August Ballet (12 Months Series - Part 1)

Chapter 19

Akansha is sitting on the bar stool, listening to Isis complaining about her captain in Afghanistan army base and drinking whiskey on rocks.
"That guy is just a nightmare. He has no practical experiences, up till now he was working by the desk in Pentagon and knows nothing about the everyday situation in the mountains. I tried to reason him from the first day, I tried to help him, you know, telling him the right way to do things there..."
"Maybe that's the trouble," smirks Calliope, "men hate to be told what to do from women in general so he might have felt offended by you giving advice."
"Offended!" Calls Isis. "I tried to help. He's just an ungrateful brat. All the guys and girls there are coming to me with any trouble. I deal with the local people most of the times because unlike somebody I actually learned their language. He should welcome my advices with open arms and not pout like a little boy. Such an immature moron, really."
Akansha is smiling amused by her sister's troubles with her superior. She hears a lot about Isis being actually quite harsh to any newbie there. She has to be like that because they are all in life threating situation there, it's a war zone and there is no place for mistakes. However some people find Isis a little bit too demanding and domineering. She tends to treat people the same way she treats her dogs - she gives simple, clear and harsh sounding commands and expects them to be completed immediately without discussions. To loyal and hardworking people she is generous and can complement them from time to time, to lazy and reckless people she is tough and she can make them feel like naughty children. And many people are not comfortable with that.
Akasha's phone rings and she checks the text message. She smiles and puts away her glass. "I go out. Don't wait for me tonight." Akansha announces and is heading to the back entrance.
"What? You have plans for tonight? Where are you going? Do you have a date?" Calliope showers her with questions and is following Akansha.
"I have some plans. And it's none of your business, darling." Replies Akasha and opens the back door. Dark sedan car is waiting there. The windows are tainted so it's not apparent who is sitting by the wheel. Akansha steps to the car, opens the door and gets to the passenger seat.
Calliope is breaking her neck to see the driver. She can see a person with dark baseball cap, sunglasses and a mask. She can't even be sure if it's a man or woman. The car doors close and the car drives away. Calliope goes back to Isis.
"So? Is she having a date?" Asks Isis. Calliope tells her about the mysterious driver in the car. Isis laughs. "So our sister is dating a Phantom of the opera."
"I think she is dating someone local for a longer time now... I spoke to her colleague few weeks ago when I was in London and she told me Akansha sometimes takes one day leave either on Friday or Monday and spends that time either in Seoul or in Tokyo. And she saw her once with Asian guy in London. It started after she came back from the vacation in Alps."
Isis laughs. "And what are you trying to suggest? So she is dating someone. Akansha was always quite open when it came to lovers."
"Yes! Lovers! She used to prefer one night stands but this is lasting for like a year now. That's unusual. And she apparently keeps it a secret. That's what worries me."
Isis is smiling wildly. "What worries me is the pattern. Victoria got married to Asian guy and Akansha is apparently dating one. Charlotte is followed by that boy the whole evening, Isobel is in a relationship with his friend. Grace probably didn't realise it but before she left, the one of Hak Yeon's friends was giving her some serious stares. It seems like our family is little bit fond of Asian men." Giggles Isis. "Who's gonna be next?"
"Don't look at me!" Calls Calliope and starts to laugh.
"Sorry, but you have a long dog hair on your dress. It's kinda drawing my attention." Sounds a low voice next to them. Calliope turns and has to look up into a smiling face. She gets surprised a little bit and freeze. She can see him picking the animal hair from her dress but she can't really move or say anything. She's in trans. "See?" He speaks and shows her a long straight black hair.
Calliope awakes from the trans. "Oh! Right! Thank you!"
"Don't pet your dog when you are wearing a gown next time." Smirks the young man.
"I didn't pet my dog. I visited a dog shelter in the morning and it probably got stuck in my hair or something and then it got to the dress. I'm a veterinarian..." Calliope stops herself. Why is she even explaining it to him? Why is she blabbering like a fool? It's that eyes smile of his. It's confusing. And those perfect white teeth. They are blinding her.
"I'm sorry that I jumped to conclusion, then. I find your profession admirable. Good luck in your further life, miss!" He bows and leaves them.
Calliope can't help herself and watches him leaving.
"I'll make some chart and start taking bets on next marriage. You will get a good rate for the beginning." States Isis and drinks her drink up.