9 A Clear Reminder

After getting off the phone with Alessia, Alex was worried. His parents hadn't even mentioned anything about that dinner to him. Why would that be? He had just decided to call his grandparents to see if they knew anything when his phone rang. It was his grandfather.

"Grandfather, what happ---"

Listen, Alex…." 

As his grandfather proceeded to tell him what he knew, Alexander's face was drained of color. Of all the things he thought they would do, this one took not just the cake but the entire party with it. She was eighteen, for God's sake. Only eighteen years old, and she was his own child. What type of monster does something like that to his own daughter? He grabbed his keys, rushing out of the building, before realizing, in his panic, he had gone the wrong way. He ran back inside to the elevator and pressed the button for the underground garage. Lord, please just let me make it in time. I'm begging you. Please let me make it in time. 

Ding! The elevator finally made it to the garage. On his way to his car, he made a call. 

"Hey, it's me. I need your help today. I'm going to send you some information, and I need you to find it for me. In 20 minutes or less, "he said. 

"Got it. I'll have it in 10," came the voice from the other side.

Alex heaved a sigh of relief. He still wanted to make it in time, but in case he didn't, he'd have to take additional measures. He got into his car, his face darkening. If you were foolish enough to get involved, then you should prepare yourself for the result, shouldn't you? He thought to himself as he started his car and peeled out of the garage. As he had told his baby sister before, he may not have been the type of scheming and manipulative person his parents were, but he wasn't nice either. It seemed as though people had forgotten what he was like since he had been lowkey for the past few years since his sister had come into his life.

It was clearly time to remind them of why they could offend anyone but him. 

******************

Theia was finally ready. She just had to put on her dress now. She slipped into a knee-length, silver-white dress that fell on her body in all the right places, accentuating her curves without being too tight or indecent. She paired it with a matching pair of pumps and a white, gold-trimmed clutch. She used the gold locket necklace that Alex had bought for her last birthday and the gold charm bracelet that she and Alessia had exchanged with each other, and her hair was done in a semi-updo that left half of her hair cascading in golden ripples down her back. She had gone for a natural makeup look, so she didn't do too much. Just the basic eyeliner and mascara, a bit of shimmery face powder with some blush, and a nude lipstick. She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded. Her appearance was perfect. There was nothing for them to criticize at all.

She called for Alessia, telling her she'd let her know when she got there and headed down to find the driver. She wondered if she should get a drink in advance to deal with them, but eventually decided against it. She needed to be on her guard around them at all times, and alcohol tended to lower hers. It was always better to be safe than sorry. They were crafty, meticulous, and scheming. One could not take too many precautions around them. Rather, it was more than likely never enough. 

As they drove through Whitney Street from the Downtown School District, there was traffic as far as the eye could see. No wonder they wanted her to leave by 5:30. As a result, the 10-minute drive would take much longer than expected. She leaned back into the soft leather seat and relaxed. There was nothing she could do about the traffic, nor was she in that much of a hurry to see them. All she could do now was relax. She closed her eyes, taking in the music and thinking about what a long day she had had. 

First she got outsmarted twice! Not once, but twice. She was lectured and forced to accept additional courses. Now she had to meet these jinxes. Sigh. Why was life so unfair? Why? All she had wanted to do was have a long bath and de-stress. Probably order some take out and watch movies with her best friend. That was the evening had anticipated. 

She started. She had forgotten to call Alex. She took out her phone and speed dialed number one. Strangely enough, her call went unanswered. She tried again, but it simply rang out before going to his voice-mail. Maybe he's unable to answer the phone. Is he going to be there later? She wondered. 

Oh well. She'd see in a while anyway.