The Alchemists

Finland was really heartbroken. At first, she was very happy return to Singapore. However, after meeting Sophia, hearing how much Caspar did not want to see her, and being accused of having an affair with Jean, her heart felt so painful that she did not want to stay in Singapore any longer.

Lauriel immediately called the airline and rescheduled their tickets to San Francisco. At midnight they were already on the plane to United States.

Finland tried her best to look fine on the plane. She was embarrassed when other passengers saw her cry. But when the plane lights were turned off and the passengers in the business cabin went to sleep, she cried quietly in her seat.

They arrived in America in the morning after a quick transit in Japan and a 20-hour flight. Once they landed in San Francisco, Finland's heart felt heavy again. Lauriel saw her change in expression and sensed her gloominess and decided to give her some space.

"You look very tired. I will take Aleksis to my house, so you can rest." He offered as they walked to the parking lot. Lauriel parked his car in the airport so that they could return to the city easily.

Finland shook her head.

"I am okay... "

"But you don't look okay." Lauriel insisted. "You still have a few days off, right? We were supposed to be in Singapore for the next 3 days. What if I take you and Aleksis on a vacation? You look like you really need a break. I just bought a house in Colorado. It's located by a lake, and it's really beautiful."

"Don't you already have a house in San Francisco...?" Finland asked in surprise.

"My house in San Francisco is too small," Lauriel said, shrugging. "I want Aleksis to enjoy the fresh mountain air and live close to nature."

Finland could only grumble inwardly. Lauriel's supposedly 'small' house was a two-story house which had its' own courtyard and garden. Having a courtyard and garden was something very rare in San Francisco. She was sure that his house was worth more than 10 million dollars. Finland herself now lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Tenderloin District at a rental price of 1500 dollars per month.

"You know that my office is in San Francisco. I can't move to Colorado with you, and Aleksis has to stay with me," Finland confirmed.

"I know," Lauriel said. "We will go there only for vacation."

"Oh..."

"So, what do you say? Do you want to go there and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake or do you want cry in San Francisco until your leave is over?" Lauriel asked again.

Finland finally agreed reluctantly.

Lauriel was apparently only being humble when he said he just bought a house in Colorado. The truth was that he bought a big beautiful farm.

The main building was as grand as a mansion and there were at least 10 servants who took care of the main building alone. It was located next to a beautiful lake with blue and green colors that remind Finland of the color of his eyes.

Across the lake was a beautiful pine forest and behind it was a towering blue mountain. The whole area looked like a very beautiful painting.

***

The beauty of the area managed to make Finland forget her sadness a little bit. When they arrived, Finland was constantly amazed. Behind the mansion was a stable and a meadow where the horses and livestock graze. Animals such as rabbits and deer roam freely in their pastures.

"You're so rich..." Finland could no longer hold her curiosity when they were having a picnic by the lake with Aleksis. "Did you get an inheritance or something? I've never seen you work..."

"I did come from old money, but I also worked a lot in my youth. Now I just want to enjoy life," Lauriel answered. "I used to work very hard."

"What did you do?" Finland asked.

"Hmm... have you ever heard of a pirate with the nickname Black Bart?" Lauriel asked. Finland shook her head. Lauriel smiled. He opened something on Google and gave his phone to Finland. "I am Black Bart."

Finland read on Wikipedia that Black Bart was a nickname given to a famous pirate named Bartholomew Roberts who inspired the Pirates of Caribbean character played by Johnny Depp. He was a young and handsome pirate who operated between 1682-1722.

It was estimated that he plundered more than 400 ships during his career. Although he was very successful, he hated spree, he did not allow the presence of female passengers on board, and he forbade his men from drinking excessive alcohol. He died in a battle with a British warship, which made all of his men grieve.

"Black Bart died in battle with a British warship..." said Finland, reading the wikipedia entry.

"I'm still alive, aren't I? We are used to faking our deaths by moving to another country and taking a new identity." Lauriel shrugged. "The treasure that I have accumulated for decades as a pirate is more than enough to live comfortably forever. I have also invested my wealth and many historical objects that I own from centuries ago have now become very valuable and expensive. All in all, with my wealth accumulated for 500 years, I have enough."

Finland instantly remembered something. She remembered hearing Caspar and Flora talking about Lauriel when she came to Germany.

"So, your name is Lauriel?" she asked him.

"Hmm. I told you, right?"

"Oh... Aren't you the oldest alchemist alive?"

"Uhm... you make it sound like that is a bad thing. So what if I'm the oldest? Is that a bad thing?" Lauriel looked closely at Finland. "A man is like fine wine, the older they are, the better the taste and the more expensive the price."

"Uhm... that's not it. You still look like you're 25 years old," Finland said. "I'm just curious, what it feels like to live like you guys. I once asked Caspar what it feels to live so long... do you guys not feel bored? He said that everything was normal for him, because that's the kind of life he had known from the beginning. He just didn't know what it's like to live as an ordinary human. His standards for normal are different from mine..."

Her voice was a little hoarse when she mentioned Caspar's name, but Lauriel pretended not to notice.

"I understand the meaning of your question," Lauriel said. "After living for more than 550 years and exploring every inch of this earth... I finally felt bored and I didn't want to live anymore. There's no point in living forever if there isn't anyone you can love..."