Marie
My sister managed to ruin her first round of make-up, and I had to save her from an embarrassing blunder.
"What did you tell Dad to let us go?" She asked, walking downstairs.
"I played the victim card. Mentioned their guilt about my suddenly inaccessible future." Uff. That sentence, even my own words, stabbed me.
"Cheer up, Marie. Can we relax for one night and let go of the worries about our future?"
I kissed her cheeks. "Of course, dear. Just maintain plausible deniability with the Baker boy."
"Marie!"
We were greeted by the whole family. Mother wanted pictures, Grandfather and Dad wanted to inspect our clothes. Grandma was just happy to see us dressed up and enjoying ourselves.
"Please look out for each other and be home by one at the latest." Dad hugged me.
"Don't worry, Henny's brother is back from the army and gave us a ride there and back as well."
I saw his face relax, hearing a soldier would accompany us.
We posed for a few pictures, but soon Lilly and others arrived.
"Thanks for driving, Will, how's the army treating you?" I asked after we took off.
He was in his twenties and quite handsome, except he came out of the closet last year and was now unavailable. Not like I liked the guy, but I knew plenty of others who did.
I smiled and peeked at my sister. Will was her first crush when she was twelve, and nothing had changed. She couldn't even talk in front of him.
I ended up watching Lilly, who in turn watched more videos of G.O.D. Fan theories about their identities and the size of the crew. There were several images with hundreds of people wearing identical masks, the same as the driver always wore.
"What's that?" Will asked his sister.
"Just some vids of that G.O.D. crew." she answered.
"Oh, we heard of them. Some of the guys love those videos." He smiled.
"As in the army searching for them as well, big brother?" Lilly quickly leaned forward.
He laughed it off.
"No, no. They're just an entertaining bunch, plus they are doing good, helping the poor, etc. They're just fans. Like you." He tapped her head.
We arrived at Slug's house, all decorated in bright lights, and even had security guards.
"His cousin must be famous or something with this security," Henny noted.
I agreed. Slug and his family were doing well, but not private security well.
Inside were all the extravagant additions one would expect. Live DJ? Check. A variety of fresh and often strange foods? Check. People with nothing to do but awkwardly mingle? Check.
Slug found us almost immediately.
"My lives, welcome. Will, long time. Go grab a drink. Put the gifts... gift over there." He pointed at a table near the pool.
"Let's stay within limits," Ayshe stopped me.
Her warnings were useless. I didn't plan on drinking and embarrassing myself. But seeing the table filled with bigger and bigger presents—our little box containing a keychain was ridiculous by comparison—I thought, Maybe I do get a drink.
Getting depressed is a slippery slope.
---
Ayshe
"There she goes. Henny, please go with my sister and make sure she won't overdo it."
"Count on me. Come, Lilly." She saluted.
I smiled, thinking even jackals care for their own.
I looked around, seeing a bunch of people I didn't know, and some I did but had zero interest in talking to. Stuart was late. He obviously couldn't come with us from our house.
"Wanna mingle?" asked Will.
I could barely breathe around him, so I just nodded and let him lead. Years after my little crush, I was still like a crumbling idiot in front of him. Shameful.
He was in his element and started a conversation with a group I knew from around town. The party itself was very pleasant. The food was incredible—mostly appetizers, but great all the same.
Slug was slithering around, making sure all the glasses were topped up, and everyone had a good time. Soon, his parents made an appearance and quickly disappeared. I envied him for having parents who were able to read the room.
Slug got a call and disappeared. My sister was at her third glass, and I was getting worried about Stuart. He didn't answer his phone and didn't reply to my text either.
"I feel better. Have some?"
My sister returned, smiling and smelling like strawberries, and offered some pink cocktails. I took one because it looked delicious and very well made.
"I'm glad, but maybe slow down? Time it, Marie."
She gave me a thumbs up, and I felt a headache coming along.
Slug returned with his cousin. They were soon surrounded as she said a quick hello to those she knew personally and eventually made their way towards our table.
"Come here, these are my friends since we were kids. Guys, meet my cousin."
She had long brown hair and matching eyes, a warm look to her. Wearing a beautifully made dress, it looked very expensive, and her shoes cost more than some cars.
"I'm Ayshe Konore. My sister, Marie." I shook her hand.
"Leyla Imahlin. A pleasure." She smiled politely.
As the others all did their introduction, Marie elbowed me.
"Those shoes are a down payment on a decent apartment. We need them." She whispered.
I hid a smile. "The price tag alone is enough to send Dad into cardiac arrest. Leave the poor art alone."
"You say the strangest things."
"So, what do you do for a living, Leyla?" asked Will.
She took a sip of champagne before answering. "Personal assistant."
Didn't she look like the type who has personal assistants?
"A PA? You must spend your time tracking down obscure vintage wines and booking private jets." Will went on.
"Nothing so glamorous. My boss is very closed off and private. He mostly just needs me to coordinate chaos. No ice cream runs at midnight, I promise."
The pride she spoke with was a little daunting. My aspirations were to become a doctor or a vet, but look at her. Maybe two years older, a PA of some rich guy, and lives like a queen with her own personal knight squad placed all around the house.
Her dress, shoes, hair, and complexion all screamed untouchable wealth. She wasn't an academic or a doctor; she was an assistant. Yet she was the living, breathing answer to all of their financial woes. It kind of makes me question my dreams.
I saw Marie's eyes darting around her body. She was probably thinking the same.
I decided to try the drink I was holding and then drank half of it. Part envy, part delicious.
She suddenly turned towards us. "You said your name is Konore... as in the town's name?" She asked politely.
Slug answered for us.
"That's right, cousin. Her ancestors built the town and made sure it thrived." He took over.
I silently appreciated his words.
"Hmm. Can I ask how old are you two?"
It was a little off-field, but okay.
"I'm turning twenty this year," I answered.
"Umm... twenty-two this fall," Marie told her as well.
Before she could answer, her body language changed, and she reached inside her purse for a phone. "I'm going to have to take that. Please forgive me."
She walked away quickly, but not quick enough.
"Yes, Sir..."
"Her boss calling her this time around? Being an assistant means you are never off the clock, huh?" My sister made it sound like something awful, but I knew better. She was yearning for the same sense of belonging. I felt the same way.
"What can I say, she's getting paid for it, that's for sure," laughed Slug.
"Do you know who she is working for?" I asked.
"No. Heard her calling him Mr. A. Could be anyone, including a Bond villain, as well."
We laughed at his joke, but not enough of us. I saw my sister following Leyla as she was on her phone.
What is she up to?
---
Marie
I wanted another cocktail. Those pink ones hit the spot. There was a mixer who could make anything. I might as well take advantage.
"...believe I might have secured a few preliminary candidates for the Boss's... situation."
That Leyla girl's voice came from over the decorations. Candidates?
I slowly but surely made my way closer.
"...No, yes, Sir. I do what I can. The town is called Konore."
She was in her element. I was perfectly camouflaged, and maybe it was the drinks, but I felt like a spy.
"...as you say. I will do my best. Thank you very much, Sir."
She was a brown-nosing suck-up. Although for the money she must make, who wouldn't be?
"What are you doing?"
I jumped a little, spilling my drink.
"Ayshe... Lord give me strength. You scared me."
I looked back, but Leyla was gone. Hopefully, she didn't see me.
"Answer me. Why were you fumbling around Leyla?" She asked.
I pulled her aside, only noticing now how the entire table could have seen me. Sigh. I'm not a very good spy.
"I heard candidates. For some kind of job, or maybe an experiment. She even said the name of the town, Ayshe. Why would someone from the capital be sourcing people in Konore?" I gave her a mischievous smile.
"Don't talk nonsense. Let's go back. Stuart is still missing." She looked a little disappointed.
"Maybe his dad? Didn't let him come?"
I put my arm around her, consoling her. "Come. There is an actual mixologist here. Try a few alcohol-free ones to cheer you up."
The night went well.
Despite me overhearing some dodgy stuff, Leyla was perfectly pleasant all night. Smart and well-mannered—the type who seemed unshakeable.
All in all, it was nice, but at the same time a little underwhelming. It's not like I wanted some government conspiracy that somehow involved my town. Maybe aliens.
The next morning, the conversation at home drifted back to the party.
"Sounds like a lady who has her priorities straight. Career first." Mother approved.
"Today, women truly can have it all. What about you, sweetie? Any plans... New ones, maybe?" Granny asked carefully.
I couldn't answer her. I just shook my head.
The doorbell saved me from any further self-embarrassment.
"Ahh, Aunt Riri. Come in."
"Marie, you look well, daughter. Your mother home?" she asked.
"Hmm, in the kitchen."
At least I could leave and let Aunt Riri take my place. I led her to the kitchen and made some tea for the ladies.
"If you don't mind, I'll join Ayshe outside in the garden. Good day."
I left as quickly as my feet could carry me.
I found my little sister knee-deep in dirt.
"Need a hand?" I asked, knowing the answer.
"And then some." She looked up, smiling.
I grabbed a pair of gloves and joined her.
"Who came now?"
"Aunt Riri. She wanted to chat with Mother and Granny. Matchmaker Riri," I said, concentrating on a particularly annoying root.
Ayshe laughed at my delivery, imitating a sports caster.
"Last night was fun. Who knew little Slug was related to some rich and mysterious woman." I said, working on the soil.
"I liked her. Leyla seemed to have it all figured out."
I looked at my sister, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you will break Dad's heart and just become a personal assistant?" I joked.
"Don't talk nonsense. Not all PAs live like her. I bet her boss is some old money type."
She was right about that. Even that conversation she had last night was full of intrigue.
"Did Stuart call?" I asked.
"He did. His father needed him in the store, but by the time they finished, he didn't let him leave." She explained, looking a little sad.
Sister, that guy is not the one. Too demure and... flowery.
Somehow, that Leyla girl floated back inside my mind. I wonder what she is doing right now?
Well, at least she probably has a much more interesting life. She is probably doing something glamorous and not... picking off worms and placing them into buckets.
Sigh.