Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 62

 

62.

 

“Portia Belmont, you cannot be serious. I love you.’ Bassanio looked at the lady seated across from him. They left the court and convened at the premises of Enrico Moet. The ‘juri’ was seated at his place behind the wide desk, with the lady facing him, and Bassanio was offered the couch. Nerissa was standing next to the lady there.

“You heard me right. I am calling off the engagement.” Portia looked across to Bassanio. “I have a change of mind on the matter.”

“You defended me there at court.”

“Yes, I did, but it was a… friendship arrangement. I do value you as a friend and felt that I could offer you a better defence. I think I did.”

“Why, Ms. Belmont, did you do that? You have a ‘juri,’ and we agreed for me to act.” Enrico asked.

“I had a change of mind.” Portia replied. “I thought it over and decided then. I am more familiar with the rules of trade than you. I…….”

“You seem to have a lot of changes to your mind.” Bassanio interjected.

“Yes, bitches like me changed their minds often.” Portia looked at Enrico, who was stunned then. “I am here to pay you, Enrico, for your services, and also to put on paper the dissolution of my engagement to one named Andre Bassanio Tito.”

“I am sorry I called you a bitch. I thought you were going to kill me.” Bassanio pleaded. “I was in pain.”

“My mind is made up.” Portia looked at the ‘jury.’

“You cannot do that. You will ……. Make your father despair in his ……” Bassanio called out.

“You do not know my father and me. I can call off the engagement. You hold nothing, nor do I hold any towards you.” Portia looked at Enrico. “Be a darling, and write it down. I want it to be sent to the papers by morning.”

“Who is it, Portia? The baron or the slob?’ Bassanio called out. “I am destroyed if you leave me.”

“Mr. Enrico, the matter is decided. Please act, and here are your fees.” With that, Portia took leave of the chamber and mounted the carriage arranged for her.

“Portia, are you sure?” Nerissa asked.

“Yes, I am. Bassanio has shown himself to be less of a man than I thought he would be. I am to find another man who will stand up for me.” Portia said. “Let the social circles say things about me, but I am leaving Genoa soon. I am to go to... Spain or even to the isles. Will you join me, Nerissa?”

“I am without Gratiano. Yes, I will.”

The idea to leave Genoa was the last thing on the mind of several persons.

“I am not leaving Genoa until we find the jewels.” Prince Escalus had invited those gathered there to meet him at the home of Lord Schmidt Helmut. There was Count Paris, Magistrate Javier, and the few mercenaries he had hired in the absence of Vuk Brankovic.

“Find out who this Turk named Chorbaji Tarmuk is.” Prince Escalus gave the first order. “He may know of the jewels.”

“I was informed that he protects Vlad Tepes here in the city.” Count Paris interjected. “Our attempt to kill the man was……”

“Delayed because I did not give the order.” Prince Escalus cut in. “I knew of Vlad Tepes here. Benvolio told me that. I delayed the action, for the Wallachian is… unknown to his involvement with whoever that protects him here. It could ripple the outcome to the king, who himself has held back his war with the Ottomans.”

“However, if he holds the jewels, then he is to be dealt.” Prince Escalus looked at the magistrate. “Tell me what we can do in your city… legally.”

“I …… I could make an order to arrest the Turks, and if the Wallachian is there, he will be dealt with together.” Magistrate Javier spoke out.

“With Benvolio missing, and now I was told that Reynard too. He was last seen at the court. He was seen leaving with a trader named Antonio Meli. I suspect they shared the same fate.” Count Paris said. “We cannot wait. We must act fast.”

“Who is Antonio Meli?” Prince Escalus asked.

“Antonio Meli is the friend of Andre Bassanio Tito who assisted in the arrangement of the loan. He is also the good friend of Lord Gencio Capulet.” Magistrate Javier replied. “I will have my officers find him.”

“Of what now with Bassanio? Is he off the hook now that he has won the case? He may know of the jewels but did not disclose it.” Count Paris raised the suspicion there.

“Too many loose ends here. We need to focus on the Turk. He is the final piece to fit all the others.” Prince Escalus looked at the gathered.

The scene across the city was more intense with the friar with the Montague’s lady. They were at the cottage owned by Lorenzo.

“Juliet, what I am asking of you may be dangerous. If you … I cannot tell you for sure Romeo will come … if at all.” Friar Lawrence sighed. “He may be……”

“Is he ……. Do you know something about him?” Juliet asked. “I need to know.”

“No, I am not, but I will find him.” The friar replied. “For now, you must wait. Give me till nightfall, and then you may take the potion to sleep. Not before then, please.”

At the home of Shylock, Jessica waited for her parents. They arrived and saw her. Leah was joyful to see her daughter.

“How was the court hearing?” Jessica asked.

“We lost. Or rather, we did not press on the compensation.” Shylock replied. “Portia Belmont appeared for her lover, and she presented an interesting argument.”

“Your father caved in on the argument.” Leah sighed. “He was……”

“Compassionate? Perhaps, but I am ……” Shylock snapped back. “You did not help at all.”

“I …… Could I have help?” Leah was upset. “I……”

“My parents, please. I am here to tell you something else.” Jessica cut in. “Please be seated.”

Jessica then motioned to Lorenzo to appear.

“I am leaving with …… Lorenzo for Spain.” Jessica looked at the elder folks. “We decided to leave it all.”

“You cannot.” Shylock found his voice to tell Jessica. “You are our only child. And he is …….”

“The bastard son of Lord Gencio Capulet, or so I was told.” Lorenzo said. “My real name is …….”

“Karl Levi Tov.” The voice belonged to Abram Tov. He had appeared at the home of Shylock Judas. “You are my son.”

“Who are you?” Lorenzo asked. “I may have seen you before.”

“I am Abram Tov. I worked for the Montagues. I am your father. Your mother is Rachel Mencies. She must have given you the amulet you wore around your neck.”

Lorenzo touched the amulet there on his chest.

“I have searched for you and your aunt, but there were no traces of either of you. It was only recently that I found out, but you are the care of the Capulet. I could not just walk in and ……”

“Mother… Aunt Wendy never says. She told you, “Leave me to her.”

“It was not true. I was away at ……. War, and when I returned, Wendy was not found. I had searched but to no avail.” Abram sighed. “Now I have found you.”

“And I must leave.” Lorenzo looked at the man who claimed to be his father. “I must leave with Jessica. We are to sail away. I came back to ask for permission.”

“I forbid ……” Shylock was cut off by Leah.

“Go, my child. Go with him.” Leah held out her arms towards Jessica. “You deserve a new life.’

“Leah, how could ……” Shylock stared at his lover. “She is ……”

“She will be happier together with the man she loves. As I did then.” Leah looked back. “We cannot stop her from being happy.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Jessica hugged her mother. Abram approached his son.

“Take care of her. And yourself. I will find you in Spain.” Abram told his son. “I do not have much with me.”

“Shylock, can I borrow from you some ducats for my son?” Abram looked at the other. “I can pay you back.”

“I ……” Shylock was then lost for words. It was Leah who grabbed the bag of ducats and handed it to Jessica.

“Take these. And leave now. Send words when you are in Spain.” Leah smiled at her daughter. She then looked at Lorenzo. “Tov, take care of her.”

“When are you sailing?” Abram asked.

“The Jamaica left, but we booked on another. The Demetus. We will sail tonight.”