Sabre Family
20 minutes ago
3rd Person's POV
The executives are now inside the Sabre's mansion having a small talk in the huge living room. Mostly about their guests. All of them are there except for Shia, who's still stuck in the traffic caused by her beloved brother.
"Hey Ranx, where's Boss Shia? I thought you said you're going to get her?" Kevin asked while playing in his Nintendo switch.
"Huh? She's struck in traffic which is good. The longer the better." Ranx answered while staring intensely at his switch, where he and the boys are currently playing. Well, except for his father, Edward.
"Eeh? What's so good about it? Isn't it better if she's here earlier? I don't want to deal with those guests of ours." Kevin answered as he aimed at one of member of the enemy's team to finish the game.
"I agree with Kevin. Besides, I still have to attend the meeting for the annual Blood Battle."
"It's because I made a surprise for her and why are you guys so good at this?!" Kevin laughed at his response while Ranx was continuing his growling.
"Heh. Well, Mr. Ranx. It's simply because you suck at this." Kevin said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Which irked Ranx and attacked him a like a rabid dog.
"Now now, that's enough. Ranx, stop acting like a rabid dog and release Kevin. You might accidentally kill him." Edward interrupted as he grabbed Ranx by the collar of his shirt. "By the way Chase, you seem awfully quiet today. Mind telling us?"
"(sigh) Boss its just that, someone took my sister away from me." He said with a sad tone and lone tear dropping from his eye.
"Someone took Crase away from you? Well if it's true, then that person is clearly messing with Shia. You know how much she loves Crase." Edward said as he dropped Ranx on the floor who's now calm.
"That's the point Boss. Boss Shia knows but she didn't do anything to get her back! Are they finally abandoning me?" Chase was now crying while hugging Marky who looks like tired of all the things happening. Edward only chuckled at his response.
"Oh come on Chase. It's not that bad. Who knows, maybe she's hanging out with your future brother-in-law." Heather interrupted whilst drinking her tea. By hearing that, Chase bolted up and looked at her with a terrified expression.
"What future brother-in-law are you talking about?! No, I will not allow it! Especially if it's that bestfriend of Shia's secretary! No, definitely not! Over my dead, hot, and musculine body!" The other executives sweat dropped by hearing his sweet and caring but over confident statement. And as if on cue, Crase entered the living room happily humming to her self, which eventually Chase saw.
"Crase, are you finally leaving your brother?! Why did you chose him out of all the people?!" Crase looks confused and weirded out at the same time by her brother's acts.
"Huh? What are you talking about Chase? Are you referring to Alex? And stop it, my neck hurts!" Crase answered, half lying about her neck.
"Yes! That Alex dude. I will not allow him to be my future brother-in-law!"
"Uh, stop it Chase. I don't even like him. And I was only with him for the sole reason of 'entertaining a guest'. Now stop it, he's now with Xian's family in the backyard catching up with each other. Geez." With that, Chase finally calmed down and sat back down with him still hugging Crase.
Just then, Samuel and Rachelle entered saying that Shia and her secretary arrived and are now in front of the main door. The aura inside suddenly changed into a dark and menacing one. Even the two butlers. When it opened, they immediately darted their eyes towards Xian who was standing beside Shia. The staring lasted for about a few seconds that was broken by Shia fake coughing.
Shia's POV
"Ehem. Good afternoon everyone. Sorry we're late." They're at it again. Giving a deadly stare at the unfamiliar people around me. I can't really blame them though.
"Good afternoon to you too Shia. It's okay, you're just right on time. Samuel and Rachelle just finished cooking."
Wow. Their mood literally changed 180° degrees in a split second. What a good actors they are. They, I mean 'WE' deserve an Oscar Award. (sigh) Why am I not surprised. But I bet Xian is terrified right now. Poor kid (smirk).
"So, shall we now take lunch? I'm pretty sure my secretary is tired from the drive on the way here. We can do some catching up while eating." I said having a small smile we walk towards the dining room. Dad and the others then smiled softly and agreed with it. "Samuel, please tell the guests that we'll be having lunch soon. The meeting will also follow shortly." Samuel nodded and proceeded to go to the backyard to get Xian's family.
"Wooooww! It's so pretty!" I looked at Xian who was beside me. He looks mesmerized. Well, I can't blame him. It's his first time seeing this kind of things. It looks pretty normal to me though. Then Xian's family arrived with Samuel.
We went to our own designated seats. Dad was sitting in the end of the long table since he's the head of the family. I was on his right side and beside me is Xian, then Crase and Chase, Alex and Marky. On the left side of Dad sat Ranx nii-chan, uncle Dominic, Heather and Kevin, Xian's grandma and grandpa, in between them sat Xenia, Xian's younger sister and on the other end is Xian's mother, Caren.
"Now, shall we start eating? It's not good to let the food wait." Dad said with a gentle smile. He should be a Hollywood actor.
We started eating and started catching up with each other, Xian's family agreeing here and there. Eventually, Marky opened the topic about the meeting. Dad was not really surprised since he knows that he still have to attend the meeting for the annual Blood Battle that will take place within after 5 months.
"Oh yeah, thank you for reminding me that Marky. Samuel, please get us some wine to set up the mood." Dad you don't need to set up the mood since your presence alone can make anyone listen to anything you say. Accompanied by us, then it's definitely unfair for the other party.
Samuel arrived with a wine and Rachelle then started to pour it in our wine glasses. Xenia just looked curiously at the substance being poured at our glasses. What a cute kid.
"Can I also drink it?" She asked while tilting her head to the side which earned a few giggles and smiles from us.
"Of course not, young lady. You must be of the same age as your brother to be able to drink it." Hmmm, Dad really has a soft spot for kids. But Xenia seems like a stubborn kid, let's see how he deals with it. I thought as I took a sip from my wine.
"Why? Is it bad for me? But Mom seems to be enjoying it." She really is stubborn. But I think she should be okay. I mean, I started drinking when I was her age. Even younger, I think?
"Yes it is. Now stop being a stubborn young lady and I'll tell Samuel to get something that has a same color of the wine, yeah?" Dad said smiling. He looks much more handsome when smiling. Too bad it's just an act. But who knows, maybe it's real.
"Yeah!" Hmm, cute. We started drinking and all of us are wearing a serious face. Except for Xian who seems to be shaking on his seat. Also, Xenia is an exemption since she went to play with Rachelle. It's not appropriate for a kid to be listening to serious things adults talk about. Now, let's see what the tea is about (smirk).
"Mr. Sabre, what can this meeting be about?" Caren, Xian's mother asked Dad directly. Getting bold now are we?
"Getting straight to the point now are we, Mrs. Russel. That's what I like in women." Dad answered while having a playful smirk. Can you please stop hitting on a woman? "Well then, if that's what you like, I'll go straight to the point. I just want to know the norms, you know."
"The norms? What do you mean by that Mr. Sabre?" She answered clearly confused but trying not to show it. It won't work on us you know?
"Norms. You know, the family's social standing and the likes. Simply put, a background check." The air in the dining room was tense. It was almost suffocating. Not to us though, we're used to it. I glanced at Xian and Alex. Xian was shaking on his seat while Alex was hogging all the food. No one cares really. He's living his life, so let him be.
" A background check? That's like asking a person their permission to stalk them. And not to be rude Mr. Sabre, what makes you think that you can do a background check in this line of work?" Caren answered sternly. She do have a point, just a little.
"Well think about it, Mrs. Russel. You worked and studied psychology right? So to treat your patients, you need to do a background check so you will know what caused their illness correct? It's the same in the business industry. We can't take in people who's background may ruin the business. It's for the sake of the country's economy after all." Dad stated in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Now that's what you call a point. As expected of my Dad.
Caren was rendered speechless. Dad was right. You need to check your patients background to treat them. In every line of work, background check is like the basic of the basics. Especially, in our line of work.
"Very well then. But we will not tell you anything personal and I'll only answer things that I could. Is it okay with you Mr. Sabre?"
"As you wish. Well then, let's start. First, tell me about your family." Dad glanced at me and the others, reminding us to take note of everything they say.
"Fine. We're like any family you can find everywhere. We're not rich but we're happy. I have a good job, a nice husband, and two beautiful kids. But it all changed when my husband started to cheat on me. Xian would tell me that he saw his Dad with a girl he didn't know eating lunch together and they are acting very intimate. It happened several times until I saw them with my own eyes. I confronted him and he didn't even tried to say that it isn't true. After that, we got divorced and I got diagnosed with a kidney failure. Since then I quit being a psychiatrist to get my treatment. Good thing that my parents were there to help me out." She said with a sad smile.
Now that's what you call normal. That's the typical story for a broken family. I glanced at Xian and he's still shaking, but with anger. A normal reaction. I remember, I used to be like that whenever I hear my stepfather's name even if I already killed him.
"Hm, that was pretty sad. Sorry for your loss. Okay, next is, what is Xian like? It's important that I know about it. I can't risk my daughter's well-being." Oh please, it's not like I can't handle my self.
"What Xian is like? Oh I can answer that!" Alex said while still hogging the food. I hope he's okay. "Xian and I have been friends ever since we were young. He's so nice and brave, in a way. He always thinks of others before himself that it's a bit annoying. Oh, girls also flock him like a bunch of flies in a water buffalo's butt. But even so, he never got a chance to have a girlfriend. He said he's so scared to hurt a girl's feelings even if he always rejects anyone who confesses to him. Oh right, he's was also very sickly. Like, every month he gets a very high fever. Good thing it's gone now."
Sickly? Hmm, that's strange. I'm sure there's something behind it. I'll just deal with it later. But girls flocking around him? Not that surprised. I mean, he's cute and handsome at the same time. Wait, why am I thinking about this kind of things? This is absurd.
"Interesting. Is that all?" Oh, Dad is taking interest on him? Well, that's what you call interesting.
"That's pretty much all of it, Mr. Sabre."
"Ok good. Now for the last question. Mrs Russel, or should I say Ms Roco, by any chance, are you willing to have me as your suitor?" Dad asked as a playful smirk grazed his lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Gasps and coughs filled the room. I almost choked on my wine and Ranx nii-chan choked really hard on his wine. To the point that the wine splashed all over my face. Added by Xian also choking on his wine that also splashed to my face since he was looking at Dad at that time. Relax Shia. Just relax. Control your temper.
"Shia? Shia! Shia my baby, I'm so so so so sorry! Samuel, tissue! Here baby, let me wipe that. I'm really sorry!" Ranx nii-chan kept wiping my face with a tissue. Although it just made it all worse when he accidentally smacked my wine that resulted with it splashing all over my dress. Then he started panicking again.
"Nii-chan, please stop. You're just making it worse. I'm fine just go back to your seat." I said having a strained smile. "Samuel, give me some towel please. And Rachelle, you know what to do. Dad, just get on with this."
"Uhm Shia, I'm sorry. Let me wipe it for you. Don't worry, I'll be careful." I just let Xian do what he wants. And as he said, he's really careful, not like my brother who's now crying in Heather's arms saying that he's not worthy as my brother and mumbling sorry.
"Right Shia. As I was saying, Ms Roco, are you perhaps willing to have me as your suitor?"
"Ehem. I'm sorry to dissapoint you Mr Sabre, but I'm not interested in having a suitor as of the moment." She said as she looked intently at my father's eyes. That's right Caren, don't agree with my Dad. You'll regret it for the rest of your life.
"As of the moment? Does that mean that when the time comes I can finally be your suitor?" Dad's so stubborn. He won't stop until he get what he wants.
I want to get out of here. Good thing that Samuel came in with a towel. I really want to get out here as soon as possible.
"Miss, here's your towel. Your bath is also ready." I nodded and excused myself. Just when I was about to go to my room, Xian held the hem of my shirt. Looks like he also can't take Dad's flirting. "Xian, you can follow Samuel, he knows what to do. Please excuse us. We still have some work to do."
We went out of the living room and I can hear their distant talking. Marky also excused his self.
"Well then, I'll also excuse my self. I still have some meeting to attend to."
"Don't worry Marky, just go. We can't afford to be late there."
"Shia my baby! Wait for me! That's unfair!"
"You can't go there Ranx. She's going to take a shower and she still has work to do."
"Well, Ms Roco about your answer."
"I'm sorry Mr Sabre but my answer is still no."