Chapter 29 #2
“Christopher, I hear you’re taking a few of the same classes as Melody.” Lifting his glass, Erik casts a smile across the table, “How are you liking the college?”
“It’s alright, I guess.” My shoulders lift in a shrug, “Never been one for school, honestly.”
“Your generation has adopted a lackluster attitude towards education.” The Dragon lifts her brow, “It’s common to hear of young people throwing away their opportunities for the sake of exploring the so-called real world.”
Offering the waiter a quiet thanks, Erik clears his throat, “Admirable really, that youth today are embracing their futures whole heartedly. Wish I could have done the same.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Cruella jumps aboard the pause in conversation, “In fact, I remember when I was young-
“It’s not the education they are throwing away, it’s the dedication to see a plan through.
” Cutting my mother off, Maleficent gestures around the table, “We did not get to where we are with half-committed effort. Without discipline there is nothing except failure and goals that will never come to pass.”
“An admirable sentiment, and one I’m sure we can all agree with.” Sitting back in his chair, Erik nudges his daughter gently, “Melody has done a remarkable job of tailoring her distractions and keeping her eyes focused on the prize.”
A blush spreads across her cheeks while pride oozes from the man beside her. I watch the parental love blossom and unfold, the unwavering support so distant from my side of the table.
Melody clears her throat delicately, “There have been bumps along the way.”
“None that you couldn’t overcome.”
The flush darkens and this time, I’m not the only one staring at the pretty redhead.
“Dating a man comes with a number of distractions.” Amusement laces the Dragon’s voice as she starts cutting into her steak, “A number that would increase exponentially with the young Seaborn.”
“You’re dating Marlin?”
I didn’t mean for it to come off as an accusation, but the murderous look Melody throws my way tells me it was.
“Is that a problem?”
“Not at all. I mean… you actually want to date that guy?”
Erik smothers his laugh with a cough.
“It’s been quite the, ah, adjustment having him around the house.”
Melody shifts her glare from me to the mayor of Wolf Hollow.
“But we love having him around.” Patting her hand, Erik looks at her fondly, “He’s been learning how to play the piano. A natural talent, if I ever saw one.”
Her temper diffuses with a soft smile, “He’s terrible but he is getting better.”
This whole scene would be cute if I didn’t have firsthand experience with her psychopath boyfriend.
“Where’s Calista?”
Interrupting their father-daughter banter, I am responsible for the second awkward silence of the evening. Cutlery pauses midair as everyone’s gaze swings to the matriarch seated at the head of the table.
“My daughter is finishing up some errands. She will not be joining us this evening.” Dark eyes latch onto mine, “Any business you have with Calista can be shared with me.”
The message is loud and fucking clear.
Stay away from my daughter.
A bitter taste hits my tongue and it’s not from the priceless wine we’re drinking.
“Speaking of business, there are some things I would like to discuss.” Resting his forearms on the table, Erik leans forward, “In my last report I mentioned the possibility of opening Wolf Hollow’s borders-
“The borders will remain closed.”
“I understand that is what you’re familiar with, but I think if you took a look at the numbers-
“Your numbers do not show the whole picture.”
Her voice cracks like a whip, the frost in her tone rapidly overtaking the easy camaraderie.
“I see.” Erik sits back, his eyes soft and unconfrontational, “In that case, would you explain it to me? So I have a better understanding of what you’re looking for.”
Melody shifts quietly beside him, her eyes dutifully lowered to the plate in front of her.
I was curious how a family with no money and no recognition could swing the Dragon’s favour and land the position of the mayor. But now that I’m watching them in action, it makes perfect sense.
They know exactly how to play the part.
“If we were to open the borders, Wolf Hollow would be overridden with common criminals looking for a safe place to land. There would be no restrictions on who could venture these streets or who could profit from our primary operations.”
Erik nods slowly, “I understand there is a risk, but an open border means we could start exporting. Your pharmaceuticals could be bought and sold from all ends of the earth and we could discover new industries that might help restimulate the economy.”
“Our economy does not need restimulation.”
“Wolf Hollow only encompasses a small portion of the black market. And without the possibility of cutting costs through outsourcing or expanding to reach new customers…” He shakes his head with a sigh, “People are struggling. The general population has seen a drastic decline these last few years and I fear it’s only going to get worse. ”
A painted fingernail taps the crystal silhouette of her wine glass.
“The general population, you say?”
“Yes. The people beyond the gated community-
“There lies your problem. My priority lies within the gated community and the council members who invest their time and money into this town.”
“Maleficent, you have to understand-
“To open the borders is to jeopardize the safety and stability of my council, and that is not something I am willing to negotiate. Now, unless you have other matters to discuss, I suggest you take your leave before Anton Clementon finds himself a new friend in the incinerator.”
It’s a thinly veiled threat and Erik is quick to take his cue.
“My apologies. I should have known better than to bring up work during such a pleasant evening.” Pushing his chair back, he bows his head, “Thank you for the wonderful meal and company. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Melody follows suit and soon it’s just the three of us, sitting at an oversized table.
Eating an undercooked steak.
“Well, that was interesting.” Clapping her hands, Cruella does her best to fill the silence, “How about some bubbly?”
It’s a solemn affair after that, one where my mum blabs and Maleficent listens with a pained smile on her face. I focus on chewing my steak, the blue veins and red blots enough to turn a guy off an expensive slab of meat.
My eyes naturally stray to the chair beside the Dragon. The seat that remains stubbornly empty even as the minutes turn to hours and the idle chitchat starts to slow.
Time drags on, but no matter how long I force my ass to stay seated, blonde curls never materialize.
And that tastes a hell of a lot worse than this steak.