Oscillation | [H.S]

Chapter 40

I wondered how well the people in the criminal world thought their image for the rest of the world to see through. What was their cover? To what extent did they have to live that cover? I couldn't imagine all these men owning such big land-houses and their capital going unnoticed. I kept the question in the back of my mind to ask Harry later.

The thought had shot through my head upon seeing the land-house we were approaching. My window gave a perfect view of the massive house that seemed to be built several decades ago. I couldn't hold the 'wow' that escaped my mouth. My stomach churned once more, as it had been doing the whole way there. I was incredibly nervous. And also slightly hungry since the ride had taken about forty-five minutes. They were spent in mostly silence.

Harry had told me we would eat at the mansion which made my tastebuds stand up as well upon seeing the large house. The food would probably be delicious. Harry had stopped the car at the roundabout in front of the house and waited for a moment while the other cars were pulling up behind us one by one. There would be six in total, with a few members of Harry's gang and of course the other guys with Nova. 

"Don't worry". Harry spoke softly when he wrapped his hand around mine in my lap, to stop it from shaking. His eyes were as calm as always. It made my breath tremble a little bit less. 

Once all the cars had been parked, Harry got out and walked to my side to help me out as well. He held his arm out to me, to lay my hand on. I was grateful for it because the cobbled stones made me balance on the heels. 

Four formally dressed men were waiting for us at the entrance and made a grand scheme of opening the heavy doors for us. It felt very much like I was playing a princess in a movie. Sadly, the case was totally opposite. I was working for a gang. 

I pushed the thought out of my head immediately. There was no time to overthink now. It would surely cause me to slip. I could only imagine the chaos that would proliferate. 

Evans was not the man I had expected him to be. I had always thought he was as young as Harry. The guys had made him seem like a dangerous man that kept sticking his nose in their business. A man that challenged them. I had visioned him as a guy their age, clad in a suit and gelled back hair. 

Instead, he was in his sixties with long, wild and grey hair. His skin was wrinkled heavily and his teeth yellowed. The too-large glasses made him seem nerdy. Helpless even. Him not looking dangerous slightly lessened my nervous. 

He was hunchbacked as well and had the habit of swallowing loudly every minute or so. He didn't seem to find a tour of his house necessary. His privacy, in contrast, he found to be very important. Once we had entered the building, we only had to walk through a door on the right to arrive in a large dining hall. 

It really was like the historical movies. The table was long. Long enough to fit twenty people, with Evans himself sitting at the head and Harry at the other head, of course. Chandeliers were dangling from the ceiling and a fireplace in the corner made the room smell like warm winter nights. 

We all took place at the long table, including multiple men dressed as formally as the ones at the entrance. They were probably members of Evans gang. I found it almost weird how each gang was sitting at a different side of the table. 

"Bonsoir, mes amis." Croaked the old voice of Evans through the hall once we were seated. He had his hands folded in front of him. Then, he gestured with his fingers up towards the ceiling. Immediately, a young girl stepped up next to him. I guessed her to be around my age. 

She was shaking obviously, her fingertips bright red from a nervous habit. Evans lifted his hand up, his elbow supported by the arm rest, and laid his hand on her upper thigh. The girl took a deep breath. The sight made my hunger disappear.