The Crimson Affair Chapter 2
(Shadow's POV)
My mother immediately fell asleep the moment she laid on the bed. Besides weekends, there's one day that I despise the most and it's Friday because I'm always welcomed with a sight like this, a very drunk mother and an absent father.
But this is much preferable than seeing her knocked out from sleeping pills.
Quietly, I went out of my parents' bedroom and made my way towards the library to look for a decent book to divert my mind somewhere else.
I walked towards the shelf and scanned for a book I haven't read before.
Something about books fascinates me. They give you answers, they give you the peace you've been searching, and they give you an insight on how other people view the world in their eyes.
Maybe this is the only thing that my father and I had in common for he, himself, used to spend his time sitting in his personal lounge to read.
I remembered the time when Maria used to read to me when we were kids. Every time we have to choose a book, she asks me what I would like and I would always answer the one with the pictures in it. And she would happily choose the one with the bright colors and big pictures.
Then we would just sit in the couch, reading while eating bon bons that our mother puts in a jar just beside the reading lounge. She would choose the one with the almonds and I would always choose the plain ones.
We laughed, we cried, we see ourselves as the protagonist in the stories we've read and argue about which one of us is the main character.
When Maria got sick, I would often bring our favorite books in her room and I would read to her instead until both of us falls asleep. Then my mother would pick me up and tuck me in my bed.
Then a certain book caught my attention. It was one of the books that I was reading to Maria in the hospital, it's the story of a shepherd who was condemned to be executed for attempting to assassinate a cruel king but requested for three days to attend his sister's wedding before his execution. The king took his friend as a substitute and would kill him instead if the shepherd didn't make it back. He had encountered many obstacles along the way, he was at loss, he was grieving to himself for going back would mean that the king would take his life, but he made a promise that he would return.
This is the only story that I never finished reading until the end for this is the last story that I've read to Maria before she breathed her last breath. And until now, I still couldn't finish reading the book without bursting into tears for being reminded of her last farewell.
I shook my head at the thought and wiped a tear that appeared from corner of my eye with the back of my hand then I shifted my attention somewhere else.
As I grew older, the bright colorful books became too bright for my eyes and before I knew it, my preference had changed. Ironic as it may seem, but most of the books that are devoid of pictures are the most colorful ones all along.
Finally, I took a book from a shelf and sat on the couch to read. After a few pages, I realized that irony does indeed possessed a twisted sense of humor for the book that I've chosen is about two friends who fell in love with the same woman.
I quickly took the book away and returned it to the shelf, my teeth gritting in rage whenever I remember what my father does.
I was about to exit the library when I caught a glimpse of my father entering the library. As always, I pretended that I didn't see him and walked on but he quickly stopped me by placing a hand on my shoulder.
"You seem in a rush" his deep and intimidating voice found its way into my ears but it didn't had a slightest effect on me.
I just glared in response and starkly shoved his hand away from me and continued with my steps.
For some reason, just a sight of him is enough to infuriate me.
"Shadow!" he yelled at me "You disrespectful boy, is that how an heir of the Corporation should act?!"
I could feel the rage in his voice as if he wanted to tackle me and beat me senselessly but his code of honor seems to hold him back from killing his own flesh and blood.
The sight of him getting agitated made me feel good inside. I wanted him to feel how I feel. I wanted to show him how much I hate him for tearing this family apart.
"Keep your voice down, father. Mother is asleep" I calmly responded without even looking at his direction as I got out of the library
"You get back this instant, boy!" he kept on insisting but I continued walking until I could no longer feel his presence nearby.
As I walked along the hallway, I came across one of our house maids and told them that I didn't want to be disturbed for the whole day and finally I reached my bedroom, locked the door and lazily dropped myself on my bed and closed my eyes, letting sleep take over me.
Saturday – 6:30pm
At the Elysium Garden Associa Hotel Banquet Hall
A crowd of men and women in their elegant suits and dresses gathered around the hall with wine glasses on their hands as they mingled with each and every one they meet.
Two hedgehogs stood out the most especially one in particular, the most important guest of them all.
(Shadow's POV)
The moment we entered the banquet halls, there's no doubt that the people's primary attention was mainly on my father and barely acknowledging my presence.
Only a few 'It's Darius' boy' and a couple of 'The chip of the old block'. The attention annoys me, especially when they point out our similarities. Other than that, they would go on discussing about plans, projects, and the ample things they do to flush their money right down the drain like they had an unlimited supply of it.
Truth to be told, I was never fond of parties. In fact, I hate being in one. But being in the position I'm in, I have no choice but to attend in one just for the public appearance. I really don't understand what people find entertaining in an atmosphere full of people you barely even know, the scents of various perfumes mixing with the smell of wine and food, the buzzes of people talking all at once that it had somehow overtook the sound of Luigi Boccherini's Minuet that repeatedly plays in the background.
But despite all that, this is the day that I've been waiting for. The day that I could find out who that seductress is, that whore that destroyed my family.
Cautiously, like a thief in the night, I watched the surrounding as I leaned against a pillar with my arms crossed. I was desperate, I could feel the adrenaline rushing, I really wanted to get to the bottom of this and end his 'weekend escapades' once and for all. My eyes never left my father everywhere he goes, I remained in my post, watching everyone that approached him with keen eyes.
I noticed a couple of female geese went close to him, shaking his hand as they talked, but it's highly unlikely for the approach appeared business-like and friendly. So that crossed them out of my list.
Then a female raccoon went to his side and started a conversation with him. The way she smiled, the way she unconsciously flip her locks, she seem quite fond in him.
I was about to suspect until a male raccoon approached just behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist and she did the same to him.
Once again, she was crossed out from my list. It couldn't be her.
My father walked a couple of steps and went towards another group to mingle with them, and another, and another.
Sadly, there isn't anyone approaching him worth suspecting.
Perhaps he only came for the party and left his whore waiting somewhere? I still doubt if he could ever choose the party over her.
Knowing my father, once he considers a thing as his property, he wouldn't just share them with anyone.
I know she could be here, maybe I'm just not looking well enough.
My eyes followed him everywhere, but still, nothing.
A sigh escaped from me. Not only was my plan back-firing but I didn't see a single trace of his woman anywhere and it only annoyed me more.
I saw him sat down on one of the tables reserved for him to continue mingling with the other guests.
Seeing my father would probably be glued in his place, I took a break from my little investigation and decided to "enjoy" the party for just a little bit while I'm here until one of the waitresses that served champagne came into my field of vision.
I've seen a lot of beautiful women in televisions, magazines, business parties and meetings but I didn't paid much attention to them, not until now.
This waitress had definitely caught my attention.
This exquisite bat had white fur that goes perfectly well with the white button-down short sleeved uniform that she wore accompanied by a short and tight A-line skirt that perfectly showed the curves of her waist and thighs. And my eyes couldn't help but steal a couple of glances on her ample bust that seem to be struggling to escape from the small buttons that held it in place. There's something about her that's strangely captivating in some way that drove my carnal instincts wild just merely staring at her.
If angels had a language, it would definitely be sweet music but if angels exists, they would definitely be stunning and breathtaking.
One had just descended here in Mobius, and she's right here in this hall and nobody noticed it yet. Perhaps I was just lucky.
My eyes are fixed in her every move, it's as if she's unconsciously asking me to come with her and forget everything else.
I was so much caught in a daze that I didn't notice that she was already standing in front of me with a tray in her hand while the other rested on her hip. She left me stunned once again at the sight of her lovely teal eyes.
"You know, I should call the cops" her voice was stern but I could hint her amusement flowing from it.
I was slightly taken aback by her statement but noticing the amusement within her voice, I had a feeling that she had planned for this conversation to happen.
I smirked at her, letting her know I'm interested to engage in it.
Flirting was one of the few things that remain a mystery to me. I've never done it before, but still, most of my instructors told me that I was a quick-learner. Perhaps I might be able to practice this skill more, now that I found someone to use it for.
"Why would you do that?" I asked her with a challenging gaze "Have I done something wrong?"
"Well, I couldn't help but notice that you've been stealing glances at me" with that, she lowered her eyelids at me and gave me a sweet smile "You know it's illegal to steal" then she gave me a glass of champagne before I could even speak.
With that, I knew immediately that she caught me staring at her. Her keen senses made her even more alluring. I guess I underestimated her. But I liked how she was calm enough to tell me I've been a bad hedgehog for doing such a thing.
"Enjoy the party, handsome" were her only words before she left me by myself once again.
I stared at her as she walks away, wishing that she would once again look back at me so I could steal another glance at those elegant teal eyes, yet she never did.
I was disappointed and yet somehow satisfied that I was able to see her up-close and it made me glad that I wasn't dreaming.
I felt my heart beating fast, my muscles began to tense and I felt an uncomfortable feeling building up in my stomach.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, its determination. If you want something, you should do whatever it takes to get it.
I would definitely make her mine.
Here's the 2nd chapter! :D Thank you so much for the reviews! :3
