by Maxington » Mon Nov 11, 2019 10:32 pm
19:03, The Blue Mansion, Shijia Valley, Dalibor.
More than 100 guests had gathered at the ocean front estate and gated community at the Three Gates Resort. At over some 10,000 square feet, including master suits, children's bunk rooms and a detached villa, the home had easily become the most famous residence in the community. From the massive hand carved front doors to the stone marble work that made the lobby look more like a Lourennais chateau than an private estate. The Blue Mansion as it was known from its blue roofing was tucked neatly within the Shijia Valley, far away from the chaos engulfing the urban centres. The Blue Mansion was a spectacle like no other. Unsurprisingly Jian's girlfriend Maria Delise gasped as he led her pass the great stone columns supporting archways of granite and towards the infinity pool and stone deck beyond. "Everyone has secrets," she said, pausing to lean on one of the columns. "But this...this is just a little overwhelming." She then glanced down at the tiled flooring with intricate designs mirroring that of ancient Indralan paintings that once took the architects months to assemble, piece by piece. Jian would tell her about this later once he had given her the full tour, for now they needed to get to their seats before his father began his presentation. However he could not resist stealing one last moment to marvel over her shoulder length brunette, curly hair. A 28 year old with a raging Libido, one could only imagine what they will do later. He grabbed her by the wrist, "Let's go, my father would kill me if we were late." She nearly tripped and fell as they rushed forward. As they passed more of the marble columns she learned more of not only Jian and the house but of his father, Lee Delan. "I'm a little nervous." she said as they reached the end of the long hall and were about to step outside onto the pool deck. Thomas was standing there, as he always did. A 6 foot statue in a dark suit with an earpiece and dark glasses. Jian turned and said,"Maria, this is Thomas Demusarson. He is the security chief for my father. But he still sucks at tactical shooters." "That's because you're a cheater," said Thomas with a slight grin.
"I know you do hacks on those games." "You just need to learn to shoot." Thomas shook his head then removed his sunglasses revealing that he had but one light-blue eye. The other was stitched closed. She flinched but accepted his hand. "Very nice to meet you," he said in a thick Skjöld accent. "You too." "I didn't want to be rude to such a pretty lady." He said replacing his sunglasses. "But sometimes it is better that i keep this on yes?" "It's okay," she said. "Thank you." They shifted away and began filtering through the rows of people and dinner tables that encompassed them. "Don't let him kid you. He sees more with that one eye than most people see with two." "How did he lose it?" "When he was a teenage, a sad story but maybe i'll you that later. But tonight we drink wine and have fun." Poolside bars with bartenders manning each kept the wine and champagne flowing and a banner had been erected on two of the bars. The banner read, "Welcome to the Lee Delan Society for Peace Fundraiser." This was a one thousand dollar per plate dinner. And it was Jiang's father's biannual way of coaxing his rich friends into parting some of their money for a greater cause. The work that had been accomplished by his father's foundation was remarkable. The government of Dalibor could do much to improve the lives of its own citizens, as Lee Delan already had done and would continue to do now with a greater passion. "Jiang? Jiang!?" came a familiar voice from behind him. A tightly bunched crowd of guests parted to allow through, Yao and Zhong He, Jiang's aunt and uncle. Both in their late forties, well groomed and dressed. Looking as though they were ready for a red carpet appearance than a fundraiser. Yao was his father's only sibling following the death of their brother. "Look at you," said his aunt tugging at the sleeve of his grey suit. "Do you like it? My father and I found a new designer in Tian'an who flew over here to meet us." Jian would never tell Maria that the suit costs him some 10,000 dollars. In fact he was sometimes embarrassed over his family's wealth and dismissed it when he could.
Maria's father was a successful businessman from Eroncourt who owned an insurance company, selling home insurance to the poor and middle class of Southern Dovani. However her family could never compete with the kind of wealth that Jian's father had amassed. Lee Delan wasn't just one of the richest men in Dalibor and Indrala, he was one of the richest men in the eastern hemisphere which made his life as his son as complicated and surreal. "So this is the famous Maria," asked his aunt. "Yes," Jian said beaming with pride. "Maria this is my aunt Yao and my uncle Mr Zhong He, founder and owner of the Orange Lion Casino and Hotel." Maria was a perfect lady and greeted them in a tone of near Lourennais royal formality. He had discovered that she had attended the Edmond De la Croix Academy, one of the most prestige universities in all of Dovani and he quickly learned that there was indeed a brain behind all of that beauty. "Don't judge me, my father insisted that i achieved the greatest education money could buy." After she graduated she spent travelling to Skalm, Bekenial and Haldor, cities she had never visited before. She was obsessed with fashion and the movie industry. Her degree was in business management and she thought she'd like to work in Skalm for a studio or maybe for a famous designer. Sadly, her father would have none of that. He had given her a year to find herself, but the coming months she would go to work for her father's company. Jian, of course had much bigger plans for her. "So you're finally back from Wiel. How long were you there?" He grinned at Maria. "About a month," "Your father told me it was a graduation gift," his aunt said as her eyes widened. "It was," Jian said proudly. He turned to his uncle, "How are things in the city?" Zhong wiped his hand across his forehead then nodded, "Things are intensifying, it's a full blown civil war there, much of my regulars are not coming back." Yao waved her hand,"But we are not talk about that now. Not on a night like this."
Zhong shifted away from his wife and nephew and went up to the podium set up at the head of the function. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you could get seated, we can begin in a moment. For those of you who do not know me, I am Zhong He, founder and owner of the Orange Lion Casino and Hotel. I'd like to introduce my brother-in-law, a man who needs no introduction. So without further ado, i give you Lee Delan." Zhong looked towards one of the bars and from behind it the man appeared, wearing a suit that matched Jian's saved by his tie, which was a powerful green with gold stitching along the edges. He wore his fleshly cut hair, combed closely to his head. For the first time Jian noticed the grey hair sprouting from his temple. For the next fifteen minutes they sat, listened and watched the guided tour of the work the foundation had done to alleviate pressure on the rural areas and advocate for a peaceful and immediate end to the conflict being waged in the urban centres. As he left the podium, Lee was joined was joined by Audrey, a stunning blond who had been standing by at the bar with him. He had met her a while back on a business trip to Hutori and it was clear to all why he was attracted to her. She had green eyes and her father was a Supreme Court Judge who had been nominated by the Prime Minister and she was an attorney herself who didn't look a day over thirty. Jian knew his father could not live with a woman with whom he could not have an intelligent conversation with. She spoke Luthorian, Rodshyan, Indralan and some Mashacara and she was a student of global affairs and most surprisingly she had outlasted most of his father's other female friends as they had been dating for more than a year. Audrey glided over to her chair which was drawn from the table by Lee and she took her seat and grinned at everyone. "Well i see the globe trotters are finally back from Vanuku," said Lee beaming at Maria. "And it is very good to see you again Ms. Delise." "And good to see you too sir. Thank you for the presentation, it was incredible." "We must do all we can to ensure that Dalibor does not suffer another 3 centuries of this corrupt disease." He said drifting into a thought. "Forgive my terrible manners," he added quickly, turning to Audrey. "This is my friend Audrey Thompson. Audrey, this is my son's friend Ms. Maria Delise." They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.