Chapter 63: Festival
"Move your head, Agatha. The car seat is too hard for your neck," Xavier warned.
"I am fine, Xavier. No need to worry."
"Move to my shoulder now."
Agatha complied. She shifted her seat and rested her head on Xavier's left shoulder. Xavier's large hand immediately wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space between them.
"Careful. Watch the bandage on your cheek," Xavier said again. His tone sounded very stiff.
"I have been very careful. The wound does not sting as much anymore. You are overreacting."
"It is still an open wound." Xavier stared straight ahead. "Frans, how much longer until we arrive?"
Frans glanced at the rearview mirror. "About forty minutes, Xav. The traffic is a bit jammed up ahead."
"Why is it jammed? Did you not clear this route before we left?"
"There is a crowd in the village along the road. Looks like a local event. People are crossing the street everywhere."
Agatha lifted her head a little to look out the window. She rolled down the car window a few centimeters. The sound of traditional music and people laughing immediately poured into the previously silent car cabin. Rows of small yellow and red lights decorated the entire village road.
"Close the window, Agatha. The air outside is too cold," Xavier ordered. The man's hand moved up to press the power window button, but Agatha stopped him.
"Just a moment, Xavier. I like the smell of that grilled food."
"Your cheek is still bandaged. The dirty wind could infect the wound. Street dust is very dangerous."
"You are overreacting again. I am not going to die just because of some dust."
Xavier turned his head quickly. His jaw clenched instantly. "Do not say the word die in front of me. Especially not today."
"I am sorry," Agatha said softly while rolling her eyes lazily. She went back to looking out the window. Little kids were running around carrying balloons. Adults gathered in front of the snack stalls. "Frans, slow down the car."
"Keep driving, Frans," Xavier cut in. "Do not stop."
"Xavier, please. Stop there for a moment," Agatha pleaded. She touched the back of Xavier's hand.
"No. We are on our way home. This area is not sterile. We do not know who is in that crowd."
"Just thirty minutes. I want to get out and take a look. It is a harvest festival. I have not seen a crowd like this in a long time."
"There are too many strangers out there, Agatha. You were just stabbed last night. Kalea is still roaming around and Luigi is definitely planning something."
"It is just a small scratch on my cheek. And we have plenty of guards in the back car. Luigi will not expect us to stop in a place this crowded. We are actually safer in the middle of a crowd."
"Guards do not guarantee anything. Kalea could easily slip into that crowd and attack from close range."
"You are too paranoid."
"I have to be paranoid. Your safety is my responsibility."
"I want to eat that pink cotton candy. Look, the shape is so cute."
"I can tell Frans to buy it. Frans, get out and buy that thing."
"It is not the same, Xavier. I want to walk there myself. Please. Just for a moment." Agatha looked into Xavier's eyes. She knew the man could not refuse her gaze.
Xavier let out a long breath. He loosened his tie roughly. "Frans, park the car near the festival entrance. Tell the Alpha team to spread out around the crowd area."
"Got it, Xav. I will get it done right away," Frans replied. The car slowly pulled over and stopped near a wooden gate decorated with hay.
"Remember, Agatha. Thirty minutes. You are not allowed to let go of my hand for even a second."
"I understand."
Xavier stepped out first. He walked around the car and opened the door for Agatha. When Agatha got out, Xavier immediately pulled her waist against his body.
"Do not walk too fast," Xavier warned as they started entering the festival area.
"Blame your long legs. Your strides are too wide, Xavier."
"Stay by my side. Do not fall behind."
Agatha stopped in front of a wooden table selling various handmade accessories. "Excuse me, how much is this bracelet?" Agatha asked the older woman selling them.
"Five dollars, Miss," the seller answered with a friendly smile.
"I will take two."
Xavier took out a hundred dollar bill from his wallet and placed it on the table.
"Oh my, I do not have the change yet, Sir. I have to break this bill first," the seller said in confusion.
"Just keep the change," Xavier said quickly. He pulled Agatha's hand away from the table.
"You scared her," Agatha whispered as she slipped one of the wooden bracelets onto Xavier's left wrist. The bracelet looked completely out of place next to his expensive watch.
"I do not care about her. I care about the man in the gray shirt at your three o'clock position."
Agatha turned her head slightly in the direction Xavier mentioned.
"Do not look at him directly," Xavier hissed. He pulled Agatha's head to lean against his chest.
"He is just some old guy eating a grilled sausage, Xavier."
"He glanced in our direction three times in the last minute."
"Because your clothes are far too flashy for someone attending a village festival."
Xavier looked down at his expensive black suit. "You should have let me wear a normal jacket this morning."
"You were the one who insisted on wearing that suit. You said you had a meeting after dropping me off."
"Then just relax. Nobody is going to shoot us here. Just enjoy the festival."
"You are very confident."
"I believe in you. You will not let anyone touch me."
They walked past rows of food vendors. Smoke billowed from the corn and meat grills. The music grew louder as they approached the main stage in the center of the field.
"Do you want grilled corn?" Agatha asked.
"I am not hungry." Xavier kept scanning the faces of everyone passing near them.
"Just try a little. The seasoning looks good." Agatha bought a piece of grilled corn and held it up to Xavier's mouth. "Open your mouth."
Xavier chewed the corn slowly. His eyes never left the crowd.
"How does it taste?" Agatha asked.
"Too sweet. And it tastes burnt."
"You really do not know how to enjoy street food."
"My tongue is used to food prepared by professional chefs."
"You are annoying." Agatha ate the rest of the corn herself.
They arrived in front of a game stall. There was a row of small balloons meant to be popped with darts.
"Do you want to try throwing those darts?" Agatha asked, pointing at the stall.
"That is a waste of time."
"The grand prize is that giant teddy bear up there. I want it."
"I can buy you the toy factory tomorrow morning."
"I do not want the factory. I want that bear up there. A prize won by your own effort."
Xavier let out a quiet sigh. He walked up to the stall keeper. "How many throws to get that teddy bear?"
"Three throws for ten dollars, Sir. You have to pop the smallest red balloon right in the middle," the stall keeper answered.
Xavier handed over a ten dollar bill. He picked up three small darts. Without much preparation, Xavier threw all three darts in rapid succession with incredibly fast and calculated movements. All three darts hit the targeted red balloon perfectly. Small popping sounds echoed one after another.
"You cheated," Agatha accused.
"I used the proper aiming technique. Give her the bear," Xavier ordered the stall keeper.
The stall keeper grabbed the large brown teddy bear and handed it to Agatha with slightly shaking hands due to Xavier's cold glare.
"Thank you," Agatha said happily while hugging the bear. "It is so soft."
"Now we go back to the car. Your playtime is over."
"Ten more minutes. I want to see that music stage up close."
"It is too packed, Agatha. People are pushing against each other over there. There is no safe room to move."
"Just from the edge. We do not need to go into the middle of the crowd."
Xavier wrapped his arm around Agatha's shoulder protectively. He pulled her in until her body was completely shielded by his large frame. "If even one person bumps into your wound, we are going straight back to the car that very second."
"Yes, I promise."
They stood near the stage. Traditional music was playing at a fast tempo. Several locals were dancing together. Xavier's jaw visibly tightened. His eyes kept darting around, watching anyone who came close.
"Xavier, look at me for a second," Agatha called out.
Xavier looked down at Agatha's face.
"Your eyes are so red," Agatha said.
"I did not get enough sleep."
"You did not sleep at all last night. You stayed awake and watched over me until morning."
"I had to make sure you were breathing normally."
"I am right here, Xavier. This wound will heal in a few days." Agatha touched Xavier's broad chest.
"Every time I look at that bandage on your cheek, I want to hunt Luigi down and crush his neck with my own bare hands."
"We will deal with Luigi later. But not tonight. Tonight, I just want you to relax and enjoy your time with me."
"I cannot relax as long as that bastard is still breathing and targeting you."
"Hold my waist tighter if you feel anxious."
Xavier tightened his grip. His hand squeezed Agatha's waist. "I am not anxious. I am furious."
"I know you are mad."
"You have no idea, darling. You took too big of a risk last night. You almost died."
"Almost. But the reality is I am still standing right here with you tonight."
"This is truly the last time you leave without telling me."
"I understand, Xavier. I will not do it again."
"If you do it again, I will literally lock you in our bedroom."
"You already did that last night."
"That is nothing compared to what I will do next time."
Xavier glanced at his watch. "Thirty minutes are up. We are going back to the car now."
"Alright. Let us go home."
They walked back toward the entrance gate. Frans was already waiting near the car door in a state of high alert.
"Situation is clear, Xav," Frans reported.
"Open the door."
They got into the car. The vehicle immediately sped off, leaving the busy festival area behind.
Agatha placed her teddy bear on her lap. "Get some sleep, Xavier. We still have a long way to go."
"I will sleep when we have passed the main house gates and made sure they are locked tight."
"You are incredibly stubborn."
"I am just protecting what is mine."
Agatha rested her head back on Xavier's shoulder. Xavier pressed his cheek against the top of Agatha's head.