It doesn't matter where we go, there still bird like reporters flocking in front of us as soon as we landed. And everything is as usual. There were still several black cars and a limousine waiting for us to be exact. Without any conversation, we rode the limousine and the bodyguards are in the other cars. Nothing had changed here in Paris. I looked at Sophia and she was in heaven. Every girl dream of going to Paris. To see the beautiful Eifel Tower. It's the city of love for heaven's sake. She rolled down the window and just gazes at the amazing views the Paris has to offer. 'You really enjoy Paris. Am I right?" Sophia looked at me and smiled then returns to what she's looking at. Later on she got tired and rolled up the window.
The car stopped. Mark opened the door. Surprisingly, there was no entourage waiting for us. Not a single one. I was glad. I remember this place. This is the place we frequent go whenever mom and dad visits and picks us up in Switzerland. This was the place I always dreamt of whenever I miss them. I always hated that dream. It was like a nightmare but some part of me wanted it to be true. I wanted to believe what they told us about hiding us in Switzerland but I feel that they're hiding something from us; the most important part of the story. Being back from this place makes my memories come back. I always remember how I and Austin eat alone in Switzerland. Eating in the very long dining table with only two of us, eating makes us always sad. The villa there is so large that our voices echo. Those empty days wanting them at our side, whenever the moment was sad that need a parent's comfort or a happy moment to be shared with them, we're always alone. I think I need to dig a bit lower to find out the truth.
We went to the place we frequently stay at the golf course. Dad loves to play golf. To be honest, I really like golf too but I don't play with dad or mom. I just sit in a chair in the cafe overlooking the golf course. A few moments later when we arrive, I saw dad sitting in the very chair I used to sit. He looked at us and he smiled. A formal table setting was set up.
The four of us sat down next to dad. I asked him, "Where's mom?" he looked at me.
"She's in Spain. Making sure our factories and hotels there function smoothly." He added, "She will be flying here later." I wondered what will we be doing later. Tomorrow's the Christmas Gala and I think we won't make it on time.
"Why did you ask us to fly here so fast?" Austin asked dad a bit annoyed.
"Because later there will be an annual shareholder's meeting for our Europe branch here in Paris. We will be going also next month in the Mexico for the Latin America branch, Los Angeles for the Central America Branch, Canada to the North America branch, and Sydney for the Australia branch and lastly in Makati for the Asia branch. ”Dad said, "Do you think having a global multinational company is an easy work? I will introduce both of you to all the shareholders."
"Looks like we will be out of school for several weeks, am I right dad?" Austin said then looked at Lester and Sophia who was sitting there quietly. "Why did you ask us to bring them?"
‘Why don’t we have a meal while in conversing.” Dad signaled the head butler to bring in the first course. We were all silent. “Austin, the reason I told Xavier to bring Mr. Lester and Ms. Sophia here is to show appreciation and gratitude for what they did not only for both of you but also for the sake of our multinational conglomerate company.”
“So you’ve brought them here to give them something in return, more or less likely to bribe?” I went straight to the point. I guess it didn’t affected dad, he didn’t even look at me and continued to enjoy his meal, as well as the other three. “Dad, I asked you a question.” I waited for him to answer but he didn’t even look me in the eye.
“Mr. Founier we’re honored and flattered for your generosity and sincerity but helping Xavier and Austin in time of trouble is the least we can do as a friend to help them.” Sophia said with dignity.
