Episode 6

Tez was in his pool swimming, when he got tired he went back into the house through the door to the collection room. In front of him on the sofa, Leyne was asleep, with a loose-fitting blouse off her shoulder and pants that he had pulled up to wear as shorts.

Complexion: {I think he's a bit more nourished. His legs are plumper. But letting him sleep on the sofa won't be good.}

When Tez touched Leyne to take him in her arms to the bedroom, he woke up.

Leyne: You can leave me here, I'm not going to sleep anymore. I've had enough rest.

Tez: If you want it that way, that's fine with me.

Their gazes remained still for a moment.

Tez: I... I'll order clothes in your size.

Leyne: I appreciate it. But you've done a lot for me. You don't have to worry about that, I'm not even going out.

A friendly smile came over Leyne's face.

Tez: Just the same. It can't be pleasant knotting clothes all the time. I'll have them delivered later this week.

Leyne: So I'm going to stay here for another week? Is that it?

Tez: You've barely started taking your vitamins... I think you need to get strong.

Leyne: I'm strong!

Tez: Yeah? Then prove to me what you're saying. See that vase over there?

Leyne: Yes, moss green. Very pretty by the way.

Tez: Lift him up and I'll let you go now.

Leyne: Really? Okay, then. That sounds easy.

Straightening her blouse, Leyne went over to the vase and held it with both hands, as if in a hug. Then she tried to lift it.

Leyne: {I can't believe this is so hard!}

A few more seconds of trying, and nothing.

Tez: You still can't?

Leyne: (~_~;) No.

Tez: Then you can't go yet. When you can lift that vase, you can leave. And believe me, I'm thinking of you.

Leyne: Okay... Thank you. E... What is this vase made of? {It can't be normal ceramic!}

Tez: If you find out, I'll let you go.

Leyne: What? You can't keep playing with me like that. I feel like you're laughing at me inside. Aren't you?

Tez gave a slight smile

Leyne: I knew it. You funny boy! You think you're making fun of me just because I wasn't born muscular like a Greek statue.

Tez laughed again, at which point he looked back into Leyne's face.

Tez: {If you only knew that no one has made me laugh like this for years}

Leyne: Hey? What are you thinking? You just stood there looking at me. Are you up to another prank or what?

Tez: The new spices I bought have arrived. You could put them away so you don't get bored. What do you think?

Leyne: "More spices!?" Are you kidding?

Tez: No, but if you don't want to, I'm not forcing you.

Leyne looked startled at the entrance to the house.

Leyne: Did you hear that?

Tez: Don't worry, it's Rodrigo.

As soon as he had finished speaking, Rodrigo entered the room.

Rodrigo: I've brought the vitamins I missed that day.

Tez: Thank you

Rodrigo: Boss, there's something I need to talk about.

Tez: Sure, just wait for me to take a shower and we'll talk.

°°°

A few seconds after Tez had risen, Leyne plucked up the courage to ask a few questions that were choking him.

Leyne: You're Tez's nephew then?

Rodrigo: Yes, I am.

Leyne: Oh yes, I was a bit confused because you call him Chief.

Rodrigo: Although he's my uncle, I also work for him and respect him a lot.

Leyne: I see... You must be very proud of your uncle. And... would you happen to know who that girl is in the picture where he's smiling? I noticed that it's the only photo of Tez smiling.

Rodrigo lowered his head in a sad look

Rodrigo: That's his sister...

Leyne: She's dead now, isn't she?

Rodrigo: Yes. She was my mother.

Leyne: I'm sorry for your loss.

Rodrigo: And you? Your parents are alive.

Leyne: They're gone too. I only have one uncle, Uncle Billy, he's very funny... He taught me to fish and forced me to study... If he'd known where I'd ended up... I think he would have let me play more.

Rodrigo: You haven't seen him for how long?

Leyne: Four years.

°°°

Tez went down the stairs, and before he reached the last step, Leyne looked up at him.

Leyne {He smells great. The perfume gave him away.}

Leyne's gaze followed Tez until he finally stopped next to Rodrigo.

Tez: Shall we talk now?

Rodrigo: Yes.

They entered the room with collections, while Leyne remained standing in the same place.

Leyne: {Are they talking about setting me free? Or does he still intend to leave me here longer? Even if that's the case, I have no reason to complain, I've never been treated so well in years.}

Tez poured Rodrigo a drink that was on the table.

Tez: I believe what you have to tell me must be a delicate matter. Do not be afraid, tell me everything. You know I will help.

Rodrigo: Yes. I know... I fear more for you, Sir.

Tez raised an eyebrow.

Tez: Tell me quickly, Rodrigo!

Rodrigo: I continued my investigations about Leyne Dimitri. The family that wants him dead is not Jiulane Frigarro's brothers, it's her fiance's brothers... The Maldonados.

Tez's eyes widened.

Tez: Are you sure?

Rodrigo: I am. Now it's even easier to understand why they pinned the blame for the embezzlement on that poor guy.

Tez: Rodrigo, this situation... you know I can't ignore it, right?

Rodrigo: I imagined you would say that. And... A part of me wants you to go ahead with it, Sir.

Tez: I will.

The drink was finished in a few seconds, and Tez poured himself another.

Tez: I'll need you to take care of him for a day.

Rodrigo: Of course. Don't worry.

Tez: But now, security needs to be doubled. If they find out Leyne is hiding with a Sallene, they won't spare any effort to eliminate him once and for all. He is now our ace in the hole.

Rodrigo: You're going to use him as bait?

Tez: Yes. I am.

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