Presidents, Spies, and Boys, Oh My!

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The sound of orchestral music drifted out from the ballroom as the large white double doors opened to allow guests to step inside. The guests were dressed in their finest clothes, looking like the rich politicians they are. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, pearls, and many other exotically colored jewels twinkled on the women who arrived. Their dresses, made of the finest silks and satins and velvets available, swished around them and made the whole occasion seem like a Hollywood red carpet event. The men, on the other hand, wore tailored tuxedos and suits. Their shoes, polished so shiny I could see my reflection in some of them, squelched over the marble floors of the ballroom and then on the polished wood of the dance floor in the middle of the vast room. Some arrived in normal suits in colors of gray and black and navy blue, wearing ties of plain colors of regal looking patterns. The highlight of the night hadn't arrived yet. I knew from the lack of chatter. 

I order to blend in with this crowd, I had to ditch my usual ensemble of black-top-black-bottom. Tonight, I wore a strapless silk gown with a leg slit high on my thigh. The dress itself was a beautiful shade of green, bringing out the bright green color of my eyes. My curtain of long auburn hair was straightened paper-thin and brushed to one side. The diamond earrings I wore glittered and winked in the light. My necklace, a simple silver locket, didn't drive much attention to me. The peep-toe stiletto heels I had chosen from my own closet for this occasion were simple and black. To anyone who didn't know better, I'd look like the daughter of a politician brought along for the lavish affair. Fortunately, I'm not a normal girl and look can be very deceiving. Under my curtain of side swept hair was my comms unit. Strapped onto my leg, hidden from sight yet still accessible through the leg slit, was my thigh holster that held a small handgun and knife. 

"Kitty Cat, where are you right now? Check in."

"I'm in the ballroom, Alpha. Checking in for sector 18." 

"Roger that."

The comms network went silent again. I paced the ballroom, watching the dancing and mingling couples. The same old men flirted with the same young women. The couples who were already married bragged about their children, who were either CEO's or wealthy businessmen and women. Waiters in their black and white uniforms carried silver platters of champagne flutes and luxurious little appetizers. I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, not waiting for his reaction. I may not be twenty one...but for Nephilim, the drinking age is sixteen. I wasn't raised by Nephilim but even I knew that. Plus, I'm pretty damn sure I can get through this evening without getting drunk. I'm not irresponsible like that. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention please."

The guests turned to face the from of the ballroom. A platform and pedestal had been set up amongst the long tables lining the room, set with fine China, gold silverware, and crystal wine glasses for dinner. The tablecloth itself was a champagne gold silk cover. I began calculating what if must have cost to put this whole evening together, but quit when I reached one hundred thousand. It's not important for me to know right now. I need to stay focused and on task. 

"On behalf of the McGallen family, I would like to thank you all for coming. This evening is a very special evening. Tonight we welcome a fellow political leader. So, without further ado, I give you the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Aloysius Rosenthal, and the First Family. The McGallens."

Through a door in the back, the McGallens and then Chancellor Rosenthal stepped out into the ballroom, smiling and waving. The guests clapped, reporters who were allowed inside for this small reveal taking pictures for their magazines and newspapers. President McGallen took the stand next, after the intro man stepped aside and shook his hand. President McGallen cleared his throat as the room went quiet again, the Chancellor and McGallens taking their seats at the front and center table.

Ariana wore a sequined bubblegum pink dress, her blonde hair pulled back into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. A big and expensive looking diamond necklace sat around her throat right above her sweetheart neckline (which also showcased her boobs. She is so desperate it's not even funny). The hoop earrings she wore swung whenever she moved her head. Her makeup, if you can even call it that, looked like a little kid had taken a paint-set to her face. Bright pink eyeshadow, lipstick, and blush mixed with heavy, winged eyeliner and mascara. She did that herself. There's no way in hell her makeup-artist for the campaign would let her wear that. She looks like a Barbie doll. 

Skylar, on the other hand, actually looked slightly better than what he usually does. His floppy hair was combed back and actually looked washed for a change. His hair gets so greasy that you could see your reflection in it sometimes if you looked hard enough...or so Preston tells me. He tries to see himself in Skylar's hair every time it looks greasy. Since he's young, it's funny. Skylar wore a nice shirt with nice black pants and his studs were gone from his eyebrow and lip. He actually looked...normal. Wow. Never thought I'd use that word to describe him.

Preston wore a simple little boys suit (his usual) and Margaret wore a black dress with a boat neck top. Around her neck was a silver necklace supporting a black onyx pendant. Her earring matched. Her red hair, curly like her son's, was curled into delicate ringlets and framing her oval face. I'm assuming anyone can guess what Presdient McGallen decided to wear. A tuxedo. 

"Good evening, everyone. First of all, I'd like to thank all of you again for attending this special occasion. It's not everyday we get to have the Chancellor of Germany here with us."

People clapped as President McGallen paused and motioned over to the Chancellor. He listened to the translator sitting next to him, smiled, and nodded at the crowd. I took a sip of my champagne,  doing one more scan of the ballroom. Possible exits (5), number of guests (237), number of Secret Service agents in the room, besides me, (10). President McGallen started speaking into the microphone again, his voice echoing through the ballroom, but I wasn't listening. Suddenly, I felt hot breath on my ear. Whirling around, I saw a familiar face. Joshua. He wore jeans and a dark blue t-shirt with American Eagle written across the front in white lettering. A stab of annoyance hit me. I thought I told him to stay away from the ballroom! Before he even so much as spoke, I grabbed his arm and hauled him out of a smaller door in the corner of the room. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed at him. 

He held up his hands in the universal sign of innocence. I rolled my eyes.

"Whoa, there's no need to freak out. I just got lost. I was looking for the pool."

He held up the small touristy looking backpack I hadn't seen in his hand.

"How can you get lost in the ballroom? I was all the way towards the front." I asked.

He shrugged.

"I saw you standing there and I needed help so I slipped over to you when nobody was looking."

I groaned, downing the last of my champagne and placing the empty glass on the ground at my feet.

"Joshua, you know how important it is that you stay away from these things. You've been staying with us for almost a whole week now. Your...dad doesn't have another chance at winning the election in three years if the fact that you're his son is let loose. Sure, in good time, maybe. But not now."

Joshua rolled his eyes.

"So I'm going to be a shadow forever? A bother in my own father's life?" 

"I didn't say that. Of course you aren't a, as you say, bother in your father's life. You just have to lay low for a while. Come on, I'll bring you to the pool but you have to promise me you'll stay there. I'm supposed to be guarding the dinner tonight, as you can see."

With that, he nodded and followed me. I left the champagne glass there. One of the waitstaff will find it. I'm sure of it.