House of Cards

Unexpected Guest

“Can you tell me why did I got dragged into this?” Aron asked with a really annoyed expression. Van turned to him and wink. “He is your friend right? Isn’t it normal to accompany your friend when he is in a really important meeting?” Van said with a sly expression but Aron just stared at him like he was someone really suspicious. ‘This guy- I’m sure he is plotting something.’ Is what I think he is thinking right now. I’m just staring at them even thought I am the person that they invited. ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ I told myself as I feel uncertain if I should really be doing something like this.

*RING!* RING!* *RING!* *RING!* *RING!*

I don’t really know if I should answer this call right now. I don’t even know what to say since it’s been a while since we last saw each other and this is pretty much the first time a girl went out and called to me. I was hesitating to click the answer button when Van’s villainous nature kicked in and pushed the button without my consent. “A girl shouldn’t be left waiting for long you know~” he teased with a villainous smile in his face. Both Aron and I were left speechless with what he did that I almost forgot to speak on the phone. ‘This bastard-‘ I cursed him in my mind as he casually sat on the chair in front of me with a sly smile in his face while trying to enjoy the sight of me humiliating myself and even went further when he waved his hand.

“Hello- this is Rain. I never thought I’d get a call from you this soon.” I said as I immediately realized that made it look like I was waiting for her call since then. I buried my face under my palms the moment I realized that I already messed up, I turned my head to Van and saw him desperately trying to contain his laughter while Aron is just sitting there looking at me with a confused expression. I really wanted to strangle the life out of Van right now but either way I still continued to talk on the phone. “Am I free this weekend? Yes- I am free this weekend.” I nodded my head after hearing the reason why she asked. “Oh- so you want to have a meeting- okay. I have nothing else to do so I guess it is alright.” I turned my head to the guys and saw Van’s unbelievable expression. “Okay- see you on saturday then. Bye!” right after the call ended Van instantly burst in laughter. “Hahahahaha! I can’t believe that you really talked on the phone! How long has it been since you talked to someone other than me?” he fell on his back in laughter while I was barely even holding back my anger. Aron just looked at us with disappointment thinking that we are beyond redemption as he comfortable drank water.

We were already waiting inside the restaurant and ordered some food ahead of time so that when they arrive we can start eating then a young girl who looked a few years older than me walked to my side and greeted me. “Good morning Rain- it’s been a while.” She said as she greeted me, I turned my to my back and saw the same face a few years ago, it was Chloe. Standing behind me with her flustered expression, while hiding her shy face with her hands. I immediately stood up after seeing her to greet. “Good morning, it’s been a while, here take a seat.” I said with a confused expression as to what I should react to the current situation. “Thanks, you look like you didn’t age a bit.” She mentioned after taking a glimpse of my face. I was about to make an excuse when suddenly I felt Van’s dreaded aura so I turned my head towards him and saw an expression that he does not usually wear then all of the sudden a voice came from behind me. “He really looked like he didn’t age a bit.”

I felt an ominous aura after the young girl sat down as I saw a familiar face that I have not seen for decades after I graduated from Olympus, Kadmus Ferlin, the top student of Olympus twenty years ago. ‘What the f*ck is that guy doing here?! I exclaimed in my head that I almost jumped off from my seat. That guy was smiling at us after seeing our faces, it looked like he was excited to meet us. A very important thought suddenly popped up in my head, my eyes widen when I turned to Rain. ‘Hold on- does that guy- recognize Rain?!’ I grit my teeth in utmost bewilderment when I thought of the worst things that could happen as of this moment. ‘Rain clearly thinks the same way when he saw they guy’s face. Van’s reaction- it seems like he also knows that person’s identity. This has turned up to be something unexpected.’ I thought to myself as the atmosphere became tensed.

“It’s great to have finally met you, my niece here were talking about you non-stop after she graduated from Olympus.” I said as I offered my hand for a handshake that he immediately shook my hand and after that I sat on the table next to Rain. “It’s nice to meet you as well.” he replied while trying to fake a smile. “Seems like you brought some friends with you.” I mentioned after seeing familiar faces sitting on the same table as us. ‘To think that I would get to see two people from my batch.’ I thought to myself as I flashed as smile at them. ‘Coming here is a great idea.’ I turned and look at Rain who was still on the edge after seeing me. After sensing that the atmosphere was really heavy, Chloe decided to initiate a conversation where everyone just naturally followed and eventually the heavy atmosphere disappeared.

After that, the food that we ordered arrived which gave us a sigh of relief. We finished eating and decided to go to the nearby park so that we can burn some of the food that we just ate. “I can’t believe that teacher Van is still teaching at Olympus. I heard that no one received that kind of opportunity in the past.” Chloe said as she sat on the bench. “Hahaha- I was just lucky. Never in my wildest dreams have I thought that I would receive a call from Olympus every year. I guess the institute liked how I teach the students and maybe because of the fact that I, too have a special ability.” Van replied as he scratch the back of his head. Chloe then turned her head and saw that Rain and his uncle is missing. “Oh- about that. Your uncle said that he wants to have a man-to-man talk with Rain.” I immediately said the first thing that comes to my mind. ‘He did not even said anything, he just pat my shoulder and whispered to my ears ‘Give me a minute.’ That bastard, what is he planning to do?’ we tried everything we can to keep Chloe occupied.

“It’s nice to see you again, Rain Ambro. As I recall, your special ability is the ability to wield lightning. So how come you are as young as that time, twenty years ago?” Kadmus said with a smile in his face. I still could not believe that he is Chloe’s uncle, I rub my forehead dismay. “Nice to meet you again, Kadmus. I guess there is no use telling you excuses when you already know some things huh?” I said with a slight smile on my face.

*CRASH!*

A tree instantly fell on the ground a few seconds after Kadmus touched it. “There is one thing that I want to know and this fight will answer it. You know- my abilities improved tremendously from back then so I urge you to be vigilant.” He said with a smile.