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Walking us closer to the French doors, I pointed out where there were elephants dressed in large bright colored coats and top hats like a circus act, and people were feeding and petting them. I bounced against Abel. “Can we pet the elephants? Can we?” I gazed at him with pleading eyes.
“You want to pet the elephants?”
“Oh, yes. I love them. They’re such beautiful creatures.”
“Very well, if my baby wants to pet the elephants, we’ll pet the elephants.”
Abel guided me outside, and the closer I got to them, the more hyped I became. I cuddled close to the massive creatures and giggled when they wrapped their trunks around my waist. They were sweet, and I fell instantly in love. Sadly, we stepped away, but then I noticed monkeys, chimps, and camels. Abel frowned when I asked to greet them all, but he didn’t deny me.
Knowing this wasn’t why we were here, I kept my visit short-lived, but I loved every minute.
“I’ll take you on a safari or something. Then you can have all the time with the animals you want.” Abel whispered in my ear as he walked next to me back inside.
A happy dance played in my head, as a trip like that would be my dream come true.
Abel and I ran into a few people from the cocktail party the sorority houses hosted, but quite a few older alumni were around. This was a must since this was the introduction to the secret society for the new pledges.
A waiter stepped forward and offered us drinks. Abel took a glass of champagne, but I declined. My stomach was still in knots from the phone call from my mother, and with everything Abel told me in the car, I wanted to keep my wits about me. I didn’t want to miss out on something important.
Abel guided me around the room a few times, and we danced to an older jazz song as Abel wanted us to be seen.
“There are many people here, but many are missing.”
“Do you know who all the members are?”
“No, I have my suspicions, but I won’t know until I become a full-fledged member. Until then, I’ll only meet a few of them. I think the big hitters in politics and the upper echelons of the Fortune Five Hundreds will keep their heads down. If pledges aren’t accepted, I’m sure they don’t want to be hounded after the fact.”
The whole secret society thing was far too much for my liking. It was crazy how they held their elaborate and far-fetched functions. It was too strange to believe it wasn’t over the top in every aspect.
The song ended, and Abel guided me off the dance floor. The same waiter who had offered me drinks several times already approached us and offered me a glass. I declined once again and took a good look at him. Yes, it was the same waiter from when we arrived. Why didn’t he keep offering other people a drink?
“I’m relieved I know many of these people. If not, well, at least within passing. They’ve graduated from Malum Kings Academy, and I’ve seen them around. A lot of them are my frat brothers who have graduated.”
Abel looked over at a group of guys that held the air of frat brotherhood. “Would you like to go and say hello?”
Abel was about to say something when Evan Michael joined us. “Evan, how wonderful to see you here?” Of all of Abel’s frat brothers, I liked Evan the most and found myself comfortable in his presence. He was respectful and kind. He was a sophomore only a year above me, but everybody liked him. Even Abel tolerated him best.
“Hello, Chan, you look lovely this evening.”
Another bonus with Evan, Abel didn’t seem to get his ultra, macho jealousy with Evan. Maybe because deep down, he knew Evan was respectful and didn’t do anything that wasn’t honorable.
“My word, what are you doing here?”
Evan laughed and took a drink of his water. “I’m a blood seat. I’m here to continue furthering my family empire.”
“Empire?” It never dawned on me to ask about his family or what they did. With his kind nature and southern charm, it didn’t click that he attended the same school as me, where the uber-rich reign.
Evan cocked his head and gave me his southern sweet smile. “Why yes, Miss Montgomery, my family has been in oil for several generations. My great, great, great grandfather struck gold when he was out plowing the fields one day and never looked back. Did you think I was just a Texas hillbilly?”
Gasping, I shook my head, afraid I’d offended him. “No, of course not. I never thought that for a second.”
Abel and Evan both laughed. “Relax, Chan. You’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I’m messing with you.”
Abel asked Evan a couple of questions over whether there were particular people he should make introductions to. Evan became calculating and made a quick plan as he pointed out several members, and it was a far cry from how I’d seen him in our chats or when he’d escorted me home. Evan’s brain matched nicely with Abel’s. Listening to them talk was interesting because it appeared like they were one mind. I was lost.
Maybe because Evan’s cornbread accent had made me not notice his sharp mind until now. I wanted to smack myself for being prejudiced in my assumption.
The same waiter made his hundredth round and offered me a glass. I declined and squealed when Kailey appeared in front of me.
