Siren Song 153 Well, Sh*

"Not really, I left fairly soon after the stairs incident and got my own place in Paris, I knew I couldn't stay, despite my grandfather's wishes. He couldn't protect me from the jealousy and hatred from my extended family within his walls, and there was just too many "accidents."

"There were times I wondered if I even should have come, but I was just so eager to be able to meet my family, and I'm still glad I did. I've learned a lot while I've been here, and my grandfather is a very nice man, though maybe a bit obtuse at times."

"Uh, some of that seems almost a bit more than obtuse." Justin reached for his empty gla.s.s only find it empty and frowned.

"They were fairly subversive with some of their actions, and it was hard to tell who was planning what or who did what. It came to I really couldn't trust anyone else, especially after I was almost ruined and killed by my cousins, including Robert who you met earlier.

"After that is when Grandfather Jean-Jacques helped me find a safe place to live in another city. He also talked to me about working in the small firm that I work in now to stay under the radar and be able to build my own backing just in case. I had my name changed after what happened with my cousins, I don't go by my old name anymore since then."

"Oh s.h.i.t this sounds bad, I'm going to need another drink before we continue further." Justin stopped her and rose. "Would you like another one as well, wait what is your new name, what do I call you."

"Charmaine Eleanora Dumont, and yes please, thank you." Chang looked up and gave him a grateful glance as she remained sitting on the bench.

"Wow, that is super long, we gotta get you a suitable nickname, wait, give me a second." Justin looked down deep in concentration before snapping his fingers and looked up. "'Shar'! How bout that?!"

"Heh that's cute, I like it." Chang gave a small giggle while covering her mouth with one hand.

"Perfect, cuz 'Charmaine Eleanora Dumont' is a mouthful, I'll be back in a sec Shar, don't you go anywhere!" Justin pointed at her, giving her a mockingly stern look, before he headed back inside to grab them a plate of munchies and some more drinks while they caught up.

As he walked away Chang gripped the stone bench and looked up at the star strewn sky and smiled.

'Today is actually turning out to be a fantastic birthday..'

----

Inside Justin loaded up a couple plates of finger foods before grabbing a bottle off the champagne table when the server wasn't looking. After taking it he nonchalantly walked away ignoring any looks that might be cast his way.

As he walked Justin smiled to himself glad to finally have the worry off his heart that had plagued him since she had left and hadn't talked to him for over a year. Avoiding running into people with his bountiful plate of goodies Justin slowly and carefully made his way across the ballroom.

On the way a mousy woman in black almost crashed into him in an obvious hurry. After making sure the goods were safe he gave a sharp look to the woman's quickly retreating back before turning to look where she came from.

Standing beside his friends grandfather stood her ex-husband Liang Jian Amal, smiling amicably as they talked close together.

"Well s.h.i.t.." Stunned by the sight Justin stared for a good minute before hurrying to where Shar awaited him.