Danger Demystified

Boarding the 160-ft luxury superyacht charter that my dad once owned, I bumped Alfie at the entrance. A huge smile formed at his face.

"Wow! Look at this goddess! You know what, you never failed to amaze with your transformation. Truly, Hera's elegant genes is running through your veins…"Alfie was busy admiring my elegant appearance until he saw the duffel bag hidden at my back.

"Miss Artemis, what is that? Please, not this time! Please, not this party, not when Gregory is on board," he said as he tried to get the bag from me.

Alfie, although loyal to my mother, he is one of the people who knew all the nasty things I've done to enrage her, like turning things up in her parties, embarrass her during social meet-ups, but never dared to rat me out since he knew he is going down with me.

My unrestrained laugh broke out and disappeared among the noise of the classical band and sea waves. "Hey, stop worrying. This is mum's emergency dress that she had me picked up. I'm just going to leave it at the cabin."

He held up his hand to his chest in relief. I took off my pretty uncomfortable Louboutin shoes (which everyone did) yet it didn't make a difference since I'm almost six feet tall. The party had its full hundred guests except for the highlight of the party which still seems pretty unreasonable for throwing a six-figure reception. Some personnel had me put on a wristband which means the security is pretty tight. I saw familiar faces among the very sophisticated, civilized crowd in this multi-million pound superyacht docking at the country's famous harbor: a group of high-society people, rich businessmen, high-profile models from my mum's agency, fashion designers and a few of famous celebrities. Only some of these people know my real identity. My mum is not that open and very proud of me since day one which is a different case for my brother, Jason, who is the golden apple of her critical eyes.

I ran to the private cabin to hide my duffel bag. When I came out, I tried to catch a glass of Perrier-Jouet champagne and a taste of Caviar Perlita. Then I saw Hera Goldberg glaring at me from the VVIP section on the bow of the boat. She looked ravishing in a silver, skin-tight Chanel dress which made her looked not a day over thirty years old except she is already on her fifties. She motioned me to join her and I rolled my eyes when she turned around.

As I made my way to her, everybody turned around and stared at me with all-teeth smiles and glowing eyes, including my mum. What is happening?

Then my mum was handed out with the handheld microphone and with excitement she announced,

"Everybody, let me have your attention as we welcome the highlight of this party."

The lights around the boat glowed down that blended with the night sky and city lights. Then, a warm spotlight went towards me which made throw into a nervous fit until it went past behind me.

"With my son, Jason Goldberg, CEO of Goldberg Group of Companies, help me welcome to our wondrous country, Mr. Gregory Lee-Warren, the future president of Warren Group of Companies."

Everyone let out thunderous claps. As my brother and his guest went through their way, smiling, greeting, and handshaking, I went out of the way and disappeared in the crowd to watch them from afar.

Champagne on my hand and leaning on the cold, metal railing, I watch my mum greeting Jason and Gregory with her ever present warm smile and accommodating attitude. Seeing this from afar, a pain shot through my heart trying to disregard the feeling of jealousy. The champagne suddenly tasted bitter. My mum was always cold and distant towards me which I could never shake off.

My brother looks like an exact copy cat of dad: tall, dark, muscular, and undeniably handsome. He smiles with his eyes, moves with such gracefulness like a gentleman he is, and acts with such kindness and humility. He never treated himself above others considering we are born with silver spoons. But he never once had mum force him to model which could probably surpass the best looking models mum has in her agency. Jason is a hard-ass stubborn if he wanted to.

Gregory, on the other hand, is a different story. His presence demands attention. He is quite taller than an average guy. He is dark, tanner than Jason, his shoulders are wide enough to embrace three Hera Goldberg. I can say he is fit that way his white suit perfectly wrapped his perfectly toned body. Jason is into weightlifting these days which made him more bulky. His hair is black and long that was cut shoulder-length. People around him are a little uncomfortable since he got the serious look and not that generous with his smiles. His features are sharp the way shadows played around his face. As much as I won't believe it, people who have seen him up close and wandered my way remarked along these lines:

"God! He was impossibly handsome! I heard he is Italian." Wow, I didn't know being Italian makes you that handsome.

"Oh, girl! His face is out of this world!" What? Is he an alien now?

"I've never seen a man that good-looking!" Even the straight guys are going gay! I am having the best time of my life alone here.

I spotted Alfie giggling and obviously exhilarated and elated beside my mum. He got his wish after all. I think all the guests have met and greeted the star of the event except me and I was planning not to.

Seeing all the excitement and merriment going on, I realized that I am not a missing piece of the puzzle in this party which having me attending this is pretty useless. Life goes on without me anyway.

Mum prepared a program which is made up of speeches and what else which I didn't bother to listen. After two hours and two bottle of champagne, I found myself in the restricted area of the yacht, just outside the bridge. Thanks to my high alcohol tolerance, I can still enjoy this party with some nice champagne.