Chapter 23: Fleeting Star Happiness

  "Deo."

  Her voice came as a whisper in the quiet of the early morning, her head still resting on my chest. I felt her warm breath on my skin, and her comfortable weight. The first rays of the sun were creeping through her apartment window, drawing golden lines on the wall, and lighting up the dust particles dancing in the air like tiny stars.

  "Don't you think this situation has gone on a bit too long?"

  I opened my eyes, and felt a smile creep onto my face before I realized it. "What situation? This situation is perfect."

  She lifted her head slightly, her black hair spilling onto my shoulder like a dark silk waterfall. She looked at me with that serious look I loved, a look that searched the depths of my soul. "That you're living with me. In my apartment. It's been over two weeks."

  "And what do you want me to do? My dorm at the Academy is gone. I've officially, unofficially, renounced my name and the Academy. I'm homeless, my woman."

  She gently touched my cheek, her thumb moving slowly across my skin. I felt a slight chill. "Then let's go look for a house."

  House.

  The word sounded strange and heavy on my tongue. A house. A place you own, a place you return to. I had never had a real home before. The mansion I grew up in was a cold prison. A house? What do you think I am, woman? A rich businessman? The money I extorted from Layla was for clothes and daily expenses, not a fortune enough to buy a house in this dreamy city. I am a broke student, an outcast, and nameless.

  But when I saw the genuine hope in her eyes, that deep, still desire for stability, for building something for us... a wall for us... a roof for us... How could I refuse? How could I say "no" to the face that had become my whole world?

  "You're right," I said, kissing her forehead and inhaling the scent of her hair that resembled rain and wild flowers. "Let's go look for a house. But before that, I need to visit someone."

  I didn't knock. I opened the door directly and walked into Layla Knoxville's pink office.

  "The blackmailer has surfaced, huh?" she said without lifting her eyes from some papers floating in front of her. She was wearing a simple black dress, in stark contrast to the pink teddy bears that filled the room. "Next time, knock. Those are the principles of etiquette."

  I sat on the disgustingly soft pink bear couch. "I'll get straight to the point. I worked for six months on a very sensitive and secret mission. A mission related to the security of the most important educational institution in the world. And my teacher and I, thanks to our immense genius, discovered how your formidable defenses were breached."

  She finally looked at me, her purple eyes devoid of any expression. "So? What do you want?"

  "Money, woman. Money is everything."

  "I paid you ten million."

  I gave a faint laugh. "That was the price of my new clothes, and compensation for the psychological damage caused by seeing this atrocious office. This is something else entirely. Are you telling me that a job of this magnitude, a job that saved the Knoxville family's reputation from a resounding scandal, is worth only ten million?"

  She sighed a long, theatrical sigh, as if I were the biggest annoyance in her life. "How much do you want?"

  I slowly took out my phone. "Wait a moment, let me consult my partner." I called Philip.

  "What do you want, you little bastard?!" his voice came angrily from the other end.

  "How much is our work on those devices worth in money? Be honest."

  I heard the sound of him stroking his beard. "Hmmm... Considering the importance of the information, the long working hours, and the danger of the journey... No less than one hundred million Yezani currency."

  I hung up and looked at Layla with an innocent smile. "I want one hundred and ten million."

  "Fine. I'll send you one hundred million."

  "I said one hundred and ten."

  She smiled a cold, predatory smile. "I paid you ten million as an advance. Now get lost, or I'll kill you."

  Suddenly, I felt shadows pulling me from the room, and in an instant, I found myself standing outside Clara's dorm door. That bitch. She kicked me out. But it doesn't matter. A wide smile spread across my face. I got what I wanted.

  We found it the same day.

  In that same beautiful, quiet neighborhood we dreamed of, a small mansion was up for sale. It wasn't the size of the Van der Wood or Eisingard palaces, but it was perfect. With its classical design, white stone walls, ornate iron balconies, and a vast garden overflowing with blue and white flowers overlooking the city. Its price was thirty million.

  As we toured the inside, Clara was silent, her eyes widening with every room we entered. She ran her hand over the cool walls and looked out the tall windows at the garden. I saw in her face a dream she hadn't dared to dream before.

  "Looks like someone will have to get pregnant a lot to fill all these rooms," I teased her as we stood in the spacious master bedroom.

  She gave a clear, ringing laugh. "I swear, if you make me work while pregnant, I'll kill you."

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  We bought it. And within two days, thanks to some "magical" help and a lot of money, it was fully furnished. We moved in that evening.

  It was beautiful. It was our home.

  As soon as we closed the massive main door behind us, and felt the silence of the new mansion wrap around us, I couldn't wait. I grabbed her and kissed her deeply. Then I lifted her into my arms. We did it in every room. On the cool marble floor in the entrance, on the massive wooden dining table, and on the balcony under the moonlight. We were like animals, exploring our new kingdom, leaving our mark in every corner.

  After we had exhausted all our energy and were sitting in the wonderful lounge, exhausted and happy, the doorbell rang.

  I looked at Clara in surprise. I went to open it and found him. Kairo. His hair was disheveled, he smelled bad, and he was carrying a massive suitcase.

  He walked straight in, uninvited, and went to one of the luxurious bathrooms. Half an hour later, a different person emerged, clean and elegant.

  "What a truly wonderful house!" he said, sitting on the leather sofa and putting his feet on the table.

  "How did you know where we are?"

  "I am Kairo Foist. I know everything. I got out of my seclusion and was bored."

  "And what is that suitcase?" Clara asked him.

  "My suitcase," he said in surprise. "I'm going to live with you."

  "What?! You are Kairo Foist! You have infinite money! Buy another house!"

  "Why should I buy a house when my friend has this huge mansion? And I don't like servants. This is much easier."

  The doorbell rang again.

  I opened the door. It was Eva and Leonardo, with no less than ten suitcases.

  "Look at my child!" Eva cried, hugging me tightly. "He has so much money now! Finally, I can retire from working as a maid!" She walked straight in and sat in the lounge. "This house is wonderful! It will be good to live in!"

  "Isn't it, Eva?" Kairo said with a flattering smile. "Looks like we're going to live together."

  She looked at him with disgust. "If the floor wasn't clean, I'd spit on it."

  The doorbell rang again.

  "Who is it now?!" I yelled in anger. "Am I going to find a predatory monster at the door?"

  I opened the door. It was Isabella, holding a small suitcase, looking extremely embarrassed.

  "I... I had a fight with my family," she said softly. "And I heard you bought a huge house."

  I was stunned. Isabella Rifemont asking me for a place to stay. "Fine... come in."

  I closed the door. The doorbell rang again.

  It was Alessandro. "I heard the gang gathered here!" He walked in, laughing.

  I looked at my home, which minutes ago was my private sanctuary with Clara, and now had become a free hotel for the most annoying people in the world.

  A week passed.

  I woke up to the sound of screaming and anger downstairs. Clara covered her head with a pillow and whispered: "Go figure out what's happening."

  I went down to find Isabella and Kairo fighting in the kitchen, both still in their pajamas.

  "You bastard! You ate the bear-flavored potato chips I left in the fridge!" Isabella shrieked.

  "So what if I ate them? What are you going to do? Go pound sand!"

  "I can't live with this person!" Isabella yelled at me. "Kick him out!"

  "Kick me out?" Kairo said with feigned shock. "I'm his best friend for six years!"

  Suddenly, Eva appeared, anger on her face. "Every day! You scream like children! I swear to you, if I wake up again because of you two, I'll kill you and bury you in the garden!"

  This became our routine. A busy, noisy, and chaotic house. And full of life.

  Another week later, I was waiting for her in the garden. It was midnight, and the moon was full, casting a silver light on everything.

  "Deo? Where are you taking me?" Clara said, her eyes closed.

  "Shut up and walk."

  I stopped her in the middle of the garden, which I had decorated with hundreds of small blue flowers that glowed softly in the dark, as if they were stars fallen to the earth. "Open your eyes."

  She opened her eyes and saw me. I was kneeling on one knee, and in my hand was a small black velvet box. I opened it. Inside, there was a simple ring, holding a small pearl that sparkled like the only star in the night sky.

  "My star," I said, my voice trembling slightly for the first time in my life. "My light, and my path. The woman more beautiful than the stars. Will you marry me?"

  She started crying, silent and happy tears. "Yes."

  I placed the ring on her finger, and we kissed each other. Suddenly, we heard sounds of cheering and shouting. Everyone was hiding behind the trees, watching us.

  "Congratulations!" they shouted.

  "How long have you been here?" I said in embarrassment.

  "Since we saw you go out carrying all those flowers, you fool!" Eva laughed.

  The following days were a beautiful hell. Clara took me to a thousand places to choose everything for the wedding. I discovered an enthusiastic and organized side to her I didn't know existed. In one week, everything was ready.

  On the night before the wedding, we were in our bed. "Clara," I said quietly. "I want to invite my father, my stepmother, and my brother."

  She looked at me. "Fine. Invite them."

  "Aren't you angry?"

  "Why would I be angry? What does it have to do with me if you want to change, Star of Change? Who am I to stop you?"

  "Thank you."

  "What about your family?" I asked her.

  She was silent for a moment. "I'm an orphan. My mother died of illness, and my father died in an accident."

  I hugged her tightly. "It's okay."

  The wedding day.

  I was standing, getting ready, with Kairo beside me, adjusting his tie. "Do I look handsome?" he asked.

  "Shouldn't you be asking about me? I'm the groom."

  "Shut up. It's my chance to confess my love to Eva."

  "In front of Leonardo? You're brave."

  "I spoke with him. He said if she accepts, he'll accept."

  I was shocked. "Leonardo himself? What did you do?"

  "I am Kairo Foist," he said proudly.

  The music started. I walked to my spot in the garden, in front of my friends and new family. I looked at the three empty chairs I had reserved for my father, my stepmother, and my brother. They were empty. Too bad. Looks like he's not ready yet.

  Then, I saw her.

  Eva was holding her hand, leading her toward me. She was wearing a simple, elegant black dress, flowing gracefully over her body. It wasn't a traditional white dress; it was her dress. She looked like the Queen of the Night, and a fool who didn't know how to walk in high heels at the same time. It was a miracle she reached me without falling.

  When she arrived, I took her hand and kissed it. We stood facing each other, with Kairo acting as the priest.

  "Do you, Deo, the Star of Change, take the woman more beautiful than the stars to be your wife?"

  "I do."

  "And do you, Clara, take Deo, the Star of Change, to be your husband?"

  "Who's the fool who would refuse this offer?"

  "You may kiss the bride."

  And I kissed her. It was the most beautiful moment of my life.

  We danced, drank, and fought as usual. Late in the party, as I was laughing with Alessandro, I saw him.

  It was my father. He came alone.

  "Welcome, Father," I said, going to greet him. "Your son has grown up and gotten married. You should have come earlier."

  "Why did you invite me?" he said, his voice as cold as ever. "I thought you hated me."

  "Yes, I hate you. And you are vile and damned. And you don't deserve to see my mother's grave. But you are my father. My only father. And I am nicknamed the Star of Change. I change, I accept, and I improve. Yesterday's Deo is not today's Deo. And life is too short, and I need a father. Even if you don't need a son, I need a father."

  He didn't say anything. He looked at me for a moment, with that empty look I could never read, then turned and disappeared into the darkness.

  At least, he came, I thought. After twenty years, I can tell my children that their grandfather was at my wedding.

  That night, Clara and I entered our home. I kissed her and took off her beautiful dress. She was beautiful. She was my truth. She was my wife. And she was my woman. And the ring on her hand was proof that she was mine, just as the ring on my hand was proof that I was hers.