The Day of the Meeting, at the Residence of Gerissen:

A large luxurious building with pillars and long stairs glowed orange as the sunset blanketed it in it's soft light. Vehicles of various sizes line up as they dropped off their passengers in the front entrance to follow a red and golden embroidered rug along up a few steps to the opened double doors. The guests were dressed elegantly and cleaned up nicely as they were greeted by guards and greeters while standing between the double doors held a list to check on who was invited.

"Alright, get to your place as soon as possible once we get in," Luka said to Ethan, as he nodded from behind the wheel.

Luka opened the door as he stepped out, his face shaved to show off his strong jawline and hair slicked back to keep it as orderly as possible to match his sleek and clean navy blue suit with a black tie and black boots that were polished to look like dress shoes while covered by his pants. He offered a hand out to the car as a white gloved hand grasps his and out came Sarah in a lovely red dress that puffed at the bottom half with black slits draping down in a pool to her black heels. She also wore a white faux fur around her neck as a scarf, along with her hair held up and draped down in a few curls on the sides of her face with a white heart pin.

Sarah waited besides him, and then Luka reached back in the car as another white glowed hand reached out to grasp his. Out stepped Lily as she wore a lovely off the shoulder black dress that had a green wrap around the waist with an extra piece of fabric that laid on the side and reached down to the bottom of the dress over her green heels. The band across her shoulders was green to match not only her waist wrap but her eyes as well, and her hair laid towards the front as a lovely pink hibiscus clip stood on the upper right side of her head, matching a pink heart clip that stood on the center of the green wrap on her waist to hold it in place.

Luka closed the door as Ethan watched from the driver's seat in a black suit of his own with a green tie to make sure they get inside. Luka offered his arm to Sarah as she took it and walked along with him as Lily followed closely behind them. They greeted the greeters and guards as they then stood before the man with the list, named Garry.

"Hello there esteemed guests. If I may have your names so that I may check over this list to allow you entry," Garry said as he held his pen up.

"I am Luka Czar, and these two are my guests, Sarah and Lily," Luka said, as Garry paused and then checked the list quickly.

"Luka Czar! You indeed are welcomed by the lord of the house himself! I shall make it known to him that you are here. He will be most pleased to see you sir! And surely the ladies here as well," Garry said.

"Actually, if you don't mind me seeing him first alone? I actually didn't inform him exactly when I'd arrive and I have a gift for him being so hospitable to me," Luka said, taking a box from his inner jacket pocket.

"Ah! I shall indeed do so good sir. I was informed Lord Gerissen was in his study to collect a few documents at the moment. Shall your lady guests also attend with you?" Garry asked.

"I'd prefer my dearest and her sister to enjoy the party as they haven't had a bite to eat yet. May I have an escort to watch over them?" Luka asked.

"Of course, sir, of course! You are an esteemed guest and shall have as you wish. Norwa! Bring the ladies inside and make sure they are given the finest nourishment. Corshe! Accompany Luka to Lord Gerissen's office," Garry instructed as the two greeters nodded and did so, while the three split up for now.

The party area was a large ballroom with stands and pillars of various engravings etched on them aligned along the walls on the sides of each window that had blue curtains neatly covered over them, besides the center one that was opened a bit and had two doors opened that led to a balcony, since this was on the second floor, while the office was on the third. Sarah and Lily were fascinated by the level of intricacy of the whole set up, and lured by the lovely scents of food.

"The food is this way ladies. Take how much you'd need," Norwa said as she lead them to where the food was being offered.

"Thank you very much. We really appreciate it," Sarah said, as Norwa bowed her head with a smile.

They each took some food as they tried each one and were impressed by each food they ate being better then the last. The two looked towards the center area where guests were mingling on one side and dancing on the other as the live orchestra on the opposite wall played music.

"I don't think any expense was wasted here. It's really refined," Sarah whispered to Lily.

"I agree, and to be called a "lord" must mean he owns the estate too. They are quite well off," Lily whispered back as she took a sip of the sparkling water they had, though was not pleased as she hid her disgust.

"I don't like our odds considering our potential enemies being wealthy like this. Must be quite a family business they have outside of the plastic molds and stuff they make for the organization we're after," Sarah whispered lower as Lily did indeed hear her and nodded.

"Though we do know there are three of them from Luka. Two brothers and a sister. One of them is a main higher up though not a traitor at least, but we should still be careful," Lily whispered.

"Yeah, though since Luka is meeting with him now, we should be fine then. Just cautious if we meet another one of the siblings," Sarah whispered as she tried a drink of red punch and realized it was red wine as she spat it back in the cup.

"Ugh! These drinks are false advertising," Sarah said as she coughed a bit while Lily gave her a napkin and chuckled a little, gaining attention from a few who saw.

"Oh my, are you okay, madam?!" Norwa panicked as she ran besides Sarah.

"No no, I'm fine, just didn't expect the bitter taste of wine. Ugh. Seriously, how come the food is labeled but not the drinks?" Sarah said as she passed the cup to Norwa who took it and threw it away while two people approached.

"I'm very sorry, Miss Sarah! I'll get you some water," Norwa said as she ran to do so.

"Well don't trip or anything. No need to rush on my account," Sarah said.

"It's kind of her to be so helpful to us though," Lily said with a small smile, catching off guard one of the two who were walking over as he stared at her in surprise while the one with him wondered why he stopped so abruptly.

"Heh. Well I'm sure they are being paid enough. Got the big bucks and all, huh?" Sarah said with a chuckle, as Lily just shook her head and smiled as she said,

"Well surely they must have some kindness to land a job like this and to stick to it so well."

"Here you are, Madam. Pardon us for not stating each drink as they are. It apparently was an oversight," Norwa said as she handed Sarah the water.

"Well it's alright. Thank you," Sarah said as she took a drink of water.

"An oversight, huh?" A woman in a black dress with an orange open jacket, and an orange bonnet on top of the messy bun on her blonde hair said, her fierce brown eyes ablaze with annoyance as the rest of her expression and demeanor were calm.

"O-Oh! Ms. Gerissen! I'm s-sorry. I'll fix it right away!" Norwa said as she ran to do so.

"Pardon this obscurity. It will be resolved shortly, ladies," She said as Sarah and Lily nodded towards her.

"If I may introduce myself, my name is Amelie Gerissen. I have assisted in hosting this party, so if there are any troubles, you may bring them to me and I'll have them straightened out," Amelie said, though in a more instructional tone.

"Thank you very much, Miss Amelie. I am Sarah and this is my sister, Lily. We hope we haven't caused any trouble for yourself by our inquiry," Sarah said.

"Not at all. It is best to point things out so that they can be rectified. Though I don't recognize your names or faces. Are you two the only ones in your party?" She asked.

"Oh no, we came as guests of my sweetheart, Luka," Sarah replied, as Amelie's eyes brightened upon hearing that name.

"Ahh, so Luka came here after all," Another voice broke in as they turned to see a man approach them.

He was about an inch under Lily's height and had spiky black hair that softly bounced as he walked towards them with a spike of his bangs laying on the center on the forehead. His eyes were a fiery orange as his smile was warm and inviting. He wore a suit of black with a red undershirt and tissue in the pocket, and a white tie with white shoes that matched. Lily blinked a few times as did Sarah, for they were surprised by his sudden handsome appearance and warm smile.

"That's great to know, and even better that he has a girl too. Of course I do find it so nice of him to invite her sister along as well," He said as he held his hand out to Lily as she hesitantly gave him her hand.

He planted a kiss upon her hand as she was taken aback though hid it well enough, as Sarah walked closer to Lily.

"Especially one as luminous as yourself. I didn't even realize the sun had set already until now," He said as he still had her hand in his.

"… Thank you," Lily said as she looked away momentarily, the sudden attention making her nervous, as the smile on his face softened to see her reaction.

"If we may have the pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir?" Sarah asked, as Amelie was about to approach, but his palm towards her made him stop.

"I do apologize for being so abrupt. My name is Markus Gerissen. Pleased to meet you two," He said as he bowed his head.

"Ah, well it's nice to meet you. I'm Sarah and this is Lily," Sarah said, noticing that Markus had yet to let go of Lily's hand.

"Very nice to meet you Sarah. I can see that Luka has good taste. And a pleasure to meet you, Lily," Markus said as his tone lightened when addressing Lily.

"I would agree, though may I have my hand back?" Lily asked.

"If I may have this dance I'll be sure to give it back to you," Markus replied.

Though Sarah and Amelie grew tense and were about to intervene, Lily nodded and said,

"Fair enough."

Lily knew it was better to agree, for to not do so may cause trouble and she'd rather give Luka as much time as he needs to weed out the information they were looking for. Sarah took this into account when Lily agreed to dance, and decided to try to distract the sister as Lily distracted the brother.

"Well, since they are going to dance and I'd be by my lonesome, care to be my guide in this beautifully elegant party? By your demeanor, I can tell where you played a hand in all the right places here," Sarah said, as Amelie was surprised and then decided to do so.

"Yes, of course. Are you sure of your sister as I am of my brother?"

"Oh I am. I trust my sister very much."

The two walked around as Sarah was given a tour, while Lily and Markus moved to the dance floor. A graceful waltz played as they took hands and he placed his hand on her waist while she on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I have not danced in a while. I may be very rusty," Lily warned with a soft smile.

"No need to worry. We can take it slow. Just follow my lead," Markus said with a kind smile as he lead the dance.

"... So, if I may inquire, what is your full name? Ms. Sarah had mentioned your first names only," Markus asked.

"… Lova," Lily replied.

"Ah, so Miss Lily Lova… such a sweet name for you," Markus said as he twirled her with one hand and she followed through back into his arms.

"Thank you. I do like your name as well Markus. It sounds sophisticated," Lily said as she carefully followed his movements.

"Why thank you. Though sometimes names grow dull to the bearer, luckily for me it hasn't," Markus said.

"I sometimes felt that way when I was younger, but I grew to appreciate what I was given," Lily said.

"That's quite humble of you. If I may inquire again, where are you from? It sounds like you aren't from this side of the shore as I have grown adjusted since I wasn't born here at first," Markus asked.

"You are correct. I was born in America," Lily replied.

"Ah, I knew it. I can tell. I'm pretty good at reading people a bit… do forgive me if I seem rude. I don't mean to pry so much," Markus said.

"It is fine. I find nothing wrong with wanting to know who your guest is," Lily said,

"I'm glad. Though, you've actually fascinated me in a way that… I'd like to get to know you more, Miss Lova," Markus said.

"… You may call me Lily, and I am not sure what had caused such a fascination but I am flattered by it, Mr. Gerissen," Lily said.

"Oh but to call you by your first name would somewhat indicate my attachment to you, wouldn't it? Though I will if you insist, Miss Lily. And my fascination is hard to dictate into words since there wouldn't be enough to describe your sweet, soft-spoken, intelligent, and gentle demeanor I see in your eyes, and hear in your lovely voice," Markus said.

"… I'm quite taken aback by you, Mr. Markus. Your compliments indicate you feel a certain way towards me though we just met," Lily said.

"Ah, I apologize. I'm quite open about my feelings and towards you I feel such a strange string of emotions since I first laid eyes on you. I can't help but say you've grown on me in the little time I've spoken to you," Markus said as he lead the dance towards the balcony doors.

"I see… Well, I do feel a sort of comfort around you, and an understanding you may have. As though you can be trusted, though at the same time it feels as though you are particular with whom you trust to be trustworthy towards," Lily insightfully stated.

"… My my. You've read me like a book… Why must you make me invest in learning more about you so?" Markus said, his expression deepening to a soft gaze.

"Oh, it wasn't my intention to deter you. Have I interrupted you in some way? I'm sorry," Lily said.

"Oh no no. You haven't. This party was getting a little boring to me anyway, but you made me feel much better about it now. I thank you," Markus said with a nod and sweet smile, as Lily smiled back, feeling a sense of ease to know she could speak to him easily.

Markus then bumped into another couple as the man turned and when he saw Markus, his face paled.

"Oh, forgive me, Lord Gerissen! I didn't see you there," the man said, as Lily felt a chill up her spine.

"Ah it's quite alright, Joneson. Carry on, I was the one distracted," Markus said, as the man nodded and moved over to dance with his wife.

Markus then took Lily's hand and said, "Come, my dear. Let's talk more out on the balcony."

Lily followed along as the chilly sensation did not leave her.

"He called you 'Lord Gerissen.' Is that your title?" Lily asked, as Markus turned towards her right before they entered the balcony, his eyes widened a bit.

"… Did my friend Luka not tell you? Or maybe you confused me with my brother? I am the Lord of the House of Gerissen and Head of the Plastic Works department. Quite a surprise to me you didn't know, Miss Lily, though a welcomed one since you weren't trying to be a certain way towards me then~" Markus said, his smile growing and his gaze changing to a more loving one as Lily felt her pulse heighten realizing she may be in more trouble then she realized.

They headed out to the balcony and overlooked the lovely night scenery of the land, as Lily admired it's beauty, while Markus admired hers from the corner of his eye.

Uh oh.

Next chapter soon. Maybe later today or tomorrow. :)