A surprisingly mild winter's evening painted the perfectbackdrop for the Bishop Foundation Christmas Ball, thelack of finger-freezing frost in the air causing a sigh of relieffor all involved. An exclusive and elite event, no expense hadbeen spared: the imposingly breath-taking town hall hadbeen hired out, a doorman with a voice smoother than velvethad been employed, and a glass of complimentarychampagne -1996 Boerl & Kroff Brut Magnum, only the bestfor the fortunate attendees - on arrival.
The delicate clinking of glasses and a subdued bubble oflaughter crept under the main doors and gently tapped theears of the two elegant figures, immobile at the top of thestairs. One, a 23-year-old woman, the other, her 18-year-oldbrother, both dressed to impress in their tailored suits andcustom made leather shoes.
"I just don't see why we have to attend," The boy grumbled.eyes crinkling with frustration as he glared at the source ofthe merriment, hidden from his scathing gaze by the oakdoors and the waiting doorman
"It's only once a year, and we are already late because of youand your grooming,' His companion chided him, but therewas no real severity behind her words - she, too, disliked thepressure of this annual ball. Her brother grinned at herwords, quickly adopting a mock-arrogant pose.
"But I have got to look good for the laaaddiniessss, at leastone of the Bishop siblings has game - hey!" His cheekyremark was cut off as his sister quickly and ruthlesslyflattened the hair that was the cause of their tardiness. Shechuckled, but the morose expression adorning his facequickly sobered her up and she waved his hands away,stepping into his space and efficiently restoring his hair to itsformer glory.
"It's for Mum, and Dad," She reminded him, gentlysmoothing his lapels, "And you know how important this ballis for them. So let's go in there and make them proud," Sheclasped his forearm, turned and strode towards the doorman,his face betraying only mild irritation at the siblings'reluctance to enter as soon as they had arrived. She nodded,her brother by her side. The doorman smiled and opened thedoor, allowing his deep voice to resound around the room.
" Maya and Mason Bishop!"
"And by the way, we both know that I have infinitely moregame than you, little brother," Maya winked and descendeddown the stairs elegantly, leaving her brother behind with hismouth gaping open.
"Oh, thank God," Maya exhaled as she allowed the darkamber liquid to slip down her throat and ease her tension.Her jacket now unbuttoned, she had escaped to the bar afterher parents had introduced and re-introduced her to all ofthe 'important' people in the room - which, due to theexclusivity of the event, was an awful lot of people.
A familiar hand appeared next to her, signalling thebartender, and she raised an eyebrow.
"Following in my footsteps, little one?" She teased, knowinghow much he hated the nickname.
"Just trying to avoid Alie," He mock-whispered, ducking hishead as said woman appeared in his peripheral vision. Maya just smirked and took another long sip of herMacallan 1926, the indulgent liquid sending pleasant warmththrough her veins. She was more than used to the line of girlsand women falling at Mason's feet; his rusty hair and cheeky-but-charming demeanour had successfully hooked him manya partner, something that he delighted in. However, as Maya knew all too well, some women simply just didn't getit, 'it' being the knowledge that one night wouldn't turn intotwo.
