Hi! Guys! Sorry for the short chapter. For me it is so rounded up that I didn't have anything to add.
I also want to thank you all for your reviews! I kindly ask you to keep them coming! The good and the bad! I love hearing from you.
Bye~~
Noticing that Bruno was getting a little too overwhelmed by the enormous quantity of new information, Faustine sat him down to allow him and him to vent down from all the hustle and bustle, allowing him to formulate his questions.
- this is what you were used to? - he asked.
- yes. - she said, handing him a glass of water.
- what is all of this?
Faustine explained how the modern world worked, how she noticed that Encanto was out of time and how she had arranged to solve her problem.
- knock knock knock, knock on wood. - Bruno soothed himself, with all possible reasons to feel anxious.
In silence, the woman set the shower to Bruno to refresh himself and digest all he had in mind. She sat on a chair, close to the window, tracing a plan on how to build an alibi that she had nothing to do with the death of her brother. Planning on not coming back to the modern world, Faustine started to deal with her monthly bills, only keeping, for the moment, her phone line and her bank account.
Once Bruno was out of the shower, it was Faustine's turn to go in. That was one of the things she would miss the most. However, her mind was made and she was at peace with that choice. The death of her brother, otherwise, hunted the back of her mind. Had she truly bought his death? Was she a menace? Was she as dangerous as her brother was? Maybe the next right and conscious choice was to leave Bruno at Encanto and hide in the forest. Clean and dressed to rest for the night, Faustine turned on the TV and introduced Bruno to the modern telenovelas.
Bursting with a new wave of questions, Bruno explored the room they were in under the attentive watch of the woman with him.
The next few days, Faustine went crazy all over the city, taking pictures after pictures, posting to social media. The archeologist was talking to someone using the most strange device he had seen, deciding details about the interview regarding the mask. The woman had decided to let her superior take the fame and the spotlights in exchange to complete financial backup for life. More than willing, from what he had received through the mail, he agreed with her conditions.
The professor was like a father to her as much as she was a daughter to him. He was the last person she could trust in the modern world. Faustine asked him to start selling her belongings within two months from then, as she would be permanently residing in the new country. Faustine was afraid to give too many details, in case he came looking for her, and found Encanto. Her new favorite place on earth had to be protected forever.
A day after it was all set, both went out again. Bruno learned a little more about the modern world to walk a little more confidently around. She was more silent than usual, he noticed that he had to do something.
- Querída.
- Bruno…
- I am here for you, Querída.
- caro mio. Thank you. I thought you would be afraid.
- well… I am… a little… but since I've seen we going back together, I don't see any danger in my direction. - he tried to laugh it off.
They kissed gently before resuming their walk. Faustine had entered a hiking shop to buy more ropes of different lengths when they saw on the TV the news about the death of her brother. She looked shocked and Bruno put a hand on her shoulder.
- we bring you the latest news. Lorenzo Leone, an Italian entrepreneur, was found dead this morning. Police speculate that it was a debt collection from the italolatin mafia, as the crime scene analysis and police report suggests.
It was done. Encanto was safe.
They were going back in a few days.
Right after the news, her name was also mentioned for the discovery of the artifact that had caused all of the conflicts.
- Still in the Family Leone, Faustine Leone, is soon to be renowned in the historic and archeological communities for the discovery of an Incan artifact in Colombia. The head of the Archeology department and the head representative of the expedition, Ovidio Caldarone, has issued a statement.
The head of the Archeology department had given the interview on her behalf, using the text she had sent him. Bruno saw tears roll down Faustine's face and held her close.
- my life's work is finished. - she said both proudly and heartbroken.
- that was you? - asked the store clerk.
- yes.
- congratulations! And so sorry for your brother….
- thank you…
Finished with her shopping, Bruno held her hand and they waited for the day that she would have to pay the killer for the contract.
Three days later, Faustine finished the deal, paying the other half of the money. The raider, satisfied, left first. She had bought her freedom, with a little extra money to ensure that they would never cross paths again. To be sure that he was off their trail, Faustine spent yet another two weeks shopping and in contact with her professor, arranging her permanent stay in Colombia.
Faustine also had to deal with the police, regarding her brother's death. Luckily professor Ovidio had sent them the documents needed to prove her innocence and build an alibi. She had used both cash and credit card to pay for her bills, further solidifying her time both in and out of the jungle. With investigations closed, she was named the sole heir to his small fortune, finally making himself useful. For her, it was obvious that the raider had bought the police, no investigation was ever to be closed this quickly. As she had demanded, no traces and no trouble for both.
Another three days passed before they made their way back home. The trip within the jungle was slow, she was making sure to cover their tracks so no one could follow them. Both felt a little crazy by talking to the animals to help them to cover the trail, using Antonio's name. To their surprise, the animals understood, aiding not only to cover what was left behind, but to find their way faster back to Encanto.