The Curious Case of the Russian Bride (IM)

Time stopped for the child while reading the letter but for the rest of them, time ran as fast as ever ... perhaps faster, people pushed him as they hurriedly moved with their bags and suitcase trying to reach their flights or returning exhausted after a long day flying ... Between shoves he read what seemed a death sentence, his sentence of death. His face turned pale like a corpse while his lips repeated some of the words ... He read those keywords that he expected to change with little hope. He repeated as he walked as if saying those words could change the reality of what was to happen.
¨Mail order bride, Russian wife, marriage, false documentation ... ¨ Was his imagination or he became more pale each time he muttered each word?
Bouncing between the mass of people he reached the restroom. The airport was full of people who came and went, it was not the first time the child passed through that airport but he never got used to swim in that sea of people awkwardly moving heavy suitcases. In fact he knew it quite well, seeing it was his third time there he knew exactly where each place were and was not hard for him to find the restroom, he could be much more comfortable there to read that enigmatic letter again, maybe his brain might find some meaning to the explanation of his mother ... in a reduced space with less noise he might be able to concentrate better.

His 2D dupe stared at him from the false ID with the same black eyes reflected in the mirror that looked at himself. The adolescent singer splashed his face once, twice, three but could not wake up ... He was not dreaming, he was really going through all that. Actually his mother pulled the strings of his life to do what she wanted for who knows what hidden reason. For someone who wants to control the world, be controlled without any choice is very frustrating. What drives her mother to assemble all this tangle of lies? What reasons had to ruin the lives of two young?. He was scared, confused, worried about what should be done and how to tell her that in reality it was all a hoax and that they could not marry, maybe she was excited about the idea, maybe his mother has told a thousand stories about him and how he wanted to meet her ... What kind of extravagant stories his mother told her? Was she expecting a king?
But something of this situation attracted his attention, causing him to grow so much curiosity, a curiosity he had not felt since the early days when he discovered his mutation and experimented with James what things could melt or not ... That childlike curiosity drove him to meet her.
What circumstances bring her to America? If she was as pretty as her mother said ... why she needed such a method to find a husband? Could it be that she was escaping from her country? Could her be unjustly persecuted by the Russian mafia? Perhaps his father left her an unplayable debt ... Fausto's imagination flied in many different directions to try and find a truth, but it was just done ... The truth was that she was an enigma ...

The singer felt a bitter taste in his mouth, perhaps out of fear of what might come ... he spat in the sink several times trying to dislodge the bad taste but only managed to cause severe damage to the furniture, the bitter taste was produced in his mind as no taste live in his mouth for more than seconds .Fausto lifted his face dripping water, he seemed like a wet puppy, the singer even bow his head to one side like a dog while analyzing his appearance that was not what could be expected in someone of his greatness and quickly began to straighten his clothes , to erase wrinkles, buttoning buttons, close zippers. ..
So its pretty loose shirt of a black as black as his eyes keep tidy again, like their black buttons that were now each in his place, his coat that had been on the verge of falling to the ground in more than one occasion now rested neatly in his shoulders, sheltering arms from that artificial cold, letting it unsealed on both sides of his waist making it very comfortable to rest his hands in his pockets. And the hat ... Fausto loved that black hat that was his makeshift crown to show King Fausto Martense's magnificence.
His jeans seemed rather common, also the hat but the boy knew that everything was bought in the old continent, more specifically on his recent trip to Romania.

The king emerged from the restroom with look a little healthier than before, he had to face the inevitable but mostly had to find out what planned his mother, and why she had accepted the deal ... His instinct guided him through the people, something told him that she was close ... It was a strange but pleasant sensation, as if suddenly his ideas were lighted, as if suddenly the flow of thoughts that were stuck in his brain could find an alternative route to release the circulation of ideas and let him think better, even his body seemed more alert ... a kind of precognition, sixth sense or hunch led him to her ... Was it just because he felt curious to meet her? Or his greatness once again struck him with new gifts?
There she was, sat on her suitcase ... No doubt she was, his heart was beating faster as he approached ...He had developed some psychic ability or was it love at first sight? She looked so vulnerable waiting alone ...and so cute... ¨How could I tell you all what you expected is a lie? How can I break your heart after the long trip you took for me ...?¨ She reminder Fausto about himself... The old suitcase of James, who was now his suitcase, and how it contained all his clothes along with some memories of his childhood, just a few ... ¨ Sorry Kat...¨
Fausto steadily walked toward her, well not so steadily, his feet hesitated a moment, the first steps were difficult. In the short time it takes him to walk those few feet that separated both he though phrases to seems smart and nice but when he was next to her he forgot all of them . ¨ Excuse me, by any chance ... Are you Miss ... Niikoolaayeevaa? ¨ His tongue slowly pronounce her name as best as he could with his inexperience, although he knew that would ruin it anyway he attempted to put it in a friendly manner ... But good intentions do not magically undo what the boy killed with his horrible pronunciation.

The singer wanted to look indifferent, not to show attracted toward her, not to show real interest, and especially wanted to find the time to tell her that everything was a lie before he began to wish it to not be a lie. Her smile was so beautiful. ¨ Not as beautiful as Katrina's smile ¨ She looked much nicer while smiling so sweet. What shook his heart was not the energizing feeling he had but that she was alone ... Fausto remembered the day when he arrived at the mansion, no one in New York knew him but no one left him alone . They helped and also gave him a home. She needed a home and although she looked certainly strong and happy she could be tired and worried about their future ... it would be an injustice to not help even a little ...

His help comes with a bow and smiles as he spoke, his hand held hers to help her up ¨ Nice name, the pleasure is mine ... you can call me Fausto, i do not like how Mr. Martens sound. It made me look like a grandpa ...¨ His skin seemed to burst into flames as he felt her skin but he managed to finish the sentence without stammering. At the same time his blue blood settled in his face for some uncomfortable seconds that magical feeling lasted. Why he felt so alive near her? Why does every cell of his body seemed full of energy? Was it true love? That never happened with Katrina ... ¨ Perhaps after all, her smile was as beautiful as Katrina's, just maybe ...¨ To break the awkward spell that gripped him, he broke the ¨silence¨ again. There is no silence in an airport anyway. ¨ Do you travel often? When i travel i always carry two things, my guitar and my old fashioned suitcase. ¨ He took her bag to start talking again, he could not be considered a gentleman if he left her carry the suitcase all over the place. ¨ I love my suitcase. is a memento from my father and all my important things fit in there, is like you can carry your home everywhere you go. ¨ The words came quickly out of his mouth only to contribute to the noise pollution of the site.

Although it always was the same, he was surprised once again by his awkwardness at speaking without thinking or thinking/talking ... The fact that surprised him was that someone could say something so similar to what he was thinking but soon he realized it was himself who said what he was thinking.
¨Then if you heard a lot of me, We could talk about you. I want to know more about you. ¨ Even when he did not want to give her hope, or not to create an illusion and then destroy it, after all everything was going to end by telling her the truth ... Right?
¨I dunno what you heard but i am not like they said, i am better. ¨ He turned, walking backward, to look at her and wink at the joke, and turned again to walk in the right direction. He did not want to seem so self-centered from the start but his lack of self-criticism prevented him from thinking that she could had heard something bad about him, everything in his life was wonderful ... of course, not as much as him. Smiling he continued walking and carrying her suitcase, her whole world was there, it was expected that for someone of his greatness lead the world in his hands were not so complicated.
¨Now i am curious ... what kind of things did you hear about me? ¨ Knowing his mother ... rather, unknowing his mother as he did she could have invented anything,she could have said that with his charm he seduced the lady of the lake for the sword that will earn him the title of king and ownership of a a castle ... ¨ Yes, darling. I travel once a week to Camelot to give orders to my minions. No, our table is not round. ¨ The idea was very funny, but not yet reached the time of his reign. One day will come ...

Find the exit from the airport was the first step, a step that was not easy neither extremely complicated. The second step was to find a free taxi ...
¨Fausto! Right here boy! ¨ The man greeted him with his hand from his position, leaning against a limousine incredible polished that reflected all in its surface like a mirror. The singer looked around for that familiar voice calling him, that familiar voice belonged to a familiar face that he did not expect to see there, but when he needed transportation, the driver appeared. ¨ When i needed a cab he was there, when i need a limousine he is here ... wonder what would happen if i need an airplane ...¨

The child friendly questioned the driver as he approached until he was close enough to shake his hand. ¨ Arthur, why are you here? ¨ Wasn't it obvious? Arthur has always liked to surprise people, it amused him greatly. He loved the expression on their faces when surprised, and more even while trying to pretend everything was perfectly normal. ¨ To pick up you, of course. ¨ He smiled amused by the situation and the confusion of the child, he continued his work as professionally as possible but still smiling a lot. ¨ Is a limousine Chrysler C300 ¨ the driver said aloud, and added in a whisper, only to be hear by Fausto ... ¨ I did not steal it, silly. ¨ answering the question that Fausto did not make but he could read in his brain anyway, at the same time he opened the door for them to go up, inviting both with a wave of his hand.

That day, the surprises seemed to be endless. A Russian bride, a limousine ... She was pretty and he did not know a thing about her when he was supposed to know all ... It was easy to forget her question when both saw the limousine, her astonished expression was nothing compare with how she will be after hearing that he was not rich, and somehow the limousine was there by ... let's say ¨Luck¨. But it have nothing to do with his Wealthiness.
To enter in the limo leave him without air for a few seconds, but not so long. To spend the day in the halls and the rooms of famous Velfont's hotel prepared the singer for that kind of luxury. At least on these occasions he could dream of having all those things and being more than just a resident in the mansion...
The seat was like a sofa bended to one side, so comfortable and spacious, many people could be there and it will be still comfortable but only they were there, alone. Not even Arthur was with them, just after he went in he lifted the black tinted glass that made impossible for both to see or hear each other . That special glass do not let anything in or out, not even the sound. How would him be able to communicate with his driver? Well he did not really need to do it, he would know where to go anyway ... Arthur's voice answered him from a speaker that was not noticed before, he quickly found it following the sound , it was camouflaged so as not detract aesthetics. ¨ Are we going directly to the mansion or do you want to take a view of the city?¨. The boy though for a few seconds, which seemed to last forever, until he finally could find the button to answer. He felt like a fool surrounded by luxury and therefore unable to act freely as the king he always pretended to be. ¨ Let's take a look around ... ¨ Perhaps she might find the city relaxing after her flight and he could use the extra time to figure how to tell her the truth, and... to learn more about her. That voice filled the ¨room¨ again. ¨Do not forget the drinks...¨ ¨ Fausto felt like a fool again, How not to notice it? One side was occupied by the comfy seat and the other side by a mini bar, not so mini, that occupied the entire opposite side.
A fool filled of energy and a kind of emotion he never felt before, she was so ...refreshing? She was like a... cheerleader giving him courage for just being there or she was like a ... battery giving him energy? Was she aware of how alive he felt near her?

Different bottles of foreign brands. whiskey and liquor. And some other bottles he could not tell which what were filled. ¨What would you like to drink?¨ Even sitting both could reach the bar if they bent a little, everything was made for their joy. Comfort and luxury were the main actors.
The limo was moving with an admirable elegance, almost no one felt that it was in motion but his hands awkwardly moved to grasp the small vessels to contain the drinks ... Was Fausto nervous about looking good in front of her? Or just was the remorse for destroying her dreams ...? Small glass were filled with whiskey that probably a few people had the privilege to try. Was that amount right ...? How whiskey would feel downing the throat of a mere mortal ...? For him, it was almost like drinking water ... After all for him the equivalent of those liquor filled chocolates were the batteries, that delicious piece of metal coated in plastic and the filler that anyone else would find as toxic as cyanide.
As he offered her a glass he asked what gnawed his brain since the first glance at her ... ¨ You are pretty, You should knew it by the faces of those men that stare at you at the airport ... Then, why did you use this way to get a husband? ¨ He take a sip from his glass. He just tasted it, almost water in his mouth . ¨ Effie, Who are you? Why i could not avoid smiling around you?¨

The glasses were filled again, Fausto's cup lost it's content faster than Effie's. He did not care, his body otter every drop of whiskey as it would had done with poison, soil or stones without any side effect. Iron Mouth the terror of drinking contest. This was a contest where he would not lose. And every cup made its inhibitory effect and better... just on her.
All men lie ... He could not avoid that uncomfortable smile on his face but at some point he was relieved for a moment and thought she had noticed his lies but apparently all was as before. ¨Everyone lies ... how do you know if I lie? ¨
¨ The story is funny, I returned from a trip to Romania where I almost died and find my mother waiting in my room, who was allegedly killed together with my father three years ago. I get sick of something strange, very slowly my bones are weakened. Then mom thought it was better to buy a wife than to hire a nurse. Then without asking anything asked for a mail ordered wife and asked me to pick up someone on the airport , once i reached the airport I find out who I was picking up. A wife to respect me and take care of me, in health and disease ... disease over all. ¨
Of course he could not say that in a place so close like that. He needed to be in a place where he could easily ran away. There she could grab bottles and glasses, it would end in a bloody mess. Again she mentally cornered him and he had no place to go. Should Fausto tell her the true or should lie basely? Sweet words in a mouth that could melt your bones.
¨ When you have money, how do you know if someone really want you or is just by money? Not that i have tons of money on me ... Did you know that I have a band? I can not have a relationship without fearing that people are with me for fame ... Our songs still do not come out NY so I guess Russia is a safe place. ¨ The limo slowly moved around the city, circling important landmarks and buildings but the occupants did not pay much attention to them. Not even when people turned around to see that vehicle in which many of us dreamed to be up and he wanted to go down to be in a safer place when the truth would make her explode in anger. Or his tears threaten to swamp the limousine.

Hiding half his face with the glass, taking small sips to make it last to not look like an alcoholic by how quickly his glass was refilled.
¨ I do. Do you lie? ¨ Another wasted opportunity to tell the truth. The more time passed, more lies would have to be say ...
Luckily he could talk about the things he liked without problems, his alleged alter ego was none other than himself with supposedly more money, much money.This time his smile did not show one bit of concern or anxiety, he loved his band and what he was trying to do with it. ¨ Yeah, the best kind of music, rock and roll. Perhaps with a little of punk. ¨ He get into the subject and continued talking about his band as it was the most famous band in NY, in fact they were not so famous. ¨ We are three, I am the main singer and guitar, Takumi is the second guitar and Cielle is the drummer. ¨
Looking out the window the boy spotted the hotel that worked as the headquarters of the band, and home for two of its members.
¨ We are at central park right now ... do you want to walk a little? ¨ He asked her with hope in his voice, since he arrived soon from his last trip he did not have enough time to visit the places he like. But he realized he was being selfish, she should be tired. Surely she did not feel like him, like he could run for hours and hours ... Effie's presence was better than thousand coffees. ¨ Sorry you must be tired. Let's go to the mansion them. ¨
Arthur deftly drove through traffic, he seemed to react seconds before other drivers make a move , which gave him an advantage by finding gaps in the traffic to move faster . The mansion was not far and the intuitive way to move made the trip much faster.

Only one thing crossed his head when they went off the limo .What would happen if Katrina see them together? But his thoughts were lined up again to his ¨wife¨, to be more specific into her eyes ... that look of admiration ... It was everything he wanted, being the center of attention. Be the name that everyone should mention but he could not avoid feeling guilty about the way he was getting the attention ... What would say his father? From the long list of phrases used by James, one functioned perfectly ... ¨ The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat oneself ¨ How long would this lie last? Not much but more than screws need to dissolve in his mouth.
¨ We are a large family but ... ¨ Fausto knew well that a good lie is made using parts that are true, or using some similar sentiment. That way lies seem more sincere ... wandering for years taught him some tricks ... ¨ The mansion belongs to everyone. It was built with that purpose. ¨ That was true.
¨ My father died fighting to get this kind of things, so that more of us could live better.¨ Only the truth, but his father was not the founder of the mansion, or donated to the cause neither ... Yes, he died trying to help, but sadly did not get more than to appear in a corner of the front page of a local newspaper.
¨ You could say he invested much of his money to achieve this idealistic dream ... ¨ Yes, but that did much of his money was never a fortune. white lies that do not hurt anyone, not until they discover them. As white as his hair.

From his dangerous mouth lies grew faster, in fact incomplete truths, facts taken out of context and phrases that leave much to the imagination to create confusion that would generate new lying. Those words are so easily formed in his throat, and went so smoothly from his mouth, full of pride. It was hard not to believe him. And it was so hard to take courage and face the situation with the truth ... the lies flowed faster. But ... how to tell the truth without breaking her heart? Was Iron lying to avoid that fatal moment, or he just did it for the fun of act like someone else?