The Path of Madness
Chapter 6: Late
Aldric was awakened from his sleep by the sound of knocking on his bedroom door. He heard the faint voice of the young lady who seemed to be trying to wake him up.
"Aldric, wake! If you don't want to be late for work!" The voice sounded rushed.
Aldric yawned and rubbed his eyes. He looked at the clock at the table and saw that it was still 5 o'clock. He wanted to stretch his sleep, the weight of thought last night made him tired. But he realized that he had to work, so he tried to get up.
She remembers yesterday that she was her aunt, and now it's her brother's turn. He felt a little warm about it.
He got up from the bed and walked into the mirror. He saw black eye bags on his face. He looked a little tired and pale, the effect of staying up late last night. This is certainly caused by Aldric's body being unfamiliar. And of course also his habit of staying up late as Elric. It makes the combined effect of the two good and bad habits worse.
He decided to take a bath first today to try to eliminate the drowsiness that exists. He must be awake after yesterday's events. Just in case something unexpected happens. Always alert and paranoid attitude is always appreciated when in this condition.
He opened the closet and picked out the clothes. He chose a white linen shirt with a vest and pants, with a matching blend of colors.
He came out of his room and met his aunt in the living room. Her aunt said she would leave early for the school where she teaches today. Because it is necessary to prepare for the exam for his student.
"Alright aunt be careful." Aldric said warmly.
Her aunt nodded then smiled and left.
Aldric went to the bathroom and cleaned himself up. He felt refreshed after the shower. She dries her hair with a towel and combs it neatly.
He went to the kitchen to get food. There, she saw her brother who was waiting for her in front of the table. Her brother was also ready to head to the bakery where she worked. With a simple dress belonging to their mother who highlighted her maturity.
"Good morning, Aldric." Greet her sister with a smile.
"Good morning, Alice." Aldric answered politely.
"You look fresher now." Said her brother while looking at his face.
"Thank you Alice." Aldric said as he tried to grab his breakfast.
"You're not going to have breakfast?" Asked her brother while showing him a tray filled with bread, jam and butter that he tried to take.
"I'll eat it on the way. I might be late for work if I don't go." Aldric replied while shaking his head.
"All right?" A little pout adorned his face.
Aldric smiled with a thin smile.
"Why did you come home late yesterday?" Ask her sister sharply.
Aldric was surprised to hear the question. He cannot respond quickly. She should have known that her brother would have asked her why she came home late. It's very rare for Aldric to come home late. And not even before she told her aunt or sister. Isn't this a very suspicious situation. He tried to think quickly to find an excuse.
"I met my friend yesterday." Aldric answered quickly.
"Your friend? Is it a woman?" Ask her sister suspiciously.
"No, he's a man, his name is Samuel." Aldric replied with annoyance.
"Samuel's? Samuel Hartley?" Ask her sister in surprise.
"really. Samuel Hartley." Replied Aldric who still had an annoyed expression on his face.
Her brother just nodded without saying anything more. He knows who Samuel Hartley is. He is the son of the mayor's staff who is notoriously smart and handsome. But he has a strange hobby of studying the occult. He also knows that Samuel Hartley is Aldric's schoolmate and Grace Hartwell, the beautiful and cheerful daughter of the mayor. He had heard that the three of them often spent time together at school.
He had no idea that Aldric was still friends with Samuel Hartley after graduating from school.
After a while contemplating what advice he could say. "Don't try any of Aldric's weird stuff. Every weird thing always ends up weird."
"I wouldn't dare, I swear." Reply aldric with a hasty tone.
According to his memory, Aldric White really likes something that smells occult. That's why he used to go to the German grandfather's antique shop, a place where occult goods existed, which was hidden among antiques. And this is the reason she got along with Samuel and Grace. Because they have the same interests.
Occultism is closely related to the church and certainly they will limit the dissemination of occult knowledge, especially that can damage their reputation and be harmful to others. But the church will never be able to keep everything under control. Although the occult was closely related to the church, occult knowledge was born before various churches were founded. This caused the church to only try to restrict and keep a close eye on all dangerous occult topics. After all in this world occultism is quite popular.
Alice decided not to ask further about the meeting. He only hoped that Aldric did not try out strange things that could harm him.
"Alright, then, let's go." Her sister said by changing the topic.
"Good." Aldric said briefly with a nod while taking his bread.
They say goodbye and part at the door. Because their workplaces are different. The pub is near the pier. And her sister's bakery works near the city center. While their house is midway between the city center and the pier.
Aldric got to the pub and got into it. He was greeted by a loud noise inside the pub like yesterday. There already has enough customers, it makes Tom and Frank look troubled. And when he saw where a stare was staring at him fiercely, there Sir Arthur was sitting and looking at him with an angry look. He knows he's in trouble now.
He tried to look at the wall clock on the cashier's desk. Now the clock is at 6:25. He's getting a little headache this time. Their working hours are divided into morning and night shifts, with morning shifts at 6 to 2 noon and night shifts at 2 to 11. He's obviously late.
The day before, Tom and Arthur work overtime as two other employees on the night shift resign. There was only one employee who happened to be a licensee yesterday named Victor, he was quite close to Aldric and Tom. Victor according to his memory is a very carefree person, it causes him to easily get along with anyone.
"Hi Mr. Arthur, it's a sunny morning, isn't it." A natural smile adorning his face tried indifferently to the fierce gaze still directed at him.
"You're late for Aldric and the weather's cloudy outside." Sir Arthur replied with an angry crossed hand.
"It's still bright for me." Aldric tried to stick with his words.
"Stop your bullshit and work son before I put you on the roof to see the weather all day!"
"Good sir!" Aldric answered loudly.
He blew it up yesterday, he thought even though former retired master Arthur was a straightforward and friendly person. It turns out his angry nature still follows him. Oh tagas I mean.
He looked at Frank and Tom who had happy expressions on their faces. They smiled and greeted Aldric.
"Good morning, Aldric." Greet Frank with a smile.
"Good morning, Aldric." Greet Tom with a smile.
"Good morning, Frank and Tom." Sapa Aldric returned with a forced smile.
"Why, you're late, didn't you get permission the day before." Tom said with a smile not lost.
Aldric really felt like hitting her face and seeing if he could still put on that smiling face again or not.
"Just get up late." Aldric replied while throwing his mind away.
Frank came towards them and asked
"Do you sleep with women."
"No." Aldric replied while jerking.
"Honestly, young man. Besides, at your age, that's natural." Frank smiled strangely and clearly looked obscene.
"I told you not to. I've never even touched a woman" Shouted Aldric furiously with his eyes wide open.
Frank spoke in a whisper in front of him. "Do you believe it's Tom."
"Of course not." Tom replied with a playful tone.
Aldric thought back, whether he would continue his plan of hitting them now. He tried to calm down, he had already angered Lord Arthur today, if he were to make a fuss again. Maybe he'll end up tied up on the roof looking at the clouds until nightfall.
Aldric sighed while saying.
"Hhhh. Let's get to work before Mr. Arthur gets angry.
"You really don't please Aldric." Answer them simultaneously. Then they go for their own duties.
Aldric wiped the table, thinking about what Frank and Tom said. He knew that Aldric White had never touched a woman before. She did not know why, after all from her memory it seemed like she had died trying to avenge her brother and aunt.
................
Meanwhile, in a simple bakery by the name of Clara's Bread and Cakes. There Alice was working with Ms. Clara, the owner of a cake shop with several other employees. They sell bread - hot bread to customers - customers who come to the bakery. They work casually, even they also tell stories about light things and laugh together while working. The customers who stopped by the store did not blame him, it seemed like they did not mind about it.
Alice saw Madame Clara making bread dough. Ms. Clara was a kind and friendly old lady. She always treated Alice and the other employees like her own relatives. He also often gives them advice and support when they are in trouble.
Alice was happy to work in this bakery. Although he had high academic skills, which allowed him to get a better job, he preferred to work as a baker and cake maker.
He used to want to after graduating from school, he would try to get a job downtown. But he changed his mind when he finished helping Madame Clara subscribe to the shop where their family bought bread.
He offered to help them make bread. He hesitated at first, explaining that he had never done it before. But madam Clara said that she would teach him until he succeeded. At first he only tried and resigned when he failed several times. Yet just as he had managed to make it after working hard from several failures, he was overjoyed. He found happiness in seeing the end product of his hard work. When the customer enjoys the bread and cakes he makes, it gives a sense of outstanding achievement and gives meaning to the results of his work. The longer he put all his feelings and focus into making bread and cake the more comfortable he became. That's what has made it work here until now.
Ms. Clara is also happy to see her working here. He reminds her of his married son in Rovale. Alice is a beautiful and smart young woman. He always worked diligently and thoroughly. He is also always polite and friendly to customers.
"How are you, Alice?" Ask Madam Clara in a friendly voice.
"That's fine, Miss Clara." Alice answered with a smile.
"What about your brother, Aldric? Is she okay? He hasn't stopped by here in a long time since you worked here." Ask Madame Clara with a smile.
Alice smiled back. "She's fine, she's not here anymore because she's busy enough, besides I'll bring bread from here every day."
"You should make her at least your sister stopped by here, she's young. A young man like him needs to find a partner as soon as possible to get married, as well as a young woman like you Alice." Madame Clara said in an exhorting tone.
Alice could only laugh awkwardly. "When it comes to marriage, we're still too young."
"Young women like you should start looking for a better life. Find a good man and get married and then bring an adorable little boy." Miss Clara answered with a smile.
Alice felt really awkward. His face was covered in red in shame. He couldn't even answer Miss Clara's words.
Madam Clara smiled looking at him in such an expression. "Calm Alice, I'm just kidding. But really, I'm serious about saying I want to see an adorable little boy like you used to."
Alice really could not say a word. He tried to turn his body and continue his work.
Lady Alice still chuckled as she looked at the back of Alice's back. He saw his ears still stained red. It's really a pleasure to play with such a young lady.
