Object of Desire

Chapter Eighteen : Majsa

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"And this is me, age eighteen at my first -ehh- adult ritual." Primo chuckled, showing me the aged photograph. He was the tallest out of all of the attending figures, his face paint far more menacing back then as apposed to now. Even his platinum hair was longer, nearly reaching the floor and putting the girls length to shame.

"Oh wow," I took the picture from his hands, "what a handsome devil." I smirked, knowing my words to be true.

"I still am, bambina." He nudged my arm and released a hearty chuckle.

"Of course, of course." I nodded, handing the picture back to him. "I can frame that for you, if you'd like." I offered.

"Really? I've been wanting to have that done for years." He marveled as he placed the photo back into his robes.

"Oh yeah, you and I can pick out some nice matting and a really pretty frame." I could picture it now, already looking forward to my first task once I return.

"That sounds lovely, Ms. Clarke. Though, I would hate to jump the line. I think Terzo has a few things he needs done as well, right fratello?" Primo glanced back at his brother who had been trailing behind us for some time, off in his own world.

"Hmm?" He finally looked up to us, hurriedly catching up to our pace.

"You have a few things you want framed?" I asked, instinctively wrapping my free arm around his, earning a sly smile.

"Oh, sì, I do." He nodded confidently.

"Once I come back, I can do as many as you need me to." I assured.

"That you can, tesoro. I think Sister Sophia has taken a liking to you." Terzo recounted our previous conversation with the current manager of the art department.

"I sure hope so, I'd like to have a job lined up once I return."

"Then it shall be, even if it is not with the art department or archiving, I will see to it that you have some job." Terzo promised, squeezing my arm in his.

"You can join me in the gardening world," Primo nudged me again, "always looking for those with a green thumb." He smiled warmly.

"That sounds like fun too, I've never done anything like that before." Another good option in my eyes.

"Speaking of, I believe it is time for my next class, if you two will excuse me." Primo bowed, quickly backtracking up towards the path.

"Thank you for the information, Papa." I turned and waved.

"We will see you at supper, fratello." Terzo did the same before looking down our own path.

The three of us had been walking for quite some time, going between all points of interest and even stopping for lunch. So much information had been given to me, my provided notebook nearly half full with any and all information given. We even stopped by the greenhouses, Primo partially droning on and on about hydroponics and the importance of home grown vegetables. I may have gotten a little lost in the scientific aspect, but found it fascinating nonetheless. And, the prospect of the flowers that were to be grown in the spring had made me all the more excited. I was a sucker for roses, that I cannot lie. However now, it was just Terzo and I on the last route of our tour. As the shorter days transformed into hazy afternoons, I was saddened by the fact that tomorrow was my last full day at the Ministry.

Being here wasn't anything like what I had expected, a somewhat mysterious yet interesting experience for sure, one that I'd be happy to live again and again. I was to come back, to be a part of whatever lied before me now even if my fate was laced in uncertainty. The only things I had to worry about now was my current job, moving to a new country and the perils that come with immigration, and any ties that I may have left behind. That, and Eliza. Unfortunately, she had slipped my mind between talks of moving and marriage, so I had to figure out a way to sneak her into conversation. She'd have my head on a stick if I just left her behind, and I could definitely use a pre established friend to help ease me into every thing.