The Alchemists

"I didn't expect Lauriel to come out of his seclusion," Sophia said, pouring herself wine after Lauriel and Aleksis left. "He almost looked… normal. I only remember him as someone who disliked humans and preferred to be alone. Who would have thought that he would be in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It's amazing how love can turn someone around like this..."

"Everyone can change." Caspar shrugged. "You were a purist, now you have also changed. You even betrayed your brother to help me."

Sophia took a sip of wine then looked down and played with her glass. "I didn't expect my brother to do such a trick. I supported him in becoming the clan leader, but not by such deceit. I still can't believe he sacrificed his girlfriend for his cause... If he considers Famke expendable, I'm afraid that someday he will sacrifice me too ..."

"Alexei is mentally ill," Caspar commented. "My people are still trying to track him down. He must be stopped."

Sophia remained silent at Caspar's words. There was sorrow in her eyes.

She finally finished the wine in her glass then raised her face and looked intently at Caspar. "I'm sorry for my brother's behavior..."

Caspar didn't answer. His mind wandered to the sad-eyed girl he met at the airport more than two years ago. Within six months after their encounter, he succeeded in making the girl happy and smile.

However, a few months later, her smile disappeared and was replaced by hatred.

He really missed Finland.

"You are quiet..." Sophia's comment evoked his reverie.

"Hmm..." Caspar took out his laptop and started working. "I'm busy. You know the way out."

"I have not yet conveyed the purpose of my arrival..." Sophia said quickly. "Don't you want to hear what I'm going to say? I deliberately didn't discuss it in front of Lauriel because I was protecting your reputation."

"What is that?" Caspar asked lazily.

"People are suspecting that you gave our immortality potion to a mere commoner. Tristan, who worked in a movie with Jean Pierre Wang, recognized all the Alchemist traits on him. I think he started the rumors… " Sophia looked at Caspar with a probing look. She really wanted to know the truth.

"Even if I did that, it's none of your business..." Caspar replied, glancing back at Sophia. "Why are you so nosy?"

"Wasn't that bottle of immortality potion for your wife? Why did you give it to Jean? Is Jean more important than your wife?"

"I'm busy, Sophia. I don't have time to answer all your questions." Suddenly Caspar felt very tired. "I am thankful that you cleared my name, even though the consequence for that is that you must leave your family and live on the run. I have promised to protect you as a favor, but I will appreciate it if you do not interfere in my personal affairs..."

"Did you give Jean the immortality potion, for your wife's sake...? You were willing to let your wife age just so that her best friend can live?" Sophia covered her mouth with a look of disbelief. "You know there won't be any potion for the next 10 years..."

"Sophia!" Caspar suddenly snapped at Sophia. He had lost his temper. "I don't usually ask twice."

Sophia was very surprised when she saw Caspar's cold expression. She hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry. I care about you and I am sad to see you like this. You have sacrificed so much, but still that woman hasn't forgiven you. How long do you want to wait for her call? Jean has woken up for a year now, but she still hasn't contacted you. She doesn't keep her promise..."

Sophia took her bag and walked toward the door. "If I were you, I would look for her one last time, and finish my business thoroughly. I would not wait like a fool."

The door closed behind her.

Caspar continued his work after Sophia left, but he could not concentrate. He kept thinking about Lauriel and his child earlier. He was truly jealous that Lauriel, who was a loner, was living happily now and had a child of his own. He, on the other hand, was still waiting for a particular woman to forgive his mistakes.

He always missed Finland, but for the sake of his promise to the girl he could only wait. He knew that Jean had woken up from his coma, but Finland still hadn't contacted him. He was often tempted to track Finland, but he managed to hold back. He could not take any more risks after he learned that Finland was really serious about testing him.

Jadeith almost saved Finland when the girl pretended to jump off the balcony of her new apartment building after she moved out of Rose Mansion. Fortunately, Jadeith was a little late and Finland did not know of his whereabouts.

Thereafter Caspar did not dare to send his men to follow Finland because the girl was very smart. She was also able to recognize the man Caspar sent to follow Finland on her flight from Paris to Singapore. All this left Caspar with no choice but to wait.

If Finland really wanted to come back to him, it would be very easy for her to contact him.

However, Sophia's last sentence kept ringing in his mind.

Was it true that he had been waiting like a fool?

Caspar didn't sleep at all that night. He continuously thought about Finland. Finally, when it was morning, he called Jadeith and asked him to investigate something.

"Jadeith... I will now break my promise to Finland. I can't take it anymore. I want to see her. Find out where she is now."

"Okay, Sir."

Caspar made coffee to clear his mind. He played various scenarios in his head, mostly about what he would do when he discovered Finland's whereabouts. Would he approach her and ask her to give him a second chance? Or would he just watch her from afar?

He could not decide.

Half hour later Jadeith called. Caspar, who was daydreaming, was surprised by the ringing of his phone and hurriedly picked up the call.

"Do you know where she is?"

"Uhm... Madam just left St. Laurent Hotel for the airport..." Jadeith's voice sounded a little strange, but Caspar didn't pay attention. He was very surprised to hear the news.

"What did you say? Finland was at THIS hotel?"

"Yes, Madame was staying at this hotel, for a total of four days. Now she is heading to the airport to fly to Singapore."

"Get the car ready, I'm going to the airport."

Caspar immediately cursed himself for taking too long to make the decision. If he had told Jadeith to investigate her whereabouts sooner, surely he would be able to meet Finland in his own hotel!

He hurriedly changed his clothes to something neat and tried to clear his head with two cups of espresso.

He would finally meet Finland again!