"It is good that you asked for a private meeting. I was also longing for this opportunity."
Mr. Adranis said as he joined Casper at the backyard.
"If this is true, then why did you want to hold a private discussion with Jean?"
Casper asked out of annoyance.
"That wasn't going to take long. Now, let's jump straight to what brought is here. Why did you call me out?"
Lingering for a moment and scanning the premises, Casper resounded.
"Because you have countless questions that you would like to ask me privately--Or--Aren'tyou?"
With a growl, Mr. Adranis responded.
"Don't act silly. So, I see, it was your plan to ruin the private discussion I was about to have with Jean."
Suddenly, Casper frowned.
"If you feel that that is more important than what you are to tell me, then go ahead and have your private discussion."
Mr. Adranis' mood soften in an instance.
"I think that will have to wait for now. Although I still have some questions about your new friend, that can't outweigh what I am about to tell you."
Just at that moment, Casper's ears perked up as he increased his concentration.
From this point of the compound, one could easily see the herd of cattle grazing in a secluded area that was approximately a hundred meters away from the fence of the compound.
So, Casper didn't even allow such scenery to distract him even for a second.
"I guess this must be something serious."
Casper said after a short moment of silence.
"Exactly as you say. Now, this is what I have to tell you."
***
"Hello!"
A familiar voice resounded from the other end of the call.
Without wasting even a second, Jean responded.
"Mum, it's Jean and I wanted to tell you that I was kidnapped and currently I am in Ferro. But the best thing is that I am in safe hands after escaping from the kidnappers."
Natalie had intervened him severally, but he gave her a deaf ear as he divulged the information that he felt that it could be crucial in rescuing him back to his home country.
Understanding the situation that the boy was in, Natalie decided to give him a listening ear until he was done with his statements.
It was when he was done when Natalie got the opportunity to speak her mind.
"I am glad that you are fine, but just to ask you; How sure are you that you are in safe hands and additionally, where is your friend, Axel."
Immediately Jean heard this, he facepalmed. He was frustrated for not making an effort in finding his friend since his escape. Although he cared for him, he just felt that finding his friend was out of reach, since he was still in a desperate situation.
"I am convinced that I am in safe hands since the guy that is hosting me, saved me when I was about to breathe my last. Now that I am talking to you, it is just because of his tremendous efforts in restoring my health. I am better and I can confidently say that I am healed. But for my friend Axel, I am disappointed to say that I still don't know his whereabouts till this moment. Since my kidnap, I have never set my eyes on him."
Struggling to talk on the other side of the call, Natalie said,
"I am glad that you are fine, but there is something important that you need to know about that country that you are in."
Just as Jean was about to ask a question, he heard some footsteps approaching from the back.
Quickly turning in the direction of the sound, Jean frowned.
Heading in his direction with stealth steps, it was Wedge. On his face, a broad smile was evident. His facial expressions were enough to reveal that he needed to have a word with Jean.
Irritated by the turn of events, Jean was forced to disconnect the call. But this was after excusing himself. Since Natalie understood the situation he was in, she didn't bombard him with further questions.
"Don't tell me you are already bored spending a day here."
Wedge said as he revealed a smile at the edges of his lips.
With a gulp, Jean faked a smile.
'What else could be boring at this place if not you?'
Slowing down his strides, Wedge furrowed his brows.
"If I am not wrong, you were supposed to be inside at the moment--Or you people are already done taking your meals?"
With a nod, Jean responded.
"Are there restrictions that strip visitors like me the right to move around the compound?"
Jean asked as he put the cellphone in the pocket as a his eyes twitched with a hint of anger. But since Wedge's attention was drawn towards Jean's pocket, he didn't notice this.
Faking a cough as he took the last step towards Jean and stopped exactly half a meter away from Jean, Wedge looked around before focusing on Jean.
With deep breath, Wedge gave Jean a dubious look before responding.
"The moment I noticed you outside alone as I was passing by, I couldn't help but grow curious about what you were doing. Additionally, you are still new to me. So, I also saw an opening of knowing you more because I am certain that I won't get such an opportunity because of Casper's rare visit to this place.
"Keeping in mind that this is the first time that he has come with you, it is clear to say that you are likely not to be a regular visitor to this place."
With that, Wedge went mute and focused on Jean as if prompting him to talk. As if understanding the purpose of the gaze, Jean gulped before opening his mouth to talk.
"I must say that you are a good analyst. All you said is true. You know why?"
Pausing for a moment, Jean continued.
"...because, I don't stay with Casper. I am just a visitor and I shall be leaving soon."
This statement from Jean could have sounded ridiculous in the ears of a stranger, but since his intentions were directed towards shortening the conversation he was likely to have with Wedge, he didn't give a damn.
"Now that you are in coherent with my statement, why won't you officially introduce yourself to me?"
Wedge said as a glint of curiosity flashed across his eyes.
Without sparing even a second, Jean took the initiative to speak.
"As previously introduced to you by Casper, Iam Jean.... What else would you like to know about me?"
Jean casually introduced himself and immediately gave Mr. Wedge a piercing look. If that gaze could be put in words, it could have read: "Stop bothering me!"
As if Mr. Wedge had seen through Jean's mind, he decided to dismiss the conversation with immediate effect.
"I guess we have to talk some other time. Just promise me that you won't leave before we talk."
Just from this statement, it was easy to tell that Mr. Wedge had deduced that Jean was uninterested in the conversation they were about to have. After all, if he was that interested in knowing the boy, he could have at least shown some interest by joining them in the house the moment they entered. Perhaps that way, Jean could have been comfortable enough to have a one on one conversation with a stranger like him.
But what Jean didn't understand was that, Mr. Wedge was just a butler, so, it could be difficult for him to be involved in the personal affairs of Mr. Adranis.
So, Jean's indifferent attitude towards the butler, could be said to be a bid harsh since it was also influenced by the guy's indifference towards them from the moment they met Mr. Adranis.
But still, there was a valid reason for this Jean's awkward move.
He wanted to have a better conversation with his mother, and the presence of the guy could have barred this from happening.
So, the moment Mr. Adranis suggested that they can have the conversation some other time, Jean was relieved on the spot and Mr. Wedge could tell this from the sudden change of expression on Jean's face.
As if this was expected, Jean did say a word and just nodded at the leaving Wedge.
Immediately the guy had left, Jean felt guilty for his mean act. But since it had already happened, he didn't have time to cry over spilt milk.
'After all, it is my safety that comes first.'
With that thought in mind, Jean quickly checked and made sure that Mr. Wedge had disappeared from the vicinity before confirming if there was any other people in the compound that could spy on him.
The moment he confirmed that everything was fine, he redialed his mother's contact. But before he put through the call, a thought formed in his mind.
'It has been almost ten minutes already since I disconnected the call. But the strange thing is that, mom hasn't made an effort to call me back since that time and at least know the reason why I disconnected the call so abruptly.'
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