A WEEK LATER

Jude's party was in a few hours and preparations were being put in place. A banquet was afoot, musicians polished their instruments and the sky had sent the gray clouds on vacation; which was paramount as the party was held behind their house, under the sky. It was a beautiful day and Jerome was excited. This had to have been his biggest birthday party since he was born. It was probably because it was to be celebrated in honor of him returning back home.

Guests started arriving earlier than usual, including the other Elders; there were 7 of them, his father included. Luckily his birthday was on a free day so both his father and his colleagues had the chance to attend. They were also using it as an opportunity to talk about the festival preparations.

With how fast and intensely the news of his misdeeds spread, it wasn't surprising that most of the Elders' children looked at him with contempt. Their parents were no different. But it didn't matter to him, none of the guests did. Only one person was on his mind.

"Mother, are you sure you sent the invitation to the Semira's?" He asked uneasily. The party was just about to start and they were nowhere to be found.

"Yes, I did. I asked Lima to drop by there last week and tell them. Don't worry they'll come", she replied. Her discussion with her husband had not fazed her decision to support Jerome. Although, she did fear that the Semira's might not come.

"Alright mother", He said, but a couple dozen minutes later, he was back. This went on until the party started.

Everyone was up and about, talking and laughing with one another. They stopped for a while and were about giving a toast to Jerome but he was nowhere to be found. "I'll go look for him", Felici Loknot, the daughter of one of the Elders said to Mr. Dernewt.

"I'll go with you", Peter Jon, the son of a different Elder cut in. Felici didn't protest.

Their search was a quick one, they found Jerome sitting outside in front of the main house.

"What're you doing here?" Felici asked. She stood in front of him with her arms akimbo.

"Do you mind?" He sighed.

"Do I mind what? Were you looking at something?" She looked behind her, "I don't see anything worth looking at."

He stood up and turned to go inside, but Peter was standing by the door. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Hmph, what do you guys want?" He sat back down on the floor.

Peter sat beside him. "Look, I told you to tell me if you ever needed to blow off some steam." He leaned closer to him, "With a couple errands I could have the best whore in the red light district brought to you right here and now." He looked at Felici, "I'm sure she'd let you have a go if you ask nicely", he chuckled.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Felici didn't take the joke well, "Hey! I'm not that sort of girl!"

"Look I'm not interested! Okay? I told you before and I'm telling you again." Jerome said.

After a while of silence, "I'm sure they'd be into acting like they were being raped." Peter suggested.

"Peter!" Jerome and Felici exclaimed.

"Alright! My bad."

Felici looked at Jerome. "I thought you were better than that. I couldn't believe it when I was told."

"I admire your faith in me, thank you." He replied, a bit to palely.

"Is that all you're going to say? Why did you do it?"

"Why else does anyone wish to have sex? I was bloody horny." He got up and went inside.

"You'd think he'd be happy on his birthday." Peter said.

"You and your stupid suggestions made him unhappy", Felici replied then opened the door.

"At least he didn't leave when I suggested it to him. It's your constant drilling and impudent questions that pissed him off." He got up, "Not everyone is perfect like you." He said then went in ahead of her.

"Tsk, idiots." She sighed.

About two hours later, Jerome was back outside again. It was now dark and the last rays of the sun had just disappeared. The party had moved inside the house. Most of the guests had left, but a few important ones stayed behind. Jerome sat with his head between his legs. Then someone rubbed him from behind. He was startled.

"Come inside, it's a bit chilly out here." His mother said.

"Mother", he held her hand. "I don't feel like it."

She sighed. "There's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?" He asked, but his mother didn't reply.

"There's someone coming", she pointed at a tiny light in the distance.

Jude immediately got up and peered into the darkness. But well, it was dark.

"Who goes there?!" He asked when he got tired of peering.

"Uhm, it's me!" The light bearer said.

"That's not exactly helpful!" He retorted.

Eventually they came into view.

"Good evening Ma", They greeted.

"Ravea!" Jerome exclaimed. He ran over and hugged her.

"Je-Jerome!" She stuttered. He lifted her up then dropped her.

"I'm so glad you came!" He held her hand. "Mother, this is Ravea; Ravea my mother."

"I'm aware", Hilma smiled mildly.

"Good evening Ma", Ravea greeted again.

"Hmm." She replied.

"Uhm, I came to apologize for the absence of both my family and I despite receiving an invitation to your party. It's nothing personal, I mean it is but not, ugh", she sighed. "I'm so sorry ma'am, my family members were fervently opposed to coming today and I wasn't allowed to come either, but I thought it'd be really rude to just... Not come."

Hilma said nothing for a while. She came down and stood in front of Ravea. Then almost immediately, she slapped Ravea.

"Mother!" Jerome exclaimed.

"That's for framing my son." Then she hugged her. "This is for saving him."

"Mother?" he said, confused.

Ravea was stunned.

"I'll leave you two alone now." She smiled and went inside. Jerome chased after her.

"Mother what was that about?" He asked.

She locked at him, then looked outside. "What sort of man lets a young lady walk home alone after dark?"

Jerome looked outside. Ravea was gone. "I'll talk to you when I get back!" He said then ran outside.

"Ravea! Ravea!!" He called after her. But she didn't answer. He grabbed unto her hand when he finally caught up to her. "Hey, you just got here, don't leave just yet."

"I-I have stuff to do at home." She stuttered then tried to shake free from his grip, but he wasn't keen on letting her go just yet.

"Alright, then I'll follow you home."

"What? Are you stupid? My dad won't let you off with just a slap, and he would not hug you either."

"I mean it's only fai-"

"It's not!" Her voice rose and cracked.

He looked back and saw someone coming out of his house. He pulled her into a bush and bent down.

"What're you doing?" She whispered, but he didn't say anything.

"Let's go", He replied after a while, then pulled her again.

"To where?" She asked.

"To the river."