Teach Me!

Scene 9

"Where did you take him?! What did you do to him?!" I growled in frustration.

"Let's hear what he has to say first, Michael!" Matt held my shoulder in an attempt to calm me down.

"You see," Alfred sighed. "Come with me."

"What?" I didn't know why he was cool-headed at a time like this. Shouldn't he be mad since I came here to save Mr. Crest? I thought he'd make some kind of weird shady deal in some rundown place. We ended up in his mansion instead.

"Just come with me. Don't ask anymore stupid questions." At least, he was still as overbearing as always. He turned his back to us and we followed him.

"Isn't Alfred being kind today?" Matt whispered with a snicker. I slowly nodded.

"And stop whispering about me behind my back. It's annoying." Alfred himself replied as he continued walking. I wondered if he felt the same when the students in our school talked about him. That kind of made me want to sympathize with him despite Alfred being my rival before.

We stopped in front of a brown wooden double door. The bronze-colored handles in both doors consisted of finely shaped designs and curves that provided a sense of style to the place. Alfred grabbed both handles and swung the door open revealing a dining room. There was a long rectangular table with beautiful dining chairs neatly arranged. And sitting on one of those chairs were an unknown middle-aged man who resembled Alfred and a very relaxed Mr. Crest. The butler we saw before stood beside him, pouring wine on his glass. "Mr. Crest!" I called out. "Th-thank goodness you're safe. I was... I was very worried." Tears almost started to form on my eyes. I would have blamed myself for being weak if anything happened to him.

"Don't worry about it. I'm really glad you came for me. I still feel a bit groggy, though. But, I'm fine now." Mr. Crest smiled that smile I've never seen in like a hundred years. Although we've just seen each other hours ago. His lovely smile made my heart flutter. I really wanted to go over and hug him right now, but there were people here. I might flip over in embarrassment.

"It's good that you're safe, Mr. Crest! Something still bothers me though." Matt stared at the empty plates on the table. Perhaps,they were just about to eat. "What is happening?"

"Ahem..." The middle-aged man cleared his throat and he stood up. He had the same red hair as Alfred's, only it was slicked back. He seemed professional by the way he wore his coat and tie. "My name is Fernand. Fernand Ricks. I am Alfred's father. Our butler told us that Alfred's friends arrived. And I talked with Nathan Crest here. He said he was brought here against his will and that someone might come looking for him. Perhaps, you are the ones he was referring to." So, he's the man of the house. No wonder he and Alfred looked alike. deeply bowed his head. "I am terribly sorry for my son's actions."

I held my hands up. "I-it's okay. At least nothing bad happened."

"Hey, pops. I don't regret it one bit." Alfred made quite a rude remark. His eyes didn't waver when he said that. He just stood firmly with his arms crossed.

The man resumed his standing position and scolded Alfred. "Alfred, you! I told you that you have to marry the daughter of my politician friend. She has good prospects. And is great for my image too." That's just stupid. Did he not care what his son would think about that? "And for the next elections, as well, when I decide to become part of politics instead." He added without shame.

"You and your freaking deal! I don't even like that...that... Brattelina!" Alfred shuddered as he uttered a bad word.

"Don't you say that 's' word when talking to me!"

Alfred probably had issues, too. "But, why drag Mr. Crest into all this?" Matt joined the argument. The exact same thing popped up in my mind just now.