Responsibility sucks. Sure it has sparks when it comes to guiding others and making sure the woman that was like a mother to her could expand her business empire. She knew she would eventually agree to anything older woman said. But did it make her any less annoyed? Absolutely not. If anything she was ready to throw objects at live targets. Alessa was staring at her mentor in disbelief. "You must be joking! You know I can't stand these snobby gatherings!" Elena looked at the agitated woman who was now pacing the floor, processing the news. She sighed and responded, "Alessa, you surely are aware how significant the Ball is to the Guild. The funds alone ensure the safe future of our association and all the acquaintances we get at the—" "Acquaintances!", Alessa interrupted, "You mean those stuck-up morons salivating over our members, thinking they could buy their way to our beds!" she grimaced with disgust. "Those stuck-up morons, as you so eloquently put it, are also our source of funds," she sighed. "As for the second part, all of you are able to use your brains and follow the rules of the Guild." Alessa rolled her eyes and groaned. She couldn't argue with that and she knew her attendance at the Ball was more than beneficial to the Guild. She was very protective of the association, called Amazon Guild due to its extraordinary members. It consisted only of strong, beautiful women either with great potential or already excelling in their careers. Elena was the leader, always looking immaculate and calm. She turned heads of many men despite her 40th birthday taking place a few years ago. However, it was Alessa that raised curiosity in social circles. People called her icy princess as she avoided attending formal events outside the Guild. She would nevertheless frequently attend business meetings with Elena and prove to be skilled in presentations, negotiations and innovative strategies. She was the most trusted advisor to the Guild Leader, even though she was barely 26. Her true beauty also attracted a lot of influential suitors that tried to break her icy barrier by making business deals with Elena, hoping to receive some gratitude from the icy princess. Which just made Alessa more disgusted. "Fine!" said Alessa in defeat, "But don't expect me to act calm when another Mr. I-Inferited-A-Fortune tries to blow my mind with his Oh-So-Expensive car while not showing any sign of a single braincell possession." Elena smiled in response, "Suit yourself. Just be there. There is going to be an old friend of mine I expect to see." *** Evan was watching his father, barely paying attention to older man's tirade. His mind was somewhere between next business deal in Europe and another nameless blonde he had in his bed last night. "...So just dress up and be there at 8 o'clock in the evening," his father was saying, "and again, Evan, 3 hours late is not 'fashionably late'." he finished exasperated. Evan smiled broadly remembering last time he attended some elegant event right after he had fun with a certain redhead. Or was it blonde again? He couldn't recall correctly. One look at his father though, made him wake up from daydreaming. He almost asked where was it that his father wanted him at 8 in the evening and dressed up but it would just prove that he wasn't quite listening to what the older gentleman was saying for the past half an hour. Fortunately for him, in that very moment, father handed him invitation with the details. "Of course, dad, I will be there on time and ready to make some new friends," he grinned. "The hell you are!" older man warned, "there is going to be an old friend of mine with, what I believe is, her advisor. It's a young beautiful woman, if I remember correctly, but surprisingly quite a business shark. I don't want you to do anything foolish that would impact my friendship with Elena Dunes." Evan's demeanour changed in an instant, "Investments' queen is your friend?" he asked, thinking about all the potential deals he could make, hearing about a young woman being her advisor. Sure, he has been travelling for years and settled for a few years in Europe to expand the company but he wasn't all secluded from gossip about his rivals and top people in the industry. He chose to ignore the part of investment's queen's advisor being immune to male charms, confident he could wrap her around his little finger after one night with him. Evan didn't mind mixing business with pleasure if it was to benefit him in any way. Women he slept with didn't seem to mind it either. So he didn't realize how his way of doing things was exactly what disgusted Alessa. He was in for a ride with the icy princess.