It's time to meet your family

The dining room has changed little, but you still get the feeling it’s a totally different atmosphere. Seven servants, four male and three female, stand at the wall like statues and wait. The girl that called you quickly takes her place making it eight servants. You can’t see Eric or any other security guards. On the long table are six places equipped with plates, glasses, knives and spoons. In the middle are two large plates and five bowls. You assume that’s the food. Everything looks very expensive.

Five of the six places are already occupied. There is an older guy with grey hair and an expensive looking business suit. He is sitting at the last place on the right side. Oppose to him there is a tall woman in her early forties. She wears a long dress and jewelry that looks like you could buy a whole football station for. She also wears sunglasses and her hair is colored blonde. Next to the blonde you have a black guy in an elegant shirt. He looks young, maybe thirty.

You have no idea who these people are, but you know the other two at the head of the table. On the top of the right side there is William. He wears a new shirt and has his hair styled since you throw him out of your room. When he sees you, he quickly looks to the ground. Oppose to him the place is empty. You assume it is yours. And the last place, the one on the head and likely the most important one, is for a middle-aged man with a very elegant white shirt and black pants. On his left hand is a ring and he wears a wristwatch. It is no secret that this must be your father. Warren Pike, crime lord and head of the Pike-family. You haven’t seen him for decades but you know him immediately.

“Ashley, my daughter,” your father says and stands up, “it has been much too long. Welcome back in the family.”

He opens his arms like he wants to hug you. Since you don’t want to ruin everything from the start you let it happen. It even feels good.

“Forgive me, that I never tried to get in contact with you before,” your father says and puts his hands on your shoulders, “your mother and I had a deal. You should grow up in peace. I’m sad peace and poverty went hand in hand for her. But she always was an angle. She never needed money to be happy. Family, Veronica and Miguel. Tonight we lift our glasses for my beloved wife and mother of my daughter. She left our world much to early. We also want to welcome back Ashley in the family.”

Four people lift their glasses only the women, Veronica, refuses to move a finger.

“Let me introduce you to the family, child,” your father offers, “as much as I know your already met your brother. William is my first-born son and … sometimes he is useful.”

William shyly lifts his hand to greet you, but he is unable to raise his look higher than to your shoes.

“Then we have my dear uncle Harvey,” your father continues and points to the older businessman, “he is my father’s brother and helps me leading the company. He studied finances in his younger days. Just ask him if you want to improve your retirement.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet my grandniece,” your uncle says and nods friendly, “and I’m sure you have lots of time until you need to worry about retirement.”

“And then we have Veronica,” your father tells you and gives the woman an unpleased look, “she is Williams’ mother and lives here.”

“Pleasure,” Veronica says downgrading and holds her hand out as if you would kiss it.

“I get the feeling she sees me as a threat to her sons’ status in this house,” you assume and ignore the hand.

“More to his heritage,” your father mumbles and shrugs his shoulder, “and at last we have Miguel. He is my most trusted friend and right hand in business. He is not part of the family, but he is like a brother to me.”

“A brother who’s house burned down and has now to sleep on the couch,” Miguel says grinning, “you are too kind, sir. And It’s a great pleasure to meet you, girl. I’m sure we will get along well.”

Something in his voice tells you to be careful around him. But you are not sure why.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” you finally say, “and I’m looking forward to get to know you better in the following days.”

Your father sits down and you too. Without any orders the servants walk to the table and begin to remove the caps from the plates. One the two big plates is meat. Steaks and sausages mostly but you also see a pair of fish filets. The small plates contain a bowl with brown sauce (and a small bowl with ketchup next to it), vegetables cooked and raw, mashed potatoes and roasted potatoes. There also is a small bottle with salt and one with pepper. To be honest, among the fancy food and the people, you feel a little shady with your old top, worn out jeans and the hoody.

“Tell me, girl,” Veronica next to you begins while she puts some food on her plate, “is it true you grew up among savages?”

“What?” you asked shocked, “no! I just grew up alone with my mother in a poor part of the city.”

“Isn’t this the same?” Veronica asks bitchy, “poor people are savages. They are too stupid to become rich. I’m sure they eat raw meat. And not the perfectly prepared kind in the clubs.”

Well, this woman has some nerves. You have barely talked ten words with her and she is already insulting your old neighbors. You can see your father already shakes his head about her behavior and your uncle is about to step in. If you want to react somehow, you have to do it now.