That Di Marco Spell

C h a p t e r N i n e

"I'm so excited!" Lori cheered out clapping her hands and swiveling in her chair.

I guess every month they do parties, well they call them small get togethers but I don't think four hundred plus people is a "small get together." They rent out a whole venue and host a party that lasts about all night. They do it for friends, family, their employees, and anyone else they can think of to just have a fun day to unwind. They always have a theme and there's always a red carpet, sometimes celebrities show up too.

"The two themes we have been going back and forth between are masquerade ball and a royal affair." Elijah continued his presentation on the screen.

"Masquerade ball, masquerade ball!" Lori began to chant, hitting the table with her hands in rhythm.

"Lori, contain yourself. I'd hate to have you sit out, again." Rick barked at his youngest child. Her face went from happy to upset and she slouched in her chair, looking down.

I looked over at Raiden who was glaring daggers into his father's head.

"Continue son," he ordered Elijah, jutting his hand in direction of the screen.

Edithe had sadness in her hazel eyes as she rubbed the back of Lori's head, Raiden's glare softened at the sight.

I could tell that Raiden and Rick did not get along what so ever. I wasn't hundred percent sure why but just by the last two interactions I've witnessed between the two, it was blatant.

"As requested by Lorelai," Elijah began, causing her to perk up at the mention of her name, "the theme will be masquerade ball." He smiled at his little sister.

Lori let out a single squeak of excitement before Rick gave her a warning stare, she cowered down a little bit but looked at her mom and began to loudly whisper her excitement. Edithe smiling and nodding in return, while every so often glancing up at her husband who now had his attention back to Elijah. This irritated me beyond words.

Lori was living a dream life every fourteen year old would want! But she had to, "contain herself?" Why because it wasn't lady like? It wasn't appropriate? Fuck that!

"That means, Claire," Elijah looked at me, "You'll go with Erin, and a body guard will accompany you, as you find a dress." I smiled, actually excited. I always dreamed of going to a fancy party or ball, now was my chance!

Rick cleared his throat, "Raiden is her body guard remember? He will accompany her." A smile that showed no emotion appearing on his face as he looked at me and Raiden.

Raiden scowled at his father, his nostrils flaring as he breathed. My mood switched to disappointment, why was he my personally body guard!

Rick paying no attention to his son, stood up from the meeting table leaving the room. Edithe and Lori soon followed, with Lori excitedly explaining her plans as Edithe admired her youngest child. Elijah cleaned everything up before swiftly exiting as well.

It was just Raiden and I, he was on the opposite side of the table from me, slowly swiveling side to side with his hands tapping on the arm rests of the chair. It was as if he was contemplating ideas or scenarios in his head, like running away, getting me fired in some way, something so his life was easier and more peaceful.

I began to feel for him.

Although he was irritating and got on my last nerve, no one deserves a parent that orders the, with the tone and almost anger Rick has towards his own children. Especially a fourteen year old girl.

He looked up, his grey eyes meeting my green ones. "What?" He questioned me, as I was observing him. He stopped swiveling in the chair.

I shook my head, "Nothing, just trying to figure out why you and Rick don't get along." He chuckled and leaned forward.

His eyes were filled with anger, a hint of sadness in them peeking through. "My father is a terrible person! He gets our family in trouble and I'm the one that has to take care of it! Put my life on the line."

"While he's out causing more fucking problems for me to fix!" He yelled, his tone was very serious, not a single sign of losing his composure to cry though.

It was pure anger and frustration.

"Thats why I'm so dangerous and wanted, making our family so feared."

This was the first time I felt something other than being the scum on his shoe from him. He was actually showing something besides his huge ego.

"What do you mean, dirty work?" I wondered, leaning forward as well.

Raiden rolled his eyes, "I don't know why you're acting like you care, it doesn't matter!" His hands hit the table as he begins to get up.

Spoke too soon.

"Hey!" I spoke up, my tone raising slightly. This caught his attention, I was serious and stern as he looked at me.

"I'm genuinely concerned. I understand we've had a rough start but I don't think I'm going anywhere anytime soon. We should at least try and like each other for the sake of us and your family." I paused before I leaned back in my chair, "especially if you're going to be my 'personal bodyguard."

I believed this, I was always the voice of reason with my friends. I had to be the mediator, the mom of the group. Going to parties I wouldn't drink or smoke with everyone else. I was the one that cleaned up, took care of everyone else while they were shit face drunk head deep in a toilet bowl throwing up their hopes and dreams.

Raiden's eyes softened, he let out a deep breath and shrugged. After a few more moments of silence he got up, the chair letting out a soft squeak as the weight of his body lifted.

He looked back over to me and opened his mouth slightly, as if he was going to say something, before closing it again. He opened the glass door and left the room. Leaving me in here alone, with the slight hum of the ac coming through the vents.

I let out a defeated sigh and gathered my stuff before leaving the room.