Parallel Universe: Ch 14
#14 of Parallel Universe
Lionheart estate
27 August
I woke up the next morning, feeling extremely refreshed. I was kinda excited because today I get to meet some experienced hunters. I quickly showered and change my clothes to something more casual. I picked up and wore a black T-shirt with dark jeans. I went down to the kitchen and prepared waffles for everyone. As I poured the OJ, I heard a door upstairs closing, followed by another one and footsteps decending on the stairs. In a matter of seconds, everyone was at the dining table, sniffing at the delicious aroma of strawberry waffles.
"Ooh..." Alex smiled. "Everything smells good."
"Well, dig in!" I chuckled. Everyone sat down and ate breakfast together. Mom and dad are already in their office suits. It's a pity they still have to work on Saturdays.
"Michael," mom called me. "Don't forget. You have to go home before 5, okay?"
"Okay mom," I nodded. I didn't have to ask another question. I only work in the weekends at around 6 till 9. So I have to be prepared at 5 and get ready to cook in the next hour. I'm glad mom always remind me of these details.
As mom and dad said their goodbyes, Alex and I started to clean up the dishes. Since we promised to meet up at our house, we waited patiently for the others to arrive. At around 7:16, we heard a honking of a car, right outside of our driveway. We stepped outside to find a red mustang, reving up in front of us. The passenger's window rolled down, showing Tony's face behind it.
"Hey you two!" he smiled. "Ready to go?"
We smiled and ran towards the car. I stopped halfway and ran back to the door to lock it. After that, I followed Alex and jumped in the car. The five of us drove towards the outer part of the city. We turned left and right till we reach an estate. The three storied white building is truly majestic. The greek design flashes under the morning sunlight. The building is also surrounded with greenery and the large fountain infront of it splashed water here and there. We were all flabergasted at the view as we continue to drive to the parking space provided.
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" I asked Nick.
"Truthfully, I dunno," he answered.
"What!?" Alex, Mei, and I yelled at the same time.
"Louis did say this is the address," Tony looked back down on his map.
"So, he's a millionaire?" Mei asked.
"I dunno," Tony replied.
"Well, there's only one way to find out," I said. We parked the car and stepped out. We head towards the double front doors and rang the bell. A few moments later, the door was opened by someone we apparently know. It was Ter. He was wearing a white T-shirt and light brown slakies.
"Ah, it's about time you guys arrived," he smiled.
"Ter!?" I yelled in surprise. "You live here!?"
"Yes. Come on in," he gestured to us, allowing us entry to the large domain. "Welcome to the Lionheart Estate."
Our mouths were completely wide open as we entered the foyer. The building itself was unbelievably tidy. The marble flooring beneath us can even show our own reflection.
"What in the..." Mei muttered silently as we continue to pass the room.
"Come on," Ter interrupted our thoughts. "Don't just stand there. Follow me."
We were led down into a hallway. The marble floor was covered by a majestic red carpet, like the ones used in movie premieres. We looked left and right, admiring the decorations and paintings on the walls. Eventually, we reached to another open area, which looked like your everyday living room, but with a millionaire's touch. All of the furniture looked really expensive. A full window, viewing the green garden in front of it, replaces the east wall. The north wall has another pair of double door, leading to the next room, while the south wall was built with a marble fireplace with a picture of a noble hanging over it.
"What are you waiting for?" Ter asked. "Sit down."
We sat down nervously on the sofa with our mouth still gaping. Ter noticed our discomfort a second later.
"Uh... Is something wrong?" he raised an eyebrow.
"H-how'd you get so much money?" Nick stammered. "I mean, how could you afford all this?"
"I didn't," he smiled back.
"What!?" we practically yelled on top of our lungs.
"I didn't buy this. My friend gave this to me as a present."
"Boy, he must be very rich..." I thought out loud.
"Not really," Ter corrected. "This estate is actually his family's. He renovated most of it into my estate."
"He really cares about you," Mei smiled.
"Yeah, he does..." Ter looked up silently towards the white ceiling.
"So where is he now?" Troy asked.
"In the kitchen with his brother. They're making tea for us."
"Hey Ter!" a male voice boomed from the other side of the north wall. "Can you come here? I need your help on carrying these!"
"Sure thing, Joy!" he yelled back. In a blink, a large frying pan flew on the air and hit him right on the forehead. The banging noise sounded through the room, followed by him crashing down on the floor with the pan.
"And stop calling me that!" the voice responded. "You know how much I hate you calling me that!"
"Oww..." Ter held his forehead, cringing in pain. We held our breath, trying hard not to burst into laughter. Ter stood up, grabbing the steel pan, and head towards the double door on the wall. We smiled silently as we waited for them to come to this room. Finally, after what seemed like five minutes, Ter returned with a silver tray on his hand. It contains plates of snacks for us to eat while talking. He set the tray down and returned immediately to the door, opening it wide enough for people to walk through.
"Sorry we took so long," a person appeared from the door. He appears to be an Asian, like Mei. He's probably in his early 20's. His hair is jet black with a ponytail on the back. He was wearing a white shirt with navy blue jeans. He has a pair of brown eyes that stared to the amount of guests. He's carrying a tray of cups and a pot of steaming tea.
"No prob," Nick smiled. "Are you Joy?"
Again, in a blink of an eye, another large steel frying pan flew in the air. This time, it hits Ter on the side of the head. He crashed to the ground once more with the pan on his side.
"See what you did?" a voice in the other room yelled.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Ter surrendered as he cringed in pain once more. He slowly got the pan once more and entered the other room. Some playful bickerings could be heard over the door. The youngman chuckled and walked closer to the coffee table.
"I'm Christian," the young man smiled as he placed his tray down. "Nice to meet you guys."
"So you're the younger brother?" Mei asked. Christian just nodded as he sat down on the sofa.
"You can call me Chris if you want to," he told us.
"So Chris," Tony started. "How long have you been fighting these things anyways?"
"For as long as I've remembered. I think I was 6 when I started my first fight."
"6!?" I gasped.
"I really don't remember that much. Sorry," he hung his head. "If you want more details, ask John."
"John?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"My brother."
"I thought he was called Joy a moment ago," Nick scratched his head.
"Few years ago, some guy played a practical joke on him by erasing parts of his name. Ever since then, he's always called Joy by them."
"Did he do anything about it?"
"Let's just say, those guys can never be the same again," Chris chuckled. We were a little worried and curious of what he did, but we were interrupted by the door, swinging once more. Ter was walking out of the room, smiling softly as he held the door for the other person to come in.
"Now, will you forgive me?" he said with pleading eyes towards the room.
"Alright, fine," the other man said. He walked in, also carrying a tray of silver plates. Unlike his brother, he has light brown hair like Ter's. His eye color is also very different. His left eye is green, while the other is light blue. His face is clen shaved, with a smooth skin texture. His body is well toned for his age. He could possibly be a year or two older than Chris, while three years younger than Ter. He wore some very loose clothings over him. Brown T-shirt with baggy brown pants. His features is more like Ter's rather than Chris'.
And also, I have the same funny feeling to him like what I had to Mei. I felt like I've known him somewhere before. His head turned towards us and in an instant, he stopped dead on his tracks. His eyes widen the moment he saw us. His mouth gaped as he dropped the silver tray. Luckily, Ter was quick enough to catch it in time.
"John?" Ter looked at him worryingly.
"No way..." he mumbled.
"Is something wrong?" Mei asked. He faced his head towards her and stammered.
"G-Gabriella?"
"Who?" we responded questioningly. He snapped back and took a look at me.
"Gerald?"
"Excuse me?" I flinched.
"Is it really you two?"
"Who are you talking about?" Mei asked.
"You... don't know me?" he asked with a sad face.
"We've just met today," Tony answered. "How could we possibly know you?"
"Y-you're right..." he sighed. "Sorry. You two reminded me about someone I knew a long time ago."
"It's fine," Alex answered.
"Well, allow me to introduce myself," he smiled softly at us. "My name is..."
"John Yerlin Styler..." I mumbled out loud. I jumped back a little when I said that. Everyone, including John, stared at me with a surprised look.
"Gerald?" he stared at me.
"Michael," Mei called. "You know him?"
"Somehow..." I replied, still confused on what I just said. "I think I've met him somewhere before. Just like when I first met you."
"Is it true?" John stepped forward slowly. "Is it really you?"
"Sorry," I looked back. "I dunno who this Gerald is."
"It's okay," he smiled softly. "I'm just happy you remember me."
"Um... Can someone explain what's going on?" Nick interrupted.
"It's nothing," John chuckled. "Let's have that talk you want." He slowly walked over to the sofa and sit down. Ter followed and placed the tray down on the table. He stepped back and sat next to John.
"Well, I'll say it again," John smiled." My name is John Yerlin Styler."
~~
Please, does anybody have any comment for the story? Cause probably in the next few chapters, I think it's gonna be a little boring.