"Hmmn, what an interesting topic". She walks towards me.
"The walls have ears, .....why don't we talk about this another time".
She scribbles something on a little piece of paper from who knows where.
"Meet me at this location a week from now at exactly 10am, then we can talk".
"Okay ". I nodded.
"Now... do you mind giving me some breathing space ". I asked after a pause.
"You little...., seems like you've gotten quite arrogant just because you're now fourteen, but remember this I'm still FIVE years older than you!". She pointed a finger at me.
"Wow, OMG, are you serious?, I didn't even know ". I said sarcastically and walked over to a mini bar close to where we stood.
Even though there were person serving drinks, there was also a little bar at the side.
"I'll take a glass of grape wine ". I said to the bartender sitting down.
"Okay, one sec". He prepared it and served it right away.
"Hahaha!, you can't even take alcohol, what a shame ".
*I thought she had left, thank goodness this pain in the ass isn't my sister, or else I'd have to endure this tormenting everyday*. I sighed.
I'm not a drunk like you so that's perfectly fine ". I replied.
"Are you calling me a drunk?!".
"Yes I am, try not to sleep on the porch again ". I smirked.
A while ago, when she came to visit, she drank so much that she slept outside until a servant saw her and brought her in.
"That was a one time mistake!, I've told you not to mention it again". Her face was red from embarrassment.
"Sorry I almost forgot, can you please go bother your brother, he seems very lonely".
We both stared at her brother Raizel standing awkwardly.
"I heard Lucy broke his heart".
*What a chatterbox".
"Oh, that girl he was dating?". I asked feigning interest.
"Yeah, ". She nodded.
"Poor guy". I shook my head.
"Right?, and I heard she's also at the party, it might be really awkward if they were to meet..... I should probably go help him to avoid any awkward interactions".
"Bye..... Brother I'm coming to help you!!". She ran towards her brother.
"Ha!". I chuckled as she left.
Even though she was annoying and a chatterbox, I still liked her. She was the only one of my cousins who was very easy to speak and actually fun to be with. The others were just boring and acted like they were some programmed robots.
"Finally I'm alone". I sighed as I sipped my drink.
Everywhere was so peaceful and quiet, It felt like I wasn't even at a party, talk less my own birthday party.
I have enough time to think now.
The party started since three, and now it was 6:45pm.
Meaning in the next fifteen minutes, all the most important guests would have already arrived.
From seven, my quiet minutes would be over because I'll have to greet some guest and engage in some boring conversations.
"Young master?". The bartender spoke.
"Huh?". I stared up from my glass.
"If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you out there socializing and making new friends like...
"Regular people do on their birthdays". I completed his statement and he nodded.
"I'm just not interested". I replied.
"But it's your birthday". The bartender said again.
I wasn't interested in bootlickers which majority of the people in this party were.
"He's such a fine young man, that reminds me my daughter is around his age, won't they look perfect together?".
"I'm sure that in no time he'll succeed you in no time, my son can be of very great assistance to him".
These words filled the lips of many noble families gathered here.
*Using me as some staircase to greatness, how annoying*.
I doubt I'll be able to have a single normal conversation with any of these power hungry fools.
Cain empire was a very large and successful conglomerate business. Even with just a little post, you could be made for life.
"I'm just not interested". I shook my head.
"How matured!".
"Filled with composure and an air of elegance, a being truly fit to be my son in law".
I heard two voices behind me.
*Argggh, why the hell are they here*. I frowned internally, but with a forced smile, I stood up and went over to greet them.
"What a pleasant surprise, Nice to meet you both, Mr and Mrs Mendel".
I bowed respectfully in front of the couple.
"Surprise?, almost as if you didn't expect to see us".
*Who the hell is she?, I hate her tone*. The only two I knew were Elliott and Amavel, is she her mother?.
"Of course not, ma , I...
"Mrs Emily Mendel or better still mother in law ". She interrupted me.
"Emily, why don't we go over and greet him parents and give the two lovebirds some privacy ".
*Lovebirds?, ewww, I haven't even met your daughter*. I frowned at the retreating couple.
"Hi, I'm Amavel, but you can call me Ama".
I stared intensely at the girl and frowned.
*Seriously, this is supposed to be my ...., she's somewhat pretty, but so timid and she was even trembling just talking to me*.
I can't stand this kind of people, they annoy me. Being shy was perfectly normal, but timid mindsets make me very annoyed.
I didn't have the time or patience to wait around, till they got out of that their shell.
"Did I do....something ..wrong?". Her hands were shaking, contrast to a little someone I knew.
* Ha Linda,... I wonder what she's up to now?*. I thought and smiled.
"Not at all". I shook my head.
"Nice to meet you Ama, I'm Xander ". I brought out my hand for a handshake.
" Nice to meet you too Xander". We shook hands.
She sat down beside me at the counter and also ordered a drink.
"So Ama, how did you feel when you heard about this arrangement?". I asked.
"Well I ....
*If I go overseas, will she accompany me?*. I wondered.
"I was happy". She finally replied after many pause intervals.
"Hmn, you don't say?". I asked.
"Yeah, ....I was happy to help my family.... She fumbled with her hands.
"You see,....my family... business was.. declining and.. if this betrothal or arrangement...as you call it... is going to save us....then I'm very glad to help".
"Oh I see, that's very noble of you". I smiled, but she kept looking down.
*Is she scared of me or what, maybe she's shy, I should be considerate judging by the fact that she's kinda young*.
"But, I'll prefer if you were to look me in the eyes, rather than fumbling with your hands".
"Oh... okay ". She stared at me.
"See, now that's better!, I'm not a monster". I smiled.
*He's so nice*. Amavel thought.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what about you?". Ama questioned.
"What about me?, I'm not sure if I understand?". I asked.
"I mean what did you think of the marriage arrangement". She sipped her drink.
"Hmmmn". I paused.
"Well it's a marriage of convenience I guess ". I turned to the bartender and ordered another drink.
*I'm a jack of all traits and master of all, while you're just you, if not for the tempting offer of going overseas, we shouldn't even be having this conversation*.
________________________________________
"I'm so exhausted". After chatting with Ama, I had to greet some esteemed guests.
I didn't even expect some of these guests to come, but I guess being a member of the Cain family does pay off.
After talking to all these people, I just knew that tomorrow would be hectic.
"Thank goodness that it's till next week before I meet up with Mai ". I sighed and went to bed.
For the rest part of the week, I went ally-hunting.
Since I had turned 14, I needed to get some connections and allies if I was to enter the business world, I would be given a post when I turned 16, so it was best if I started getting ready.
I chatted with some of my dad's business partners, company workers and everyone my dad introduced me to.
The next week, I was up and ready to meet with Mai.
"Good morning". She smiled as I sat down.
We met in a cafe close to the beach.
*It feels so nostalgic, remembering my day out with Linda and Max, I wonder how they are now*. I sat down.
"We'll have this, this and that". She ordered for both of us.
"Coming right now". The waiter walked away.
"Look at my dashing cousin, so groomed like a young CEO ". She giggled and I smiled.
"You know, news of you is already everywhere ".
"Really?, what do they say?". I asked.
"They're all saying that after your huge birthday, you're already getting ready to become a member of the family business". Her eyes glittered as she continued
"And remember those reporters who interviewed you, they were all over social media talking about how amazing you are, you're such a celeb". She chuckled.
*I almost forgot, there were reporters at my birthday party, and I was even interviewed, what a life!*. I sighed.
"What can I say, I'm just too amazing". I smirked.
"Don't give me that cocky look!". She continued.
"Anyway let's get down to business ".
I breathed in heavily, ready for what was to come.
"I'm not going to hold back anything, so be prepared". She continued
"The research...
"Wait!, before you start I'll like to ask a question". I stopped her.
"Go on". She replied.
"Does Xavier know anything about this?". I asked.
"Yes he does, everything that I'm about to tell you, he already knows ".
"Okay then, please continue ".
*So he knows, no wonder he was acting a little strange*.
"Aren't you curious on why he knows but you don't?".
"I'd be lying if I said I'm not, but I know asking you would inquire more debts".
"Don't worry I won't charge you that much, just three million should be enough".
"Fine then, please enlighten me ".
"I don't really know much on it, but what I do know is that, when he was around eight he stumbled on the truth about the research facility and was then involved in it". She replied.
"You know he's not as bright as you, so auntie and uncle, your mom and dad thought that him being involved in the research facility and you the company would be better ". She added.
"Okay....so what's with the research facility?" I asked.
*It's finally time to unravel this mystery*. I thought as I stared at Mai.
The waiter had brought our desserts and she dug in.
"It's not really hard to connect the strings, the research facility is a lab used for research and experiments on supernatural beings demons to be exact".
*Right!, how could I forget, my dad was involved in research not technology or sale*.
"While the orphanage is....well an orphanage, but that's just the cover story, it's use is for human research".
*Hmm!, this cake is delicious!*. I smiled munching on it.
"By human research, you mean researching on humans?".
"Nope, not even close, I mean experimenting, the lab is trying to create demons, that's their big scheme". She spoke in a hushed tone, and stared around if anyone was watching us before continuing
"While the orphans are used as human test subjects or lab rats judging by the fact that some die in the process ". She said calmly.
"Huh?". I froze in place and my spoon fell to the floor with a loud thud.
"What did you just say?!!". My voice louder than normal.