"So that's what it's all about" Julian thought after listening to the complete story "maybe that's why Paul is being this impatient."
He looked at Simon sighing internally and said evenly, "I didn't have any idea about Paul. Guess we're all same one way or another. I'll go tomorrow and ask things out in Black Palace."
"Why tommorow ?" asked Simon, "there's more than enough time left."
"Yeah about that... I received a message from the hospital and have to check things out, don't know if it's serious or not" he stopped for a second and continued, little hesitant, "also, you... hadn't forgotten what happened four months ago did you ?"
Four months….? Simon thought for a moment and recalled it clearly, "yeah… but, it's already four months they should've forgotten that already."
"Don't think so , you were on everyone's talk and the current manager is his brother. Not by blood though."
"So there isn't any choice ? "
"There is. I'll go tomorrow. Maybe you can wait outside until I ask around, can't hurt right ?" Julian suggested gently.
Simon thought for a moment and agreed saying, "okay, on tomorrow."
Julian nodded internally with relief and saw two waitresses coming to their seats holding their orders.
After eating their meals. They both exited the restaurant and said goodbyes to each other. Simon asked Julian if he should drop him to hospital but he declined the offer saying I've already booked the cab. And now he was waiting for it calmly until his phone started ringing.
"Who's dying now?" he grumbled slightly and took out his phone from pant's pocket.
It's Paul. He closed his eyes for a second and answered the call, "Did you buy the groceries?"
"No. Someone stopped at my place and delivered it." A Reply came back from Paul .
"Ooo , Then ? What's the matter calling this late." Julian asked, thinking it's better to be something with good reasons.
"I need you to check on something."
"Oo..kay" Julian answered.
"———— and go there after nine , and yeah.. don't mention this to anyone . It's just my personal doubt, that's all."
"Got it. After nine." And the call ended. Julian looked at the phone screen and sighed, "why me ?" he thought and noticed his cab had arrived.
Next day - 9:20 AM
"So this is the place, haa..." Julian mumbled silently to himself. Standing in front a black metal gate. Above him sky filled with clouds blocking Sun's direct view on him, behind was empty streets he rarely noticed any vehicles passing by when he was observing this place for ten minutes. He was in his casual clothes, a blue colored t-shirt underneath black jacket it's zipper's opened, black jeans and black colored shoes. And also a black colored hat to cover his head. Slightly turning the metal lock he pushed it opened with the light metallic sound.
As he strolled down the path to the house's door. He noticed the place outside was big compared to the house. Small grass growing everywhere he glanced. The house small painted in light yellow colour. Through the average sized window beside the door, he could barely see anything inside from his distance.
He reached the wooden door and turned the doorknob lightly with his hands covered with black gloves.
"Of course it would be locked" he mused to himself and took out the two niddle sized metal tool from back of his pocket. Bending his knees, he put the tool inside keyhole. After fiddling with it for a few seconds, with a light sound of "cachuk" door unlocked and he strode in. Putting back the tool in his pocket.
Paul's phone started to vibrate when he was sitting on his seat watching the students chatting with their classmates. The previous class had just ended and the teacher hadn't arrived yet for the next class.
He took out his phone from pant's pocket. Having guessed the person who might it be , and his guess was correct it was Julian. He slightly glanced at the class estimating it would be alright to answer the call because all of them are busy with their own stuff. His fingers touched the screen then he noticed. Class had turned silent. All the chit-chat had stopped, his gaze quickly followed towards the class's entrance.
Yep, the teacher had arrived.
He instantly turned the phone to silent, and rejected the call and typed the message.
"Send text class is ongoing."
His message quickly received the right (✓✓) mark. Julian read it and he turned off the phone. Putting it on the desk he waited patiently.
Ten minutes later as the teacher was writing something on the blackboard he didn't care his phone vibrated again. He tapped the message notification and noticed one of the guys sitting in front of his desk turned his back head slightly. Paul acted as if he didn't care and started to read the message.
"As you said I went there after nine and checked things out. Only one person was living there prolly a girl… maybe. I asked around a little and few of em said they have seen someone going in and out but didn't sure if it's a girl or boy. Though after checking the owner's bedroom and bathroom. I think person is a girl around our age maybe. I also checked the wardrobe and founded nothing but girl's clothes and yeah.. there was also some files about her personal details and stuffs. Her name's Miami Collins, and goes to the same school as you ? Her father's name -Greg mother's name - Erin. She is their only kid i suppose. There was also her bank passbook and i saw a random bank account number who sends her money once a month. Guess it's prolly her parents and shit.. I'll check it if you want more. There was also a diary I found but tbh... i didn't want to read that shiii… but i did. There wasn't any start date mentioned. Starter was something about forgetting everything and how she hates that place and shit. She didn't mention any clear place , and there's also mentioned of her parents leaving her by herself. I was wondering if she got few screw losses or some shit maybe. But after reading few more pages everything felt normal for to me. She got friend and stuff etc. etc. And yeah… one of the guys said when I was asking around. That the owners of this had left this place 4 months ago, and went overseas and yeah he also mentioned he had seen some girl to about 17-18. She had come here when the owners of this place were still here and it's probably their daughter. I asked about the owner's but mofo didn't answer clearly. Said that both were husband and wife around 40 and they're busy with their own work and didn't talk with any outsider and shiii..
Idk what were your doubts on her, or her background but i think she is a pretty chill pill chick. You prolly juss overthinking—
After reading the message he turned off the phone's screen and started to sink deeper in his thoughts "guess maybe that was just a coincidence, haa…" he wondered through his memories from last night "but what's done is done. At least she won't disturb me again like before but…. Thinking about it, maybe I overreacted at that time , didn't I ? You think too, right ?? Maybe I was just overthinking this, this is just sc- Jail, but letting your guard down is the worst anyone can do ."
—
As Julian stepped inside the Black Palace his vision went dark for a moment. It's very early in the day so he didn't see many people here. To the left and right side of hallway are comfy sofas , between them stood a round glass table, and to the front side after crossing the hall. Julian reached the counter, there's total of three individuals he could see and one he was after, was also here .
Without baiting much eye left and right. He adjusted himself further to the right side seat. One of the bartenders seemed to recognise Julian, walked up to him. Wearing clean black uniform, his head all shaved clean with dark skin.
"You're here too early," the bartender said casually .
"My friend Jimmy !!" Julian said in a little playful tone "haven't seen your shining head in days, so i just came here to look at it "
"Are you ?" Jimmy couldn't get more doubtful after seeing HIGH TABLE puppets coming here this early.
"Don't believe me ?" Julian said, making it sound obvious "then it's your choice my friend. Even us randoms have life of our own. I just came to grab some drink after my visit from hospital, you know ? This is the only place I can find some peace, but here you are doubting me. I thought we're close pal by now ." Julian ended with sad remarks.
"Ok man , I can't beat you , sorry for doubting you " Jimmy said, raising his both hands slightly. Accepting defeat "so.. what can I get you , the usual ?"
"Yeah, the usual will be fine." and Jimmy started making Julian's drink.
As Julian saw his drink is getting ready his mind wandered back to yesterday night. He never have thought about this but… He hadn't read anything about Paul, or be more clear his past before coming under High table. He at first thought that didn't matter because all of them had come from that same place. What had happened before doesn't matter much. He knows about Sara, from at-least what he had read in the records. she was taken from streets by High table when she was just Five. Though he hadn't asked her directly and he never wants to. But he had to believe it. But what about himself then ?
"Yeah I can't forget that night even if i wanted to, and this life is much better than before anyway. Also i couldn't care less if that man was alive somewhere or already died , but i hope that mother-fucker is alive. Still suffering just like how I had, just like her…. but that doesn't matter now, is it ? What I did that night is probably what makes me what I am today, and when she is awake again, everything will be just fine, right ??"
"Here" Jimmy, done making the drink, placed it in front of Julian.
"Merci" said Julian in french tone, and lifted up the glass. The colour of drink was the same as always he remembered in his mind. Light purple mixed with red hue. He placed the edge in his lips and smelled it before taking a slight sip .