We had planned to meet Henry's friends, so on the following day, Henry dressed up, and so did I.
We had breakfast, and Henry told me to follow him to his car. He said, that he would drive us there.
The car drove straight on the highway; surprisingly, we parked at a mini airport. Henry told me, that we would take his private jet, as it was an island.
The pilot and an air hostess humbly greeted us. Our journey then resumed.
A phone rang, and I discovered, that it was Henry's call. "Yes, I am on my way, okay, she is with me," Henry said to whoever was on the other side of the phone before disconnecting the call.
"They are so eager to meet you," Henry sighed as he said.
I wasn't. I thought, with Henry's camouflage attitude, I bet his friends must have been alike. After all, the saying, "birds of the same feathers flock together," didn't come out of thin air.
Wind blew by my ears as I looked outside the jet's window into the ocean below. "Look, it's over there," Henry said, holding my shoulder as he pointed.
I saw a medium-sized island, and different yachts were harbored around it. As the jet landed, I saw a very spacious and modern house. Coming out of it were two to three ladies in bikinis and lingerie, giggling as they surrounded a tall man who held their shoulders.
I have never seen such a scene in my life. I was taught that a woman should always be covered up and that every part of her body was a treasure.
But where did that get me? I was being treated like every woman I was warned not to be.
"Henry! So this is our sister-in-law! What a cutie!" the man said loudly. I hesitantly stepped back a little.
"Mat, I was just here a few days back and decided to bring her over," Henry laughed as he spoke.
"Shiba, come greet Mat; he is my childhood friend," Henry said. I could only step forward and greet.
"Halo," I calmly greeted.
"What?" Mat stretched his head towards my direction, an indication that he hadn't heard my greeting.
"I said hello," I replied.
"She is quiet like that; get used to it," Henry joked.
"That's how you like them, though," Mat joked as he scanned me with his eyes, his gaze simply impolite.
The two laughed as they headed inside; I could only awkwardly follow behind them.
"Henry! Your back!" A tall lady in skimpy shorts and a crop top shouted as she tried to hug Henry, but he quickly stopped her. The girl then turned towards my direction.
"Where did you get this child?" the lady asked.
"What child? This is my wife, Shiba; this is Roka. We grew up together," Henry said.
I somehow saw an angry, annoyed, and frustrated expression on Roka's face.
"Hello," I awkwardly greeted. Roka nodded towards me and headed back to her seat.
"Roka is still... tsk... tsk..." Mat said as he led the women in his arms to a large sofa.
"Where is Barron?" I heard Henry ask as he held my waist, leading me to an empty sofa.
"You know Barron; he is a lawyer, always handling those stupid cases. I wonder why he stresses himself when the outcome of those hearings is already determined," Mat said as he picked up what appeared to be a bottle of alcohol and chugged it down his throat.
I heard Henry chuckle. "So he is in the conference room?" he asked.
"Yes, I couldn't get him to come down. Even these models couldn't move him. I wonder if he is... you know... downstairs... haa..." Mat said as he laughed. I didn't like this conversation at all. What kind of friend group was this?
I had, however, prepared myself for the worst, so Mat didn't even surprise me. I guess this is how the rich played. I hated everything about this place: alcohol, vulgar talk; I hated it all!
"How about sister-in-law goes and calls him? Let's bet: if he agrees to come down, I will give you 2 million on the spot; if he doesn't, well, just kiss sister-in-law right here," Mat said as he excitedly glanced at me.
Henry simply smiled as he shook his head in what appeared to be helplessness. "Deal, but my wife is bad at directions; let me accompany her," he suggested.
"Nope! What if you talk to Barron instead to cheat me out of money?" Mat said in refusal.
"Let's just show her the way. I also want to see if that uptight man can be persuaded," Roka said as she crossed her legs.
I really wanted to leave this place, but I knew that wouldn't be possible. Henry turned to me; I could only look at my lap. What could I do?
"Alright," I heard him say.
"Great!" Mat jumped up, almost tossing the table that held the drinks.
Henry also slowly stood up. "Shiba, follow me; let's go and locate my hardheaded friend," he said.
There was no other option; I had to follow them. Roka and Mat pointed the direction to me, and I turned to Henry. Maybe he could change his mind at this moment? I hoped.
"Go," Henry said, using his hand to shoo me away towards that direction.
I therefore went through the corridor, nervously holding my dress tightly until I arrived. At this point, Henry and the others couldn't be seen.
I proceeded to knock on the door. "I told you to continue your stupid party without me," a cold and distant voice said.
"They told me to call you downstairs," I slowly said.
There was silence on the other side for a second. I then heard footsteps approaching. I anxiously stepped away from the door; I had seen what kind of friends Henry made, and I simply didn't want to associate with them.
The door was finally opened. A tall and imposing man in a well-tailored suit emerged from the door. He attentively scanned me with his eyes; however, his gaze was different from Mark's. I could see that he bore no ill intentions.
"How old are you? What are you doing at such a party?" the man asked. I suddenly felt like a bad student in front of him.
"I came with my husband, Henry," I timidly said.
"So you are his wife," I heard Barron sigh as he said this.
"Okay, please send Henry my greetings. I still have work to do," Barron said as he attempted to close the door.
I didn't want to be kissed by Henry in front of everyone; I certainly wasn't used to such actions.
"Henry's friend put a bet of 2 million if you come down!" I shouted as he attempted to close the door. I thought that money could finally convince such a workaholic man.
Barron suddenly looked towards me, and I saw a bit of pity in his eyes before he smiled.
"Okay, let's go," he said. I finally sighed in relief.
"Sorry, I wasn't able to attend your wedding; I was abroad at the time," Barron explained.
"No problem," I shook my head in understanding as I said.
Nothing would have changed even if he had attended our wedding; I wouldn't have known about Henry's character even then, I thought.
"You are too young. How old are you?" Barron asked.
"I am not young; I am 19 years old, turning 20 in a month," I smiled as I said.
"Yeah, still a child," Barron replied.
"What! Impossible! He came!" I suddenly heard Mat scream in disbelief.
Henry also curiously looked towards Barron before smiling. "Shiba has her ways," I heard him say, but I had now memorized his tone. He wasn't happy in the least.
"What are you guys up to now? Henry, I am sorry for missing your wedding," Barron said.
"No problem; I forgive you. I know your busy schedule," Henry smiled.
"Let's go and have a seat," Henry said.
We therefore headed towards the table. I didn't know why, but Barron reminded me of my elder brother. I suddenly felt a little bit secure with him around.
The friends talked and laughed heartily, discussing this business, this and that country, where they would go for vacation next, etc. I was completely left out; after all, I had never left my town, let alone my country. This was the very first outing I had.
However, I noticed that Barron was always gazing at his watch, as though he wanted to leave. I, too, wanted to leave!
"Why isn't sister-in-law drinking?" Mat asked.
I was suddenly startled. I had never drunk any kind of alcohol; how could I suddenly drink? "Sorry, I can't drink," I politely said.
"Shiba is so traditional; it's hard to change that. Please be patient with her," Henry smiled as he said.
"Aaaa, okay, just a sip. I promise you won't regret it," Mat said.
"She said she doesn't drink; what don't you understand?" I heard Barron sharply say. The atmosphere was suddenly tense; I could only awkwardly face the table.
"Okay, okay, no need to be so tight. Damn, why did I request you to come here?" Mat shouted.
"Mat is drunk, Shiba; don't take his words seriously," Barron said before he stood and left.
"Who does he think he is, always treating us like some brainless things? But doesn't he work for us? Everyone works for us! Money, money, they are all hungry wolves!" Mat shouted.
It suddenly felt like he was talking about me and my family. Shame covered me as I looked at my lap.
"You are indeed drunk," Henry said as he chuckled. They continued drinking. Suddenly, Mat kissed one of the ladies beside him; I quickly turned my eyes away.
"Are you really this innocent?" I heard Roka say as she mockingly laughed.
After about six hours of sitting beside Henry, he left to move around the mansion. Henry finally bid goodbye to Mat and Roka and told them to also inform Barron of our departure.