Ayshe.
~
" This ends up in the trash .. this .. she will hate this for sure ..noo.. I can't stand this.. "
" Maire, for heaven's sake, we are going to a celebration to .. a slum right?. Not to the Queens' house. "
She ignored my words and kept chuking clothes on the ground for arbitration reasons.
" Girls, anything online!? " She asked without looking.
Henny and Lilly were dressed and ready except didn't know where to.
We were running low on time, so Marie started to panic.
" There is nothing.. not one profile named Krista Crigmasky. Sorry, the woman is a ghost. " Lilly answered.
Marie groaned and grabbed another handful of clothes for inspection.
" Why is it so important to find her socials? "
" I only ever saw the women once and wanted to see her dress preference..
" And copy it? " I asked.
She didn't answer but didn't need to.
" Marie, who is this woman .. and why the need to impress her? " Henny asked the obvious.
" It's a thing I also wondered. " Lilly put her hand up.
She finally stopped destroying thousands of dollars worth of clothes that did nothing wrong, and her sister also liked some of them .. and looked ready to talk.
" Listen, girls, I'm about to tell you something since after tonight it would be hard to hide ..please don't interrupt or ask questions. "
Now, she had their attention. I hope they handle it well..
...
" Are you guys doing a bit? " asked Henny.
" As in billionaire heirs need to .. put themselves in mortal danger .. and run a criminal syndicate to .. make money? " Lilly asked sarcastically.
We knew it was a chance they were going to think we had gone crazy. So Oliver helped me out.
I showed them the video he sent me, a victory celebration of theirs from months ago.
" .. and tell me, how do you feel after such a historical win? "
On the screen, Oliver pretended to interview Asin.
" I feel like 110% .. like I can fly! Kids!! "
Asin turned around, and Oliver followed with the phone, showing the GOD crew celebrating below them.
" .. Repeat after me!! You can fly!! "
Oliver was dying from laughter, so the video started shaking. The people done as he asked repeatedly. They were all clearly drunk and been celebrating for a while.
The video was a recreation of famous meme years ago, when an athlete got into some trouble being overzealous after a win and give the kids watching .. a very, very bad advice.
Anyway.. the fact that all of them have the famous GOD mask around their neck or wore them, and Asin's signature black Aventador in the background did sink the truth in.
Then came the screaming.
~
" I won't be able to look him in the eyes. "
" Lilly, if you don't stop blushing like a little girl, you won't have eyes left to look at my husband. "
We were outside waiting for the guys who went out for gifts and firewood. Oliver told me he will explain it later.
" You know I don't mean it like that.. but seriously? How ridiculous your life has become? " She laughed.
Never mind her life, Lilly and as a matter of fact, Henny's as well is just as altered now.
Marie decided on a more casual way of dressing, no dresses or high heels, jeans and comfortable blouses were worn and a slick looking sneaker.
All brand new and worth more than most peoples cars, but we had to agree it worked and looked comfortable so we changed outfit accordingly.
When we say the boys, it turned out to be the right choice since they opted for comfortable casual as well.
" I tell you this one more time and never again. Me telling this comes with a lot of danger, if any of you caught blabbing..
" Dear friend of ours. " Henny stopped her and repeated herself. " .. never in a million years I thought you end up like this. Your questions earlier and my confiscated phone makes more sense .. "
Marie nodded solemnly.
" But still .. we understood what you shared. Never on my life will I betray it. Not for them but for the happiness I see when I look at you. "
Marie turned emotional hearing her friend sincerity.
Lilly joined in their hug, and I admit her words even touched me. Now, we were able to share some troubles with someone else beside each other.
" Whoa, Whoa.. crying already? "
We turned around and saw the guys .. empty handed.
" Where are the gifts and the wood? " I asked.
Oliver pointed towards the gate. " Outside already on route. We couldn't bring it here. We are supposed to go to a dinner tonight. "
" Will you tell me about the firewood situation? "
He shook his head and walked past me.
" Just know it's for something important. "
Mean guy.
" .. you all know now here some rules. First things first .. We are not hiring now, Henny. " Asin emphasised.
The one mentioned deflated like a balloon but he ignored it.
" Second. You are welcome to attend our events and see the crew with limited interactios. Maybe.. Occasionally. Understood? " He asked.
They both nodded seriously.
" Good .. now tonight might seem a little strange, but stay close to us. Let's be off. "
He took Marie towards the cars, and we followed close behind.
" What does it mean strange? " I asked Oliver.
" People from the 9th are .. different. Have their own traditions and certain rituals even. "
" Tell me one. " I asked.
I noticed the girls behind me were doing their best to listen in, but since they now knew, Oliver didn't hold back.
" Small stuff.. Like before a race, the racer from 9th meaning, Asin.. follows the tradition of asking for blessings before it begins. I mean I doubt he would race without it. "
Hmm, some how I liked it.
In a way, it was very much reminded me of Konore and its people. How they all had certain celebrations and sayings not done or heard anywhere else.
Marie and Asin were eating each other inside the car, and I wondered if we should take a ride separately.
~
The 9th ward.
Slamis, Notig and Adans.
3 districts inside a man made city built around another. People rejected by the capital came here decades ago and started building shanty towns.
Over time, more arrived and built on it. Soon those who had nowhere else to go, headed south until they hit the old slums, once gone through that.. you found the 9th ward.
" .. as a place that has been called the foundation of organised crime in our fair capital also sports the highest figures in all violent crimes committed in the last 50 years..
Lilly was reading about the 9th, everything that was available for the public. It was mostly depressing and often scary.
Asin gave a pointed look for Marie, who quickly turned red but with annoyance this time.
" Lilly .. maybe you should go to the movies. Get a taxi home .. " She suggested coldly.
She looked like a caught animal and peaked at Asin for help .. who closed his eyes.
" I .. I stop. " She put her phone away.
" Is it unsafe? " I turned to Oliver.
" Not for us. " He smiled. " We spent an absolute fortune on security tonight, but it's not against the locals. The police can start raids whenever they want, but if they do, we have plenty of time to evacuate everyone safely. "
I was meant if it's safe for us, from the residents, but whatever. Both him and Asin looked relaxed.
Tonight was really important, Oliver never used exaggerated words like 'fortune.' He was much more sensible, Asin treated everything as stuff on sale.
After the city limits the road filled with more and more cars, all the same black SUVs we sat in.
Our 3 car convoy with security will soon ballooned into 12.
" Are they..
" With us. " Oliver smiled.
Marie was discussing our own security and their trust worthiness.
" See those gentlemen. " Asin pointed at the glass and those sitting on the driver seat.
" Yes .. they can hear everything and ..
" Ovuz? Are you hearing that? " He asked loudly.
The man on the passengers seat turned around, and the glass automatically lowered.
A man in his 30s with short black hair, average looking but the eyes reminded me of birds of prey. His nonchalant exterior hid a dangerous man.
" There is nothing escaping me, young sir. My lady I been Asin's driver since he was 12. Me and my men are loyal, only to him. " he smiled politely.
With that, the glass slid back, creating the illusion of privacy from the looks of things.
Asin explained.
" In Switzerland, it was only Ovuz with me. Knows everything about me and GOD. He hired and trained every man as my security chief. His loyalty is not for sale. Without him .. I would've died when I was a child. "
The car became silent. I never heard him talking about his time spent overseas or his sickness. From Marie's look, she didn't hear a lot from him either.
" We do pay them generously on top of their salaries as well, plus bonuses. " Oliver ended the silence.
" Hmm, how much money you guys make .. if I may ask. " Lilly looked at them carefully.
I was actually interested as well.
Asin nodded towards Oliver, and he told us.
Basically, all their money is coming in untraceable crypto currency, hidden in a trillions of wallet they had.
Had an entire team working on nothing else but GC their own crypto.
1 worth about 340 to 350 dollars as of today. But it's been on a steady upward trajectory for the last year and no signs of slowing down.
They made tens thousands of it every race, often hundreds of thousands of them including the bets they took.
They didn't give full numbers since they were all different, but a little math can tell anyone they were making more money than some legitimate companies.
And they did it in 5 to 7 hours every month or so.
Not counting the fact they had fake companies that turned very real the more they purchased.
Didn't tell us the names.
All of us were stunned how much profit they made, each race.
" Hmm .. now, how much your family makes so I can compare..
" Lilly enough! " Marie shut her down.
She really wanted to do a deep dive but kept it in for now.
We were riding through the strangest houses ever. Each different, unique, and clearly hand built.
Black suits were placed everywhere, their only job is to pay attention and look imposing while doing it.
People were coming beside the car and tapped it, their parents dressed up and heading after them following the cars.
We pulled up into a parking lot near a large circular square where all the roads converged. The pleasant sound of music hit our ears.
Asin and Marie stepped out hand in hand and girls followed them.
" Ready? " asked Oliver.
" You won't leave me alone, right? "
I felt a little childish since it was basically their second home, but he smiled confidently.
" Not just tonight. I'll be there for all the others as well. " he offered his hand.
I felt lighter already and took it. Let's see how the 9th ward celebrated.
——
Marie.
~
The music, the atmosphere, the people they were all uplifting and warm.
Asin was known by most of them, and they weren't shy stopping and thanking him for all the good he and GOD had done.
Seeing and hearing so man people stop and shake their hands, thanking them for the kindness we didn't even know they done..
I felt a certain pride swelling in my chest, and I bet Ayshe felt more or less the same.
Their crew from that night at the warehouse were started popping up among the crowds, and we saw Leyla and a handsome man by her side waiving at us.
Asin called Ovuz over, and soon, the security started handing out toys and games for the children, and little black envelopes for the adults, and we were left with an open path.
In front of the best house I saw so far stood two familiar faces.
" Welcome home, son. "
" Old man, Aunt Krista .. we came. "
Asin walked ahead and placed a kiss on their hands.
I wasn't long behind, and Uncle Ivan greeted me with a warm smile .. Aunt Krista spent 20 seconds looking at my outfit.
I actually started sweating under her judgemental gaze.
But she seemed to find it acceptable and offered her hand for a kiss.
She made a little nod towards her right side, and I understood, so I stood by her side as a line formed in front of us, led by Oliver and Ayshe.
Oliver similarly showed respect, and when Ayshe arrived ..
" And you, my girl? " Aunt Krista asked.
" I'm Marie's little sister, Ayshe Konore. Hello, and thank you for having us, lady Krista .."
Ayshe looked for my support but I was clueless how Aunt Krista will respond.
She turned to me, and I was puzzled at the look I received, but thank God she found her acceptable as well and offered her hand.
After Ayshe finished, the people kept coming up.
I took at look the others and other than me and Asin who stood beside Uncle Ivan, everyone else blended into the crowd.
He smiled happily, seeing me and his aunt seemingly on the same page.
After another 10 minutes of that, Uncle Ivan stepped forward, gaining everyone's attention.
" I welcome you all on another night of rebirth.. "
He let the crowd clapping die down before he continued.
" Over the years, we learned to live .. with the fear of unending.. unreasonable brutality visited upon our home. And after 50 years of that struggle.. the 9th ward has never stood stronger! "
He smiled at Asin during the eruption of cheers, who rolled his eyes.
" During last week's senseless attack, we lost four of our own .. let us remember them and send their soul back to the Lord with some music and dancing, time spent among good company. "
Someone came and handed over a lit torch for him.
" The pyre of the martyr's will burn again tonight.. "
I felt my blouse pull. " Take this daughter and follow my lead.. "
Aunt Krista handed me a piece of firewood and walked towards the middle of the square where a large pyre was already built.
She gave over her piece to her husband.
I checked with Asin, and after a quick nod, I walked and gave him mine as well.
Uncle Ivan walked forward and lit the pyre that looked so much bigger once set ablaze.
He lifted and thrown inside the first piece.
" For the martyr's. "
Aunt Krista stood beside him, and after a few seconds of prayer, they walked away.
Asin took my hand, and we walked there ourselves.
" For the martyr's .. " He toosed it inside.
I closed my eyes and prayed for the 4 men who gave their lives for the others to get away.
When finished we went and others did the same ..
The wood was for that reason.. honouring the people who had fallen.
Henny and Lilly followed after Oliver and my sister and tossed theirs, then came and stood beside us.
I rested my head on Asin's shoulder and watched the flames.
Knowing things and seeing them with your own eyes were very different things.
I knew the responsibilities he carried, he told me about most of them and pressure he felt to live up to Uncle Ivan ..
But seeing the number of people, who relied on him .. the way they lived, their children tossing firewood on the pyre build for their dead.
I knew I would remember today forever and all the feelings I felt during.
Not the silly ones.
The pride, the fear, the responsibility, and my love growing with every passing second we spent together.
I felt comfortable and safe ..
Oh, Asin .. you don't know the comfort it provides to live in your shadow.
~
" My own daughter will come home in a few weeks.. did your husband tell you? "
" He did, Maya, his older sister. He loves her as such. Can't wait to meet her. " I smiled.
Aunt Krista, who sat at the head of the table, quizzed me about random things like favourites and first, until now.
She wanted to get know me!
We sat at the long table, chairs on both sides, only women on the seats.
Behind us, we heard the frivolity that was going on outside. People cheered constantly, and I often heard my husband's name screamed.
Wondered what he was doing that excited them so much.
" Maya will most likely love you. Even if just to appease her little brother. " She poured some red tea for me. " She won't say why she cut contact almost 4 months ago. "
Thankfully, after our make-out session that had a very satisfying end .. which was wrongly interpreted as us having sex .. he finally answered my questions.
He told me about Maya and how she handled him just after gaining some confidence for beating some locals, took him to her father .. and my Asin was born.
He told me about the chemistry labs he already bought with his own money since it wasn't much just to make sure she can work for her passion projects and not for a paycheck.
Fuehh.. the more I learned about his past, the more I felt I lived in a small bubble while he was trooping around as the protagonist all this time.
" I hope she will love me .. I'm here to stay. " I drank my tea.
Keeping eye contact with her was hard .. when to stay respectful and when to assert myself .. in laws are hard to deal with.
Little bit like balancing yourself on a tightrope.
And then it happened.
I got a genuine smile and maybe even a tiny bit of her respect.
" About Maya .. she didn't even tell her own mother the reason why she hasn't called? " I asked.
" She knows whatever is told to me will be repeated to Asin sooner or later. That's probably why.. I just hope they be okay. "
I almost told her those worries were unwarranted .. since her adopted brother is already working on her future and making sure it will be a good one.
" I'm sure they will talk it over once she landed. "
I tapped her hand for encouragement.
As I took a look at the table I knew only the people coming with me.
I was worried about Henny and Lilly.. but it was unfounded. They both find others to talk to and probably realise they can relate to these women.
My sister was in a deep conversation with an elderly lady about getting a man to ask the question.
She wanted to get married? Or is this the spiced tea we have been drinking? It was delicious, and I felt that familiar warmth in my stomach that reminded me of getting drunk.
" God willing daughter.. cheers! "
She raised her glass, and that signalled the end of talking as the others all raised their glass with us.
" Cheers, Aunt Krista. "
""" Cheers!! """
The others emptied their glass, and the night only just began.
Now... where is my husband?