by Leon Logos
“What is it?” Serenity asked, ignoring the man.
“I’m trying to pick out Bastion’s clothes for tonight and tomorrow,” Destiny explained. “But I just can’t decide; everything looks good on him.”
Why would you need my help for something so small? Serenity thought irritably. She scanned all the clothing, and then impatiently picked out Bastion’s outfit for both days. Destiny appraised the look for a total of fifteen seconds and then shook her head in disapproval.
“No, orange isn’t very Christmas-esque,” she said. “I was thinking black and scarlet for tonight. What do you think?”
“Great,” Serenity replied automatically; whatever Destiny suggested, she would agree on. It would profoundly expedite the process and lessen the time she was wasting on such an inconsequential affair.
“She doesn’t want to be here, let her retire,” Bastion noted.
“Is that so?” Destiny said pointedly.
“I just don’t think this is such a big deal,” Serenity said frankly. “If he looks good in all the outfits, just simply settle on one?”
“We’ve got distinguished guests from all over the world, he can’t just be seen in anything,” Destiny reproached. “Bastion’s too respected as well.”
“Let Bastion decide, then,” Serenity said.
“I’ve decided that Destiny has an eye for fashion and textiles, much more so than me,” said Bastion assertively. “Tell me, will you be picking out your outfit for today and tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Serenity returned, though she was unsure.
“These two nights are crucial for you, so you should get Lily or some of the maids to help you out,” Destiny advised. “You’d want to look nice. After all, you’re the newest member of the family.”
“I’ll do that, then. Can I leave now?”
“Considering you’re of no help, go ahead,” said Destiny curtly.
“What happened to your knuckles?” Serenity observed capriciously, deciding to bring it up on impulse.
“I went off on the punching bag,” Bastion replied nonchalantly, inspecting his bruised knuckles, which were painted with a purplish hue.
“Must be some punching bag,” Serenity murmured, taking her leave.
In accordance with Destiny’s suggestion, she solicited the aid of Lily to help her with preparations for dinner. It went smoothly this time, as Lily picked out her dress, jewelry, and helped her with her makeup. Again, as she scrutinized herself in the dressing table mirror, she barely recognized herself. Before, only in her dreams would she see herself with such an imposing, dazzling appearance, with clothes and jewelry worth more than an island. A diminutive part of her flattered herself as “beautiful,” but the thought quickly faded into oblivion. Lily praised her look excessively anyway.
“You’re a QUEEN!” she extolled. “Everyone’s going to stare.”
“I’m not sure I’d like that…”
“Yeah, but in a good way. Sixto might faint!”
“Stop it,” Serenity sighed, hoping Lily didn’t contract Lyla’s foolish, dry humor or her fancifully ludicrous suspicions.
There was a knock at the door. Serenity verbally welcomed them in, prompting the person at the other side of the door to enter. It was Lyla, wearing a plain collar dress, black dress shoes, and diamond-stud earrings.
“Can we go early?” she asked. “I want good seats.”
“What would you define as ‘good seats’?” Serenity asked curiously.
“Next to Bastion,” Lily whispered in her ear.
The both of them snickered, much to Lyla’s indignation.
“Whatever she said, she’s wrong,” Lyla glared. “Come on.”
They left to the Dining Hall together. As always, it was filled to its maximum capacity. At this juncture of her stay, she had already gotten accustomed to the quotidian banquets prepared for her. But for the holidays, the food tripled in abundance, variety, and quality; the kitchen staff strove to satisfy the guests of the Aurelian residence by cooking up delicacies and entrees from all over the globe. Therefore, the meals catered to the foreigners. Pristine felicity permeated the air, pervading the Dining Hall in a blissful ambiance. Serenity had never been somewhere with such colossal joy. There wasn’t a frown in sight. No quarreling, arguing, or conflict to be found. Not tonight. It was infectious how ecstatic everybody was being, so much that it cured her broodiness temporarily.
She made sure to enjoy herself, conversing with Lily and Sixto wholeheartedly. The scrumptious repast contributed to her euphoria, wholesomely altering her mood. The hour she spent in the Dining Hall was brimmed with badinage, raillery, and banter. Not even Lyla could ward off the irresistible glee that drifted about. She laughed until her breath ran out at a joke, Sixto told.
It wasn’t long before the singing began. A flock of Irish men stood up on their chairs, vociferously chanting a folk song she heard earlier. They brandished bottles of wine, indicating they were inebriated beyond instant remedy. Several of the women adjoining them shook their heads, embarrassed at their husbands or relatives. Eventually, Dorian joined in. It was difficult to get Dorian drunk, as his tolerance with alcohol was off the charts.
“Jesus, look at him,” Sixto gawked. “It’s like this every year.”
“Around Christmas?” Serenity asked.
“Yeah…he ’ll be even more drunk tomorrow, just watch.”
“And even more drunk at New Years,” Lyla interposed.
The cessation of the song garnered an outburst of applause and effusive approbation from the audience. Serenity joined in on the applause, impelled by the odds that were stacked against her. (She didn’t want to fall in the minority that wasn’t giving clapping). Dorian chugged the remaining wine from the bottle and then smashed it to the floor. A kitchen staff member deftly dashed to the scene, mopping up the liquid and picking up the shards of glass.
Alistair rose up to his feet. Everybody respectfully fell silent, acknowledging that he was about to speak. “Greetings,” Alistair began elatedly.
“I must thank you all for coming here tonight. It never ceases to overwhelm me with joy as I dine with you annually for the holidays. Christmas is tomorrow! Restrain your children, as they will be consumed by alacrity! Correct, Lily?!”
There was low wave of simultaneous laughter at this quip. Lily grinned sheepishly, as people shot her warm, fleeting glances.
“That is all I have for today,” Alistair continued. “I will have more to say tomorrow, including a crucial announcement that will supplement the festivities of the holidays. Good night to you all!”
“After dessert, not so hasty!” a man with a Scottish accent called out comically, producing additional laughter.
“Indeed!” Alistair smiled. “Dessert!”
Despite being full, she couldn’t help but indulge in a slice of chocolate cake. It pleasured her taste buds with unreal jubilation. Sixto threw all table etiquette and manners to the wind, eating slices of cheesecake one after the other as if it was a competition. Lyla grimaced and glowered.
“Pig,” she muttered tetchily.
“You remind me of somebody,” Serenity chortled.
“Who, me?” Sixto asked, his mouth full.
“Yeah… I knew somebody with an appetite like yours…”
“Were you friends with a hog?” Lyla said wittily.
The recollection of this particular individual caused a twinge of gloom in her chest. She gingerly pushed aside the semi-finished plate of chocolate cake, her appetite diminished. For the rest of the dinner, she remained quiet and oblivious, alone with her thoughts and isolated from the party.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
She awoke early at 7:00 AM the next morning. Lily was insistent on her being there with her for the present openings. She knocked feverishly at her door, awakening Serenity from her slumber. Groggily, Serenity told them to come in, already aware that it was Lily behind the door. Lily proceeded to jump onto her bed and hyperactively kick her playfully with he
r pajamas on. It was agitating at first, but she understood Lily’s excitement. All the presents were said to be situated in the “Christmas Hall.” This was a testament to how special Christmas was in the family; they even had a separate hall for the presents. She figured there would also be a tree.
Lily didn’t even give her a chance to bathe. Serenity had no choice but to simply wash her face and brush her teeth, throwing on jeans and a green blouse. They left her chamber only fifteen minutes after she woke up.
“I hope we’re the first ones,” Lily said, bouncing down the hall.
“We did get up pretty early,” said Serenity, smothering a yawn.
“We’re allowed to open them at 7:30,” Lily said. “I hate that. Why can’t we just get them earlier, like at 6:00?”
“So that everybody opens them at the same time?”
“That’s stupid,” Lily groaned.
The Christmas Hall was located across from the lounge room, the main house. It wasn’t a far distance to travel, thankfully. As they walked, they saw children racing down the halls, evidently heading to the same place as they were. Their parents struggled to catch up with them, listlessly calling for them to slow down. All the presents were transported to the Christmas Hall, where everybody, both the currents residents and the guests all over the world, would open them together.
She remembered the many Christmas nights spent in motels, hotels, and temporary houses. As a child, she felt regretful and perturbed that her family did not celebrate Christmas like the conventional American family. As she grew up, her attitude towards Christmas developed indifference and apathy. It was just another insignificant holiday near the end of the year, like Halloween or Thanksgiving. Some of the schools she was at during the holiday season hosted dances, whether it be a Halloween dance or a winter dance. A hundred percent of the time, Desmos or Gunther would not permit her to go. It wasn’t the holiday spirit that compelled her to go, but the social longing she desired. She simply desired to be like a regular kid, participating in a school event.
There were already a plethora of families waiting in the Christmas Hall. It was a high-ceilinged room with a Christmas tree laden with ornaments; the tree was half the size of the one in the courtyard, but considerably massive nonetheless. Hundreds of wrapped presents with name tags sat around the tree. An abundance of couches and chairs were brought in, primly organized to make the Christmas Hall resemble a parlor area.
The parents reposed on the couches, some of them dozing off. Lily joined the children around the tree, where they were impatiently waiting for the mammoth clock pinned on the wall to hit 7:30. Serenity took a seat on a recliner, watching as people gradually filled up the room. Dorian and Alistair entered the hall a minute before the designated opening time, at 7:29. Lily gleefully summoned her father, vigorously entreating, for her gifts. Serenity saw how Alistair directed Lily to the right side of the tree, where a tower (stacked seven feet high) of wrapped presents sat, with Lily’s nametag attached to each one. The clock hit 7:30, and it was pure fervor. All the children and adolescents grabbed their gifts and tore off the wrappings. Parents walked over to their kids, settling disputes over the ownership of particular presents. Lily was currently unboxing a new iPad.
“We should wait,” Sixto said, sneaking up behind her. “When the little kids are finished, that’s when us older people grab our gifts.”
“Did you see Lily’s pile?” Serenity asked, flabbergasted.
“I think she broke a new record,” Sixto nodded. “They had to stack the boxes unevenly so that she could reach the top ones by collapsing them.”
“I hope she doesn’t break anything expensive,” said Serenity.
“Who cares?” Sixto said. “She’ll just ask for another one, and it’ll come in an instant—well, it might take a while. This place is pretty secluded.”
Lily shrieked in elation as she unwrapped a telescope that looked expensive enough to be used by NASA. She was only twelve presents in, not even halfway through her entire pile. Some of the neighboring children gaped at Lily in obvious jealousy, comparing their loads of presents with hers. Needless to say, Lily was the “most loved” child. A pudgy boy, no more than eight, attempted to steal one of Lily’s boxes while she wasn’t looking. The boy was immediately caught red-handed by his mother.
“It happens all the time,” Sixto remarked, leaning against the recliner with his shoulder. “The other children get jealous.”
“Do they always try to steal?” Serenity asked, amused.
“No, that’s a first,” Sixto quirked his eyebrows.
“I think it’s strange that you guys have a separate place for the presents,” she said conversationally.
“Why is that? It’s Christmas! And we’ve got too much space in the main house. Mind as well use this room for something, right?”
“Yeah, sure…”
“You’ve never celebrated Christmas with the Carlisles?”
“You know I haven’t.”
“I know, I just wanted to make sure,” said Sixto.
It was the first time he mentioned them since the night of their escapade. He caught the subtle signal that she didn’t want to talk about them, thus refraining from engaging into a conversation pertaining to the night in the jailhouse or the Carlisles in general. Sixto changed the subject quickly.
“How’re you holding up with all these guests around?”
“I don’t mind,” she shrugged. “It’s not like I’m being forced to share my bed or room. And this place is big enough to accommodate them all.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Sometimes I wish this estate was smaller. Then it would be easier to get around. I tried getting my hands on one of those cars that security drives around with. No luck.”
“You can drive?” she asked curiously.
“I’ve never tried, but I bet it’s really easy. How about you? In America, I hear kids drive really young at like fifteen.”
“At fifteen, you can get a permit, but I never got mine. I wouldn’t call myself a good driver. I lack experience, honestly.”
“So do I. I bet I can master it in a single day, though.”
“Driving around the estate is easy,” said Serenity. “Go out into the highways, and it’s way different, Sixto.”
Dorian approached and greeted them before Sixto could reply. He was wearing a silver trench coat, a top hat, and dark-purple leather gloves.
“Why aren’t you kids joining in on the unwrapping?” he asked.
“We’re not allowed, right?” Serenity said uncertainly.
“Yes, you are,” Dorian maintained, giving Sixto a sharp look. “It’s just that Sixto is disinclined in being seen with the other children, due to some foolish pride. The poor boy is repudiating his youth.”
Serenity snickered as Sixto burst out in denial.
“You’re not going to put me in the same league as them!” he upbraided. “I’m an Aurelian soldier! They’re spoiled, snotty little brats!”
“Calling sweet Lily a what?!” Dorian gasped exaggeratively.
“Excluding Lily, then,” he reserved. “Dorian, how about you go ahead and open your presents instead of telling me to?”
“I’m a grown man,” Dorian said. “I’m in no rush.”
“Neither am I,” Sixto said forcefully, folding his arms.
Lily was still unwrapping presents when all the other children were finished. There were ten boxes of hers left to be opened. All eyes were on her as she tore off the wrapping of each one, revealing items such as shoes, electronics, clothing, jewelry, candy, and a massive teddy bear. Despite all these presents, Lily looked a bit dissatisfied. As Alistair ordered servants to grab her presents and transport them all to her chamber, Lily trudged up to them gloomily. She may have expected more.
“What’s wrong?” Lyla asked, just now entering the Christmas Hall. “You got a gigantic load of presents. Don’t tell me it’s not enough?!”
“No, it’s just that I didn’t get what I wanted!” Lily p
outed.
“What did you want?” said Serenity.
“A baby chimpanzee!”
They almost burst out in laughter at the absurdity of this response.
“That’s an exotic animal; you’re not going to find one in a box!” Lyla said scornfully. “And they’re not even supposed to be pets!”
“But, I told Father that I wanted one!”
“Lyla’s correct,” said Alistair patiently, putting a comforting hand on his youngest child’s shoulder. “Chimps aren’t meant to be pets.”
Lily frowned, slouching to the sofa and burying her head in the cushions in despondency. Alistair smiled, unconcernedly walking up to some of the guests to chat with them. Serenity felt a tad annoyed at how irrational and ungrateful Lily was being, but she briskly acknowledged that Lily was only ten and that having high expectations was an inevitable consequence of being spoiled and growing up in a decadent lifestyle.
“Well, all the kids are cleared,” Sixto announced. “We can go now.”
Sixto and Lyla strolled over to the tree, where quite a few presents were left. Sixto halted, at noticing that she did not move.
“You coming?”
“Am I seriously going to find presents for me?” she asked, puzzled.
“Let’s see!” Sixto said earnestly. “Come on!”
Sure enough, there were boxes labeled with her name on it. Six in total. Although it was pathetic in comparison to Lily, it was six times more than she had expected to receive. Serenity opened them all without delay. The first box contained a sumptuous golden gown. She ran the silky material through her fingers, gauging how expensive it was. The second box held a diamond wristwatch, which she replaced with the golden watch she was currently wearing. The third present was a laptop—a MacBook Pro. She didn’t have much interest in electronics anymore. The fourth, a makeup set. She had one already. Fifth, a necklace. She had too many. She proceeded to the final present, a small rectangular box. Serenity ripped off the wrapping and opened the box, uncovering a sheathed dagger. She pulled off the sheath, revealing a lavish blade with an ornate handle and hilt. The silver glinted in the iridescent light. The tip of the blade was sharpened so smoothly that she felt a sharp stab of pain.
