Chapter Fifteen
***Kyllian***
Kyllian’s mind was racing as he approached his father’s mansion. He had spent the last few days arguing with himself over the decision he was about to make, but he felt it was necessary to protect Savanah. He had to get some answers for her. One of his father’s droids opened the door shortly after he rang the doorbell, and he made his way into his father’s study, dreading what would happen next.
“Kyllian, what a surprise. What do you want?” his father demanded. “I’ve made a decision, Thomas,” Kyllian replied. “I think it’s time I learn something useful here.”
Thomas rose from his seat and began to make his way around the desk. “So, you’re taking my offer? You’re going to come work with me?” asked Thomas, becoming visibly excited at the idea.
Kyllian wondered if the excitement was more to do with him being right rather than his son wanting to work with him, but he brushed it aside as he looked at Thomas. “Yes, I’ve decided to accept what you're offering.” Kyllian cringed inside as the words fell out of his mouth, but he knew there was no turning back. He needed to find out how Thomas was connected to Savanah’s situation. This opportunity might help him get to know and understand his father a little better too, something that Kyllian still wanted despite almost hating the man.
“This is fantastic news: party worthy news, I think,” raved Thomas. Kyllian was thrown off by how ecstatic Thomas seemed over this decision, and it made him wonder why Thomas was so excited.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Kyllian said, hoping to calm his father down a bit, but Thomas was too far gone with his joy to hear.
“I’ll have to make some calls and arrange something to celebrate this. Why don’t you get yourself settled into the main guest suite for now? You deserve the upgrade. When you’ve gotten settled, go into town and buy whatever you need for this evening, on me. I’ll get the party arranged while you’re out. We’re going to celebratetonight,” Thomas said before running out of the office to begin preparations.
Kyllian made his way to his room wondering what he should be expecting of the party later that evening. He wasn’t sure how many people Thomas had in his circles or what kind of people they might be, and it worried Kyllian. He was less concerned with how he would be viewed and more worried about how many people in Thomas’ circles might be linked to the corruption evident in the city. Thinking back to his first encounter with Savanah, he remembered her saying that some rather powerful people had to be involved. Were some of those people going to make themselves present? In what ways would he be dragged into it? Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kyllian made his way out of the house and into the market. He may not like what he was getting involved with, but he figured he might as well look decent.
Kyllian spent the next several hours going around to several shops, hoping to find something simple, but still high-end enough to wear to a party hosted by the mayor. He finally settled for just getting a nice blazer and a button-up shirt before heading to a café for an early dinner. Kyllian sat down, and a waitress arrived at his table soon after, asking for his order. He decided to stick with something familiar and ordered a cheeseburger and a soda. As he sat waiting for his food, his thoughts turned to Savanah. He wondered what she would think of him if she could see what he was going to be wearing at the party.
Kyllian was in no hurry to get back to the mansion, so after his food arrived, he ate slowly. The café boasted a live performer today, some alien with an instrument that looked like a double guitar on steroids. The music was pleasant, if not strange to Kyllian, but it was an excuse for him to not leave. When the music performance was over, Kyllian made his way out of the café and over to one of the smaller casinos, hoping to find something else to distract himself. He ended up settling at one of the card tables, where he proceeded to begin half-mindedly making bets and folding hands. After about an hour at the casino, his COM link rang. Kyllian checked it. He knew all too well who it was, and though he didn’t reply, he began to slowly make his way back to the mansion.
Once he arrived, he went straight to his new room. Finding all his belongings having been moved in, he got into the shower to clean up. He got dressed slowly, wanting to avoid the party as much as he could, but after about an hour, Thomas knocked on the door to call him down. “Come on, Kyllian; our guests are waiting to meet you! Hurry up!”
Kyllian opened the door and headed out of his room, expecting a remark about his attire from Thomas. “Sorry it took so long. I’m just wanting to make a good impression,” said Kyllian.
“Nonsense,” replied Thomas. “You have nothing to worry about. They’re going to love you.”
Kyllian grabbed a drink as they headed into the crowd of guests. He felt surprised at the casual feel to the party. Most of the people Kyllian saw were in similar attire to his, and the music wasn’t what he had expected. The whole room seemed to hum with electricity and excitement. “This isn’t what I expected,” he remarked.
“Not all parties have to be over the top,” replied Thomas, before he began introducing him to the guests.
The next several hours were a blur to Kyllian as Thomas introduced him to everyone from wealthy business execs to other government officials and even a few high-profile celebrities. Kyllian felt miserable, being showcased to the elite of Delti Utopia 6, but he patiently stood by his father, all the while wishing the party would end.
As the evening progressed, Thomas suddenly pulled Kyllian off in the direction of the bar. “Here he is,” exclaimed Thomas, pointing in the direction of a man at the bar.“Kyllian, this is Mr. S,” Thomas said, “And this is Kyllian, my son.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Kyllian,” said the gentleman as he rose from his seat, extending his hand towards Kyllian. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
As Kyllian shook Mr. S’s hand, he took note of the strange attire of the man. Despite being in a hot, relatively low-light room, Mr. S had on a black trench coat and dark, full frame sunglasses. His voice seemed almost silken, with too much focus on how he spoke every word. It gave Kyllian goosebumps. “Mr. S is an important associate of mine. He’s one of my largest financial backers,” said Thomas, pulling Kyllian out of his thoughts. “He stopped in to say hi to you,” Thomas said. “Though I’m hoping you’ll stay for the rest of the party, Mr. S?” Thomas directed his attention to Mr. S, almost as if asking permission for the celebration, Kyllian noted.
“My apologies, Thomas, but it is late, and you and I have a busy day ahead of ustomorrow,” replied Mr. S.
“Yes, you are right. We should probably shut down this party soon,” said Thomas, visibly giving way to the strange man. Kyllian felt a chill run down his spine. This man, this Mr. S, was someone who was in control of everything around him. Though the authority wasn’t obvious to everyone else, Kyllian sensed that Mr. S was the one calling the shots in some way and he was dangerously powerful.
“Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you, Kyllian. I hope to work with you soon,” said Mr. S as he shook Kyllian’s hand again before making his way through the crowd to leave.
“Well, it is late,” Thomas said abruptly. “I’m going to get the party closed down. We have a big day ahead. Go ahead and head up, Kyllian. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Kyllian made his way upstairs to his room, listening to Thomas tell the guests it was time to leave. Kyllian heard numerous complaints about the shortened party as guests left, and he caught Thomas’ face before he got to his room. Thomas seemed disappointed, and Kyllian found himself wondering why he let Mr. S control him that way. Thomas was his father, and though he didn’t like the man, Kyllian felt sorry for him. As he changed and got into bed, Kyllian found himself wondering more and more about the mysterious Mr. S. Who was this man, and why was he so obviously in control of Thomas? Was he involved with Savanah and what had happened to her? Was his father involved of his own doing, or was he being controlled? This would be nothing if not interesting news for Savanah when he saw her next.
