The Alchemists

Nicolae knew that Terry was actually a really intelligent and impressive guy. His friend was not only handsome but also smart. Not to mention how he had managed to lead the Schneider Group at a very young age.

Anyone would agree that Terry should have been able to shine tonight. Unfortunately, Elios Linden unexpectedly came and grabbed all the attention.

After several classy performances and the presentation of various awards, the time came for the announcement of "World's Most Eligible Bachelor".

Millian Landon stepped onto the stage and cheerfully smiled, carrying a list of nominations for men who were considered the most desired single men in the world today.

This was the only non-serious award that the Ritz Gala had presented since twenty-five years ago to lighten up the formal atmosphere of the show, but the award that was initially presented only for fun was getting more and more prestigious and finally becoming the most eagerly awaited award at the end of the Ritz Gala event every year.

Secretly, all the bachelors who were nominated wanted to get recognized as a man better than others.

***

"This is the award I've been waiting for," Terry commented. Nicolae nodded with a smile.

Millian read the names of the nominations one by one and each name that was mentioned will surely be followed by thundering applause. When Terry's name was mentioned, he just raised his hand nonchalantly and nodded here and there, as if he didn't care at all about his nomination.

Nicolae could only shake his head because he knew very well how badly did Terry really want this award.

"And this year, the Most Eligible Bachelor award goes to ..." Millian turned to Alaric's table and her words stopped in mid-air.

The winner's name on the card in her hand had the name Elios Linden, but Alaric had just got off from his seat and had walked out of the ballroom indifferently.

It would be a shame if Millian read his name as the winner and Elios completely ignored this prestigious award.

Ugh ... Millian had to think about the reputation of the event she was holding and she had to think fast.

Instantly her eyes fell on Terry who was sitting at his table with not just one, but four very handsome young men at once. If the camera panned at them, obviously people would be very excited because they could see such a beautiful view of the same table.

Finally, quick thinking Millian raised her hand to raise the card without showing its contents and exclaimed, "Terrence Chan, President of the Schneider Group!!"

Applause immediately thundering and all cameras were directed at Terry's table. Girls held their breath because they had seen Terry sitting with London and Rune and there were Nicolae and Aldebar joining them through the Virconnect space.

This can't be real!! Five men at once! So handsome and charming, they all thought.

The live audience and 30 million viewers from all over the world who took part in the program via Virconnect immediately became curious as to who the five guests were.

Terry, who didn't expect his name to be called, looked confused for a few seconds and then he stood up, still with a look of disbelief, walking toward the stage.

"Whoaa ... the famous Schneider family turned out to have a lot of handsome men. We are very lucky to see them. Usually, the family is very reclusive."

Such were the comments of so many people. A moment later the news about the good looking men from the Schneider family immediately became trending on Splitz.

"Th ... thank you for the award," Terry said, still surprised. He had suspected that damn Elios Linden would win all the attention. But in fact, now it was he who won the award he wanted ...

Terry was too surprised to give a touching speech, finally, he just raised his trophy and bowed slightly and then returned to his table.

Nicolae was very happy because Terry finally got what he wanted. However, he still could not forget the mysterious Elios Linden. He still could not understand why an Alchemist appeared so open to people and attracted so much attention.

He was determined to investigate Elios Linden as soon as he returned.

Alaric sighed when he saw Milian go on stage to read the World's Most Eligible Bachelor award and he immediately walked out. He did not want his name to be called a winner.

Not only because he looked down on that ridiculous award, but he knew he was not a bachelor and shouldn't be nominated at all. He was a married man and he still loved his wife very much.

***

"Congratulations, Terry ... you have finally been named the world's most eligible bachelor ..." Nicolae said with a laugh. "I will tell Aleksis that you finally defeated all the bachelors in this world. "

"Ahaha, thank you." Terry nodded, "Thank you for coming. Good night then. I'll leave Aleksis and my nephew and niece, with you."

Nicolae finally closed the Virconnect connection and disappeared. When he turned off the application at his home in Iceland, he was interested in investigating Elios Linden immediately. Without delay, he immediately opened his tablet and began the search.

"Hey, it's already at 4 o'clock in the morning. Why aren't you sleeping?" Aleksis' voice made Nicolae startled. "Hey ... why do you look like that? Like seeing a ghost."

Nicolae sighed and calmed his breath, "Gosh, if you don't make any sound when you walk, I'm surprised, I thought you might be a..."

"Hahaha ... who else would it be if it is not me? I woke up and felt thirsty, so I went to the kitchen to get a drink. How was the event?" Aleksis asked, sitting next to Nicolae. Her gaze had seen the name Elios Linden on the young man's tablet. "Who's that? Why do you want to work this early?"

Nicolae shook his head, then closed the tablet. He will not work and do anything that will keep Aleksis awake. The girl needed her rest.

"I'm going to bed. You go back to rest. Tomorrow the weather is clear, we can go down to the village and go to the farmers' market. It must be fun." He ruffled Aleksis's hair then pushed the girl's body back to the room.

"Hmm ... okay. But you should sleep too," Aleksis patted Nicolae's shoulder and entered the room. When she turned to close the door, suddenly Nicolae had kissed her cheek and rubbed her head then went to his own room.

Aleksis touched her cheek which Nicolae had just kissed and was stunned.

She knew Nicolae had always treated her with respect and would not do anything she did not like.

Over the past few months, Aleksis had seen how often Nicolae had to restrain himself from kissing her and refrain from hugging her. But yesterday Nicolae couldn't hold back anymore and hugged her under the aurora while proposing to her. And tonight, he gave Aleksis a good night kiss on her cheek.

Aleksis knew that someday she would accept Nicolae's love, be willing to marry him and they would make love as lovers or husband and wife, but now, just a kiss on the cheek had already made Aleksis feel guilty.

When will she be able to move on with her life and leave Alaric Rhionen as a part of the past? It's not fair for Nicolae if Aleksis continues to put his love on a string ...

Finally, after the door was closed, Aleksis could only beat his own chest while holding back her sobbing.

If she did not have Altair and Vega in her life 5.5 years ago, she would have taken her own life, because life without Alaric was not truly living. This longing made her heart hurt and there is no cure to her pain.