Dominus (Book I: parts 1-3)

CHAPTER TWO

 CHAPTER TWO

"Deep are the waters that it surrounds us so all I can see is blue, it's just us two/Midnight swimming, been taking risks like we're living from my view, from my view/Lay back on the bed the show's just about to get started, baby/No, it never gets too old/Sign me up, no "ifs", "ands" or "maybes"/That's what I like about you/That's what I like/That's what I like/That's what I like about you/That's what I like/That's what I like/You're my midnight swim." — Vanessa Elisha 'Midnight Swim' 

           

 "I was beginning to get concerned that you weren't coming," Alexander said with a sly grin.

 Jennifer is overly snarky, which is usually the case whenever she is forced to engage in conversation with her father.

 "We both know these things are my birthright. Far be it for me to miss them and have everyone question you about my whereabouts," she replies.

 They each have a well polished fake smile as they speak to each other, as to not give any indication of the obvious tension between them. To most people in this room, and the outside world, they are the epitome of America. They are the representation of all that is great about this country. Their family is the American dream realized. All that is known of their history is the glossed over fabrication of immigrants coming to this country, who through hard work and good old gumption, were able to carve out a legacy in this great nation of ours.

 Underneath the surface, there are more sinister ties that bind their family together.

 "Don't be so coy, my dear. Your whereabouts are never in question. The tabs I keep on you remain perfectly intact." He says this in a sheepish manner, but there is more truth to this than not.

 Alexander accompanies them down the corridor that leads to the Grand Ballroom. Alexander nods to Robert, as to say "have a good evening" without really saying words. Jennifer cannot be more relieved that he is not being seated with them. His table is clear on the other side of the room, close to the stage where the President will greet this evening's guests, before the dinner officially proceeds.

 Their table is left of center of the room. It is amazing to see all of these influential people and various world leaders in the same room. It looks like the United Nation's Summit. Jennifer does not particularly care for the quality of people found in The District, but she secretly enjoys the glitz and the glam of it. She loves the pageantry and is fully immersed in the opulence. She thrives in this environment. She is so beautiful that she captivates the room. Being captivating is not something that can be learned. It is innately ingrained in the fibers of what makes you unique. It can, however, be refined and perfected.

 Jennifer is no stranger to entrapping the eyes of men in the snares of her beauty. This is the most important thing her father taught her. Men easily succumb to desire and covetousness. No creation is more desirable, more coveted by man, than the rib that was pulled out of Adam and created specifically for him. Just as Adam was seduced by Eve to partake in the forbidden fruit; men are still persuaded to partake in the forbidden fruit from a woman's loins, rich and ripe, ready to be plucked. Although subconsciously she knows these things, her heart is too pure to exploit their weakness.

 Women also gravitate to her subtle smile, and the genuineness of her personality. Her father prepared her for this. Like his father before him, he uses people for what he can gain from them. His daughter's beauty was often used as a lure to ensnare the misguided affections of men. Jennifer doesn't speak of these long forgotten happenings. It may be out of self preservation. Be it forgotten memories or unspeakable impositions, a time long forgotten will once again be summoned, reconstituting her most earnest disdain for her father and her lineage. For now, she is the life of the party, although there is another who many begin to whisper about.