My apologizes for taking so long to update! The story is almost done! I hope you like this chapter!
Enjoy!
I never would have believed Julius to live in a house quite like this. After everything I heard about him, I assumed that he would have a giant manor or something outrageous like that, but I was wrong. His house was a small cottage hidden way off the outskirts of Moscow. I didn't know what to think when the taxi driver told me that it was impossible to drive there, since most of the area was terrain and pastures. I had guessed his house would be creepy, dark, and enormous with a menacing atmosphere. I certainly wasn't expecting it to have such a peaceful aura. As if reading my mind, Shun spoke.
"Not what you expected?" He asked from beside me, adjusting the bags, our luggage, on his shoulders. I shook my head, dazed. As soon as we saw that we would have to go back to Moscow, I was a bit relieved. I thought about Karen and Ben, my mother's closest friends. It was weird, I still wanted to call them Aunt and Uncle. Whether I had blood ties with them or not, they still hold a place in my heart. When I finished up my business here, I should talk with them.
I hadn't realized my heart had been pounding so hard. I took in my surroundings. It certainly was secluded, so no one would hear me if something went wrong…
I shook my head, ridding myself of thoughts like that. I couldn't chicken out now, when I was so close to finding out the truth.
"Shun, put our bags there, behind that bush." I spoke in a low voice, afraid that if I spoke too loudly someone might open the door of the cottage. He nodded and moved to do so. I walked up to the door and took a deep breath. This is it. The moment I have been waiting for. I could feel Shun standing behind me; his apprehension seemed to roll off him in waves. I slowly raised my arm and gave three hard knocks. My hard thumped erratically in my chest as I heard the clanks of the locks unlocking.
When the door opened, my heart stopped. The man before me had to be in his thirties. He was clean shaven and had his pale blond hair sleeked back. His clear cobalt eyes scanned me while he wore a bored expression on his face. His voice was smooth when he spoke.
"If you have nothing to say, then goodbye." He said, slowly shutting the door. I put my foot in the gap between the door and the threshold, stopping him from closing the door. My throat felt try and my knees were shaking. I was being a silly, terrified, little girl.
"Are you Julius?" I blurted out unceremoniously. He lifted a perfectly thin blond eyebrow at me.
"And if I am?" He asked, opening the door wider. I took a deep breath before replying.
"My name is Alice Gehabich. Do you know who I am?" I asked. I looked at his face to see his expression. His face showed an assortment of different emotions that I couldn't name. Suddenly, he pulled me into a tight embrace, catching me off guard.
"Alice! Oh, little Alice! The child of Amelia and Andrew! How could I forget that sweet, innocent, face?! Oh goodness, you've grown so much!" He let go of me and gave my cheek a little pinch. I could feel Shun's gaze on me. I pulled myself away to look at Julius's smiling face.
"Y-You know me?" I stuttered. He nodded with a happy smile on his face. He turned to Shun and held his hand out. Shun looked at his hand wearily before shaking it.
"And who is this?" Julius asked me.
"Shun Kazami. He's Japanese, so he doesn't speak any Russian." I said. He smiled.
"Than shall I speak in his native tongue?" He asked, speaking in Japanese. Shun and I gaped at him.
"I did a little studying at Tokyo University a couple of years ago." He admitted sheepishly with a shrug. "Anyways, please, come in. I would love to have some tea and talk with you." He patted my head affectionately before moving aside to let us in.
His home was small. The kitchen was in the same area as the living room and he had two doors, which probably led to the bathroom and his bedroom.
"It's not much, but I do hope you'll stay for a little while." He said, closing the door. When I heard the click of the lock, my heart started to beat faster than before. His calm and affable aura almost made me forget the reason I came here. Keyword: Almost. I moved to the couch and sat down. Shun took a spot next to me. I could feel the tension radiating off of him.
After a bit of shuffling in the kitchen, Julius came back with a three hot teacups on a tray.
"For the youngsters, I have Earl Gray tea and for me, I have Russian Caravan." He said, placing the tea down. I picked it up and took a small sip. The taste was wonderful.
"It's good." I complimented.
"Thank you, Alice. Shun, would you like something else to drink? I can get you something else. Green tea, perhaps?" Julius questioned innocently.
"It's okay. I'll just have this." He said, picking up the teacup and bringing it to his lips. I frowned into my cup. When I first got here, I expected something much worse. But the more time I spent here, the less I thought Julius guilty of killing my parents. The man looked like he could barely kill a fly.
"Alice, what was it you came here for? How did you get my address?" He questioned.
"I came to talk to you…about my parents. Your old nanny told me." He smiled brightly.
"Sylvia? Oh my word, I haven't seen her in years! How is she?" He asked leaning forward.
"She's okay." I answered, unsure of what else to say. He smiled fondly before reaching over to pat me knee.
"So what would you like to know? How much your father liked to recite poetry? How much your mother loved to cook?" He asked with a small chuckle.
"I wanted to know how they died." I asked. Julius's eyes widened.
"Oh Alice, why would you want to know that? I don't think I'm the right person to ask. Go ask your grandfather. He seems like the more appropriate choice. Or your aunt and uncle."
"I know they aren't my biological aunt and uncle and grandfather…passed away."
"Oh Alice! I'm so sorry!" He got up and wrapped his arms around me. I admit, it was a bit strange, but slightly comforting.
"Thanks." I mumbled, stifling a yawn. What time was it anyways? I was suddenly so very tired.
I turned to see Shun silently snoozing, his cup slightly tilted. I reached over, my arm feeling heavy.
"Shun." I whispered. I turned to look at Julius.
"Aww, what's the matter? Is wittle Alice sweepy?" He mocked in a baby's voice. I gritted my teeth.
"What did you do?" I questioned, feeling the rest of energy leave me. He grinned wickedly.
"You'll see."
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~S.S.