Chapter 10 : Boring parties

Today is the launch of Teddy's restaurant. Dan was on his way.

Dan was looking at a file and frowning. The file had everything about Mia. She was born in a well to do family, but when she was 10, her parents died in an accident. With no immediate family, she was placed in orphanages and then fostered. It is speculated that she was subjected to physical abuse and hence she ran away from home. She always had good grades all throughout school and college. She worked part-time even though she had the scholarship to get through college. The file looks clean, but the circumstances might have led her to take up this work. Poor girl, she doesn't know who she is dealing with.

"Move her to Alicia's team, and get someone to keep an eye on her," Dan told Ryan as he gave the file back to him. Alicia Servik is the manager of the team directly supervised by Dan. They specialize in high-end custom designing for VIP clients.

"You are late!!" Georgina slipped her arms into his and pulled Dan along. The one and only person who dares to lock arms with the man, Georgina Lance, Jack's younger sister, waved to the party on the first floor. His cold gaze is quickly replaced by pure warmth. Gina is his most beloved sister, someone he loves more than his own life.

The family and close friends had a private party on the first floor, while the general public had only access to the lower floor. There was a long queue outside, since it is opening night. Dan has never enjoyed these parties. All the rich families gathering together to boast their wealth and connections. It disgusts him. But the businessman in him understands the importance of these fake smiles and connections, so of course he plays along. He scans the crowd. Most of the prominent families in the city are here, so are film stars and supermodels. They are usually just to add to the glam and publicity.

"Daniel! Come, meet Ms. Anna Smith" Elizabeth Lance, his aunt, Jack's mother, has taken upon herself to find him a bride. He looked at his dad shrugging his shoulders and walking away with a chuckle.

"Hello, Ms Smith. Its a pleasure meet you". His greeting was short and crisp. Anna Smith, a sweet and sensitve girl,perhaps could not stand his coldness. She smiled nervously and looked at his aunt in desperation.

"Sorry aunt, I like to meet Teddy, before he get busy. See you" Dan walks away, before Elizabeth had an opportunity to react.

"She is going to create a fuzz when you go back home"Ryan reminded him.

"Doesnt she always". Dan replied emotionlessly.

Teddy's had an open kitchen restaurant, so the customers can see what is being cooked. Dan went downstairs to see him action. Teddy was busy preparing a steak. Dan never lets it out, but he was immensely proud of his baby brother to have achieved something like this at such a young age. As he looked on, he rememebered how he held his baby brother for the first time after birth, how they played together in the garden, his first day of school, everything. Dan was suddenly overwhelmed. He waved at Teddy and went out to calm himself down.

In a bit, somebody opened the back door and he was surprised to see the shy Ms Smith come out. She lit a cigerette and turned around, only to find Dan and Ryan there. She was surprised for a second and then smirked "Mr. Anderson, fancy seeing you here!"

"Same" Dan is so used to seeing these girls act all shy and good in front of him, seeing her like this actually made him feel better.

As she walked closer, he could smell alcohol on her.

"I am so glad you rejected me. I am sorry to say but your aunt is irritating. I dont know what she said to my parents , but I just could not get out of it."

She put a hand on his shoulder." Wow! You have a sharp nose" she ran her hand over his face and suddenly kissed him. Dan did not resist and this made her bolder. She interlocked her hands around his neck. Dan put his hands around her waist and held her closer. He kissed her back and slipped his tongue in.

"Mmm" she moaned as he went deeper. They kissed for a while before he released her.

"Would you like to go?"

"Yes!"