs." He brought out the remaining fish he pocketed abd fed the dogs.
"No, you don't? You're allergic to grass and dogs! And fish too!" she ran towards him. "Adrian, what is up with you?"
Adrian scratched their backs and took a ball that rolled to him. Stopping at his feet. He then kicked it in excitement, as if on cloud nine. Passing and moving the ball with his whole body without missing. In core style, attaching and defensive style like a professional.
"Hey, Maria!"
He practically leapt for joy when he saw Maria on a bicycle.
"Maria!!"