Chapter Five: The Complications

"If we desire respect for the law, then we must first make the law respectable.”

- Louis D. Brandeis

Althea opens her eyes, and the first thing she can see was the white ceiling of the hospital. She looks around and she can see Carson sleeping upright at a chair nearby her bed. She sees his coat hung on the arm of the chair and she reaches for it and covers him. Due to that Carson wakes up, revealing his bloodshot eyes.

“Five more minutes…” He says groggily. He stares at Althea and attempts to go back to sleep, when he realizes she’s already awake. He quickly snaps back and smiles at her with relief. “Took you quite a while to wake up sleepy head.” He tells her jokingly.

Althea chuckles. “My bad, the stress took over me.” Then she realizes the gravity of the situation she’s in. “I guess I’m in it for now. I could kiss my café goodbye.” She says sadly. “My brother will be so furious if he hears about this.” She lets out a long sigh. Carson holds her hand.

“Don’t worry, if we make our move first, like I said in the café, we have our precious evidence right there. And a lot of your patrons took videos of the fight. At the very best, they can be self-defense!” He tells Althea.

Althea shakes her head. “You don’t understand.” She says, sighing. “I feel better now. I want to see Uncle Cio and Sebastian.” Carson disagrees. “You should stay in bed.” Althea hangs her head. “Please. Let me see them. I beg you.” She pleads. Carson relents and he goes out for a bit and comes back with a wheelchair. Althea refuses his help in standing up, and she sits on the wheelchair. He pushes them to Ignacio and Sebastian’s ICU room, only to be stopped by the nurse in waiting. “Madam, we can only allow the family of the patients.” Althea bites her lips, preventing her tears. “I’m their family.” She says. The nurse in waiting checks, and soon enough she’s allowed inside. She immediately sees Ignacio and Sebastian grumbling with each other. Althea immediately stands from her wheelchair and hugs Ignacio first. “Tio Cio, I’m sorry!” She says sobbing. She embraces Sebastian as well. “I’m sorry Sebastian, I- I Should have…” Carson, excuses himself and decides to wait outside. Sebastian pats her back.

“There’s nothing you could have done, we are your servants, you shouldn’t be crying when we get injured.” He tells her, consoling her. “It was more than enough for us that you’re okay.” Ignacio nods. “These are just superficial wounds, mijita. They are not enough to put us down. How about you? Your heart?” Althea sobs in between words. “I’m alright. Doctor said, I just need a few days of rest.” She tells them. “I shouldn’t have lost my cool like that, look at what happened, we are going to court due to this.” She looks at Ignacio worriedly. “I can’t have you appear there.” She says. Sebastian pats her back. “Your brother has given both of us a clean slate. There is nothing to worry.” Althea stares at the two of them. “I’m so sorry, that you had to protect me with your bodies. If I was a bit—” Ignacio smiles. “Mijita, protecting you, was our duty. And besides that, you are our family. I saw you grow up nicely, any parent would be proud to have you as a child. I will not hesitate to do that again, if the need arises.” He tells her solemnly. Sebastian pulls her aside. “You matter to us.” He pats her head. “We’ll always have you covered.” She sighs. “Once my brother knows about this, he’ll flip and ask me to close the café.” She says sadly.

Ignacio laughs. “If your brother finds out.” He says. Sebastian looks at him suspiciously. “Whatever idea you’ve got, keep it to yourself.” He says. Ignacio shushes Sebastian. “Calma, mi amigo. We should keep our options open.” He looks at Althea. “Mijita, do you believe in that lawyer?” He asks her. Althea nods. “His credentials are good; besides, I can’t shake this feeling, that somehow, we’ve already met before. I just don’t remember when.” She admits. Tio Cio claps his hands. “Si, then we got the answer to our problem, but I suggest, you prepare a failsafe.” Althea goes quiet, a sign that’s she’s thinking.

“I’ve made my failsafe.” She says confidently. “It’s my greatest asset after all.” Sebastian and Ignacio nod, as if they have read her mind. Althea checks on Ignacio’s wounds. “That aside, are you sure they’re just superficial?” She asks. Ignacio smiles. “Nothing serious mijita. I swear. Though, I feel jealous, you hugged Sebastian first.” He says, pouting. Althea laughs and hugs him. “Aww, you envious Tio Cio?” Tio Cio mock cries. “And then soon, you’ll leave me for a man, marry them, and have kids. Then I’ll slowly fade away from your life.” Althea laughs harder, clutching at her stomach. “Tio Cio, I’m too young to marry. For now, I just want to enjoy my second life. And even if I do so, I’m taking you with me, Sebastian too if he likes.” The room was filled with their voices, talking animatedly.

Carson waits outside patiently. Soon enough, Althea’s head peeks from the room. He chuckles. “You should go back to your room.” He says. Althea smiles at him happily. “I was going to, I was checking if you were still there.” He laughs. “I’m actually a ghost, you’re seeing things.” He says teasingly. Althea slaps his arm. “See? Real.” Carson stops teasing her and asks her to sit down on the wheelchair.

“Carson, is your offer still available?” Althea says out of the blue while Carson wheels her back to her room. He grins. “Dinner? Why yes of course, pick you up at 9 am sharp?” He says jokingly. Althea shakes her head. “I want to take you as my lawyer. You’re right, that’s the best course of action for now. By filing a case against that man first, I get the upper leverage.” She says. Carson pats her head. “Don’t worry about it too much, we’ll win this.” He tells her reassuringly. “So, is this a yes?” Althea asks, confirming his decision. “Of course.”

A week passes by after Carson files a case on behalf of Althea against the rich man, Ravier Trevor, a well-known business man who specializes in casinos. They soon receive the subpoena for the case. Another letter falls from Carson’s hand and upon further inspection, he realizes it’s another subpoena. Ripping the envelop, he reads the contents quickly, that states he is called in for grossly immoral conduct. He almost crumples the paper and he calls Althea. “We have a problem.”

Althea taps her fingers on the table. Carson has long ended the call, and he immediately set out to make some countermeasures on his part. Sebastian comes through the door and places tea on her bedside table. “I prepared your favorite tea, Butterfly Pea Flower Tea.” He says, taking notice of her silence. “Is there anything wrong mistress?” He asks her, breaking her out of her reverie. She sighs. “It’s Carson. He said, Ravier had filed a case against him as well. Grossly Immoral Conduct. It might cause him his license if he’s not careful. And due to that, he will not be able to represent us.” She tells Sebastian, as she takes a sip of the warm tea. Sebastian looks at her. “If you want, we can…” Althea shakes her head, halting his words.

“No Sebastian. I will not order you to do so.” She tells him and holds his hands. “These hands are made to save, not to kill. I once brought you away from that life. I will not allow you to go back once more.” I tell him. Sebastian shakes his head. “Ignacio will do otherwise.” He tells her. Althea smiles slightly. “I know. Because that’s how he is. Even if I try to prevent him from doing so, he won’t. The only thing I can do for him is to understand him, and to care for him that way.” She tells him, squeezing his hand. “Sebastian, you don’t have to dirty your hands for me. Believe in me, that we can get through this.” Sebastian sighs, and pats her head. “Just be careful. I will not hesitate to kill, if it means saving you.” He says, not allowing any room for negotiation. Althea simply nods her head, smiling. “Yes, yes.” Sebastian then excuses himself and leaves her room. Althea grabs her phone and dials a number. “Hello? Yes, I need your services…”

Ignacio grabs his disguise in his wardrobe and slips it on. ‘Must kill…. Must Kill… MUST KILL…’ His thoughts rang loud in his head. His anger shoots up, as he recalls how the man held a knife to Althea’s throat. He grits his teeth as he swallows the lump on his throat down, his throat dry, thirsting for blood. He stands up and observes his outer appearance on the mirror. When he’s sure, that he looks ordinary enough to not stand out, he opens the door of his room. He sees Althea in front of his room waiting for him. She embraces him. “You don’t have to do this Tio Cio… Don’t dirty your hands anymore.” She tells him sobbing. He holds the girl in his arms, the girl he grew to care for. “Mijita… They will not hurt you anymore.” He says, seeing the bandage on her neck. He grits his teeth even further in anger. “I will make sure of that.” He breaks from her embrace and kneels down. He wipes away Althea’s tears. “Niña (child), stop crying.” He says gently. “You have to think best of your health, you mustn’t become too agitated or too sad. I’ll ask Isabella to accompany you while I’m gone.” He slings his ever-ready bag. Althea sighs. “It seems I can’t really dissuade you.” She tells him smiling bitterly. Ignacio smiles and pinches Althea’s cheeks, tugging them lightly to form a better smile. “Smiles like before don’t suit you. Smile like the ever-burning sun, mijita. That would be enough for me.” He tells her. Althea hugs him again. “Be careful. I know your skills, but please, return safe and unscathed.” She tells him. He pats her back. “Yes, mijita.” Althea steps aside, and she watches Ignacio walk away.

Meanwhile, Carson reviews the case filed against him. He smiles. “This will be easy.” He remembers the lonesome image of Althea on the lakeside, how somehow, seeing her like that squeezed his heart. His phone rings, and he answers it. “Ah yes, the case will be easy. You promised your help man. I’ll be expecting you there. Yes, I’ve done everything. I’ll leave the documents on my desk then. You do your job well.” He reminisces her laughing face. “Yeah, she’s really important to me. Yes, goodbye.” And he hangs the phone. He stretches his aching back. “Now, let’s back to work.” And he continues to review the case.

Isabella knocks on Althea’s door. “Signorina?” Althea opens the door, her eyes conveying the opposite of her usual happy smile. “Come in, what do you need?” She says, gesturing for Isabella to sit down. Isabella looks around Althea’s large room. Unlike the other rooms, her bedroom was akin to a size of a penthouse suite. Althea grabs a heating coil in the large cabinet, as well as a small metal kettle and a ceramic teapot. “I’ll make some tea, are you okay with Moon White Tea? I could ask Sebastian for other teas but, knowing him, he’ll be grumpy knowing that I’ll serve it to you.” She tells her, as she heats the water, and prepares the dried leaves, placing them inside the teapot. “Signorina, you don’t have to do this for me.” Isabella tells her. “Sebastian will be more upset with me.” She then hangs her head. “I’m sorry, I was useless.” She tells Althea. Althea looks at her. “The only thing I could do was call the cops and extract the videos from the CCTVs in our café.” She clasps her hands tightly. “I’m really sorry.”

Althea smiles at her and pats her head. “Isabella, it’s alright. Besides, you’re busy with the lodgings, and those who rent out our gondolas. I couldn’t ask more from you.” Isabella looks at Althea. “Signorina, you truly are the kindest.” She tells her. “I want to be able to help you better, please, allow me to learn basic fighting skills!” She tells her bowing her head towards Althea. “Please, I don’t want to feel so helpless just like last time. I want to be able to protect you.” She says, determinedly.

Althea shakes her head. “It’s really alright if you don’t.” She says. “I prefer you this way.” ‘Normal.’ She doesn’t blurt out the last word. She smiles instead. “Sebastian and Tio Cio are professional martial artists.” She says lying. Isabella nods. “I want to learn as well!” She says determinedly. Althea sighs. “I disagree. I hired you so you can work for me and assist me. Not for you to learn martial arts.” Isabella sighs. “I see.” She then stands up. “Thank you for your time, Signorina. I hope we can do this more often.” She then quickly downs her tea, bows gently and leaves the room.

On Isabella’s way to her room, she bumps into Sebastian. “Watch where you’re going! Maladroit! (clumsy)” He says irritatedly. Isabella quickly apologizes and stands at the side to give way to Sebastian. But before Sebastian could even walk away, she grabs the edge of his shirt. Sebastian looks back at her but before he can scold her, she hangs her head. “Please, teach me how to fight.” She says, taking Sebastian aback with her words. He gives her a condescending smirk. “Are you even joking?” He says. Isabella raises her head, leveling his condescending stare, with a determined gaze. “No.” Her voice was serious and lacking her usual mirth. Sebastian looks at her and he yawns. “No.” He says as he removes her hand and walks away.

Isabella runs in front of him and blocks the hallway and kneels down. “Please, give me a chance.” She says, her tone of voice almost begging. Sebastian looks at her. “No.” She looks at him stubbornly. “Then I will not stop to pester you, until you say yes!” She says, her brown eyes seem to luminesce even further in Sebastian’s eyes. He can feel the sincerity in her voice. “Althea will never approve.” He says and she looks at the ground once more. “She… doesn’t have to know. I just… don’t want to feel so helpless like before. The only thing I could do was visit you all. Despite everything, this has been my second home. And I want to protect it.” Sebastian looks at her, and sidesteps, and walks back to his room. Isabella remained there, kneeling, the feeling of rejection, numbing her body. Sebastian then stops. “Meet me at the orchard tomorrow, exactly three a.m. sharp. Be late, and I’ll reconsider this.” He says, entering his room.

Isabella stands up, still unbelieving just what had transpired. She smiles and she runs to his room and knocks excitedly. When Sebastian opens it, she immediately hugs him. “Thank you! I promise, you won’t regret this!” She immediately releases Sebastian, who was flabbergasted by her embrace, and she runs to her room. Sebastian couldn’t help but shake his head. ‘I think I’m starting to regret my decision.’ He thought, as he follows her with his gaze. He harrumphs and enters his room. ‘I’m sure, she won’t even last a day in training.’ He thought, as he lays on his bed. ‘She might never even last for a minute.’ And with that thought, he closes his eyes.

“Black Rose told us to stay at her mansion for now. She said that she has something important to discuss with us in the morning.” Gallius says to everyone, his eyes on the road. “She also said, our rooms are ready.” He scratches his head. “I can feel that she’s holding a grudge against us.” He says. Pierrot laughs. “Well, it’s not like we can always stay in her mansion. She has good intentions, but we are also men.” He says shrugging. Bryton slaps the back of Pierrot’s head. “Stop acting so cool. I’ll tell her to ban you forever in her mansion, since you’re a “man”. I heard she improved the mansion even further. She also hired maids, other cooks, and two gardeners. We’ll be pampered there for sure.” Bryton says. Pierrot drops his jaw. “You really mean that Bryton? Oh boy, I can’t wait to go back there.” He says, clapping his hands in anticipation. Desmond laughs. “I thought you’re a man, and you don’t need to stay in her mansion? No need to get so pumped up, besides, she can make do with just us you know.” He says teasingly at Pierrot. “Aww, come on, how can I be not useful? My charms and skills are enough to get me anything I want.” Pierrot says, boastfully. Bryton grabs his chin and moves it to the left, and to the right. “Man, I see no charm.” He says laughing. Gallius clears his throat. “Best behavior boys, we’re almost there.” The three nods, and the enter the grounds of the mansion.