"My life has been so chaotic lately, boss! On one hand my Snapshot account is growing constantly, and I even found some interested buyers. On the other I am also constantly confronted with disparaging comments. Those little…"
Valentino gritted his teeth just thinking about these bastards daring to ridicule him. If he could get his hands on them, he wouldn't hesitate to use them as ingredients. He had noticed before that his own emotions played a huge role during the process of painting. If he could use ingredients which caused his emotions to stir, the painting would be even better. But unfortunately, those people could live on the other side of the world. It was impossible to catch them.
"On top of that I am running out of ingredients…"
Olivier saw Valentino sighing like that and found it quite strange.
"Are your ingredients special? Can't you buy them?", asked the Barista.
"Haha, no. I… wait."
Suddenly Valentino felt as if hit by lightning. Why had he never thought about that? Was it really impossible to buy his ingredients? It shouldn't be. There were many people who did everything for the right amount of money. He was only lacking the connections…
"Boss, you're a genius! Thank you!"
Olivier was confused by Valentino's reaction. It didn't need a genius to come up with such a suggestion, did it?
Afterwards, Valentino was clearly impatient. He drank his coffee quickly, excused himself, and left the café. Olivier could only shake his head and go back to his spot behind the counter. It was time to read the book he grabbed from the study earlier. Olivier opened the first site and found a brief introduction. Unexpectedly this book indeed provided basic information about Kerv. It didn't take long for the curious Olivier to be engrossed in the book.
Meanwhile Valentino left the café and reappeared in the Golden City. The shadowy alley welcomed him. Valentino looked around and saw no one, which was not surprising. He pondered for a moment and decided to head for the park. He left the alley and soon arrived at a busy road. Looking around he recalled the thieves who had attacked him before. Since that day a few weeks ago he once noticed them hang about the café entrance. Luckily, they didn't spot him as he hastily retreated into the café where he waited a whole day until he felt confident to leave.
Afterwards Valentino didn't meet the thieves again. Although he had an idea who hired them, there was nothing he could do. Was he supposed to go the police? No way. Although Valentino changed his appearance, he still wouldn't take any chances.
Luckily, the other side seemed to have given up. Thus, Valentino wasn't afraid as he strode along the bustling roads and soon reached the park. He chose a secluded bench to sit down and take out his smartphone. A while ago when he decided to create a Snapshot account, he knew he couldn't do without his own smartphone. In dire need of money, he could only earn some bills as a pickpocket. With his experience it was not difficult to earn a few hundred Dourus. Especially here in the Golden City where enough people ran around on the street, drunk and their pockets filled with gambling money.
Valentino didn't think too much about it. He opened Snapshot and looked through the various messages he received before stopping on one from a few days ago. It was sent by a certain Leon Denner. Although Valentino hadn't heard the name before, a quick search revealed that Leon Denner was quite prominent. Coming from a rich family he was known to the public as a troublemaker. There were many articles about his excessive parties and crazy stunts.
Valentino didn't care too much about Leon's character. What he valued were the man's wealth and great connections. At first Valentino was sceptical as he received a message from Leon offering to buy his painting 'Return' for twelve million Dourus. But after getting to know more about the man his doubts slowly disappeared. Now he didn't hesitate any longer and responded to Leon, agreeing to the offer.
As the message went out Valentino couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. He did let Leon wait for a few days after all. What if the latter had changed his opinion because of it? What if he got annoyed? Valentino knew the temperament of many wealthy people. It wasn't unusual for them to get angry if their wishes weren't fulfilled immediately.
Valentino was walking on hot coals. He waited in the park, mindlessly scrolling through his phone. Finally, he received a notification. Leon had agreed!
After a few more messages Valentino had an appointment with Leon Denner. He smiled inwardly and stood up, returning to the Café of Dreams. A while ago he had deposited his painting here. It was by far the most secure place he knew, and the boss didn't care about it. There was nothing more suitable. Valentino hung around for a few hours watching the boss engrossed in a book before he left again.
At this time the sun was slowly sinking above the Golden City. Valentino watched the gorgeous red-orange hue in great spirits. He followed the streets of the Golden City towards the address given by Leon. After a short while he arrived before the most luxurious hotel in the entire city. Three golden towers reached towards the sky above a square foundation granting the hotel its name 'Three Towers'.
Valentino stared at the grand entrance and took a deep breath. The cars, the exotic plants, even the suit of the page boys were worth more than his entire wealth at the moment if one didn't consider the painting in his hands. But soon, soon all of this would become a part of his life! Today he would lay the groundwork!
Pridefully sticking out his chest Valentino strode towards the grand entrance. The hotel staff threw him a few strange gazes, scrutinizing his old-school suit, but they kept their professional attitude and didn't question him. After all, they had seen their fair share of rich people with strange tastes.
However, the newly arrived guests were different. As Valentino arrived in front of the door, a supercar came to a stop behind him. An older man in sports clothes not befitting his age stepped out of the car accompanied by a young woman. The man threw his car key to a hotel staff and was just about to enter the Three Towers when he spotted Valentino at the entrance. Immediately his expression became ugly as he spoke in a voice loud enough for the surroundings to hear:
"What is this? Is every riffraff allowed into the Three Towers nowadays?"
The hotel staff immediately felt awkward, unsure how to handle the situation. They didn't want to offend either of their guests and possible damage the hotel's reputation. However, looking at Valentino he really didn't fit in with their usual clientele.
Valentino was still in a great mood when he suddenly heard such a discordant voice. He turned around and glared at the old man.
"Are you talking about me, old man?!"
The old man was first taken aback before rage began to rise in his heart. Those who know him well would realize that the man was just short of exploding. Valentino had immediately broken the old man's taboo by calling him old. His age was the man's most hurtful sore spot.
"You little rat! Do you dare to call me old again?!"
"Haha, denying reality. Of course I dare! Old man, old man!"
Valentino felt great satisfaction seeing the old man's head turn red like a tomato. Of course, in reality Valentino was older than the man before him by at least a decade. But that was not something others could know.
The argument between the two men continued for a while and the commotion gradually attracted a crowd. Even the hotel security appeared.
"Finally, you guys are here! Security, do your job and throw this man out!", bellowed the old man
"You want to throw me out?!"
Valentino was fuming. He glanced at the security who was whispering amongst themselves. He didn't know it, but one of the security staff recognized the old man. Thus, they came to a decision. Four burly men moved towards Valentino, and the artist felt his chest tighten.
"W… what are you doing? Don't come closer! You can't throw me out! I have an appointment with Leon Denner!"
Valentino's words had a strong effect. Suddenly the security stopped, showing hesitation. Even the old man was shocked for a moment. But he quickly regained his bearing and let out a sneer:
"Leon Denner? You? How would you be worthy of meeting Mister Denner? It has been a while since I heard such a good joke. Rat, you should work as a comedian. Perhaps then you will be worthy of entering the Three Towers one day… haha… Leon Denner. Ha!"
"Did someone mention my name?"