LaRue was just one of his five other girlfriends he saw over the weeks, since LaRue just wasn't enough for him.
Joaquin's train of thought was disturbed as LaRue came back with their drinks.
"So Jo I was thinking we could hang around my place tonight." smiled LaRue.
"I can't. I have to follow my half brother to his girlfriend's house. Maybe knowing her will give me some advantage," said Joaquin sipping his cherry rum.
"But Jo..." pouted LaRue.
"Don't start La. we've been over this. Besides I thought you had to work." said Joaquin.
"I took the night off. Waste of time now." sighed LaRue.
"I'll see if I can get round after," sighed Joaquin rolling his eyes.
"I love you Jo." smiled LaRue.
"Love you too," said Joaquin though he didn't mean it.
It just came out of his mouth automatically with out any feeling.
He looked at his watch and saw he was late for a meeting with his stepbrothers.
"I've got to go La. I promised Fabon I wouldn't be late this time." said Joaquin.
"Bye Jo." said LaRue kissing his lips as he got up.
He put his robes back on and covered his face with the hood as he left the leaky cauldron.
He walked down Diagon Alley and turned off to Knockturn Alley.
He walked to an old two-storey shop in between the pawnbroker and the imported poisons shop.
He entered the shop and saw it was full and the assistant's head was laid on the counter asleep.
Joaquin put down his hood and ground his teeth. He banged his fist on the counter inches away from the assistant's face.
"I thought I told you before to stop sleeping at work. I am giving you one last chance. Screw up and you're out of here," growled Joaquin.
"Yes sir Mr Po.... I mean, Malfoy sir," squeaked the assistant at his boss' mood and threat.
"Now, Now Joaquin. No need to scare the customers and the employee." came the smug voice of Indrio.
"Had a feeling it was you little bro. We could hear you ranting from upstairs." said Jabaz.
Joaquin turned around to see his four stepbrothers stood behind him.
"Hey guys. Sorry I'm late." said Joaquin, his expression changing.
"Come on Joaquin, we were waiting for you." said Fabon leading the way up to the offices.
The upstairs office housed five offices for each brother, conference room, and offices outside each of offices for their secretary and the usual necessities.
Joaquin followed his brothers to the conference room and took his seat.
"So.... care to explain why you were late Joaquin." asked Fabon who was the most serious and the boss.
"Um LaRue dragged me to the leaky cauldron and I forgot about the meeting. I realised when I looked at my watch," said Joaquin.
"Make sure you put a reminder on your wand next time." said Fabon.
"Will do. Now care to explain the purpose of the meeting," asked Joaquin looking from one brother to the next.