Seven

A peaceful small bubble where it was just them, away from the world. Eventually though, all good things come to an end, right? Especially when you have two energetic dumbos as friends. It was not annoying, though. If anything it was funny. Relaxing.

They both smiled at the sounds of familiar laughter and protests getting closer to them. A broadly smiling Harris joined Scott and Kaden, Harmonee and Jax not far behind. One pouting like a five-year-old, the other unable to stop harassing him. 

Kaden laughed at the youngest member of their group, "What's with the face, H?" 

The youngest was about to talk when the redhead said, "Well, he was just gaping at this beautiful lady so he didn't see the great mister Corey and bumped into him spilling his drink all over the man's expensive shirt." 

"They're talking about Elly, Kaden. She just got here," Harris informed him with a smile.

Kaden returned the smile then turned to Jax, "Well, I think your father's going to be very pissed now that his clothes are wet, don't you think?"

The redhead nodded. He always called his father mister Corey. Not father, not dad, and not even papa. Always mister Corey. 

"Not just wet, my friend," Jax snorted as he sat in another armchair, holding a glass in one hand and swirling its content out of habit. A glass of wine or fine whiskey has become a part of Jax, like a hand or an arm, or an extra sixth finger; always there. Nobody was phased by it anymore. "Our dear H here was drinking red wine." Even Scott, who was silently listening to the conversation while playing had to laugh at that. "You should have been there to see their faces. The great Corey's face looked like a lobster and Harmonee's pale as a paper sheet. He was ready to cry, I swear to God."

"Was not." Harmonee protested, still nervous about the incident earlier.

"Was too." the redhead insisted.

"Horse face," Harmonee said under his breath, but the other heard and gave him a sharp glare. 

"What did you just say?"

Puffing up his chest defiantly, Harmonee replied, "You heard me."

"Uh-oh."

"Now you've done it."

Nobody called Jax a horse, or a horseface, or even dare mention the handsome animal in the man's presence. It was just one of those things. Well, nobody, except Harmonee obviously. 

To those who didn't know them, it looked like Jax and Harmonee were actual nemesis but truth be told, their friendship was the deepest among them all. They just tended to argue about anything and everything. 

Still glaring at Harmonee, Jax did not get a chance to retaliate as Elvina joined them with an amused chuckle, "I see you kids are still being silly."

"You will be punished for this later, little H." Then he looked at Elvina and smiled, "Hey there, doc."

"You're a bully, aren't you?" She asked. Her wavy silver hair cascading down over her bare shoulders sparkling under the lights. So did her strapless midnight blue dress. 

"You wound me woman," Jax gasped, clutching at his heart theatrically. "It's not bullying if he enjoys it."

"I'm not a sadist, you asshole!"

"You are, sweetheart. You are." Jax smiled wickedly.

Harmonee thrust his tongue out at him in response.

"Alright kids, hit pause on your game for a minute, will ya?" Elvina clapped her hands once. "What kind of hosts are you, inviting people then avoiding them? Come on, hop to it. You've got apples to polish, backs to scratch." 

"Okie Dokie sis," Jax got to his feet, took hold of her slender hands and kissed her cheek. Then, he turned to his friend and partner, "Harris, I'm gonna go take care of business, socialize, mingle, smile broadly yet fakely and tell them what they want to hear. Even if it's just lies. You just sit here and relax for a while longer. I've got this."

"Asses to kiss, boots to lick," Harmonee mumbled under his breath as he left the corner with a huff and a pout. Jax followed close behind, chuckling and shaking his head.  

Looking at his sister, Kaden said, "You look gorgeous, sis," then he hugged her. "Must keep an eye on you tonight," he teased, kissing her cheek.

"Thanks. Not so bad yourself little brother." Elvina stated, hugging him back. "And pass on that, I think it's better you follow those two and mingle or else, you know father," she said with a shrug and an apologetic smile. "You know how father hates it when you sneak out of these parties."

Kaden frowned at that, "Interesting. Because you know what? He's not even my boss. I made sure of that," he huffed. "I hate when he forces me to come to these parties all the goddamn time. This wasn't even supposed to be like this, right Harris? Harris?"

Harris did not reply. He was not even listening to the conversation too busy glaring at the girl who was approaching them. He watched and scowled as she walked up to him with the schedule of the night's program in her hands. He watched as the smile on her face wavered at the ever-present frown Harris always greeted her with and with a nod handed the papers over.

He stood up, gathered the papers, skimmed them once, nodded, then said a cold "thank you" and left. Without looking at her. The girl's shoulders slumped. 

Elvina was dragging Kaden along with her, "Doesn't matter what you like or what this all was supposed to be little brother, it is what it is. Put on a smile and join the crowd if you don't want father on your case for the foreseeable future." 

The girl also left, looking somehow dejected because of her boss who seemed to hate her.

With everyone gone, Scott sat there all on his own once again, gently playing the piano. A small content smile adorning his face. 

Just him and his music.