His sister joined him.
"Are you staring at the gardener?" she asked.
Jul glanced toward the man working among the flowers.
"Ugh. He smells." Jada raised an eyebrow. "But he's good at his job, so we keep him."
Jul tilted his head, then asked. "Oh? And what does he smell like?"
She wrinkled her nose. "A dog. Even though we don't have one."
Jul stared briefly, then smiled and turned to look at the gardener for another moment.
'So they are already here.'
"I see." He then released himself and moved down the short steps.
Jada saw this and followed after him. "I'm serious. I don't know how someone can smell like that."
Then he walked past the gardener.
"What's a dog doing here?" he asked casually.
His sister stared after him after glancing at the gardener.
"Why would you say that?"
Jul shrugged saying, "A dog never stays far from its master."
Jada stood there, stunned, watching Jul walk back into the house to clean himself up.
Neither of them had noticed the reaction from the gardener, or rather, Jul didn't bother noticing such a reaction.
…
The Mercer estate had finally grown quiet.
The core family members had retreated one after another into the several rooms located throughout the mansion.
Jul sat alone in a bedroom that was larger than the entire apartment he once rented.
Dark wooden shelves lined the walls. A fireplace rested beneath a mounted painting. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the western gardens, where the evening sun painted the flowers gold.
Jul had just cleaned himself and was about to settle on the little couch placed at the side of the room when a knock came.
Before Jul could answer, the door opened and Katelyn stepped inside.
"Son, are you alright?"
"Yes, I am fine."
Jul could see through her facial expression. She seemed worried about the incident that occurred in the living room.
After a moment of accepting the situation, she stepped aside and others came in.
Malik and Lia stood behind her, each carrying a small travel bag.
"They... are leaving," Katelyn said softly.
"...Already?"
It hadn't been more than two hours since they arrived.
Malik scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. "Can't exactly stay in a place like this forever."
Lia smiled. "We've already overstayed our welcome."
Only silence lingered.
Jul looked at the two people who had pulled his unconscious body from the water.
Without them, there wouldn't have been another chance. He wouldn't have figured out that his cause of death was built on a lie.
"Thank you."
The words came naturally this time.
Both of them froze before Malik dispelled the tension with a soft laugh.
"You're making it sound so serious."
Jul's expression remained unchanged.
Malik's smile remained as he waved his hand dismissively.
"Anyone would've done it."
Katelyn quietly watched the exchange before speaking.
"The driver is waiting."
Jul nodded and extended his hand. Malik received it and shook it firmly while Lia lightly punched Malik's shoulder.
"Let's go."
The couple turned and walked toward the doorway.
Just before leaving, Malik glanced back. "If you're ever tired of this place..."
He pointed toward the distance.
"...there's always a fishing boat waiting."
Jul smiled.
It was small, barely noticeable, but it was genuine. The door closed and the room became quiet once again.
Katelyn remained behind.
She looked around the room before sighing. "I know today wasn't what any of us imagined."
Jul remained silent.
She walked closer. "When you disappeared..."
Her voice trembled. "...I kept your room exactly as it was."
Jul slowly looked around.
'So, this was his room.'
The paintings, books, and furniture. Even the small model airplane resting on a cabinet. Nothing really felt new. He remembered a bit of it from the fragments of memories.
She smiled through moist eyes.
"But you're home now."
Unable to bear the emotion any longer, she stepped forward and hugged him.
Jul stiffened. Then, hesitantly...
He returned the embrace.
It lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough.
After composing herself, she smiled.
"You should rest. There'll be plenty to do tomorrow."
She then left the room quietly.
Once the door clicked shut...
Jul walked toward the window.
The garden below stretched endlessly beneath the evening sky.
"...Home."
…
In another part of the mansion, Jamie quietly closed the door to his bedroom.
Unlike the extravagant rooms of some of his cousins, his was surprisingly plain.
A neatly made bed occupied one side, while the opposite wall held bookshelves and a desk covered with academic materials.
Then, in the center, was a small sitting area with a little stool in its center.
The only thing that felt out of place was the dim lighting in the room.
It was a stark difference from Jul's bright room.
It seemed to be his taste. Two men dressed in black suits stood by the windows. To any servant passing by, they were merely bodyguards assigned to protect a Mercer heir.
In truth, they were guards, but at the same time, they were two of the highest-ranking members of his organization.
"Boss."
The older of the two gave a respectful nod.
Jamie loosened his tie before sitting on the edge of the bed. "Grandmother made an announcement today."
"Oh?" the second exclaimed.
"The collateral family members have been summoned."
The two exchanged a glance. "So..."
"...the successor?"
Jamie nodded. "It should be announced soon."
Neither man looked surprised.
The Mercer Family had already delayed choosing its next patriarch for years. Everyone knew the decision couldn't be postponed forever.
"But why do you look so concerned, Boss? You don't care about the position," the younger man asked.
Jamie leaned back, deep in his thoughts. "...You know the reason for this gathering?"
The room became quiet.
"The lost heir?"
Jamie nodded again.
"What about him?" The older asked.
Jamie slowly shook his head. "Nothing. It's just..." He remembered the handshake and the words.
"Greetings, cousin."
Then the sudden smile.
"It felt like he knew me."
The older man frowned. "Have you met him before?"
"No."
"Then..."
"I don't know." Jamie stared out the window.
"...But I've never met someone who looked at me like that."
As if he already knew exactly who Jamie was.
"I'm going to need you to find out everything about him."
"Yes boss."