Subtle Endearment

24. End It

Ian

Marching through Stubborn Elites headquarters I avoid the knowing gazes from those around me. I missed the not-so-secret secret meeting they's obviously had just minutes ago. "Trevor, where's Madam Melanie, she's not in her office," I ask as I find Trevor in his usual spot. "She went off to go to the company ball. She wanted to make one final appearance before she goes," Trevor says. "Listen kid, between you and me she has a month tops. Cancer," Trevor says pulling out a cigarette. "What do you mean?" I ask. "She doesn't have long. Let her have this at least," Trevor says before turning away.

What does he mean she doesn't have long left. Hadn't she told me to marry within a yea implying that she had at least another year?

"I have to go, Trevor," I say.

Speeding down the road I pull up into a parking spot outside of Hathway Hotel where the ball was to be held today. Little to my surprise there are already people entering the hotel. "Where are you headed to so frantically?" Landon asks throwing an arm around my shoulder as I enter the hotel. "Madam Melanie's here," I inform him with a smile as to not draw more attention to myself. "What do you mean, I already told her that I'd take the position. There's no reason for her to be here," Landon assures me. "I think she's after Kira," I let him know. "Don't worry, I got you. She was getting dressed upstairs earlier. Her date was waiting for her in the kitchen," Landon says.

"Her date?" I question. "Yeah, looks like you got some competition," Landon jokes. "Let me see," I say pushing past him to the kitchen. Several people work in the kitchen scrambling around to get things perfected. They don't even bother to give me a second look as I enter much to my liking. A guy standing about six foot stands in the corner of the room beside a baker watching as she slices a cake. He wears a simple black tux with gray loafers. As I approach him he straightens up dusting off his suit.

"Hey, I don't think we've met before," I say offering false happiness in an attempt to retain my anger. "I'm Malik, it's nice to meet you sir," the man says. Malik, why does that name sound so familiar. "Are you by any chance, Kira's date," I ask holding my breath. Without warning Malik bursts out laughing as if I'd told the funniest joke in the world. "Not in a million years," Malik says wiping tears from his eyes. "What do you mean by that?" I ask approaching him with the intent of cornering him. "Malik, there you are. I thought you were going to wait in the ballroom," Kira's voice sounds from behind me. "Kira," I say enchanted by her beauty. Her ballgown is a soft yellow color and has lace detailed at the torso. She wears a gold necklace and matching stud earrings. "You look beautiful, Kira," I say taking her hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Dewan," she says smiling from ear to ear. Mr. Dewan, that's right. We agreed to put up an act. "This is my brother, Malik," she says hooking her thumb towards Malik. "Can I talk to you for a minute in private, Kira," I ask. Malik looks between the two of us then walks past us not needing an excuse. "I need you to lay low. Madam Melanie is here," I tell her. "What do you mean Madam Melanie's here? What does she look like?" Kira asks anxiously. "She's a couple inches taller than you. She's black with a bob cut and super bright makeup, you can't miss her," I respond.

"Stick with Landon, he's in the ballroom now," I tell her. Kira hesitates for a moment and I think she's going to say something but all that comes out is an "okay."

More and more people arrive at the ball as the clock strikes nine. I spot several people from neighboring companies that Madam Melanie had hammered in my head since I first became a member of Stubborn Elites. "Good evening, Mr. Moon," I say to a tall man standing around by the door. He holds a glass of wine and scans the area. Like most investors he probably looking for a good place to put his money. Lucky for me, Madam Melanie has already informed me on him. There's no one in particular that I'm supposed to connect with since FIxedTech has grown significantly with the current investors in just a few months.