Mai Legacy
1.6 - Romance Fesitval
“You guys already know who it is! Your girl, Penny!” proclaimed the voice of Penny Pizzazz, renowned internet celebrity and part time news castor.
James rolled his eyes. He didn’t get people like Penny. She was famous, and for what? Taking good pictures of herself and occasionally hosting radio shows?
“Let’s move into some hot topics,” Penny went on. “Rumor has it that Joaquin Le Chien, of the famous Windenburg Le Chien Legacy, recently married his long time friend, Hajar Cresques! It’ll be interesting seeing where their relationship takes this historic family! Speaking of love… let’s talk about President Goth’s plan to revitalize the Romance Festival…”
James turned her out and turned to Salim, who was sitting across from him at a table at the cafe. “Have you ever been?”
Salim nodded. “To the Romance Festival? I went with Akira once, it wasn’t awful. But I see why people want to revitalize it… whole thing was a bit seedy.”
“With Akira, huh?” Jame said, smiling mischievously.
“As friends!” Salim quickly added. “And I could say nearly the same about you and Susan, you know. And I think I will! You were dumb enough to ask her out after, what, spending a grand total of two days together? And you were surprised it didn’t work out?”
“H-Hey! We made up! Well, barely, but we’re on speaking terms now! Come on, Salim, Akira is unhappily married… it wouldn’t be all that hard for you to steal him away.”
Salim gave James a look that clearly communicated that Akira’s situation with Jacques wasn’t something to joke about.
“Jacques is actually coming with Akira to meet me at the Von Haunt Estate today,” James said, choosing to change the subject before Salim launched into some long winded lecture.
Salim nearly spilled his coffee. “That isn’t a good thing James! Jacques doesn’t do shit for Akira unless he feels threatened by someone. Probably thinks you’re trying to interfere with their marriage. You’d better watch out, okay?”
“Me? Interfere with their marriage? Come on, we’re just friends and I’m still getting over Susan. Plus, he’s Akira's husband! I'm sure he can't be all bad.”
“Oh, he definitely can be all bad. He took one look as the strong friendship I had with Akira and fell into a deep jealousy. I made the mistake of mocking him when Akira had the two of us meet up, so, the following week, he trashed a store I was having a book signing at. Absolutely terrified the small children that came with their parents,” Salim took a deep breath and let it out. “Then, somehow, that travesty was leaked to Penny Pizzazz, who released a conveniently edited video on her gossip website that made it look like I was the culprit, and nothing has been the same since. Absolutely destroyed my dream career as an author, so I’ve been a journalist ever since. Don’t take Jacques lightly.”
“Salim…” James breathed. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’ll uh, I’ll try my best to be respectful.”
“You’d better,” Salim nodded grimly.
As a result of his conversation with Salim, James walked up to the Von Haunt Estate incredibly nervous. He’d brought nothing with him that could be career crushing. The last thing he was going to do was show up with something that would allow Jacques to destroy his legacy, or his blossoming painting career, in the same way he'd destroyed Salim's career as an author.
He walked through the mansion, vividly remembering walking through this same room on his first day in Windenburg. He’d probably been nearly as nervous then as he was now. New town, no friends, no money… Everything had worked out fine in the end. He just has to hope it would all work out again.
Blinking slightly as he headed out of the mansion and into the sunlight flooded back gardens, James spotted Akira and an old man having what looked to be a very uncomfortable conversation on a bench on the mansion’s back patio. He walked over.
“James! How are you?” Akira exclaimed, standing up. He gave him a very forced smile as he shook James’s hand, but in his eyes, James saw a warning.
Tread carefully, he reminded himself.
“Good!” James said nervously. “I’m doing great. Good to meet you both… here, on an, uh, fine sunny day like today!”
The older man stood up. “No need for worthless chit-chatter, James. I’m Jacques, Akira’s husband, as I’m sure you already know.”
“I’ve, um, heard a lot about you from Akira!”
“Oh, really? Do tell.”
James mentally berated himself. Bad move. Why even say that?
“Good things, good things!” James lied.
“Please, go on. I would love to hear the tall tales Akira tells about me.”
Akira carefully made eye contact with James and slowly shook his head.
“You know what? I’m, uh, pulling a blank here. That’s weird! You’ll just have to get back to me on that later, hahaha…”
Jacques narrowed his eyes, but gestured towards the bench. “Take a seat.”
James did as he commanded.
“So, tell me James. You met Akira how, exactly?”
“Well… he was outside, protesting against high rent prices, and my friend, Susan, introduced us, because she was also protesting.”
“Susan, hm? She’s a good girl. Doesn’t cause problems between Akira and myself.”
Akira turned to Jacques. “Look, Jacques, this isn’t an interrogation. You just said you wanted to meet him. That’s it! Please- I don’t want another repeat of what happened to Salim.”
“Do you want to be left without cash for another month?”
James rose to his feet. “I’m sorry Akira, but I have to say something. Jacques, do you have any idea how wrong that is? He’s your husband! You’re supposed to love him, not treat him like some kind of dog that gets punished when he tugs too much on his leash.”
Akira frantically shook his head, but Jacques stood up and slowly approached James.
“He’s my husband. Not yours. The way our relationship works is absolutely none of your concern. Is that understood, James?”
Akira moved quickly to defend James from Jacques.
“Jacques!” Akira said firmly. “Lay off James right now. He’s only considered because he’s a friend, and nothing more. Listen here. I’m going to walk away, and if you truly love me, you’re going to leave with me before this escalates any further.”
Akira backed away from James, then slowly walked off towards the mansion.
“This isn’t finished, James. You have no idea what I’m capable of,” Jacques warned before hurrying after Akira.
Once they’d both left the area, James collapsed onto the bench and took deep breaths to calm himself. Jacques… he scared him. He wished he understood why Akira had fallen for him so he could try to rationalize and forgive Jacques for his behavior… but for now, all he could do was question what exactly he should do about this clearly abusive relationship as Akira’s friend.