515 Xhemin's Reques

Xhemin and Darryl went inside the Loch to have some privacy while the rest of their company stayed at Winter's grave.

"What do you want us to talk about?" Darryl asked her although he wasn't so ready for whatever his wife has to say.

"Collet," Xhemin replied. Hearing it made only Darryl sighed inwardly has his guilt intensified. 

"She was already taken in custody while waiting for her trial," Darryl relayed.

"I know," Xhemin affirmed. "I wanted to have my own investigation about Winter's case. Collet had someone help her execute her guilty deeds. I want that person to pay for it too whoever it was,"

Darryl was relieved with Xhemin's words. He does think that Xhemin would come and confront her about the fact that he was the reason for their son's death. Nevertheless, his guilt wasn't abated by the fact.

"Can you handle it?" Darryl asked, not questioning his wife's capability but rather her emotions. They both know how sentimental was Xhemin when it comes to Winter. 

Xhemin nodded.

"Do whatever makes you feel better," Darryl replied. At the moment, the investigation about Collet's case was handled by Darryl and by what Xhemin was telling him, she was kind of asking Darryl to let her do it, "I'll send all the necessary files to the Golden Villa and I'll also ask the prosecutors to report to you,"

'Thank you. There is also another thing that I would like to ask you," Xhemin added.

"What is it?"

"The Richmond Ranch. Can you sell it back to me? All of it including this place" Xhemin requested. She had somebody check the status of the property and from it, she learned that it was Darryl who currently owned the property legally. "Willow will be soon starting her studies in Rivendell and I think the South will be good for my grandaunt's health,"

"Your family is planning to live here in Hampshire?"

"We haven't talked about it yet but I'm considering the thing,"

"Was this because of the recent scandal that broke out?" Darryl thought that perhaps Xhemin's living conditions were all messed up because of the scandal where a lot of Collet's supporters were rallying on their properties.

"No. Not really," Xhemin answered immediately, "I'm not in any way affected by the scandal but this property belongs to my grandfather. We grow up here so whatever it takes, I want to keep it. Besides the ranch had been closed for years, I want to open it again and employ our old laborers back,"

Darryl looked at Xhemin thoroughly for a few minutes then he finally decided "I'll have it transferred in your name as soon as possible. You can open the ranch anytime you want,"

"Thank you. This means a lot,"

"However, our son is buried here so my family will appear now and then to visit him. I hope you won't throw them out,"

"Very well then," Darryl settled then brought another question up, "You had taken a leave. Are you planning to stay here for the entire duration of your leave?"

"My leave is only for a few weeks," Xhemin had taken note inwardly of the fact that his husband knew she had filed some office leave. She wondered by then who told him but didn't dwell much on the thought. "I'll be back before you know it,"

"Take your time Xhem," Darryl's voice contained all his concern for her, "Take it slow until it won't hurt anymore,"

"No Darryl. This kind of hurt will never end," Xhemin replied bitterly and it crushed Darryl's soul. Their conversation ended with nothing but deep sighs and some wishful hopes thrown into the air. So many words left unsaid but they both knew, those words were not anymore necessary.

***

When the children got tired of playing in the duck, they all went and climbed back to the Loch cottage only to find that they had a new company with them.

Hesitantly, Winter and Willow approached their Dada Ziggy while their visitor's eyes were all in them.

"Are these the Montreal twins everyone is talking about?" Madam Dianna hollered at the sight of the two. Then she looked at Ziggy with thorough admiration, "Your children are beautiful,"

"I know you," Willow remarked. "You are the madam of the Lagdameo's. I saw you at the funeral,"

"Oh yes dear but oh my…." Madam Dianna bent to caress Willow's little face. Then she turned and looked at her daughter Dannah who avoided her eyes, "You are someone's ultimate copycat," She had already heard from Don Samuelle that Dannah had a look-a-like and when she saw Willow at the funeral she was shocked but didn't say anything because she was busy comforting Salsa and Collet. Now that she had the chance to see Willow's face very close, instead of shock, she was a bit thrilled as it felt like time had turned back and Dannah was a child again.

"What do you mean by that?" Wolfe's little voice dragged Madam Dianna's face to him and she was surprised to see his face.

"What is your name, young boy?" She asked as she became too curious about him. The boy bore with him a mysterious aura-mysterious but a familiar one to her.

"I am Wolfe,"

"Your name fits you well," Then she turned to caress Wolfe's hair as she can't help it. It was like there was an inner force in her, an inner need that would only be satisfied by touching the children. She dragged her eyes back and forth to the two children before her and it was like she was being swayed by the joy that comes from being close with them. It was a weird feeling but a wonderful one. 

"You milady is very beautiful," She told Willow with the sweetest smile, "And you dear Wolfe…" She paused a bit and as her thought was captured in a daze she blurted out unconsciously not anymore aware of the next words she said. "Every angle of you is so Lagdameo…except your eyes…,"