The Manic Tyrant and his Monster Tree

Neighbor

Though he was angry, he did not say anything back about it.

He was visibly wary of Caesar during his conversation while also showing a hint of displeasure towards him.

He clearly had a contradictory attitude towards Caesar that anyone would have been confused looking at him.

"There is an accident at my home," The neighbor said.

"Do I look like I care?" Caesar asked back. Why did this weirdo come to complain about some accident at his home to him?

The neighbor was furious at his attitude again, "Who asked for your stupid care?"

Caesar really did not want to deal with this stupid man any longer. Without saying anything, he pushed his door in order to close it on the other man's face.

Before he could accomplish the task, the neighbor placed his leg in between the door and pushed it using his body making it difficult to close it.

Now it was Caesar's turn to be furious as he roared out loud, "What do you want?"

"Why are you closing the door to my face? I have not finished talking yet."

"If you have something 'important' to tell me, then speak fast and get out of my sight," Caesar stressed out the word important as he really was not interested in listening to his nonsense any longer.

The neighbor took a deep breath to calm himself before he spoke, "Something from your yard rammed into the compound wall that we share. I want to check your backyard once to see what exactly happened."

Caesar blinked his eyes twice before he understood what the weirdo was talking about.

"Okay, come inside," Caesar moved aside, giving way for him to come.

If he wants to see it, let him see it. It is not like he was afraid of problems. In the past few years, he was already used to all sorts of problems that any person could ever face.

The neighbor was surprised that Caesar dared to invite him in. He had thought that he would not dare to do so before he came here. That was the reason he had banged on the door so hard earlier.

After all, how could someone who destroyed his property stay there and allow him to attack back?

As they were walking towards the backyard, they passed through the spot where Hearthe had just 'repaired'.

As soon as his eyes fell on the repaired place, the neighbor froze in his spot as his eyes were awestruck looking at the intricate design.

His mouth went wide open as he looked on for a long time until Caesar shook him with impatience.

"Caesar, how did you get such a beautiful piece of art? Why didn't I know that you are rich enough to afford such a costly piece?"

"When did it become my job to tell you everything about me?" Caesar asked in irritation.

Though he was proud of Hearthe for producing the decorative piece, he did not like how this weirdo was speaking as if he had to tell him everything about himself.

That is when the neighbor came back to his senses. They had long been apart and they would not speak about themselves with each other.

It is obvious that Caesar would not say anything about himself to him. It is just in the moment of awe that he had asked such a question.

Yet, he was still curious about how Caesar had suddenly gotten rich.

Even if they were not in contact, it did not mean that he would not know if his neighbor got rich, right?

They were living in a small village nonetheless. Even if an ant dies in a house, the news would spread to each and every family in the village.

It doesn't matter if everyone was on speaking terms or not. The news would just miraculously travel through all the ears. One could never describe the process though.

It just happens and that's all.

That is the power of gossip in small villages.

The neighbor wanted to know more but he was also afraid of Caesar for some reason. He wouldn't dare to ask him any more questions. Hence she shut his mouth and followed Caesar towards the backyard.

As they were walking, the neighbor found a piece of chewed up root on the ground.

Though he had thought of not asking Caesar any questions just a second ago, he is still not a person who could actually shut his mouth.

His curiosity thus won over him and he asked, "Caesar, did you get any pets? Why didn't I know?" Once he asked the second part he recalled their previous conversation and changed his words again, "I mean, which pet did you get? I didn't hear any barks or any other sounds from my house all these days after all. Is that pet the one that had rammed into our compound wall?"

While he was asking, he did not notice Caesar's expression which was darkening every time he addressed Hearthe as a 'pet'.