Chapter One-hundred Forty-Two: Readings

Chapter 142

Readings

Jordi sat in the break room in The Megalos Tower, having a cigarette. He wore his black work uniform and inhaled a long drag, exhaling smoke as he was deep in thought. Vasilos stepped into the room wearing a light pink sports jacket, a light purple pressed shirt, a loosened white tie, white chinos, and white loafers.

Vasilos: “Jordi, my man! How’ve you been, friend?”

He grinned. Jordi snapped out of his daze.

Jordi: “I was doing fine until you showed up.”

He huffed. Vasilos’ right eye twitched. He glanced at the vending machine, which was empty.

Vasilos: “I ought to tell Dad to fill that up. How else are you going to eat?”

He laughed. Jordi flicked him a hot glare.

Vasilos put his hands up.

Vasilos: “Jordi, look, man-to-man. I need your help. I can talk to Minerva about letting you do something for me.”

He smirked.

Jordi: “The answer is no.”

Vasilos threw his arms up.

Vasilos: “Would you let me finish?”

He asked irritably.

Jordi: “No, because the answer is no. I don’t want to kidnap some poor man to replace Andrew.”

He rolled his eyes. Vasilos clenched his hands into tight fists.

Vasilos: “FUCK THAT GUY! I was going to leave him first!”

He snapped.

Jordi: “Cool. I don’t believe that, but if it helps you sleep at night.”

He gave a thumbs-up.

Vasilos glowered at him.

Vasilos: “Look, my cousin, Deimos, is lame, and he has this hot boyfriend! He’s too good for Deimos! I need you to make him see I am the one for him!”

He slammed his fist on the table.

Jordi: “So, you want me to kidnap Tristan to replace Andrew? The answer is still no.”

He said evenly. Vasilos glared at him with hot fury.

Vasilos: “If you don’t do it, I can get you fired!”

Jordi: “That’s fine. Good luck finding someone else to do your job. Even if I lost my mind and did your dirty work, Tristan would hate you as Andrew did.”

He said flatly.

Jordi: “Is there a shortage on single men who would fall for your bullshit pick-up lines that you have to steal your cousin’s boyfriend?”

He asked wryly.

Vasilos: “I have standards, Jordi! I don’t whine to senile old people to feed me!”

He spat.

Jordi: “Okay, but I don’t think I would have my lovers leave me at the altar and have to resort to kidnapping someone else’s man, so who has standards?”

He countered.

Vasilos bared his teeth.

Vasilos: “You fucking cocksucking PRICK! I had enough of looking at your goddamn face! I am going to make my father fire you!”

He barked. Jordi rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Note to self: don’t tell Vasilos that Andrew left him because he couldn’t stand him, and he has to kidnap his cousin’s boyfriend.”

He said dryly.

Vasilos: “And I don’t have to work for a kooky old woman to care for my weird old grandpa!”

He fired back.

Jordi: “Some of us are not born with a silver spoon up their ass.”

He spat.

Vasilos: “I’ll shove my fist up your ass!”

He fired back.

Jordi: “Is that a fantasy of yours, Vasilos?”

He rolled his eyes.

Minerva entered the break room with Alfie behind her.

Vasilos: “Minerva, tell him to do this one job for me!”

He demanded. Minerva quirked an eyebrow.

Minerva: “Why on Reona would I do that, Vasilos? You don’t work here; you’re Ilias’ son and nothing more. Jordi works for me, and he does the jobs I pay him to.”

She said coldly. Vasilos glared at her, his dark eyes burning like hot coals.

Minerva: “Jordi? My office now.”

Jordi nodded and crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. He rose and followed her.

~

Jordi stood in Minerva’s office as she rested her feet up on a soldier with Alfie by her side.

Minerva: “Any progress on kidnapping Jiro?”

Jordi shook his head and pursed his lips. Minerva gazed intently at him and cleared her throat. She went over her files on Jaxon.

Minerva: “Have you ever heard of Seashell Cove, Jordi?”

Jordi’s tongue flicked over his lips.

Jordi: “Yes, I have. It’s a fishing village in this state.”

Minerva: “That’s not what I asked, Jordi. It bears significance to Jiro. I’ve mentioned this several times.”

Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “Right.”

He remembered Jaxon didn’t like speaking of what happened there.

Minerva: “Jiro went there for the long weekend; he grew attached to the Bradfords’ son’s girlfriend, Chelsea Wentworth. Ichiro turned her into a richonoid and it affected Jiro’s psyche profoundly.”

She explained coolly. Jordi knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “...That’s terrible.”

He gasped.

Minerva: “It affected Jiro, and he needs to be compliant with me.”

Jordi gaped at her.

Jordi: “So what are you insinuating?”

He asked sharply.

Minerva: “Well, the girl is already dead, and if he’s compliant with me, he won’t have instances like this ever again.”

She chuckled. Jordi felt a sense of unease.

Minerva: “He needs to be placed back into that sanctuary in Seashell Cove.”

She nodded.

Jordi: “Sanctuary?”

He asked. She nodded again.

Minerva: “Yes, Jordi. Ichiro held Chelsea captive there, and this is where she transformed. Jiro killed her richonoid form by trapping her in the sanctuary that went up in flames.”

She smirked. Jordi looked horrified. He wished he had heard this from Jaxon before her.

Jordi: “But… wouldn’t there be a platform or a shell of where the sanctuary was?”

He asked. Minerva shrugged.

Minerva: “It doesn’t matter. I want Jiro to succumb to me.”

Jordi closed his eyes and counted to ten internally.

Jordi: “I get this feeling the Bradfords wouldn’t want people around after that ordeal.”

He stated. Minerva quirked an eyebrow.

Minerva: “The sanctuary is deep in the woods across from an old cemetery. It’s not close to their residence.”

She stated.

Minerva: “Jordi, do you… not want to do this?”

Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “No, Minerva, I don’t want to traumatize Jaxon or anyone!”

He said sharply. Alfie gulped hard as sweat popped all over him. Minerva narrowed her eyes at Jordi.

~

Jordi was tied to a chair, his wrists bound behind him, his legs up on the table with his ankles tied together, and his boots and socks were removed. He had a power-suppressing collar on as he thrashed in his seat.

Minverva: “You’ve been a very naughty boy, Jordi…”

She purred and fluttered her nails over his slender soles. Jordi erupted into laughter, throwing his head back and laughing.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He laughed hard and squirmed against his bonds. She held his toes back and tickled all over his soles. Jordi screamed with laughter, tears filling his eyes.

Jordi: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOHOHOHOHOHOHO! NOHOHOHOHO MOHOHOHOHORE AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He wailed through bouts of laughter and tried to jerk his feet away.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He gasped for air between laughter, and this was exhausting him.

~

After the tickling, Jordi put his sheer socks back on and slid his feet into his boots, zipping them back up. He rose and stormed out of the office, slamming the door. Alfie turned to Minerva.

Alfie: “We shouldn’t traumatize Jiro, ma’am.”

He stammered and sweated, shifting his eyes. Minerva rolled her eyes.

Minerva: “Stop that nonsense at once, Alfie, and get to work.”

She spat. Alfie bowed his head.

Alfie: “A-Aren’t you going to punish me?”

He bit his lip and smiled hopefully.

Minerva: “Get back to work!”

She thundered.

Alfie: “Yes, ma’am.”

He said sheepishly. Alfie dragged his feet out of the room and sighed with disappointment. I wish she’d punish me like she punishes Jordi, he thought and pouted.

~

Jordi and Gina arrived at a luxurious rooftop restaurant with a breathtaking view of Pink Top City in the evening. Jordi wore a black Italian-cut suit, a purple pressed shirt, a black tie, and black Oxfords. Gina wore a purple sequin halter gown with a slit up the right side, gold strappy sandals, hoop earrings with diamond strands, and gold bangles.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, primarily due to the abundant use of ambient lighting. On the tables were numerous candles in various sizes and styles, including elegant hurricane lamps and smaller votives, casting a soft, golden glow. Additionally, the tables are set with glassware and fine silverware.

There were large planters filled with lush greenery and vibrant pink flowers. A large, dark pergola structure spanned a portion of the seating area.

Jordi approached the railing of the deck, where a table with two chairs was set, and pulled one out for her. Gina smiled and sat down. Jordi then sat across from her.

Gina: “Wooooow, Jordi, this is beautiful! You sure know how to treat a lady!”

She giggled. Jordi smiled at her.

He looked through the drinks menu.

Gina: “So, did you think about it?”

She folded her hands and rested her head on them, batting her eyelashes.

Jordi: “Think about what?”

He asked as his voice trailed off.

Gina: “If you wanna be my boyfriend!”

She chirped. Jordi paused. No, I haven’t, he thought.

Jordi: “I had a lot of stuff to do.”

He shifted his eyes. Gina pouted.

Gina: “Do you want it or not, Jordi?”

She whined. Jordi drew a rough breath and rubbed his temple.

Jordi: “I have to think, Gina.”

He said irritably.

Gina’s bottom lip trembled. She started to get up, but Jordi grabbed her hand. She looked at him and he knit his eyebrows.

Jordi: “I’m sorry, Gina. I had a rough day at work.”

He said softly. She smiled at him and sat down across from him.

Jordi: “I have been thinking about it and I am interested, but I want to spend more time with you before it becomes official.”

He said gently and reached out to take her hand. She melted when his larger hand took hers.

Jordi: “I treated you to a nice date, so I am interested.”

He sighed as their fingers intertwined.

Gina: “I am glad, Jordi… I love being with you. I crushed on you for so long…”

She purred. Jordi smiled tightly.

He kissed her hand. She let out a peal of giggles. He then noticed something. A part of her areola was showing through her dress. He reddened and cleared his throat, feeling his hardness tighten his pants.

~

After the dinner date, Jordi and Gina walked through Riverfront Gardens, a botanical garden situated near the waterfront of Pink Top City, centered around a tranquil pond. A graceful, arched bridge spanned the pond. Various trees densely populated both sides of the pond, and along the path was a gazebo adorned with white lights.

As the two ventured down the path, various fireflies flew past them. They walked on the bridge, and Gina stood by the railing, gazing down at her reflection in the water. Jordi stood by her and rested his hand on the small of her back. Gina’s sapphire eyes sparkled when she locked her gaze on Jordi. He chuckled and smiled at her.

Gina: “Jordi, this is so romantic…”

She said in a breathy voice. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Thank you. It is tranquil and peaceful.”

He said as his voice trailed off.

She rested her head on his shoulder. Jordi turned his head to her and reddened a bit. He smiled and gazed down at the pond, watching two swans swim by.

Gina: “I am glad to be home.”

She confessed as she caressed his arm. He gazed at her.

Jordi: “Why did you leave?”

He asked curiously.

Gina: “I have dreams to dance for cruise lines, and Savina was mean to me about them! I wanted to be away from her, but since she’s getting married, she will be leaving anyway to go live with her wife.”

She explained with irritation. Jordi shifted his eyes.

Jordi: “So you left your home because Savina was mean to you about your dreams?”

Gina: “Yeah, pretty much, and I thought it’d be easier to get into them in Los Campos!”

She chirped. Jordi gaped at her.

Jordi: “Gina, that doesn’t… make a lot of sense—cruise ships dock here rather than in Los Campos. You would think that since Los Campos is in the desert and there are no oceans… Also, my grandfather… is worse to me, and I don’t leave home.”

He said slowly and sardonically.

Gina: “Do you want to?”

Jordi drew a short breath.

Jordi: “I think whether I live here or in Los Campos or anywhere, my problems will follow me and I am still going to be me.”

He laughed humorlessly.

Jordi: “No matter where you go, you’re still you and your problems will follow you, unless you do something about them.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “Savina still gets on your nerves, and you’re still not dancing for cruises.”

He said dryly. Gina pouted.

Gina: “You are so right! She is annoying!”

She huffed.

Jordi: “I didn’t say that, but okay.”

He shook his head.

Gina: “What did you say?”

Jordi: “That she gets on your nerves, and she does. Why does she? Is it just her discrediting your dreams to dance for cruise lines?”

He asked her.

Gina: “Because! She’s so bossy and so MEAN! She said dancing for cruises isn’t real, but that Celeste girl said she saw them! And she’s mean to her fiancée, too! She thinks she’s looking at other women all the time, but if she were, why is she marrying Savina?!”

She threw her arms up.

Jordi: “Gina, you’re like this with me. You don’t like me around other women.”

He said slowly and with irritation in his tone.

Gina: “But we’re not getting married!”

She gasped.

Jordi: “Like that makes a difference. Married couples cheat.”

He said flatly.

Gina: “So you think Savina’s fiancée will cheat on her?!”

Jordi shrugged.

Jordi: “I can’t give you an answer. I never met either of them. All I know of Savina is that you were always annoyed with her.”

He replied.

They started walking down the trail.

Gina: “And she’s a bridezilla.”

Jordi looked at her.

Jordi: “A bridezilla? Is she going to grow to be over fifty feet and destroy the city?”

He teased. Gina laughed.

Gina: “Haahahahahahahaha, no! She just… wants the wedding to be perfect like in those dumb Hallmark movies. She said her bridesmaids have to all have French tip manis and pedis, and some girls have to stuff so they look the same cup size.”

She explained. Jordi blinked. Gina’s ramblings were so out there that he didn’t know if she was making this up or not.

Jordi: “I don’t understand that request.”

He replied.

Gina: “She said she wants it in unison or something.”

Jordi looked away. Okay, maybe I can see why she’s annoyed with her, he thought.

Gina: “If you’re getting married, why does it have to be perfect? Isn’t marrying your soulmate enough? And having your friends and family see this? You don’t need it to be perfect because marrying your lover is perfect.”

She smiled. Jordi paused and gazed at her.

Jordi: “You know what? You’re right. I agree with you.”

Gina threw her arms up and cheered.

Gina: “Yay!”

Jordi smiled to see her happy.

She clung to his arm and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. Jordi smiled at her and reddened. Jordi gazed down at her. In a flash, he put his arm around her and scooped her up, carrying her in his arms. Gina yelped.

Gina: “Jordi! What are you doing?!”

She laughed and wrapped her arms around him.

Jordi: “I just… want to hold you.”

He said softly as he walked with her in his arms. Gina smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder, loving this.

As he cradled her down the path and alongside the waterfront, they gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled.

~

Jordi drove Gina home. He parked his car in front of her door and walked her to it.

Gina: “I have a lovely night, Jordi. Do you want to spend the night?”

She asked softly as she caressed his chest. He took her hands and kissed them.

Jordi: “I’m going to have to pass. Maybe some other time.”

He smiled tightly at her. She had that twinkle in her eyes and nodded.

Gina: “Ask me about again…”

She purred and tickled his neck. Jordi let out a peal of laughs.

Jordi: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He jerked his head back. She stroked his tie as she left and entered her house. Jordi smiled and bowed his head as he walked back to his car.

He had that ache in his groin and his heart. He wanted to spend the night, but didn’t want to risk being hurt again. Am I being too cautious? He wondered as he got into the driver’s side. He drew a long breath, slid the keys into the ignition, and started the car. He shifted into first gear and drove down the driveway.

~

Jaxon was driving through Little Tokyo. Celeste was with Trevor, working on a bed for Jaclyn that Hector had commissioned them to make, while Deimos and Tristan wanted to have a movie night just the two of them. He wore a button-up black shirt with dragons and the buttons undone to expose his chest tattoo, tight black jeans, and Chelsea boots. He had the top down on his convertible, as there were no June bugs left.

He saw Måneraven from a distance and recalled that he sold candles and incense. Maybe I could pick up some for our home, he thought. He pulled over to the curb, pressed the button to raise the top, and climbed out of the car. He saw the windows had “tarot readings” and “psychic readings in purple neon lights. He drew a long breath and entered the store. The bells chimed as the door opened, alerting Andreas’ attention from behind the counter. He was dressed in a black embroidered paisley shirt and black jeans.

Andreas: “May I help you?”

He greeted him. Jaxon was looking at the variety of incense and smiled at him.

Jaxon: “Yo!”

He waved and smiled.

Jaxon: “Uh…”

He raked his fingers through his hair as he tried to find the proper wording.

Jaxon: “I came here to get some incense and candles for our house but… I think I would like a tarot reading.”

He said slowly, reddening at how poorly he had worded that.

Andreas: “Sure.”

He nodded, picking up on his nervousness, not wanting to draw attention to it and make him feel uncomfortable than he already did.

Andreas: “Would you like some tea?”

He asked, offering him some lemongrass and camomile tea to soothe his nerves. Jaxon raised his eyebrows and nodded.

Jaxon: “Yes, please! Thank you.”

He smiled. Andreas nodded and poured him a cup of tea from his black iron teapot. He took a sip from his tea and shuffled his cards, cross-examing Jaxon’s energy. Jaxon sipped his tea and raised his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “This is nice!”

He smiled and took another sip. Andreas smiled back at him, noting the despair in his eyes. A card jumped out of his deck, landing on the table. Andreas flipped it over to reveal “The Nine Of Swords,” depicting a figure lying in bed at night with nine swords hanging above them on the wall.

Andreas: “There seems to be a trauma hovering over you and keeping you up at night. As soon as you entered the store, I could feel your anxiety, so this is haunting your waking life, too.”

He stated. Jaxon cupped his mouth and looked away.

Andreas: “Perhaps you felt the need to seek help and support, but you’re too afraid to ask for it?”

He offered. Jaxon locked his gaze on him and nodded.

Andreas: “Swords can also symbolize strength and fighting a battle… perhaps there’s shame and trauma around a battle you lost?”

He sighed. Jaxon hung his head and heaved a deep sigh.

Jaxon: “...Yeah, you could say that.”

He smiled sadly.

Andreas: “The advice of the nine of swords is to get out of your own head and face your fears. You stop blaming yourself and make peace with yourself so you can rest… you need it. I can sense you’re a good person, and whatever it is, wasn’t your fault.”

He stated.

Jaxon: “How is it not my fault? If I didn’t go there, she would still be alive.”

He blurted. Andreas quirked an eyebrow.

Andreas: “Did you kill her?”

He asked him. Jaxon shook his head.

Jaxon: “No, but my brother did.”

He replied with sadness. Andreas pursed his lips.

Andreas: “Are you your brother? Did you coerce him to?”

He challenged him.

Jaxon: “I didn’t coerce him. He followed me there and turned her into a monster creature. He did it to torment me. He did it before. And Tristan’s step-brother or whatever said I was like my evil brother.”

He explained with pain in his eyes.

Jaxon: “Both times I went away, Ichiro turned people who were kind to me into those monsters or richonoids. How can I not blame myself?”

He sighed.

Andreas: “You’re not the perpetrator, you’re the victim in his torment, too. You are not your brother, and what he or others do is out of our control and not about us. It seems to me that your brother doesn’t have what you have and wants to take it away from you; the true monster is him. Why do you believe Tristan’s step-brother when he says you’re like him? Do you believe there’s any truth in it?”

He sighed. Jaxon listened to him and cleared his throat.

Jaxon: “All my life I was told by parents that I should be more like Ichiro… and then Christian tells me I am like him.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jaxon: “I don’t think I am like him, but… I just know that if I hadn’t gone to these places, these women would still be alive. At Seashell Cove, Chelsea…”

He paused and cupped his mouth. He inhaled sharply.

Andreas: “Why do you believe that’s your fault they died?”

He asked him gently.

Jaxon: “Because I went there. Ichiro did it to break me.”

He pursed his lips.

Jaxon: “Her boyfriend abused her, and she crushed on me. I was the only good experience she had… and she was going to leave him and start over. Then Ichiro turns her into a monster.”

He looked away.

Jaxon: “I don’t remember every detail, but I locked her monster form in the burning sanctuary.”

He wiped his eyes. Andreas listened intently.

Andreas: “But that’s not your fault… by going there, you gave her a good experience and led her onto a better path in life.”

He assured him. Jaxon smiled a bit.

Andreas: “It’s just unfortunate your brother did what he did to her, but that isn’t your fault, and you’re also a victim, too.”

He added.

Jaxon: “How am I a victim?”

He asked him.

Andreas: “Because, he did this with the intent to torment you and hurt you. These traumas haunt you. You may not have been physically harmed, but you have been mentally and spiritually harmed.”

He sighed.

Andreas: “Would it be my fault if my ex came in here, trying to fight you for talking to me?”

He challenged him. Jaxon gaped at him and laughed a bit.

Jaxon: “No, but he’s still doing that.”

Andreas: “That’s exactly my point. It’s not your fault what Ichiro does, just as it's not my fault what Craig does. You are not responsible for Ichiro’s actions, and they are not a reflection on you.”

He stated.

Andreas: “I know Craig is less severe than Ichiro, but the point remains.

He laughed a hollow laugh. Jaxon nodded, thinking that was good advice.

Jaxon: “I agree with you. After… she died…, I got this diary from her or so we all thought. For a while, I thought she drugged Celeste and said mean things about her. Tristan and I believed it, but something didn’t add up. We discovered Ivy was drugging Celeste, and she wrote the diary so we would hate Chelsea, all because Chelsea crushed on Tristan at some point, or Ivy thought Chelsea wanted Tristan. I don’t know, but it left a bad taste in our mouths, and Tristan is furious about it, and I don’t blame him.”

He added in a bitter tone. Andreas twisted his mouth and shook his head disapprovingly.

Jaxon: “We all pieced together it was Ivy. She died, and Ivy had to do that all because she wanted Tristan.”

He huffed.

Andreas: “What makes her think Tristan would want a vindictive bitch?”

He rolled his eyes.

Andreas: “There was a time she crushed on me, too. Lucky for me, I'm gay, so I was never charmed by her, and she never had a chance with me.”

He said flatly. Jaxon blinked.

Jaxon: “Didn’t she live with you before she moved onto Tristan’s dad? Which was… kind of ick.”

He pulled a face. Andreas twisted his mouth and nodded.

Andreas: “Yes… I thought she and Deimos parted amicably, and I trusted his judgement.”

He said.

Andreas: “She was draining me mentally, spiritually, and financially… so I had to kick her out.”

He groaned. Jaxon groaned with him.

Jaxon: “She didn’t drain me financially, but the rest… Yeah. She caused my green queen and me almost to break up.”

He folded his arms and looked away, hurt.

Andreas: “I'm sorry…”

He offered. Jaxon smiled and nodded.

Andreas: “At least the problem wasn't you or her, and you overcame it. Craig was his own cause for us.”

He stated.

Jaxon: “Celeste and I made up and that caveman is still doing that crap. He and Fabien broke up.”

He laughed a bit.

Andreas: “So, he's still stuck in the stone age?”

He deadpanned. Jaxon laughed a bit and nodded

Andreas: “Of course they did. I'm surprised that man lasted around him as long as he did.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jaxon: “I think Fabien felt sorry for Craig. He’s my neighbor now, and I could tell the love was gone loooong ago.”

He spread his arms out.

Andreas: “I made the same mistake.”

He frowned.

Andreas: “The love doesn't last long when the effort is only coming from one side.”

He stated. Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Anyway, I’ll pay for the reading and would like to buy this incense.”

He held up a package of “Black Cat” incense.

Jaxon: “And that blend of tea you gave me, if you have it.”

He smiled a bit. Andreas smiled back at him and nodded.

Andreas: “Good choice.”

He reached up and grabbed the black cat incense and chamomile and lemongrass tea for him. His black cat circled his legs and meowed. Andreas petted his head.

Andreas: “Don't worry about paying for the reading. You needed it.”

He waved his hand. Jaxon raised his eyebrows and beamed.

Jaxon: “Thank you! I appreciate it a lot! I did need it.”

He said genially and handed him banknotes to pay for the merchandise.

Jaxon: “Sayonara, until next time.”

He waved his hand and left the store. Andreas waved him goodbye as he stroked his cat.

Andreas: “So mote it be!”