Arthur. Part three.

Amid the noisy devices and various scents that were the sweetest in the world, thousands of workers from morning to night stirred the mixture, which slowly took on a vivid aroma and color.

Round pots, which could accommodate a whole pool, served as a place for the creation of future soap. And among all this, among the incomprehensible things, oils that were in strange jars, Adelard wandered, feeling only emptiness.

His factory, which was making the most fragrant soap around the world has always been a topic of conversation. After all, it was here that chemists worked wonders, being able to make it so that after using Adelard's soap, the skin will shine and smell for a whole week.

After all, even the sign in front of the factory door was keep saying: The shine of millions of stars.

Yes, "The Shine of Stars" was the name that was written in golden letters on every soap box.

The Shine of Stars was the only thing Adelard chose for himself. After all, he already knew from childhood that this particular business would belong to him.

And now, being the president of the most prestigious factory for the manufacture of different types and aromas of soaps, Adelard still felt pride and joy.

Although, every time he looked at a wooden bucket almost the size of an entire city, he felt worthless. After all, what did his life consist of?! Just the processes, olive oils, and animal fats, which sometimes were not aromatic at all.

Walking between the pots, smiling at every worker who nervously was waiting for the end of the working day, Adelard stopped at his favorite place and took out a beautiful pen which belonged to his grandmother.

Then he made circles around all the ingenious devices, which in turn spun, absorbing fat into the iron walls, and stopping in front of all the people who from time to time glanced at him, Adelard closed his eyes and froze.

Yes, he was still in a sleepy state, because today he could not sleep, and last night, too, he could not close his eyes.

Sleep, along with a rapid heartbeat, became torture for him, from which the only way out was love. And even now, when he opened his eyes and watched how the liquid mixture turned into squares, he saw everywhere that girl, whose beauty and mind was just like life itself.

Perhaps he had already managed to place in her image and in her pure name the very life that flowed through his veins. Because without her, he knew he was simply dead.

"Adelard!" Suddenly Arthur's bright voice brought him back to his senses.

But he even forgot that he invited his new friend to see how his factory lives and smells of different aromas.

Noticing a blush on Adelard's cheeks and beads of sweat on his forehead, Arthur did not regret his snow-white handkerchief and immediately touched his forehead with the cloth.

“You look like you have a fever. Sure you don’t want to go to the doctor? Maybe you’re sick? Yeah, don’t look at me that way. A person in this heat can also get sick.”

“I'm fine. It's just that I had insomnia these days. That's all. I'm so glad you came,” Adelar said, looking happily at his new friend.

After that, through the open door, two men dragged two large bags into the building.

"Leave it here. Yes. Thanks."

"There's still a bag of coffee beans in there."

"Okay. Keep working!"

Observing the work, Adelard asked, "You know how soap is made?"

"Soap is made from fat and then all sorts of oils are added there, and in your case, coffee beans," Arthur answered uncertainly.

"This is the simplest explanation. But in fact, the process of making soap is a whole art."

"You're right. It's a whole art. But I'm sorry for the animals. I mean their fat," Arthur said as he watched the pale flesh travel across the cauldron.

"I feel sorry for them too. But you know, I'm working on a formula that will allow me to create a soap without animal fat. So, I'll make you happy soon."

"Monsieur Adelard, Jimmy got burned last night and he won't be able to come to the factory today. And he asked for forgiveness. But tomorrow, he will come," intervening in their conversation, one elderly man said and bowed his head. He looked a little tired, but happy nonetheless.

"Don't worry. If the burns are serious, then he can rest for a few days. He is young, he needs strength for the future. Tell him my words," Adelard said and added, "If he needs help with treatment, then you can go to my secretary."

The elderly man smiled and bowed his head even lower, said, "Thank you. Monsieur, thank you so much."

It was only when he was gone that Arthur cautiously approached Adelard's ear and whispered, "Are you always so kind to everyone?! Is this man the father of this Jimmy?"

"Yes. What a pity for the guy. I hope he will be fine."

"So making soap can be dangerous."

"Yes. Some substances are very dangerous and even poisonous."

"In that case, you shouldn't stand here for long."

"No. It's not dangerous to breathe here. But if you're tired, let's take a walk. Or would you like a cup of coffee?"

"I will not refuse."

In a sunny office with open windows, finding a cozy place right in the path of the warm wind, Arthur quickly looked around and only then asked, "Why soap?"

"I love cleanliness. But the main reason is that I am too afraid of germs. Perhaps I want to rid the whole world of germs and dirt," Adelard replied, not hiding a dazzling smile from Arthur, who, noticing the beauty, accidentally squeezed a pencil in his hand, thereby breaking it in half.

"To rid the whole world of germs and dirt! Someone might think that you are talking about people. Adelard, tell me, do you always see only good things in people?"

"Only good? What can be bad in them? Arthur, tell me why a person can be bad?"

Arthur laughed and picking up an apple, replied, "To be bad is the only thing a person is capable of."

With a pity and sadness, looking at him, Adelard said with tenderness in his voice, "It's not true."

Too clean, a naive face could only belong to an angel and no one else, and noticing this, Arthur abruptly grabbed his hand and squeezing his thin fingers said, "Suzanne was right. You need to be watched and protected. You just don't know what world you live in."

"All evil is just in your head. There is nothing bad in the world. But bad is only in thoughts."

"But people always think about bad things. They always think about bad things. Do you really believe in fairy tales?"

"No. I just believe that a person just always wants to be happy. And sometimes, this desire make people sad."

"You are a real child."

"Enough. I don't want to argue with you!" Adelard exclaimed and looked up at the sky, at the clouds, at Arthur's shiny hair.

"From this day on, I will look after you. I will not leave you alone. Can you hear me? I will never leave you," Arthur said slightly threateningly and got up from his chair and went up to Adelard. Embracing his shoulders, he bent down to his face and repeated, "I will not leave you."

Adelard was slightly surprised, but nevertheless, he was pleased that he had a new friend. He rejoiced at this, as a child who got tired of playing alone.

The day boded only good things. All the clouds, every ray of the sun, which lazily stretched only forward, and even the faces of people foreshadowed something beautiful. But on this very day, when the father of the unfortunate guy who dreams of becoming a musician, smiled when he saw a cheque with enough amount of money for treatment, Adelard saw his future too clearly.

Looking at his fingers, which had managed to absorb various odors and even unpleasant ones, Adelard saw his life in front of him. Glancing through Arthur's brown hair, he felt nothing but happiness.

And with this happiness, he wanted to share with everyone.

"Do you know what is interesting and even funny?" Arthur asked the question, bringing Adelard back to earth. "Do you always do this?"

"Do what?"

"Do you live in your own world? You have such a look, as if you have gained some strength or even more wealth."

The overly happy smile gave way to calmness.

And he replied, "It's just a very good day today."

"Really? And why is that?"

"So what did you want to say? What is interesting and even funny?"

Arthur lazily pulled his hands up. "This is the factory of the finest soap that has ever existed in this world. But the strange thing is that the smell is not so good in here," he said this with complete seriousness and at the same time, even offended.

"It's all fat. But I can't smell it anymore. I'm used to it."

"Such a wonderful person and walks among such a smell. Tell me, you have a huge inheritance. And you could live in peace. So why do you need all this? You could, after all, live and enjoy life. Go to museums, wake up in different countries. Why are you like this?"

“Why am I like this? Arthur, you surprise me,” Adelar said, feeling his heart rate up.

Stopping his gaze on a fly that sat on a silver spoon, Arthur breathed in a fresh breeze in order to forget about the smell that lingered throughout the factory.

"Yes, I have an inheritance. But that doesn't mean I have to be lazy. Plus, I've already explained to you why I chose to make soap."

"Yes. But look at yourself. You're impossible, you're just an angel, or whatever. And you walk every day among this smell and these people who just want to take your money. Do you really want this kind of life? Susanne said that you haven't even seen the world. How is that even possible?"

And then Adelard could not restrain himself and said, "I love one girl."

Almost falling off his chair, Arthur immediately blushed and laughed nervously.

"Why are you surprised?"

"This chair is not comfortable. Did I understand you correctly? Are you in love?"

"What? Is this the first time you've heard of this?"

"No. It's just, I didn't think."

"Didn't think I could love?"

"No. I didn't mean that."