Family Issues 7

After casting a spell that would make his armor look like modern clothes, he followed the trail his mark had left on the woman right into a very expensive restaurant. He found her sitting at a table with a man many years younger than her. Chase took a seat at the bar from which he could observe discreetly and listen to their chat with his heightened sense of hearing.

"Well, I just couldn't make it. Will you stop whining about it?" was saying the redheaded woman. She had cold, uncaring eyes that gave away her age despite the youthful appearance of her skin and perfectly styled hair.

"I'm not whining, but you said you would be there, and the president of the company was very disappointed that he didn't get to meet you."

"I wasn't going to invest in his pathetic little company anyway. I don't see what's the point of his insistence if he already knows my decision."

The woman looked around, seemingly bored of her companion. The more Chase looked at her, the more he saw the resemblance between her and Jack Spicer. It was there in the way she half pouted to show her boredom, even the way she held her martini reminded Chase of Spicer holding one of his tools. Casual elegance entwined with a spoiled, childish attitude. If Spicer was a woman, he would surely end up growing into this kind of bratty woman with eyes devoid of any empathy. The thought made him smirk despite himself.

The woman looked in his direction, and noticed him instantly. Her mouth turned into a predatory smirk.

"I'll see you at Diana's party tonight. Or not." She told her companion, getting up and approaching Chase with a confident attitude. Chase was not interested at all, but he did appreciate the way this woman acted as if the world should bow down to her just for existing. If only such confidence could be taught, maybe Spicer wouldn't be so hopeless. "Well, well, someone's been staring. How rude of you, mister." She said with a soft, alluring tone.

Chase gave her extra points for trying, and a golden star for being far more interesting than Wuya.

"I'm sorry, but you remind me so much of a…friend of mine." He smirked as he said 'friend'.

"That is such a common excuse. I'd have expected more from a gentleman as elegant as you."

"I'm afraid it's the truth. The resemblance is almost uncanny. Spicer himself would be surprised."

The woman's eyes narrowed, showing a violent coldness.

"What? Who is this friend of yours?"

"Jacob Spicer." Chase got up, and offered a polite bow to play the part of the perfect gentleman. Everything was falling into place. He didn't expect to run into such a chance. "I'm sorry, I should introduce myself. My name is Chase Young."

As he looked up, Chase found all traces of the dangerous ice in the woman's eyes had vanished, replaced by a strange warmth.

"Oh, my god! You're Chase Young!" she said, giggling like a school girl. "I'm Jack's mom, you can call me Miranda. Jack can't stop talking about you. Come, come; I've been wanting to meet you, but Jack says you are a very busy man." She took his arm and led him to a table next to one of the large windows. Chase was stunned into silence at the way the woman seemed to have changed personalities completely. But the thing that astounded him even more was the way this change only accentuated the similarities between the woman and Jack Spicer. "I thought Jack had been exaggerating when describing you, but you really are a great looking gentleman. Is it true you are also a martial arts master?"

"I am…quite good at it."

"And humble, oh my! You are as perfect as he describes you. It's like you're his idol."

"Heh. Really? I wouldn't have suspected it."

"Oh, he tells me everything."

Miranda snapped her fingers and a waiter appeared instantly next to their table ready to take their orders. The apathetic coldness was gone, but she still acted like a queen. And everyone happily obliged. It was a strange kind of power, Chase realized. He ruled by imposing his might and strength, conquering and overpowering. But here was this woman, who appeared to command respect by her mere existence.

"Order anything you want, it's on me." She encouraged him with a smile. "I had never met any of Jack's friends. He's always so secretive, but I'm so glad he's joined your treasure hunt game, even if he loses all the time. At least it gets him out of that basement, and just for that I'm willing to pay for any damages to the house."

Chase nearly choked on his jasmine tea. When Miranda had said that Jack told her everything, he didn't expect him to actually tell her about the hunt for the Shen Gon Wu. Although he must have had to explain the constant destruction of his parents' property somehow.

"Ah. Well, we do get a little…excited sometimes."

Miranda nodded. "Oh, boys will always be boys. Don't worry."

Chase noticed a small trembling to her fingers when she held the pearls of her necklace, and her smile didn't seem as confident as before.

"My husband keeps saying that I worry too much about him. But I'm his mother, worrying about him is all I do." She giggled. A woman in a dark suit approached. Chase had noticed the various men in dark suits from the moment he entered. It seemed that while Jack used robots, his mother used people. He liked the idea.

"Ma'am, we need to leave now if you are to see Mr. Soaldar."

Miranda sighed, and for a moment the cold was back in her eyes.

"That old fool. I can't wait to get rid of him." She turned her warm motherly smile back on for Chase. "I'm sorry, but I must leave. It's been lovely meeting you. If you ever have some time, it would be my pleasure to arrange a small dinner for all of you boys."

For a moment, Chase felt like Miranda would try pinching his cheeks. An image flashed before his eyes of a woman, thousands of years ago, giving him that same smile and ruffling his hair.

He lowered his hands, hiding the fact that he had almost lost control over his human form, just for a second there.