18 Invitation

As he took her card, her rich perfume entered his nostrils. It was hot and spicy, just like her body.

Shaking his head, he checked the card, and read her name: 'Meghan Adley'. There was her mobile number along with her e-mail address.

"I would love to verify the details later," Kiba placed the card in his wallet, "Can't let a fine lady like you have some misunderstanding about me."

Meghan Adley responded with a smile. She was indeed charmed by his looks but her main reason was career advancement.

She was sure she could save herself from the old codgers if she has his protection.

Kiba could understand her reasons very well. He was no saint who would rescue every needy person out there.

He only believed in helping himself. If he has time to spare and there was no danger for him, he didn't mind helping others as long as it benefited him or made him happy.

Meghan was confident she could make Kiba very happy, and this confidence improved her image in Kiba's mind. No matter what a woman looks like, if she's confident, she's sexy.

The other models on the table cast envious gazes on her. They regretted not striking a conversation with him before her.

They were proud and arrogant due to their gorgeous body features and thought it would not suit them to strike a conversation first with a man. Meghan was also arrogant, but she knew she has to take charge. Not all men admired an overly vain and pampered woman.

Meghan and Kiba talked about everything and nothing. The waiters knew the influence Kiba carried so they brought the best dishes and wines for everyone.

----------------------------------

"Kiba, you are a hard man to find!" An old voice came from behind. The speaker was an old man who appeared to in his late seventies.

"You are?" Kiba turned around. Meanwhile, the models rose to their feet after seeing the old man. Their posture denoted they either feared or respected the old man or perhaps both.

"Ahh. You hurt the sentiments of this old man. We have met a few months ago here," The old man replied. He was accompanied by a few junior corporate officers.

"We have? I apologize. I only remember meetings with women and not men," Kiba nonchalantly explained. 

"Never mind. My name is Lager Kestone," the old man introduced himself further, "I'm the owner of Kestone Fashion Company."

Kestone Fashion Company was one of the powerful corporates in Delta City. In the present era of mutants and technology, the role of fashion hasn't dwindled. The desire for vanity was always strong in every era and it was the same in the present era.

Kestone Fashion Company was also the main sponsor of the yearly Beauty Pageant in Delta City. The beauty pageant titled 'Miss Delta'.

Kiba now understood why Meghan and other models showed respectful behavior in front of this old man.

"Could I know for what I deserve this pleasure?" Kiba asked with some curiosity.

"The annual Miss Delta pageant would be held a few months later," Lager answered, "I want to invite you as a judge for the competition."

"Oh?" Kiba was rather surprised.

"I believe you are an expert when it comes to judging beauties, so I am sure you will be a perfect judge acting without any bias," Lager Kestone started laughing.

"If you put it that way, then it would be rude to decline," Kiba continued with a smile, "Besides, I consider it as my duty to select the perfect candidate to represent our city in Miss World."

He was sure Lager Kestone has hidden intention for inviting him to judge, but he didn't mind. Perhaps he wanted to earn his favor or maybe there was a conspiracy.

Kiba didn't care in either case. He looked forward to seeing the top beauties of the city in their full glory.

"You make this old man relived by accepting the offer. Though I must say, you are very hard to contact," Lager continued in a deep voice, "It is as if you disappear from the surface of this planet when you are not active."

It was evident he wanted to know more about Kiba, especially how he could hide his presence in the current era of technology and mutants. He knew Kiba was a rare mutant with two abilities: teleportation and physical enhancement. But even teleportation couldn't hide one's existence so perfectly in this digital era.

"You were not looking hard if you couldn't find me," Kiba replied.

"What do you mean?" Lager asked.

He knew corporates had done their best to search for Kiba's background. They could never track his whereabouts nor find what he does when he wasn't carrying out official business or seducing women in parties.

"Have you searched for me at your house?" Kiba asked in return.

"What?" Lager was startled by the question.

"The darkest place is always under the candle's flame," Kiba slowly answered, "How can you and your corporate friends find me outside when all along I am in your home?"

"What do you mean?" Lager couldn't understand his words.

"I am always in your home, making love with your woman and your daughters... while you look for me outside," Kiba explained in simple words.

"You!" Lager was angered. He now realized that Kiba never truly planned to answer him.

"Don't get so emotional. You leave your woman and daughters lonely as you pursue after wealth and power," Kiba explained with a pained expression, "I couldn't stand to see those poor ladies in solitude so I share my warmth with them."

FUCK!