Chapter 473: Forgiveness

Those present held wanting gazes, there laid a small excitement on their faces. Put it another way, when one gifts a present, they usually expect a good reaction to validate the effort. Part of him wanted to smile, another wanted to hide.

"Let's head to the car," said she holding the briefcase.

"Sorry about the urgency," voiced the cool-faced Elvira, a call came prior concerning important matters. 

"I'll go on ahead," said the leader of Phantom rushing to another parked car. The guards adjacent saluted the moment she came in sight. Big heavy wheels rolled upon the wet-tarmac flicking droplets about, the weather came to a balance between sunny and rainy. The moving grey-clouds were emotionless.

"Don't you like the present?" 

"No, that's not it," he paused outside reluctant to spoil the leathered interior.

"Get in already," she reached to pull his arms, "-I told you, there's no need to worry about dirtying the car." The door shut peacefully with the wipers cleaning the windscreen. "Take a look for yourself," said she pressing the 'start' button.

'The phone is amazing, my Id, papers and bank card. Everything's interlocked with the phone. The bank account reads 10 million Exa with my name on top.'

"Impressive, isn't it?" she smirked and sped for the apartment.

"Lady Mother," gently shutting the case, "-I'm sorry, I can't accept it. Having all that money is more of a pain than I thought. It doesn't feel natural, I want to earn the right and not have it be given. I'm afraid I might go numb to the pleasures of working hard to attain a goal. Please, I c-can't."

"Look at you," she gave a motherly smile, "-I'm glad you think that way, truly. Still, It's my way of atonement for having abandoned my son so many years ago. Come on, let me spoil you," the innocent lift of the lips and nose, even brows joined her bashful expression. 

"On one condition," said he, "-I want to work hard and earn on my own. Is that ok?"

"Do as you wish, the phone there is equipped with an AI named Éclair. It's unique and only listens to a certain person. It went offline with the sister-system running as a back-up. This is the final test. You'll find contacts lenses and earrings below the dashboard. Wear them now."

"I don't have piercings."

"No worries," *snap,* two faint ambers burnt the center of the earlobe, "-there. Should fit easily now."

'Scary,' the earrings were golden and held dark stones filled with minuscule white dots – a reflection of the star-stuttered night he admired so much. The contacts felt comfortable, almost inexistent. 

"Don't worry about changing the liquid," said she, "-the contact works fine without the cleaning agent. Shower, extreme sports, do anything, it's going nowhere."

"I've got them on," said he waiting for the response.

"Ok," she glanced, "-there should be an interface," the focus returned to the road.

"You mean the highlighted white boxes over yonder?"

"Yes, it's a good sign already. Now, turn over the phone, remove the casing, there should be a needle. Let it prick your thumb."

"Ok?" senselessly following instructions, '-it vibrated.'

*Host recognized,* 

"What?" he jumped.

"You heard it?" asked she wanting to turn, the complex layout of vehicles made her weary, "-a voice."

"Yes, it said, host recognized."

"Good, it works," she laughed, "-I knew it. Go on and turn over the phone, son, you've just inherited Éclair. It will help you more than is imaginable."

"Éclair, what does it do?"

"A spirit that roams the land beyond our world. He holds the key to many vestiges of the past, the future, the present, nothing escapes him. I won't go into details, the thing's just going to bore you."

'This is amazing,' he stared the world with a new perspective. People's faces were highlighted, sometimes their name and occupation would come on, other times, their social media. Buildings, roads, traffic lights, stores, anything he watched had information come up. Things became apparent after passing a dark-alley, the boxes were color graded from white, green, yellow, red, and black. In that instant, the red box came with '-kidnapping in process.' 

"Lady Mother," he shouted, "-please, stop the car." 

She slammed the breaks, "-what happened?" 

"Igna Haggard," spoke the same mysterious voice, "-what are your orders?"

"Help me stop the kidnapping," leaving no explanation, he bolted out of the car. Arrows showed the optimal route, smaller screens appeared with a feed from cameras, smart-phone, and even the recording of the assailant.

"Get her in the van already," said a man smoking a cigarette. The alley led into a hidden plot with rusted and broken shops. Gross black substances leaked out the many outside walls. The bins were littered with smelly bags.

"Please be on the lookout," said the voice, "-calling authorities. Estimated time of arrival, 05:00 minutes."

'Five minutes?' thought he leaned against a moisture brick wall. The unknown group fought to keep the girl silent. She'd kick, punch, and even go for the eyeballs. 'I can't help but be amazed. I can see their figures through the walls, these contacts are overpowered. One has a gun, the other two have daggers?' 

"Culprit recognized as the Tunn's Gang. Their involvement in human trafficking has gone unnoticed. The leader is under investigation. What will you do?"

"I don't know," he stopped, "-I came here as a hero and don't have a plan. I don't even have a weapon."

"Son," approached Lady Courtney with high-heels, "-there are things you need to tell me before rushing off," her white-hair flowed to vanish into the empty plot. Not even a second past, she apprehended the kidnappers and let the girl free.

"Amazing…" thought he admiring her strong figure.

"Stop gawking," a chop to the head later, "-you know how hard it is to find parking?"

'She's mad about the parking and not me running off? I'm lost for words.' He followed silently and the trip resumed.

"Don't just run out without a plan," said she.

"Mother, these contacts would be more useful on your hands…"

"Don't look at me as if a stray," she poked his cheeks, "-it's related to Éclair, and only the spirit has the right to see a fitting host. He'll take good care of you in my absence. I won't force the duties of a noble-birthed boy on you, go out and explore, live the world for yourself. You imposed your condition, and it's now my turn. Never take off the contacts or earrings. There's a special slot on the phone that manages the contacts. Put them when you sleep or don't need them. The phone needs, and I repeat, MUST be on you at all times, is that clear?"

"Yes lady mother, I appreciate it."

"Good, then feel free to mess around with the AI. After all, it's a creation of Phantom, a gift from my brother. You're back to our family, don't cause too much trouble. Else lady Haru is going to be angry."

"By lady Haru," a frightful possibility flashed, "-did you speak to her?"

"Obviously," she laughed at his timid face, "-she knew it all along. Now, what will you do?"

"Don't know," he shrugged, "-I guess I'll head to the Trader's Guild and start working. I did promise lady Haru to do my best… I mean, I did sort of get kicked out of the lady Yuki's favors."

"I won't be so sure," without realizing as he kept on scouring the phone for more features, she sneakily brought the car to the town square. Twilight laid out the window, the stone-road ambered with street-lamps until a nicely lit, 'Loron's Restaurant'. 

"Lady Mother, are you sure?" asked he bewildered at her decisive stare. 

"Yeah, I heard from Lord Lordon earlier. It's part of the reason why Elvira return. The Lordon's were very apologetic, mostly Yuki, she grieved the most at her attitude. Here," the speakers came to life. "-Lady Elvira, I beg of thee, I never knew my actions would end in such a scandal. I'm saying this not as the owner-chef of Loron, but as the lady who endeavored to teach a young boy. I know my personality is very toxic at times, I've acknowledged it for years… habits are hard to change. I pledge from this moment forth to care for Igna with all my might. I thought he would have come for revenge. Those sympathetic eyes that turned to comfort and love, I want them back, they are the reason I stepped in the kitchen. I want the best for him, please, give me a chance."

"I don't have a say in the matter," said she strictly, "-the decision is master Igna's alone. Lady Courtney shall bring him to the restaurant later. Don't get me wrong, I haven't forgotten the way you treated a potential heir to the Haggard's. If word of this got out, the Lordon's might be vanquished and squandered like the feasting ants you are. That goes double for you, Lord Lordon. My sources say you've engaged in rendezvous with the Five conglomerates of Alphia, must I remind thee of thy stature? Thou art part of the nobility of Hidros, scandals can break a nation's peace. Let this be a warning, any more of those secretive meetings and I swear," a heavy object dropped onto the table, "-the DG might get involved." 

"I apologize, lady Elvira, I was naught but an exchange of food talk with another gourmet. I meant no harm."

"What is done is done, don't stand out too much," the recording ended. The pause of silence amplified the terrifying nature of the cheerful Elvira. 

"She's a totally different person," he stepped out.

"That's the leader of Phantom for you," winked Courtney, "-go on and decide. Tis thy future. there's a gift waiting inside. Don't take long," the windows rolled. 

'Off she goes,' back against the speeding car, he walked slowly towards the opened restaurant. Many o' couples went to and fro. The night-life had begun, the atmosphere had a sophisticated air to it. No longer were teenagers and mothers gossiping, it replaced for one quiet and peaceful.

"What did she mean by surprise?"

"Lady Courtney sent a bike, a gift for quicker movement. Anything else you'd like to know?"

"I was wondering, are you Éclair?"

"Yes, I'm your assistant from today onwards. There's no particular thing to be worried about. Make sure the phone is charged, that's about it."

"Are you sentient?"

"Yes, I'm a living being in all the sense of the word except in physical form. Remember, if you need anything, just speak, I shall come to thy aid without delay. The interface before is my view on the world. In other words, we've merged for you see what I see, and I see what you see. The danger levels are self-explanatory, you can configure the settings later," it zoomed onto a strange figure hidden behind a curtain.

"That's lady Yuki, isn't it?"

"Yes," the visual changed to the inner-camera, "-lady Yuki."

"You can access anything?" asked he with a cheeky expression.

"Affirmative, I can even get into an actress's bedchambers and leak a few explicit videos and photos, granted there's digital gadgets present."

"A nice invitation," he laughed, "-Éclair, thank you for the help."

"No worries. I'll configure the current settings for cooking. Lady Elvira uploaded a summary of preferences and such."

"I don't have any idea of what you speak, but thank you." The voice turned mute with small pop-ups in the corner, he took to speaking in word.

'This is awkward,' he stood at the door, "-excuse me, may I come in?"

"Igna?" 

"Manager Jola," he entered the emptied restaurant, "-where's lady Yuki?"

"In the kitchen," she stopped mid of cleaning the tables as he walked by, "-psst."

"Yeah?"

"Come here," she gestured, "-do you know anything about the lady's strange behavior?" 

"No, maybe it's the weather." Not only was Jola cleaning the room, but the other chefs were also spotted here and there replacing glasses and plates. They nodded as hello and resumed. 'Interrupting them is not that good an idea,' he figured and pushed the wide-double doors of the kitchen.

"Lady Yuki," she stood strongly with a wandering gaze.

"Igna," her half-smile felt confusing and on edge, Joe paused to lean into the would-be exchange. Emma and Emmy were cat-like in their espionage to crouch blatantly behind flour. Something was wrong, they felt it first-hand. "You've come?"

"Yeah?" he shrugged, "-about the restaurant."

"It's fine," she interrupted, "-I won't be sad if you leave us now. I mean, it's partly my fault. I mean, you're from a noble family, I can't expect to have you cutting vegetables for a living," the words sped, "-so, so, I'm…"

"Lady Yuki," he chuckled, "-I came to work. My lady mother sort of dropped me here and left."

"You're not leaving?" the tense cheeks eased into her resting face, "-I'm glad. We don't have time to speak, go get dressed, service starts in half an hour."