The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

“Do you think so?” Emma asked Poppy. To be honest, even though she had never truly tried it, this crazy idea really did occur to Emma in her thoughts before going to sleep. She was indeed a full of innovation girl.

Poppy nodded, “I’m not kidding, Emma. Most amazing things come from an idea that is considered crazy. When that happens, I hope you will teach us the technique you invented.”

Emma smirked at Poppy’s words, “I would be very proud if I could do it.”

***

“Hell Gate has fallen.” The hoarse voice came from the lips of a man who had a scratch mark running along his right cheek towards his ear.

“Hem..” Replied a man with a very fashionable hairdo like a model. Like his elegant way of dressing, his personality was also quite elegant. He was seen sitting relaxed in a director’s chair while reading the newspaper with his legs folded politely.

“I’ve finished counting the total, Boss. There’s still quite a lot left this month.” Said his crew who had short hair dyed fiery red.

The man closed his newspaper and rose to his feet, “Quickly pack everything up and hand it over to the wolf. Be careful on the way. Things are not conducive lately.”

.....

“Yes, Boss!” Replied the subordinate by taking the red suitcase from the table with piles of money on it. Then, he left the group leader’s room after greeting.

The man clad in a branded coat with a plaid pattern, turned to a big man with ponytailed straight hair, “What about the new men?”

“They’re pretty good. I’ve taken from some of the best studios.” The big man in the black suit answered.

“Hm.. Come to think of it, did we have too many members?” The leader muttered.

“We can replace the current weak members with new members from the studios.” The big man replied.

“But I know their parents. If those people complain to my grandma..” he mumbled. His man could only stare at him blankly.

Suddenly, a cell phone ringtone sounded, and the leader immediately took the cell phone out of his coat pocket, “I have to go now. My grandma has called me.” he said by looking at the phone screen.

“All right, Boss. I’ll get the car ready soon.” His man replied.

In such a world of darkness, almost everyone thought that having someone they love was a burden. Even someone powerful would become too weak just because he had a parasite that would make him very easy to defeat. That’s because he had a weakness, namely the person he loves.

But it did not affect a Marcel Douglas. In this world, the greatest source of his strength was his grandmother. Even though they would say that Marcel was a weak man because he had an old grandmother he had to protect, he wouldn’t hesitate to cut off that person’s tongue.

It snowed heavily. At that time, Handway City was in the peak of winter, where it would snow almost every day and the temperature was dropping. Because of this, the government would close all schools and universities, which they called winter break.

Marcel opened the door of a small tavern that he had to even lower his head slightly as he passed through the doorframe. An old woman with white hair covered in a knitted hat immediately turned her head. She excitedly stood up with a big smile, walked over to her beloved grandson.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Grandma.” Marcel immediately hugged his grandmother warmly.

“It’s all right, my dear. Let’s go now,” The grandmother then took her grandson’s hand to get out of the closed tavern.

After locking the door, Marcel got into the driver’s seat of the car, “Are you wearing the seatbelt properly?” he asked, examining the belt that ran across his grandmother’s front body.

“Of course, My dear. I’m not that old-fashioned,” The grandma smiled.

Marcel chuckled, “I’m sorry. I just feel a little worried and guilty that it’s been a long time since I took you out like this.”

“I know you have a lot of work to do. Don’t mind it.” The wrinkled hand grabbed the grandson’s head and stroked it gently, “The older you get, the more handsome you are. Right just like your father.”

Marcel shook his head slowly, “No, Grandma. I look like mom. I don’t look like dad.”

The woman’s sad eyes seemed to understand until she nodded in agreement with her grandson’s feelings, “You’re right. You have to be like your mother.”

Marcel took his grandmother’s hand and kissed it once, before starting the car.

Because of the long holiday, this was the only time Marcel was able to take his grandmother out together. Actually, his goal to work hard all this time was to make his grandmother happy. But what was happened instead, he often had to leave his grandmother alone in the small tavern.

Indeed, the world was quite fair. If you want something, then you have to sacrifice one other thing. In Marcel’s case, he chose to trade his time for money. He had to do that because he already felt how miserable it was to live without money.

“Marcel.. How do I look today? I’ve chosen the best clothes to match you.” Said the grandmother by combing her grey hair.

Marcel smiled, “As usual, very beautiful.” he answered with a wink.

“Gosh.. I wonder why until now you still haven’t got a girlfriend with such a beautiful smile.” The grandmother praised.

“They’re not to my taste, Grandma.”

The two wrinkled eyes narrowed, “Your taste is too high, son. You should try to have a relationship with a girl first to know her beauty from the inside.”

“I can’t date a girl I don’t like.” He smiled.

The grandmother sighed tiredly, “What an annoying guy you are...”

Finally, they arrived at a parking lot that was quite busy with other cars that were already covered in snow. It was a very popular tourist area in Handway City during the winter season. There were so many sparkling Christmas ornaments.

“Wow.. How beautiful,” The grandmother muttered, clasping her hands which were now wrapped in thick gloves.

“I think this place is getting more beautiful by the years because the decorations are made as much and as beautiful as possible,” Marcel said while embracing the old woman after pressing the lock button on his car key.

“If only the Redvalley Street area could be this beautiful. There would be more visitors coming. Isn’t that right?” asked the grandmother with her two faded green eyes reflecting the sparkling lights of the street.

The street was swamped with people walking everywhere. They were all enjoying their winter break before the new year came. Usually, winter would be at its coldest about a week after the new year. At that time, everyone would choose to stay at home to escape the bone-chilling waves of cold air.

“Don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll make the street this pretty.” Marcel promised. Then, he pointed to a clothing store with a well-known brand, “Let’s go in there.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to buy me useless expensive clothes anymore?” The grandmother guessed with a disapproving face.

Marcel innocently nodded, “The clothes that you’re wearing lately.. I feel like I’ve seen you wear them last year.”

“I did wear last year’s clothes for this year. But that’s not a problem, Marcel. Just save your money for something more important.” The grandmother reprimanded.

But Marcel did not budge, and instead continued to walk causally by holding his grandmother’s skinny hand, and then entered the shop that had a classy design.

After receiving greetings from the store staff, Marcel and his grandmother were directed to the section of the room that displayed women’s clothing for winter, “Hmm.. This year’s collection is good too. I love that the designers have finally decided to add a bit of a bolder colour to their work.”

“Marcel. Everything in this shop is too expensive. Why are you always wasting your money on unnecessary clothes like this? Besides, I’m too old to look pretty in any expensive clothes.” The grandmother persuaded her grandson to obey her to get out of the shop that had a bold perfume smell.

Marcel took a few coats from the shelf then turned to his grandmother who was standing uncomfortably behind him, “Appearance is important, Grandma. We are different from the past. I don’t have much time for you. Therefore, at least I want to give you the best. ”

Marcel’s face that looked like that, made his grandmother purse her lips and couldn’t talk anymore. She remembered the same face as the boy’s. The face with the same expression that said would make her happy, but the person left with a full of regret face for not being able to keep his promise.

Indeed, the old woman was not happy if her grandson kept giving her a lot of expensive things. Even the boy gave her a lot of unnecessary items. However, even though she didn’t feel happy, she knew that it was the only thing his grandson could do in return for her. Although her heart was not happy, the grandson felt happy if he could give many things to his loved one.