The Alchemists

"Eh ... you are smiling? What did I do wrong now?" asked London. He was rather confused. From L's response, he felt that L also enjoyed their kisses as much as he did, but he had no idea L would give him a smile, even though it was a thin one.

Is there anything interesting or funny? he thought in astonishment.

L nodded. She released herself from London's embrace and then walked to the dining table and poured for herself another half a glass of dessert wine. She gracefully stepped onto the terrace and sat in a comfortable patio chair, enjoying the romantic view of the rain while sipping her wine.

"What ... what's so funny?" asked London, still puzzled. He also poured himself a glass of dessert wine and stood next to L's chair. She was solemnly watching the rain. After a while, L was finally willing to answer his question.

Her face looked flat as she turned towards London and raised her wine glass, then answered in a flat voice. "You win ... and get your prize, a kiss. While actually, had I won, your punishment is to be with me for the rest of your life."

It took London two seconds to digest L's words, and then when he understood what she meant, he almost flushed his own head with the wine from his glass.

Ughhh ... London Schneiderrrrr you are dumb.

DUMB.

Actually, if L won, it would work in London's favor, because he could shamelessly follow L forever ... on the grounds that he lost the bet.

Ahhh .. why didn't I think that far? he cursed in the heart.

Just because a small gift, a kiss, he was so easily tempted. In fact ... the opportunity to be with L all his life was far greater than a kiss. In their case, losing for London would be better than winning.

Wise people clearly said, "Woman is always right".

How could he forget something so important?

In this bet, he should have let L be right with the weather forecast. He should have let L win their bet. He could still bring rain the next day ... It didn't have to be tonight.

The saying also said, "A happy wife is a happy life". So if he could keep L happy, of course, she would be very pleasant to live with and thus make their home happy.

Ah ... anyway, there is no use crying over spilled milk. London was determined that if he managed to marry L, he promised he would never again forget this very important proverb.

Woman was always right, and a happy wife will make the husband happy.

"Uhmm ... can we make another bet?" asked London in a gloomy voice. He should at least try to get a chance to correct his mistake just now.

Hearing London's words, L actually looked at him with a disapproving look. "You want to set a bad example for your child by getting addicted to gambling?? Betting is also gambling, you know!"

"Ugh ... yeah, you're right ..."

And London was at a loss for words. Tonight he was the one to win the bet, but somehow he was feeling like the loser. His mind became foggy and he could no longer think about maintaining the romantic atmosphere like before they kissed.

If this continued, how could he reveal his secrets to L? He wanted to tell her that he was actually an immortal and would look young forever. He also came from one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world ... and if L married him, L would be able to enjoy it all.

L would be given the immortality potion so that she could stay young forever like London, and she would be able to live with their daughter without having to experience aging and illnesses. And of course, if she married London, everything that belonged to him would be hers. Whatever she wanted in this world, she would get them.

His head felt heavy when he thought about how he had ruined the atmosphere. He should have been able to reveal all his secrets and be honest with L, had he not ruined his chance.

"I'm just kidding, really ..." he blurted out while finishing the wine in his glass. "I will not set a bad example for Lily."

L turned to him again and nodded. "Good. We shouldn't get used to betting. It's a bad habit."

"Hmm ... you're right," London replied.

In his dictionary, L was always right, and he promised to always lose in their future bets. That, if L ever wanted to have another bet...

"I am having a throbbing headache. I'll go to sleep now," said London, touching L's shoulder. "Don't stay out too long. You'll catch a cold."

L nodded.

"Good night," the girl said without turning her head. Her attention was taken up by the rain outside.

After cleaning up their plates, London then entered his room. He lay down and tried to close his eyes. That was a good opportunity, to be honest with L, but he messed it up. Why was it so hard to find the right moment? He complained to himself.

His mother's sad face came to his mind. Finland was so eager to meet Lily and come visit London as often as possible. But because London was still keeping his identity a secret, it would be difficult for Finland to come.

Not only was L still jealous of her, but also she wouldn't believe that Finland was actually London's biological mother because her face and appearance still looked like a girl in her 20's.

After tossing and turning in bed and trying to close his eyes without success, London finally gave up. I can't keep going like this. I must tell the truth to L, he thought.

He had promised his mother to fix the problem tonight. He could not continue to let his family meet Lily in secret. For how long could he keep everything a secret? Lily also had the right to get to know her father's side of the family ...

Finally, he got out of bed and went out of his room to confess to L. He had to finish everything tonight. London still L in the same place. The girl sat facing the pool with half a glass of dessert wine in her hand while she was watching the rain.

London decided to reveal everything.

"L ..." London tried to find the right words to convey his heart's content. He stood very close to L's chair and started talking.

"I'm sorry for lying to you all this time ..." His voice began to get emotional. He encouraged himself to accept L's anger for being lied to all this time. "I lied to you about my name, my family, about this house, about the facilities in the hospital ... about ... so many things. It all started because of my intentions to try living like a normal person ... Our first chaotic meeting prevented me from being honest with you ... But I want to stop all those lies now ..."

London took a deep breath and continued his words. He wanted L to hear everything in full before he gave the girl a chance to answer. So he hurriedly explained everything.

"My name is actually London Schneider. I am the owner of the Schneider Group. I make sure you and Lily got the best treatment at the hospital. I also work with Jan and Pammy to give you this house. I did everything because I love you and Lily. I just wanted to give the best to you both .." He swallowed hard. "I'm not an ordinary human either. I'm from the Alchemist clan. We are immortals and we look young forever. Ten years from now, even a hundred years from now ... my face won't change.

Do you remember Finland that makes you jealous? She is not my friend ... but my mother. Now she is almost 60 years old ... but as you can see, she still looks so young ... This rain? I requested it. I asked Jan to send rain here at exactly 10 pm so that I could win the bet. I'm sorry ... for lying to you ..."

London finally poured out everything in his heart, and for some reason, the headache he was feeling was starting to dissipate.

Now he could only wait for L's response ... and accept her wrath.

London's stood still in his place with a thumping c.h.e.s.t, waiting for L to turn to look at him with a pair of glaring eyes because she was angry.

He was ready.