The limousine came to a stop moments later, and the click of the door handle meant that the door would open seconds after. Arturu exited first, followed by Jonasan so that they could aid the women in getting out. Luci braced her hands upon those that the gentlemen extended and stepped out of the vehicle. She slipped her arm through her fiancee's and clung to him as Minako was helped from the seat. She thanked them both and Jonasan offered his arm to her again, which she took gratefully.
Minako has always envied Luci's family. Their fortune was shown in many ways, and one was by the size of their home. The Wasatanara Estate was a two-story home, with more area than a small parking garage. Their front hall was enormous, with marble flooring and support beams in the fashion of old Kabuki dancers. It was where the party was being held, and far in the back there was a buffet table set up beneath a hand-painted Wasatanara family portrait. It was painted when Lucinda was only seven, and Minako stared up at her smiling face. She recalled that Luci threw a tantrum because her best friend and sister could not pose with her in the picture.
More and more people were arriving by the minute, and if she were not clinging to Jonasan's arm, Mina feared that she would be lost in the crowd. Luci and Arturu had gone off to tell everyone the good news personally, leaving her and her companion alone for the time. At least Jonasan knew some of the people. He was chatting up a storm, and barely mentioned Minako at all! She was starting to become weary of everything, and she felt odd and out of place amongst this group of wealthy businessmen and their families. Her date was treating her more like a trophy on his arm than an actual person and it wasn't long before Minako excused herself. The man shrugged and let her go, immediately turning to a couple to his left and striking up a conversation.
The porch was blissfully empty of bodies and Minako walked to the edge, leaning upon the rail.
'That jerk! I bet he hasn't even noticed I'm gone yet. Thanks but no thanks Luci. You tried.' She was losing the battle against a headache and she took a deep breath of fresh night air.
It was a cloudy night, and perhaps one of two of the brightest stars shone through. Mina closed her eyes. There was nothing to see anyway. A tear slipped from her eye, and slowly slid down her cheek. Luci had misjudged Mr. Haikara's intentions and she had suffered because of it. Sure the man may have treated her well when he was alone with her, but wouldn't stand for it if she were just going to be his 'housewife'. She should have known better and kept her heart closed, but she trusted Lucinda.
'Luci! Oh, what would she think if she knew?' It would break the woman's heart if she told her. Minako could not allow her best friend to think that she'd let her down.
She wouldn't tell her. She'd just wait out the rest of the night, and perhaps Jonasan would not pursue her. Either way, she would be rid of the man later, and she sighed as she stared out into the night.
The music from inside the mansion blared and only added to her headache, but something caught her eye that made her smile and realize that her pain was worthwhile. Off in the horizon, she could see a single light from the window of her home extinguish and she knew her grandparents had gone to bed. As soon as the party ended, she could tell Luci everything, and show her the shrine.
That by itself, gave her a little glimmer of hope.