Lavrio, Attica, Greece, near Cape Sounion. 2018.
WARNING: NSFW – CONTAINS SELF-MUTILATION. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR SITUATION, SEEK PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP
Saga was still making coffee that peaceful weekend. He was willing and wide awake, having slept very well that night. Sleeping was an essential act for him, it meant that his mental health was doing well, and that the treatment was working. In a few months, he hoped to recover enough to get back to work and research.
He plugged his cell phone into a mini stereo and looked at some playlist on Spotify. He put on something from the 80s to play while he made coffee and hummed the song along. Saga never understood why he liked music from the 70s and 80s so much, as he did not live the period. He was a typical millennial, born in 1988, who read Harry Potter and waited for his letter to Hogwarts (he was a typical Gryffindor with a Ravenclaw air, while Kanon was clearly a Slytherin), liked seedlings (but it was Kanon who took care of it. Yeah. Nobody understands) and who wastes a lot of time auditioning on BuzzFeed ("build a salad and we'll find out how many kids you'll have!"). And okay, the 70s and 80s were in, so it was normal for millenials and zoomers to get interested. But in the case of Saga and Kanon this had been happening since they were children.
Who knows? Certain obsessions we do not avoid.
And it was just when he was humming Star Man that the doorbell rang. Kanon had left the market early to do the week's groceries, and if he had forgotten the key, he would call him, not ring the bell. So, who would visit on a Saturday morning? He made a mental list of who might come to see them at this hour, and he had no one. Relatives always gave advance notice. Friends too. Everyone in their inner circle knew they did not like surprise visits.
It must be some order that Kanon ordered and forgot to notify, Saga thought, as he yelled a "I'm going" and grabbed the keys.
He opened the door and took what he would classify as one of life's biggest scares.
A woman, in her mid-twenties, beautiful, with long straight purple hair, eyes blue like two sapphires, in a Dolce & Gabbana dress, high heels and a bag that should have cost more than his and his brother's salary together, I was at the door of his house, at 8 o'clock in the morning.
"Hello Saga. Do you know where Kanon is? I would like to speak with him."
Hell was about to begin.
"Hello Saga. Do you know where Kanon is? I would like to speak with him."
What the hell was Saori Kido doing at his house? What did she want? See Kanon? For what reason? Okay, there were a lot of reasons why he would want to see Kanon, but he probably wanted to see him with his head chopped off on a platter, not at his house on Saturday morning.
"He went shopping for the week, he'll be back soon."
"Oh, I understand."
A shameful silence settled between them, while Saori stared at him and smiled candidly.
"Do you want to come in, ma'am? You can wait at the table until he arrives."
"No problem, Saga!"
He gave way and she walked into the house, watching everything with her huge blue eyes. Saga could not help noticing how beautiful she was, but he swore she was taller than she appeared on the news. She was thinner too. And in that situation, he considered her dangerous. All her senses were on alert.
"Your house is very comfortable. I loved the view to the sea" Saori said, smiling "can I sit at the kitchen table? I don't want to interfere with your duties."
"Oh, of course!" Said Saga "And you want an espresso? I was making one now."
"I will. And you don't need to call me ma'am, Saori is enough" Saori said, laughing.
Saga handed the cup of coffee to her as he sat at the table and drank his cup.
"It's a very old house, but very well preserved" said Saori "it looks like a typical beach house. There's even the anchor near the door."
"It belonged to our parents. They passed away some time ago" Saga said, swallowing the pain. "they left the house to Kanon and he has taken care of them ever since."
"To Kanon?"
"I used to live in Athens. I had to move recently because... I had some problems."
"I understand. I heard you had withdrawn from the University of Athens anyway. You are a university professor, right?"
Saga nodded.
"I've seen your TEDx Talks on YouTube, Saga. I loved how you explained about black holes, you made it seem like a child's thing" said Saori, smiling "at least, you should explain it to me like that, because I don't understand anything."
Saga smiled a little. As strange as this might seem, his nervousness was lessening. Maybe she did not want to kill his brother, she just wanted to make a light threat. Anyway, she exuded an extremely kind aura (not that he believed in auras, but she did not look like a bad person), but nothing reminded him of what he saw on TV and social media. He knew that Saori could be very... assertive when necessary.
She looked at the medicine box that was right behind him on the kitchen counter. These were the medicines he took, but he did not dare touch the box, because it was Kanon who administered the medicines. Saga noticed, because soon after she looked at him, worried.
Saga thought it best to pretend nothing happened. Saori smiled.
"Are you okay, Saga?" Saori asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Oh yes, yes" Saga replied, shyly "we try our best, as far as possible."
"Of course," Saori said "we looked for you at the university you teach, but they said you were away. The Graad Foundation is very interested in university research, you know. They wanted to present a project to your students."
Saga nodded in agreement and pressed his lips together. Saori looked a little afraid but firm when trying to get into a subject he did not want to broach.
"I'm sorry for the invasion of privacy, but are you sick, Saga?" Saori asked. It could have been Saga's hallucination, but she looked distressed "too many drugs, and you're out of college."
If someone else looked at him the way Saori looked at him, he would say that this person was sorry for him. In fact, he already had a lot of friction because of that, because they always gave him that damn look of supposed concern, with wrinkled eyebrows, but he knew it was pure pity, after all the perfect little genius did not know how to deal with his own demons, with the madness itself. And then the typical pity attitudes began. They thought he did not know how to make good judgments for his own life, that he was always in a fit. Saga could not be angry or indignant, because they gave him that look that said only one thing: "poor bastard, look at him, he doesn't know what he's doing. He is sick".
"It's nothing" Saga said, awkwardly "I just had some stress problems, burn out, because of the college work and I decided to stay away. To take care of me, you know..."
But Saori did not give him that look. Her countenance was more like his brother's, which was one of genuine concern. Kanon always knew when he was angry or sad for legitimate reasons or when he had his paranoia in his head. And his look was always one of concern. And it was that look Saori was giving him now.
But Saori was not his sister. She was his brother's enemy. But she did not seem to care about that, as she took Saga's right hand, which was near the coffee cup, with her two little hands, painted with a clear nail polish, and told him:
"Ah, Saga... Everything will be fine. An hour always passes. Nothing lasts forever, not even the pain you're feeling."
And she took his hand, giving him a sincere smile. Saga looked at her in astonishment, his breathing getting heavy, his throat starting to hurt, giving signs that he would start to cry. How could anyone create such a reaction in him so quickly? It felt like the first time he had been to the psychologist, in which he could only cry because he felt so sad and ended up with that whole spiral of shit that had happened in his life. But still, she gave him that kind look, as if she wanted to take away the pain he felt and take it for herself.
And then she rotated her hand, leaving Saga's forearm exposed. And there would be no problem with that, were it not for the fact that he was not wearing long-sleeved shirts. There was no need, as he did not plan to leave the house or receive visitors.
But he received it. And Saori saw it, all the cut scars in Saga. And she looked at him in shock.
Saga did not want to face her. She discovered something she should not, she saw a point of vulnerability that she was not supposed to see. She was his brother's enemy. The successful mega-entrepreneur who was trying to screw up their lives. But he had to look, there was no way. And when he stared into her face, he saw her huge sapphire eyes widening, her brows furrowed and, beneath her blue irises…water.
Tears.
"Saga, I..."
Saga heard a voice.
"Saga, have you prepared the coffee? You won't believe what happened to me, I..."
Kanon had just arrived in the kitchen, with the shopping bags in his hands, seeing Saori with her hands on Saga's hand, patting her.
Hell was about to begin.
POV Kanon
What the hell was Saori Kido, Greece's Most Beloved Millionaire™ and her likely archenemy, doing at his house, sitting at his kitchen table, stroking his brother's hand? The scene was simply inexplicable, and Kanon was standing there, gaping at the scene.
"Good morning, ma'am" said Kanon, hesitantly.
"I'll leave you two alone" Saga said, standing up.
"No, no need" said Saori "you can stay here, Saga. It's even good that you listen to what I came to say to Kanon."
Kanon thought it best to recover from the scare, as he placed the groceries on the counter. His sharp tongue had to spring into action, as his home had become enemy territory. Especially with Saori Kido sitting at her kitchen table, petting her brother.
"May I know to what I owe the honor of the most beloved millionaire in Greece to be in my house so soon?" Kanon said, as he pressed his lips in an uninviting smile - We mortals have a simple breakfast, I believe we will not be able to serve you a five-star hotel brunch.
Kanon would not make it easy. Oh no, he would not let her have it.
"I came to talk to you, Kanon" said Saori "actually, I came to give you some clarification about... everything that's happening."
"I believe you do not owe me explanations" Kanon said "Large corporations do not care what mere mortals say about them in the news. And Greece's Most Wanted Millionaire should be enjoying the beautiful Greek beaches, doing Instagram stories about her dear life, not trying to convince mere mortals that she is a woman of integrity and good."
Saori took a deep breath, appearing not to like the teasing.
"Kanon, I... I heard that you discovered some documents about the oil spills in the Mediterranean. And how the Graad Foundation was supposed to be involved in this" said Saori, as Kanon sat down in front of him.
"It is not 'supposedly' involved" said Kanon, with his elbows on the table, intertwining his fingers and resting his chin on his clasped hands "It is really involved. Up to her neck, I would say."
"No. It is 'supposedly' involved because we are not responsible for the leaks. We participated in the investigation."
"Ah, Saori, did you bother to come to the house of this mortal who speaks to you to say the same thing you say to the mainstream media? Tha..."
"Kanon..." Saga said, repressing him.
"Kanon, I understand your disbelief in relation to me and the foundation. I understand that the leaks not only interrupted their research, but also caused enormous environmental damage to the marine fauna and flora in the region. I understand your indignation."
"I came here not only to explain myself to you but also to demonstrate that I can prove that the Graad Foundation is not involved in this. Nor the Kido Corporations. Just as I believe you can help me find out who is behind the leaks. We believe it's something much bigger than it appears to be."
"And why would I trust your word?" said Kanon.
Saori lowered her head.
"I know there's no reason for you to believe me. All I can tell you is that I can prove to you that we're not involved in any of this."
"Why is this so important, Mrs. Kido?"
"Saori."
"What?"
"Just call me Saori. It doesn't need so many formalities."
Kanon took a deep breath.
"Why is this so important, Saori? Wasn't it easier for you to throw your evidence in the media and just unmask me, overturn all my arguments? Come on, it wouldn't be so difficult..."
"Kanon, listen to me" Saori interrupted and looked tired of the accusations he made against her "I want you to see with your own eyes what is happening. Listen, listen. I want you to be the one to see about the leaks and to be the one to help us because only you can help us. Just you, no one else. We believe that you will be able to find out who is behind all this."
"And why would it be me?"
"Your sources might give us a clue."
"Why would I tell you my sources?"
"When I can prove to you that the foundation has nothing to do with all this, you will understand me and you will want to help me."
"And how will you prove it?"
Saori took a small card from her pocket, with an address of a place.
"Can you attend the foundation's headquarters in two weeks? In the morning."
"And why would I?"
"Because I'll be able to prove to you everything I said."
"You didn't say anything. You just said you're going to prove me something."
"Yes, when you go to the foundation's headquarters. You need to see it, and I won't be able to show you here."
"And what guarantees my safety and physical integrity?"
"Do you have any advisors?"
"No."
"Lawyer?"
"Yes, he has" Saga said, interrupting "There is Aiolos. We can give you the contact."
Was it Kanon's impression or did Saori's face show surprise? She looked shocked at the silly information. After all, what was the problem with Aiolos being his lawyer?
But soon she recovered.
"You're in good company, Kanon. Aiolos is a good lawyer, he has a firmness that few have. You will need it" Saori said.
"You still haven't confirmed me, Saori. What guarantees my safety and physical integrity when I go to your foundation to discover the evidence you have that you are not involved in this?"
Saori sighed.
"Why would I hurt you?"
"Why wouldn't you hurt me? Finishing with me would be perfect for your foundation, just kill me and that's it, your problems would be over."
"We would never kill you!"
"How can I confirm this? For as far as I know, the Graad Foundation would be very happy to see me dead, as I would cause less trouble for their supposed investigations."
"And what use would you have us if you were dead?" Saori said, slightly irritated "let's be practical, Kanon: if you died now, you would become a martyr for the media and for the people. And who would be the main suspects in your murder? We, since the foundation is the main target of their criticism."
"You could very well take me to the foundation to threaten me."
"If we wanted to threaten you with something, we wouldn't need to take you to the foundation."
Kanon sighed and crossed his arms.
"I insist" Saori sighed "go to the foundation's headquarters. We need you to go because that's where we'll leave for another place, where you'll understand everything that's happening."
"Then it will be a kidnapping."
"Kanon..." Saga said, exasperated.
Saori looked thoughtful. She took a deep breath as she seemed to put her head to work in front of that wordplay with Kanon. He would not give in to her. Not so easy.
"You force me show you something."
"Now we are talking" Kanon said, smiling.
"Who is he?" said Kanon, looking at the photo on Saori's cell phone, of a tall man with red hair "he seems to me more like an ordinary employee of an oil company."
"It's not" said Saori "he infiltrated one of the oil companies of one of the companies that the Kido Corporation has shares and destroyed everything. However, the oil company in question is American, and some of the suspects have Arab names. The problem is these names are fake."
"Tension between the US and the Middle East is increasing" Saga said, adding.
"Yes" said Saori "The worst thing is that one of the oil companies in the Persian Gulf region was also attacked. The Arabs claim it is the US's fault, claiming they want to destroy their trade and attack OPEC (1). The Russians and Chinese are on the move, for political reasons."
"And what do you have to do with it?"
"The foundation believes that those who attacked two oil companies are the same group."
"Why would they do that?"
"To destabilize the political relations between these governments, which are already quite fragile" this time it was Saga who said, "it would be much easier to take control of something if the world powers were in the chaos of a war."
"Your brother already answered for me" Saori said "The false names are used to throw off the American agents and to blame the Arab countries. The same thing happened with the Arabic oil companies, only they used common names among Americans. What you have is secret foundation information. I can show you so much more than all this I said if you go to headquarters. Talking about it here is extremely dangerous, it's safer there. Then you can share the information if you like."
Kanon looked away to the corner, annoyed.
"Please, Kanon..."
"I do not trust you. I'm sorry."
Saori sighed. Kanon wanted her to play rough.
"Very unwilling on your part not to trust me, and if not for the foundation, you would be in jail now."
"What?" Kanon was surprised.
"Well," replied Saori. Now it was her turn to smile sarcastically "do you really think you managed to get out of that police station because of Aiolos? The foundation had already moved your pieces before you even reached the directory. We talked to the cops so you could be free."
Kanon to Saori, surprised. Had Saori Kido moved his pieces to get him out of jail?
"Why did it?" Kanon asked.
"I already told you," said Saori "for you to see the evidence that we didn't cause the leaks. And before you accuse me of anything, it wasn't to buy you or anything. After all, you couldn't see what I have to show you if you were locked in a cell."
"So you bribed the cops to get me out of jail?" Kanon asked.
"Bribing is a very strong word" Saori said, smiling "Did you know that Dawn is offering a good amount on your head? And, as far as I remember, they don't like 'leftists'. I just showed those lunatics that you can't mess with the wrong people. Not without suffering serious consequences, such as a scandal involving police officers and Alvorada."
Kanon looked at her and narrowed his eyes, his arms crossed on the table, pressing his lips together. What did he have to lose? He did not mind giving his life for his cause. What he did not want was for her to hurt the people around him, including Saga. As she said herself, if he died or disappeared, he would be a martyr, since he already had a good public notoriety.
"It doesn't hurt to try" said Kanon "I'll go to your foundation. But Saga and Aiolos will go with me and will witness everything you say or do to me. You will not touch either of them. Your problem is with me."
"I'm not your enemy, Kanon."
"I don't even want to be."
Saori sighed and got up from her chair.
"Are you going already, Saori?" Saga said.
"I managed to convince your brother, and that's what matters to me" Saori said, smiling.
"We'll walk you to the door."
At the door of the house, near the car that had brought Saori to Kanon and Saga's home, she turned to them, before getting into the car.
"I met a man who was like you, Kanon. Impatient, acidic, and very mocking with me. But he had the same strength and leadership as you do."
"And where is he now?" Kanon asked.
Saori sighed. And suddenly, Kanon felt it was like she was old, very old. The sapphire eyes were exhausted and sad, her face filled with a grimace of pain, a pain that seemed old but was relived often.
"Unfortunately, he's not here to tell the story."
(1) OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. It has 13 member countries: Angola, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Venezuela, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Indonesia. Member countries own 75% of the world's oil reserves, supply 40% of world production and 60% of world exports.