MEN PART 2-E

`Alright, Alex I have highlighted the ones who fit together and those who don't. Look here, your family, the rich and important ones are towards the front and middle. Friends are at the right side, towards the back', Dustin explained the seating chart to Alex Mann.

`I have an idea. How many floors did your folks book?', Luciano asked.

`Two. The first floor for dancing and screwing around', Alex grinned at his friends.

`How about pushing all the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes to the first floor leaving the elder generations at the ballroom?', Luciano made a vulgar V sign and moved his tongue out around his fingers.

`Well, you have roughly about 350 names here. And if we deduct some, should be okay I guess?' Dustin spoke, and picked up an empty chart and started redoing the seating arrangement.

`This is going to be the best ever party. Did you book rooms for us?', Miller asked.

`No. I don't plan to', Alex knew what they were up to but he did not want to involve himself in their nightly activities with women.

`I think I will be done with these arrangements by an hour', Dustin continued helping Alex with the guest's lists.

`Thanks, man', Alex leaned back on his couch and put his leg up on the coffee table.

`You need to get laid', Brody jested.

`I will', Alex simply replied, not wanting to share stuff with him.

`You still painting?', Brody touched a sensitive topic and the room turned quiet.

`Yeah', Alex replied softly. `Talk about anything else but that',

`Sorry, dude. Thought I could get a drawing of some naked girl from you', Brody made gestures of a woman's body with his hands.

`Not happening', Alex muttered and pointed to his game console for his friends.

His friends picked up an Xbox Game Console and played Fortnite on it. Luciano and Brody were loud. Miller was fiddling with his phone and smirking. Probably setting up a date with a random chick.

Alex walked to Dustin and sat next to him. He sent a quick text to Astrid seeking her confirmation.

Alex: Hi, Gd Afternoon.

Astrid: Same to you. Anything?

Alex: Who is ur date 4 my parent's dinner?

Astrid: Guess who?

Alex: Wagner?

Astrid: Bingo

Alex: Any seating preferences?

Astrid: No idea how it is. 😊

Alex decided to peer into the papers and picked up a pen. `Shall we do a horseshoe formation of tables and add burlesque in the middle? We can use it later as a dance floor. I can get Dita Von Teese to perform'. Dustin King suggested.

`But will she agree? I mean the dinner is a week away', Alex was nervous with any last-minute addition. He feared his father would fire him away for being stupid.

`Trust me. I've known her for quite some time now', Dustin winked at him and grabbed his phone to place a phone call.

`Damn. Burlesque is a hot entrée', Miller looked up from his phone and grinned.

Alex merely shrugged and concentrated on the seating arrangement. Finally, he can choose where to place Astrid. He saw that Dustin had placed all the sons and daughters of prominent people in the front row of the horseshoe, followed by friends and acquittances in the second row.

He sighed in resignation when he realized he was in the same table with Astrid and Hadwin Wagner. He did not want to be on the same table with them when he had feelings for her. He hated himself for being insecure with her. He scribbled some changes here and there, unknowingly sealing her fate for the night.

Little did he know, Miller Smith was standing beside him, overlooking the name list. When he saw Astrid Kaija's name on the list, his eyes widen in surprise. He was stunned for a moment. Finally, he got served on a silver platter with the bitch. Oh, this is going to be a fun night to torment her, he thought. Finally, an eye for an eye to satiate his ego which she deflated back in high school.

Dustin finished his phone call and beamed excitedly. He managed to coax Dita Von Tesse to perform a show with a giant martini glass. The entire mood of the drawing-room increased a notch in excitement when Dustin King spoke of the good news.

Alex's friends left soon after the confirmation and finalization of the timing, monies involved and the logistics for Dita Von Tesse's show. They decided to keep it a secret only to reveal it on the day itself.