Heselory, State of Calirma, Novitera
The next day, Damian came over to pick up Estelle and Astrid. He was going to show them around while Molly and Nori made their way over to AMC headquarters. Damian had also brought Nori another suit. They jumped into Molly’s sedan and began to drive.
“How are you doing this morning? Are you excited?” Molly said while driving.
Nori was wiggling around in the suit that Damian brought him. “Every morning that I wake up with you next to me, I feel incredible.” Nori smiled. “I am quite excited...a bit anxious too. Not really sure what to expect.”
“Don’t worry. Kenneth will be there. He is handling the negotiations.” Molly answered then sighed. The both of them were falling in love with each other but Molly felt it was time to discuss the reality of the situation. “Nori. I’m falling in love with you but we have to talk about the future...I’m an AMC executive and I don’t plan to give that up anytime soon. It’s my family’s company. My place is here in Heselory…”
“Hmmm” was Nori’s response. “So...uh, what should I do? Should I remain here in Heselory too? I mean, I am Lord, and I have certain duties to fulfill…”
Molly shrugged. “You can stay with me in Heselory as long as you want. You also have obligations, I know that. If you were to remain in Ghant, we could still visit each other often.” She offered. “I don’t want this thing we have to end anytime soon. A few thousand miles is our only obstacle.”
“I would feel comfortable staying here and being with you everyday, on the condition that our eldest son goes to Brontzezko, or perhaps is fostered in Arragard by the King, when he reaches a reasonable age for fostering. He will be Lord after me, and he will have the obligation of carrying on the family name and legacy. If you can give me that...then I will stay here with you.”
Molly balked at the thought. “You would have a child between you and I raised by somebody else? How old would he be when he goes away?” She asked.
“Yes, that is a tradition in Ghant among the nobility. I was ten when I was sent to be fostered in Bogardan, and it was a good experience. I want our son to be prepared to become Lord of Brontzezko, and I want him to be well connected within the nobility. In order to achieve that, he has to be one of them and amongst them. Naturally, the age of which is something that can be discussed and agreed upon. Until our son reaches the age where he can act as Lord in my place, my sister can fulfill those duties. If she were to marry the King, then I can arrange for our son to be fostered by the King himself...and at least then our son would not only be among family, but he would learn and grow at the King’s own court, and amongst his cousins, who would be the King’s own children.”
Molly shook her head. The whole concept was very strange to her. Why were they even talking about this now as they had not even married yet? She forced herself to be calm about the matter. “If our son chooses to foster at the King’s court and become Lord in your place, not only will I allow it, but I will pour all my love and support in the decision. But if he chooses to stay with his parents, to be an AMC man...a lawyer, doctor, writer….hell, if he chooses to join a band and travel the world, if he chooses to never assume his Lordly duties or work for AMC...I will do the same. I’m sorry Nori. I can tell you right now that I will not pressure our children into any decision, let alone force them.”
For the first time in their relationship, Nori became grim. “...I would need at least one son to assume the Lordship...otherwise my House becomes extinct. There is no greater shame in all of Ghant then to be the last of your House.” Nori seemed sad then, looking down.
She reached over and grabbed his hand. “If our son does not want to foster at some King’s court and wants to be with his parents, I will still make sure he learns the Ghantish way along with the Noviteran one. I’ll quit my job and move there with you if need be. You will teach him what you know better than anybody else can. He will be able to understand how important this Lordship is to our family when the time comes. Then you will ask him to assume his Lordly duties…” Molly said, trying to make some kind of compromise. “...but if he declines, I will do everything in my power and use every resource I have at my disposal to make sure he can choose the path that he wants...whatever that may be.” She looked at him and wondered what he thought about that.
Nori held Molly’s hand and smiled. “That makes me feel a bit more reassured. Perhaps if we had enough sons, one of them would be inclined to do his duty.” Nori laughed. “Having enough children usually solves problems like that, after all.”
She grinned in response, happy that Nori was happy. “The important thing is they all get a chance to choose for themselves who they want to be.” Molly stated. “I also have some other terms…”
“Name them.” Nori responded.
“I want to marry in Ghant and I want to be called Molly Aitor Brontzezko afterwards.” She said then smiled at him.
Nori seemed confused. “...Why wouldn’t you just still be Molly Aitor?”
“Because I want everybody in Novitera to know I married a Ghantish Lord and have them fuming about it. And because I love you. But if that is inappropriate, I understand.” She answered.
Nori scratched his head. “Well...uh...it is your name so you can do what you like with it...would our children still be Brontzezkos, I hope?”
“Indeed they would.” She replied. “Damian can carry on the name Aitor and I have a few cousins.”
They arrived at AMC Headquarters in downtown Heselory. The buildings here were much taller. Skyscrapers that reached out to touch the heavens. AMC’s tower was not as tall compared to some of the others. They pulled up to the main entrance and got out where a valet took Molly’s car to be parked. Upon entering the main lobby, there were lines formed at specific checkpoints for the employees. Private Security wearing kevlar vests and totting submachine guns were posted about and checking them. Molly led the way to the executive entrance where there was no line. She flashed a company ID badge at them.
“Hello Miss Aitor.” One of the guards greeted.
“Hey Ron. This is Nori Brontzezko. He’s on the list.” She answered. The man checked a computer really quick then nodded. He gave Nori a visitors badge to carry.
They took the elevator to one of the higher floors and entered a conference room with a long table. Kenneth was already there sitting relaxed. Right across was an entirely glass wall that showed the Heselory skyline.
“Ah, Kenneth...you’re here.” Molly said. He got up to hug her.
“I always come early.” He answered then turned to Nori. “Good to see you again friend.”
Nori bowed courteously. “And you as well, Kenneth. How fareth thee?”
“Alright, been better. Got quite a bit on my plate right now.” Kenneth answered. “Wiyrkomi has me working something fierce.”
Molly grabbed Nori’s arm. “I have to go. I can’t be here during the preliminary negotiations. Conflict of interest you see.” She said to him.
“I understand.” Nori responded after Molly grabbed his arm. Then he pulled her in for a polite kiss. “I will you see you later.”
Molly kissed him back then left. As soon as she did, five men in suits entered from another door. They looked especially serious.
“Molly may own a good deal of AMC and work for them, but remember, AMC is no friend of House Brontzezko.” Kenneth whispered. “Just let me do the talking.”
They sat down across from the five men. The point man of the negotiations for AMC sat in the middle. He was at least 60 and was bald.
“We want the rights to mine, extract and be the sole beneficiary of any proceeds coming from the ore on House Brontzezko land.” The pointman stated. “Can that be had?”
“Yes, for the right price. My client is entitled to a fair deal. Is that right Mister Brontzezko?” Kenneth asked.
“Yes, it is.” Nori nodded.
The pointman leaned back. “50.” He said simply.
Kenneth balked. “190 or we go to Carthum.” He shot back.
That made the five men look at each other. “170. We need a wider profit margin and the costs will be considerable to set up.”
“You can afford it after the revenue from this mine starts coming in. 180. Final offer.” Kenneth retorted. The point man sat there for a few moments thinking. Silently he nodded. Kenneth leaned over to Nori and whispered. “180 is 30 more than I thought we would get. Can you accept 180 million dollars?” He asked.
“Yes, that sounds good.” Nori nodded.
The two parties stood to shake hands. “We’ll draw up the paperwork for each of us to sign.” The pointman stated. That was the real minutia of this deal and where even more negotiation would take place. But that was for the work of lawyers, both Noviteran and Ghantish to make sure everything complied with both their laws.
“Make the check out to House Brontzezko.” Kenneth told them.
The AMC men said their thanks to Nori. Kenneth and Nori were led away to Molly’s office that was on the same floor. It was spacious and a had a good window view of Heselory. She was behind her desk typing something up.
“How’d it go?” Molly asked and stood up to walk over to Nori.
“180.” Kenneth answered.
“Damn. We’re overpaying.” She replied then grinned at Nori. “You aren’t going to spend it all in one place are you?”
“No. I was going to save it and give some to my sister...that should hasten Taboro’s proposal.” Nori laughed.
“Oh good! I love weddings.” Molly replied. Inside she was feeling a bit jealous over wanting Nori to propose too.
Kenneth took this moment to chime in. “There’s more negotiations that need done and I have to prepare. Nori, you’ll probably be back in Ghant by the time its done. I’ll meet you there. I must go now.” He said then walked away.
“I got a lot of my work done on the plane and can take the rest of the day off. Beach?” She asked Nori.
Nori thought for a moment. “Beach and then dinner after that...let’s go some place really nice.”
Later
They were walking along the beach near Molly’s apartment. To the left of them was the bustling city and to the right, the ocean. Molly had called Damian beforehand and made sure he was not at this part with Astrid and Estella, wanting privacy with Nori. Neither of them really talked and were content to just enjoying each other’s presence.
“You don’t have to stay Nori. We can make it work. I know Novitera isn’t exactly your thing. I am just glad you agreed to let me share my country and my home with you.” She broke the silence.
“Wherever you are, that is my home.” Nori smiled as he took her hand.
She leaned in close in response. “Let’s stop here and watch the sunset. I have not seen it in a long time.”
“Sounds good to me.” Nori positioned himself to watch the sunset with Molly...and while doing so, he fumbled around in the pocket of his pants on the leg opposite of Molly, suspecting that she wouldn’t notice.
Molly did not. She was too busy looking out over the horizon. The Noviteran sun was going down. Its orange rays of light made for a beautiful backdrop. “I would do this everyday with you if I could.”
“Indeed...this sunset is quite memorable…” He had the ringbox in his hand, ready to pull out when the moment was right.
“I’ve been waiting for you, you know? Didn’t think you would come along.” Molly stated. “I’ve had boyfriends before you but never have I been in love.”
“...And now your wait is over.” Now is the time. While holding her right hand with his left, Nori pulled out the ringbox with his right hand, faced her and dropped to one knee. He opened the ringbox with a deft finger, revealing a large diamond ring, and then he looked up, ready to meet her eyes. “Molly Aitor, will you marry me?” Well played sir.
At first Molly was a bit confused, not knowing what Nori was up to. Then it hit her. She knew it was coming yet still felt surprised all the same. Molly began to tear up. She could not speak and so nodded with a smile.
“Yes…” She finally choked out and took the ring, putting it on. “Where did you get the time to get this?” Molly asked. “It’s beautiful.”
Nori got to his feet, a great feeling washing over him. He grabbed Molly by the waist and pulled her in close, pressing her against him. “For you I make the time.” He answered before kissing her.
She kissed him back and then hugged him tightly until the tears stopped. “Oh Nori…” was all she could say. The sun was now almost over the horizon.
Nori kissed her mouth and her neck as she was pressed against him. “You ready for dinner, or do you want to go straight for dessert?” Nori asked playfully.
“I think you know the answer to that.” Molly replied with a giggle. “It’s getting dark and nobody is around…” She offered slyly.
Nori, still kissing her, laughed and took the hint...beginning to work at her clothes with deft hands.
The sunset was not the only delight they enjoyed on the beach that night.