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"Think about it. If I told you first, you would easily shoot down the idea, but if I invited everyone and gave them the promise that you would be in attendance, then you would have to be there," she had a triumphant smirk on her face as she crossed her arms and stared at me.
"Stay out of my business, Vanya!" I walked away.
"What I'm trying to say is that you can use my party as a platform to announce your engagement." I halted and gave her a look of intrigue. She had my interest now.
"Where will the party be at?" I narrowed my eyes.
"At my house. Be there on Friday with Audrey. That's her name, right? Audrey," she said with a tone of inquisitiveness, "What a pretty name. I can't wait to meet her. I can't wait to meet the one that finally captured my little brother's heart." She muttered to herself as she walked away and got into her car parked a short distance from the playground.
As I drove into the compound and caught Audrey sitting on the steps in front of the mansion, I held my breath and theworld froze in place. The passage of time, I realized, seemed to slow to grinding halt when I was in close proximity to her. Audrey was carrying my child, and as each day passed, I felt a deeper attraction for her, even deeper than I had anticipated. Gradually, my paternal instincts grew stronger, intertwining with a peculiar yet potent emotion that I couldn’t put into words.
She was reading a book with religious devotion. Her hair was made into a messy bun and she wore a flowing flowery dress.
"And what is it you're reading?" I beamed a smile as she returned one back.
"Hey, you're back. How did your meeting go?" She brushed the strand of her hair that danced before her face to the side.
"It was alright. Exactly as I imagined it would be," I hid the gift behind me, making sure it couldn't be seen by her, "So... What book is that?"
"Oh, it's a light novel called Classroom of the Elite. It has an anime adaptation but I decided to start with the novel first. I think you should read it. You strike me as the type of person who would enjoy it," she eyed me with a peculiar look.
"I actually got you something," I told her.
"Oh, what is it?"
I handed her a rare edition of a novel by the Japanese detective fiction writer Edogawa Ranpo and the way her face lit up brightened my spirit.
"Oh my, I actually had plans on getting this book. It's the one where Kobayashi is introduced. Thank you so much for this," she got up and hugged me.
"You're welcome. By the way," I pulled her away gently, "You should get ready for Friday."
"Why? What's happening on Friday?" She inquired.
"My sister will be hosting a dinner party then," I began, "And I'll be announcing our engagement to the world there."
Her face fell down.
***
“You seem lost in thought, Ivan,” Vlad’s voice cut through the air, his hand landing heavily on my shoulder.
“I think you need to do something to relieve yourself from all the stress you're feeling. This Bianchi business is annoying. It’s been a while since you’ve been to the clubs, right? Let’s go out tonight, get some girls and have fun. That should lift your spirits up, like old times.” He dragged on.
His words hung in the air for a moment. A cigarette found its way into my hand—as usual—and I lit it, the ember casting a dim glow in the otherwise dim room of the hotel. Memories of the wild nights I had once enjoyed in those clubs drifted to the forefront of my mind. The reckless abandon, the pulsating music, the allure of temporary distractions—it had all held a certain appeal back then.
The thought of indulging in the same hedonistic pursuits now felt empty, a shadow of the satisfaction they once provided. My gaze settled on the glowing tip of the cigarette, a slow exhale carrying my thoughts away with the dissipating smoke.
“I’m good, Vlad,” I replied, my tone dry despite the warmth of the room. “Maybe you should do it.”
His face registered complete surprise. It was as if my response had disrupted the script he had envisioned. In his eyes, the answer seemed so straightforward—a night of excess to drown the troubles that plagued me.
Vlad’s shoulders slumped slightly, his gaze shifting to the floor as if contemplating my words. “Alright, brother,” he muttered, his voice subdued.
"By the way, you've heard about Vanya's dinner party, right?" I asked Vlad before he left.
"Which one? The one on Friday?" He slouched and tilted his head to the left. I nodded.
"I heard about it. Not from her directly, but from a few senators who were invited," Vlad said, "She was probably very busy with arrangements that she forgot to tell me about it. Plus, maybe she realized it would be easier on her end if she just let me get the invitation from the people I mingled with. You know how efficient she can be sometimes."
