[04.00 PM]
"What a perfect day," V squealed in relief. She let out a long sigh, wiping away the flood of sweat on her forehead. Finished clearing the last table and officially closed L&C on the first day she was open. "I didn't expect to make more than I did. Sir Walker must be thrilled hearing this news. We'll be rich soon, Nero!"
"That's because you're awesome." Nero chimed in from the kitchen, though V could not clearly hear his praise. Not a problem.
Since the morning of L&C's opening, which was crowded with visitors, there was a positive response from Montpelier residents who enthusiastically came from all over the city, even the tourists.
"I'm so thrilled to see the positive response from the customers. It's a joy that can't be repaid by anything when I see them enjoying all my dishes." V chirping cheerfully, almost humming. "When you're rich, what do you wanna do, Nero?"
"Here." Nero set down the glass cup of hot chocolate studded with almond crumble. "When I'm rich, I'm gonna get my revenge and take out the people who hurt me with bloodshed."
Valeska gasped, pretending not to have heard it. "For me? Thankies, bro. Aw, you're so sweet." She hugged Nero gently. "All thanks to your help. I couldn't have done it alone. Since you worked hard all day to help me, rest here; let's eat together."
"What's this? It doesn't seem to be on the menu list," asked Nero, who noticed the peculiar main course before him with curious eyes.
"This is a special menu—just for you. Seafood paella, Spanish style." V showed off her dimples, holding out a plate filled with rich herb rice and colored seafood that emitted strong aromatics. "I call it the sexy barrea. Hey, pray first."
"Fine." Nero grasped Valeska's hand, the first time in his life that he had made a wish.
"Let's gear up. Hmn, so yummy, right?" V admired her own dishes. She slurped the crab meat from the shell with relish. "Do you like it? This is just for you. I won't cook this for anyone else."
"Yeah, fantastic." Nero devoured it enthusiastically, flattered to hear it. "But I still hate their arrogant behavior."
"Who's they?"
Nero swore he was still so upset. "Those damn fraud tourists. Expecting a free meal by accusing me of taking change. I'm not willing, on the first day you opened L&C, to be involved in such a ridiculous incident. They have no idea who I really am. Tricking me means death."
"Forget it; the important thing is that the matter is over." Valeska snorted, "You're also arrogant and irritating sometimes."
"Cuz I'm cool and hot," Nero stated nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's hard to believe; you forgive them so easily? I would've cut their heads off."
"Stop saying scary things. You act like a tyrant. That's horrible." V scolded.
"You hate it?"
"Yeah, nobody wants that."
"But…" Nero clucked, as if a knive scratched his heart. "Never mind." He continued eating.
"So, how? Did you remember anything?"
"There hasn't been anything I remember other than nightmares at night, disturbing me to the point where I felt like I was suffocating, having trouble breathing, falling out of bed. Dying many times. I really couldn't sleep afterward as my heart was burning so badly," Nero replied grimly; this time his gaze wandered blankly out the window. "I'm not sure, but it felt so real. I'm often distorted by it."
"What nightmare?" V's eyebrows narrowed; sometimes even nightmares can be fragments of memories that a person unwittingly experienced. Could it be some of Nero's past memories? "Tell me, what do you see? Is it so terrifying for you?"
Nero let out a long sigh, and he avowed with no live tone in his voice. "My family would love to kill me."
[DUB!]
Valeska's heart ached as if a poison-laced sword had slashed her repeatedly, her heart shattering into pieces at the thought. Her world seemed to stop spinning; she couldn't imagine that the nightmare was indeed some of Nero's memories from the past. Even V's eyes teared up, feeling so guilty after asking such a question: could it be that Nero was a victim of an abusive family who had the same fate as her?
Was my estimation wrong? Your family wants to kill you? What happened to you in the past? That's why you often act out and are so defensive? Just trying to defend yourself.
V's hand reflexively rubbed Nero's head gently. V had no idea anything about him, but if his biological family was that evil, she couldn't let him go back to them. No one should harm him. V had gone through such a horrible life. She didn't want Nero to experience something similar.
Perhaps you had a terrible incident and lost your memory trying to escape from it.
Nero gasped, but he just stared obediently, not resisting and just letting V, who rubbed his head affectionately. The nightmare was so horrible; it felt so real—those who tried to kill him in various ways until he drowned and suffocated in a pool of his own blood. Yet Nero was desperate to resist; there was no way; even the darkness was trying to pull him to death. But strangely, Nero saw the presence of V, who came—covered in light, reaching out, saving him from death. "Don't pity me; perhaps it's better for me to lose my memory, right?"
I don't want to go back in time if I have to lose you...
V gasped; she fought back her tears, smiling toughly. She hugs Nero softly. She had vowed to take good care of him. If Nero's family in the past was as cruel as Ravenscroft, then V would never hand Nero over to them again. "I promise you're safe with me; no one will hurt or harm you; that's my vow. We protect and guard each other; don't be afraid, Nero. It was just a dream."
***
"That's good; we've distributed everything. It must be cold at night. At least they won't go famish." V felt blessed, distributing thirty paper bags of food to the homeless people she met along Park Ave.
"I want one too," Nero grumbled, his charming face twisted in vexedness, though he tried to hide it behind a flat expression. He grasped Valeska's hand. "Why do you only give to them? All your dishes are my favorites, V. I want desserts."
Valeska chortled; she reached out to Nero, patting his head gently. "Oh my, you're so jealous. I just realized that your hair is smooth and shiny like this. Is it really this fragrant? For you, I had it specially prepared. Don't pout like that, Nero." She picked up the pot of red roses. "But, please help me put these flowers before the window first. You see the empty slot there, right? I'll prepare the cake for you. After this, let's go to the festival, shall we?"
"Yeah, whatever," Nero accepted the pot, answering indifferently; the blood lesions heated his cheeks uncontrollably, as V had sniffed his hair. That made Nero's chest squeeze tightly but then his heart actually sighed warmly. He liked V's touch gently ruffling his hair. Nero cleared his throat, staring at the red rose in his hand intently. "Do you like red roses?"
"Yes, one of my favorites," V replied, smiling fascinatingly, as she set a small plate and spoon on one of the tables by the window. She served pieces of cake and hot avocado chocolate milk studded with almonds. "Why do you ask?"
"You know Scarlet Carlson?"
"Legendary rose? That's just a myth; there is no such rose in this world, but even if there was, I would want to have it. The meadow is full of scarlet carlson. That's how I imagine heaven to be." V's face lit up at the thought.
As Nero walked out, he thought about Valeska's words just now, watching her radiant face and luminous silver eyes as she chirped.
Would you be happier if I could grant that, V? I could do that for you.
The townspeople were welcomed into the festive night by the fall festival, bright reddish-orange maple leaves falling on the streets of Montpelier. A cold breeze blew the maple leaves in the air, gently caressing Nero's head as he placed the pot on the glass window with the L&C logo.
As evening approached, everyone cheered; the music of the parade thumped in the distance, traveling through the heart of the city. Citizens waited along the sidewalks. Nero gazed coldly at the children his age who were spending time with their families.
As a black luxury sedan pulled up before the L&C parking lot, Nero's mood turned soured when he saw Shane Arzen get out from behind the wheel. Shane was whistling jubilantly, watching his appearance carefully in the reflection of his car. He was carrying a bouquet of rustic flowers in his hand.
Nero should have known Shane intended to meet Valeska. He stood in the doorway, not letting Shane in. Never.
"Oh, perfect. I heard many people give positive compliments about L&C. She's incredible, huh?" Shane muttered; he smiled blissfully to greet Nero. "Hey, you. Is Valeska inside?"
"What the hell are you doing here?!" asked Nero gruffly, folding his arms over his chest. Insisting on blocking Shane from this place. "Go away, we closed now!"
Shane snorted; he couldn't fathom why the boy kept gazing at him through those peculiar eyes to give off such a murderous vibe. Shane felt awkward, a bit strange. "No problem; I want to meet your sister. There's a fall festival in the middle of town; I want to invite you two; how about it?"
"No need! Get lost!" Nero hissed; he showed a hardened expression of hostility and lashed out at Shane. "Mark my words: leave us alone!"
"Oh really? Why should I do that?" Shane snickered and challenged that weird kid. His patience is running out now. Shane feels really sick of this. "How such arrogant. If I refuse, then what are you going to do, kiddo?"
***