Gangster In A Suit. (Book 1)

Chapter 29

I wake to the shrine of a delicate sky, periwinkle fusing with the gentle blue. Morning stars peeping down. Serenaded by the sound of the murmuring winds harmonising with the chirpy symphony sung by beaked birds.

I crawl out of the cocoon of blankets, trampling over the space where Orian laid. I come to the far left of the veranda, my hands on the wooden railing, looking out onto the verdant field. The grass paradise-green and thigh-high to a thrush. Orian is practicing his forms, flowing from stance to stance, his arms moving as gracefully as reefs in the wind, his movements as fluid as water. Swiftly going from deep lunges to high kicking forms. Obaasan circles him with her hands folded behind her back. Passing comments, Orian adjusts to her command.

The dawn rising behind them. The sun clinging to the ridge of the mountain, first light spilling over.

An hour goes before they finish. Panicky, I dart for a random blanket, tying it around my waist. Obaasan walks up the steps first, smiling at me warmly. She passes me barefoot, breezing inside. Orian follows, taut muscles beaded with shining droplets of sweat. He moves to pass me. I catch his wrist from behind, gawking at his back. Old scars struck deep across his disfigured back, looking deformed in some places, like he was burnt. I reach out to touch him. My fingers investigating, feeling the bumpy and jarring texture of his flesh beneath my own.

"What—"

He slips from my hold, walking inside wordlessly.

After Orian and I wash up and change back into our clothes. Obaasan is ready in the main room with a low-lying wooden tray stand and a teapot set atop. She invites us in and we join her on the floor.

She picks up the teapot. Whilst pouring a serving for each cup, she says, "Do you know the tale of moon and sun?"

She looks at me directly. I shake my head tentatively.

"They're ancient lovers," she says in a regaling tone. "Immortal beings with immortal duties, and kept apart. The moon meant to brighten night. And the sun to brighten day. Both of them giving life. But there was one moment, they could be together."

She sets down the teapot and takes her own cup, drawing a polite sip.

"The eclipse. It is where moon and sun embrace. A love so powerful it left all in the shadows."

Orian observes her, long and unblinking. "And what is your point?"

Her eyes find mine. "That no love is impossible."

"Obaasan!" a high-pitched voice screams. Bare feet pitter patter into the room like a scampering mouse. "Obaasan."

A little boy stands in the doorway. He bows quickly and frantically starts pointing behind him, saying something that I cannot hear but the fear in his tenor is universal. Obaasan and Orian bristle. He shoots up to his feet and storms out of the house with me in tow.

I emerge outside. Orian is already making his way down to the village. I run after him.

"What?" Slowing to a jog, then to a brisk walk. "What's going on?"

My question is answered when we crest the steep slope, looking down at the three black Range Rovers parked around his bike, surrounded by men with heavy artillery. One of them open the backseat door and Torin slides out, dressed in a typical luxury suit with sunglasses on. He instructs them before he walks up the slope by himself, unbuttoning his blazer on his way.

"What are you doing here?"

Torin stares back at him with exaggerated offense. "Hello to you too, brother. I'm well, thanks." He takes off the brown-tinted sunglasses and puts them on his head. "And no, it did not stress me at all that the captain decided to abandon his ship without warning."