- Four's pov-
"Don't you ever dare to even suggest something like that." I say to Caleb, how does he dare to say anything like that. Of course he has heart the rumors about my father and how he treated me but I don't want to talk about that, not think about that, not remember that. I'm sure that I won't ever do that to my own children, I won't ever treat they in the way that my father treated me. I have learned my lessons. Caleb looks little embarrassed but doesn't say anything. I look away, sip some hot coffee. In my mind I still remember those terrors that was my everyday life when I was a kid, a teenager, lived with my father. I remember the decision that I won't ever have children of my own, I had feared that I couldn't be a father, I never had a good role model to fatherhood. Now when I'm older and wiser than that rebellious teenager that made those decisions I know that I could be a good father. I take a deep breath and try to calm down and then look to Caleb in the eyes.
"Look Caleb. I know it's hard for you and I can bet that it's hard for Cara and Allen too but... You must understand. I'm not taking Beata away from you, not now, not in this second, not in this week. But I want the DNA-testing to be done, I want to know whose child she is. If she is mine, then I want to be announced to her biological father. Everything else can be solved with time and patience, nothing is happening today. But I want you to know this, I want those tests, I want to know the truth, I want to solve this thing.". Caleb looks back and then smiles a bit. "Sorry, I over reacted. I have to talk with Cara about this and then we need every peace of data we can get from Matthew about the Bureaus work. But if it comes out that Beata might be yours then you can have that DNA-test.". I think a while, then nod, it's not entirely what I was hoping for but better than nothing. I extend my right hand across the table and Caleb shakes it. "Agreed" we both say.
I drink the rest of my coffee and then look what time it is, we have about ten minutes before next interview. When we walk back to government building I have to ask "When could I meet Beata? I haven't ever met her, you know." I can see how Caleb hesitates. "When we get back to Chicago, then you can come to our home and meet her there, if you promise not to say to her anything about you being the father.". I can live with that so I nod. "I won't say anything about that, not before we know for sure.". Caleb looks to distance, then he sighs. "These are times when I wish that..." He looks to me. "I wish that Beatrice and our parents would be alive." I don't say anything to that but a brief moment I think how different my life, our lives, would be if things had gone in different way. "Well, if they were, we wouldn't be here and talking about is your daughter yours or mine.". I say just when we reach the government buildings and Caleb nods.
First two interviews we do together, the questions are easy and we are really polite when we talk about our relationship, how we have been friends years ago. They ask about our views about Chicago's future and what we are going to do after when one of us gets elected and other one looses. Simple basic questions that doesn't bring much difference between us, no arguing in these. Then there is two individual interviews and at 4 pm we go to photo shoot. First there is some technical difficulties with lights and camera and then they take a lot of photos of us alone and together. This all takes a lot of time. When I get back to my apartment it's already 5:30 pm and I need to hurry or we will be late from the dinner that starts at 6:30; there will be a fashion show at the beginning. I'm not so interested in fashion but I know that they will film that event and the runway is going between the dinner tables so everyone that is there and everyone that is missing will be noted. So I make myself ready in hurry, lucky for me that I don't need to do much. The suit that I was wearing earlier goes to hanger and I change for more suitable outfit for dinner even, check that my hair is okay and notice that I don't have to shave, there is a little shadow on my cheeks but it's okay too.
Just when I was ready my phone bleeped for incoming message. I wasn't planning to take my phone to the charity event but I didn't have time to read the message. I rush with Zeke to downstairs and lucky for us we get a taxi almost immediately. I read the message in taxi, Zeke is looking out from window, deep in his toughs. It was from unknown number, just stated: "Trust no one, read the notebook, carefully." I checked that I had the note book with me, as well as the memory chip from Alexa. I didn't trust anyone, never had. It was just a basic precaution for me, in everything. I only trusted for myself. I wondered what was so important in that notebook and who was the sender and if the sender wanted me to trust no one then why should I do like the sender wanted? Then came another message. "Please 4, don't over analyse like you always do. I have taught so much for you so now you can do my job, better than I have done it. Just read it, through. You'll find all answers in there." I smiled. I had a hunch about the senders identity, even the number was unknown. Then I note how silent Zeke has been all the evening.
"Is something wrong?" I ask and he looks to me. "You tell me." He answers and I have to take a deep breath for not to snap to him. "I don't like these games, something is bothering to you clearly and I want to know what it is." I manage to say and he sighs. "There were two men asking for you this afternoon. They weren't who they pretended to be, I know those men and they aren't what they said, but they didn't recognize me. I don't know what you are involved in but… be careful. " I smile a bit. "I think that those were same men that questioned Priors yesterday evening, they are looking for something." Zeke looks little surprised "Do you know what they are after?". I look to taxi driver and then nod. "I know, but I cannot tell it to you, not now." He nods, knowing what I'm referring to. "I will ask about this, later..." and I'm sure that he will. Then I notice that we have arrived to the Modern Art and Design Museum and when I look to my watch I note that there is five minutes before event starts. Just in time!
We get escorted to our table just in time, it's a big table for ten this time and we are last ones to arrive to our table. We don't have any time for introductions, lights dim out and spotlights go on. The fashion show begins! Speaker tells about the design school and it's value for the entire society, how they are the best school, giving the best education in whole country. The clothes are designed and made by third year students, this has been part of their finals before graduating. Models are mainly friends and relatives of the students, young and older ones, boys, girls, men and women, just casual people that really are trying hard to make the clothes look at the best. They know that the clothing is judged and the grade that the student gets from his or hers design is given today. They start as something that they call "every day office wear" and some of those look like they really could be used in office and in formal meetings but others. Well, I have never understood about the fashion, some look really, just putting it nicely, interesting. There is polite applauses and more enthusiastically ones to some. I'm not paying attention fully to the fashion show but then I notice one of models. She looks a lot like Alexa, looking in distance, blank stare in her face, walking with steady steps with really high heeled stilettos. When she gets closer I get to see her better and indeed, she is Alexa. What is she doing on runway?
Then the first round is finally finished and lights change color, music changes and next round starts. Now the models are wearing "something casual for clubbing and having fun with friends". Now the clothing gets even stranger but I cannot help myself. I sit there, waiting for to see Alexa again. Some of casual wear makes their carrier blush and seem really embarrassed, showing almost too much of carries skin. Some of clothing looks quite nice and then I spot her. She is wearing a little neat, nice black dress that hugs her body, flatters her, makes all curves seem fuller, makes her shine, even from distance. When she gets closer I can see the material of her dress, it's covered with sequins and when she reaches the end of the runway she takes a scarf that she was wearing around her neck and wraps it around her shoulders. A quick shake, stir and a swivel motion, she is wearing bright red dress, the sequins has turned in other way and the dress looks completely different. She blinks her eye and then she meets my gaze. I can see that clearly, she freezes for a millisecond, then continues like usual, distant herself, blank look in her face. Applauses are huge!
"Aren't she magnificent! I just hope I didn't ruin the hole thing, she almost lost it when I showed two thumbs up to her." the lady next to me whispers. I take a quick look to her and she smiles to me. "That last model, she is our family's close friend, Erica Matthews" I feel chills going down on my spine, I know instantly that I'm sitting next to Kiara's foster mother. "Oh, yes she is, magnificent." I manage to say and she smiles. "Too bad that her father isn't here to see this, he had a minor injury at golf course this afternoon and had to skip this event. He didn't want her daughter Erica to attend this event without him but I promised to look after her and she had promised to help her friend with this event earlier so James didn't have any other options.". I smile a bit, hearing that her father couldn't attend this event is just great news!
Then the music changes and we get to see some sport wear, there is swim wear, running wear, some more suitable for tennis or golf, some clothing for sailing. Most of them are really traditional, not so much weird clothing in this category. I can sense the atmosphere electrifying when it's getting closer for Alexa's turn. She is wearing little strange looking suit that covers her from head to knees and elbows. At the end of runway she stops for a while, turns her back to everyone and then opens the zipper and rips the top of her suit away. She turns back, wearing now the bottom of that suit and a tank top, showing her tattoos and tight muscular stomach. She throws the upper part of the suit to someone that is assisting her and get a cycling helmet back. She smiles and walks back, in middle way she takes the helmet off and runs the rest of runway. The commentator explains "And this last model was mrs Erica Matthews that has won multiple triathlons and will be attending to Big Weeks marathon. And remember, we are taking bets! Who is going to win the marathon?". Again there is a huge round of applauses.
"And now the last part, the evening wear!". Models wear formal suits and long evening dresses, there is some bridal wear too. Lots of sequins, pearls, glitter, lace. Who ever that has designed Alexa's dresses has really strong competition. Finally it's her turn and she walks in with a big smile, looking absolutely fabulous. No tricks this time, she just looks like her dress is on fire, it's golden on the top and gradually changes from gold to orange to deep red. She is just smiling, like trying to charm everyone at the audience and she is truly doing a good work. When she gets at the end of the runway, next to our table she is taking time, looking everyone and smiling, saving me for the last. There is a little wink before she spins around, showing how her dress flows and walks away. Audience starts applauses and continue when the designers come out with their models, all in evening dresses. The commentator introduces them and then I see her, Alexa's friend that had designed her clothes. They look a lot alike, Alexa's friend might be an inch shorter but it's hard to say, they both wear high heeled stilettos. And I see that Alexa's friend is wearing the dress that Alexa had on Tuesdays dinner, the one that changes color from silver to dark blue.
Teachers come to runway, all students and models applause to them and then the principal takes a microphone. She remind about Johanna, the way she speaks and looks to audience and students as well as her physical appearance. She thanks us for coming here and asks if we could be so kind and vote for best designer of the show. There is some students from first and second grade that are handing out voting panels and we give our votes, I just have to wait a bit to see which number to vote. Designers get large signs that have numbers and they walk around the runway with models and show their numbers. I can see how they are chatting together, holding hands and when they come back to our table Alexa says something to her friend and she looks me and then turns back to Alexa. They giggle a bit and Alexa's friend nods approvingly to her, or that is the feeling I get from them. Number 24, her designs made Alexa look so pretty, stunning and I place my vote for her.
"Now I get it, I was wondering why you seem so familiar but here has been so any events that I have lost count to who I have met and where. I was going to ask are you single and planning to mix you with a lovely young woman but now I know that you two have met. You are the man that danced with Erica on Tuesdays event!" Woman next to me says and I turn my focus back to her. "Yes, we were sitting at same table and she is truly a nice woman." Lady next to me smiles and extends her right hand. "I'm Juliet Andrews and my husband Jim is a candidate of Milwaukee. His opponent is James Matthews, Erica's father." I shake her hand "I'm Tobias Eaton, I'm acting representative for Chicago.". She smiles "And I take it that you are single and even might be interested in meeting someone special." she says and I'm not sure what to answer. She looks bit questioning to me and then I nod. "I must say that I'm interested but at same time I'm bit scared. Last time I fell for someone we had just a short time together before she died."
Obviously she wasn't waiting that kind of answer but then she smiles comforting "My first husband died in a accident just a month after we were married and it took a long time for me to heal from it. Then Jim came and just... I couldn't resist him. I hope this is same to you, just make it to be a beginning of something, something beautiful." she continues and I look to her questioning. "I saw how she looked to you and how you looked to her, there is something that reminds me of that day when I met Jim at the first time." I turn to look to Alexa again, they are heading away and at last steps she turns a bit and I could say that she looks where I'm seated. I smile and then look back to Juliet. She smiles approvingly and nods. "I arrange that you two have some time together, I know that James is quite hard on her and trying to keep her for himself but I want her to live and have fun. She is so young and James needs to let her go." I couldn't agree more on that!
"Tell me more about yourself and how is living in Milwaukee?" I ask when they start dinner service and she starts talking about her gardening hobby. Food is good, it's from hotel and restaurant school next to the Museum, made by it's students as a final exam. Younger students serve it, introducing every bit and piece carefully. They have really thought the whole meal and it's light, tasty and offers good combinations. I keep a small chat with Juliet going on and just before they serve the dessert she takes her purse and gets a photo from there. She shows it to me "I'm showing this to everyone, this is our daughter, she is five and half years old now." I smile when I look the photo, Kiara looks so much about Tris in that one, hanging upside down from a tree and smiling so it's clear that some of her front teeth are missing, it's that age. There is clearly something about Tris spirit strongly in her, radiating from the picture. I have no doubts that Tris is really her mother. "Oh, she is pretty one! You are lucky to be her mother." There is some sadness in her eyes when she explains. "No, I'm just a foster mother, not a biological one. We couldn't get any of our own and thought about adoption but before that James asked if we could offer a home to Kiara. Obviously Jim had talked with James about our longing for a child and then there she was, perfect almost newborn baby, all pink and soft and... perfect.". I smile "I think you all have been really lucky, not everyone gets a warm loving home when they grow up and I'm certain that you are offering one for her. I really appreciate the hard work you are doing. But just out from interest, I hope this doesn't offend you but I have to ask: do you know anything about her biological parents?"
She puts the photo away and sighs. "No, I have my doubts but nothing sure. As I told to you, it was James Matthews that organized hole fostering thing. There was something that went wrong with the adoption process with the parents that were intended at first, at the last minute they found out that there were something illegal, something dodgyness in their past and they weren't suitable for adoption parents after all." She looks around and lowers her voice. "But deep inside I'm quite sure that she is Erica's daughter, she had those few wild years. She fleet away from home, had a boyfriend that wasn't the best company for her and stuff like that. And I understand that perfectly, James can be quite hard sometimes, he demands a lot. He demanded from both of his children and when his son died during the war his focus shifted to his daughter fully, now she has to be them both. And then Erica lost her mother, she had some sort of sickness and they discovered it way too late and couldn't do anything. Then James lost her sister and he said that he needs to keep Erica safe or he will be losing her too."
I nod, the story that she is telling is quite similar than what Alexa has told to me. One thing just raises questions. "How do you know mr Matthews so well?". There is something behind of this that I don't know. She smiles. "I grew up with him, he is my cousin, our mothers were sisters. He is three years older than me and Jeanine, but I liked him better than his sister, may she rest in peace. After the war, at the first chance I got, I moved away, to Milwaukee, I wanted to get rid of Chicago and memories I had about my first husband, to have a new, fresh start. He followed few months later with Erica. I have been her godmother and so she is godmother to our daughter, even I really think that she is more of mother to her. I'm too old, I'm more like a granny or something." I look to Juliet, she is older, that cannot be denied but she surely doesn't look like she could be a granny.
They serve us the desert, some chocolate cake and fresh berries with really strong coffee. More and more what I talk with Juliet I remember Caleb's words and I'm wondering how this all will affect to her, when she hears who are her daughters biological parents. I feel deep in my heart that it will break her when she looses Kiara and I feel sorry for her. At same time I understand Caleb's reactions better. There isn't an easy way out from this, someone will be hurt. Also Kiara is much older than Beata, there will be reactions from her and some of those might not be positive, she is used to see Juliet and Jim as her parents.
Dinner ends and they ask us to look around, there is an exhibition where they are showing of those clothes that were on fashion show and we have an opportunity to meet and greet with designers. There is also exhibition about other designs that they do in this school and then there is that museum side also. They will announce the winner of the fashion show in an hour and after that is some dancing but now we need to go so they have time to clear the floor for dancing. Juliet raises and so do I. "Have you been here before?" She asks and I have to shake my head. "Then we need a guide and there she comes." Juliet smiles when the girls walk to us, Alexa and her designer friend. Juliet hugs Alexa and then formally introduces us. I see smile in Alexa's eyes, she haven't looked prettier ever. This is going to be a wonderful evening!