The Social Gathering

Party. A social gathering with entertainment joined by invited guests and that meaning was not different among the affluent society. Expensive perfumes and jewelry, designer dresses and suits, high quality alcoholic beverages and the few most respected people in the society. One would wonder what it took to be among them, but no definite answer would be found to such a question. Despite how much money they had in their bank accounts, they all had one thing in common, secrets.

"Any news from the Freya's company? Are they really joining the party?"

"Nothing yet, no moves have been made and I just confirmed of their arrival minutes ago." Replied driver Sirma as he concentrated on the driving.

There were so many ways to trap a rabbit, but just because it was a rabbit doesn't make it stupid. A hunter should never underestimate it's prey. Who was the prey? Only time would tell.

"Errr, ma'am.." Sirma's voice echoed through the silent space of the car. "Madam Xanti was rushed to the hospital."

"Is everything alright?" Orana unfolded her hands and leaned forward to meet Sirma's eyes through the mirror.

"She fainted with a heart problem." Sirma himself was not sure about the information he recieved.

"A heart problem.." Orana leaned back to her former sitting position . No words could describe the feeling inside of her. It was neither pity nor joy, just confusion. Despite all the things she had been through, Madam Xanti was still Cian's mother. At that moment, it was Cian, Orana was worried about.

"Do you know which hospital they have gone to?" Orana reluctantly asked.

"Yes, should we go now?"

"No, it's not convenient now." Orana remembered the recent encounter with Caleb. It was now clear to her where the parade was heading to. Why did Caleb not mention anything about Madam Xanti's condition? Even though it was a family matter and she was excluded from them, Madam Xanti was still someone she had known from a very young age. Was that why Caleb had lost his calm in the elevator? Orana's mind suddenly diverted to the little scenario that took place earlier. It was the third time such a thing had happened between them. The memory of the first time, was still very clear to her, for everything changed after that.

"Should we directly go to the venue?"

"Aah no, it's too early." Orana got startled as if she had been caught committing a crime. "T-take me to my appartement first." She quickly turned her face to the mirror.

*********

Edward was in tuxedo for the evening event. It was a party organized by President Zain as an annual anniversary for their family company. As most annual company events, clients and shareholders for the company all gathered together to celebrate the growing profits and to create an environment of unity. Antonio Aram, as the president of the Freya's company and a close friend to the Zain's family was among the potential guests at the party. Being an introverted person, President Aram always tagged his brother along to such events. The social butterfly, Edward Aram, never turned down such an opportunity to taste expensive wine. The night had progressed beautifully, the wine was tasty and the conversations were long and successful. In the midst of the guests was a woman dressed in a red dress who had caught Edwards attention. The woman seemed familiar as she made way through the crowd with a smile on her face. Red lipstick. It was the lipstick that reminded Edward where the familiarity had came from. Orana Avak. Edward repeated the name through his mind as he continued to watch her from afar. The dress had brought out her slender figure and the color suited her beautifully, almost making Edward to not recognize her. Luckily he sat in a place where he could watch her every move. From his perspective, Orana only interacted with the influential and possible clients for Indian Pipe company. His eyes continued to follow as she moved from one guest to the next and had seemed to spend a few second with almost everyone in the room. President Zain was the next and the two, with the other group of men, had seemed to be closely acquainted. Edwards watched as they laughed and drunk the wine, when suddenly Orana's big eyes fell on him. It took him a few seconds to process the scenario and then the quickly looked away.

"Who is she?" Antonio who had been watching his brother finally let out his curiosity.

"Aah, her.. you must know her, Orana Avak." Edward replied as he tried to gain his composure.

"I mean who is she to you? You have been watching her since she walked into the room."

"Aah, well she came by the casino yesterday with President Zain and his friends. That's how I got introduced to her." Edward explained as he slowly sipped his red wine.

"Hmm." Antonio nodded and became silent. It was the silence that bothered Edward for being misunderstood by his brother was something he never wanted.

"She is interested in the land close to area x," Edward explained, hoping that would stop his brother from suspecting anything.

"Why would indian Pipe be interested in that? I thought we were negotiating for the nine red project." Antonio was confused. If Indian Pipe was to leave the nine red project, the Freya's company would not be able to handle it by themselves.

"Probably, they have given up. I heard your negotiation team had been rough on them."

"Interesting,.. we want that land. Redeveloping area X, would make our company to elevate more." Antonio put his pointed finger to his head as he thought of area X.

"She knows. I suspect that's why she is approaching President Zain."Edward turned his head back, to see if Orana was still visible but she had disappeared from his sight.

"Edward, we can't let them have area X, you might not know this but our company is a little bit unstable now. We need the nine red project and area X."

"Then why not take both of them." Edward was still trying to look for Orana in the crowd.

"It's risky, but worth a try. I will talk to father about it. She is really bold, President Zain has always been loyal to father. It's a losing game." Antonio who was not much of a drinker had already started to feel a little dizziness when a woman suddenly came before them.

"May I?" Orana's gestured at the empty seat opposite the two men.

"Sure, Miss Avak.. how do you do?" Antonio extended his hand to give a formal greeting to the woman.

"I am alright, we haven't met in a while President Aram. Have you been well?" Orana recieved the handshake and slowly sat down politely.

"Yes i have, i believe you already met my brother?" Antonio turned to his brother.

"Yes, we met yesterday at his casino. How are you?" Orana extented her hand in a formal greeting.

"Alright, thank you." Edward quickly finished his drink as he decided to make an excuse to leave. " I think you need to get home, it's late."

Antonio was surprised by his brothers sudden change in action. Why was he intimidated by Orana Avak? Assuming to get an answer, Antonio insisted to stay, " I am sorry Miss Avak, he has no decency in him. It's quite rude to leave as soon as someone comes Edward."

"If it's inconvenient for you, I could really entertain myself with the other guests, you don't have to think about manners." Empty words, that's what they were. Orana did not really intend to leave and they were the guests she was aiming for.

"No, please sit down. Edward will stay too. I see your hands are empty. What would you like to drink?" Antonio insisted.

"I have had enough of the fine wine. A glass of whiskey would be nice." Orana politely replied.

"Aah my brother likes whiskey too. Let's have it." At that point, Antonio could feel the alcohol taking over his system. It was really unwise for him to insist on staying.

"I really think you should continue with the wine and let me have the whiskey with Miss Avak." Edward had never seen his brother being so intellectual at an event.

"I never knew you were very close with President Zain." Antonio continued to engage a conversation.

"It just happened that we share common interests." Orana received the whiskey from the waiter.

"And what would that be?" Edward reluctantly asked the question before his brother could proceed.

"Is that really what you would like to know?" With her eyes fixed on Edward, Orana slowly moved in her seat.

Edward opened his lips and a smile came upon his face as he silently sipped the whiskey. The night was still young and just as always the whiskey had been faithful enough to calm him down. From what he had gathered about Orana, not only was she smart and intellectual person, but also also a cunning, conniving woman. There must have been a reason for her approaching them tonight, for every move she made from the moment she entered the room had a meaning. There was something but Edward couldn't put his finger on it. The more he analysed the situation, the more his interest of her increased.

"Did you know?" Edward suddenly broke the silence between them. "The word whiskey means water of life and ..."

"..,Nicholas Tesla used to drink it everyday." Orana finished his sentence.

"How did you know that?" After a long period of silence Antonio finally joined the conversations again.

"My bro..." Orana decided to correct herself, " I mean my friend, likes to say that every time we have a drink." She continued as her mind lingered with memories of the good times she had whiskey with Cian. He must be by Madam Xanti's side worried right? Maybe she should have gone to be by his side as he had always done.

"It's possible, i have said it a lot of times, someone must have told you." Edward slowly nodded as he took his last sip of the whiskey. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed his brother trying hard to stay awake.

"Did you also know?" Orana put the glass slowly on the table as she continued; "you can make whiskey from the urine of a diabetic person. "

"Hhhmm this is interesting. You also have interest in such kind of knowledge." Edward had found something new to add to his alcohol stories.

"I heard it from that same friend... Take President Aram home. We will meet again before the end of the week." Without saying much, Orana left.