Oliver.
~
I was so annoyed lately, and now her old platonic friend appeared dropping in for a friendly coffee?
I mean ..
Ayshe did call me before and after they meet. Also explained how they barely spoke to each other before Asin arrived for a drink.
Still ..
My jealous feelings remained. Especially seeing some unwanted eyes on her by some of their school friends.
Luckily, Asin took most of those friends away with his arrival. The people.. who probably all followed him on social.. bombarded him with annoying questions and touches, which he handled with the grace of an experienced pro.
" Look at the kids.. " Ayshe smiled. " I wonder if anyone wants to ask for his autograph. "
" Hmm ..Imagine if only they knew who he really was. "
Soon, his entrance became legendary when he kissed Marie to a few rounds of applause.
" So .. this baker guy. He won't appear here soon, right? " I sneakily asked Ayshe.
" I doubt that. " She smiled, resting her head on my shoulder. " In fact, I doubt we have a problem with him in the future. "
Her cryptic way of saying that piqued my interests.
" What do you mean by that? " I asked.
" Just as .. I said. I apologised for how I treated him after we left Konore. He was understanding, and that's us done with him. " She shrugged.
I personally thought differently and promised myself to have the boys look into him over the weekend.
Soon, the party really took off.
The music was excellent, and once Asin and Marie started dancing, everyone else joined in, us two included.
".. Are we locked in!!?" I shouted the lyrics with the crowd.
The famous song ended and we decided to get a drink. The bar was jam-packed and had to wait our turn.
" Look at Kol.." Asin pointed behind us.
We did and saw the man performing magic tricks to great applause.
" When did he learn magic?" Henny asked without wanting an answer.
" What the hell you lookin' at!?"
Marie was asking the pair of girls who kept eyeing her husband. The poor souls quickly assimilated into the crowd with their head red as a tomato.
" Fuehh.. The nerve! " she fumed.
Asin enjoyed her jealousy on display.
" Imagine using your eyeballs.. The nerve indeed." he joked.
" If they want to keep them, they better..
She couldn't finish for Asin kiss stifled her voice. After a few seconds, he pulled away.
" This will take forever, huh?.. I need to use the little boys' room." he started walking only to turn around.".. Where? "
" I'll show it to you." Marie was quick to join him.
I turned to Ayshe. " How long till they come back? What do you think?"
" I doubt we will see them tonight. "she smiled.
Soon, our host noticed and made his way through the people. I couldn't help myself.
" What is his real name. " I asked the girls.
Henny answered before he arrived ." Miles Kenfick. The name Slug came from an unfortunate middle school accident . "
" What happened?" I asked.
Unfortunately, he arrived before the answer, with his cousin Leyla close by.
" Where did.. Khmm.. I mean.. Are you guys okay?" he changed his question midway.
Henny was merciless." If you want, brother Asin's autograph. I can just probably ask for you? "
Miles Slug Kenfick tried to laugh it off.
" But seriously.. Where did they go?" he asked, looking.
" He had enough of waiting.. " Leyla was spot on. " What is this!? You invite this many and can't solve bartender problems? "
Her cousin went white and slapped his own forehead.
" Oh my god.. How long his been waiting.. Excuse me! Excuse me!!" he pushed ahead, not bothered by the people. " I'm the owner!"
Soon, he arrived with various bottles of unopened spirits and a full sleeve of red solo cups.
" Sorry about this.. I wasn't sure, so I grabbed some random bottles. Come come.. "
He led us to a cordoned off little table and put them on top. Oliver.
~
I was so annoyed lately, and now her old platonic friend appeared dropping in for a friendly coffee?
I mean ..
Ayshe did call me before and after they meet. Also explained how they barely spoke to each other before Asin arrived for a drink.
Still ..
My jealous feelings remained. Especially seeing some unwanted eyes on her by some of their school friends.
Luckily, Asin took most of those friends away with his arrival. The people.. who probably all followed him on social.. bombarded him with annoying questions and touches, which he handled with the grace of an experienced pro.
" Look at the kids.. " Ayshe smiled. " I wonder if anyone wants to ask for his autograph. "
" Hmm ..Imagine if only they knew who he really was. "
Soon, his entrance became legendary when he kissed Marie to a few rounds of applause.
" So .. this baker guy. He won't appear here soon, right? " I sneakily asked Ayshe.
" I doubt that. " She smiled, resting her head on my shoulder. " In fact, I doubt we have a problem with him in the future. "
Her cryptic way of saying that piqued my interests.
" What do you mean by that? " I asked.
" Just as .. I said. I apologised for how I treated him after we left Konore. He was understanding, and that's us done with him. " She shrugged.
I personally thought differently and promised myself to have the boys look into him over the weekend.
Soon, the party really took off.
The music was excellent, and once Asin and Marie started dancing, everyone else joined in, us two included.
".. Are we locked in!!?" I shouted the lyrics with the crowd.
The famous song ended and we decided to get a drink. The bar was jam-packed and had to wait our turn.
" Look at Kol.." Asin pointed behind us.
We did and saw the man performing magic tricks to great applause.
" When did he learn magic?" Henny asked without wanting an answer.
" What the hell you lookin' at!?"
Marie was asking the pair of girls who kept eyeing her husband. The poor souls quickly assimilated into the crowd with their head red as a tomato.
" Fuehh.. The nerve! " she fumed.
Asin enjoyed her jealousy on display.
" Imagine using your eyeballs.. The nerve indeed." he joked.
" If they want to keep them, they better..
She couldn't finish for Asin kiss stifled her voice. After a few seconds, he pulled away.
" This will take forever, huh?.. I need to use the little boys' room." he started walking only to turn around.".. Where? "
" I'll show it to you." Marie was quick to join him.
I turned to Ayshe. " How long till they come back? What do you think?"
" I doubt we will see them tonight. "she smiled.
Soon, our host noticed and made his way through the people. I couldn't help myself.
" What is his real name. " I asked the girls.
Henny answered before he arrived ." Miles Kenfick. The name Slug came from an unfortunate middle school accident . "
" What happened?" I asked.
Unfortunately, he arrived before the answer, with his cousin Leyla close by.
" Where did.. Khmm.. I mean.. Are you guys okay?" he changed his question midway.
Henny was merciless." If you want, brother Asin's autograph. I can just probably ask for you? "
Miles Slug Kenfick tried to laugh it off.
" But seriously.. Where did they go?" he asked, looking.
" He had enough of waiting.. " Leyla was spot on. " What is this!? You invite this many and can't solve bartender problems? "
Her cousin went white and slapped his own forehead.
" Oh my god.. How long his been waiting.. Excuse me! Excuse me!!" he pushed ahead, not bothered by the people. " I'm the owner!"
Soon, he arrived with various bottles of unopened spirits and a full sleeve of red solo cups.
" Sorry about this.. I wasn't sure, so I grabbed some random bottles. Come come.. "
He led us to a cordoned off little table and put them on top.
I didn't hold back and started pouring for everyone at the table.
Soon, Marie and Lilly came back giggling. Slug immediately turned to them.
" Where..
" What's up with the mini bar?" Marie cut him off.
" Express service from our host. " I offered a cup to each of them." Where are the guys? "
Marie gracefully declined, showing her water bottle.. She really took her sobriety seriously.. and turned to the bar.
" He went to stand in line with Kol.. Maybe I should go get him? "she asked the table.
Ayshe was ready with some sisterly advice.
" Marie.. Jealousy is cute but in small doses. Once you overdo it.. It becomes something else. "
Her warning did the trick, and they both took a seat but still kept their eyes on the general area of their significant other.
Lilly told us about Kol's magic tricks, and it was pleasantly boring. The guys arrived after a solid 20 minutes, carrying two trays full of cocktails.
".. What the hell is this!?" Asin asked after seeing the table.
Since the host chose this time to stay silent, I took over. " Miles here felt bad and took care of it for us."
After I mentioned his name, he found his voice and stood up.. But unfortunately, his legs gave out, and he awkwardly sat back down.
Seeing this strange behaviour, Asin forgets to be mad and politely nods towards him.
" Huh.. Thanks. " he sat his tray down.
Slug left star-struck and only nodded.
We demolished some of the bottles, and the night really got a bit hazy after that. I do remember dancing some more, eating something delicious and borrowing Slugs' parents' room for a bit.
All in all, it was a great party.
–——
Asin.
~
The night was okay.. We arrived back at the hotel way after midnight.
After a good night sleep, I felt better. First time in a while. Then I opened my eyes.
.. And saw my wife staring at me from an armchair she had to pull close.
Made me smile imagining that..
".. Have you been watching me long?" I asked.
She shook her head gently, but her tired expression and the circles under her eyes told a different story.
I opened the covers and invited her in. She gave me a little smile and climbed beside me.
" What's wrong?.. Don't get me wrong, I understand why people wanna watch me..
" Narcissist.. " she sighed.
I stopped the banter and turned serious.
" Seriously.. What's wrong? Did something happen? "
She paused for a little while before answering.
".. Had a bad dream. You got hurt.. I was standing above you. People ran, someone trying to give you CPR..
" Hush... I get it. " I made an effort to slide down to face her." You do know that won't happen to me, right? "
" How should I know?.. The tiniest mistake will take you away forever." she whispered.
I couldn't help myself and give her a long and passionate kiss.
" I promise.. That mistake won't happen. I have a lot of life for." I calmed her after pulling away.".. Besides. You are young. Remarry and name you first.. Ouch!! "
She did her signature move and bit my chest.
" It's not funny.. You are not funny!! You can't leave. Understand!? "
Her expression was so serious yet beautiful that it made my heart skip a beat.
" I would never leave you. Not ever.. " I said, completely serious.
Her worried expression didn't fully disappear but nodded all the same.
We then lay there in bed, and soon her breathing evened out as she fell asleep on my chest. As I continued to play with her hair.. For the first time in years.. I prayed.
I had no words, recited no known prayer. Always figured if God truly is almighty.. He doesn't need them.
For her.. I looked at the most peaceful and angelic face one could imagine.. I'm willing to rely on something I lost long ago.
.. Faith.
~
After a nice but mostly quiet breakfast, we headed out towards the desert area of Konore, where our crew was already waiting.
Before the car, Ayshe pulled me aside. I knew her questions already.
".. So? What did you end up doing to him?"
Despite what he has done to her, Ayshe looked worried.
" Take it easy.. He is alive if not all that well."
My words meant to calm her down, but it looked like it had the opposite effect. She looked pale.
" Oh no.. W-what you mean by that? "
I remembered yesterday..
Recalled how great it felt breaking that guys nose.. What relief it gave me hearing his bones cracked.. and how I managed to put all my frustration and anxiety in those punches.
" Just as I said.. He'll be fine in a few months." I said, pulling myself back.
" Asin!.. Please don't..
" You know the chemistry team called this morning.. Do you have any idea what he wanted you to drink? "I cut her off.
She stopped talking immediately and shook her head, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and fear.
" Well, it wasn't some date rape drug.. It was a powerful sleeping pill in liquid form. Do you understand? He had.. Detailed plans for you."
To his credit.. Even after I broke him, he still kept his full plan to himself. But my people soon found out..
He had a room prepared for her under their family bakery. Single piss stained mattress, a bucket.. And a picture of two of them when they were supposedly together. Framed and placed beside her would be bed.
The pictures they showed me sent shivers down my spine, and only my promise to her kept me from killing that sick animal then and there.
After telling her.. Ayshe's facial expression changed. Her previous worries and misgivings about Mr Bloome disappeared, and pure horror took over and settled.
" I.. I..c-can't..
I stepped forward and squeezed her shoulders." It passed.. Over. I'll have my man stick around to make sure he didn't have some accomplice. But.. It's over. "
She gave me a quick hug, and I felt her tears soaking my shirt. I patted her head until she became calm again.
" Listen.. It's fine. People often not who they seem. Even friends.. " I checked toward our group." Now.. Wipe yourself off and let's head back." I started walking ahead.
I heard her calling after me.
" Brother Asin?"
" Hmm?"
She smiled. " Thanks for looking after me. "
" You're my sister.. There is nothing to thank me for." I walked back and put my arm around, guiding her back.".. Make sure your boyfriend doesn't get a clue.. Or he will burn this charming little town to the ground."
~
The Nohare desert laid 40 clicks from our hotel and had zero chance of being populated.
With no structures around or natural water source, people rarely found themselves out here, and if they did.. It usually meant they were dead men walking.
So, it made the perfect place to set up our first ever open operation.
With security, additional staff, the crew, and our own people added, we numbered well over a hundred.
Dozens of cars made a circle around them, and large tents were placed to shield them from the sun.
I talked to Ovuz last night, so my security ditched their hot and uncomfortable suits in favour of some summer wear.
It was odd to see them in such a way but necessary.
".. This is incredible, brother Asin." Henny voiced her admiration. ".. But can't they still find you? With satellites and such?"
I had no idea.. But Oliver thankfully had an answer.
" They could see us.. But they need to point it directly towards us, and the government has little reason to scan the deserts.. In a few months, they couldn't see us even if they wanted to. "
His evil smile raised the interest in the others as we closed in on the main tent of the crew.
" What's that supposed to mean? " asked Marie.
Oliver gave me a knowing smile.
" Martel Communications! Soon, their satellites will cover the globe to provide high speed, mostly free Internet connection to the entire country."
It was beyond me.. And cared very little, but my aunt swore it will be our most profitable business yet in a few years.
" How come you don't know about these things? " my wife asked me.
".. It's boring. " I shrugged.
I avoid the rest because of the welcoming party consisting of Leyla and the heads of the individual teams. Tech for the drones, for communication, the head of medical, the 3 captains minus Kol who quickly ran ahead just to join them for a second.
Leyla gave him a pitiful look before she stepped forward.
" Boss.. Mr Aster. Everything is on track." she greeted us.
I saw her giving a cheeky smile to my wife, who winked at her in return. When they caught me looking, they both wiped their expressions clean off.
I sighed, hoping whatever they were up to will not make me mad later and turned to the queen of assistants.
" Leyla, please set up a channel with..
" Mr Terrible.. Khm.. I mean Mr Crigmansky.. I mean, it's already done. Sorry. " she ended awkwardly.
I smiled and tapped her shoulder.
" Soon you will have more help.. " I said and stepped inside.
The tents were identical to the ones our military used for ops and set up even better.
There was a small desk in the back of it with a single tablet on it that screamed Oliver, and to no ones surprise, he immediately walked over and took his place.
The others took a seat on the couches that were placed inside ahead of time.
" You guys thought of everything, huh?" Lilly reached inside the barrel placed next to her.
" Ice cold drinks in the Nohare..anyone?"
As the others asked for their favourite kind of soft drinks, my eyes remained on the medical tent a little further from ours.
I felt a hand slipping inside my own.
" Is that the one full of doctors?" asked Marie.
I smiled, thinking she was very intuitive in certain situations, then nodded slightly.
".. Let's go." She started dragging me. " Ayshe with me!"
The girl in question almost choked on her drink from her unexpected shouting.
" Why?.. Marie, are you feeling OK?" she asked visibly concerned.
" I'm fine.. But since you were supposed to be a doctor..
" I'm still going to be a doctor.."
".. You actually know what those machines called. Come on. " she ignored her and dragged me.
Ayshe asked with her eyes, but I already gave up on rationalising my wife and walked out behind her, offering little resistance.
It made me feel.. Good.
It's nice when someone is worried about you. Even if she had no reason to ..
In fact, looking ahead, what's to come in the next week alone.. This race will be a cakewalk.
———
Marie.
~
After the nervous doctors showed me their equipment one by one and used my sisters limited knowledge to confirm them.. Most of my worries gave way to relief.
They were more prepared than some actual hospitals.
As the night drew closer and closer, the excitement could be touched as it almost manifested itself.
The people nervous looks gave way to confidence. They looked less nerds and more professionals who were doing this for years.
Asin had no care whatsoever.
He was kneeling in front of a computer screen, now asking for a blessing from Uncle Ivan.
".. Whatever sins you committed. Be absolved and come back to us...
We all stood silently, and I even heard Oliver murmur a prayer directly behind me.
".. Raise you head son.. And go forth. "
Asin did as he was told and looked at him through the webcam.
" If.. I ever disappointed you.. Forgive me, Baban." he said it silently.
The people around us all looked up and saw Oliver and Leyla exchange a nervous look.
Uncle Ivan smile spread as his wife face appeared next to his on the screen.
".. Son, look at me. " she asked." You can never disappoint us... You are making me nervous here asking for forgiveness and such. "
" Nothing to fear... Anme." he smiled.
I .. Knew he used 9th Creole, a language the locals came up with over time.
Understood little about it.. But I didn't need to be a genius to know he called them Father and Mother, respectively.
Even if I wouldn't know.. Their faces through the screen told me everything.
The faces of proud parents looking at their child.
" I love you both..tell my sister as well, would you? "
Aunt Krista was close to crying, I could tell.. Even Uncle Ivan voice cracked up a little.
" Come back to us son, you can tell your sister in person .. We love you."
In the silence, I even heard someone sniffle.. I could understand as my throat tighted for some reason.. And my chest felt heavy.
Why does he sound like.. He is saying goodbye?
My nightmare came to my mind..
".. I see you soon. "
He got up as the screen went black.
Nothing was said.. People didn't even move.
" Oliver.." he asked.
" Yes, brother?"
He stepped around me.
" I'll go change.. Get it ready." he walked outside.
The crew all stood still and watched the wind flipping the leather he exited through.
".. Alright!" Oliver clapped his hand, waking everyone up. ".. You all know what to do. Do final checks and make sure.. Make sure! Everything is perfect. I will not accept mistakes of any kind!"
The crew all jumped collectively and started to return to their equipment.. Determination visible in their eyes.
The tent soon filled the noises they made, and I walked over to my brother in law.
" Oliver.. Is it.. Always like this? I mean..
" No.. It's not. " he answered while typing furiously.".. He usually gets his blessing and jokes a little. Making it light.. Marie? Do you know something? "
He stopped and looked up.
" I had.. I put some fear into him, I guess. With the way I acted." I bit my lips." Had a nightmare..
".. I see. Well, that explains it.. A little." he went back to his screen. " I would kindly ask you never voice them again, please. "
Ayshe stepped in." She is just worried.. Why wouldn't..
" Ayshe!.. " he stopped typing and stood up, walking around his small table. " The reason his able to do what he does.. It's confidence. If he loses it.. We lose a lot more than a race.. Understand?"
He was deadly serious, and after looking around, I saw similar expressions on everyone's faces.
Ayshe didn't even pout.. Just set her eyes on the ground and nodded with understanding.
I myself felt like an idiot as well.. Never considered how my words affect him. Or what it would lead to.
I was almost spiralling out of control when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. It was a tech girl responsible for communicating with the outside.
" Mrs Martel.. You're wanted." she motioned towards the computer.
I understood and had a pretty good idea who wanted me.
".. Auntie Krista?" I sat down.
" Why's my son talking like.. Like.."
She couldn't even finish her sentence properly. Her worried voice was only matched by her face. I bit my lips and explained what had happened..
".. You are new at this.." her voice trembled.
I squeezed the edges of my seat.
".. But I need you to bury your worries deeply in days like this. Whatever you feel. What he needs is encouragement.. Not doubts!"
I couldn't even look into her eyes.. Not even through a screen.
".. Let this be your last mistake...
" Enough.. Yetem ( Stop) Krista!"
I looked up, hearing uncles voice, and soon saw his face.. Filled with worry.
Aunt Krista got up the seat and walked away, but I could still hear her.. She spoke 9th creole.. probably some unflattering words.
Uncle Ivan clicked his tongue and forced a smile on.
" I'm sorry about that, my daughter. She's..
She is right..
".. Worried. Mothers are like that. " he said with a sad smile.
" I didn't think it through how it would affect him .. She has every right. "
I still remember her first words to me..
'.. You're unworthy of my son. Won't be able to provide him with the support he needs.'
My hands started to hurt.. I released the edge of my seat and felt a thousand tiny needles pricking my arm as blood rushed back into them.
" No.. She doesn't. Listen.. You done what everyone would've done. It just shows how much you care for him." he smiled kindly.
I wiped my eyes.. I needed to find my strength.
".. Thank you. I give you my word.. I will not burden him with such worries.. Not on days such as today. " I promised.
Uncle Ivan nodded with understanding.
" I know you worthy of my son.."
I felt enormous.. Heavy rock sliding off my chest, hearing him say those words.
" Daughter?.. Get me Oliver, please. " he asked.
I nodded furiously and got up.
Oliver was paying attention the entire time and took my seat immediately.
I walked over to my friends and accepted the cold water my sister offered.
" You okay?" asked Lilly, her eyes filled with worry.
I nodded after having my fill of water.
" I.. Often forget who my husband is.. And the pressure he faces."
Ayshe tapped my hand. " Aunt Krista said it, right? You are new at this. Give yourself some time."
Her words of encouragement and the kind looks of my friends lessened the guilt in my heart.. Just as Oliver walked back, addressing the room.
" Listen up.. We are 20 minutes out. If you are done with checking.. Go and relax a little.. Uncle orders!.. No excuses."
As he walked back to his desk, some people got up and walked outside. They all looked like they needed some air.
" Oliver? What did Uncle say? " Ayshe asked before I could.
Oliver shrugged, looking serious.
".. No mistakes.. Leyla? "
She was just as rattled as the rest of us, but her experience helped. " Yes, sir?"
" Tell Dr. Botrol and his team to check everything ten times.. Then once more after that. Go."
She nodded seriously and almost ran outside.
No one said a word until Asin walked back inside.
His light summer attire gave way to a comfortable black ensemble. Light t-shirt and baggy pants.
The crew all stood up as he walked past them.
" Hailoss patron. ( Good luck, boss.) "
" Hailoss patron..
" Hailoss boss.. "
..
He kept his head down, accepting their wishes. I made it my priority to learn 9th Creole.. In fact, I am immersing myself better with its culture.
I will prove Aunt Krista words wrong.
He arrived back, and I walked inside his arms.
" Good luck, my love."
".. Thanks. Marie, have you been crying?" he touched my cheek. " It's still about your dream?"
Curse my dreams..
" No.. Got some sand in it earlier." I pretend to clean it. ".. Listen. Forgot what I said.. You will come back. You will win.. And come back! Right? "
He removed some hair from my eyes, smiling confidently.
" I promise you.. "