CHAPTER - 123
Narrator: Vik, a little shy and standing at attention like a soldier, rose and thanked Dav’s mother for the tea and muffins.
Dav’s father, sitting in the armchair and watching curiously, lit a cigarette.
Theo De Lion: (Looking at Dav) Is there a particular reason for your visit today?
(Crossing his hands) I don’t think you came all this way just to introduce us to your friend.
[Dav’s father, a very sharp man with quick thinking, often gets straight to the point.]
Dav: (Drinking tea) Starting today, Vik will be your chief of security, along with another hundred of his subordinates, to make sure you’re not in danger.
Vik: (Softly) One hundred and sixteen, sir.
Dav: (Eating a muffin) One hundred and sixteen guards, and Vik.
Theo: (Looking carefully) You know we’ve never cared for things like bodyguards.
Even now that we’re wealthy, let’s say.
(Sighing) I don’t like seeing strangers walking around our residence.
[Dav, standing up, refilling his glass with more iced tea.]
Dav: (Pouring tea) I’m sorry to tell you this, but you won’t be allowed to refuse.
I’ve decided that soon I’ll have to go beyond the human realm for some important matters, and you’ll be left here without me.
I’ll make sure you’re protected every second and every hour of the day by Vik and his men.
[Vik stood up and approached Dav’s father.]
Vik: (Bowing) My name is Viktor Karpov, and I promise to protect you at the cost of my life, and on my daughter’s life.
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(Strong and confident voice) I will train my men so they can protect you and help you with anything, Mr. De Lion!
Theo: (Tapping off ash) I see…
You’ve decided to travel and don’t want to leave us unguarded.
(Closing his eyes) We’ll arrange payment and private contracts for Vik and his men.
(Looking at Vik) We place our trust in you, Chief Guard Viktor Karpov.
Melissa De Lion: (Worried) When did you decide to leave, and why?
No one dares to go outside, and the last ones who tried died, and only a few returned with trauma and serious wounds.
(Yelling) The craters are nothing compared to what’s out there...
So why?!
Dav: (Looking at his mother) I want to find out what’s out there, and meet other people, if there are any.
I will make sure to return.
Melissa: (Downhearted) I know you're strong...
But I’m scared of losing you again, and I can’t accept it.
I’m old now...
Dav: (Small smile) I never said I’m leaving forever, haha.
Just enough time for a walk and come back, a few months, maybe a little more than a year.
I don’t plan on leaving immediately; I want to wait until all the kids graduate.
Melissa: (Calm) Alright then.
(Yelling) Make sure to come back before I kick the bucket!
Otherwise, I’ll become a ghost and haunt you every day out of boredom!
(Funny face) Remember how many paranormal documentaries I used to watch? Eh eh eh
Now I’m in the business myself!
Dav: (Chuckling) I’ll make sure to come back before that, haha.
(Looking at his mother) I’d really like to say goodbye to Anjelmo before leaving and returning to the academy.
Melissa: (Pointing) You’ll find him over there, he’s cultivating a bit of everything.
[Standing up, going outside, approaching Anjelmo.]
Dav: (Walking) I’m going to say goodbye to him.
Vik, go ahead and get to know those two.
Vik: (Standing) Yes, sir!
[Dav walking for a few minutes through the large, imposing residence.]
Dav: (Squatting down) It’s been a while, Anjelmo.
I hope you’re still in shape, like always.
Anjelmo: (Looking up) But you...
(Surprised, happy) Dav! Is that you!? When did you get back?!
My boy, I’m so happy to see you again.
(Hugging Dav) You look exactly the same as ten years ago…
I’m the one who got older...
Dav: (Happy) It’s great to see you after all this time...
I hope you’re well and enjoying these peaceful days.
Anjelmo: (Taking off his gloves) After losing my brother too, I was alone, and your mom asked me to move my house into your residence so I wouldn’t be left on my own.
(Smiling) Every day we help each other with chores and cooking for your siblings, using the vegetables I grow.
Dav: (Looking at the garden) You’ve done a great job with the garden.
Some beautiful olive trees would be perfect, but it would take decades for them to grow…
What a shame.
Anjelmo: (Laughing) I’ll be dead before they even grow a few twigs! AHAHAH.
(Placing a hand on Dav’s shoulder) So how’s life now? Are you working?
I know you’re top 1, after seeing your duel with your mom—she was ecstatic, shouting for days out of joy, haha.
Dav: (Making a funny face, glancing away) Let’s just say I’m a teacher in Palermo at one of Italy’s great academies, and I currently live there with Gabriel and the two little ones.
Anjelmo: (Interested) Yeah, your mom told me about the academy—Gabriel, Martina, and Marco.
(Curious) Have you already found a girl? You’ve always been handsome since you were a kid, no doubt about it!
Dav: (Closing his eyes, smirking slightly) Let’s just say a lot is happening quickly and I wouldn’t even know how to explain it, haha...
END OF CHAPTER - 123
