9 – Cypress Mosaic

“It’s ​obvious. ​He’s ​a ​non-blood-related younger brother ​adopted ​late ​in ​life, ​and his situation is ​so ​bad that they ​need a live-in ​counselor. ​He ​just ​doesn’t ​want ​his time wasted ​on ​something ​like that.”

“Maybe.”

“What do ​you mean ‘maybe’? It’s ​a certainty. ​Don’t you ​know that ​those kinds ​of ​rich ​people are actually ​the most ​obsessed with money? He’s ​looking at having to ​split his father’s inheritance ​with a ​kid ​who’s practically a stranger; naturally, that ​kid is a thorn ​in ​his ​side.”

Elian ​let ​out a small ​chuckle as ​he ​listened to Vincent ​prattle ​on as if he knew ​everything about ​the ​upper class.

“Have you ​been ​watching ​too ​many ​dramas?”

“Dramas and ​movies ​all reflect ​reality. If anything, don’t you know that ​reality is even ​more dramatic?”

True enough. ​Looking back on his ​own experiences ​through the consultations ​he ​had conducted, Vincent’s ​guess wasn’t entirely ​far-fetched.

Feeling thirsty, ​Vincent ​gulped down ​his ​beer and ​carelessly ​wiped his ​mouth ​with ​the back of ​his ​hand. Then, ​suddenly ​changing ​his ​tone, he asked cautiously.

“So, the interview results? What did they say?”

“Fortunately, they asked me to start working right away.”

“Are you going to do it?”

“I have to.”

“……”

“Personally, yes, but as a counselor, it’s an opportunity I don’t want to miss.”

Even as he spoke, Elian’s expression seemed somewhat complicated.

“Did you meet the child?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding, Elian dropped his gaze to the beer bottle in his hand.

“I can’t go into detail, but… he really was a child in need of counseling.”

“If you’re working as a live-in there, you’ll have to move out of our house now.”

At Vincent’s dampened voice, Elian looked across at him and smiled.

“Are you sad?”

“No, I mean… I know your grand plan, so I’m not sad, but… I’m worried about Mom and Dad.”

Though he used his parents as an excuse, Vincent’s face was full of regret.

Elian, too, felt sad that his life with the Belloti family was coming to an end. Lina and Matteo, who had been consistently kind since he was young and had legally adopted him so he could use the name Belloti. Vincent, who had grown up with him like a brother and was now legally his brother.

Staying in this room, building a career as a counselor at the center, helping out at ‘Abbraccio’ on holidays, and occasionally going for bike rides with Vincent… such peaceful days could have continued.

If he buried everything in his heart and accepted it as inevitable, he could have had that kind of daily life.

But Elian couldn’t. He decided not to. He had to turn his back on peace, step into danger, and uncover the truth.

Both Vincent and Elian knew this well.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?”

At Vincent’s question, the owner of the room looked around the small space. Most of the items filling the room were books and records left by his parents. These were only a part of their belongings. The rest were stored in a rental warehouse in Chicago. There was a considerable amount, so he couldn’t bring it all.

“No. I have a few things to pack, though it’s not much.”

“Are you taking everything?”

“No. I’ll only take what’s absolutely necessary. I’m scheduled to move in the day after tomorrow.”

“At least you have time to tell Mom and Dad.”

“It’s not like I’m going far. It’s just Manhattan.”

As he spoke to the sulking Vincent, Elian pointed out the window.

Outside the open window, the brilliant night view of Manhattan—specifically the Financial District—sparkled like diamond dust. It was undoubtedly a landscape that could leave one entranced.

Yet, on the other hand, it felt like a mirage in the desert.

Something seen with the eyes, but without substance.

Beautiful, but ultimately empty.

The lights of Babylon, built upon the bottomless desires of humans.

“Who said anything about that? I’m just saying Mom and Dad will still be sad. No matter if Manhattan is just across the bridge, it’s not the same as living in the same house.”

“I’ll come over every day I’m off.”

“You think it’s as easy as it sounds?”

Vincent tilted his chin up and drained the last of his beer. As he set the empty bottle on the desk, his gaze landed on Elian’s medicine bottle.

“I guess they didn’t make an issue out of you being sick. Then again, these days you don’t have to write that kind of thing on a resume, right?”

“It’s been a while since second genders stopped being required on forms.”

Nodding a couple of times with a look of relief, Vincent raised an eyebrow and asked suggestively.

“But, what are you going to do about Joshua Lockhart?”

“I’ll put that on hold for now.”

“Joshua would probably be easier to win over. There’s so little known about Lorenz’s private life. With that wealth and those looks… I almost suspect he’s an eunuch.”

“It’s a chance to get inside the Lockhart mansion. I’ll be able to find something out. Besides, now that I’m working at the Lockhart residence, won’t it eventually reach Joshua’s ears anyway?”

Vincent nodded with a meaningful smile.

“True. Even if you do nothing, a reunion with Joshua Lockhart will happen naturally. Making him anxious is a pretty good strategy.”

As Vincent reached for a new beer, he suddenly frowned and looked back at Elian.

“But, what if Lorenz Lockhart falls head over heels for you?”

His gaze was quite serious. He didn’t seem to be joking.

“You worry too much.”

“No, think about it. If Lorenz and Joshua start fighting over you, won’t you be the only one in a difficult spot?”

“You just said Lorenz Lockhart is definitely an eunuch.”

Vincent stared blankly at the face of his friend and brother. The numerous incidents Elian had gone through in the past because of those looks flashed through his mind one by one.

“I’m saying this because that’s a face that could cure an eunuch.”

“Not everyone falls for me like you think, so don’t worry. And whatever Joshua Lockhart felt was just temporary interest. It won’t last.”

“Hmm…”

Vincent didn’t seem to agree with Elian’s statement. However, instead of continuing the argument, he chose to silently tilt his beer bottle.

Elian picked up a small badge placed next to the desk clock. It was a circular badge about the size of a thumbnail, with a golden crescent moon engraved on black onyx. It was one of the few pieces of evidence Elian had secured regarding his mother’s death.

Rubbing the crescent moon on the badge with his thumb, Elian murmured as if making a vow to himself.

“I don’t care if one of them falls for me. In fact, I welcome it.”

As long as it opens the door for him to delve deeper into the secrets of the Lockhart family, Elian added inwardly.

Watching his friend, Vincent gave a worried piece of advice.

“Don’t do anything too reckless.”

Then, he added with a self-deprecating sigh.

“Then again, approaching the Lockharts without being reckless is probably impossible in itself.”

Still fiddling with the badge in his hand, Elian looked out the window.

Among the dense skyline of southern Manhattan, it wasn’t hard to find the Lockhart Holdings building. Had he moved a little closer to that Tower of Babylon? It still didn’t feel real.

■

It was his first time returning home in four days. Lorenz arrived at the mansion completely exhausted after finishing his business trip.

It was around 4 PM, but his body felt as heavy as if it were the middle of the night. He was also extremely irritable because he hadn’t been [stolen content]able to sleep properly, suffering from headaches and nausea throughout the trip. His only thought was [unauthorized copy]to take a sleeping pill and fall asleep as quickly as possible.

“You’ve worked hard. You must be tired.”

Margaret, who had come down to the underground parking lot to greet him personally, offered her greetings. Fatigue was evident on Lorenz’s face for anyone to see.

“I tried to come back as early as possible. But there were more things I had to verify in person than I expected.”

“It is an important project. You must prioritize work.”

The two began walking toward the elevator. Lorenz pressed his hand to his forehead and looked back at Margaret beside him.

“I’m sorry, as I’m sure you’ve already prepared it, but I think I’ll have to skip dinner. My headache is severe… I just want to rest quickly.”

“I heard your condition wasn’t great throughout the trip.”

“The first day wasn’t bad. I felt very good on the way to the airport. Though that was only temporary.”

Shaking his head at his physical state—which had been the worst and remained so—Lorenz immediately changed the subject.

“Where is Lucas?”

“He is in his room with the new counselor.”