The night we met

In the very independent country of America the name Nicolas Rodriguez needed no introduction. It was the name that people fear to take. It was the name, people of higher status wanted to get attached with. It was the name that every young businessman wanted to adopt, the name even the enemies admired so much. The name highly spoke only one word "Power" and after all these years Mr. Rodriguez made sure to have the same reputation. Everyone in the Rodriguez family was reminded this everyday. The wife, all five kids, all six grandkids, all the workers, even the two dogs Rodriguez family owned. They all knew that they have to maintain this persona throughout their life. The only living being who was unaffected with all these was the cat. The cat that Rodriguez family owns. Well, owns, disowns that was still a question but her 24*7*365 presence in the room of Alexandra Rodriguez was a proof that the room in that house belonged to her and just because of that cat Alexandra Rodriguez was also unaffected by all the family business chaos. Alexandra blamed the cat for the negligence but if you would have gone for the cat's opinion she would have just ignored you completely. Alexandra how many time I have told you to not bring books in the dining table.The table is for food not for books, you have your room for that" Mrs. Rodriguez complained. Like everytime, Alexandra chose to ignore the comment and continued her eyes and brain in the book. "Alex, mom is saying something to you, why don't you listen to her. The visitors are going to come soon. It's the time you should stop being so difficult." Marquis, her eldest brother said. Without replying anything to him Alexandra folded the book and started eating the food. Like any other time she felt her presence was needed there only to complete the family picture for the visitors that used to come once in the week for dinner. It was almost like a tradition in the Rodriguez family to have some known wealthy family to have dinner with them once in a week. The people in power were used to of faking their smiles, laughing at unnecessary reasons and complain about the stupid problems. The males used to boast about their financial figures increasing day by day, The females used to chat about the increasing number of shoes and bags in their closet and the kids used to talk about the numbers of girls and boys they have bedded in the week. All these things didn't make sense to her. She always used to question herself whether it was something wrong with her because she was always the odd one out. None of these topics were interesting for her, rather she felt like choking herself everytime when these topics started to emerge. "Can you please stop eating food, the guests are not here yet. Where are your manners ?" Her mother complained again. Alexandra stopped eating strawberries what they were calling "food" and chose to wait with others for the guests. Today's guest were The Richard's, the third most renowned family in the country. Mr. Richard was responsible for major of the textile business in and outside of the country and was considered one of the finest businessman of the decade. He was witty,sharp, smart and cunning. Mr.Rodriguez knew that very well and most probably that was the reason Richard's were the one who were most invited in the Rodriguez family dinner. After waiting for almost fifteen more minutes the Richard's arrived and the pleasantries were exchanged between the two families. As usual the common topics started to escalate and Alexandra felt like she needed to flee from that place, but since she knew she couldn't do that so she busied herself with the food. "Hey, listen you guys, after we will finish the food I will take you two to show my new motorcycle" Javier told the Richard brothers. "Whoa ! You bought a new one, don't you have two already" asked Jordan the younger Richard. "I have, but I was already bored with them" Javier shrugged. "Cool man we will love to look at it." Jorden said impressed. "Thank you Isabel for inviting us, the food is great as usual and your home look more beautiful than ever" Mrs. Richard complemented. "Oh! Thank you so much Claire, you are so kind with words. It's nothing new except the white marble elephants you must have seen at the entrance." Isabel replied with a blush. "Oh yes ! Totally. They look majestic." Claire replied with a exaggerated smile on her face. The commotion continued and Alexandra moved her eyes from food to the book she had hidden under the table. She knew it was better to focus all her energy in the book rather than being part of the useless talks. " So, Alexandra! Ian here told me that it's the third time you got full marks in history, not a single mistake. Isn't that like record or something." He said with a tight smile. It took her sometime to avert her focus from the book to Mr. Richard's voice since it was very unusual of someone talking to her in the table. When she looked towards Mr. Richard's she found all the eyes looking at her, specially her dad who was not just looking rather staring at her. "Uhh ! Yeah! I got lucky I guess". She shurgged her shoulders meekly on response. "Nonsense! My daughter here don't like to talk about her achievements. It's okay honey you can tell everyone about how focused you are towards your studies, no one will judge you. You know how proud we all are of you." Isabel told Alexandra. "Thank you mom, but seriously it's nothing special." They all nodded at her response and went back to their chitchat. Alexandra sulked at her chair and tried to hide herself from everyone in the premises. She wasn't used to of having conversation about her. Usually when she was the one who was almost invisible in the table. No one has ever asked her anything regarding her studies or her life in general before, so it was very surprising for her when Mr. Richard asked her out of the blue about her studies. She decided not to dwell further on the topic and immersed herself in the hidden book again when the Richard's decided to take the leave. Apparantly Mr. Richard got an important phone call from the company for which he had to respond with his presence immediately. Everyone gathered in the drawing room to bid farewell to the Richard's for the night. "It's always a pleasure to come to this house Nicolas, thank you for inviting us." Mr. Richard thanked Nicolas by extending his hand forward. Its always a pleasure to have you and your family here, William." Mr. Rodriguez responded by shaking their hands. "And the food tasted amazing Isabel. One day I will come here just for the recipes. Claire praised Isabel while giving her a hug". "Thank you Claire. We all love to have you here everytime." Isabel responded smiling. "Well we will see you soon for the wedding of our daughter next month." Mr. Richard said for which the Rodriguez answered with of course in unison. Then again just before moving out Mr. Richard drew her attention back to Alexandra who was standing at the last. "Alexandra would you mind helping Ian with the studies. I think he needs extra help in few subjects." "But Ian is already good in studies. I mean he always score really good marks in all subjects." Alexandra mouth responded earlier than her brain and she mentally slapped herself. "Yeah. But he is not the one who is getting full marks everytime yeah ?" Mr. Richard ask with raised eyebrow. Alexandra didn't answer but knitted her eyebrows in response. "Of course, she will William. I will make sure of that. What's the use of all the studying and getting good grades if she can't help others." Mr. Rodriguez glared at his daughter and answered on her behalf. "Well then it's settled. Ian and Alexandra will see other once in a week for discussing their studies. Right dear ?" Mrs. Richard asked Alexandra with a big smile on her face. Alexandra wanted to say a big no to that. She knew Ian didn't need her help in the studies. He was already very good at it. She couldn't understand why their parents were so adamant about them studying together when she personally didn't like Ian at all. He was practically a bully in the school who liked to show off his family's name and money. She loathed that guy. As she was unable to form negative excuses in her head for sudden proposal she just prayed to God for some miracle to happened so that the proposition would get cancelled without her directly saying no as an answer. "Alexandra stop being rude to the guests, Ian is waiting for your answer" Isabel pushed Alexandra further. As Alexandra opened her mouth to give her answer they heard a loud noise coming out of the kitchen. "Cattt.. Its the cat again eating stuff in the kitchen." Someone screamed from behind. "Cassandra" Alexandra said and looked towards the voice. "Ahhhh that thing again, Alexandra how many times we have to tell you to leave that feral outside of the house." Mr. Rodriguez said with a irritated voice. "Sorry dad I better go and check on her." Alexandra said and left the place as fast as she could. She didn't even wait for anyone to answer and rushed towards the kitchen. When she reached there she saw the cat eating strawberries with a bored expression. Alexandra moved towards her and took her in her lap. The cat looked at her with the expression saying you are welcome and Alexandra couldn't help but nuzzled her affectionately and whispered "thank you Cassie for saving my ass out there, you are the best."