Chapter 2: The Rockefeller Mansion

AKIRA SELENA

Obviously, a dinner at a Rockefeller mansion deserves any and all sacrifices on my part.  I am so excited, I can't wait to hear the stories of the new adventures they went on during this time we were away. The worst part will be that I won't have a single good or interesting story to tell. What could I say? That I finally learned how to hunt animals on the first try of my arrow shot? That is so boring that I don't even want to hear myself.

" You're bewitched by them…" 

Alfred comments, as if I need his intrusion into my life as well.

" I'm just not an idiot not to see the opportunity that is being friends with the Rockefeller family" I continue walking without looking back as he comes walking like a guard dog, there being a distance of one meter separating our bodies.

Why doesn't he keep quiet? Everything was perfect until now...

"You know the history of our people, in which men like Mr. Rockefeller only wanted our land and what could be in it" He explains the story that I have heard a thousand and one times from my mother.

"I know the story, but the times are different! " 

I make my attempt to get him to open his mind to new experiences. I can understand that for older people it is difficult, but by Gods, Alfred is a 24-year-old boy, although his muscular body and brawny air create the illusion that he could be much older. And that the memory of the little boy I saw bathing in the river no longer exists.

"Time is not the problem. It is people and their intentions. Change will never be good when only one side will be the winner. They don't want the good of all, they want the best for themselves. Because it is the suffering of the majority that makes them men with power" He says.

Okay, I have to admit that was too deep to have come out of a head as hollow as his. I am surprised enough to turn around to look him in the face, and even more surprised to see that he has taken off his coat and fastened it around his waist. How can he stand this cold with only a light fabric covering his torso with a very well-meshed abdomen?

Oops! I'm looking at him too much. A minute of distraction that I can't afford to have. Alfred's ego is sufficiently fed by the rest of the girls in town. Besides, I promised Mr. Rockefeller, to be his spokesperson and I will:

"Please don't make it a war. He just needs a chance!" 

I ask him staring, then I see the same look of disapproval from my parents or anyone else who hears Mr. Jeremy's name in Skyfall.

He approaches so quickly that a meter becomes centimeters that are preventing our faces from coming together. When did we get so intimate?

"Listen well! I don't need to give Mr. Rockefeller a chance. I know him more than you can imagine. And being on their side, is the worst decision you make in your life. Don't say I didn't warn you. Now get in this damn mansion and have dinner with them as you like. I'll be out here waiting for you and don't make me storm this stupid wall to bring you back! "

He dictates the rules and I confess that having his breath so close makes me feel a little bewildered. His gaze is so intense and wild, so different from when we were younger.

"Wall?"

Is the best I can say

"Look at the castle you want to attend.”

 Alfred suggests and my curious eyes follow the direction of his index finger.  And he is right. The Rockefeller mansion looks so different from last year.

There are high walls all around, protecting access to the interior, successfully hiding the walls in white tones, the same way a pearl is hidden at the bottom of the ocean. So, I wonder, what else might have changed?

✧✧

" Not her! Let her through! ",

Orders Mister Jeremy, preventing men in black suits from playing me as an unwanted intruder.

" I appreciate that, that's a bit much…”

  I refer to the wall and the security guards.

" If you wish to approach the people, won't that make you feel more isolated from everyone?

"Honey, it's just a precaution. There are many wolves in the area and wild animals" He justifies himself, and I don't disagree to some extent.

"The funny thing is, Mr. Jeremy, we live in small houses of stone and straw, no one has ever been attacked by a wolf. Why would you sir be in this huge house?"

" Maybe because you guys grew up here, the wilderness comes natural to you. I, as a city man, prefer to take precautions. At the end of the day, they will always be wild animals and we humans, right?"

" I hope you are wrong, Mister Jeremy. Wolves are sacred to us.”

I unconsciously assume my mother's job as protector of the city's cultural heritage.

" That's good to know. Do you see how important their friendship is to us? I could hurt any of your people with my big city man fear and prejudice. Thank you, Akira."

He thanks me sincerely.

" You're welcome, Mister Jeremy!" 

I speak gently.

" Isn't your friend coming in?" he asks as he notices Alfred's figure standing at the gate like a haunting.

" Oh no, he would rather have a spear through his heart" I joke, even though it is the truth.

" I believe it's not the wolves I need to protect myself from."

 He joins in on the joke and we both laugh.

" Let's go inside, it's cold out here."

 I agree with him, hurrying my steps along with his to the main entrance of the mansion.

A lit fireplace is the first to greet us warmly, next is the sophisticated decoration of polished wood, paintings with colorful landscapes that make me forget the frequent white of winter, comfortable sofas, rugs laid out on the floor that are better than many beds I've slept in my entire life; And, although I've seen it all before, I still manage to be dazzled by every detail.

" Akira!" 

Shouts a familiar female voice.

" Lilian?!" I shout back.

We run to each other, exchanging a long, deep hug. Her skin smells so good I believe I am picking a flower and as for mine, well, I can't tell if she feels the same.

" This jacket looks perfect on you!" she compliments.

" I have to agree that it does. Selena was born to be one of us..."

Replies another familiar voice. However, this time male, and I know very well to whom that voice belongs.

Richard...

My hands freeze, my heart races, and for a moment I lose the courage to face him.

By the holy guardians, I wonder how he looks. Would he have changed as much as Alfred? And why am I remembering that idiot when it was Richard complimenting me?