Chapter six: The enemies party

Frightened, Alexia glanced at her brother who already had a bad expression on his face. No ten years old would be happy to upset their mother let alone their warm hearted Max who has a soft spot for her. Alexia could see his face shrink, and the piercing war that ranged underneath him, it was really destructive and if she doesn’t say something soon, her brother will speak and when he does he will feel the guilt of not being able to keep his own end of the bargain.

“Max... won’t you tell mommy, what’s going on?”

“I ruined my bike,” Alexia forced the words out of her lips, her words breaking the tension that has hung in the air for a while. She removed her gaze from Max who stared at her in fright. “I ruined the bike my dad bought me and I was invited to this party where I will play and when I am paid I will get myself a new one.”

Her mother furrowed her eyebrows and then dished some spaghetti into their plates, and adding stew and meat she passed it over to them. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” she asked.

“I am sorry, I thought you would be mad so I just couldn’t do it,” she replied.

“I am mad of course, but it’s not because your bike was ruined but because you were going to a night party and you didn’t tell me,” she explained. “I thought we were supposed to tell ourselves everything?”

“I am sorry.”

“When is the party and what kind is it?” she asked.

“SBE wine cooperation is launching a new wine along with the birthday celebration of their president and it’s scheduled to hold tonight?” She replied and her mother gazed at her, surprised.

“Hold on, so you are saying that they offered you to play there, just like that?” her mother asked and she affirmed with a nod. “How is that even possible, you told me earlier that your team didn’t even get into the competition?”

“That is true but...”

“Don’t go,” her mother interrupted and she stopped her lips, her eyebrows turned v.

“What do you mean?”

“Darling, this is serious and I don't think anyone just gets access to play at such high firms by luck, there are procedures to follow, I think you are walking straight into a trap.”

Some minutes after dinner Alexia was seen standing before the mirror stand inside her room, she was dressed in a beautiful floral gown, and her mother was just behind, brushing her hair with a smile on her face, “This is a big deal for you and i am so proud of how far you have come.”

“Mom, stop exaggerating the circumstance, it’s just like playing on any other day, after that I’ll come back home and everything will be a memory,” Alexia replied. Her mother flashed a smile at her, and then placed the comb on the side stew. “You look amazing,” she said with a warm smile on her face. Alexia looked towards the door, she saw Max peering inside, his face was covered with sadness and after a short stare he left.

“Thanks mom. The event is starting in the next thirty minutes and I have to leave now,” Alexia said. She grabbed her guitar and bidding her mother goodbye she left the house. She was about to take a cab when she remembered the promise she made to her brother. She couldn’t leave him behind so she waited for an extra fifteen minutes and then she took her phone out.

[Hi Max, I didn’t forget you buddy. I have a plan, get dressed and meet me at the front door,]

She sent him the text message and two minutes later the door opened up and he walked out to meet her. His face was covered with excitement, as she hid him behind a flower and then went inside, she crashed a few things and hearing the noise her mother walked into the living room.

“Alexia, how did you get inside, I thought you were gone?” she asked.

“Sorry, I left something behind whereas you totally forgot to lock the door.”

“Really?” she scratched her hair softly, and with her eyebrows furrowed she approached, stress seen all over her face. “Thankfully you came back, I am just so stressed out,” she said. Alexia flashed a smile at her and leaving her house her mother locked up. A smile spread over Alexia’s face and she turned to Max who hurried towards her with amusement.

“That’s so cool, didn’t believe she would fall for it,” Max said and smiling, Alexia put her hand around his shoulders and together they left the house.

They arrived at the venue later in the evening, and walking out of the car they were met with the most dazzling sight. The mansion was so beautiful and classical music filled the air, adding a sense of romance in the atmosphere. There was a world of rich folks everywhere, and as Alexia approached the building she couldn’t help but stare at the glowing pools on their sides.

“Excuse me, miss, I need to see an ID please,” One of the security men said to her. She took out the ID and then showed it to him. After scrutinizing it, he handed it back to her. “And who is this lad?”

“He is my brother, no one was at home so I had no other choice than to carry him along,” she explained.

“I am sorry miss but I can’t let him inside, not without an invitation card.”

“Why not, he is only a kid,” she interrupted with a frown on her face, but no matter how much she pleaded, he refused to listen to her.

“As much as I would like to do that, my hands are tied, I am following instructions but all we can do for him is to put him in safe hands,” While the security man was still speaking a man interrupted their conversation.

“You are Alexia Chaney right?” the man chipped his way in. He was dressed casually and Alexia couldn’t help but wonder how he knew her name because she has never seen his face before. He reached his hand out to her. “My name is Travis Green, and we have been expecting you,” he said.

Staring in confusion, Alexia shook hands with him. “Thanks,” she pulled her hands back to her side, and Travis glanced sideways at the security man.

“What do you think you are doing, she is a highly esteemed person for this occasion, solely selected by the CEO himself and if you don’t want to ruin your reputation you will let her through this instant,” Travis said, and trembling the man swiftly made way for her.

“I am so sorry miss, forgive me,” he apologized. Alexia followed Travis inside puzzled at all she had just heard, as she wondered how the man knew her name. As they made it through the first hall to the staircase, Alexia stopped him.

“Sorry to interrupt but are you sure you are not mistaken?” she asked and he furrowed his face in uncertainty.

“Aren’t you Alexia Cheney, the guitarist who is to perform today?” he asked.

“Yes, I am,” she replied.

“If you are Alexia Cheney then i am sure i am not mistaken, Now follow me,” he said as he led her upstairs to the second floor where the main event was being held. Stepping inside the large hall she saw a crowd of rich folks gathered inside, her bones quaking slightly as she kept tapping her fingers on her laps.

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes Mr. Travis. I’ve seen rich folks but this is a whole new level,” she replied and he laughed slightly. “There is a seat reserved for you in front, go on, I’ll look after your brother until you return.”

“Okay, thanks,” she flashed a smile at him and then forged ahead. Walking up to the first role she saw just two vacant seats so she sat on one of the chairs but in the process she noticed that a few of the rich folks were staring at her. She looked at her cloth to ensure that there was nothing inappropriate on her and not finding any she held her head upright again at the man who walked up stage.

‘Alexia, it's okay to be nervous but you’ve got this,’ she said to herself as she took a deep breath and then placed her guitar beside her chair. 

"Good day everyone, and welcome to the grand celebration of the SBE new wine launch," the man who was up on stage said. "Today, we are not only celebrating a new wine but also the birthday of the very CEO of SBE wine cooperation, and while we are dining he just walked In," he hesitated. "Ladies and gentlemen may present to you the most formidable CEO of this great organization, Richard Robertson."

A sound of applause filled the auditorium as Alexia looked behind her and saw Richard walking towards the first row.

"No, this can't be happening," she whispered, running her gaze through the first roll but there was no other seat except the one right next to her. "This was not the plan, what if he sees me?" she whispered her heart racing and she looked back at him again.