****five years ago****
Two men.
Posture stiff, serious and intimidating enough, their shoulders were so broad, huge and slightly looked inhuman, like they were carved out of some Greek mythology textbook, stood like unresponsive mannequins in front of a beautiful minka that glowed with golden torches and the silhouette of delicate moving shadows that swayed gracefully in a very attractive rhythm from the inside.
The biting cold wind of snow and fog that mixed together like sugar being sucked like a vacuum, brushed in violently once in a while causing the empty lavender lanterns that were barely hanging on the roof and the encrypted metal planks to sway mildly but violent enough to make the metals with the ancient Japanese writing [grab your liquor and a lucky dumpling today] chime together, echoing out into the cold quiet night, like a restriction warning.
The sight was freezingly beautiful, simple, warm, and welcoming, and at the same time radiated with exquisite high taste, class, and old-money eloquence.
"Just from the outside, you could see the faint shadows that never stopped swaying like ghosts.... So aesthetically pleasing, like my Fed would always describe it....the sight could easily pass for that"
Mr Storm nodded stiffly as he thought to himself in admiration, struggling and fighting his way towards the minka, trying so hard not to get blown away by the wind that slapped his hair into his face, or get stuck in this shit pile of snow.
"Eiiiishh", he let out a frustrated grunt as the wind attacked his long coat aggressively, as some of the ice freckles somehow made their way into his fur boots.
"Freeze to death before you get a favour—I understand now" he complained, his eyes darting around as he made way, he wanted to….., wish he could take a pic to show his son when he got back, but it looks like his fingers would get snapped the moment he even thought of his phone.
These two guys standing here with stone-cold unbothered faces, they must really mean business under those shades, and I don't want to find out how much, Storm said in his mind as he approached them, again his eyes scanned the environment.
And then back to where he could still see the faint image of his packed car, and then his gaze landed back on the hut, to these men.
Storm was scanning, not out of danger, 'what kind of danger was worse than what he was about to do?' He was just trying to make sure he was in the right place and not some horror movie episode.
Because who in their right mind stands so unbothered outside, in this kind of temperature, without a coat?!. Storm couldn't help but look at the men with pity and concern, which was obvious they apparently didn't need.
He had one on, but two, at this point, won't be enough to stop his body that trembled uncontrollably with that self-annoying and unstoppable clatter of his teeth that began once he opened his mouth.
Storm studied the men suspiciously while rubbing his palms against each other. None of them had said a word to him.
'Did this man not tell his boys that he would be having guests?' The cold was becoming too unbearable; he surely wasn't going to survive that long.
He tried to utter some words, but since he was too old and a bit skinny to handle this kind of exposure, his words came out like he held water up in his mouth.
"He's waiting for you inside", one of the men said condescendingly..... Finally, Storm didn't hesitate, even though his face showed a little frustration, something told him that these men had intentionally made him stand in the cold, like some kind of punishment?, He wanted to confront the matter , but what if they don't allow him access again? he wasn't going to ruin all that he had been planning for months, the speech and all.
".... My Ass" he murmured through clacking teeth as he hunched past those men, who exchanged gazes and a brief smile.
***********
The shōji slid open with a soft "grrrrk!!" As Storm walked in, what welcomed him first was the warmth and quieter sound of the inside, definitely contrasting with the chaos outside.
" Holy mother, marry!" Storm exhaled in bewilderment at what he just stepped into; it wasn't even the well-detailed decor and untouchable luxury that was threaded with fragrance, which was certainly meant for only the exclusive 'flirty rich' to perceive, that wasn't the jaw-dropper of the cold night.
What took his breath so long to release carbon dioxide was what befell his eyes, it made him feel like he just stepped into a sacred ground, like he wasn't deserving of the air he shared here.
They looked like female servants, won't even describe them as servants, they looked like flawless Demi gods, each strutting softly with their assigned purpose as they floated in the air , while some carried golden trays with the most delicate precision Storm has ever seen.
In as much he would love to take a pic, but this time he wasn't going to show his son, because the view here made him swallow so hard.
Their mode of dressing was either a silk-draped and transparent robe or stark naked, which seemed like the only options on the dress board.
One would literally mistake this place for a brothel, Storm thought, finally blinking to himself, and then he added another decision to his plans tonight; he was going to make sure he persuaded this man to teach him how to make this kind of money, so he would also do whatever he liked.
Another interesting view he couldn't help but notice was the tattoos that were layered beautifully and uniquely on each lady in here.
"The rumours are true—Salazar sure really has eyes for good things, and whatever he is doing that makes him have the audacity for this kind of taste, I want that too," he said to himself, still standing by the entrance.....
To be continued…..