The Cotillion

He handed the nuts to me, one at a time, and I screwed them on hand tight. The rain was beginning to cooperate and became more of drizzle. He handed the wrench back to me and I cranked the lug nuts tight. I turned to seem him loading the flat tire in the trunk. No communication, just optimized performance that limited the time we needed to be in the rain. I liked Peter.

I moved to the front of the car, inserted the wrench into the jack and began undoing what Peter had done. He met me there and watched as the car came down. "You handled that well," he said. I could hear the humor in his voice. He was having fun with me. I laughed.

"I am glad you stopped," I admitted as the jack slowly folded back to its rest position, "I was letting it get to me for a moment there." I looked up as I detached the wrench. He held out his hand and I put the wrench in it. I grabbed the jack and we carried them back to the trunk and threw them in. He closed the trunk and turned to me.

"I think you need to rush home, Ella," Peter said, with a sly smile. I wasn't sure what he meant. Was he giving me a command. I don't take well to commands. His smile changed when he saw my confusion. He leaned closer.

"I think you are a bit more beautiful than you intend right now," Peter said, his smile growing again. I stepped back as the realization hit me. I looked down and quickly covered my breasts. The rain had made my blouse and bra see-thru. The cold rain had woken my nipples. Traitors. Peter laughed sweetly as he backed toward his car. "Absolutely beautiful," he repeated as he opened the door car. A sleek black Lexus that he seemed to fit into well. Red-faced, I headed back to my car and put my soaking wet muddy body on my clean seats.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him there. Peter was waiting to make sure I got back on the road. I smiled. Beautiful he said. He looked pretty good himself. I smiled to the world and waved to Peter as I got back on the road. Beautiful. I liked my breasts being beautiful. Thank God I didn't know him. I wouldn't have been able to ever face him again. That was, by far, the best worst experience I ever had. That smile of his was so honest. He wasn't just trying to make me feel good. He meant it. My breasts just got promoted to my favorite body part. Sorry calves, you just got demoted.

*******************************

I had Kiran nearly in tears she was laughing so hard. My flat tire exploit was funny now that it was history. Lost a skirt, blouse, and one shoe (therefore two) in the incident. It cost me money I could hardly afford to get the tire repaired, not to mention the sleep I lost. At least my breasts were beautiful. That's the part Kiran thought was best. Thankfully, Raj and Aanya were in the other room while I helped Kiran in the kitchen. Raj would be embarrassed for me and not see the compliment I saw. Kiran understood. She had a wonderful sexy side that she usually only let Raj see when the lights were down. She trusted me, so I knew some of her secrets.

"I told you," Kiran said, between gasps, "you have it going on." Another bout of laughter caught her as she imagined me nearly naked on the side of the road.

"It was kind of nice, " I agreed, "embarrassing, but I think he really thought I was hot."

"You need more flat tires," Kiran laughed, "maybe wear a bikini next time." I tried to hold back my smile, but I just couldn't. It felt good to be admired, if only for a few minutes. I wasn't an exhibitionist, that I knew. It was just his smile and his words. "You should have gotten his number," Kiran added.

"No," I said, "I couldn't. I would die of embarrassment if I ever saw him again."

"He said you were beautiful, " Kiran countered, "and you said he wasn't hard on the eyes." I pushed Kiran's shoulder, lovingly.

"He's probably married," I argued, "what are you are trying to do? Turn me into a slut." Kiran gave me a sly smile.

"A man tells you, you are beautiful, you can at least see if he is married," Kiran raised her eyebrows up and down. Raj had his hands full with this one. I chuckled and held back my response. There was no arguing sex with her.

"You need to take some risks," Kiran continued, "I did with Raj and never regretted it. He is a good father and keeps the bed very warm." Her smile told me exactly what she meant.

"I think you took the last good man, Kiran," I said, half meaning it, "the rest are married, gay, or after only one thing." I wouldn't mind that one thing, but a possible future would be a requirement.

"You need to stop spending your Saturdays here," Kiran said, "you need to put yourself out there." She smiled, "maybe enter a few wet t-shirt contests." We laughed together as we began putting the fried potato patties on the serving tray. I had already forgotten the name of the things. My tongue loved them, it was my brain that refused to cooperate.

After a nice dinner, we all sat down for Aanya's board game. It was different from any other game I had ever played. It turned out to be a very enjoyable game. It was called Stone Age and you had to lead your people from a hunter-gather society to an agrarian one. You did this by gathering resources with workers and dice. You then spent the resources to buy huts and special cards. It was easy to learn and engrossing. Raj won the first game and we all agreed to play another. I thought I had the second game in the bag, but Aanya won by two points. She had amassed a good collection of cards. I would have been upset, but the look on her face was wonderful. She was young and needed the victory. It made the game all the better.

Aanya complained when her mother told her it was time for bed. I gave her a hug and promised to play her game again next week. I was actually looking forward to it. I think I had a strategy down that would lead me to victory. She kissed her mother and father goodnight. I watched the affection and was slightly jealous. I wanted what they had. I wanted crazy passion with a man followed by a family filled with love. I didn't think that was too much to ask for.

Raj broke out a bottle of wine. He and I were just entering our normal work cycle so we were wide awake. Kiran struggled to stay with us during the weekends. I always left when her yawns exceeded more than one a minute. We talked about American things. TV, thank the gods for the DVR, movies, books and anything that made them feel more like citizens. As the night wore down, the topic usually returned to work. That is when Kiran would begin to yawn.

"Your mother was especially upset last night," Raj said, remembering Agnus's tirade about the trash cans not being washed out. I just emptied them since they all had liners.

"She is just trying to wear me down," I said, "it will take more than trash cans to get under my skin." I took a sip of my wine. They both knew that the company was mine as long as I could hold out until I was thirty-two. "Why do you stick around Raj," I said and quickly qualified, "I would hate to lose my only friend there, but she treats you like crap." Kiran and Raj exchanged a look I didn't recognize. I was missing something.

"My staying here in America requires I keep this job," Raj said, "I don't have a choice."

"Is India that bad?" I asked. It didn't seem so horrible. I had even considered visiting there when I came into my inheritance. If Raj and Kiran were examples of the people there, I definitely wanted to make the trip. Kiran's face lost its happiness. I had asked something I shouldn't have.

"My family would not cherish my return," Kiran said, "they think I am dirty now." I saw a sadness in her. I didn't like how it looked.

"I am not the same caste as Kiran," Raj said. Kiran scooted over and leaned on Raj. I had asked something very sensitive. "she married below her status and it is just not done in her family." He paused for a moment before he continued. "Her family holds with the old ways. She and Aanya would be at risk if we were to return." I sucked in my breath. I didn't know there were places in the world where things like that still mattered.

"I didn't know," I said in a way of an apology.

"How could you," Kiran said with a forced smile. I had visions of Kiran and Aanya dragged off to some horrible family tribunal.

"To America," I said, raising my glass "and your quick path to citizenship." Raj smiled and Kiran's smile lost its fakeness. We tapped our glasses together and I quickly changed the subject. The rest of the evening went with less drama and returned to our own brand of humor. I needed them for my sanity and they needed me for a friend. It was a good arrangement. I left when Kiran's yawns exceeded the prescribed parameters.

*******************************

I was early for once. It was nice to avoid Agnus's admonishments. I was surprised to not find her waiting for me with new degrading instructions on her lips. I took it as a gift and moved to my closet and began retrieving my supplies. I didn't see myself cleaning offices for the rest of my life, but it didn't take a lot of thought and allowed my mind to drift. Lately, it drifted to a man named Peter. Every time I saw that smile in my mind it sent champagne bubbles through my blood.

"What will I wear?" I heard it from my stepmother's office. It sounded like Drizella. I quietly moved down the hall. It was rare to find one of my step sisters at the office anywhere near closing time.

"We'll go shopping," Angus announced with an excited voice, "for both of you." I heard a duet of agreements and knew that both of my sisters were there. I walked into the office, my curiosity getting the best of me. Sure enough, what constituted my family was gathered in Agnus's office.

"Shopping?" I said. I knew it didn't mean me. I liked the tinge of guilt I could generate in them. They may be gold diggers, but they were human as well. I watched their expressions of joy dissipate as their eyes found me. Chalk another one up for Ella. It was going to be a good night.

"This doesn't concern you," Agnus threw back. She was using my inheritance so I felt it did.

"Sounds like a party," I said with an excited grin. I looked to my sisters and they lit up, foolishly thinking I was sharing with them.

"Charity cotillion," Anastasia blurted out. It was so easy to stir her red haired covered brains. I looked back at Agnus who was trying to feign disinterest.

"I suppose we are making a donation," I commented. I made sure the word 'we' was emphasized. Agnus looked flustered. I knew instantly that this was more a society play than a business decision. She had a high opinion of herself and her two daughters.

"It is beneficial for us to contribute back to the community," Agnus lied. She was trying to get her daughters married off to wealthy men. Maybe find another one for herself. More of my money down the drain. Anyone willing to marry those two, wouldn't be rich for long.

"Everybody who's anybody will be there," Anastasia added.

"What's the charity?" I asked. I almost threw my dust rag at Agnus when she had to look it up on the invitation. Beneficial for the company my ass.

"Children's hospital," Agnus read. At least my money wasn't being thrown in a ditch. I felt a little better. I decided I would make Agnus uncomfortable anyway.

"Where's my invitation?" I asked. It was fun watching her fumble with her mind. She was spending my money after all. She didn't see it that way, but I did.

"We need executives to represent the company," Agnus smiled when the answer came to her, "janitorial staff would not be how we would want to represent ourselves." I smiled back and watched her lean away. She hated my smile. Seven more years.

I left them, curses dying on my lips, and returned to my cleaning. It infuriated me that they were using my company to further their gold-digging plans. I almost swore at my father for leaving me in such a predicament. I sucked it back. He was only human and had little defense against a demon like Agnus.

Agnus and her daughters left shortly after. They were babbling about tomorrow's shopping. Executives my ass. I was in an especially dark mood when I sat down with Raj later that night. Even my glasses seemed to be steamed up.

"Why don't you go?' Raj asked me after I had explained my mood.

"Psst," I spat, "me at a formal dance. I couldn't afford to look in the front door. Agnus keeps the purse strings tight about my neck." Raj turned back to his terminal and began typing. He turned back around with wide eyes.

"$5,000 a plate," Raj said, "your sisters better have a good time."

"$5,000?" I exclaimed. Raj nodded. "That bitch. I will be lucky if there is anything left when she's done."

"Why don't you go?" Raj repeated.

"Where would I get $5,000?" I asked, waving at the atmosphere, "I could barely afford to get my tire fixed. Agnus certainly won't give it to me." Raj smiled and went back to his terminal. I moved behind him to see why he was so pleased with himself. His fingers were moving quickly as he fired off some program I had never seen.

"How many tickets do you want?" Raj asked. His voice was arrogant and full of pride. I saw a series of text prompts followed by commands I did not understand.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I am in the organizers database," Raj said, "I can slip in a ticket for you and no one would be any wiser." He was exceptionally proud of himself.

"You hacked the system?" I asked. The thought scared me. I took a step back as if that would make it less wrong.

"No one will know," Raj said, "I wrote a program that finds its way into networks." I stared at him. I thought I knew him. "I've never used it before, but it's untraceable." He chuckled to himself, "these people are good. Shark firewall, but I chewed through it in under five seconds."

"Raj!" I said, "you could end up in jail." He shook his head.

"They've never seen anything like this," Raj praised himself, "It travels through so many proxies it's untraceable. That's if they figure out I was in at all."

"Why would you write such a thing?" I had a whole new opinion of him. It was scarier.

"I toy with all sorts of code," Raj explained, "once I get my citizenship, I am going to need a resume. This will be the cornerstone. I am a master of network security. This proves it. Shark firewalls are the best in the business. The same ones the military uses."

"You're risking too much, Raj," I said, "you'll never get your citizenship if you get caught."

"I'm careful," Raj said, but I noticed he ended the code's execution.

"Thanks, but I prefer you out of prison, " I said with a smile, happy he turned off his hacking program. Raj smiled back with a bit of hesitancy. I don't think he thought the whole thing through. Writing the code was as far as his mind took him. He had such a brilliant mind. I think Kiran married up, not down.

The rest of the evening went as the hundred before it. I learned a little more about the company while sharing a nice conversation. The cotillion left my thoughts and hopefully Raj's.

*******************************

My drive home was dry and without a flat tire. I arrived home to find my sister's already awake. It was odd to see them up before seven. I usually made it a point to be in my room when their alarms began to sing at seven thirty.

"Do you think he will be there?" Drizella asked. Anastasia was leaning on the counter in the kitchen sipping on a cup of tea nodding.

"Of course he'll be there," Anastasia replied, "his family runs the thing."

"Good-looking and loaded," Drizella smiled, "we should research him. Find out what he likes. I sure wouldn't mind walking down the aisle with him." My interest was piqued. I almost wanted to call the poor guy and warn him.

"You'll have to go through me first," Anastasia warned, her red hair waving from side to side as she bobbed her head. "You wouldn't have even known about him if it wasn't for me." Drizella looked like she might fight back, but instead, became thoughtful for a moment.

"We can't go upset with each other," Drizella reasoned, "he'll hate us both. No one wants bickering sisters." Anastasia's face softened. "he has to have rich friends. If we play nice, the winner can set up the other with his friends." A smiled grew on Anastasia's face. It was mirrored on Drizella's. I hated when they laughed together. It sounded like a clutch of chickens with breathing problems. I moved in to save my ears.

"Who are you two after now?" I said as I entered. Anastasia was startled, which pleased me. Drizella just smiled. It looked like her mother's smile. It displeased me.

"You wouldn't know him," Drizella said with a sweetness coating her bitter undertones.

"Try me," I said.

"You know the Charmings?" Anastasia asked, "the one's throwing the charity cotillion?" I nodded though I had no idea who they were. High society was lost on me.

"They have a son," Drizella continued, "he's single, wealthy, and not hard on the eyes." Anastasia chuckled. Another chicken chuckle.

"And you two are going to throw yourselves at him," I observed. Inside I was laughing. He would have to be a complete idiot to connect with either of my step sisters. It would almost be worth the $5,000 just to watch.

"Throw is the wrong word, dear sister," Drizella corrected, "we are not without charm."

"Certainly not," Agnus agreed. She came in behind me and made me jump. I hate when she does that. "and we have to go shopping to make sure he sees those charms."

"I thought this was business related," I said, my tone dropped to my disgusted level.

"Two birds, my dear, two birds," Agnus said. She moved to the coffee pot and poured herself one. "Would you like a cup, Ella?" She always offered me things she knew I would decline. I was on my way to bed and in no need of caffeine. I choose not to respond.

"You can't use company funds to marry off your daughters," I said. I shouldn't have, but she was spending my inheritance in the most irritating way. Agnus just smiled at me and sipped her coffee. She knew she could. "How does hounding the son of the benefactors improve Tremaine Marketing's image?" I was getting angry. I should have just gone to bed.

"It is all a little above your head, dear," Agnus continued. More chicken giggles from her daughters. "It's best to leave the complexity to those who understand it." My face began to heat up. I had to remind myself that she held the purse strings for seven more years.

"You look like you can use some sleep, dear," Agnus continued. She took a sip of her coffee and seemed pleased watching me stew. "Jealousy doesn't become you," Agnus added. It was all I could do to not scream. They were in my house, working at my company, and spending my money. There wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

"Seven years, Agnus," I said slowly. I was grinding my teeth.

"That's a really long time, sweetie." Agnus's grin was unbearable. I almost let loose of the 'B' word. I knew it would be costly if I did. I took a deep breath and gave her the smile see disliked so much instead. At least it removed hers. I headed off to bed, my mind fuming at my father for leaving me in such a mess.

*******************************

I hardly slept at all that day. It is hard enough to keep your eyes closed when the sun is out. Add in a controlling stepmother that boiled my brain and sleep was the last thing my mind wanted to do. Instead of counting sheep, I thought of many wonderful methods of torture for Agnus. When it was time for work again, I was exhausted, angry, and less than friendly.

I stepped off the elevator on time. Agnus was waiting with a list of todos. I think she saw me near the breaking point. I kept to my smile and half listened to her demands. She became flustered halfway through, seeing that I wasn't going to lose it. We exchanged veiled unpleasantries and headed our separate ways. Without my surrender, the war would rage for another seven years.