CHAPTER 4 BAD REMEMBRANCE

Dominic's Pov "You didn't work according to my template, Gabriel." I shot the older man a heated glare hot enough to melt metal while he shifted in his seat. Finally, I got the finance minister to see me. He had come to see my father about a deal involving the state, and I had instructed Wilson to bring him to me as soon as I suspected he might be around. He seemed to avoid me all this time because he expressly went against my orders. "I told you, sir, I can't go beyond the governor's orders. He has the final say." "You're the finance minister, Gabriel! You should at least be able to make a weak case for what I told you." "I'm sorry, sir. It didn't occur to me. I'll try to be more resourceful next time, sir." The grey-headed man glued his face to the floor. "Whatever. "I peered at the man as he was trying to hide the fact that he was afraid. Pursing my lips and closing my eyes briefly, I dismissed him with a wave." "That was quick, sir," Wilson said, and I glared at him when he added, "I'm sorry, sir." "How are the schedules coming up?" As he sat on the chair where the finance minister had previously sat in my office, I leaned back in my seat. "Great. And, oh, the ball is today." Wilson glanced at me before his eyes returned to the tablet he was holding. "Today?" As if on cue, my door swung open, and my sister strode in, a blonde-haired lady who took after my mother. She crossed the room flamboyantly and sat gracefully in the other seat beside Wilson. "Morning ma'am." Wilson bowed a little, and then his gaze returned to the device he was holding. "What brings you here, Shreya?" I said it with a low growl. "Morning Wilson." My sister replied to the man with glasses beside her before turning to me. "Dad told me you'll be replacing him for Callagher's grand ball tonight, hmm?" I groaned. "It really is tonight." Too bad." "There's no need to panic, Dom. You've got this in the bag. You might be surprised to learn that humans are actually quite adept at hosting a successful party. You don't want to miss out on that." "From the way you speak, I'm assuming you do have a plan for the blood lust you tend to experience around humans." "I'm well fed. Didn't you join the pack for the last hunting session?" I shook my head. "I'm afraid I missed." "Well, you should be able to keep a cool head until the next hunting session." She shrugged. "After all, you're pure blood." I ignored him and turned to Wilson. "When exactly is the ball starting?" "Uh, give me a moment." He paused, occasionally sliding his finger down the device he was holding, before he looked up at me. "Red carpet is by 9 p.m." I turned to my sister. "Maybe I should just attend the red carpet, then leave them to do their thing." "That's one of the dumbest plans I've ever seen you come up with, Dominic Pendragon. You should add 'washing your face after you eat their food, too'. that would also be helpful." "What are you talking about?" Shreya stifled a chuckle. "When Mr. Callagher invited Dad, what do you think was the motivation behind it?" "He needs the governor to grace the occasion," I said with a grudge. "Great. But the governor happened to be the busiest person on the planet, so he sent his son in his stead. What should his son do in his place? When the governor has the opportunity to speak, he should rise to the occasion and express himself as his father would. That was how I grudgingly attended a ball I never planned for, with my sister by my side. As a small group of people gathered on the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm of the music, my sister and I navigated our way through the crowd, attempting to control my overwhelming desire to grab one of them and devour them, thereby satisfying my hunger. Soft music continued to play in the background, and different stewards walked about, all dressed in waistcoats, carrying trays that bore glasses that were either filled with cocktails or emptied of the same. A few people huddled in groups on one end of the hall, having chit-chats and laughing. "I wonder why my dad had to punish me by sending me to such a place." I whispered this to my sister, who chuckled slightly. "It's called courtesy, Dom says. Courtesy." "Courtesy?" I turned to her. "You say that as if you believe he understands what you are saying." If it was courtesy, why didn't he honour the invitation himself? Why did he have to send me?" "Dominic Pendragon!" I glanced around like my sister did, looking for where the voice came from, and I noticed a familiar face in the gallery. The human, Mr. Callagher,. As I met his gaze, he continued. "It is a great honor that you've honored our occasion." He hurried away to the left of the gallery, and I nodded. I followed him as he raced down the spiral staircase to meet us. "Your father must be too busy to attend, I suppose, considering that he sent you as a replacement." I noticed the guests had started gathering around us, and I plastered a plastic smile. "Yes, of course, Mr. Callagher. "I'm here at my father's request." "Of course. We are really glad to have you, Mr. Dominic Pendragon." He stretched his hand towards me. As I made to take his hand, I noticed a familiar face in the crowd, but it seemed like a dream. Looking away, I shook hands with Mr. Callagher, maintaining my smile. He nodded. "Please enjoy the ball. You may find our drinks extremely appealing." He stepped back, spreading his arm, and I couldn't help but notice the wrinkles forming on his forehead as he continued. "And, um, feel free to mingle. Our guests are members of the Aperture's highest cadre." With a broad smile, he spun around, and everyone returned to their business. Just as a soft song began playing softly in the background, a couple of people walked towards the dance floor, starting a dance. I turned back in the direction where I noticed the familiar face, but I couldn't find her again. Wondering where she had disappeared, I scanned the environment, my sharp sight becoming an advantage as I quickly took in the faces of everyone in attendance before I saw her again, mingling with a guest. Minerva Tau. The last time I saw her, she confronted me with blazing fury. Her father was supposed to succeed as governor, but I had helped my father sustain the position and run another tenure by bringing up an old rule and setting up Minerva's dad, making him fall short of that requirement.