Classical music strummed through the entirety of the room its waves underlining the guest's conversation nullifying words from other people talking unless, of course, they were talking to each other although if one were to listen very closely the whispers of others became most probably audible. Michael hated every part of it well except the blue suit he wore, Blue as it turned out was a very amiable color it made him feel like an ocean calm yet stormy beautiful, and free something he was not. He found it in a box on his bed his grandfather sent it to him, it perfectly fit deep dark blue dress pants, a one-button coat over a white silky shirt, a black bowtie, and black dress shoes.
The for a lack of a better word ball was held at the Bailon manor in a ballroom with a large glass domed ceiling having cream-colored walls further accentuated by the ambiance brought about by the glittering lights the black sky dotted by stars their number growing as the evening continued into night. The guests started to arrive by sunset and were now filling the room with chatter and classical music played in the background, it gave Michael an impression of 19th-century nobility mixed with modern-day adult parties at least the very few he'd seen on television when his parents weren't looking. Everyone was looking chipper absorbed in their own conversations though a few did look in his direction, then lost interest perhaps finding a five-year-old child not much of a ravishing topic. Michael sat at the children's table one of the only four in the entire party.
A girl with raven black hair in a black dress she reminded Michael of Alyssa for some reason yet he knew to be her only child, and a pair of silver-white haired kids a boy and a girl who looked so much like each other except for the fact that they had different genitalia telling them apart was almost impossible that and the boy had short bob styled hair and the girl long back length head of hair. Both wore white a suit for the boy and a gown for the girl. Brian and Betty Michael's cousins didn't like them much not that they showed much affection for him either, their mother his aunt Rena Bailon seemed to glare every time she looked at him. She was a wiry woman her height accentuated only by the heels she wore having silver white hair like her children she disappeared into the crowd of lavishly dressed people.
It was Simon Bailon's 60th birthday it turned out and Michael was starting to think that maybe his grandfather had the wrong idea of what a "Small" reception meant the ballroom itself spanned several hundred meters not an ideal place for a small birthday more like a very large wedding venue, the guests themselves were dressed most luxuriously most probably they were used to this sort of thing. The place was littered with expensive dresses and black suits.
Simon Bailon's birthday party was an important event for several reasons besides it being a party of one of the richest and most influential people in the country even getting an invitation felt like an act of humility towards the locals one that is to be abided to if not and reciprocated though it would be really up to them if they decided to go to other people's events. The party itself is quite an event no one in their right mind would choose to miss. However, this particular birthday by far stood out amongst others because it was at this party that the next heir to the Bailon empire would be named.
Everyone debated as to who between the two sisters Alyssa and Rena would be crowned heir to the Bailon throne chatters ran wild amongst the crowd of guests. Bailon Inc. was one of the biggest companies in the country rivaled perhaps only by The Brotherhood a company having a similar status, its actions influenced many other businesses and livelihoods and people could not ignore such hot gossip. The guests wavered between Alyssa the eldest daughter now that she had a child of her own, she had a legitimate claim as the conditions for inheritance were public knowledge, she was by rights the direct heir and most likely to inherit the company. However, at an early age, she had distanced herself from it and her father her experience and knowledge of business and management were bound to be very low many doubted she could even run Bailon Inc. Rena on the other hand was the prodigal daughter working by her father's side since anyone could remember her mannerisms matched her father's and probably had similar instincts about business. She'd struck many deals on behalf of the company deals very beneficial to the company no one could disclaim her standing as one of the few reasons for the company's latest successes. Overlooking that she was a second daughter Rena was married to an also very influential and successful figure and had children two full years before Alyssa got her one. The discussion meandered on whether Simon Bailon would follow the dregs of tradition or choose the most obvious and reliable choice in his second daughter, many were leaning to the latter having regular dealings with Rena. Alyssa seemed too much of a wild card for their wants.
Michael scanned the crowd seeing neither his parents after half an hour of seating boredom started to creep in, the twins paid him no attention keeping to themselves no doubt just as bored as he was while the raven-haired girl sitting across from him remained quiet the whole time her hands twiddling a toy perhaps a hair clipping Michael couldn't careless his tolerance for other children waned even more those days he'd always felt more or less out of place with them and with memories of his past life returning he felt he had better things to worry about than normal children. He scanned the crowd again besides idle chatter, smiles, and controlled laughs none of the people in his immediate vicinity looked much in his direction. Their table was at the very far side of the hall to not impede the guests most of whom remained standing. People kept on entering through the arched large doors leading directly from the house where a tall woman with a red head of hair tied in a bun wearing a black suit tablet in hand stood greeting them as they entered, two guys in similar black suits each standing on either side of the doors both of them had ear pieces security was tight other similar dress people stood at different parts of the hall. Michael sighed "There's no going in that direction without being noticed." He tore eyes throughout the hall spotting a small glass door at the back of the crowd almost unnoticeable "Probably used by the servants, still I don't think I can use it without the myriad of people standing in between seeing me, what if Alyssa or Liam see me or I bump into grandfather" he quite remembered being told sternly to keep at the table to avoid getting lost into the crowd then again Liam had promised to not be long and that was almost 20 minutes ago.
"Dear guests!" suddenly the crowd's murmur grew lower their attention focused on the figure standing on a raised platform three stairs from the floor "Dear guests!" he repeated again Simon Bailon stood near the quartet of musicians the simmering of classic music dying down. "I welcome you to our gracious home Bailon Manor"
An expensive silver three-piece suit covered his tall toned frame smiling his dark brown eyes swept through the crowd a thin glass of champagne burbling in hand "Thank you for attending witnessing as I reach the elder years of my life, my family and I hope you enjoy the evening." "As much I would like to think you are all here for little old me trudging into my golden years I know I am" The crowd laughed momentarily at his joke then went quiet for him to continue "Tonight I am delighted to announce the next CEO of Bailon incorporated who will succeed me as I did my mother before me, my daughter would you come forth"
Silence ripped through the crowd, anticipation palpable amongst the guests eagerly glancing at Alyssa and Rena. They were at opposite ends of the room where they previously conversed with other people. The glare on Rena's face seemed to penetrate through them at Alyssa who did not move from where she stood. Alyssa hadn't noticed it yet but everyone had turned toward her direction until she saw her father staring directly at her from the raised platform
"Alyssa Please!" he commanded "Come here" Forcing a smile slightly embarrassed Alyssa went up next to her father he took her hand in his "Ladies and gentlemen may I introduce the next leader of the Bailon Dynasty Alyssa Bailon" The room erupted into an applause and murmurs of congratulations some genuinely surprised and happy while other disgruntled forcing a smile behind all of it the crowd drowned out a glass breaking and Rena angrily leaving the hall in a table at a far corner of the room Rena's twins found themselves sitting alone on the large round table and decided to wander away too.