Golden Boy
Ch. 3
A Unwanted Offer

Disclaimer: Ducks = NOT MINE! Okay happy now Disney?

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The dancing and dining lasted long into the night. It was nearing two o'clock in the morning and Duke was beginning to tire. However, as a trainee and representative of the Brotherhood he had no choice but to smile and act as if he was having the time of his life. He finished a dance with Lilana Carren one of the Arasian (Spanish) girls in the Brotherhood. He stepped aside and thought of all the dance partners he had had this night. He had danced with Mrs. Marcianno, both her daughters, Mary and Tia and Toni Braxwing a friend of theirs. He had also danced Arieadale Sartain, Rene Redfeather, Sabrina LeSabre, Radica Sarynwing, Destine Marnier, Ellyn Darkfeather, Anna Drakerin, Cornelia Songfeather, and Cassidy Williams some of the female members of the Brotherhood. Each of these girls was uniquely beautiful and each came from varied and exotic ethnic backgrounds.

He took another sip of punch (what he's only 17 he can't drink yet) and sighed. He watched as Ernie Falcone laughed with Cassidy. Her soft blonde curls bounced against her shoulders. Why would a girl as beautiful as her like a guy like that? It just didn't make sense to him. He guessed it never would.

He scanned the room and watched as elegantly clad quests sipped champagne and chatted happily and asked himself not for the first time that night if he truly belonged in the Brotherhood. As often as not he longed to be back home playing hockey and having pillow fights with his brothers. The thought of Alex, Blake, and Carson and tears leapt unbidden to his eyes. He remembered wrestling with Carson, working on motorcycles with Blake, and having Alex around to talk and for a hug when he needed comfort.(yes he and Alex are like Wing and Dive). No one could ever imagine how much he missed them all. After his parents died when he was ten they were all that he had left. They were his only family except for his sister and grandfather.

He looked again at all the pompous hypocites around him. He found it hard to believe that his mother was born into this world. She had always seemed liked one of those moms who wore loose cotton dresses and baked cookies. He never thought of her in silk eating caviar. At least not until he was offered an apprenticeship in the Brotherhood and he met his grandfather, who told him about his mother's past.

Duke felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around, as his train of thought was roughly broken. He met the gaze of Isabella Marcianno.

"Oh hello Mrs. Marcianno, you startled me" Duke said quickly a slight blush rising to his dark cheeks.

" I apologize for startling you" she said "and Duke, it's Isabella. We're friends there's no need for formalities. Besides," she added in a whisper "I need to talk to you in private. Follow me." She led him down a well- furnished hall and to a corner near the fireplace.

"What d'ya need to talk ta me about?" Duke asked rather perplexed. He cocked his head sideways and gave her an innocent look. She smiled sweetly and merely stated

"I just wanted to give you something". Her smile grew as he asked "What?".

"Oh just this" she as she leaned over and pressed her beak to his. She placed her hands on Duke's neck but after a split second it registered to him what was happened and Duke jumped back as if someone had poured scalding water on him.

" What are ya doin' " he asked in an angry and stunned tone.

Isabella pouted and asked, " What's wrong I thought you liked me?".

"I do." he said

"Then what's the problem?"

"1 you're married. 2 you're older than me and 3 I like ya as a friend." He said quickly and firmly.

" Oh but Duke" she said softly as she reached for his shoulder. He quickly stepped out of her reach.

"Sorry, Mrs. Marcianno, I have to leave. Goodbye." He said, his voice trembling with emotion. He hurried out of the room and as he passed Ray he said, "I don't feel well I'm goin' ta the car.".

Ray turned around to answer him but Duke was already gone.

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Daniella