Grossen leans back on his leather chair, stretching his legs. It’s been a long day. He reaches to the drawer of his redwood table, getting out a long cuban cigarette. They’ve been prohibited for some time, but who cares. He’s allowed to. That’s the point of having some privileges, no? To possess something, others are only craving for. It’s a very satisfying feeling. Once you get a hold of it, it’s hard to get back to a simple primitive life of everybody else. That’s why he kept pushing, disregarding the consequences and destroying the obstacles.

  Getting into the Circle turned out to be harder than he thought. The opening wasn’t coming. Maybe, tonight it will, but for now that girl hasn’t proved herself useful. The excellence in business started to exhaust itself. After some point, everybody gets used to your success, money and influence. They get it and they couldn’t care less about quarter increments. They don’t have anything to add on to your already established image. Position in the Circle on the other hand turns it all around. It gives you power and influence. That’s what he needed, that’s what he came here for and he was getting impatient to finally lay his hands on it.

  New results require new actions. Circle is all about values and what are traditional values without a family. He suspected it may become an issue and decided not to wait until it strikes him. Why wait for the worst if you can use it for your advantage?

  Grossen researched the pool of suitable candidates just to find them unsuitable. Too young. Naive. With stars in their eyes and big hopes for the bright future. No, thanks. He didn’t need that. He had enough headache. He needed a grown up woman, realistic enough to know her place and play by his rules. Jules Moore seemed like a solid option. No scandals. Graduate. She shouldn’t be a problem.

  Preliminary conversation with her brother and care taker only confirmed Grossen’s suggestions. Venture entrepreneur. They’ve crossed paths on some events, but didn’t have a chance to get to know each other properly until today. He made an impression of a reasonable man who raised Jules in a right way. This should be enough. They’ve signed the papers right away. No point in dragging this longer than needed.

  Grossen should be celebrating. Possibly, one step closer to the Circle. Instead, he was feeling irritated. Too high stakes and too little certainty. He’s still here, in his study, far away from the ball in Magistrate, hosted exclusively for Circle members, which he’s not. Yet.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Grossen takes a drag on his cigar. Smoke gets inside his lungs, calming the volcano inside. He’s always enjoyed that soothing effect, but today it’s not enough. He rubs his forehead. He needs to get the steam out before it burns him from the inside.

  He clicks his fingers, “Get me Rory.”

  Robotic voice replies at once, “Right away, sir.”

  Thirty seconds later panting skinny young man knocks on the study door.

  “Sir? You’ve asked for me?”

  Grossen gives him a stern icy look, “Where are we with the invitations? I want them sent out after the ball.”

  “You’ll have the options on your desk in the morning, sir.”

  Grossen nods, creasing his forehead with little creases. He pours himself some whiskey from his cabinet.

  “No later than 6 am.”

  “Will be ready, sir,” Rory makes some notes on his tablet. “Anything, else?”

  Grossen glances at his glass, slightly mixing the brown liquid in it, “Call me a girl.”

  Rory nods, “Anything specific, sir?”

  “That redhead with big eyes will do.”

  “She’ll be here in nine minutes.”

  Grossen nods, dismissing Rory.

  Rory rushes out the room, down the hall. As he disappears behind the corner, a young girl’s figure in excessive evening makeup and tiny vulgar golden dress unglues from the wall and tiptoes in a different direction. Zahra gets to the end of the whole and slips into the servant stairs. Down to the ground floor and left to the back door. The security guard is on the phone as always, allowing her to slip through the west gate into the forest. She’s free!

  Zahra doesn’t tempt her luck and speeds up into the woods. Familiar motorcycle is waiting for after another turn on her usual path.

  “Zack!” Zahra exclaims, excited, wrapping her arms around an ultimate bad boy.

  Zack envelopes her lips in a long french kiss.

  “Glad to see you, love. Honestly, I thought you won’t come tonight. It’s getting tougher and tougher, huh?”

  Zahra rolls her eyes, getting behind Zack on the motorcycle.

  “You tell me. Sen has always been a dick, but now he’s overperforming himself. This is the time to enjoy and have fun and all his rules and control… Brrr! It’s suffocating, babe.”

  Zack chuckles. “Leave it to me. In an hour you won’t even remember your brother’s name.”

  Zahra smiles. “You promise?”

  Zack gets two tiny blue bottles from the inner pocket of his leather jacket. He hands one to Zahra.

  “Is it..?”

  “Yeap, the best feromone extract. We gonna rock this night, girl. Cheers!”

  “Cheers!”

  Zahra downs the bottle in a few gulps.

  Zack throws the bottles away. “Kyle sneaked them from his dad’s. He already downed one. Everything is ready for you, princess.”

  Zahra gives out the radiant smile, devouring Zack’s lips and neck in a hungry kiss, leaving hickeys all over him.

  “My boys, I hope you are ready. Let’s get out of here.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The revving sound of engine takes away the young couple, bringing them towards another party.