Lord James: The Kiss of Redemption

“The first glimpse into your memories is enough. A tender kiss from the girl who saved you from the furnace twenty years ago would ignite your memories and make you remember everything.” The lilting voice of the old sage came back to James, the god of war, in his 25th private jet that was heading towards Aurora City. James was curious. He wanted to know what caused the furnace in the penthouse, what happened to his family, and how he got to the orphanage. The encounter with the old sage helped him remember how a girl lost her beauty in saving him from the burning penthouse. A kiss from her was enough to make him fully remember everything. And now, James not only wants to receive a tender kiss from her, but he also wants to embrace her and make her the happiest woman in Aurora City. He received a call and swiftly answered it. “Good afternoon, General James, this is Sergeant Alejandro.” James adjusted himself as he sipped red wine. “The name of the pretty girl who became ugly because of the burning penthouse in Aurora City twenty years ago is Benita Casanova. I will send you an email with her pictures and location details.” “What else did you know about the incident?” James asked. “The neighborhood heard several gunshots when the penthouse was burning.” “Dig deep into the incident, and I will surely reward you.” “I will, sir. Thank you, sir.” James dropped the phone onto the table and sipped more wine. He imagined some men shooting while the penthouse was burning to see if maybe he would remember how it happened. But nothing came. He abandoned the imagination as the jet stopped, and the door opened. Hundreds of soldiers saluted him as he walked past them and entered a black limousine. A new email popped up on the screen of his phone, and he clicked on it. The ugly childhood and adulthood pictures of Benita Casanova hurt him deeply, for it happened because of him. The Casanova family had done everything in their power to make Benita look less ugly so that someone would marry her, but failed. Monica and Lewis, her parents, had abandoned and left her in the care of Mrs. Casanova. Benita always feels lonely, and nobody wants to take her out. She wished she could enjoy what Fiona, her sister, enjoyed. The party, the dates, and several beautiful events with classmates. She didn’t even have a friend. Little did she know the boy she saved twenty years ago had become a billionaire, the god of war, also known as the Eldraldor Maelstrom. And he was coming not only for a kiss but to make her the happiest woman in Aurora City. James lodged in a hotel and asked Sergeant Alejandro to bring different cheap clothes and shoes. He didn’t want anybody to know about his identity until he found out how the penthouse got burned and what happened to his family. He wore cheap clothes and shoes and then touched Sergeant Alejandro. “I have saved your number. You should tell others to go back to Eldraldor. I don’t want anybody to know about my identity in this Aurora.” “Okay, sir.” Sergeant Alejandro felt joy because the Eldraldor Maelstrom touched him with its tender hand. “Don’t call me sir in public. You don’t even need to call me sir in private, too. Okay?” Sergeant Alejandro forced himself to say, “Okay.” “Very good. Lest I forget, you should remain in Aurora to accomplish the assignment I gave you. Take your time. And if you need anything, don’t forget to call me. Send your account number to my email. I will transfer $50,000.” The joy of Sergeant Alejandro increased, and he saluted before James motioned him to leave. “Thank you.” James rented a modest house and went to Casanova’s mansion the following day to marry Benita. Mrs. Casanova raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t believe it. “What is your name?” she asked “James,” he said “James, do you really want to marry Benita?” “Yes.” In disbelief, Mrs. Casanova exchanged glances with Linda, her granddaughter. James watched Linda covering her mouth so she wouldn’t laugh out loud. “But why?” Mrs. Casanova asked. “I want to make her the happiest woman in this Aurora city.” “Oh!” Linda said and finally laughed out loud. Mrs. Casanova looked James from head to toe. “Do you know a blind person cannot lead the blind? Your appearance depicts a poor and unhappy life. How can you then make Benita happy?” She didn’t allow James to answer the question, for no one had shown up to be Benita’s friend, not to mention marrying her. She was tired of living with Benita for years, and she won’t let this chance of letting her go slide. “You can have your wishes easily since you have a pure intention towards her. Just give me a few minutes,” she said, and hurried to Benita’s room. Mrs. Casanova covered Benita’s head with a garment. “What are you doing? Who is coming?” Benita asked. She was sad because Granny wanted to hide her from the visitor again. “You are getting married today.” “Getting married?” “Just do as I say. He mustn’t see your face until you sign the marriage certificate. Am I clear?” Shocked, she had no choice but to nod her head. Not long after, Mrs. Casanova returned to the sitting room with Benita. Linda held herself back from laughing and hurried out when she couldn’t anymore. “James, you would follow us to the Marriages Registrar’s office,” Mrs. Casanova said, and James agreed. When they got there, James didn’t hesitate to sign the marriage certificate, while Benita let out a heavy sigh before signing it. Benita couldn’t believe it. Many what-if questions clouded her mind. Tears dripped down her cheeks. What if he later sees her ugly face? Linda swiftly snapped their pictures and created different memes with them before posting them on social media. Once Mrs. Casanova saw that they had signed the marriage certificate, she rose and went home with Linda. James simply held Benita’s hand, led her out, and stopped a cab. When they walked into the modest house he rented, he locked the door and approached Benita gently. “Just send me away. I don’t worth to be with you. Please don’t take it off.” Benita sobs.