Chapter 20. Wine and Ecstasy

"Okay, so when will you go back to San Francisco to deal with everything?" Zoey asked Aleysia, still waiting for the word to come.

Before she called Aleysia, Timothy had called to warn her not to say anything about Ariadne Evangelou, or they would not invest in her company. After what Brooklyn and her boyfriend had done to Stardust, Zoey really needed the investment from Zenith Softworks.

"Oh, about that, my friend, Ariadne..." Zoey gulped, and the name finally came out. "She said she wants me to use her private jet."

"Oh, wow, okay. This friend of yours seems so rich," Zoey said.

Everything that had been done—Aleysia's return to Stardust, her house, and how Ariadne had dealt with Brooklyn and Andrew with ease—it was all for Aleysia Simon, the reason she got her child back. Stardust Cybernetics was a child she raised with Steve Wilson and Rebecca Wilson, or at least that's how they believe it. The three of them were the reason Stardust was built the way it is today.

"I know she's rich, but I didn't know she's that rich," Aleysia said.

'Oh, you have no idea, Aleysia. Your friend is controlling the head of the Johnson conglomerate,' Zoey replied in her mind, while just giving Aleysia a set of laughs.

"I'll tell you when I'm going to go, and maybe you can pick me up at the airport? Or should I use a taxi instead?" Aleysia was already planning.

'There's no way Ariadne will let you use a taxi. She'll probably send you a car,' Zoey replied in her mind. "I'll pick you up at the airport later," Zoey said.

"Okay, that would be great. Thank you, Zoey," Aleysia answered, excited and happy.

"Who's coming with you, Aleysia?"

"Aunt Yolanda and Whitney will come with me to San Francisco," Aleysia said. "They'll help me clean the house, and I'll decide what to do with it."

"Alright then, we'll be in touch, right?" Zoey replied softly.

"Of course, I'll text you," Aleysia answered.

"Aleysia, sorry to ask you this." Zoey then paused, but she proceeded to ask her next question. "But how did you text from your phone?"

"I use TalkBack to have texts and other application controls read out loud and to type or use dictation to compose messages," Aleysia explained. "What are you going to make something easier?"

"Maybe, if the universe agrees. Maybe," Zoey said, and with that, they ended their conversation.

After talking with Aleysia, Zoey quickly texted Timothy to inform him about her conversation and how Aleysia had said her friend Ariadne would send a private jet to fly her from Svalbard to San Francisco.

"Should I pick her up at the airport?" Zoey asked Timothy after he called her back.

"No need; madam already told me to pick up Aleysia with her car. You can just wait at the company building and proceed with everything," Timothy said.

Zoey replied with an 'okay', already knowing that the woman named Ariadne, who was referred to as 'madam' by the heir to the Johnson Conglomerate and its current head, would do such things. Zoey felt more positive now that the events were happening because Ariadne cared about Aleysia. If that weren't the case, the Johnsons would not have even noticed them.

-

"When are we going to San Francisco?" Whitney asked excitedly, already thinking about putting in a leave request at work.

"Anytime, we can go anytime," Aleysia answered after hanging up the phone with Zoey.

"When will Zoey send the plane tickets?" Yolanda asked, currently preparing to go to San Francisco.

Aleysia grinned, and Whitney noticed. "What is it, Ale?"

Just then, Tyrone and Jamal walked through the door, having just gotten home from some extra work at the office. The two brothers stopped in their tracks when they saw the three women gathered in the family room.

"Ariadne said she's sending us her private jet to go to San Francisco," Aleysia announced.

For the next five minutes, there was complete silence as the family members processed what Aleysia had just said.

"Guys?" Aleysia asked, breaking the silence only to be met with a shrill scream from Whitney.

"No way! You're for real, Ale? A private jet?" Whitney exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Yeah, she told me to talk to Timo about what day we'll be going to San Francisco," Aleysia explained.

Yolanda, ever the voice of reason, tried to calm Whitney down. "Now, dear, let's not get too carried away. This is a very generous offer, but we mustn't take it for granted."

Tyrone and Jamal exchanged a look, clearly just as stunned as the rest of the family. "A private jet, huh? Guess Aleysia's friend Ariadne is really loaded," Tyrone commented.

Jamal nodded in agreement. "I've heard the name Ariadne Evangelou before, but I didn't realize she was that powerful. This is going to be one interesting trip."

Aleysia beamed, thrilled to be able to provide her family with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I know; I can hardly believe it myself. But Ariadne said she wants us to have the best experience possible in San Francisco."

Whitney bounced up and down excitedly. "Oh my gosh, I can't wait! We're riding in a private jet! This is going to be amazing!"

Yolanda tried to rein in her daughter's enthusiasm. "Now, Whitney, remember to be on your best behavior. We don't want to embarrass Aleysia or her friend Ariadne."

"Mom, I'm twenty-six, just a year younger than Aleysia. Please, you treat me like I'm a toddler," Whitney complained, but she couldn't hide her happy demeanor. "You're excited too; just admit it, Mom," she said, dancing in front of her mother.

"Alright, alright, of course I'm excited," Yolanda said, laughing.

"Should I just ask for a leave?" Jamal suddenly spoke, breaking the silence as he considered the idea.

"Dad! Come on! I'll be alone if you do that!" Tyrone complained, as he had just started working at the company for a year, and his department would need two weeks' notice if someone wanted to take a leave.

"It's not every day we can go by private jet, and it'll be better if I'm there for Aleysia. At least, right?" Jamal said, smiling.

"Of course!" Aleysia replied, running to hug Jamal. "It would be great if you and Aunt Yolanda are there, because there's no one who knows best what happened to me other than you two."

Jamal returned the hug and patted Aleysia's back. "I'll call my office, then."

"No, why?" Tyrone shouted in frustration.

"We're going to bring you back a souvenir, bro. Don't worry," Whitney said, sneering and teasing her younger brother.

-

Timothy knocked on Medusa's suite room and was instructed to use a blindfold before entering. Obediently, he put on the blindfold and stepped inside, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor beneath him as he navigated the room.

"What is it?" Medusa asked. Timothy still couldn't get used to the captivating beauty of her voice, which always made him want to kneel before her.

"Uh... so, Jamal Owens is also coming to San Francisco. Only Tyrone was left behind," Timothy reported.

"Good, then. You take care of the schedule and everything. Pick her up from the airport, too, and just take care of her," Medusa said. "And bring back all of these boxes to the house. I'm done looking."

"Did you find what you were looking for, madam?" Timothy asked.

"Yes, I have all I need. Put the boxes back to the house," Medusa instructed. "And don't forget, we're going to that school tomorrow."

"Yes, madam," Timothy replied.

"Oh, and I'll be going for tonight. I'll be back in the morning," Medusa said.

"Where, madam?" Timothy asked, as Medusa rarely went out alone, unless it was during the blood moon.

"Dionysus is in San Francisco, and he contacted me to see him. It's been what, five centuries since the last time I saw him?" Medusa paused, seemingly lost in thought. "Anyway, I'll be away."

"Do you need a car?" Timothy asked.

"No, no, I don't need one," Medusa answered.

"But, madam," Timothy complained, and Medusa hissed while rolling her eyes.

"Fine, get a car ready. Drive me to Dionysus' vineyard," Medusa relented, aware of the worry in the young mortal's voice.

"Why a vineyard?" Timothy tilted his head, confused.

"You need to spend more time in the library, Timo. How the hell did you not know about Dionysus? Mortals know him as the god of wine and ecstasy," Medusa replied, a hint of exasperation in her tone.

"Oh, ohh..." Timothy's understanding dawned.

"Take off your blindfold and get the car ready," Medusa instructed. Timothy removed the blindfold and was met with the sight of Medusa dressed in a casual yet sophisticated look.

She was wearing an oversized white blazer paired with a tight white crop top, creating a chic, minimalist base for the ensemble. Her dark hair was styled in loose, natural waves, framing her face beautifully. The standout feature of her look was the ornate, bejeweled turban-style head wrap she was wearing. The turban was adorned with a profusion of sparkling, multicolored crystals or gems, creating an eye-catching, almost regal effect.

Noticing Timothy's lingering gaze, Medusa asked, "Why?"

"No, you're beautiful, madam," he replied sheepishly.

"Thanks, now let's get ready," Medusa said quickly.

"Yes, madam," Timothy responded, hurriedly making his way out of the room.

As Timothy left, Medusa's gaze lingered on the door, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She couldn't wait to see how tomorrow would unfold. The thought of the humans who had hurt Aleysia filled Medusa with anger, something she easily feels whenever she gets triggered. And somehow, she's easily triggered with whatever regarding Aleysia. She would make them pay, each and every one, in the most excruciatingly painful way possible.