You’re invited to the engagement party - Masterminds #1, Chapter 12
It's official: Heila and Dany are engaged and have announced it to the rest of the group. But at what emotional cost?
Group chat: The Penthouse
Participants: Heila, Nya, Dany, Judy, Jake, Ash, Ray
You have a new message from Dany:
Guys, Heila and I have some great news to share. We’re officially engaged! And to celebrate the occasion, we’d like to invite you all to an engagement party we’ll be hosting this Friday evening at the penthouse’s rooftop. Nothing too fancy, I swear. It’s been a while since we’ve all come together for something other than ‘Mastermind work’ so I figured this would be a good opportunity.
Also, +1s are welcome! @Ash, understand if you can’t make it since you are miles away.
Ray: OMG FINALLY! Congrats! (T^T) And count me and Harry in :D
When Ray looked up from his phone, his eyes were shining as bright as the brightness level of its screen (for the Mastermind of the Sun, it was… very high). He sprang up from his seat, almost knocking his breakfast over the table, and showed Harry the message, who was just about to leave for work.
Just like Heila, Harry didn’t outwardly express his emotions, but in that instant, Ray knew that the news had hit a chord. It was all in his slight smile and gleaming eyes…
Your sister’s all grown up now, uh…
“Tell them congrats from my end,” Harry said as he put on his blazer.
“You’ll tell them yourself at the party this Friday. Didn’t you see what I replied? And I’m officially going to introduce you to everyone this time. I know you’ve already met Heila, but not in the best circumstances if I’m being honest, so this is your chance.”
Harry’s eyes avoided his. He did that whenever he felt nervous.
“Do you think it will be fine? I wouldn’t want to steal the spotlight. And besides… it’s going to be everyone…”
What if someone notices the resemblance between him and Heila?
They were now so close that Ray could easily imagine what he was thinking. Of course, the initial plan was for Harry to get closer to Heila only… until he would eventually find the right time to tell her the truth. However, it was almost impossible to meet with Heila without bumping into the others. That and Harry’s hectic schedule at the hospital…
“Darl, I think it’s now or never. Everyone already knows who you are so no one will give you a second look. Besides, it’s going to be outdoors, at night, and… well, honestly, ever since you’ve treated Heila, everyone’s been dying to meet you. It’d be too suspicious to not include you at this point.”
Harry sighed.
“You’re right. Let’s do this then.”
Isn’t this what you wanted anyway? Ray wondered. The whole point of him being here… But he brushed those thoughts away as Harry kissed him goodbye and went out.
He then decided to give Heila a quick call, just in case.
“Hey, Ray, what’s up?”
“Congrats, again.”
“Thanks. Believe me or not, I was as surprised as you when I saw Dany’s message in the group. He didn’t waste any time… Wait, did you call me just for that?”
“No, of course not… but what if I did? Don’t you miss me at the penthouse?”
“You live only a few minutes away!”
They both laughed.
Heila went on. “Though of course, it’s not the same without you around all the time. Especially since Nya’s the only one left now… Anyway, what did you need from me?”
“Well… since I’m bringing Harry to your engagement party… I was wondering… if I could officially introduce him to everyone properly. Sorry, I don’t want to steal your spotlight! But I figured it could be a good opportunity…”
“What, of course, you can! There’s no spotlight to steal. It’s nothing fancy like Dany said. If we’re using this Friday to celebrate love, then yes, it’s the perfect opportunity for the rest to finally meet your boyfriend. And it’s long overdue.”
“Awesome, thank you! Overdue? I thought you and Dany would’ve been married by now. You guys are the longest-standing couple I’ve ever met in my entire life. When did you two start dating? When you were 12? 13? You guys are like a childhood friendship-turned-romance fairy tale come true.”
At least, that was what everyone had been told. But Heila’s sudden silence made him wonder whether there was more to the story…
He had in fact never really thought about it before, but their relationship did seem too good to be true.
“Well, I hope you’re also writing your own fairy tale with Harry.”
“Bet I am! I’ll see you on Friday then. I can’t wait!”
“Yes, me too.”
Group chat: The Penthouse
Participants: Heila, Nya, Dany, Judy, Jake, Ash, Ray
Jake: Congrats, I’m so proud of you both. Judy and I will see you all on Friday.
In Portal’s storage room, the books that were floating around them suddenly dropped to the floor with such a loud thump that Jack almost lost his balance on the ladder. Below him, Jake gasped.
“Woah, watch out!”
“Oops, sorry, Jack.”
But Jake wasn’t even looking at him. His face was glued to his phone.
Looks like the Mastermind of the Wind got distracted…
Jack looked around at the mess and decided it was best to climb back down.
“Something wrong?”
Jack looked back at him with a grin.
“Oh not at all.” He cleared his throat and adjusted his thick round glasses over his nose. “Actually, I’ve just received great news.” He grinned. “Heila and Dany are now officially engaged!”
“Oh.”
Oh…
“They’re hosting an engagement party this Friday, which gives me very little time to think of a gift for them. Hmm… how about we call it a day? I’m going to see if I can find something… so I’ll take my leave now. Can you close the shop for me?”
“Sure.”
Jake threw the shop’s keys at him. He caught them without even looking at them. He got used to Jake throwing things around… which, thanks to his power, would always land exactly where he wanted them to be.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jack.”
“See ya.”
The door closed behind him.
Jack sighed as he looked around him: all the books they had meant to stock away were still scattered on the floor as if they had just been through a cyclone. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the ability to levitate objects in the air so he’d have to pick them up one by one and arrange them on the shelves as they should be.
It was going to be a long evening.
But instead of starting right away, he sat down on the floor and opened his messages.
Group chat: Welcome to the Dark Side
Participants: Death, K., Moon Boy
Moon Boy: You guys probably heard the news by now… @Nya, are you ok? Sucks not to be around right now but I’m counting on @Jack to stick by your side
Death: Heard about it from Jake just now. @ K. I’ll be at Portal ‘til 10 cuz I have to close the shop. Can come and chill after class if ya want to.
K. didn’t reply right away. Jack didn’t want to worry too much about it, thus he continued arranging the fallen books in the storage room. Eventually, his phone beeped.
Group chat: Welcome to the Dark Side
Participants: Death, K., Moon Boy
K.: It’s ok. I’m fine. Well… I have no choice but to be fine. It’s something we expected to happen sooner or later. @Jack thanks, I’ll let you know if I come by. @Ash just saw your reply in the Penthouse chat - are you seriously coming on Fri? You’re going to fly right after class??
Moon Boy: I would have come by on Sat anyway so why not? Helps to have a private jet and personal pilot :D Might skip my afternoon lecture though…
Death: #richkidproblems
Moon Boy: :-P
Moon Boy: Ok seriously though of course I’ll come on Fri. I’m guessing you’re not bringing Jack as your +1 so who else will watch your back?
Death: Wait you can bring a +1?
K.: Yea but… you know how Heila feels about you… wouldn’t be fair to bring you along to her own… party.
Death: Fair enough, I’ll stay put
Right after their conversation ended, K. sent Jack a private message on the side.
K.: Can I come over after you’re done with work?
Death: Sure thing
Group chat: The Penthouse
Participants: Heila, Nya, Dany, Judy, Jake, Ash, Ray
Dany: Thanks guys
Ash: Hey, don’t underestimate me, Dany. I’ll be sure to drop by ;-) Congrats
Dany: Haha I’ll save you a bottle (or 2) then. Thanks
Nya is typing…
Participants: Heila, Nya, Dany, Judy, Jake, Ash, Ray
You have no new messages.
D. K. Waye