WIFE FOR HADES

It was a cold yet boisterous evening, crowded with a slew of gentlemen from various and sundry elite families. With each of their faces hidden under a dazzling mask, it was difficult to tell the difference between an oligarch and a tycoon. But one thing is certain: each mask conceals a bachelor who is awaiting to be selected for tonight's much anticipated event.

"We've come to see the highlight of tonight's event," the presenter exclaimed, too eagerly. With the microphone in his hand, he spread his arms wide enough to welcome everyone as his voice boomed in the Grand Hotel Plaza's vast grand ballroom.

The ballroom, which was furnished with magnificent lounges alternatively aligned on each corner, was already taken by random gentlemen dressed predominantly in luxury suits and tuxedos, while cocktail tables were spread across the hall just enough to accommodate guests limited to a certain number of each group.

Above them, however, dangled an exquisite chandelier, the lights of which reflected against the murals painted on the ceiling, adding to the vibrancy of the red carpets and burgundy drapes while leaving an ancient touch of the Roman empire from ages before.

"How long has it been? It was fifteen years ago since we had this event. And, as we promised fifteen years ago, this year will be even better than the last."

The presenter continued, while the giant led screen behind him flashed a large banner with the word: LUPERCALIAN TWIST.

It was at this point that the Olympia Brothers, Zeus Dreon, Poseidon Luies, and the eldest of the three, Hades Aldione, arrived. Even with their masks on, their unrivaled stature matched no one from the crowd.

Others who have been anticipating their entrance pause to see the trio enter till they are able to sit in a lounge that has been arranged for them.

"Mother must have tricked us when she said there would be a lot of beautiful ladies here," Zeus commented after roaming around seeking women.

"I see nothing except for mere bulls around. It's rather boring." Poseidon added.

Hades let out a sigh. Except for women, he hasn't heard anything else from his brothers since they arrived at the venue. He frowns at them and tells them to act properly, but they only laugh at him.

"Come on, Hades. Mother is nowhere to be seen. You can get rid of that damn perfect son image you've been wearing for a while now," Poseidon said, elbowing Hades who was still apathetic at the moment.

"I know you're bored as well. Your actions do not lie. We aren't brothers for nothing, Hades," Zeus said, spreading his arms on the back rest of the lounge. He must have felt his limbs constricted from the trip merely to attend the ceremony, as he cracked a muscle or two.

In astonishment, Hades shook his head. He couldn't agree with his brothers more. The event is truly tedious, but because their mother insisted on their participation, they must all go and witness it for themselves.

"What was so exceptional about this occasion that there were no women to be found?" Zeus pondered as his eyes wandered around hunting for any sight of a woman with whom he could flirt.

"You didn't come along to just look for women to either bang for the evening, did you?" Zeus was approached by Hades.

But Zeus held his stomach before bursting out laughing hysterically at Hades' abrupt assertion.

"Brother, you wound me," he said, pressing his palm against his chest to show Hades how sardonically offended he is. "I don't prowl women. They beg for me." he continued pompously. As he stretched his long legs over the coffee table, Zeus' natural blonde locks were swayed by his free hand away from his eyes.

Hades, who was growing agitated, chastised Zeus once more for his mischievous notions. He can't believe he was forced to babysit his dimwit brothers tonight.

While the three were engrossed in their discussions, another man approached the three who had to be one of the organizers. He stood in front of them, handing them three keycards. Each card had an embossed set of digits, which caused the three brothers to look at him in wonder.

"What is this for?" Hades inquired.

"These are the entries for the Lupercalian Twist, which will begin shortly," the man explained.

"Lupercalian Twist?" Poseidon stepped in to inquire.

The man turned his attention to Poseidon and spoke to him. "Yes, it's an event that occurs every fifteen years on the fifteenth of February. Where all eligible men are randomly paired with a single maiden for a matching event."

"And then what?" Zeus snuck in after hearing about the women.

"Whoever wins the other's heart will receive a large sum of money from the organization. And if you lose, you must pay us the amount specified by the institution."

"That's a nice catch," Zeus said, flashing a grin. Hades can't help but notice a stray thought in the back of his mind.

Hades was supposed to approach Zeus once more, but Poseidon interrupted to speak something.

"Pathetic," Poseidon replied instead, glaring rapidly at his brother, Zeus, before returning the cold stare. Hades felt Poseidon was thinking the same thing he was when he warned Zeus about his comments, but that was completely changed when Poseidon added, "Why would we waste our time for such games?"

"Because your mother, Rheis Olympia, signed an agreement to register the three of you," the man said expressively while fixing his tie, shooting them a pleased grin assuring them that all his words were genuine and without a hint of reluctance. It was as though he had prepared himself properly for the questions that the three brothers would throw at him.

Hades, who had been trying hard not to be affected by the news, eventually flinched. He wondered why their mother would agree to a ridiculous event.

"An agreement?" He queried. Hades rose from his seat to meet the man's height. He was a few inches taller than man, yet this didn't make the man falter even a bit.

"Would you like to see what's in the contract, Mr. Hades Aldione?" The man inquired.

Certainly, he desired to prove the veracity of his comments. But, for some reason, it was Hades who grew too hesitant to show to them that the man might really be telling them the truth.

"Can you show me the contract?" Hades asks firmly.

"Just a second," the man excused himself for a brief moment, only to return with a brown envelope. It contains a sheet of paper with a contract between Lupercalian Twist's management and Rheis Olympia.

The contract contains an irrevocable agreement, which stunned the three brothers. Whereas whoever of her sons fails to bring her a suitable wife after the Lupercalian Twist must surrender all his financial rights and belongings to the Lupercalian Twist institution.

They never approved of the agreement. It was shocking news for the brothers because they had never imagined their mother would actually put their lives on trial, putting their lifestyles in jeopardy whether they won or lost from the Lupercalian Twist.