Chapter 3: Creator of fortune

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.

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"So, basically you could grow it at home, if it wasn't illegal." Alex laughed, glancing at Pete.

"Yeah sure, growing weed would count as real job only in your book." he rolled his impossibly blue eyes at the girl. They were in the same class back in high school and now attended the same college. The difference Alex was majoring biology while Pete was on his way to get his degree in biochemistry. "Hey, I'm not saying it would be a real job but there are certain health benefits and poor cannabis sativa is so wrongly judged by this society!" she held her arms up as in protest earning elbow in the stomach. She winced pretending to be hurt by light nudge.

"What are you doing after classes?" Pete asked her smiling mischievously. "Hmm..." she thought of picking up the meds for Sam, and that the rest of her Friday was free. "Nothing. After I pick up Sam's meds.". Pete knew about Sam's ALL, and that Sam was getting better with the chemo and all. She never bothered to explain how much it affected her, but Pete understood. He always understood. Alex never really thought about how fleeting human life was, until she was forced to accept it, when Sam was diagnosed. She saw how feeble he was getting after the cancer got into progressive stage, how his immune system deteriorated, how his shiny, golden hair was gone due to cytostatics he was getting. 'He's a fighter, like mum.' , she mused. After all he was good now and was on his way to recover completely. 'The crisis is over, we are going to be fine. Like always.' , it was a reminder, constant one. Alex knew nothing in the world could shake her as much as her brother almost dying, she remembered doctors words, tattooed it in the inside of her skull. 'He probably won't make it.' a warning. But he did, and she knew he would. Ever since she was a little girl, there was just something, she knew other people had it too, that had pushed her forward. Some unknown goal of prosperity and happiness. 'Everyone is the creator of their own fortune, as I am of mine.'

Live and die, it wasn't that simple. There had to be universe larger than all this, larger than life.' she glanced at Pete who scratched the back of his head. Of course, you were taught evolution and abiogenesis, though it didn't specified that molecules important for creation of first organism didn't come from who knows where in space. Alec often contemplated how selfish would it be to think we were the only ones in the universe, and the mere thought of it, scared her. Wouldn't that make as really alone?

'Better be alone than the Matrix scenario', her rational part argued back.

"I thought we could go watch a movie, but not if you're gonna put up a sad face." boy next to her brought her in reality again. Alex pouted "I don't ever have a sad face. I only have my awesome face I wear 24/7 because I am in fact..-." "Awesome." Pete sighed cutting in.

"I still can't believe how you paid half of your loan already. Your economic prowess is a mystery." he added. It was true, one of the rare talents Alex posesed (that don't include binge watching tv shows) was her intricate way of never not having enough money. She wasn't rich, far from it, her family was typical middle class, but she knew how to save and when to spend. He knew about that time she even lectured her own mum about it. 'Honestly, I don't know.' , she mused thinking about it. "Perhaps it runs in the family."

...

"Theodore!" Cassandra was lurking in the western wing of the Xenakis mansion, trying to find her mother's right hand. He was efficient and she needed efficiency. "He's not here." came the lazy drawl of her mother. 'You're the last thing I need right now.' she hissed thinking.

She entered mother's chambers, they were comfortable and filled with light. "Do you mind me borrowing him a bit, I need to sort some of my papers." she asked seeing her mother on that damn couch again. Probably staring at the earth. There was nothing else she did except that, or took care of her stupid plants.

"He's not here." Aella pierced trough her with her eyes of the night sky "I sent him to do something for me."

"Really?" Cassandra pressed her lips together, trying to stay calm. "I need his help. The cost of my trip to Felytres will be larger than I anticipated."

"Don't go then." Aella cut in. "We don't have the money either way. Do you know in which position your father's conglomerate is? More of your mistakes and we will go bankrupt, lets not talk about how your father does nothing to prevent it. I will have to do everything by myself and I have new collection to make."

Cassandra put her hands on her hips "I have to go. It is the event of the century. Kalique will be there, and I haven't seen her for I don't even remember how long. My position will deteriorate if I'm not associating with the best. Chelise of the Gevaldis will also be there, how could I let her steal my potential saviors?"

"Saviors?" Aella stood up from her resting place, and called and servant with her hand. "Bring me back a report on the sales, and my sketchbook. I am feeling creative."

"Yes, my future husband who will take me away from this mess of a family. Then you can keep on wailing for your Zoe all you want." after that silence spread. Mother and daughter didn't look at each other. Cassandra knew talk about Zoe will hurt her mother the most, and she used it whenever she could. It hurt her, that despite she tried hard she was never on that high pedestal as Zoe in mother's eyes, so moter will be hurt in return.

"How can you not feel anything? She was your younger sister..." Aella stared trough the window.

"We were never on good terms. You know that. I loved her, and yet, I always resented her for she stole your love that was mine for over a millennium." Cassandra fixed her dress, not wanting to look her mother in the eyes.

"I loved you both equally." Aella said pressing her lips together, it came out as a whisper.

"Yet you're leaving me without a penny, while Zoe's inheritance rots alone to be spent by no one." Cassandra pointed acusing finger.

"You squandered yours." Aella was too old to get emotional, let alone agitated, at something like this. "I will find what to do with Zoe's inheritance in time. You will not spend a single penny out of what was given to you."

"You could give it to me, not like anyone would care. Do others even know she's dead, she was such a recluse...never met anyone important. How did you expect her to lead our business?" Cassandra flipped her hair.

The was certain truth in her daughter's words, Aella could not deny it, but Zoe was capable and resourceful. She did avoid others actively and even refused to come to the events held by Abrasaxes. Well events held by Titus mostly, since Kalique only hosted every other century and Balem actively avoided showing up on them like Zoe.

"I need to go Felytres, to that gathering. Gevaldises, Therazians, Velfares and Abrasaxes...all powerful families will be there. How can I not go? In fact, both you and father should go."

Aella stared at the thin air, looking but not seeing her daughter at the same time. "Maybe I will. I need to make sure you end up, if at all, with a proposal from someone half decent. Marriages only serve political purpose in our long lives. Do you think Titus Abrasax will make you happy? You're in your 20th millennium, yet your feelings are that of a mortal who just tasted life."

"I do not. It's just he's the only one who is as beautiful as me." Cassandra laughed seeing her mother's reaction.

"Cassandra.", Aella crossed her arms "Get out."

This chapter was short, I know. Then next one will be longer and will focus more on Alex, and her eventual meeting with her recurrence's family. Also, the Abrasaxes, yeah I promised them.

Might be few weeks before I update, as I have exams ( )

R&R sweet doughnuts?