Trees, rare plant species and statues based on manly fights: this is what I could notice, while I was walking through Mr. Tarfo's garden with Hunley. We come across some signs on a crossroad and one of them says Mr. Tarfo's Office. We both looked at each other: Hunley was tilting his head to his left.
"This is odd. I thought that his office was inside that villa." I said: why his office would be located somewhere else?
"Ehm… those signs are tricking me, actually." Hunley looks at the signs again.
"Why?"
"Isn't this a huge house with a garden? Or we are in a forest?" He's not looking at me.
"No, this is a luxurious garden. Its owner is clearly rich and likes decorations."
"Rich? You mean someone with a lot of money, right?" He looks at me, now.
"… yes."
"Wow! I wish to know a way, to get all those money… once I'm rich, I'd make a farm garden!" He smiles.
I smiled too: I appreciate his great sense of simplicity. I wish my life was simpler… being a perfectionist, is such hard work.
"My sister would love it, too! And my parents as well…"
"And me."
"Huh?"
"I… I like it, Hunley. It has its fascination…"
He expanded his eyes and raised his eyebrows. He didn't reply, though… nevertheless, I'm starting to appreciate the idea of living in a farm. It certainly looks genuine and much more satisfying than working in an office. I'd harvest the fields, feed the animals, sitting on that rocking chair and hand-sewing a wool wear for Hun-W-WAIT A SECOND!
"Hey, Mirii! Why that look all the sudden?!" Hunley turns his back, looking around.
"N-no, it's nothing…" Stop blushing, Mirii! You're perfect, remember?! "Uff, anyway, let's proceed now. Follow me."
Ok… since we are suppose to meet Mr. Tarfo, following the office's direction would be the logical conclusion. I'm sure we'll find soon this office... or even sooner than expected: I think that Studio Floor in the distance, must be it. At first glance, it seems larger than my brother's home.
… a-ack… s-stop thinking about s-sewing! I'm about to have a serious discussion, soon! …
"Hunley…"
"Hmm?" He was smiling at me.
"I… I have a question. Just for curiosity… n-nothing odd, f-for sure…"
"Ok…?" H-he was staring in my eyes.
"Ehm… well… I… no, n-not I! I mean, your mother… y-yes, your mother is… uhm… good… at sewing?" G-gulp!
"Why yes! Although she's not just good… she's excellent!" H-he opened his arms, r-raising them.
"R-really?"
"Really! I love wearing her hand-made clothes! Especially her wool ones: me and my sister don't suffer the cold, thanks to them… but I'll explain the rest, later."
What?! N-no, Hunley! Why would you
"Is this a second house or something?" He points at that Studio Floor I mentioned earlier.
… oh… well… he has a point: WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT QUESTION I MADE?! WHY I SHOULD CARE ABOUT WHAT HUNLEY'S MOTHER DO FOR HIM?! … it's actually making me a bit sad…
"This is his office, Hunley. We're about to see, the man behind your family's debt."
Knock knock.
"Come in!" A male voice said that, from the inside of the office.
I opened the door and we both entered inside: the office was much more decorated than expected. That fountain in the middle is excessively full of details. I can't hide my positive impression though: pure, perfect art.
Behind that fountain… I can see a man, sitting behind the desk
"No, Hun: there's no need to close the door. It's automatic."
Automatic? It sure doesn't look like it…
"Huh? W-what does that mean?" Hunley was looking at me, with his mouth open.
"Don't touch the door. Stay near me."
… is it me or Hunley's face is a bit more red than usual? He does what I said him to do, though. I was still looking at the door: eventually, it'll shut itself.
"Yikes!"
Hunley jumped a little, bending his arms upwards and laying them on his chest. He was staring at the door, like a tiger would. Hmm… maybe more like a scared tiger, but still one.
"Ha ha, nothing to be scared: my door doesn't eat Squids!"
Uhm… I don't know if I should trust that last statement: after all, Mr. Tarfo has the appearance of a dangerous-looking shark creature. I must admit, that I thought to meet an Inkling. Nevertheless, I don't care which species this man is: I'm going to find out his role, in this complicated situation and getting to know, what mischievous plans he's up to.
"Please, take your seat."
Mr. Tarfo shows his right palm to us, pointed to two armchairs. They look clean… I wonder how many people met this man? My guess is not as many, as someone would think. Well, keeping to stand still in this room is making me look very ill-bred: I shall do, what Mr. Tarfo asked.
Hunley followed me, still watching that door: his shoulders were raised up and his eyebrows were raised and pulled together. His mouth was also in a slight downturn position. I have a hunch, that he'll take some time before getting used to this "alien" technology.
Those armchairs weren't lying to my eyes: they are very comfortable. Giving a quick stare at Hunley, I could see him smiling and lowering his eyelids. I can safely conclude, that I'm not the only one having that opinion about those seats.
"So, you must be Rof's little sister."
Ah! I watched the man back: he was smiling too, folding his hands and laying them on his desk.
"Correct. My name is Mirii. Mirii Hanache. My pleasure."
"Mirii Hanache…" He shows his right palm again.
He wants a honest handshake: I did that, with precision and accuracy. I could tell, that Mr. Tarfo was going easy on me. He shows his palm, in front of Hunley too. This time, he used his real handshake on him. I could tell, judging by Hunley's expression: gritting teeth and expanded eyes.
The man stares at me, once again.
"Sorry for my inopportune and curious question… but why your last name is Hanache?" He does the same hand-pose as he did earlier.
"That's my perfect-in-art last name. It shows confidence, professionalism and intelligence."
Mr. Tarfo bursts into a loud laughter. He covers his mouth, with his right hand and then he coughs.
"Simply true! I thought the exact same things, you said before: I'm truly impressed!" He shakes his head, while smiling.
… he doesn't look like it. At all. I'm sure that he believes the exact opposite, as what he said before.
"Thank you, Mr. Tarfo. I also have an inopportune and curious question, for you."
"All right, ask without any worries." He opened his hands, as he moved them a bit away from each other, before folding them again, immediately.
"Why did you want to meet me?"
The man stared at me, silent... then, he chuckled lightly.
"That's a good question, Miss Hanache."
H-he keeps chuckling and s-smiling at me… w-what are his true intentions?!
"But first, would you like to have a drink? A particular soda?" He looks at me, then he looks at Hunley.
"No thanks, Mr. Tarfo." That offer looks too fishy: better refuse any generosity from him.
"What's a soda?" Hunley said.
"… what a great idea!" The man starts clapping…? "Since Hun never heard this type of drink, I"
"He knows about them."
I look at Hunley: I really hope he'll get the meaning of my face expressions.
"Don't you, Hunley? It's colored water…" Concentrate on me, now…
"… huh?" He tilted his head to his right…
"H-Hunley… it has a sweet taste… there are bubbles inside… and you usually buy them, in vendor machines." Please, notice my light nod movements…
"Uuuuuh… why are you nodding, Mirii?"
A-ACK! HUNLEY!
"He clearly doesn't know, Miss Hanache." He shakes his head, while sighing loudly. "Maybe he told you about Orange Juice."
"I know that drink! Usually mom does that, for me and my sister!"
"See? Then I'll bring the soda drinks. Even water, if Mirii is not fond on fizzy beverages." He… he took a silver phone, from under his desk.
"Mr. Seanot? Could you please bring the soft-drinks and water trolley? Good, remember to be quick and precise."
Hmm… he does have high standards, that's for sure. I'd act almost the same, if I'd be rich.
"The drinks will come soon. Any other requests? I also have snacks to sha"
"We don't need anything else, Mr. Tarfo. Except one thing…"
"… the answer of your question, correct?"
Yes. I want to know the purpose of this meeting, no matter what tactics he has on his sleeve.
"Very well. Let's talk about it."
He grabs a pen with his right hand and taps the desk with it. His posture was regular too, as his face was gradually changing expression: towards a neutral one, I should say.
"As you may know, this night I had a discussion with your older brother."
"He did?" Hunley asked.
Did I mentioned it, yesterday? … I don't remember.
"Yes. He wanted to know about your job application." Mr. Tarfo keeps tapping the desk, with the pen.
"Oh… I want to know too, actually!" He clenches his fists.
… is he squeezing that pen?
"You would… if it wasn't for certain complications."
"Complications?" I asked: what in the world, he's talking about now?
Mr. Tarfo is shaking his head and taps the desk, with that pen, using more strength.
"Who would have thought, that inserting a kid in my company, is a such complicated task?"
Hmm… interesting detail. I should press on it.
"And why it was so complicated? Aren't you the leader of this enterprise?"
The man was looking at me… … he's not saying anything, but he keeps staring at me. Is he thinking carefully, about the answer?
"… this is the reason, why I wanted to meet you."
W-what?!
"Your brother wanted to know about Hun's role… but that's confidential information. I'm not allowed to share any of it, unless there is something important at the stake… in this case, a deal."
The deal! Rof mentioned it, before… I wonder what this agreement is all abou
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Who could that might be…?
"Come in, Mr. Seanot."
Mr. Seanot opened the door, while pushing a trolley full of… a great variety of soda and water brands. How in the world, Mr. Tarfo possess all kinds of soft-drink products?! And why he would do that, in the first place?! There must be a reason…
"Miss, which drink you wish to take?" The butler asked. He seems to be an old Dragonet: his bright colors are clearly fading out.
"I don't need to drink."
"Please, Miss Hanache. At least, accept a fresh glass of water." I turned around, to see Mr. Tarfo talking to me.
No! Stop insisting! I'll never fall in your traps!
"I'm fine, Mr. Tarfo."
The man frowns a bit and looks at his desk. He's going to think twice, before trying to
"It looks like, you are having an unpleasant time, in my office…"
He raises his head…
"Is there something wrong, Miss Hanache? Do you have any complains…?"
… he's lifting his eyebrows, pulling them together. If he really thinks, that such dramatic face would ruin my perfect state of mind, then he leaves me no choice…
I have to confront him.