When does 1+1=3?

It is raining.

And It's perfect.

Among the crowd, all wearing black, a man stood perfectly still. With both arms folding tightly, he didn't bother about all those rain drops striking his coat like hundreds of arrows. We all don't know who's the archer. But it seems that, he knows. Prodeus doesn't have an umbrella. Not because he doesn't own one,is  because he doesn't want to use it. Mr. Houston offer his to Prodeus, Prodeus didnt answer. For now, his best companion is,

Silence.

It isn't those kind of days each of us wish it to come. It probably is the day we all been avoiding it all along. Tombstones accompany Prodeus and all the other residents. Neighbours, Mr. Houston, few youngsters, old lads and even Old Jim from the bakery shop. None of them spoke a word. Nobody even notices Auntie Dory down the street is crying. Perhaps the raindrops had covered up her sobs, fortunately and unfortunately.

Even as foggy as it goes,Prodeus's eyes are like two deep, black stones. People amazes that how incredibly strong his heart could bear such tragic faith,losing not an ordinary granddad. Nick is not an ordinary grandad. He's like a granddad to us all. He's an angel. But what they don't know is the fact that his dry, narrow eyes doesn't simply hang on those dark, swollen sockets magically.

He stays until everyone left. The rain, had stopped. Prodeus kneels in front of the fresh patch of earth. He wishes he could hear the jolly laughter of his granddad again, even it will be totally deadly and shocking if they really echo out from his coffin.After a long moment of deep stare at the tombstone, he finally built up the courage to fulfill his one last task before leaving the cemetery.

"Happy Birthday Nick,"a hoarse voice struggles itself out from his throat.

Unable to hold it no more, he curls himself, both hands digging the soil,bury his head between his arms and spills his emotions out like a overturn trash bin.

50 yards down south, a stranger stood silently.

*********************************

"The blue plans are ready sir." (.......)

" Yes I did what you requested. I personally go to the cathedral itself for inspirations." (......)

" 3 o'clock will be splendid." (..........)

" See you tomorrow, Mr. Fernando."

Prodeus puts back his telephone. His secretary walks in.

"The boss wants to have a word with you."

Prodeus left out a loud sigh. Lazily, he streched out his chair and head to Mr.Montgomery's big room. As he pushes the classy wooden door after several knocks, a fat man with a huge belly, sitting on his huge chair,talking to the phone with a excited voice. His bulldog, Buggie,is so comfortable on his master's Arabian carpet until his snores could be heard next door.

"Yes I have the perfect man for you. I guarantee you will have the best house in the whole Hong Kong." He laughs and slips his phone into his chest pocket.

Mr.Montgomery a.k.a The Monster, given by the staffs, isn't a man you can mess with. He looks like Peter Griffin from Family Guy, except he has a heart like those Predators. He criss-crossed his fingers and looks at Prodeus with narrow eyes.

Prodeus looks at him.

He looks at Prodeus.

They look at each other, and Mr. Montgomery notices his dark swollen eyes.

After a full 10 seconds totally ruled by strange awkwardness, The Monster talks,

"I have two things you and I have to talk about, Ravorti,"

"Okay sir."

"First, I would like to thank you for coming to work the next day of you family's funeral. And to my astonishment, you done really well for the Mr. Fernando's mansion plan. It has a beautiful mixture of the French cultures with modern art."

He continues: "As a gift, I'm promoting you."

"What?!"

"You will be handling Mr.Jay Chaw's case. He wants his home to be something beautiful,mysterious yet legendary. I suggest you, Egypt!!!"

Prodeus is totally flattered as he walks out of Mr. Montgomery's office. 2 free months in Egypt! That means, he can visit his father's dear friend, Uncle Samuel.

By the dawn of the next morning, Prodeus catches a plane to Cairo, Egypt.

As he reaches there, he pick his bags and pass through the monitor checker.

"Hold on sir!!!"

A security officer blocks Prodeus just in time before he reaches the gateway.

Hundreds of Arabs are looking at him. Almost all are covering themselves with white cloths over their heads, while a lot of women,all in black cloths give a sharp look at him,mainly the only part that is exposed to the outside world.

To his horror several guards are pointing guns towards him.

"Bring him to the security room!" One of the officers shouted.

Not knowing where to, what or WHY, Prodeus is being "escort" to the room the officers mentioned, as hundred pairs of suspicious glare feastly upon his face before they turn away.