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 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 year 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 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 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," 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 mint green color and has lace detailed at the torso. She wears a silver 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. I retract my hand.

"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 at all bothered with an explanation.