EXISTENCE: Recovery

PROLOGUE II: Isolation

It had been a while since he had last set foot in London.

Tarek walked out of the airport, carrying with him a backpack and a rolling case. Beside him stood his friend Rodrick, and Rodrick's son, Ethan. He turned to his friend and smiled.

"You know, I had hoped to be here next time on better circumstances."

Rodrick half-smiled back at the Algerian. "I'm just glad you're here at all. I definitely would have understood if you had declined, Tarek."

Tarek took a deep breath in and let it out. "How could I not be here for my best friend? Besides, I was already seeing a lot of Antonio and Luis, anyway. It's good to have a change in scenery from time to time." He looked around. "The last time I was here was for your second wedding. Man, that was a hell of a time."

Rodrick shook his head. "Mate, you weren't even boozed up. I'd wager you had an okay time at best."

Ethan tugged at his sleeve. "Daddy, what's booze?"

Rodrick tugged at his fringe. "It's...something your father enjoys very much, Ethan."

Tarek snickered. "It's also something your father needs a lot less of, Ethan."

Ethan turned to his father. "You don't need it, Daddy!"

Tarek put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Rodrick, one of these days I'm going to show you that you don't need alcohol to have an unforgettable night." He grinned, his trademark, silly grin glowing, "Take a look at me! I haven't so much as had a single sip of the stuff and I'm always as wild as I was when we were younger." He let go of his friend. "Now where's the shuttle?"

Rodrick smiled. "It's a little ways out front. I'll show you the way."

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Rodrick pushed open the double doors to his estate and escorted his Algerian friend inside. Tarek looked around, a smile on his face, and sighed. "You know, it's like every time I come back here it just gets nicer and nicer." He waved at all the oncoming attendants and maids who were scurrying throughout the hallways, carrying on with their jobs.

Rodrick smiled. "Is that so? I suppose I ought to give a bonus to the maids, then." He stopped one of the maids. "Julia, where's Virgil?"

The maid called Julia smiled. "He's sound asleep, sir. Shall I show you to him?" Tarek noted her Cockney accent.

"If you would be so kind."

Julia bowed. "Thank you very much sir." She looked at Tarek and showed a slight blush. "M-Master Tarek! So very good of you t-to come sir!" She gave Tarek a bow, who stood there with his goofy grin. 

He waved a hand dismissively. "No need to be so formal, Julia, I'm not the head of house here. Just a friend."

She stood back up and proceeded to escort the two men, with Ethan in tow.

Tarek pat his friend on the shoulder and whispered into his ear. "How do you remember everyone's names? She thinks she's seen me before but I don't have a clue who she is!"

Rodrick chuckled. "One of the most fun parts of having a large family, Tarek, is getting to know everyone, especially their names. It's all part of being a father."

Tarek put his hands in his pockets and continued walking. All part of being a father, huh?

"Here we are, sir." Julia opened the door to the room before them. "Will there be anything else, sir?"

Rodrick smiled. "Take Ethan and go have some fun. I'd like to introduce my friend to my son."

Julia smiled. "Thank you very much, sir!" She went on her way, leaving the two men to the room.