The Kingdom of Guhya

CHAPTER 9

"Beauty and Lorde are both my life. I'd protect them even with my life," Matt said with determination. I let Matt speak and cry the whole time while I just listened by his side. I just wanted him to know that his voice was heard. After all, he is also a brother to me.

It was around eight in the evening when I went back to the rest house alone. I asked Matt to come with me, but he wanted to stay so I let him be. I wish I did not walk away. I wish I stayed. I did not know nightmares would follow me as I stepped away.

"Where's Matt?" Quinn asked as I approached them in the kitchen. Quinn is sitting and immersed himself in his phone. On the side are Ethan and Lorde both wearing aprons tied loosely around their waists, skillfully peeling and dicing potatoes. No one would have thought how well-off the two of them were, judging from how expert they were in the kitchen at such a young age.

"Just enjoying the breeze outside," I replied. Quinn nodded his head in response. He went back to focus on his phone while I sat beside him and watched the two cook. As the lobsters continue to roast, the scent of buttery seafood fills the kitchen. Later on, they used a pair of tongs and carefully transferred the lobsters to a serving platter, arranging them artfully to showcase the beautiful shells.

I glanced at Quinn who had a ghost of a smile on his face as he stared at his phone. I leaned backward to have a look at what he was staring at. I sneered realizing it was a picture of a young girl. The girl looked like to be around six years old. My attention was caught back to Lorde and Ethan as they drizzled a tasty, melted butter sauce over the lobster. For a final touch, they dusted truffle flakes over the velvety mashed potatoes.

Realizing the food was ready, Matt put his phone on the table and stood up.

"I will go call Matt," he suggested. We bowed in approval. Meanwhile, I helped set the table and served the main course – the roasted lobsters with a side of truffle mashed potatoes.

"All done?" I inquired, showing a hint of craving for the main course as I sat back on the chair.

"Yes. I'm hungry but let's wait for them," Ethan replied.

Lorde went upstairs to change his clothes.

I glanced at Quinn's phone lying on the table. Out of curiosity, I picked it up and turned it on. The phone is locked with a password. I thought of every possible password he could have used. Luckily, it worked after three attempts. The picture of the girl that he was looking at earlier showed up automatically. It was a young girl smiling, revealing the two beautiful dimples on her face. I smirked.

"What is this? Is he a pedophile?" I quipped.

"What is it? Let me have a look," Ethan said as he sat beside me. I let Ethan have a peek and he burst into laughter.

We laughed and joked about Quinn having a crush on a girl who was in her kindergarten years. While waiting, we scrolled through his phone and found throwback pictures of us. We enjoyed ourselves laughing and teasing each other. The whole kitchen was so filled with our laughter that we forgot we had waited for so long and it was more than unusual.

#

The next thing I remember was the four of us out of the emergency room, waiting for the news as the doctors tried to revive Matt. Nurses rush in and out of the room. The atmosphere is akin to a dance of urgency. Our breaths were deep, a sign of fear and shock. Quinn paced back and forth, unable to relax. Lorde was sitting in the corner; his expression showed a sign of worry. We looked toward the sound of the approaching footsteps of people. We were taken aback when we saw Madame Fe and Lorde's parents. Their footsteps were heavy and fast.

Even at 73, Madame Fe elegantly carried herself with an air of authority that commanded respect from everyone she passed by. She walked in her black suit with grace; her head held high. With every step she took, her back remained straight and her posture erect, never faltering even for a moment. Her piercing gaze carried an undeniable intensity as if she could see through people with a single glance. Behind her sharp, intelligent eyes lay a vast reservoir of knowledge and experience. Lorde's aura of danger must have been taken from her.

On her left is Arthur Scott, Madame Fe's only son. Taking after his parents, Uncle Arthur's presence signifies confidence and authority. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, Uncle Arthur exuded an air of importance and professionalism. His broad shoulders and tall stature added to his imposing appearance, conveying a sense of power and influence. More than his stature, his striking handsomeness and charm stood out. At 48, many women would still be head over heels for him.

On the right side of Madame Fe is Olivia Scott, Arthur's wife. Even from a distance, her captivating beauty and allure are evident in her red formal dress. Age has not diminished her radiance; rather, it has evolved her into becoming a remarkable woman. Her hair gracefully swayed as she walked, seeming to whisper tales of countless triumphs. Her style is a careful balance of elegance and individuality. She is Arthur's wife for a reason.

Before we could recover from their presence, we were all shocked when Lorde was greeted by a heavy slap from Madame Fe.

"Grandma…" Lorde softly mentioned.

Madame Fe stared at Lorde with a poker face. Lorde stared back at her. Neither of us dared to speak because of the intensity of their looks. Their staring was interrupted when the emergency room opened, and the doctor who attended Matt came out.