The Equation of Hearts

√𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟻ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـﮩ٨ـﮩ

"And now, to more than gracefully introduce the Fukushima family, our top donors!" On the speaker system, played. And the large doors to the main venue opened to introduce them. Elena had her arms linked with her husband's, both wearing light blue accents and off-white. Elena wore an entirely backless dress, her tattoo on full display for the cameras as she smiled and waved with her husband. It was off-white, but she wore light blue accents. Beside her was Antonio, who wore his black suit. The blue came from his waistcoat. Athena was wearing what Kato had helped her make, black corset and gloves, jewelled to show she was a wonderfully mature age, while she linked arms with Odele, who wore his dark purple suit. A simple one he would wear elsewhere had the golden accessories of chains decorating the blazer not been such a bedazzling show of a good event. And behind them, Bianca, in her slightly frilly, spaghetti strapped and knee cut off-white dress. Detachable sleeves also. And her hair, she felt was done terribly unlike her mother and sister. But she could manage.

They took pictures and Bianca hid her face slightly, going off to the side while the rest of her family socialised.

Athena already had her eyes land on a man with bleached white hair. The ends faded into a peachy pink - he looked like an idol. And she was bored.

Odele was speaking to some of the older men there, bettering the business connections he had with the charms his father also had. That, while Adonis and Elena spoke to others as a couple joint at the hip. Antonio was with them, though he was expected to hold up a good, mature conversation with them. Which he could! He had done it and seen it for so long, people who had seen him every day could forget he was only 7 with the way he smiled and agreed with such political ideas.

It was like a different capital he had. The skill of Antonio's social talent wasn't something to doubt. He was more persuasive than his father sometimes. That was an achievement in itself. Only because he was so charming. He even flustered older women talking to him.

But what could be so exciting about a formal, without Kato? The conversation within all of them felt rather dull. "Say, Elena," a woman suddenly spoke, both holding champagne glasses, "where is your bodyguard? The media has been dying to see him." She smiled and Elena looked up at Adonis who looked down at her,

"Ah, he'll be here soon," she smiled, "he had something to do." She giggled.

"Oh~ am I too nosy for asking what? How old is he?" She cooed and joined in with the giggling.

"Oh, he's far younger than us, believe me," she chortled, "but for what he's doing;"

"Doing a premise check." Adonis replied on Elena's behalf, smiling down at the woman, "he insisted on making sure the place was safe." He added. With a jewelled hand resting on his chest, he closed his eyes to feign honesty. The woman flushed and gasped,

"Charming! My goodness!" She clapped, "have you heard the rumours of him?" She whispered.

"Oh do tell," Adonis grinned and leaned closer, "I love a bit of controversy as you know," he brooded. The woman grew flustered and Elena giggled,

"Behave yourself honey," she also leaned forward, "but do tell," she clinked flutes with the woman as they exchanged rumours.

Usually, Elena and her family were the ones who were at the centre of attention. The introduction was always grand for them and it was clear to outsiders that they had the best applause. That didn't stop them from applauding the other large families introduced. That didn't stop them from turning their own heads at partnering companies and offering the most charming Duchenne smiles people could see. That was what came with being titled the prettiest family in the world, as well as usually being the biggest contributor to these events. After all, Adonis had supplied and given the recipe for the alcohol being served. So an addition for the service. They were always the centre of attention.