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This story is 100% fictional. Any resemblances to actual people (living or dead), organizations or companies, events are entirely coincidental.
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Asterisk (*) will be used for past events, dreams and thoughts.
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Chapter 04
Instinctively, Kevin retreats towards the door. As if faced with an enemy about to attack him. Reiter gets up from his chair surprised. "Kevin, are you all right?"
With dread on his face, he stares at me. Reiter, Heidi and Tim are watching us, trying to understand what's going on.
"You two know each other?" Asks Tim suspicious.
I have difficulty in articulating the answer. My heart is beating fast. I open my mouth once, twice, three times. No sound comes out. Just like in the dream, I find myself paralysed. Kevin's presence leave me without action, without any initiative. I know I have to say something. My eyes, however, are locked on his. In the fear they convey. It's different from the look in the eyes of the young man in my dreams. In the dreams, his eyes were fixed on me. They showed determination, haughtiness, as if he was superior to everything that was happening. Not here. In the real world, they only show fear.
I manage to get out of the trance I'm in. I don't know how. I gather all my strength to speak. The sound of my voice comes out shaky. Weak. I don't even sound like myself, always so firm and determined. "I think we bumped into each other this morning."
Kevin looks away. It's clear he doesn't want to look at me. He's nervous. "Olaf, you said you wanted to talk to us." he begins. "You didn't say there'd be other people here."
"Kevin, this is Tim Woffen, Philipp's nephew." Reiter says, introducing Tim to them. "Mr. Woffen, this is Kevin Wilson and Heidi Waltz."
When Kevin holds out his hand to Tim, I realize it's shaking. His effort to remain calm is visible.
Heidi also greets Tim. Then she takes Kevin by the arm and makes him sit down on the chair farthest away from me. She noticed Kevin's reaction when he saw me. Kevin slumps in his chair, like someone recovering from a deep shock. Heidi sits on the chair between him and Tim.
When Reiter introduces me, neither of them extends their hands. Heidi just gives me a small smile. Kevin, doesn't even look at me. He tries to smile at Tim, but the result is a grimace.
There's a long silence. Then, Heidi speaks first, in a soft tone. "You look a lot like da-... your uncle." She says to Tim.
Tim smiles at her. "It's okay. You can adress him anyway you want. Mr. Reiter just told us everything."
"Thank you," again the long awkward silence before Heidi speaks again, "He was the father I didn't have. To me and my brother." Kevin smiles shyly at that.
"Mr. Woffen's lawyer has come to help with the inheritance paperwork." Reiter explains, going back to the subject that has brought us here. "I've called this meeting, to talk about the ownership of the farm."
"The farm is ours." This time Kevin speaks. His voice tone is dry, of one who considers themselves the owner of an indisputable right. "We want it back."
"I'm sorry, Kevin, but the will is clear. Even if I agree that it would be fair if the farm remained with you two, by law, it's now his." Reiter delicately, points at Tim.
"Heidi and I are prepared to contest the will in court." Kevin declares. After the initial shock, I see that there's no trace of fragility in Kevin. He has a strong and determined character.
"If you file a lawsuit, you will lose time and money. Money that Philipp left for yours and Heidi's studies and living expenses." Intercedes the attorney, again delicately. "Don't forget that now you both don't have a job. You need money to live."
"We used to live there. It was our home."
I hear the emotions contained in those words. The importance of the farm to him. The memories that the place holds for them. Their life story. For a moment, I feel myself falling for it. But I snap myself back to reality. I'm here to defend my friend. Not the person who inhabits my dreams!
When I'm about to articulate the first word, Heidi takes the lead, "We only agreed to leave because you promised that you would quickly solve this situation with the new heir."
"Did you tell them that you would solve the matter quickly, Mr. Reiter?" I finally manage to speak. In a normal voice. Though my heart is still pounding. But no one can see it. Only I know what's happening inside me.
"I thought a distant relative wouldn't be interested living or owning something in a small town like Wolkenberg. I imagined Mr. Woffen would've a settled life somewhere else by now."
I followed Reiter's reasoning. Knowing that Tim was studying and would become a lawyer, it's normal to think that he'd already have gotten his life figured out and wouldn't leave the city where he has his family and job to live in a farm in the countryside. That if Tim wasn't so brainless.
"I thought it would be easier to reach an agreement with Philipp's nephew if you weren't living in the farm. Otherwise, as the heir, the first step would be to file an injunction for you and your brother to move out. After that, the only thing left would be the judicial route, which I want to avoid. And you always know when a process starts, but will never know when it ends."
"I agree." I say. "It's always better to avoid a lawsuit."
"But things didn't turn out as I imagined." continues the lawyer. "I had a long talk with Mr. Woffen. He's unemployed at the moment, has a family to support and wants to live in the farm."
"So you deceived us!" Kevin accuses.
"I would never deceive you, Kevin. I'm just looking for an amicable solution."
Kevin takes a deep breath. He seems to be looking for balance somewhere very far away. Heidi holds his hand in solidarity. I can see that they have a strong relationship. The reaction of both of them seems like it's the life of a person at stake, not a property.
I don't usually allow emotions to get in the way of business, but in front of Kevin I have difficulty controlling them. I can't take my eyes off him. I'm sure now it wasn't my imagination. There's no doubt. Yes, it's him. The same guy from my dream. And he's there. Alive, in front of me.
Looking at him more calmly and attentively, I notice the differences and similarities he has with the young man in my dreams. While about 5'9, Kevin has a medium brown skin and black hair cut in a short fade. I look at the facial features that I'm so familiar with; the thick eyebrows, button nose, and full lips. A particularly notable feature I haven't noticed before is the dark brown freckles hidden by his complexion.
He is beautiful, I think to myself as I keep staring at him. His voice is soft but determined. When he replies to Reiter, he speaks with confidence and no fear. His eyes express so many emotions.
Ah yes, the eyes. Dark-brown. I feel like I can lose myself in those chocolate pools if I stare long enough.
From a physical point of view, neither he or Heidi look one hundred percent like the people in the dreams. Heidi is taller, her hair is longer. Her face shape is also slightly different. But I'm sure they are both are the same people I see in my dreams.
I try to alter the flow of my thoughts. I'm staring at Kevin for too long. There's a conversation going on. Reiter is speaking, so I try to focus on his words. But it's impossible. Kevin is all I can look at. My eyes try to absorb every detail about him.
"Nik, are you all right?" Tim whispers to me.
He stares at me, worried. I've plunged into my own thoughts. I return to the present moment, regaining objectivity. "What exactly do you want?" I ask Kevin.
"The farm is mine and my sister's. We were the ones who helped dad taking care of everything. That's our place!" I was about to open my mouth to talk about the will, but he was quicker, "I don't remember much of my parents. My documents say they were from Namibia, but I was born here. My cousin said they came to Germany after my dad got a job offer to work here. I lost them after a car accident." He pauses for a second before continuing, "My cousin was the only family I had here. He was assigned to be my guardian after my parents' death. But after a few years he abandoned me in the circus. That's when Philipp took me in. I was only 8 years old. And he was already rising Heidi, that at that time was only 2. He taught us how to read and write. Then not long after we left the circus and moved to Wolkenberg. He enrolled us in the town's school. It was he who helped us with the homework and play with us. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what would've become of us. When I graduated secondary school, he wanted me to get into a university. But I didn't want to leave. I decided to stay and help in the farm. We had arguments of course, but we loved each other. He always said that he was our dad and we were his children."
As much as I can hear the emotion in his voice, I try not to be wavered by it.
"We took care of the farm most of the time." Heidi continues where Kevin left off, "I took a short floristry course and started working in Berlin. Buying flowers directly from us or contracting our services for an event was cheaper than going to a flower shop. It was a good business. Reason why we decided to end our partnership with some shops. But then dad got sick and we stopped everything." She takes a deep shaky breath, "the doctor only gave us three months and we wanted to spend as much time with him before..." She tries to hold the tears, but it's useless. They start falling.
Kevin holds her hand tightly. Reiter offers her a tissue box. Silence fills the office. Only sniffing soungs from Heidi is heard.
Caught by surprise, I don't know what to say. It's the second time today this is happening. And I always thought of myself as shrewd, ready with an answer for everything!
Kevin continues, "When we heard about the will, we felt betrayed. Not because of the value of the farm, but because it is our home. The place we grew up and created so many memories. I don't understand why he did this. Our bedroom, kitchen, garden, flowers and the birds no longer belong to us." he looks at Reiter, "Why?"
"I've already explained why, Kevin. Philipp wanted you and Heidi to go to university and live a different life. See the world for yourselves. He never told you but he was really sad when you decided not to continue your studies."
"But it's not him who decides that." Kevin protests. "It's our life and we chose to live here."
The conversation has fallen dangerously into the realm of feelings. Despite my enchantment for Kevin, I manage to argue firmly. "I understand your reasons perfectly, Mr. Wilson." I say. "Yours and your sister's. But what counts is what is written. From what I understand so far, the deceased wanted Tim to have immediate possession of the farm. Not you."
"I don't accept it!" he shouts.
"But it's the law." I argue. "I'm sorry, but the farm no longer belongs to either of you. If you start a legal battle, you will waste time and money. And not only that you'll only get in the way of Tim's life and yours. You'd better accept what's written on the will." He gives me that same intense look that I already know. I feel another pang in my chest.
"My intuition doesn't fail, you know?" Kevin replies unsurprisingly, containing his anger, "From the first moment I looked at you, I knew you were my enemy."
It was as if I've been slapped. I make a huge effort to ignore my emotions. "I'm just a lawyer," I say. "I'm neither for nor against you and your sister. I just want to settle things in the best way possible. Business shouldn't involve feelings."
"But it's precisely feelings that I'm talking about," he retorts.
"Be reasonable, Kevin." Reiter interferes, "Mr. Dietrich didn't write the will. I did. And those were Philipp's wishes."
"I need to go back to my house. That's the most important thing," Kevin insists.
"You have a house, Kevin. Here in the town." reminds Reiter. "And the office in Berlin. I've been there. It's basically an apartment. And it's big enough for both of you."
"That's not where we want to live," he replies. He stands up, resting his hands firmly on the table. "Are you sure that a lawsuit can take a long time?"
"Of course it can. Maybe years. And the worst thing is that you and Heidi will certainly lose." Reiter answers.
"Then find a quicker solution. Soon, next week. We'll accept anything, as long as we can keep the farm." Kevin concludes, almost in a threatening tone.
He tells his sister to get up and both go to the door. I take a step towards them. Kevin stares at me. Although he tries to appear firm, he's being betrayed by his expression. He's terrified. Deeply afraid of me!
"No tricks, Mr. Dietrich. The most important thing is the farm." He says, standing in the doorway next to Heidi.
"I understand that you have an emotional attachment to the property. But I can't understand your insistence. It's just a house, not a person."
"You don't get it, do you?" He reacts.
"Try to explain."
He almost smiles for the first time. But then shakes his head and doesn't answer. He leaves the room with his sister, slamming the door behind them.
I turn around and see both Tim and Reiter staring at me in confusion. I don't say anything about it. Instead I schedule a meeting with Reiter for the next day, in the morning. Tim gets up and thanks Reiter. I awkwardly say goodbye and we both leave the office.
Outside, the sun is already setting. I look ahead and see Kevin walking down the street with Heidi. They stop for a while to talk with someone.
For the first time since I arrived here, I remember Marco. My phone is off. He probably called several times, to find out when I'm coming back. I can even imagine him, almost hysterically trying to call me. After all, if I don't come back, he'll miss another party!
I become aware of an uncomfortable truth. I've always thought that I'm lucky to date someone like Marco. A good-looking and sophisticated man. But in reality, the lucky one is him. Because of me he's getting the party invitations! I sponsor his life of luxury and carefreeness. I feel like I'm his goose that lays the golden eggs, to say the least.
I've never thought of it that way. Or even cared about it. Nothing seemed wrong with that situation until this moment. Now I feel the futility of my bond with Marco. Do I really want to move forward with our relationship being like this?
I shake my head. Marco should be the least of my worries at that moment. I look at my phone and decide not to turn it on. My secretary, if she needs to find me, has the hotel number and will leave a message.
I go with Tim to a coffee shop near the Reiter's office. We choose a table overlooking the park. I watch the children playing, indifferent to what's happening around them. They are loud... Like the ones in my dreams.
My mind shows me the children throwing rocks at the prisoner. Kevin. I shake my head again. Trying to remove the image off my mind. I return to the subject that brought me to Wolkenberg. "Tim, I think we can solve everything in an easier way."
He frowns, "How?"
"Your uncle left a house and an office to Kevin and Heidi. According to the lawyer, the office is basically an apartment. And I think it would be interesting to propose a swap. You can sell the properties, or rent them out. You'd have a fixed income..."
"I'm not giving up the farm. Case closed, Nik."
I know Tim. When he puts something in his head, nobody can take it away. I saw his eyes shining when Reiter mentioned that his uncle used to make good money with the farm. Tim is probably thinking about investing on it. And he won't give up on the idea. Until he goes completely bankrupt. He'll repeat the same cycle. Total enthusiasm. For a while he'll dive headlong into the business. But when he faces the the difficulties, he'll throw himself in debts. He'll lose everything. And in the end he'll give away the farm for nothing. That's how it always happens.
Still, I decide to put that option available. Maybe difficulties will arise faster than he expects and he'll give in.
"What happened in that office, Nik?" To my surprise, he changes the subject. Although in business he behaves like a lunatic, Tim is a sensitive guy. And he knows me like no-one.
I'm surprised by the question. "What are you talking about?"
He smiles and leans back to his chair, "I know you never really felt comfortable talking about relationships with me because I'm straight and you think I would never understand it," I open my mouth to protest it but he continues, cutting me off, "You know to me doesn't really matter. We're all human and we experience love the same way. You talking about a guy is no different from me talking about a girl." I don't know what to reply, so I remain silent. "I saw the way you were looking at Kevin. And I have to say that I've never seen that type of look in your eyes. Not even with Marco. Which is funny because Kevin is so different from all the guys you've dated. He's got a way about him. Not your type at all. You only dated guys like Marco. Sophisticated, well-dressed, with some type of social status. Kevin is the opposite of every guy I've ever seen you with "
"Why do you think I'm interested in Kevin?"
"It was so obvious. Ever since he walked into that office, you kept staring at him."
"What if it's my infallible lawyer technique to embarrass the other party?" I try to laugh it off.
He gives me a smile. The one that tells me that I can't hide anything from him. "You're a terrible liar, Nikolas." He jokes.
Again I don't know what to answer. And I don't talk about relationships with Tim, not because he's straight, but because talking about them means having to cofess feelings that I didn't have for any of the guys I've dated because of some dream.
Now this. How am I going to talk about Kevin and the intense feelings he awakens on me. Feelings that I don't understand either.
"I told you, you're like a brother to me, Nik."
"I know. You're are also like a brother to me. That's why I'm here." I say, trying to change the direction of the conversation.
But he continues in a serious tone, "You know you can tell me anything..." How can I tell him everything that is going on? Tell him that I'm confusing dream with reality? "I know you, Nik. I saw how you behaved in front of Kevin. You looked like you were charmed by him. But what I found weird was his reaction to you." My heart leaps. Tim understood everything!
He continues talking, not even noticing the confused feelings bubbling up inside me. "You were hypnotised by him. And he seems to hate you." He gives me a lopsided smile, as if apologising for what he's saying.. "You know, Kevin has every reason not to like me. After all, I'm the one who got the inheritance he thinks he's entitled to. But it was you he didn't like. Do you have any idea why?"
I feel a knot inside me. I need to get it off my chest. Even if Tim thinks I'm crazy. "Well..." I hesitate. But, when Tim looks at me, I decide to be honest. "I'll tell you, but don't think I'm crazy..."
And so I tell him everything. The dream I have every night. What I feel when I wake up. And about the young man burning in the fire, being Kevin. "I know it's crazy, Tim. But it's him. They are the same person. Yes, they don't look exactly the same, but I recognized him. Don't ask me to explain. Just believe me, please. It's him, and I can't find a reason for what's happening."
His response is surprising, "I don't think you're crazy, Nikolas. Let's go back to the farm. I want you to talk to Julia."
I look at him confused. "Talk to Julia? About what?"
"Past lives."