The Way Back Home's
Tied
In the waiting room, Remy furiously rubbed his hands. His heart was a little regretful for throwing away the uniform suit. Now, he's just wearing a thin white shirt. The air temperature out there is falling. He could not imagine how he would have to go back to a small snowy town. Shortly after, Farrell showed up. He didn't know how he looked when he approached Remy. As soon as he saw it, the chef immediately stood up and looked at him anxiously. “You okay?”
Farrell smiled. “Yes. Thank you and sorry.”
“For what?”
“For everything. You even came out of Eden’s Lodge because of me.”
“Not your fault. I don't want to work for bad guys,” Remy replied slowly. “You must think I'm weak, yes ‘kan?”
“Why is that?”
“I've been bullied since childhood. I was often made a mockery in school because it was difficult to get along and economic status. My family is just a simple family. The father of a construction worker and the mother of a cake chef. They worked hard for their five children. I am the youngest. I'm used to receiving insults, being underestimated, being looked at one eye, being laughed at. I know how much it hurts to be laughed at by others without being able to retaliate.”
“You are not weak.” Farrell patted Remy on the shoulder. “Easy to nervous, maybe. Weak one? I guess not. What you did was amazing. I did not expect you to dare to defend me in front of uncle and aunt.”
Remy gawks at Farrell's words. It took him a while to react. “Thank you. This is the first time anyone has said that to me.” Remy smiled thinly. “Sweetie, we failed to help your mother.”
“Better fail than never try.” Farrell comforts Remy and himself. Farrell felt lighter after talking to dad. He's ready to let go of Eden’s Lodge as long as he can get mom back. “I'll be back to Bliss and Tea Room. What about you, come with me?”
Remy was embarrassed. “I don't know where to go after coming out of Eden’s Lodge. So, before getting a new job..if not a hassle.” Remy let the sentence hang.
“You are not at all a hassle. Don't worry, I'll figure out how to help you. I'm sure Madame Bliss will accept you to work at her place. Moreover, you are smart to make food.”
“Do you think so?”
“Sure. Like Milo, I also really like your chocolate maple bar.”
Remy smiled again, wider this time. “Thank you.”
Farrell and Remy leave prison. The two walked back to the Bliss and Tea Room. Lucky for Remy because Farrell thrust a small potion bottle at him. Bottle of body-heating potion from Vincent. At first Remy refused, but after Farrell explained that their journey was still far enough and the potion was made by Elioscavea, Remy drank it.
“I wonder if Christo frequented my father,” Farrell started to open the conversation when they turned the corner. Not many people have passed by. Most of the workers have gone home. This part of the city became quiet, contrary to the conditions during the day.
“No, maybe only once a year. Arranging an inn that big was only the four of them was exhausting. But he always took his time. He thinks we should have obeyed you, not your uncle. He used to visit your father secretly,” Remy said as he returned the potion bottle to Farrell.
“How to? Isn't he unable to use the portal because he doesn't understand mantra?”
“Christo has his own tools in his room. A private portal to a small village near the capital.” Remy spoke so quietly as if afraid that someone would hear.
“Sssst!” Remy hurriedly placed an index finger on his lips. “I— It's confidential! Emily gave it to him. Mu— Maybe Emily likes him. Such tools are very expensive and complicated. Even if it can be used repeatedly and commute, the destination is only one place.”
“OK... Christo didn't tell me about the tool.” Farrell rolled his eyeballs. She wondered why Christo didn't use the device when they ran away. Maybe because the room is far away or for some other reason. “So you never met my father?”
Remy shakes. “No, Will and Emily too. We just heard the story from Christo. From what I hear, your father was very kind. Same asyou. It's hard to believe you're not his real son. Like you said earlier, you are fighting for a family that has no blood relation. It was very kind and brave. It's a compliment, not a joke.”
Farrell remembered father's words. Brave men. “Maybe that is indeed the reason why I was placed in this family.”
“Oh yes, I... A— I'm really sorry for poisoning your sister.” His head was staring at the road. “Since the beginning, Christo asked us not to support Mr. Albert's plan. But, we. I was too scared. We know what is right, but we dare not do it.”
“You've done a lot for me, brought me a sample of mannequin concoction, even made chocolate maple bar without coconut and without mannequin concoction for me.”
“How did you know that I didn't put the potion in it?”
“Because Milo and Libby are not interested. They're like addicted to that snack.” Farrell recalls the time his two younger siblings went out in the middle of the night to find the snack.
“Sorry.”
“Ngak. You guys have done a lot for me. Instead, I'm making you guys wretched. Christo... Even he.. I wish I could do more for dad, mom, Milo, Libby, you, everyone.”.
Remy shakes. “You don't have to worry about Christo. Will is there. Will must have saved Christo. Maybe now they are hiding or having dinner somewhere... Ah!” Remy suddenly exclaimed. “Wire! I forgot about dinner. Jeez... How about the guests of the inn? They must be starving because of me..”
Farrell smiled amusedly. “You still think about that? You just resigned from Eden’s Lodge. Just let manager Albert Eden take care of all.”
“Ya, indeed. But, all the furniture there is still tied to my name. At least they can replace it tomorrow. That's also if Mr. Albert knows how to call our suppliers. He never learned how to take care of the inn. He doesn't know anything.” Then, Remy quickly corrected. “Eh, sorry. A— I didn't mean to insult your uncle.”
“Nothing. He does suck.” Farrell turned at the front crossroad and found the main street of the city. On this side of town, there were still many people wandering around. They saw some people wearing a coat. A bunch of guys wearing jackets down there. Some use magic to prevent snow from falling on their heads. Luckily the sidewalk was wide enough to accommodate everyone. They passed through rows of stalls and restaurants complete with a small bar next to a homeware store. As the pavement began to quiet down, Farrell continued the conversation. “Tell me again about your magic furniture.”
“We have a lot. Ranging from super large size pans to tiny pans, teapots, meat hammers, grinders, various sizes of knives, all quality first. The tableware is also.”
“How do they work? Furniture in Eden’s Lodge is spiked with magic in order to move on its own, right?”
“Yes. Christo said, your father arranged it. The chef can control all the cooking equipment. The waiter can arrange the dining furniture. The head of the kitchen has complete control over all the furniture in the kitchen and dining room. We just think about something and they work on it. I guess it used to be like that. However, ever since your uncle was in charge at Eden’s Lodge, the number of employees has been reduced a lot. Only four people left.”
“Paman is the inn manager. What furniture is obedient to her?”
Remy puts his shoulders. “No at all.”
