Friendship and Romance

Audrey

"Now none of us will ask you to harm a child out of consideration that our political enemies might use this back on us"

The Senator's gaze suddenly turned disdainful. Wasn't he just plainly saying that he had no qualms hurting kids if he wasn't afraid of retaliation?

Clearing his throat, he continued after stealing yet another glance at the redhead.

"We have done our investigation, these five families and the Von family have no business relations with each other nor are they related in any way by blood or friendship. The only link between them is their children. Their circumstances are different but all of these children are valued immensely by their parents, they are pampered brats."

"Your son goes to the same highschool as them. Now we understand that there's only three months before their final exams. All he needs to do is loosen the trust between these kids a bit and the others will take away their support for Von. That's it, that's all we are asking"

Senator Von glanced at his Campaign Manager who no longer strongly refuted the idea but had a contemplating expression.

"Please give us a moment to consider among ourselves" he spoke up.

The older man Sir Gustav nodded and rose from his seat not forgetting to take his refilled wine glass with him. The other two followed and they left the room.

"Petra? What do you think?" Senator Bolton leaned forward, looking over his campaign manager at the red haired woman who had a scowl on her face.

"You should already know my position Sir." She replied immediately. Getting up from her seat, she picked up the half empty bottle of wine on the table and put it in her handbag beside her.

The other two watched but neither said anything.

"Senator. . . " The campaign manager spoke up wanting to say something.

"It's alright Zain," the Senator waved.

"Petra call Eric, let him meet us here"

"Sir, she attends the same school as them too" Petra reminded in a soft voice not daring to use the name of the person she was referring to.

"We only have three months, Sir." the campaign manager added when he saw the expression of disgust on the Senator.

"You talk to her then" the Senator replied to Petra, his voice a tone deeper.

Petra nodded and excused herself from the room through a different door than Sir Gustav and his henchmen. She didn't want to run into that p*****t.

A different room in the resort, although less fancy than the Business Suite earlier, the luxury here was still much overwhelming. The fanciful dreamy lighting of the room alone was more than enough to appeal to the aesthetics of even the most perfectionistic materialist.

In the middle of the room sat a young girl with red hair though much lighter than Petra's. Wearing a tight body fitted top that accentuated the curves of her exaggerated chest, she crossed her legs in a single-seater couch in the middle of the room and an unlit cigarette playing around on her lips. Her hands holding a smartphone rested on her thighs partially exposed thanks to the extra short skirt she was wearing. As she laughed to whatever was on her screen, her body jigged in excitement. Fortunately there was no one here to see her casual disposition or many men would need a tissue to hide their embarrassment.

Nosebleed, think purer thoughts.

There was a double knock on the door followed by Petra entering the room. She walked to the table in the middle and put down the bottle of red she had taken from the meeting earlier before setting her gaze on the sparsely dressed girl who paid no attention to her.

"Audrey" she called gently, her hands simultaneously straightening her long tight office skirt.

"You said I was going to see my Dad. He's not coming is he?" The girl, Audrey asked without looking up from her phone. Though there was no smile on her face any more only a solemn sulking expression. Her voice was so low one could sense the despondence in it.

"No but I have something for you. A way out" Petra replied and Audrey finally looked up at her.

Slowly raising her head, Audrey raised her brows in askance as if she wouldn't believe whatever the other party said.

"Your father has hit an obstruction in the polls. Von remains ahead, today it was suggested to him to break the six families alliance so Von is isolated and we'll get more chances to advance" Petra started. Slowly she walked to a cabinet, pulled out a glass and returned. Pouring herself a cup as she sat down facing Audrey.

Audrey watched her silently, her heart slowing down as a bad feeling welled up within her.

"Your father needs your help" Petra continued after emptying her cup in one gulp.

Audrey's expression turned puzzled, what could she do that her father couldn't?

"You see, the six families are not bonded by interests but kids who their parents take way too seriously. All you need to do is find a way to put yourself between them, make them lose trust for each other" Petra explained slowly.

Audrey's mouth opened agape.

"How in the world would I do that?"

Petra cleared her throat and continued. "There's two boys among them. . . " She trailed off.

Audrey's eyes slowly widened as she heard Petra's words.

". . . Phill who is dating Lorel and Liam, all the girls like him, perhaps even Lorel. All you need to do is put yourself between them. Or instigate something between Lorel and Phil, the rest will take care of itself" Petra decided to brave through it. She stared pointedly at the shocked Audrey when she finished.

"Don't feel wronged. Liam might not seem like much but there's a lot more to him and Phil is a handsome young man with good prospects."

"Then you can go date them yourself" Audrey scoffed picking up her purse and phone to leave.

"Sit down!" Petra's tone changed, hiding within it a hint of threat.

Audrey hesitated but eventually obliged under Petra's stern gaze.

"Listen, I don't need to remind you of your current circumstances. If you want things to change, you will listen to me. Your father needs your help and this is perhaps the best opportunity you will ever get. I'm not asking you to go sell your body to some boys, just flirt with them. Is that something your pride won't allow you to do?"

"If my father needs my help, he can come ask me himself " Audrey found the courage to shoot back.

"Sure, why don't you wait here for him?" Petra looked Audrey over mockingly.

"Is that all? Can I leave now?" Audrey asked, barely holding back her tears.

Petra nodded and sighed.

All this girl wants is her father's approval. As she poured herself another drink. Audrey exited the room.