The large ornate doors opened with an audible groan. Heads turned when they walked in, and eyes from around the room locked on them. First, they peaked to see the newcomers, but as Keziah strutted across the red carpet with her sisters at her side, the eyes that recognized them didn't fall away. The eyes moved to moving mouths, and before the blink of an eye, heads were leaning over to hear the roaming gossip.

Kamari walked with exuberant confidence and grace, leading the charge. Her modestly ringed fingers swept her straight hair over her shoulders, flaunting her earrings and necklace. She stared down anyone who met her eyes. Her sister was like that. Keziah smiled at her when their eyes met before she turned to her timid sister, the youngest of them all, Kingsleigh, and smiled at her as well.

They had nothing to be ashamed of. She wouldn't let anyone at the party or in town make them feel like outcasts.

"Kamari!" The host called, and Kamari spun to look at him.

"Jensen." Her sister swayed over to him, kissing one cheek and the other. "I hope we aren't late."

"Honey, there's no such thing." His arm casually went around her waist. He noticed them behind her when he looked back and stepped closer to shake their hands. "Welcome to my home. Kamari has told me so much about you both."

"Good things, I hope."

"I don't think she is capable of saying the opposite. But her words didn't do your beauty justice. You are looking lovely tonight."

"Well, girls, you have met Jensen. Don't mind his language. Flirtation is his mother tongue."

"Nice to meet you finally." He shook their hands firmly, with Kamari still plastered to his side. "You are welcome to my humble abode."

"Thank you for the invitation."

"Not a problem. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know. You're my special guest."

"In that case," Kingsleigh piped up and stretched her hand to him. "Maybe you can keep me company for a bit while I get to know people. My sisters have other things to take care of."

"Of course."

He offered her his elbow, and she wrapped her fingers around him. She smiled at them and mouthed 'good luck' before they joined the crowd.

"Okay, she abandoned us," Keziah muttered.

"And I will be following her lead. We are here to mingle. Don't be too defensive, even if they start poking." Kamari winked, and soon she was gone, too.

Keziah didn't bother with the people still staring. She made her way to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender was a handsome middle-aged man, who engaged she engaged in conversation as she watched him make her drink.

"Enjoying the night."

She brushed her hair back to look over her shoulder. The voice belonged to a tall, slender, well-dressed man. Seeing his eyes on her, she had to guess the question was directed at her, so she smiled with a nod.

"I just got here. No time to determine how it's going yet."

"Vodka." He told the bartender, then looked back at her, "May I."

"It's free."

She angled her chair, so she was facing him. She was sceptic of anyone who would speak to her. She knew no one. Well, she knew most of them. But that was when she was a teenager. Now, she only knew names and affiliations. Faces were foreign to her, and motives were foreign, so she had to approach with caution.

"Thank you," she said to the bartender when she got her drink in her hand.

"New here?"

"Not exactly, was born here, but then I had to leave. Now, I am back."

"Mikal."

"Keziah." She shook his stretched hand. It was warm.

"I was born here, too. Left not long ago and came back to this. Don't know how much you remember about the party life in this town, but someone is always finding something to celebrate."

She looked over her shoulder at the men and women who occupied the floor. Their charter rose above the soft music playing through the speakers. They spotted the latest fashions, from simple and classy to flamboyant and striking.

"Not a fan?"

"Not when they are back-to-back."

"I remember the nightlife. It apparently came with good drinks, but I never got the chance to enjoy that aspect."

She directed the tail end of her statement at the bartender, who smirked, and Mikal grinned. He took a sip of his drink.

"What did you miss about the partying when you were away?"

"Nothing. I came as a courtesy. My name was on the card, so I am here."

She eyed him cautiously. "You only go out of courtesy, huh? No friends to meet up with. Catch up with family? Is that why you are here with me? Do I have you to myself because you are a recluse Mikal?"

"Maybe. I am a recluse, but I can promise I am not bad company. I am a good listener."

"Hmm. Well, I don't need a good listener tonight, but I wouldn't mind company. My only company has been on the clock since I arrived. Can't talk to a man who needs to offer his ears to tens of others."

Mikal had moved while he spoke, and he was close enough now that his knees were nearly touching hers. She didn't know his game, but she wasn't above playing. He wanted something out of her. She could tell. What it was, was up to debate.

"Bartenders need to charge for the amount of people that offload on them."

"Don't turn your nose up at free service. Some can't afford a therapist."

He chuckled. "How long were you away?"

"Hmm?"

"You said you were away, too."

"A few years. Six, but it might be seven. You?"

She paused. "Twenty?"

His eyes widened, but she could not tell if it was genuine surprise or him pretending to be surprised.

"That explains why your face is unfamiliar."

"Ah. Mr "I show up as a courtesy" knows his faces."

"It's my habit to know things. Habits die hard."

"They do indeed, but as far as habits go, that's not too bad."

"Keziah Pope?"

Keziah turned around at the mention of her name. The woman who spoke was walking over with a smile. Her hair was platinum white and decorated with gold pins that matched the shimmery dress she wore. She was tall. And in her heels, she towered, but she took each stride with confidence. Keziah had to crane her neck when the woman got close.

"Iman." She pointed at herself. "Class of 99?"

"Iman." She repeated, thinking back to high school until the face popped up. "Iman Summers."

"Yes! That's me."

The woman was gregarious, to say the least. It might have been the sherry or her personality. She hugged Keziah with a squeal and stepped back.

"I heard rumours that you were back, and I couldn't believe it. I always thought some other family bought the estate. I am stunned to see you. You look...gorgeous."

"Thank you. You are equally as beautiful. You've grown."

"Trust me, the height surprised me, too. How have you been? Do you want a glass of wine?"

"I have been good. I have a drink"

Iman looked to the drink, then the man and her smile widened. "Mikal. How have you been? I heard you were back."

"I am well, you?"

"Great. I am happy to see you." The two hugged and Mikal kissed her cheeks.

"Let me leave you two to catch up. Nice to meet you, Keziah."

"Likewise." She replied.

"I am surprised to see you at the party. Wasn't aware you knew Jensen."

"Not me. Kamari."

"Did your sisters come with you?"

"They did.

She ostriched. "Where are they?"

"Mingling."

"As they should. Since your arrival is not a hoax, I can assume your company isn't one either? You are reviving your father's old business?"

"Somewhat. We want to still produce the wine, but we are leaning more towards other things right now."

They had their eyes on several clubhouses and businesses in the city. It was the main point of going after the Volva's business. It shifted people's attention shifted from their true targets.

"We are rearing horses."

"Really?"

"Do you ride?"

"Not once."

"What do you do then?"

"I am currently running my household." She flashed her wedding ring with a warm smile, and Keziah returned it. "My kids are about to finish junior high. My oldest is a bit of a genius. He wants to be a robotic engineer."

"Youngest?"

"She has wilder dreams. I am trying to be a good mother and not dissuade her, but it's scary when your baby girl tells you she wants to be an astronaut." Iman made an explosive sign with her free hand. "The Challenger comes to mind."

Keziah chuckled. "There have been other trips since then."

"I know, but I can't help but think of the dangers."

"I mean, there is time. Either you get used to it, or she changes her mind by the time she is old enough."

"My husband says the same thing. His name is Dylan. You should meet him."

"Sure, I don't mind. It will be nice to see new or familiar faces. Was he in high school with us?"

"No. We met in college. He went to the same high school as Mikal and Hallan, though?" Iman faltered. "You remember the Volvas, right?"

"Couldn't forget them if I tried."

"I guess not." She smiled nervously. "Anyway, the brothers are over there. You already met Mikal"

Iman raised her glass towards the left, and Keziah looked in that direction. Two young men were standing where Iman indicated. One in a dark blue, three-piece suit. He had a glass of brown liquid in one hand while his other hand was shoved into his pant pocket. His smile was attractive. It crinkled the ends of his eyes and flashed a row of bright white teeth. She found it as alluring as when he sat beside her by the bar.

The second man was in a beige suit. He was as tall as his brother but thinner, and his hair was curly, while his brother's was straight. He had a boyish smile filled with charm and the same level of confidence the other had. While one was clean-shaven, the other was not.

"Mikal hasn't been in town for a while, right?"

"Yes. His family owns a few companies outside the country, and he handles one of those. The younger brother, Hallan, the man beside him, has not come into his own, but he is also very competent."

Competent enough to give them the edge, she thought to herself. Not a lot of people were privy to their arrival in town. Most of them barely remembered who they were until they moved back into their parent's house. That was when the rumours of their return had begun. It took away the ambiguity they were operating under, but Keziah believed they had already done what was necessary. With Hallan's unintentional help of course.

"How many people do you know at this party?" Keziah asked with an inquisitive smile.

Iman grinned. "A lot. There are benefits to being a social butterfly, you know."

"I bet."

"And there's my sweetheart."

An equally tall, semi-formally dressed, dark-haired man walked up to them. He held her by the waist and she gazed adoringly at him.

"Hello, I am Dylan."

"And I am Keziah." They shook hands.

"Keziah used to be my junior in high school."

"Ah. Nice to meet you. I hope you aren't one of the girls she brags were under her in those days."

"Mercifully, I was not."

"I told you those girls came out okay. I was a good mentor."

"I bet, sweetheart." She rolled her eyes, and he laughed heartily before looking back at Keziah. "What have you been up to since high school?"

"Moved out of town for a while. I just got back to start a business."

"Really. Good on you. Have I heard of it?"

"Maybe. It's fairly new, and I am still finding my footing, but my sisters and I want to officially go public soon."

"Sisters."

"Yes, sweetheart. Her sisters are mingling, but she has two."

"Kamari and Kingsleigh." Keziah supplied.

"K sisters." He teased, and she smiled.

"My parents seemed to think it was a good idea."

"I found it adorable." Iman cooed.

"And how have all been finding it since you returned. The town and the environment. Like you remember it?"

"No, thankfully." She wanted to say it was less hostile, but she reigned in her sarcasm. "There are new faces and a lot more character to the place."

"There's character," he huffed, wide-eyed. "More than you can imagine."

"It seems so."

Dylan was as sweet as Iman. He spoke to her about his kids and showed interest in her idea for a business, but the two were soon whisked away by another guest who wanted to make introductions. Keziah soon understood that Dylan was a popular face, and was as much a hefty presence as the Volvas and others present.

When Keziah looked to her left, her eyes locked with Mikal's. She waited, wondering if he would look away, but he didn't. Her interest grew, a smile stretching her lips as she adjusted her body to turn fully towards him. Did he know that she had figured him out?

Challenging him, she adjusted her frame to turn her body to face him. Subconsciously, she was starting the clock, wondering how long before he looked away. Mikal straightened his shoulders and didn't budge.

Intrigued, she looked away first, glancing at the stair she spotted earlier, which, no doubt, led to the roof. When she looked at him she inclined her head towards it, and Mikal glanced in its direction. That was when she saw his demeanour falter. He looked across the room at his mother, who was distracted with other guests. He nodded when he met her eyes again, and she coyly turned.

She walked calmly, smiling at guests who greeted her. Once in a while, she would look over her shoulder to see him following at a safe distance. He could be deeply interested in what she intended to do with her shares. After all, Iman told her, Mikal was the guard dog of his family. She would have more than a few clashes with him in the future.

She looked one last time, to see him approaching before she passed through the curtain, losing sight of him.

The dance was beginning and she was intent on setting the tune.