Chapter 21. New Projects 9

"I'm getting well. If I am busy with work, I will heal faster," she explained.

She was right. Staying inactive for a long time can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. I sized her up and discovered that she was truly getting well. The injuries that my father inflicted on her had healed and the scars were unnoticeable.

"Where are the jobs? Besides, who would employ a weak woman?" 

"I will get one if I go out. I am a strong woman. Losing my job led me to lack a sense of purpose and unfulfillment in life. If I begin to work, I will regain my sense of worth."

I recalled that she told me some time ago that if she is well she will become a gigolette. 

Without mincing words, I asked her, "Do you mean if you begin to work as a gigolette and father won't have to rub his shameless acts on your nose."

She seemed to have forgotten that she said that and was ashamed of herself. We were calm for a while before she put herself together.

"You have to believe me, Son. I never meant it. I was extremely angry with your father and could not think of how to pay him back," she explained with a burdened heart.

After listening to her, I heaved and responded, "I believe you, Mom. Two wrongs can't make a right. As you can see, my sister and I have only you. If you ..."

I paused when I was choked with emotions and allowed my tears to flow freely. Milo, who was lying beside me was touched by my tears. He trembled and licked his lips.

My mother smiled dryly and consoled me, "Stop crying, Julius. You always have me. Okay?"

I nodded in admittance and wiped my face with the back of my palm.

"Thank you, Mom. There are better days ahead. Just look at life positively."

"I agree with you. I will start applying for a job after seeing the doctor  coming week."

"Huh! Do you have the money for the visit?"

"Yes. The tips you bring home would go a long way. I will ask your sister to assist if it would not be enough," she answered me with confidence. 

It gave me joy that I was able to help out.  

Nevertheless, I hoped to get more tips and assured her, "It would be enough."

She cheered up and appreciated me. We chatted more before we walked to the kitchen for lunch.

Westminster 

My parents were happy and assumed that I accepted their arrangements to travel with two janitors since I did not refute it. Without much ado, I called my team members to brainstorm on the coming trip.

"I won't go with any of those imbeciles," I declared.

"Huh! Why did the king do that without informing you? They will disgrace our kingdom with their discourteous behavior," my driver stated.

"It won't ever happen. They will not even leave the palace how much more getting to the airport," my knight stated boldly.

"What do we do. The king had booked the flight for them?" Celestine asked me.

"There must be a way out. We can get two youths from the community to replace them," I declared and they loved the idea.

"That would be more beneficial to the kingdom than these nincompoops," Philip stated.

"The youths and their parents will appreciate that," my driver declared.

Instantly, we began to think about the ideal youths to embark on the trip with.

"To avoid being accused of favoring some people, let's take a walk down the community in the evening. We may find youths worthy of the trip."

They focused on me to explain further but I said, "We will come up with a yardstick for the selection when we get there."

"It's okay," they said simultaneously.

We dispersed and returned to our work. At 5 PM, we converged and walked into the community, leaving our cars behind. Meanwhile, we were simply dressed in our casual wear, and it was not easy to dictate which of us was the prince. The natives were attracted to us and looked at us with delight. They greeted us accordingly and we responded in unison and confused them the more.

"What is the yardstick, My prince?" Philip whispered to me.

"I don't know either. When I see a sign I will know."

"Hey! Where will you see the sign?" He asked me at once.

"Let's go to the local market," I declared.

They were surprised and Celestine pointed out, "The merchants would be scared that we have come to collect taxes and begin to run."

"That is their problem. Don't we have the right to go to the market like every shopper?"

My point was apt and he stopped arguing with me. 

"Let's visit the wine section. We may get the youth we want," I informed them.

They got my tricks and smiled lavishly.

"I got your point, My prince. We may meet someone passionate about wine production," Celestine pointed out and we smiled.

"I'm happy that you got it."

We walked into the market and the merchants were bewildered. We ignored their looks and asked questions about where to get the local wine.

"Just walk down the stalls and take the right turn. Look ahead, and you will see the wine section," our informant directed us.

"Thank you," we said and moved on.

We saw some task force members chasing after the hawkers for refusing to pay for stalls. They confiscated some people's goods as well. We ignored them and shortly, we were at the wine section. 

We saw different bottles of the local wine. Despite the flies and mixture of different smells from the drinks, we were bent on getting the right person for the trip.

After the greetings, my driver asked one of the sellers, "How much is your bottle of wine?"

He was happy to have us and wished to exploit us. He gave us an exorbitant price and his colleagues screamed. 

He glared at them and reproofed them, "Mind your business."