Episode 7

...

The buildings ahead were taller than the central cafe, and all that could be seen were windows. Nestor approached the balcony and looked, but saw nothing different.

Louis Olid: You couldn't see it?

Nestor Grize: No.

Louis placed one hand on Nestor's shoulder and pointed in a direction. The man's eyes followed and found a vase on the balcony, where flowers spilled from its rim like vines, forming a cover over the stairs. The green of the leaves highlighted the blue of the flowers.

Nestor Grize: That is truly beautiful. What type of plant is that?

Louis Olid: I don't know. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with it. But, the magic, you'd have to be lucky to see it.

Nestor Grize: There's magic too?

Louis Olid: There is. But I won't tell you. You'll have to wait a moment.

Nestor Grize: Are you seriously going to leave me hanging? I'm curious.

Louis Olid: I am. Because if not, you won't see it like I do.

Seeing Louis's smile so close to his face, Nestor felt a strange shock, as if coming from his feet, rising to his head. He leaned forward and held Louis's face.

Louis Olid: What is it?

Nestor Grize: Ah! It's... your face is still a little red.

Nestor disguised his action, driven by an impulse with no malicious intent.

Louis pulled away and sat back down in his spot, facing him.

Louis Olid: I didn't have much time to reapply my makeup.

Nestor Grize: But wasn't it supposed to disappear? It seems recent.

Louis Olid: Don't worry about me. How about an espresso with marshmallows?

Nestor Grize: Although I'm not very fond of sweets, I'll accept.

Louis Olid: You don't like sweets?

Nestor Grize: I can say with certainty that I am not an enthusiast.

Louis Olid: What a shame. For me, sweets are the best thing ever invented.

Nestor Grize: You are very different from your brother.

Louis Olid: Because my hair is curly? And I'm darker than him? Or because my eyes are...

Nestor Grize: Beautiful.

Louis Olid: Beautiful?

Nestor Grize: Uh... yes, they are yellow... beautiful, I've never seen anyone with eyes so... like that, that color.

Louis Olid: You speak in an amusing way, I think I'll accept if you invite me for coffee again sometime.

Nestor Grize: Seriously? Then I'll invite you always. And you can't accept other invitations, otherwise I'll be hurt and won't be able to have coffee without you.

Louis Olid: Don't worry about that. No one invites me to anything.

Nestor Grize: No? That's... seriously?

Louis Olid: You always ask if it's serious, why? You don't believe me?

Nestor Grize: Ah, actually that "Seriously?" thing, I picked it up from the younger generations at the office. It's more like saying: "Swear?" "You don't say?"

Louis laughed.

Nestor Grize: What is it? I don't understand.

Louis Olid: "Swear?" "You don't say?"

Louis spoke in the same funny tone as Nestor, and the two laughed together.

|||

On the way back to the OL company, the two talked about various things until they reached the front door, where before even looking, they both sensed Eder's presence. The CEO of the company stood with his arms crossed and a serious expression.

Eder Olid: The company's coffee break is ten minutes! I've been waiting here for forty. That's because I don't know the exact time you...

Eder looked first at Louis, then at Nestor.

Eder grabbed Louis's arm and pulled him inside. Nestor took a step forward but saw Louis smiling as he gave him one last glance before entering alongside his brother.

Nestor Grize: How can he be so charming?

|||

Louis followed Eder to the CEO's office without saying a word.

Eder Olid: Why did you leave the company?

Louis Olid: Because I wanted to have a coffee.

Eder Olid: And we don't have coffee here?

Louis Olid: Yes, but I needed inspiration to resume my tasks.

Eder Olid: Don't talk about work at the company like it's some silly painting of yours! This is our parents' empire, and you should be one of the first to set an example.

Louis Olid: It's alright. Not everyone knows I'm your brother, you know? Mr. Fearsome himself didn't even remember.

Eder narrowed his eyes, staring at Louis.

Eder Olid: Did you say... "Mr. Fearsome"?

Louis Olid: Oh! I didn't even realize, I meant Mr. Nestor.

Eder Olid: Why are you giving him nicknames?

Louis Olid: It wasn't me, I didn't. And actually, he has many. It's just that I liked that one better, you know?

Eder Olid: Shut up! Enough, all you do is talk nonsense. Get back to work!

Louis Olid: Yes, boss!

Louis left Eder's office.

Eder Olid: Mr. Fearsome? This guy is crossing the line! I'm going to get him kicked out of this company, whatever it takes. I'll do it for you, Dad.

|||

That night, Louis fell asleep quickly and was in a deep sleep until he heard a noise at his doorknob. He opened his eyes instantly. The door slowly creaked open.

Louis Olid: ...

Louis cleared his throat.

He stared at the door but didn't move for a few seconds. Finally, deciding to end the tension, he got out of bed and walked towards the door.

Louis Olid: {Could there actually be someone there? Could it be Eder?}

Louis moved forward, but as he came face to face with the hallway, his ears guided him to a distant sound.

Louis Olid: {It was here... Just now. For a second it was here...}

In the living room, Eder appeared, looking in the same direction as Louis. The two looked at each other and again focused on the front door of the house.

Eder went ahead and opened the door.

Louis Olid: Recognize that smell?

Louis approached his brother with slow steps. He was scared.

Louis Olid: Eder? Did you manage to identify the... the smell?

Eder took another look at the backyard and then walked inside.

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