Seeking The Present

Chapter 3 - Ready for Dinner.

After our shopping trip we sat at the barber shop.

“Are you sure Lee?” I rubbed his arm.

“It’s time babe.” The barber came over with some clippers.

“Just not like James please.” I said to Lee. He laughed and agreed. I watched as they cut his shaggy hair down. Short on the sides and longer on top.

“I miss your old hair already.” I said as they started to slick it over.

“I said not like James!” I watched as they slicked it to the side, just like how James wore his hair. They dusted him off and he walked over.

“You look like your brother.” Arnold said walking up next to me, He had got just a trim.

“It’s because they styled it like this. I can wash it.” Lee walked over to me. I grabbed his hand.

“Come on, we need to get ready for this dinner.” I said almost unable to look at him. We got back to the villa and a few people helped carry stuff in. As I was walking toward the door, I thought I saw someone in the window. I stopped and Arnold stopped next to me.

“What?” He asked and I took a few steps back.

“Thought I saw something.” I said walking over and grabbing his hand. We walked back to the rooms where I went in and sat down. I was exhausted. From leaving early, the terrifying plane ride, the shopping trip, and now dinner. I wasn’t going to make it.

“Ms. Langoria?” I looked up at a woman in a nice suit dress.

“Yes?” I said noticing how beautiful she was. She had long blonde wavy hair, skin kissed by the sun and deep blue eyes.

“I apologize, I’m King Barion’s personal assistant DeAnna. Dinner is in a hour, he wanted me to remind you.” She smiled and her teeth could reflect the sun they were so bright.

“Thank you DeAnna.” I said as I watched her fumbled her pockets.

“There we are! Here is my direct number if you need me or anything from King Barion.” I slowly took the card.

“Thank you again DeAnna.” I put it on the side table and turned back. She was still standing there with a smile. “Is there something else?” I said to her.

“King Barion instructed me to watch you put the number in your phone.” I sighed and pulled out my phone. I opened it up and added it to my contacts. I showed it to her.

“Oh, please change the contact name to King Barion. He has instructed this.” DeAnna smiled again. I stared at her a moment and changed it.

“There. Good?” I said to her.

“Perfect! King Barion will see you soon, he instructed me to let you know he is very excited.” She turned paused at the door where Lee stood. “Pardon me.” Lee stepped aside and DeAnna nodded and walked off.

“Is she a robot?” He asked coming in.

“I bet she would be if King Barion instructed her to be one.” I chuckled and got up walking to Lee who put his arms around me. He laid a soft kiss on my lips. I reached up and started messing up his hair.

“Hey!” He said swatting my hand away.

“I’m sorry! You look like James and I don’t want to kiss you and think about your brother.” He sighed.

“We’re identical twins you know.” He said to me like I forgot.

“That doesn’t mean you have to look exactly alike. Now come on, let’s get ready for this dinner.” I pushed him toward the door.

“Fine fine!” He walked out shutting the door. I turned and started looking through my new clothes. I settled on a dark green halter top cocktail dress. I stared at myself in the mirror. Inspired by DeAnna I did a light beach wave in my long black hair. With out knocking the door opened and both guys filed in talked.

“Excuse you! I could’ve been dressing.” I said putting my hand on my hip. Both of them stopped looking at me.

“Hannah…” Lee said with a look of amazement.

“Hannah you’re gorgeous.” Arnold said in equal amounts of amazement.

“Ok stop, we should go.” I picked up the phone but before I could do or say anything Jensen walked in.

“I am here to collect you all for dinner.” He looked us all up and down. “Very nice. Come!” He walked out. As we walked down the hall and down the stairs, Jensen started going over rules.

“First, this is just a dinner invitation. It is not the audience you’re required to attend. The audience is tomorrow at NOON sharp. His majesty King Barion hates when people are early. He also hates when people are late. So be precisely on time. Second, Do not speak to King Barion unless you are spoken to. He hates to be interrupted, if you interrupt him, you may be thrown out of dinner or the house altogether.” Jensen stopped and turned. “Third, no PDA at all. That is your only warning. No hand holding, no kissing, no loving gazes. They are seen as disrespectful to King Barion.” We all looked at each other. “Are we clear?” Jensen continued. We nodded and Jensen opened the door to a giant dining area. The long table must’ve been able to seat fifty people. Jensen led us to the end of the table. “To encourage you less.” He pointed at Lee. “You both will sit across from each other. This one will sit next to you.” Jensen ushered both guys across the table. “Sit sit, his majesty doesn’t like people to stand around and doddle.” Jensen said walking over and standing by the door. “SIT.” He yelled and we jumped into our seats. The doors opened as a mountain of a man walked in. He looked like a Latino god. His dress pants were tight and he wore a white dress shirt. He barely had it buttoned and I swear his chest glistened as he walked. He stopped in front of me.

“Hannah Langoria.” He held out his hand.