The vehicle soon passed by a magnificent garden and arrived in front of a luxurious modern chateau.

The astonished Alexander gasped, “When did this happen?”

Brandt smiles at the look on his master’s face, “It’s beautiful, is it not, Master Alex? Everything was redesigned during one of Master Cillian's escapades.”

The old man then pointed his finger at the garden, “If you look at those beautiful flowers, Master Alex, you can see that they did not originate from Earth. Master Cillian collected these from Astral Gates around the world. They are then modified in Eliot’s lab to fit Earth’s atmosphere. Even the soil beneath them is cultivated specifically to accommodate them.”

He then pointed at the chateau, “Although Master Cillian has enlarged the outside aesthetics of the building. The internal design remains the same. He intentionally kept it so that you won’t feel foreign when you return.”

***

Soon the vehicle stopped, Brandt got outside to open the door for his master.

As Alexander stepped out of the car, a field of chateau staff welcomed him. All dawning beautiful suits, bowing their heads at him. Yet none caught his eyes more than his driver, who was standing behind Brandt.

Seeing her stunned him for words.

She wore a dark checkered business skirt suit. Her beautiful low bun brown hair was enhanced by a smoothly sculpted face encrusted with crystal-clear Emerald eyes. Her thin body, silky skin and modest bust strengthened her professional look.

Stunned by her enthralling beauty, Alexander muttered, “Ana?” He instinctively moved toward his old friend for a hug.

Ana reflectively moved back and bowed harder, “Welcome back home, Master Alexander.”

Seeing her action, he stopped in his track.

Brandt sighed, looking at the two of them. He still recalled when they always went hand in hand together. They even cried when he tried to separate them.

Now, they were so close yet so far.

Knowing that it would take long to mend their relationship, he waved for the employees to return to their posts and guided Alexander into the chateau, ending their awkward situation.

***

Alexander was amazed once the door opened. Dense, shiny wood floors brought forth the touch of luxury. Marbleesque walls represented the majesty of old. Paintings of various beautiful places decorated the entrance hall.

The crème de la crème was the giant painting of their family.

Alexander walked closer. It was a modular painting of the Eliot household, composed of four individual pieces. Together they created the giant Eliot household painting.

The top piece was his parent sitting together on the couch, laughing and holding hands.

They looked not a day over their 30s, still filled with youthfulness, optimism and the spark of love not yet marred by time.

This piece was probably based on one of their wedding photos.

‘Mum’s face is so happy. When was the last that I saw her laugh? It is almost blurry now.’

Alexander tried to recall happy memories.

‘What does my little Alex want to do when he grows up?’ Angela laughed.

‘I want to be like brother and travel the world,’ little Alexander cheered.

‘Are you going to be like your brother and never call home?’ She cutely pinched his nose.

‘I will call Mummy every day,’ little Alexander held on to her hand and replied with conviction.

This infusion of happy dopamine didn’t last long. Alex quickly returned to the art pieces.

***

The second piece at the bottom left was his brother Cillian sitting beneath the couch, flanked by a beautiful redhead and a blonde. The redhead’s Rubies eyes burnt bright. Yet, it scorched with a fiery passion of love and care. On the other hand, the blonde's Sapphire eyes represented the calm sea. Regardless of what life throws at her, she will always be by his side. These two are his sister-in-law Emilie and adopted sister Elizabeth.

The third piece at the bottom right was him, Alexander. He looked about 13 years old. Little Alexander was sitting beneath the couch and holding one of his mum’s hands. His expression was of joy and delight.

Alexander sighed, ‘I guessed I haven't been home for such a long time.’

His hand caressed the smiling Alexander in the painting.

***

The last piece was positioned on the furthest right.

It was an old butler and a young adult girl standing by the side of the couch. Dawning a worn-out overcoat, the old butler had a fatherly smile. Meanwhile, the young adult female wore a vibrant business skirt suit set. Through her beautiful Emerald eyes, she stared lovingly at the young Alexander. These two are Brandt and his childhood friend Ana.

The four modular paintings together created the harmonious Eliot family.

As Alexander gazed down, a plaque greeted his eyes.

“Regardless of good or bad. Separated or united. Rich or poor. This is my family. Even to the day, I die. I must protect it.” - Cillian Eliot, 8th of November 2068.

Alexander gently touched the plaque. It was the only thing in the hall not made of something expensive. It was but an ordinary iron plaque.

He could feel his brother's feelings emanating from the plaque. His strength and tenacity. His devotion. And weary mind.

***

Alexander never got the opportunity to talk to his brother about how he had been throughout the years. Cillian hated wishy-washy feeling talk. So when they called, he only asked Alexander about his life. They never go into specific, never intruded too far into the other’s life.

Brandt stood quietly behind his new master and reminisced about his old master. Although, his character was lazy, and his antics were often destructive. Cillian still tried his best for his family.

A quiet Ana stood beside Brandt. She looked at Alexander, who was daydreaming about the past. Long forgotten feelings and memories also resurfaced.

‘Hic hic!’ A little Alexander was crying in the cupboard.

A little Ana approached him and hugged him from behind.

‘Hic … Don’t … Don’t leave me!’ Little Alexander held her hands tightly.

Ana thought back. A decade had almost passed. These trickles of memories barely survived against the tide of time. Without the foundation in the present to latch on to, they soon faded away, returning to whence they came, locked in the palace of buried memories of yesteryears once more. Ana's expression stilled.

***

After a while, Alexander looked back at Brant. He was still wearing the same old overcoat from the painting. Alexander finally remembered.

‘Uncle! Uncle! I’m leaving for Singapore soon. I don’t have much money saved up. However, I managed to get you this coat. Keep warm ok. I will buy you something better when I return.’ 13 years old Alexander handed Brandt an unwrapped coat.

‘Then I shall await your return, young master Alex.’ Brandt smiled and accepted the gift.

‘Help me keep an eye on Cillian. Ok!. He and sis must get married. Hmmm. Then I’ll come back with a giant cake.’ 13 years old Alexander jumped into his arms and requested.

‘Hahaha! I will follow the young master’s order.’ Brandt smiled and panted the little boy on the head.