Chapter 161: Cousin Adir
When Shai Cal finally approached Luna himself, she greeted him politely and waited for him to speak. Although she was free to do as she pleased within her own household, in many places, it was still considered rude for a woman to speak before a man. This meant that Luna was forced to stand in silence until Shai said something first, but the man just stood there staring at her for several minutes and Luna was about to lose her temper. Throwing caution aside she questioned him.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Luna said, but the man just raised an eyebrow, 'hmphed' and walked away. She could not tell if he was annoyed or offended, but she did not care.
Luna slightly shrugged her shoulders. She could afford to offend a wealthy family or two and she would not be made a fool out of. Leaving the spot she was in, Luna made her way toward the exit. If she slipped out now, she would have time to rest before the banquet she was scheduled to attend in the evening. However, as she neared the doors to the auditorium, the man approached her again. This time she did not waste time or words.
"Mr. Cal, if there is anything you would like to say to me, please do," Luna said. The man flashed a satisfied and curious smile.
"Attend the banquet with me tonight," he said abruptly.
----
Adir had come late to the conference. He only noticed little Luna as she seemed to be making her way out. He watched as one of his old acquaintances blocked the girl's path with a scowl plastered on his face. Adir could not hear their conversation, but based on the smile on Shai's face, he knew Luna had probably rejected the man.
From what Adir remembered about Shai; the man preferred his women to be uninterested in the beginning. He would never force them, but he would diddle with them until they grew interested in him. The man would spare no expense, if the woman like flowers he bought flowers, if she like jewelry he bought jewelry. Shai would continue that game until he got what he was after, and then he would abandon his target.
It was odd behavior that had garnered the attention of many, and had been the spark of several rumors, including the one about Shai being 'fruitless.' Adir knew that the man used that belief to his advantage and Shai had 'lost his virginity,' to several naive women back in their school days. Since the young women, who were used, would never openly admit to having a premarital affair, Shai was never found out, but the men who were close to him, including Adir, knew all about his schemes.
----
Shai was not interested in Luna in the least. She was a strong willed woman, who he knew would be a tough nut to crack, but if his memory served him correctly, Luna was the younger sister of President Ian Lee. If he could be seen with her, he could let the rumors do the rest and perhaps get a few business deals out of it. Shai did not expect someone he once knew to interrupt his plans before he had a chance to put them into action.
"Little Luna," a voice called out. "I feel like I haven't seen you in years," Adir said.
"Cousin Adir!" Luna exclaimed with a true smile on her face. She was relieved by his presence.
The two were not truly related, but there were so many marriages between the Lee and Staton families that their generations had been forbidden to intermarry. As a result, the children were taught to address each other as brother, sister, or cousin. For Ian and Drax, who had met later in life due to Ian's strict homeschool routine and Drax's military upbringing, it was hard to adjust, but for Luna who was younger and friendlier, it was not a big deal. Besides that, she was uninterested in any of the Staton men.
Luna approached Adir and respectively bowed her head to him, he was almost seven years older than her, and their familial bond demanded for her to do so.
"What is that?" Adir asked. "Don't be so formal with me. I am not an old man just yet," he said playfully, and Luna chuckled.
"You are married with a child. I think that makes you old by default." Adir shook his head.
"Speaking of family. I hope to see you at my father's banquet in the coming weeks." Luna nodded.
"I have already received the invitation and I will be there," she said.
"Are you just coming or leaving?" Adir asked.
"I am leaving," Luna replied. She shot a glance toward Shai, who smirked at her the entire time she was speaking.
"Come let me walk you to your car," Adir said, and the pair left the hall leaving the man alone.
Shai continued to smirk; he was aware that Adir had intervened on purpose, but as his old friend knew, he could be very patient when it came to something he wanted.
----
Outside of the conference hall, Adir's expression became serious.
"Stay away from that man," he said to Luna and she nodded.
"I will try," she replied.
"Whatever happens, do not allow yourself to be alone with him. He has a way with misunderstandings," Adir warned, and Luna took the hint. "If he bothers you again tell your brother immediately. I don't know what he could be planning, but I can tell he is plotting something." Luna nodded. Adir opened her vehicle and helped her to climb inside. "Greet the family for me," he said before closing the door behind her.
----
Luna did not know why, but she suddenly wished she had someone who could accompany her to these sorts of events. She thought that if there was a man with her back then, she would not have captured the attention of Mr. Cal.
Shai Cal had been known for his detached personality, but Luna detected something vulgar about him. It was not the way he spoke to her, but it was in the way he looked at her back then. She was glad that Adir had come to rescue her. Otherwise, she was sure the man would have followed her out and it would have given onlookers the impression that they left the event together. Luna decided to skip the banquet that night. She could always explain the situation to her brother if he inquired about it later.