HAVING A BALL

JUDAS-CAINE'S POV

I went through the documents at the office. We had months of pending work. Running an airline company was not as easy as i had anticipated.

A strange feeling of melancholy struck me while i was going through father's old works.

And then, i stumbled upon a confidential document - it turns out, father had been in talks with the US presidential office for a job that would have given us such a huge global recognition.

And then i remembered the fat fool and the crazy interruption from the last meeting, and i shut my eyes in exhaustion.

Back then, i had no idea what they were talking about, but the weight of reality threw me down a hole.

I habitually reached for my pocket and took out my box of cigar, but just as i was about to light it, my phone beeped.

It was a message from Amika.

I was already running late for Lia's meeting with my mother, but i previously did not really bother, because i had ensured Amika told her everything she needed to know.

However, as soon as i walked into the house, i was surprised to find Amika standing alone in the living room.

"What are you doing here? Where are they?" I asked, giving her a smoldering look.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Brex, but Mrs Athena asked that i let them speak alone in the garden. They already had the major discussions here and i thought..."

"You thought? I don't pay you to think, Amika. I pay you to follow instructions." I stated coldly and walked towards the garden.

She was going to get her query later on.

I could hear mother's loud laughter coming from the garden, and i felt slightly uneasy.

Only to stride into the garden and catch them both sitting like old time friends.

I had to admit Amika did a good job with Lia's look. She looked completely different and beautiful.

That black dress and the way it clung to her breasts desperately as though it was afraid to lose them had my groins grinding from lack of action.

And her lips --

I averted my eyes to mother, who looked at me with a bored expression, and i immediately anticipated her rebuke.

"You're late! And why didn't you tell me your girlfriend was such a charmer?" She squealed excitedly.

"Charmer?" I frowned at Lia. That was not the plan.

"What do you mean such a charmer?" I asked, unable to hide my displeasure with the feeling that she might actually like her.

"Oh, she is a bit of a fixer upper, but she is indeed a charmer. Just the kind of girl you need."

"Really?" Lia and i said at the same time.

"Hellooo people!!" The female voice came from the garden door and i rolled my eyes, exasperatedly.

My little sister, Carly, strolled into the garden, dressed in a bright colored Indian two piece sari.

Just what i needed, the full squad.

"Carly, come over here and meet Caine's girlfriend!" Mother called out to her.

"Here, take my bag inside and don't scratch it! It is pure Valentino." She ordered the butler at the door.

I saw Lia panic and i pinched the skin between my eyebrows, i should have anticipated this.

"Oh my my my, she is so beautiful, mother! Brother Caine, you didn't tell us she would be this pretty."

Goldie locs looked to me for help, confused as to how she should act, or what she should say, but i was getting more and more irritated by the off script motion, so, i couldn't help.

This was why Amika was supposed to be with her. I took in a deep breath and walked over to the table where my mother and sister sat basically smothering the poor girl.

In a way, a part of me appreciated the change in atmosphere. It had been long i saw mother and Carly look excited about something.

"I love your hair, i should get mine done that way. We should go shopping together for the Majors Ball, i am sure you would love the experience. You're coming, right?"

I opened my mouth to say something but ---

"Of course, i know i would love the experience. But it's Judas-Caine you should worry about." Lia said confidently, with an edge of disgust.

My mouth dropped open. She was really doing it, taking an off script initiative. I was impressed.

"Oh, you are absolutely right darling, he never goes anywhere." Mother concurred.

"Yep, that's true." Carly muttered.

"Actually, i can't take him anywhere myself."

What?

"Some times he just goes out, sits there and literally stares everyone down. One time, this poor girl was sincerely being sweet and flirtatious, but guess what, he didn't even blink her way and it honestly disturbed me. I mean, what kind of man is immune to beautiful women?"

I leaned back against the chair -- this was getting interesting.

"Oh..." mother smiled, eying me in amusement.

"My colleagues actually think i can do a lot better than a man like him. I mean, it practically can't even take a village to get him to smile."

Carly was roaring with laughter at this point. Okay okay, Goldie locks, maybe she was laying it on a bit too thick there.

How was my family not put off by this? Mother barely said anything but kept smiling.

"I would love to attend the ball, but Judas-Caine might just ruin it for me."

Carly couldn't stop laughing... "i never thought I'd see the day. Wow! A woman is put off by my brother? You really are his type."

I shut my eyes to their chirping...this was going to be a long ride.

And then she said--

"I'm famished"

"Oh, I'm sorry darling, would you like a salad?" Mother offered.

"Oh lord, no, Mrs Brex, I'm really craving a burger and a bucket of hot chicken wings with lots of cream and maybe noodle soup? I'm quite the loaded eater."

I nearly buckled with laughter at the look on mother's face. There was one thing i knew and it was that mother loved a woman who was modest and kept her physique in top character, so i was certain her disapproval was coming soon.