22 Acquaintances

The door closed behind them and Emerelda saw that it was bedroom. No, it looked more of a study with the desk at the front, the bookshelf on the side, although there was a bed sitting at the opposite wall of the bookshelf. A small table at Emerelda's left was filled with many alcoholic drinks in glass bottles. The table top was made from a mirror that reflected the light brown liquids and high decorated cups on a silver tray.

Emerelda and Emmett stood close with each other, staring at the man who sat on top of his desk with the lady from upstairs standing next to the desk, arms crossed, a smile on her lips.

Mr. Thomas was in about his thirties, with wavy black hair smoothed back, and hazel blue eyes. He wore only a black shirt with a grey waist coat and black trousers. His feet bear. He had a body build of a good shape and his face made him look younger then thirty one. He clapped when Emerelda and Emmet walked in and shook his head just as the blond man outside did. He seemed amazed by them.

"Wonderful performance!" he said.

Emmett replied, "Thank you."

"That was extraordinary! Now, don't get me wrong, it was something I've never seen."

They both shared a look, and Emmett raised his eyebrows, "Oh?"

He got off his desk, "At first it sounded as if it was a song you both knew well, moving along with one another until you-" he points at Emerelda, "Took the lead."

The lady went over the small table next to her and started pouring a drink into the cups.

"Oh?" she repeated Emmet's response.

He bobs his head up and down, "Oh yes, you seemed to take the lead, and suddenly you started playing high. The song was changing into a new mood." He nods to Emmet, "This young man was trying to keep up to you, and soon both of you were suddenly arguing with one another through the music. And then…" he trailed off dramatically, pausing.

The lady came with a tray that held three half full glasses. She gave it to Emmett and Emerelda. Emmett took it with no hesitation and drank it in one go. He placed his empty glass on the tray, and Emerelda slowly reaches for a cup. He reached for hers and took her cup, taking another swing of it.

"Oh my," said Mr. Thomas at the back.

Emerelda made a face at Emmett, and he grins down at her. He looked at the lady with a cocky grin, "Thank you, Miss."

She blushed and went to give the last glass to Mr. Thomas. He took it staring at the both of them with a muse face. "The boy can drink." He said.

Emmett shrugs, "Can't we all?"

Mr. Thomas smirks, "Of course."

"As you were saying," Emmett indicated for him to continue.

"Yes, as I was saying, you young man started to understand her tone. You too opened up while playing. She was playing through emotions, at first you weren't, you played as if you were supposed to and knew the song, but finally you opened up and played along with her, both of you sharing the same feelings with one another. And the feeling was," he took a sip from his drink, "Sorrow." he gasps.

Emmett stiffened next to her, though in an unbothered voice he said, "How observant you are."

Mr. Thomas spread his arms, "Music is my passion! When both of you started playing with one emotion, and the piano took the lead after the violin paused, you made sure to take the crowd's attention back to you when you stopped. However, that's not what you wanted." His hand fell and lift the hand with the cup at Emmett, "Your emotions took over you, and you showed the violin that the song you both played was yours. You showed the violin that it was you who started first, you were upset the violin took it too far…and yet you still sounded almost as if you were relived. "

Mr. Thomas let that sink as he finished his drink. He continued, "The crowd started feeling it as well. They were drawn to it at first, watching two talented young adults playing. And suddenly the music spiked up, changing directions. It was also strange as the song wasn't one no one had ever heard. They watched amazed right until the end, lost in a trance." Mr. Thomas smirk left his lips, "They watched the most two beautiful instruments that were made for songs in heaven, made for the soft delicate fingers come with each other through a strange song."

He smiled, "The emotions portrayed through the song, playing from your hearts. And the heated moments that madecthe crowd agitated and tense. That is what music is, all from deep within."

Emmett went over to the table and started opening a bottle, "I'm glad that pleased you, Mr. Thomas." He said.

Mr. Thomas nods, "Yes, Emmett."

Emmett froze for a split second until he smirked and poured himself the brown liquid, "You remembered me."

"Of course I do, you were one of my dearest friend's child."

Emerelda was watching Emmett, who was still not turned around and staring at his glass with a regretful face.

"The most popular person in England," Emerelda heard him in his mind. "By the looks of it, you Princess didn't know."

Emerelda turned her head quickly at him, and he was staring at her with a leer. She raised her eyebrows and smiled sweetly, "Christopher Thomas. I am a fool to not realize it was you."

The lady laughs quietly while leaning on the table, her arms crossed, "It would be a shame if you had forgotten."

Emerelda looks at her, "His family is quite popular. The family who left and start a new life in England while exposing Garlin."

"You mean their family," Emmett said turning around. He raised his glass and points to the woman who looked smug, "She's his younger sister."

Emerelda looked at their different futures, although their face structures were similar. "I can see it."

Mr. Thomas chuckles, "And yet my past relatives still got away with it. The king couldn't touch them."

Emerelda crossed her arms, "They became important people in great England, and some moving to Scotland."

"My," his sister tilts her head, "You know your history."

She narrowed her eyes at her. "It was a huge crime your family has done, everyone in Garlin knows of your betrayal."

"And yet the Queen of England was so please to learn about Garlin and decided to keep Garlin as a close companion. She even promised not to say a word of it to the world, and your grandfather had no choice but to agree." She said.

"She almost threatened him!" Emerelda snapped, "The former king had no choice to agree because she threatened him!"

"And yet," Mr. Thomas murmurs, "Garlin's supply all comes from England, which is how this little state grew. You should thank my father."

Emmett intervenes, "I must ask, how on earth did you figure him out?" he asks her.

Emerelda eyes the drinks on the table, "His accent. I even noticed it from his sister. I thought it was odd for people outside of Garlin to work or own almost anything here, as it's quite hard to even get into this state." She looks up and looked at them all.

Both everyone except Emerelda shared a look.

"Secret way in." they all thought.

Emerelda intake a breath, "No,"

Emmett gave her a side smile, "How else did you suppose I got in? You wouldn't have known, and not many do. It's called a secret for a reason." He nods to Mr. Thomas, "Besides, Mr. Thomas knows everything and everyone here in Garlin. Nothing gets passed him."

"He knew I had the gift of thought, it was surprising." Emerelda said.

"It is my specialty. That is why everyone comes to me for their needs." Mr. Thomas said, "Just like you children."

Emmett gulps down the alcohol, "I'm sure the term children would be absurd."

"You're almost a son to me."

Emmett looks up from the rim of his glass, "I'll like to think otherwise."

"Of course, the way you can manage alcohol begs to differ."

Emmett smiled and turned to pour himself another glass. Emerelda sighs, "Must you really? You had about two glasses."

He gave her irritated look, "I had performed out there without composing myself because of you. Besides, that is how Mr. Thomas figured me out I assumed." He turns his head, "Correct?"

Mr. Thomas nods, "That is correct. I can't forget the beautiful pianist child in all of England."

Emmett shrugs, "I wasn't always the best."

"There was him," he thought.

Emerelda took mental notes.

"Well, this whole reunion really lifted my spirits," Emerelda said, "Now, let's cut to the chase and talk about the real reason we are here."

"Hmm, I can see why Emmett choose you," Mr. Thomas's sister comments.

"I agree, Rose." Mr. Thomas nods, "Very well, Emerelda, why are you here?"

"You're hosting a meeting for the Judas group." She said. He didn't look surprised when she said it, in fact he confirmed in his head, "As I thought,"

"And so I am, at the old manor my Father left. He was one of the apostles you know, oh wait, of course you do, my family is 'quite popular'." He mocked.

"Christopher!" Emmett snapped turning around to glare at him, "Please, may I get some ice? The drink is getting dull."

Mr. Thomas gave a long look at Emmet then looks at Rose, "Get him some."

She nods and left the room thinking, "Why must I be kicked out?"

Mr. Thomas's smirk left his lips, and Emmett set down the glass on the tray. They both regard each other glaring.

"If he dares say a word," Emmett thought.

"Why must he be so ruthless?" Mr. Thomas thought.

"We can now talk. I'll like to know exactly why you're in this mess." Emmett asked seriously, all the humor vanishing from him.

Mr. Thomas shrugs, "I'm not part of it. They put me in it since my status is high." Emerelda scoffs and he narrowed his eyes at her, "I didn't mean in society Emerelda."

"I know." She glared, "You meant in misdemeanor."

Emmett took a step towards him, "I only wanted Rose out of this, that way we can talk without any side comments. I've had a long night, and I want to get out of your little hub that not many know of. Besides, the Princess had seen it all."

"She wouldn't tell," Mr. Thomas said a little quickly.

"No, though what makes you too sure I wouldn't make her if you wouldn't be honest?"

Mr. Thomas sighs, "If only your father was here to see this."

Emmett's jaw clenched his hand in a fist, "Don't bring him in this."

"Poor thing, losing his father…" she heard Mr. Thomas thinking.

Mr. Thomas crossed his arms, "I won't mention him again. Although, Emmett, why get revenge? Don't you know who you're facing?"

In his head, he thought: "The person who was your best friend?"

"I'll do whatever I have to just to get what I want." Emmett said in a cold voice.

"Fine, I'll say it all quick. There's no disagreeing with you." He looks at Emerelda, "Lock the door."

She turned and did and he sat back on top of his desk. "I was asked to be part of it because of my status and gift…my gift of senses." He explains, "I only agreed as I love a good opportunity for information that run like wild fire in the underworld. I don't have no part of plotting or any matter of arranging stuff. I simply host meetings and listen when I want too, I barely say any word."

"They must be bored of you," Emerelda said.

He smiles, "Most likely, but there's nothing they can do about it. It's also no secret that they know I'll sell their information for a good price. And I'm sure that's one of the reason's they kept me. The more who knows, the more would understand there is no stopping them. Fear is what they crave."

Emmet went to retrieve his drink, "Did you sell any of their information?"

He shook his head, "Not yet. No one knows them well, only those part of it."

"The midnight assassin, is it true that there's more than one?" She asked.

Mr. Thomas nods, "That is true. I'm not sure who are the two, but they are two skilled assassins that don't know much of the Judas group. What I learnt, they only do what they are assigned and nothing else."

Emerelda frowned at that, "They don't attend the meetings?"

"No," Emmet answered her, "Like he said, they only do what they are told. They are the puppets of the Judas group." He sipped his drink., "We need to get in to a meeting, would you help us?" Emmet questioned placing the half drank glass on the tray.

Mr. Thomas sighs again, "There's no stopping you children, would it? Alright, I'll help you. And only because I pity both of you, as well as…your father, he would have wanted that." He said to Emmett.

Emmett said nothing.

However, Emerelda heard him think, "Not now, please, don't bring him in this."

"You would work in the manor, both of you as servants. As long as you keep your head down, and move among pouring drinks, moving food back and forth from and out the kitchen, no one would bat an eye at you." He got off his desk and went around it. He took his pen, dipped it in ink, and started scribbling something on a sheet of paper. He stops and went around giving it to Emmett. Emmet looks down and starts reading it. Emerelda went to him and read an address on the paper.

"That's my address, come around five and we'll prepare you both before the meeting." Emerelda looks up and he looked uncertain of this all, "If anything goes wrong, I won't be able to help much. How you escape, gather your information, or anything else, would be your problem. But please, don't do anything stupid."

Emmett nods folding the paper, "That's all we need." He pockets the paper, "Thank you."

He didn't mention the fact they both knew his address and knew where the meeting was.

Mr. Thomas smiles, "I have a feeling the both of you would do something big that would change Garlin forever."

They both didn't say anything to that. Emmett instead took Emerelda's hand again and went to the door, "It was good seeing you Mr. Thomas… after three years."

"The feeling is mutual." He said behind them.

Emmett unlocks the door and they head out. Emerelda looked back and Blond man stood watching them. He gave a small nod and she looked away. They went through the crowd, trying to get out of the cramped place.

Along the way, people noticed it was them who performed and some started cheering and complimented them. Emerelda tried to smile and Emmett had a blank expression. They quickly found the stairs and climbed up. When they arrived back to the kitchen, Rose was sitting on a chair lost in thoughts until she heard them.

She stood up and said, "Are you both done?"

Emmet nods, "Yes, sorry for kicking you out."

She waves a hand, "I had gotten used to it…" her smile fades, "Please, both of you, be careful."

Emerelda smiled, "Thank you, Rose."

Rose looked as if she wanted to say more, but her lips pressed down together in a tight line. She steps back and Emmett walked away from her. Emerelda had no choice as she was being dragged but follow him. She turned back to wave at Rose, although she was closing the door that lead to trouble behind her.

When they reached outside into the cold night, Emmett lets go her hand and fell to the ground on his knees.

"Emmett!" she asked alarmed. She crouched down in front of him, "Are you alright?"

Emmett shook his head but said nothing. She looked around, though at these ends of Garlin no one was here, especially since there was curfew now. She sat on her knees and gently placed a hand on Emmett's shoulder, "Emmett…?"

Emmett leaned forward and placed his forehead on her shoulder, "I had a lot of that drink." He murmurs.

She huffed, "I told you! Now look, how on in all gifts given to men, are we supposed to go back in this state?" although she was talking, Emerelda couldn't move, she didn't even breathe.

She heard Emmett sigh quietly, "Just, let's stay like this for a while…please?"

Emerelda said nothing. She only listened to his racing thoughts.

"Father, brother…England…mother…tomorrow."