Chapter 5

Eight thin, square towers reach twice the height of the next tallest building in this elegant castle and are connected by strengthened, thin walls made of dark brownstone.

Small windows are scattered here and there across the walls in a seemingly random pattern.

A vast gate with wide metal doors, towering twelve feet stood erect.

Statues of woman warriors are lined up outside of the castle gates, serving as reminders of the past. This castle has stood the test of time and despite knowing some very rough times, the castle still stands and it looks like it will do so for many years to come.

'This is the Heath family Castle that's standing erect for the past five generations! well that's what Ellen and mother-in-law told me', Jayson stood in awe as he saw the castle where Ellen Grandparents live, 'I bet that mad man doesn't have an old castle-like this, he only concentrates on getting the modern techs'

This castle named The Heath Castle is the place where the Heath family Matriarch, Cora Heath's 75th birthday party is held.

However, he knows this isn't just a birthday party, but a place where all the top echelon of this country who drowns on the money will gather for some undertaking businesses.

He was well suited in a luxurious royal blue blazer with rose print along with a black shirt and pant a little variant from his usual choice. These simple changes made him look more handsome in Ellen's eyes.

As for Ellen herself, she wore a red long dress, red heels embedded with white pearl matching the pearl accessories dazzling on her neck and ears. 

Looking at the dress that perfectly fits her just like in his dream, Jayson involuntarily took a step forward and brushed her rosy hair swaying in the breeze.

Getting Jayson too close made Ellen's cheeks blush, "what are doing!"

Pulling himself out of the trance-like state that took over him for about an hour from the moment they left their house, Jayson coughed, "just. there was a leaf between your hair"

"Where!", questioning him Ellen tried to scuff through her hair, however, he held her hand, "I took care of it"

"Shall we go"

Not waiting for her reply, he locked his hand with her and walked into the castle.

Ellen felt his warmth in her hands and followed without resistance, 'why is my heart drumming so fast?'

Entering the hall Jayson saw a familiar face, the pink-hair girl in a long purple gown, and realized the essence of pink hair, 'her hair is just like mother-in-law's, I thought it might be spontaneous. Now the dots are connecting'

Vivian who is receiving the guest looked to Jayson and Ellen. She doesn't have the shock or surprise whatsoever like Jayson as she walked to them, "we meet again"

Jayson realized why this girl winked at him back at the cafeteria, 'So she knows who I am'

Just as Jayson was thinking about what to respond, Ellen queried him with a placid face, "how do you know her?"

Hearing that Jayson felt a chill, 'why is she acting weird', even as confusing it was, still he replied to her, "I just met her with Uncle Stephen"

"You know Uncle Stephen!"

"Why are you getting shocked for everything!"

"Tell me everything, you know about her",

when Ellen leaned closer to him for an answer, his heart skipped as words slipped through in front of her mesmerizing eyes, "I just saw her one time", he felt his voice fail when she smiled and winked, "I don't even know her name"

Vivian who stood in the side and looking at the lovey-dovey couple spoke, "My my, it seems like the cold-hearted cousin! Relly is a great wife who gets easily jealous"

'So that's what this is all about', Jayson realized the meaning behind Ellen's action. It was an act to tell everyone they are an intimate married couple.  

'She is completely using me, and I fell for that pretty face of hers'

Ellen didn't talk much to Vivian, she pulled Jayson and entered the gracious hall filled with riches even in the air. People stood in there wearing fashionable clothes and drinks in their hands.

What shocked Jayson was that more than half of the people present are about the same age as him, 'it's an old person's birthday, so why are these many young people here'

Looking through the crowd Ellen pulled him to a blonde hair girl in a white skirt, and hugged her, "Suzanne, what a surprise? I didn't expect to see you here."

The blonde girl Suzanne Vega, is a close friend of Ellen, "Well, my dad pushed me to come here. I called you many times, but you didn't respond to any of my calls"

Ellen became awkward, "About that, I had a lot of stuff going on with the new branch"

Seeing her explaining herself Jayson understood how much of an important person this Suzanne was to Ellen.

Suzanne understand Ellen more than herself, so she didn't care a wisp, "I figured as much"

She turned with a smile to Jayson, "Is he the one?"

"Yep"

Surveying him from top to bottom,

"Not bad. He looks great", moving closer to Ellen she whispered, "A perfect match for the role"

Moving a step further she asked, "Can I use him some time to shrug off my pursuers"

"Don't even think about it", even as Ellen denied it, a second later she agreed on terms, "But if you give a good price, I might accept it"

'Why are they talking like I'm a thin air'

Scrunching her brows Suzanne said, "I just met with Grud Company people, wanna meet them"

"That would be great", agreeing to Suzanne, Ellen walked leaving behind Jayson alone, but she stopped after two steps, "Jayson... Dear, don't drink! okay!"

He shooed them to leave, "I promised and I will do so"

Turning around he saw another familiar face, 'Uncle Stephen'

He wasn't shocked this as he knows Vivian is from Heath Family and her too calling him Uncle means they are related.

He walked next to Stephen, "Uncle Stephen, you never said you were part of Heath Family"

Stephen smiled, "Neither did you told anything about it"

Jayson rubbed his chins, "I don't care"

"Well, it doesn't matter for me. I don't care too", saying that Stephen took two champagne glasses from the nearby table, "How about a drink?"

"Well, I can't drink now", he replied taking a deep breath.

Stephen chuckled, "Do be so loyal"

"What?"

He placed his hand on Jayson shoulder comforting him, "I saw what happened between Ellen and you"

Jayson moved back from his hand, "No Comments"

When more people began to gather, Stephen talked, "Today, won't be a pleasant day for someone, so stay alert all the time and bite people before they chew you"

"You seem well accustomed to this habitat", Jayson knows full well how easy-going and relaxed person Stephen is.

"Habitat, that's a fine word, do you see all the six pink hairs"

Jayson looked around the hall and saw five girls including Ellen and a woman standing above the stairway to the first floor, "Yes"

"They are the lions here and they are in a bloody battle that is soon start-up when the seventh pink hair walks in"

Noticing the worry in Stephen's voice, Jayson gulped, "Their fight doesn't concern us right"

"They will scatter the bullets and it doesn't matter who got hit, everyone will smash that one. So pray you and Ellen don't get caught up in it, tonight"