Manhunt

Tharron matriarch

The persisting sound of alarm invaded into Bernand’s mind and groaning he rolled on his back trying to force his eyes open. It was 4 am, and he had slept poorly. He was more than a little tempted just to turn the alarm off and roll on his side to continue to sleep Bernand heaved a sigh while staring at the ceiling half-asleep. The room was dark and chilly, not appealing even the slightest to climb out of the warmth of the blankets, and grunting Bernand slammed the alarm off as the sound became louder.

“Alright, alright! I´m up!” Bernand huffed, pulling himself to sit and rubbed his face.

“Must be nice for those who get to sleep longer and have vacations,” he muttered, tossing the blanket off of him nearly immediately regretting it as a cold air surrounded his half-naked body. Reaching for the thick brown morning gown on the chair right next to his bed, Bernand covered himself, stumbling in the dark while trying to find the light switch.

As soon as he found it and put on the lights, Bernand went blind by the bright light. Groaning, he blinked furiously and squinting his eyes, Bernand tried to regain his eyesight.

As his vision returned Bernand headed to his wardrobe taking a pair of boxers, worn-out jeans, t-shirt and blazer he tossed them onto the bed.

Waddling into the bathroom he pulled the towel hanging on top of the door and took off his boxers leaving them on the floor too lazy to pick them up and placing them into the basket.

Going through his list of chores he needed to do today Bernand washed as quickly as possible.

He needed to see Father Silverius in an hour, then he needed to head into downtown with some errand that had something to do with Riss and his motorcycle racing. Bernand wasn´t entirely sure why they needed him there, but Riss wasn´t the type of person who took word no very politely.

After that, he needed to track down the couple Theia had seen yesterday and give them the invite to Valentianus´s dinner party.

He was so deep in his thoughts while drying himself, Bernand nearly missed his phone ringing in the bedroom.

“f**k!” he cursed when it reached his ears and hastily wrapping the towel around his waist Bernand rushed out of the bathroom nearly tripping on his feet attempting to answer the call before the caller hung up.

Reaching for the phone on the nightstand, he glanced at the screen and the name on it made him frown.

It was the matriarch of the Tharron family, Niraya Tharron, Valentianus´s and Riss's mother.

Gulping Bernand pressed the green button answering the call.

“Good morning, Mrs Tharron.”

“I hope it will be a good morning. I need to see you in an hour.” The elderly woman's firm voice spoke back. Her voice alone told she was more than just some random woman and a mother.

Niraya's parents raised her with high standards and knew how to appeal to people around her. It told everyone she was someone with status and important role in a very powerful family.

The voice made Bernand nervous, worried he would stumble with his words. Wetting his lips, Bernand sat down on the bed, trying very hard to sound confident.

“I apologize Mrs Tharron but I have scheduled a meeting with Father Silverius in an hour but I am available after the meeting.”

He heard a disappointed scoff on the other end. Biting his lower lip, Bernand hoped he didn´t offend the woman. That was the last thing he needed right now,  scolded by Valentianus´s mother first thing in the morning.

“Father Silverius can wait. This is more important.” Niraya replied, sounding annoyed because someone had dared to refuse her direct order.

Bernand closed his eyes, muffling a sigh that threatened to escape from his lips.

What was with this family and their incapability to accept no for an answer?

“Of course Mrs Tharron, I will be there in an hour.”

“That's better. I'll let Father Silverius know you will see him later this noon.”

Bernand didn´t have time to say anything when the call already ended, and he kept staring at the screen. Did this woman seriously expect him to reschedule his entire day just so she could speak to him for a moment?

“These damn rich people,” Bernand growled, sending his phone flying across the bed.

Scurrying down the stairs of the boarding house where Bernand lived, he stepped into the street and glanced around. Not a soul was out yet. 

The air was cool and the asphalt black from the heavy rain forcing Bernand to pull up the collar of his blazer.

The street lamps illuminated his way toward the centre where Niraya lived. Bernand´s confusion was more than slightly underrated when he a few years ago found out Niraya didn´t live in the same building as her sons but a couple of miles away from the principal building connected to House of Valor.

Although he couldn't blame her for that decision. The never-ending long corridors and many story tall staircases were very confusing for most people. The countless elevators caused him headaches as he tried to memorize which ones led to the halls of House of Valor, ministers' floors or high priest's floors.

It took months for Bernand to learn which staircases to use when he needed to go see Valentianus in his office. Different corridors and glass tunnels connected Valentianus’s company and his penthouse and Bernand had struggled to remember in which order he needed to climb stairs and use an elevator to get in the office.

From the outside, all this looked like one massive twenty stories prominent building, but from the inside, it was like two different beehives connected with glass tunnels, staircases and corridors.

It was easy to get lost there without a map or a guide.

Bernand shook his head when a strong wind blew right at his face, making Bernand press his chin closer to his chest. It was going to be a chilly day, and he already hated this day.

Speeding his steps, Bernand crossed the main street before turning on a side road that led to an area where most expensive houses located.

Niraya lived in a district called Serair Boulevard. Bernand could count on his one hand the times he had visited in this district, mainly because only the very wealthy people could afford to live in there.

Looking around when he reached the district border, Bernand couldn't comprehend how loaded with money people living here truly were. He stood on a hill seeing miles of streetlamps zigzagging in the horizon and two or three stories high mansions standing proudly each side of the roads, huge parks softening the landscape.

“It must be nice to have so much money you don´t know what to do with it,” Bernand muttered into the wind and headed downhill searching for the street where Niraya's house stood.

Waiting outside for Niraya to come open the door, Bernand was shivering. It had taken nearly forty-five minutes to find this mansion and of course; it stood at the very end of the very long street, almost hidden behind lush blooming trees called Nirin. The flowers were pure white, size of a human hand and were releasing a scent so strong, it made Bernand´s eyes water and nose itchy.

“Great, I´m allergic to these freaking flowers,” Bernand muttered, sniffling.

Just as he was about to find something to blow his runny nose the door opened and an elegant looking elderly woman stood in front of him looking at him with a judgemental gaze.

The woman wore a black jacket with golden embroidery on the collar and outside of the pockets, a black knee-long skirt and high heels. Her blond hair perfectly gathered into a bun on the back of her head, and she had a simple gold necklace and a pair of pearl earrings.

In Bernand´s eyes, she looked like royalty.

He could feel her gaze travelling up and down his body, and the silence between them was so tense someone could try cutting it with a knife.

“I´m Bernand, Mrs Tharron. You summoned me here.” Bernand finally opened his mouth and introduced himself.

But it did little to impress the lady who merely lifted her right brow.

“You are late.” She retorted with haughty tone and turned on her heels walking back in leaving the door open. Bernand swallowed hesitantly stepping in the hallway and slowly closed the door.

“I apologize, I had minor difficulties to find the right house,” he explained but got a huff in return.

“I expect any employee of Tharron company to know where their employers live in case we summon them for a personal matter,” Niraya stated glancing over her shoulder and seeing Bernand wasn´t following her she shot an irritated glare toward the man.

“Well, don´t just stand there like an i***t. Time is money and I am a very busy woman. I don´t have all day.” she snapped, earning Bernand to jump in his feet and hastily followed Niraya into the living room.

Niraya poured steaming coffee into a cup before sitting down on the couch.

“Help yourself if you want coffee.” she waved toward the coffee pot and cups on the side table near the fireplace. Bernand bowed respectfully and approached the table. The mere idea of freshly brewed coffee lifted his spirit after nearly freezing to death while coming here.

Niraya was concentrating on some papers when Bernand finally sat on the armchair on the left side of the couch.

“Now, how well you know my sons?” she asked suddenly crossing her hands to her lap looking at expectedly at Bernand who almost choked on his first sip of coffee.

“Um, ever since Mr Valentianus took over his father's company three years ago, I have been working for him very closely. I would like to say well. I can´t, unfortunately, say the same for Mr Riss. I rarely see him.” Bernand spoke, wondering what was the reason for this question.

“I see. Would you say my sons have a good relationship with each other?”

Bernand blinked.

Didn't Niraya know how well her sons got along?

Bernand wasn´t all that surprised. Families like Tharron wasn´t built based on love. Respect, yes, but not love.

Bernand remembered when Janus Tharron, Valentianus’s and Riss’s father were still alive, rules in the household were very strict. Their parents had high expectations for the boys. Unfortunately, they rarely saw their parents because they were busy building their empire.

Bernand had worked for Janus over three decades and learned everything there was to learn about the family.

Or rather, what Janus allowed him to learn.

Bernand also witnessed how their sons grew up.

Two nannies acted as Valentianus's and Riss's teachers alongside with their housekeeper. The boys only had each other, and they developed a powerful bond promising to look after one another.

And that promise was still valid.

It saddened Bernand that Niraya didn´t see that when the boys were young. She didn´t show motherly love for them but she cared for them greatly. Bernand didn´t think Niraya was a bad person, she was just raised that way and she passed it on to her sons.

“It is very strong, Mrs Tharron. One of the strongest I have ever seen with two brothers. They would take a bullet for one another.”

Niraya seemed to be pleased hearing this because the smile forming on her face was almost soft. She didn´t say anything, only turned to pick up the papers on the couch beside her and handed them to him. Bernand glanced at her but took the papers looking over the text quickly.

He had a bad feeling about this.

“The reason I summoned you here is Riss. I want him to take more responsibilities in the company under Valentianus´s teaching, and this is where you come in. I need you to make sure he comes on time and stays as long as the papers state he needs to be in the office. I won't have my younger son racing around Kyrre and being killed by his wretched motorcycle one day.”

Bernand stifled a deep groan that almost escaped from him. This was the last thing he needed on his shoulders. To be babysitting that smug playboy all day week after week.

Reading the papers, Bernand saw they were chores Niraya wanted Riss to do while Valentianus taught him how to do. This was going to be a disaster.

“What if he refuses to cooperate? I know Riss isn´t going to just roll over and play along like a good boy.” Bernand said needing to say out loud what worried him the most.

Niraya sent at his way a disapproving look because he had basically just compared her son to a dog.

“He doesn´t have a choice. He either does what is told or he will never race again. I have people who own me big favours and ending his contract altogether with the racing team isn´t going to be that difficult.”

Bernand knew better than to argue back. He might have to review his thoughts about her not being a bad person. 

Niraya had an icy heart beating in her chest when she wanted something to go her way. Bernand saw why everyone called her the Ice Matriarch in the company.

Mother and son were alike now that he thought about it.

Valentianus and Niraya were very much alike when it came down to personalities.

Bernand shivered lightly as he met her gaze.

“I understand. But fair warning, if I may say. He is going to get angry, racing has been his passion for years.” Bernand murmured, earning Niraya to chuckle dismissively while waving her hand and reaching for the coffee cup she took a sip.

“He can get as much angry as he wants. His carefree lifestyle is over, it's time for him to act like a part of this family.”

Bernand merely nodded seeing this conversation was over and folded the papers putting them into his jacket's pocket.

“Now I want you to tell me about my older son's marriage. I have been hearing quite concerning rumours.”

“What rumours, Mrs Tharron?”

“Rumors where his wife isn´t taking their marriage seriously but flirts with every available man in the city.”

Bernand bit back a smile. It wasn´t exactly a secret and Theia wasn´t discreet about her behaviour when she was out. 

“Just how many men she has been sleeping with?” Niraya's voice dropped lower, tone turning glacial as her eyes narrowed. Bernand froze at that accusation, and for a moment or two he couldn't figure out what to say.

“Well?” Her snap brought him back from the paralyzed state and shaking his head, Bernand looked Niraya.

“Zero.”

Niraya scoffed, giving him a side glance, clearly not believing him for a second.

“Don´t lie to me. Remember to whom you are loyal.”

“I´m not lying. She does flirt with single men to annoy Valentianus, but she hasn't crossed the line by going to bed with them. Valentianus is aware all of this and he has ordered me to follow her every day and report to him.”

Niraya inhaled deeply, pondering his words before settling for the explanation.

“Alright. I guess there is no avoiding this. Bring her to me tomorrow morning. I think it is time for her and I have a serious conversation and remind her of her proper place in the family.”

Eyes wide open, Bernand stared at her. This wasn´t good. Two strong-headed women under the same roof in the same room, it wasn´t going to end peacefully.

“I don´t think you need to do that, Valentianus has already…”

“Yes, I think I need to do that because clearly, she isn´t listening to my son. I rarely involve myself when it's about my sons' relationships with their partners, but this is something I can´t turn a blind eye.” Niraya interrupted him, anger seeping through her voice and it snapped Bernand´s mouth shut tight.

A knock on the side door which connected the living room with Niraya's study and library earned both of them to shift their attention to the door.

“Yes?” Niraya asked, watching the door being slid open and a young-looking woman stepped in.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but the manager of a jewellery design company from Breir is on the phone.”

Bernand frowned. He wasn´t aware any member of Tharron family had created a jewellery design business in a neighbouring country. But then again Tharron family had so many side businesses all over the continent Bernand wasn´t surprise that he wasn’t aware of every single one of them.

“Thank you, Nessa. I'll be right there.” Niraya nodded and turned to Bernand, who quickly changed his confused look to something more neutral.

“Thank you for coming, I assume you can find yourself out,” she spoke while standing up and Bernand mirrored her movement hurriedly.

“Yes, Mrs Tharron, I can.”

As Niraya turned on her heels walking out of the room, Bernand heaved a sigh he had been holding in. While walking toward the front door Bernand was fairly sure things in the company were going to be extra tense from now on and Riss and Theia especially would not be happy for Tharron matriarch butting into their personal lives.