While Benjamin was touring Baiforst, convincing various managers with and without his red beans time flowed quickly. On Valentino's side three days also passed. During that time, he was living the high life, buying a sports car, eating in expensive restaurants, and hanging out with Leon.
It was just before launch when Valentino left the Café of Dreams full of energy. His suit had already landed in the trash, and he changed into sport clothes the youth liked to wear these days. Recklessly speeding with his luxurious super car, he arrived in front of the Three Towers in no time at all. He entered the lobby, about to head to Leon's room but he noticed the other already waiting for him.
"Val!"
"Leon!"
The two men laughed and greeted each other with a breif hug.
"Let's go. We can't let the important personage wait. Being invited to launch at his place is quite rare."
"Oh, ok."
Valentino was slightly taken aback. Leon had promised to connect him with someone able to procure ingredients for his paintings. Yet he never mentioned a name, creating a mysterious image for the 'important personage'. Valentino was quite curious who could demand so much respect from someone like Leon Denner. But he didn't dare to ask further as the two got into a car prepared by Leon.
The drive was surprisingly long, heading for the outskirts of the city. Leon and Valentino talked causally. Well, mostly it was Leon expressing his excitement for Valentino's next painting.
As a big fan of Valentino's art Leon had long since analysed the paintings thoroughly. He knew the kind of ingredients Valentino needed for his paintings, but he didn't mention it directly. For him it was not really that big of a deal. If people sold their blood for money, why should he feel guilty for buying it? As for how Valentino previously, without money nor connections, got his hand on blood? Leon never thought about it. Or perhaps he subconsciously ignored it. Out of sight out of mind.
Finally, the car stopped. Valentino stepped out and studied his surroundings. They were in a district at the edge of the city. Although not as splendid as the core city, it still wasn't bad. This part of the city was rather quiet with more restaurants and bars instead of casinos. In front of Valentino was a building richly decorated with many plants, exuding a relaxing atmosphere. Valentino had heard about it before. It was a famous restaurant called Still Pond, known for its breakfast and launch, closing before dinner. It was quite a strange strategy, but it worked out.
"Come, come. The important personage is already waiting."
Leon appeared quite excited, not unlike when he met Valentino the first time. The two young men entered the restaurant. A refreshing smell immediately hit their noses. It came from a small pond in the centre of the restaurant which was finely decorated with colourful plants. The tables were arranged circling the pond on two floors. A large window in the ceiling allowed bright sunlight to fall onto the pond giving the scenery a dreamy feeling.
"I can see how this place became so famous."
Valentino sighed in admiration. Meanwhile Leon was talking to a waitress who obviously recognized him, behaving extremely politely. She offered Leon his usual table but the young man declined, stating that they had an appointment with a certain person in room number 6.
"Oh, of course. I will lead you!"
Valentino and Leon swiftly followed the waitress into a separate hallway. There were private rooms with a scenic view on a quaint garden behind the building. However, as Valentino read the numbers, he realised that while there were six rooms, there was no room number six. Valentino was confused but he soon received an answer. At the end of the corridor there was a door for 'staff only'. Yet Leon didn't stop for a second as the waitress led them past this door.
Behind the door the corridor presented a vastly different look. The walls were clattered with all kinds of stuff. Apart from some strange portraits there were shelves with music boxes like the one Leon had, small silver bells, little dolls and more. Valentino was quite curious, but Leon didn't give him time to look around. The latter urged Valentino to follow as Leon and the waitress approached a door to the right with a big, red '6' painted on it.
The waitress knocked in a peculiar rhythm. A few moments later a gentle male voice could be heard:
"Come in!"
Receiving a signal from the waitress Leon pushed the door open and entered together with Valentino. The room behind followed the style of the corridor outside, clattered with all kinds of stuff. A golden globe, candlestands, old books, there was too much to look at. Only the rear wall was different as it was entirely made from glass, revealing the view on a serene little garden with a stream and a pond.
In front of the glass was a long table taking up the centre of the room. At its head sat a man who could only be described as perfect. Flawless, slightly pale skin. Long, glossy, black hair. An immaculate red suit which has obviously been custom made for him. And a smile which outshone the sun. With one look at him Valentino was stunned, unable to pull his eyes away.
"Leon. A pleasure to meet you. And I see you brought a new friend today."
"The pleasure is mine, Angel. Yes. This is Valentino Amico, I told you about him."
The conversation brought Valentino back to reality. A chill ran down his back as he bowed lightly with a greeting:
"Nice to meet you Mister Angel. I hope we aren't disturbing you."
Valentino didn't know why he bowed like this, but he just felt subservient to the man opposite him. It was as if Angel was so perfect that one couldn't muster any confidence in his presence. Each little movement of the man's hand, each twitch of his muscles carried an otherworldly grace. Even his voice gave a magnetic feeling as he spoke:
"Just Angel will do. And of course you didn't disturb me. In fact, I have long wanted to get to know you. Well, previously it was your teacher. Those paintings have always fascinated me!"
"You are too courteous, Angel."
"Haha, I am just speaking my mind. Come, my two friends. Sit down. I was just about to have launch."
With a praise from Angel Valentino felt his heart flutter. His whole body felt excited. He glanced towards Leon. Seeing the latter sit down without hesitation Valentino quickly followed suit. A sumptuous meal had already been prepared. Valentino looked over all the delicacies and didn't even know where to begin. Angel notices this with a gentle smile. He asked his guests to begin and soon the three men were enjoying a delicious launch together. Meanwhile Angel asked Valentino about his paintings, and the artist, feeling the man's genuine appreciation, answered gladly.
"The secrets to my paintings? Apart from my great talent it is naturally the ingredients. The intense red of fresh blood is just so incredible intense. It carries so many emotions. Simply unbeatable!"
Valentino didn't hold back. After all, according to Leon, Angel was the one who could sell him new ingredients. What was the purpose of keeping it a secret now? As Valentino spoke, he didn't find it strange that both Leon and Angel didn't show fear or apprehension. Instead, they listened with great interest.
"You mentioned ingredients. But I am sure there is more to it. What mind state are you in when painting, for example?", asked Angel gently.
"Mind state? Perhaps if I had to describe it, I would say… transcendent!"
"Transcendent? Reminds me of my music box…", commented Leon.
"Exactly. Yes. That is the feeling!"
Noticing Valentino's excited exclamation a strange light flashed through Angel's eyes. But no one noticed anything as the man continued gently:
"Similar to one of my music boxes? You can enter such a mind state at will? Amazing! How are you doing that? Through meditation?"
"Haha, no. I have my own little trick. Thanks to my favourite coffee everything becomes much easier."
Angel was slightly taken aback. This wasn't the answer he had expected. However, coffee with a similar effect to his music boxes couldn't be simple. Thus, he dug deeper:
"Such an extraordinary coffee. This sounds amazing. I would really love to try it sometimes. Can you tell me where you bought that?"
"Of course. I got it from the c…"
Suddenly Valentino felt as if his tongue was stuck in his throat. A suffocating feeling overcame him. Sweat drenched his back. It was as if he woke up from a nightmare. He took a few deep breaths and tried to suppress the abnormalities as much as possible. What had just happened? Why did he reveal so much? He was about to mention his biggest secret! Valentino showed a forced smile and hastily came up with some excuse:
"I… I don't know where the coffee comes from. I'm really sorry, I was just trying to impress you guys… My teacher gave me this coffee but never talked about its origins."
"Oh? What a pity…"