Chapter Sixteen
***Kyllian***
Kyllian awoke to the sound of knocking on his door the next morning. He quickly got up and opened the door to see one of the droids waiting with a large silver tray covered with different foods and what smelled like coffee. He took the tray, dismissed the droid, and then closed the door. The food and coffee smelled great to Kyllian, and it made him realize he hadn’t eaten since before the party last night.
Kyllian sat down on the edge of his bed and began to eat as his mind began to prepare for the day ahead. He had decided to accept his father’s offer for work so he could try to get some information, but Kyllian realized he wasn’t exactly sure what his work would entail. He knew Thomas was the mayor and was also in charge of the operation of several casinos within the city, but Kyllian had no idea as to what the work was. Most of his career had been spent inventing a lot of the technology that was used on a daily basis by those around him. It had made him wealthy in his own right, but he didn’t have to worry about leading people or business operations.
Kyllian finished his breakfast and then got dressed before heading downstairs to find Thomas waiting for him in the foyer.
“Well, you took your time getting up this morning, didn’t you? We’ll have to deal with that later. We’re late enough already. Just know I will not tolerate this going forward,” Thomas berated.
Kyllian was in no mood for an argument, so he let the remarks slide off him. He followed Thomas out of the mansion and into a waiting car. “So, what exactly will I be learning today?” asked Kyllian, hoping to prepare to some extent.
“Today is mostly going to be getting you introduced to the systems and staff I deal with on a daily basis,” replied Thomas, “And maybe a tour of the casinos I operate, though that may be put off until tomorrow as we are running behind.”
As the car drove into town, Kyllian made it a point to try to ignore the comments Thomas continued to make, pronouncing frustrations at the worsening traffic. The layout of the city offered a glimpse of the sheer amount of tourist traffic flooding in to the city on a daily basis. Hundreds of large casinos, fine dining restaurants, and even more small cafes, diners, shops, and other venues lined all the streets as they rode. Ahead, Kyllian noticed an elegant building, shorter than the surrounding towers, that seemed to glow with the same luminescence as Thomas’ manor.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” asked Thomas, pulling Kyllian out of his thought. “I actually had my manor built using the same materials as the capitol building. It cost a small fortune, but I just loved this building.”
Kyllian nodded, saying nothing in response. It was a beautiful building, and the impression only grew as they got closer. They pulled into a parking garage attached to the rear of the building and exited the vehicle.
Thomas quickly guided them to a security terminal. After the terminal verified Thomas’ COM link, they were allowed into the building. Thomas led them to the third floor, where Kyllian was introduced to several secretaries and administrative aids, mostly droids, and they were ushered into Thomas’ large corner office.
Kyllian was surprised by how sterile the office seemed, as it lacked any decoration. The office was walled by darkened glass on two sides with stunning views of the grounds surrounding the capitol building, and had a large desk in the center of the room surrounded by several plain chairs. Taking the center of the desk was a small terminal, but outside of this, the room was bare.
Thomas spent the next several hours teaching Kyllian how to do a lot of the paperwork and filing that Thomas was required to do. When they finally broke for lunch, Kyllian was glad they were done with the paperwork.
Returning from lunch, Kyllian found Thomas waiting outside the building with another car. “I’m going to take you to one of my casinos before we call it a day,” Thomas said before getting into the back seat.
Kyllian followed Thomas, and after a short ride, they arrived at what Thomas said would be the first of several casinos they would be touring that week. The next few hours slowly passed by as Thomas introduced the management staff to his entrepreneur, inventor son, and then proceeded to detail the operational aspect of the casino to Kyllian.
For the next several days, the process was repeated much the same until the end of the week finally arrived. As they exited the last, and arguably largest, casino that week, Kyllian stopped Thomas. “If it’s ok, I’m going to find another way home. I need a bit of a breather right now,” Kyllian said. “Thank you for this week so far though. I hope I’m meeting your expectations well enough.”
Thomas nodded before climbing into the car, saying nothing, and leaving Kyllian alone outside of the casino.
Kyllian slowly made his way to the outskirts of the city, following the route he had memorized, and eventually, he found himself confronted by a guard about a mile outside the derelict community. After being cleared to pass, he made his way through the small community until he finally came to where Savanah lived. He hit the buzzer and waited for Savanah to come out. After exchanging hugs and kisses, Savanah led him towards the outskirts of town to talk.
Kyllian grazed through some of what he had been through that week, and then, as he began to talk about the party and meeting Mr. S, Savanah stopped. “What’s wrong?” asked Kyllian.
“You said he seemed way too in control? Can you describe him?” asked Savanah, becoming noticeably disturbed.
“Sure, he was tall, wearing a black trench coat and dark sunglasses. He was good looking, I guess, but he was quiet. When he did talk, it was smooth, almost like he was trying to get in your head. Honestly, he felt… like a snake waiting to strike,” Kyllian described.
Savanah went pale and leaned over as if sick. “What’s wrong?” asked Kyllian.
“It’s him. It’s the man. The one who danced with us and hypnotized us before the clients got us.”
Kyllian helped her sit as she continued talking. “But that means the mayor is involved with what happened to me.”
Kyllian wanted to comfort her, but he was unsure of how, so he spent the next hour just walking with her, trying to keep her mind off the news he had uncovered. As they neared the community again, Kyllian paused. “I’ve got to get back, otherwise Thomas will send people looking. Are you going to be ok?” Kyllian asked, pulling Savanah into a hug.
Savanah was quiet for a moment before responding, “I think so. Just please come back soon?”
Kyllian escorted Savanah back to her room before giving her a kiss and promising to return when he could. As he made his way back to the main city, his mind racing, he began to wonder again at how involved his father actually was.
