Chapter One-hundred Eighty-Six: Full of Belloni

Chapter 186

Full of Belloni

That morning after Jordi showered and freshened up, he came out of his bedroom in his work uniform with his suit jacket in his hand. Henrietta was at the stove making breakfast while Abraham was at the table munching on some bacon. Jordi gaped at him and sat down to see a single bran muffin on his plate. He then looked at his grandfather’s plate to see sausages, bacon, and toast.

Jordi: “Isn’t that my breakfast?”

He asked him. Abraham snorted.

Abraham: “I didn’t see your name on it, so now it’s mine.”

He huffed. Jordi’s face flickered with hurt and anger.

Jordi: “But I don’t like bran muffins.”

Abraham: “Neither do I, but you don’t have smartass doctors telling you what to eat.”

He said gruffly.

Jordi furrowed his eyebrows and angrily rose.

Henrietta: “I have more breakfast on, handsome man!”

She sang.

Jordi: “Give it to him. I don’t want it.”

He slid his arms into his suit jacket, buttoned it, and slid his feet into his boots and zipped those up. Abraham ground his fists over his eyes.

Abraham: “Wah, wah, wah! Cryin’ like a baby!”

He said in a mocking singsong voice. Jordi turned to him, glaring at him.

He grabbed his black trenchcoat, put it on, and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Abraham: “I win!”

He threw his arms up. Henrietta put her hands on her hips and smacked him over the head.

Abraham: “What was that for?!”

He rasped.

Henrietta: “Your grandson works tirelessly for you! Shame on you!”

Abraham: “Then he’d let me die!”

He spat. Henrietta sighed and looked out the window at Jordi in his car.

~

Jordi sat in his car, banging his head on the steering wheel. He shook his head, slid the key into the ignition, and started the engine. He looked over his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway and shifted into first gear as he drove down the road.

Jordi turned into Madelyn’s driveway. He parked his car, pulled up the emergency brake, and got out. He climbed the steps to knock on her door. Madelyn skipped over to the door, dressed in a sparkly white costume.

Madelyn: “Jordi?! So nice to see you!”

She beamed and hugged him.

Madelyn: “Oh no! What’s wrong?! You look like bad weather!”

She knit her eyebrows, noting his expression. Jordi smiled tightly at her.

Jordi: “I am fine! I’m certainly peachy.”

He hugged her back. Madelyn wanted to believe him, but she didn’t.

Jordi: “It’s awfully cold in your house.”

He laughed a bit.

Madelyn: “Haha, yeah, don’t worry about that, we can sit by the chimney to warm up!”

She took his hand and led him up the stairs towards her bedroom.

Jordi: “Uh, Madelyn, I have to go to work, and while I have time to spare, I was going to ask you if you’d have breakfast with me.”

He stammered. Madelyn’s eyes widened.

Madelyn: “Ooh! I’d LOVE to have breakfast with you!”

She bounced eagerly, grabbing her fluffy white coat. He helped her put it on. Madelyn smiled up at him and thanked him.

Jordi: “Wonderful, I know a nice pancake restaurant I think you’d like.”

He smiled.

Madelyn: “Ooh, I love pancakes!”

She beamed eagerly and closed the door behind her, skipping down the stairs with him to his car. Jordi opened the passenger’s door for her and then went to the driver’s side to climb in. Madelyn thanked him and got in.

He started the engine and looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway. He shifted into the first gear and drove down the road.

Madelyn: “So, where are we going?”

She asked him.

Jordi: “Pancake Palace!”

He smiled at her. Madelyn’s eyes lit up.

Madelyn: “Ooh, the perfect place for a prince!”

She teased and poked her tongue out at him with a smile.

~

They entered The Pancake Palace. The restaurant was distinguished by its stunning stained-glass ceiling and walls. The most prominent features were the arched, vaulted ceiling and the large windows along the left, which were entirely of intricate stained glass. The glass depicted a beautiful mosaic of warm colors, including amber and turquoise, creating a vibrant, luminous atmosphere.

The sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting geometric patterns and dappled shadows across the marble floor. This natural light gave the restaurant a warm, ethereal glow.

The space had a long, gallery-like layout. Support pillars made of dark wood framed the windows and were decorated with ornate, classical detailing. The right side featured a darker, more opulent aesthetic with elements of dark green, rich golds, and deep shadows.

On the left side of the dining area, several small tables were draped with white tablecloths, surrounded by simple yet elegant chairs. The right side had a lounge-like space with plush, emerald-green velvet high-backed chairs and highly ornate, gilded tables.

The restaurant incorporated abundant tropical plants, especially along the walls and between dining sections. These large, leafy plants enhanced the sense of being in an elegant garden.

Jordi approached a table and pulled out a chair for her. Madelyn thanked him and sat down, gazing around the establishment with awe.

Madelyn: “WOW… This is the best breakfast ever!”

She clasped her hands. Jordi untied his trenchcoat and took it off. He sat across from her and smiled.

Jordi: “I knew you would love it.”

He said softly. Madelyn smiled at him across the table.

Madelyn: “Aww, how sweet!”

She rested her head on the palms of her hands. Jordi smiled tightly at her and looked at the menu.

Jordi: “How are you getting along in this city?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I think I’m getting along well in this city!”

She winked at him, tapping her foot as she read the menu. Jordi blushed and bit his bottom lip.

Jordi smiled and leaned closer.

Jordi: “So, what kind of heating do you have in that house? I noticed it’s colder in your house than it is outside.”

He stated.

Madelyn: “Oh, we use good ol’ chimneys! I don’t know much about this stuff, but we need a new furnace or something?”

She chuckled.

Madelyn: “But maybe it’s so cold because there are ghosts around! If a room is super cold, it means there could be a ghost around!”

She added. Jordi laughed a bit.

Jordi: “Yes, Andreas told me about that, and while there could be truth to that, you don’t want to get pneumonia.”

He placed his hand on hers. Madelyn blushed and shivered, glancing down at his hand on hers. His amethyst ring sparkled in the sunlight.

Jordi: “I could look into getting a new furnace installed at your house.”

He offered.

Madelyn: “R-Really? Who needs a furnace when you’re around?”

She blurted and laughed. Jordi flushed red and laughed.

Jordi: “Hehehehehehehe, that’s a good one, but really.”

He shot her a fingerbang. Madelyn chuckled and shot him a fingerbang back.

Jordi: “I had to get heating installed in my house on top of buying the oxygen machines. It should be no big deal for me.”

He smiled tightly.

Madelyn: “Oh, oxygen machines?”

She pressed. He nodded.

Jordi: “For my grandfather. He needs them to breathe.”

He said quickly.

Madelyn: “Oh… I’m sorry.”

She placed her hand on his. Jordi smiled and clasped her hand.

A waitress in a fairy maid uniform approached them.

Waitress: “Hello, welcome to Pancake Palace, my name is Flora! Will this be on one bill?”

She asked.

Jordi: “Yes, of course, I’m paying.”

He cleared his throat. Madelyn turned to Jordi.

Madelyn: “Oh! I can help pay, too!”

She pulled out her fluffy duck wallet. Jordi put his hand on hers.

Jordi: “It’s okay, I insist.”

He smiled.

Jordi: “I’d like a cup of the cinnamon herbal tea, and pancakes with maple syrup, sausages, and bacon. Give me extra sausages and bacon, thank you.”

Madelyn: “Oh wow, I like your fairy outfit! Can I get the chocolate fudge pancakes with sprinkles and ice cream, please? And the blue heaven milkshake with malt and vanilla ice cream?”

She said to the waitress. She jotted down their orders and thanked Madelyn for the compliment.

Waitress: “Okay, I will be right back.”

She chirped and left.

Jordi: “You sure like to indulge in the richer foods!”

He smiled.

Madelyn: “I sure do!”

She smiled back at him.

Jordi: “Nothing wrong with that!”

The waitress returned with a blue milkshake with malt and ice cream for Madelyn and a cup of tea for Jordi. There were blue-and-white striped candy sticks in her milkshake.

Jordi: “Thanks.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Oooh, the striped candy! Thank you!”

She beamed with excitement. Jordi drank in her enthusiasm and sipped on his tea.

~

After they ate, the waitress handed Jordi the bill. It totaled fifty dollars. He pulled out a fifty-dollar banknote and a five-dollar note.

Jordi: “Keep the change. Thanks.”

He rose, put on his coat, and helped Madelyn with hers.

Madelyn: “Thank you for breakfast, Jordi!”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. Jordi hugged her back and ran his hands down her back. Madelyn’s eyes widened with a shiver down her spine in the best way possible.

Jordi: “The pleasure is mine.”

He whispered. She smiled up at him and blushed bright red. Jordi’s byzantine eyes glittered.

~

Jordi drove Madelyn back home and walked her back up to her door.

Madelyn: “Thanks so much, Jordi!”

She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Jordi’s cheeks flushed red.

Jordi: “You’re always welcome.”

He nodded.

Jordi: “I’ll swing by after work.”

He stated.

Madelyn: “I look forward to it!”

She beamed and swung her arms. Jordi smiled tightly and waved at her. He then went back to his car. Madelyn waved him off with a smile.

~

Tristan and Jaxon were in the spa at the Noble Monarch hotel. The two men were in the sauna, wearing only towels around their waists. They had their hair up with a towel over it.

Tristan: “Thanks for inviting me, Jaxon. This hits the spot.”

He closed his eyes and leaned back.

Jaxon: “Yeah, this place is awesome. I loved using the spa a lot when I lived here back when I first arrived in the US.”

He stated and leaned back.

Tristan: “So what issues are you and Celeste having? Is this still about Ichiro?”

Jaxon looked away and sighed. He nodded.

Tristan: “I understand your plight, but I don’t know what else we can do. I suppose I could ask Etsuko about Borko.”

Jaxon shrugged.

Jaxon: “It’s worth a shot. I just don’t want Celeste to get into trouble. I know she can take care of herself, but Ichiro traumatized me.”

He knit his eyebrows. Tristan placed his hand on Jaxon’s shoulder.

Tristan: “I don’t believe Ichiro will readily hand over that information. It’s not her… It’s him. I don’t trust him.”

He said gravely. Jaxon pursed his lips.

Jaxon: “Yeah, he always seems to be one step ahead, as you said.”

~

A few minutes later, the two men were soaking in the hotel’s hot springs. There was a pail floating in the water with a bottle of sake and sipping cups.

Tristan: “This is the life…”

He breathed in happily. The door slid open. Jaxon lifted his head to see Celeste completely naked. His eyes widened.

Jaxon: “Celeste?!”

Celeste jumped in and lunged at Tristan.

Celeste: “Tristan!”

Tristan yelped when she jumped into the water and wrapped her arms around him.

Tristan: “What are you doing here?”

He laughed. Celeste smiled at Tristan like the Cheshire Cat and rubbed all over him. She then tickled his sides and tummy.

Tristan: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

He laughed and splashed around the water.

Jaxon gaped at them. He knew the look Celeste gave Tristan. He knew they had sex. He looked away with hurt and climbed out of the hot spring.

Tristan: “Where are you going, Jaxon?”

He asked him.

Jaxon: “When were you going to tell me you slept with her?!”

He asked with hurt. Tristan heaved a deep sigh.

Tristan: “I’m sorry, Jaxon, but I didn’t think I had to disclose my sex life to you.”

He said sharply. Celeste growled at him.

Celeste: “You fucked Deimos, and you don’t think I can get anything from Ichiro!”

She huffed.

Jaxon: “It so happens that Ichiro caused ALL OF THIS and traumatized me! Who cares about some old kook?! He’s dead!”

He snapped and dropped the towel to his ankles, then put on a bathrobe.

Tristan: “He certainly is, but we would like to know who he was to Ichiro. He could have set his plans in motion.”

He added. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Jaxon: “I don’t care anyway. Do whatever you two want.”

He stormed out and slammed the door.

Celeste folded her arms and pouted.

Tristan: “Celeste, you and I are not dating, and I don’t appreciate you using me to make Jaxon jealous.”

He snapped.

Celeste: “I’m NOT! I want him to stop telling me what to do! He fucked Deimos! He doesn’t get to tell anyone what to do!”

She fired back. Tristan looked away with hurt.

Tristan: “...That he did.”

~

Deimos was at Lazaros’ that afternoon while Ashley was out grocery shopping. Deimos wore a Stormtroopers of Death tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. Lazaros wore a purple sequin waistcoat, a black pressed shirt, a gold tie, black pants, and black loafers.

Lazaros: “So, Ashley is out getting the turkey and everything ready for Thanksgiving. You guys will all be there, ready to watch Ashley eat! When they ask what you’re all thankful for, you have to say, ‘I am thankful for Ashley eating Lazaros’ delicious food, and Lazaros is giving us the privilege of giving Ashley one tummy rub!’ ”

He beamed. Deimos gritted his teeth.

Deimos: “Right. Look, I want to invite Tristan. I want to work it out with him.”

Lazaros paused.

Lazaros: “But Ashley said you did the forbidden!”

He gasped. Deimos’ right eye twitched.

Deimos: “I want to work things out with him!”

Lazaros: “Deimos, don’t worry! What you did was forgivable! It’s not like you threw up my food or anything! Ashley did that, and I forgave them.”

He guffawed and waved his hand.

Lazaros: “Everyone makes mistakes, and throwing up my food is pretty high up there, but if I can forgive Ashley, Tristan can forgive you! It’s not like he threw up the food you worked tirelessly to prepare, but you wouldn’t understand since you don’t engage in the art of cooking!”

He laughed. Deimos sneered at him. He wanted to deliver a hard punch to his jaw, but he had to tell Tristan to do this for Ashley.

~

That evening, Jordi was driving home from work. The sun was setting, and traffic was heavy. He was smoking a cigarette and exhaling a long drag as he slowly moved through the heavy traffic. He saw a billboard on the street of a handsome man giving a beautiful woman a diamond ring. It was an ad for “Belloni Jewelers.” The ad stated, “Give her the engagement ring she will never forget this Christmas.” Jordi grimaced at the ad. Not only because Gina’s father owned the franchise, but he also didn’t peg Madelyn as the type who loved wearing jewelry.

The billboard rotated into an ad for “24-Slice Varg the Viking Pizza” from Voyage Burger. Traffic moved along, and Jordi couldn’t be happier.

~

When Jordi arrived home, he saw a black 1987 Mercedes-Benz parked in front of his house. He turned into his driveway and parked his car. He lifted the emergency brake and stepped out of his car. He approached the vehicle and tapped on the window.

Jordi: “Can I help you?”

He asked. The window rolled down, and Balderico was in the driver’s seat with a tight smile. He wore a navy Italian-cut suit, a white pressed shirt, and a gold tie.

Balderico: “Evening, Jordi. Mind if we talk?”

He smiled.

Balderico: “It won’t take long, I promise.”

Jordi hesitated and nodded.

He opened the passenger’s door and climbed in.

Balderico: “Any plans for Thanksgiving?”

Jordi gaped at him.

Jordi: “What is this about, Mr. Belloni?”

He asked exasperatedly.

Balderico: “Jordi, why do you insist on calling me that? No need to be formal. We’re family.”

He smiled. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “Did Gina not tell you she left me?”

Balderico: “She told me you were running around on her with some corpulent girl who looked like Makayla.”

He smiled.

Jordi: “I see. Well, we have nothing else to discuss. Gina and I are through, so my plans for Thanksgiving don’t concern you.”

He said firmly.

Balderico: “No, Jordi, it’s not that simple. My daughter loves you very, very much. I arranged for your grandfather to get a new caregiver after your caregiver’s carelessness almost cost your grandfather’s life. Jordi, you’re not going to walk away from her.”

He smiled tightly. Jordi glowered at him.

Balderico: “My daughter had her heart broken by you—”

Jordi interjected.

Jordi: “I broke her heart?! How do you think I felt when I found out she was cheating on me with some wolf man working under Dieuseul Charles, and this man almost killed my friends and me?!”

He snapped. Balderico gazed at him.

Balderico: “You tell some tall tales, Jordi. Gina would never betray you like that.”

Jordi rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Whatever. This discussion is over, like my relationship with Gina is.”

He said tersely, and Balderico grabbed his arm.

Jordi glared at him.

Jordi: “Let… go of me…”

He said slowly.

Balderico: “You’re not throwing away what you and my daughter share over an overweight girl like Makayla, Jordi.”

He smiled.

Jordi: “I can and I will! Get your hand off me.”

He said slowly.

Balderico: “Or what?”

He laughed.

A shadow loomed over them, and Balderico turned to see Tristan standing before them. He wore a black peacoat, a blue scarf, black pants, and black wingtip Oxfords. He held Pamela’s camera.

Tristan: “Evening, Mr. Belloni. Are you looking for this? Did your lackluster private detective fail to deliver your results?”

He asked coolly. Balderico smiled tightly.

Balderico: “Evening, Tristan! I don’t know what you mean.”

Tristan: “Don’t feign ignorance, Mr. Belloni. I figured it out when Jordi handed me the camera and told me everything. By the way, smile, you’re on camera.”

He chuckled. Balderico’s smile faded.

Tristan: “Nothing to say, Mr. Belloni? You’re usually so talkative.”

He smirked. Balderico’s jaw tightened.

Tristan: “Perhaps you should invest in a dancing show on cruises for Gina, so she can have her dream instead of reaching for stars.”

He chuckled. Jordi smiled at Tristan. He stepped out of the car.

Jordi: “I wish Gina luck, Mr. Belloni. Sorry for the formality, but we’re not family and never were. I guess Gina never told you she and I never discussed me being her boyfriend.”

He said wryly. Balderico smiled at Jordi. Jordi shuddered when he saw that grin.

Balderico: “Well, gentlemen, I bid you both a good evening.”

He nodded and slammed his foot on the accelerator, causing the tires to squeal on the pavement and speeding down the road.

Jordi put his hand over his chest.

Jordi: “Thank you, Tristan. How did you know to come?”

Tristan put the camera away.

Tristan: “I had to pick up some tea and snacks at Jumbo Jones and saw that car parked in front of your house. I had a bad feeling about it and trusted my instinct.”

Jordi: “I love the way you wiped that smirk off his face.”

He laughed.

Tristan: “I have my ways.”

He teased.

~

Tristan climbed back into his car with Celeste on the passenger’s side. She wore an Overkill tank top, a jean skirt, black nylons, knee-high boots, and a black leather jacket.

Celeste: “So what happened with Balderico?”

Tristan: “He made every threat in the book until I told him I caught it all on camera.”

He chuckled. Celeste grinned.

Tristan: “That said, do you know whatever became of Gina’s other exes?”

He cupped his chin.

Celeste: “The wolf guy is dead.”

She laughed.

Tristan: “I know, but I meant the ones before that.”

Celeste shrugged and opened up a box of Milk Duds.

Celeste: “Swimmin’ with the fishes, I guess. Not dancing for the stars.”

She teased. Tristan had a look of concern on his face.

~

Balderico sat in his grand, exceptionally luxurious home office, exuding a classic, high-end, and powerful aesthetic. The dominant feature was the extensive use of rich, polished, reddish-brown hardwood. The floor featured a striking, detailed parquet pattern with curved sections, especially noticeable where it met the rug. The walls were covered in beautiful wood paneling.

The desk where he sat was a large, imposing piece of solid wood, positioned centrally. The desk is paired with a high-backed, executive-style leather chair. The desk surface had a computer, some papers, a lamp, and decorative items.

The ceiling was a magnificent, multi-layered, coffered dome with concentric circular wood paneling, featuring built-in indirect lighting that cast a warm glow. A large, ornate chandelier hung from the center of the dome. Additional warm accent lighting illuminated the shelving, fireplace, and the curved edge of the circular rug.

To the left, there was a separate seating area with a large, dark leather Chesterfield sofa and a few armchairs around a low coffee table. Several tall, floor-to-ceiling windows lined the back wall. They were draped in heavy, dark velvet curtains, which were pulled back to reveal a lush garden.

A large, circular dark gray rug anchored the main working area, contrasting with the warm wood floor and creating a distinct zone for the desk.

A traditional fireplace was built into the wall to the right, featuring a classic mantelpiece and a painting of Balderico, Mina, Gina, and Savina hung above it. A fire was lit, adding to the cozy, opulent atmosphere.

On the right, there were tall built-in bookcases with shelves of books.

Balderico folded his hands and exhaled smoke from his cigar.

Balderico: “So, Pamela, was a dud. She got no pictures but provided me with information.”

He began and leaned back in his executive leather chair.

Balderico: “Every one of Gina’s boyfriends broke her heart and I thought I could count on Jordi, seeing how his mother was a drug addict and his grandfather was just a mere coal miner.”

He scoffed and blew out smoke.

Balderico: “But he broke her heart to hang out with some fat pig who resembles that Makayla fool who works for Dr. Stefano Sarsarelli, who was proven to be another idiot.”

He sighed. He then smiled.

Balderico: “I hope I can at least count on you.”

He locked his gaze on Narcisse, who sat across from him. He wore a double-breasted purple suit, a white regency shirt, a dark purple cravat, and white loafers. Narcisse smiled at him.

Narcisse: “Balderico, my friend, where others fall short, I always rise. Making a deal with me was certainly wise.”

He chuckled and spread his smile to show his teeth.