“You might be right.” David let out a sigh. “The pressure to get married came from her. I was relieved when she broke things off.”
Nodding, Kalugal lifted the coffee cup and took another sip. The professor was slightly resistant to compulsion, but he wasn’t immune.
It would have to do.
Even if David remembered things from his trip down the rabbit hole, he would probably keep them to himself. After all, his esoteric interests in reincarnation and near-death experiences already undermined his position as a serious researcher. He wouldn’t dare to add talk about immortals and shrouded castles to that.
Kalugal put the cup down and leaned back. “We’ve digressed. Let’s go back to a happier topic. Your book.”
7
David
David crossed his legs and leaned back. “Since you’ve read my other novel, you already know that my focus is not on futuristic or alien technology. I’m more interested in exploring different social structures. The society in this story is comprised of a rigid two-caste system. The ruling caste, the one considered superior, are people who remember their past lives. They think of themselves as spiritually and mentally more evolved than those who don’t, and since they retain knowledge from previous lifetimes, they have a clear advantage over the mundanes, who are the majority of the population. Naturally, there is a strong incentive to cheat, and many pretend to have memories of their past lives.”
Kajeck waved a hand. “Excellent idea. The possibilities for conflict are endless. But is there a love story?” He smiled. “We Russians love a good romance to lighten our politics.”
“There will be, but I’m not there yet. Given the social structure, a forbidden teenage love from across the tracks fits the story, but that’s been overdone. I would have preferred a more mature love story, but since my target audience is young adults, I’m afraid that I’m stuck with the cliché.”
“Perhaps a change of scenery will provide you with new ideas.” The Russian waved a hand at the small study. “You can’t expect inspiration to strike within these four walls. A trip abroad would do you good. Maybe you’ll find your own romance, and it will inspire the one in your novel.”
“I’ve given up on finding love, Kajeck.” David smiled. “Besides, I’m married to my job, and fiction writing is my mistress. No woman would be happy with being a distant third.”
The Russian laughed, a deep belly laugh, and his image wavered for a split second as if he was a hologram. Instead of a stocky Russian, David caught a glimpse of a handsome young man sitting in the other armchair.
Shaking his head, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them the effect was gone.
Strange. Nothing like that had ever happened to him, not even when he’d been too drunk to see straight.
“Believe me, professor.” The Russian put a hand on his belly. “When you find the one, she will take first place, and the other two will become distant second and third mistresses.”
Kajeck laughed again, and once more his image wavered for a split second. “I love it. I’m going to use your wife and mistress analogy.”
David became suspicious.
They hadn’t had any alcohol, he didn’t feel dizzy, and yet his vision was playing tricks on him. Had the guy put something in his coffee while he wasn’t looking?
But why would he do that?
As an uncomfortable feeling washed over him, David leaned back and regarded Kajeck. What if the Russian was after more than a conversation?
David had been propositioned by men before, and he’d declined as politely as possible, but even though fifteen percent of date-rape drug assaults were perpetrated against males, it had never occurred to him that he might become a victim himself.
Except, he didn’t feel drowsy or confused, but he felt compelled to answer Kajeck’s questions, which was unlike him. He wasn’t in the habit of telling casual acquaintances his life story.
What if instead of a date-rape drug, the Russian had mistakenly slipped him a truth serum? Who knew what the guy was up to?
“Are you all right, professor?” Kajeck leaned forward.
David narrowed his eyes. “Are you married, Mr. Zolotovsky?”
The smile blooming over the guy’s face was too genuine to be fake. “I am. Not only that, I’m a newlywed.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled until reaching the photo he was looking for. “This is my wife, Jacqueline.” He showed David a picture of a beautiful blonde. “The moment Jacqueline entered my life, my business empire and even my most beloved hobbies got pushed down the priority list and became distant mistresses. She comes first.” He took the phone back and put it in his pocket.
David let out a relieved breath. A picture of a pretty woman on the guy’s phone was not proof of anything, but the way he sounded when talking about her was either superb acting or true love.
In fact, it was quite enviable.
David wished he could feel so strongly about someone.
“When was the happy occasion?”
“A little over a month ago.” Kajeck shifted in his armchair. “We are going on honeymoon to an enchanted castle in Scotland, and we are taking a plane full of friends and family with us.” The Russian waved a hand. “You should come along. It will be good for your novel. A different setting, new people, maybe even a love interest.” He smiled. “How about it, professor? I’m offering you an all-expenses-paid vacation. You can’t refuse.”
A vacation in a Scottish castle sounded very appealing, but the invitation to join the guy’s honeymoon was strange, and it raised David’s hackles again.
“Thank you, but I wouldn’t dream of intruding.”
Kajeck waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. I’m a businessman, David, and when I see an opportunity that is mutually beneficial, I hate not taking advantage of it. You need a change of scenery to write your novel, and I can provide it at no cost to you. In exchange, Jacqueline and I would benefit from many hours of stimulating conversations with you.”
David shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept.”
“I insist.” Kajeck slapped his hands on his thighs. “We are going to have a splendid time together. My driver will pick you up Wednesday at twelve-thirty in the afternoon. You have only two options. You can either pack for the trip or come as you are.”
8
Richard
As Richard tucked his laptop under his arm and headed for the door, Vlad lifted his head from his tablet. “Are you going to the construction site?”
“Yeah. Kalugal wants me to give him daily updates.”
“The construction didn’t start yet. What are you going to report?”
Richard shrugged. “They are regrading to combine several plots together for his house, and I can snap a few pictures and send them to him. After all, I need to justify my pay until the construction starts, and I will actually have something to report.”
The surprising job offer had come a week ago.
Kalugal wanted his own supervisor on the construction site, someone that would report to him daily and include photos and videos when relevant. Kian had suggested Richard, and Kalugal had accepted the recommendation.