Chapter 5
1557 Words
“Yes Mr. Fernandez, what may I do for you?”
“When will you start calling me by my name? How many times have I told you to call me Fernando these past years?”
“It’s only proper I call you Mr. Fernandez since you are the owner of the farm and the boss of my boss.”
Mosi was always very respectful and careful with how he addressed people. He knew that his parents had had a close relationship with Mr. Fernandez but that didn’t mean he had one too. He barely even knew the man before coming to look for work after his parents died.
“Well I would really appreciate if you started calling me by my name you know? I feel so distant to you and your brother when you address me so formally.”
“I will consider it Mr. Fernandez, but I can’t make any promises. Why did you call me over sir?”
“I called you over for a couple of things. First to ask you once again if you’d be willing to move over with your brother and live here. You know my kids have grown up and they left for college. My wife and I have been lonely here and we have always felt responsible for you and your brother after your parents passed.”
“I’m very thankful for your offer and am sorry that you’ve been feeling lonely. However I don’t think Teo would like to move over. He’s attached to our house and will most certainly prefer to stay over there. I will talk to him about it and let you know on Monday.”
“Very good, as long as you try I’m happy. The other thing was to warn you. These past few days some weird rumors have been circling the town. Have you heard anything lately?”
“Weird rumors sir? Like which ones? I haven’t heard anything because as you know I come all day to work from before sunrise until sunset. I don’t talk to anyone so it’s hard for me to find out about such things.”
“Well some people apparently appear somewhere else from where they were before and have no clue how they got there. Also many claim to have blank moments in their day. They don’t remember anything.”
“Thank you a lot for letting me know. I’ll most certainly be careful tomorrow when I go out with Teo to the village.”
“Good, as long as you’re careful nothing uncanny should happen to you or Teo. Be sure to take care, enjoy your free day and give a hug from my part to your little brother.”
“Thank you sir, I will give him the hug without fail.”
“Here, take this. It’s a little bonus for your hard work. Be sure to buy something nice for yourself and your brother.”
“You already pay me more than other workers sir, are you sure this is alright?”
“Of course I’m sure! You work at least as much as 2 men and I don’t pay you twice the wages so giving you a bonus every now and then is proper.”
Mr. Fernandez smiled sincerely and pushed the envelope to Mosi’s hands.
“Remember what I said and take care tomorrow!”
After this he sat back down in his desk and continued doing what he was doing before calling him over. Thus he didn’t give him any chance to reject the bonus. Mosi took the cue and left the main house in the direction on the farm’s entrance to meet up with Elisa.
He was glad he received the bonus, a little extra money is always welcome. While thinking about what he could buy for himself he arrived at the gate. Elisa was a bit further, under a tree waiting for him.
“Hi, did you wait here all afternoon? Or did you go to the village?”
“I had nothing to do in the village so I’ve waited here patiently for you to end your working day.”
“I see; well then let’s get going. I need to prepare dinner and being honest I’m starving. Not that I minded sharing, I enjoyed eating with you.”
“I’m sorry that you ate less than what you had planned. Don’t worry about cooking, if you let me I can cook a fabulous dinner.”
“Oh! Amazing, I wouldn’t mind resting a bit before eating while you prepare dinner. Although it’s not like we have a a lot of stuff in the pantry. We are almost out since we buy on sundays everything we’ll need during the week.”
“Don’t worry, whatever you are missing I can take out from my bag.”
“How about you tell me about yourself? I still don’t know anything about you except the possibility that you are my... Carmen’s mother.”
Mosi once again almost made a blunder saying “my grandma” but he noticed it before saying it. Although this time Elisa noticed something. She was looking at him questioningly.
“What would you like to know?”
Elisa decided it was best if she pretended not to notice his change in wording. She felt it was best not to push it since that could make him change his mind about letting her meet her grandson.
“Everything you are willing to tell me I guess.”
“I’d rather not say too much here in the open. You never know who could be listening. But I don’t mind you hearing while I talk to the kid at home.”
“Well, even if you don’t say too much you should be able to tell me something before we arrive right?”
“Let’s see... I can tell you, although I don't like admitting it, that I’m older than I look. I’m very powerful even if I seem a bit frail. I like to keep to myself and usually spend my time travelling. Some people blame for that saying that I’m shirking my responsibilities to travel.”
“You travel a lot? Where have you been to?”
“I’ve been to loads of places! I can’t yet say that I’ve been all around the world, but almost.”
“Would it be easier to say where you haven’t been to?”
“I guess it would yes. I haven’t been to most middle eastern countries. And some very small countries. You could say I’ve travelled around 3/4ths of the world.”
“Which is your favorite country?”
“I don’t have a favorite besides my home country which is this one, Ecuador. Although I do have a soft spot for latin american countries in general. I believe our culture is the best in all regards.”
“Really? I would have thought European culture to be more refined since they have more history and are older countries.”
Elisa was surprised by his answer. Does this kid know nothing? He is asking me about such non-important things, why? Is he just making small talk?
“I don’t really fancy europeans. I don’t mind them, just I don’t like how they are. I feel more at home amongst my own people. Besides I find latin food simple and delicious.”
While they were talking they were already more than halfway there. So Mosi decided it was time to ask about the blood ritual thing. It was best to know about it before getting home to avoid surprises.
“Tell me about the blood ritual you mentioned earlier. What does it entail?”
He doesn’t even know about the blood ritual? What kind of guardian is this? Why would he wait to this moment to ask about it?
“The blood ritual is nothing too complicated. It’s not risky or dangerous at all. It just requires a little bit of blood from both parties and can be used for a great variety of things. To prove blood relations is just one of the many uses it has.”
Hearing that Mosi got a little nervous. Would Elisa take advantage of them while doing the ritual? How should he handle this? Maybe only he should participate in the ritual to protect Teo.
“For what other things can it be used?”
“For contracts in general. It can be used to make oaths as well. Those are the main uses.”
“To make contracts what is required?”
“Just like when doing the ritual it needs the willing approval of all parties involved. The contract should be written and negotiated before the ritual and only then would the actual ritual be started.”
Yes, he is definitely clueless. What was my daughter thinking leaving her son with a guardian like this? Thank god I came at this time. Anything could have happened to the kid with this guy protecting him.
They had finally arrived home, they were about 30 meters from the porch when Mosi thought about something.
“You said the blood ritual can be used to make oaths right?”
“Yes, I did and it can.”
“Very well, in that case I’ll have you make an oath before going inside. You need to swear that you mean no harm to us and that no matter what you won’t hurt us.”
So he isn’t as clueless as it seemed. This is a very appropriate approach by making me make an oath he guarantees the safety of the kid and his own. But if I make an oath under those limitations I’ll be risking myself as well. I still don’t know how powerful he is, although I doubt I wouldn’t be able to escape it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“No matter what? And if you attack me? Can’t I defend myself?”
“I won’t hurt you, why would I?”
“I don’t mind making the oath, but you’ll have to make it with me. While I swear what you suggested I’ll have you swear that you won’t attack me either at the very least.”
“Fine, let’s do it then before going inside.”
- Writer
