Please, excuse the terrible writing. Any constructive feedback is welcome! Thank you for reading my first chapter, this was a long time coming, I kept putting this story down- my life getting in the way. But you know when you have it in the back of your head all the time? That you need to continue and I really wanted to finish something this summer. So before life begins properly again, here is a chapter, that somehow took me ages about the characters of the 100 in a town full of powerful families. This is a really strange au for me for the 100 but I really enjoy the characters from this show and wanted to do something a bit different. So here it goes...
"Hello, and welcome to Hotel Arkadia!" the doorman greeted me as I stepped inside,
"Yes, thank you Monty, we've gone over this numerous times, to stop welcoming me to my own hotel," I replied
"Ma'am, Your father would hang me from the chandelier if he knew I did not Ma'am, so if you don't mind I will continue to do so till the day I die," he defended himself, shutting the door behind me and taking my gloves and coat. My long dress from the evening trailed along behind me. I felt like I glided into the foyer, the chandelier alight hanging down from the ceiling as the stairs twisted around it as it went upstairs. Fox at the desk said good evening and asked me if I was joining the men for a game of poker tonight, gesturing towards the casino to my right, where there I saw my father, Wells, Bellamy, Finn and Jaha sitting around a poker table, laughing as the waitresses lit their cigars and poured more into their drinks. My father owned the hotel, with Jaha being his close friend. He was in charge of the casino in the hotel. Finn, I had known since we were young as my father had taken him under his wing for his father had died, and there was nothing more that my father wanted than us to live happily ever after together running this hotel. But he felt like my little brother and there is nothing worse than the thought of being romantic with your little brother. And Bellamy. God knows how Bellamy managed to keep his job at this hotel. As the most trustworthy advisor, he undertook most responsibility of the hotel. And for some reason he took the responsibility upon himself to annoy me every moment he had.
Music roared from the live band and of course the room shook with laughter and sadness as people won and lost their fortunes. The Arkadia hotel was famous for its night life; people came from far and wide to have a taste of a night at the Arkadia. And boy, did we make it worthwhile. My father saw me, and his eyes as blue as mine, lit up from across the hallway. I could say I was a daddy's girl, he was everything to me and to know I was everything to him was what keeps me going, even at the worst of times. He waved his large hands for me to come over, and so I did, still feeling on top of the world. My dress was for an annual gala at the art gallery, and I tried my best to outshine Raven who was my equivalent at her own family's hotel 3 blocks away. She was a force of beauty; however so was my dress for the night, a plunging pink silk gown and I liked to feel beautiful in it. My mother, Abby, always tells me how our looks are our secret powers, in a business world full of men; I have learnt to use my special powers for the greater good, as self-absorbed as it may sound. The men sitting at the table all looked to me as I made my way over; I saw an eyebrow rise from Bellamy who only took the chance to make fun of me-
"Who were you dressing to impress tonight princess?" he smirked, with a quick look up and down my body, to which only I saw. I merely sneered at him before planting a kiss on my father's cheek.
"Did you have a good night gorgeous?" my father asked, looking back to his cards as I went to stand behind Bellamy's chair to kick the back of his knee, to which he let out a small groan, before smiling and replying to my father,
"It was magical,"
"Are you joining us?" Jaha asked, moving his chips into the centre after being raised by Bellamy by 500,000. To which Bellamy snickered at. To retaliate, I bent over the table slightly to take his drink off the table, making sure my neckline was on full display. To which I even heard Finn gulp to,
"That's pretty funny coming from a guy with two queens Bellamy Blake," I said, taking a large, final sip of his drink and slamming it back on the table, to his now angry face, as I had just lost him the game. My mother taught me well.
"I think I'll retire for the night if you don't mind Jaha, I have had a tiring evening and I wouldn't want to embarrass you all, not after last week's little humiliation for you all," I received a few chuckles and walked away, feeling Bellamy's stare burning through my back.
The last few nights, I was ashamed to say, I had stayed in Bellamy's room- not to my father's knowledge. As one of my father's most trusted advisors, if he knew I was sleeping with him, shit would hit the fan. I arrived in my suite, on the top floor, the room smelling like roses as my father had ordered some to be placed in my room. I kicked my shoes off, my feet killing from the gala. My mother had left me a small note to make a list of all respectable young men from the gala who I could possibly couple up with, so of course I scrupled the note up and threw it out of my window. The anticipated knock finally was heard at my door, to which I opened to Bellamy holding two champagne glasses and a bottle. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into the room. He held the glasses and bottle whilst I wrapped my arms around his neck; urgently bring his face to mine. We passed a table to which he could finally put them down and took control. He placed his hands on my hips and tried not to trample on my dress as I stepped back as he stepped forwards.
"You're going to pay for that little stunt downstairs princess," he pulled away to which I only pushed onto him more, chuckling as I went. He pushed me onto my bed; I waited impatiently as he untied his bowtie and a few buttons of his shirt. 'Not near to enough' I thought. I again pulled his face towards mine, his hands running up and down my body, until we were suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. I let out a groan to which I shouted-
"Who is it?"
"It's Finn, open up," I heard, in a commanding tone.
To which Bellamy only rolled his eyes and started to plant kisses up my neck as I lay on the bed and replied- "I'm kind of busy!" I tried to hold in a mixture of laughter and pleasure.
"Clarke, I need to talk to you, it's important" he stated, to which I shrugged Bellamy off, as he stayed laid on the bed, trying to regain his breath. I jugged my hair and flattened out my dress. I took a deep breath and opened the door; the bed was on the other side of the room, so Finn wouldn't have been able to see Bellamy.
Finn took a deep breath and looked me up and down. 'What is it about these men feeling like they need me to know they're looking?'
"What is it Finn, I'm going to sleep," I said, faking a yawn.
"You don't look like you're going to sleep," he replied, a little cynical in his tone. "You look beautiful tonight"
I bit my lip unsure what to reply, "Thank you," I looked down at my dress, "But seriously Finn, because it's late,"
"Look. You know what; it's too important for now, meet me tomorrow for lunch? My room?" he suggested. My mind raced through all the ideas of what was so important.
"I'll meet you at 12," I forced a smile, and shut the door, to which Bellamy began to stride across the room. I groaned and also walked to him,
"He likes you," he said, as I kissed him down his chest, finally undoing those buttons that he had started.
"He does not, he's like a brother to me," I replied
"You're lip bite would suggest otherwise," I had a sense of pride run through me, as I had made the infamous womaniser, Bellamy Blake, jealous.
"Jealous, Blake?"
"Not in the slightest," He replied, taking my hand to the bed.
The sun woke me up as the room lit up to reveal Bellamy had left early. I lay in my sheets, my beautiful dress from last night sprawled across the door. My mother burst into the room, wearing a slight odd ensemble of green and purple. Her stilettos as high as usual, and stare as piercing.
"Good morning Clarke, I see you got up to your usual endeavours last night," she said, picking up my underwear from the night before, and looking at me disapprovingly
"I don't know what you mean, and I won't question it either," I replied, "Kane was asking about you last night at the gala Mum, I hope you haven't been getting up to your usual endeavours." I smirked.
"I don't know what you mean, and I won't question it either" she mocked
My Mother had a turbulent relationship with my dad. Not that I could say he was innocent in the rocky world of business, but my mother was his equal. Perhaps that's what made them a good partnership. My mother and I had learnt that sometimes we must do what it takes as women in our world to help my father, not that he would ever make her be involved with a guy like Kane, she did it voluntarily to see what she could get out of him. Kane is Raven's father and owner of the Polis Hotel, a few blocks away. My mother did what she had to do, however her relationship with Kane had grown more to her than a business endeavour. To which my father could never find out about. My father and Kane were famously once best friends, only to be separated by their hotels, but still remain civil.
"What are you doing today?" she asked
"I've got a lunch date with Finn at 12, and then I'm going with Dad to discuss the visit of the Murphy's"
"Ahhh, yes, I forgot about that. Perhaps you and the John boy could get on this time, eh?" I rolled my eyes, he was my worst enemy, when we were a little younger he would always bully me, and then go off with Raven. I could try to get along with him, but I could make no promises.
"And what about this lunch date? Sounds a little formal," she said, with a huge smirk slapped across her face.
"What do you know mother?" I tried to sound authorities
"Nothing, just make sure you look nice." she stated and walked out the room, checking her out in the mirror before she left
I wore some tight black trousers and white flowy blouse, a little see-through but nothing more than usual. I wore the same shoes as my mother was from before and went to knock on Finn's door. He opened it slightly and peered his head around the door. His eyes were bloodshot and hair all messed up.
"Finn? What's going on?" I said, slightly pushing on the door, he quickly pushed back, an urgent and pressing look on his face.
"Shit, Clarke, I'm sorry can we re-arrange?" he replied.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing Clarke, please I'll see you at the meeting." Beads of sweat running down his face,
"Finn, open this door right now, if you knew anything about this family, you know that we do not keep secrets." I warned. It's true. My father had made sure his family and closest friends remained loyal to one another, I believe the one thing that kept the Griffin clan feared in the city was the loyalty we possessed.
"Fine," he replied. He opened the door only slightly so I had to breathe in so I could fit through the tiny gap he had given me to get in. The whole suite was a bombsite; his kitchen area had what smelled like whiskey spilled all over it, there were broken bottles everywhere, his bedroom covers sprawled across the floor. I walked into the bathroom to find a box of pills spilt all over the sink. I knew Finn did drugs now and again, hell all the boys did, but not to the scale I was seeing.
I walked back into the main living area to find him laid down on the bed, his stomach facing down, his robe revealing a little too much of his cheeks for my liking. "Finn," I whispered.
"If you're going to give me a get your life together lecture then please does it to a wall because I will give you the same reaction." he murmured.
"I'm not mother,"
"You're thinking what she would be thinking right now," he replied
I went to lie down next to him on the bed.
"What's going on?" I asked tentatively, I touched his shoulder, which nearly scorched my hand he was so warm.
"You'll hate me forever,"
"I already do" I joked. He turned his face to me, and sat up a little. His bed faced out onto the city below, the Sun was nearly at the highest point in the sky.
"This girl- this woman. I saw her with another guy. She told me she loved me Clarke," he finally stated. He started to play with his hands. He stank and had an impeccable amount of dirt underneath his nails.
"Finn, if you mean mother, I swear I will punch you in the stomach so hard you'll-"
"It's Raven, Clarke."
I let out a small chuckle, my sort-of-brother just named my nemesis, my arch enemy, Raven Reyes. My 'friend' who always seemed to get everything she ever wanted, and seemed to exceed me at everything at life.
"Him?" I finally let out,
"I've been seeing her these past few weeks Clarke," I stayed quiet. "She's your friend; I thought you'd be happy about this."
"Oh, don't play that card Finn. You know how much I can't stand her!"
"She honestly has changed me,"
"Changed you? Changed you so much you've started taking an unhealthy number of pills for breakfast?" I raised my voice a little, glaring into his eyes. There was suddenly a silence in the room, the tension making it hard to breathe. He didn't know how to reply.
"She takes everything from me Finn, and now she has taken you." I finally spat out. "Can you not see the toxicity of that girl? She has manipulated you to be under her command."
"She's not like that Clarke, and you know it."
"I do know it Finn, she is just like me, and does everything for the good of her family. Can you not see how she's using you?"
"Then you are no better than her," he tried to argue, but I wasn't going to let him.
"I'm not saying I am, but the fact that for the past 18 years, you have sat and listened to me talk about that- that snake! And then go out and let her into your brain. Oh my God. You've slept, together haven't you? Haven't you?" I shouted. Again, he just sat there quietly. For the next ten minutes, he just sat on the bed while I paced the room shouting at him. Finally, I sat down on the foot of the bed.
I realised I had just shouted at someone who was clearly asking for help.
"I'm so sorry Clarke," He said, resting his head on my shoulder, I pulled him into a hug.
"I'm sorry too." I replied, and we sat there for who knows how long.
The meeting came about all too quickly; I had to quickly change because I smelt like whatever Finn had been taking. I changed into a black bodycon dress with capped sleeves. Family meetings were held in secret because we couldn't trust anyone in the hotel to not gossip about what they had heard.
We sat in my mother and father's suite around their large oblong sized table. My father sat at the top, reading a newspaper, my mother at the other end, cigarette in hand. Everyone else was seated in between- Bellamy and his sister Octavia, Finn, Wells and Jaha.
"Sorry I'm late," I hurried, kissing my father on the cheek and sitting down beside me, receiving a quick smirk from Bellamy. He was dressed up today, in a tight-fitting suit, his curly trim hanging in front of his eyes so he needs to brush it back every 5 seconds.
My father folded his newspaper and took off his reading glasses. "As you all know, the Murphy family are coming tomorrow and I need you all on your best behaviour. I want no fights, no pick pocketing-" we all looked to Finn. He put his hands up in defence. His face had more colour than it did this morning, I chuckled, whether out of humour at his action or happiness he looked better.
"The Murphys are only coming here for a boost in their PR, therefore I have a feeling that they are trying to sabotage us in any way they can, so as usual report to me any suspicious business. I want a clean weekend boys and girls, anyone who misbehaves will answer to me." My father could be threatening when he wanted to be. The boys had been known to embarrass the hotel before, and he wanted to warn them "And Clarke and Octavia- no alcohol allowed this weekend, do you hear me? I need you girls to do what you do best with the boys" Okay, maybe we girls had too.
The night came around quickly; I went out for a meal with Finn. We went to the Dropship, near to Raven's hotel. It was a beautiful restaurant, overlooking the city in its entire prime. He looked dapper in some jeans and a blue shirt, and I matching his blue in a pantsuit ensemble.
"What did you actually want to see me about before?" I asked, swirling my cocktail with one finger.
"Well I was going to tell you about Raven anyway, but also-" he paused "Well it's a bit embarrassing actually, it's just that-"
"Spit it out!" I exclaimed, taking my drink to my lips
"Father gave me grandma's ring to give to you, her engagement ring" I spat out my drink with laughter and surprise.
"Okay Clarke, I didn't know when you said spit it out you meant we were having a match to see who could do the farthest!" he burst out with laughter, wiping away the remains of my cocktail.
"What!" I couldn't believe it. "My dad wants us to marry?!"
"Of course, I said no, we are practically brother and sister, but still he said for me to ask,"
"Okay, this is a little weird, are you asking me?"
"Obviously not, but I thought I had to tell you," I giggled
"So that's why Mother told me to look nice for lunch today. I had no idea" We laughed and talked over dinner, until his eyes froze, his gaze showing longingness.
"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" I joked. I followed his eye line, to see Raven walking in, wearing a gorgeous black gown, trailing behind her, her luscious locks cascading down her back. Ugh I hated her. On her arm was Mr. John Murphy. My childhood nemesis,
"That's him," Finn gasped,
"You know that's John?" I asked. He shook his head. He knew he was in deep trouble.
We put our heads down, trying to avoid recognition, however we failed. "Clarke!" Raven shouted across the restaurant. I rolled my eyes at Finn and turned around to fake a smile, "Heya!"
"Whatcha doing here, this isn't exactly your scene is it?" she joked. I tried a chuckle,
"We were just trying out new places," Finn butted in. I saw their awkward glance, I cringed at the tension.
"John! I didn't know you were in town already," I stated, fully knowing he wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow and stay at the Arkadia.
"Well, I came to visit Raven without my family for a few days," he muttered
"Ah, well I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," I lied and redirected my attention to the waiter for the bill, whilst she chatted to me, not picking up on my obvious signs of not wanting to talk to her.
"We'll see you soon Clarke," Raven kissed me on the cheek. As they walked away me and Finn exchanged looks of hate.
"Come on, let's go home," he said
As usual the men were at the poker table, Finn went straight to join them, not even taking off his coat. I went to say good evening to Fox at the desk. Octavia was there too so I went to sit down next to her.
"Come to play?" she said excitedly, I never usually liked to play and tonight I was in no mood.
"I saw Raven, and she was with Murphy," I whispered to her.
"Stop! God she really makes her way around town." she snorted, switching around her cards.
"I know, she said she wanted to see us sometime,"
"God, I hate the bitch," she said. "You just make sure Murphy realises he got the worst of the two royal daughters of this town,"
"Ugh I just don't want to see him,"
She pushed her chips into the table, raising Bellamy much to his embarrassment.
"Clarke, we don't really have a choice in the matter, you know we have to get as much as we can out of these boys over the weekend. You know this, why are you suddenly over thinking everything?"
I looked over to Bellamy smirking at his cards,
"I don't know."
The Murphys arrived at mid-afternoon, Harry Murphy and his gang came in like a pack of dogs. My mother for once didn't have a cigarette in her hand so was able to shake their hands and kiss their cheeks. I did the same as each took it upon themselves to see how long they could hold me for.
"Welcome Harry!" My father exclaimed,
"Jake" his voice bellowed. He was a large man, his hair freshly cut and trimmed beard to perfection. Much of the rest of the Murphy clan had beards, except for John, who stuck out like a sore thumb. He was the baby of the family.
"Clarke my dear, you have grown into a lovely young lady," he said, nearing me and kissing my cheek, again longer than I would've liked. "You must remember playing with my boys when you were only little yes?" I blushed and nodded.
The 4 Murphy sons' glares burned through me, every inch of me was being inspected. The eldest was Harry Jr. The tallest and most tattooed, on his arm was his wife, whose smile lit up the room. Next was Lincoln Murphy, like Finn he had been adopted by the Murphys when he was young, he was different to all of them, the manliest that is. Next came Joseph Murphy, the most handsome of the bunch, he was always nice to me when we were younger, in fact I would go as far to say a friend. He had certainly grown up; he gave me a little smile as he inspected the foyer, and the grand chandelier. He walked towards me; I hesitated to make it look like I had forgotten his name, "Jack?" he smirked
"Don't pretend you don't remember the great Joe Murphy" I smiled, he took my hand in his large, calloused hand, "and if I remember correctly, - Cate? Cara?" he joked, making me blush.
I saw the evil glares of Bellamy burning through him as he took my hand to his lips, I was rather enjoying Joe's attention so ignored Bellamy.
And finally, there was the last of the brothers, John, who Finn didn't even look at as we greeted them all. He was the weakling of the group, he didn't fit in, the muscle on his body wouldn't even add up to the amount of muscle in one of his brother's arms.
We sat at a long table in a private room, where no expense had been spared, as champagne was being poured and dishes being served every second. The whole evening, I sat next to Joe, I listened all about his travels to Mexico and how he almost died at the hands of a drug lord. The Murphys were gamblers, but every now and then got involved in trafficking. They were one of the most powerful families from the other side of town. Of course, they saw us as a threat. But Joe didn't treat me like a threat, and every now and then he would touch my leg under the table, and he would linger it there to make sure I knew it wasn't an accident. At the end of the table my father and Harry looked like they were in deep conversation, Finn had been quiet all night long, of course I knew why, but my mother was not as understanding.
"Finn, pass me the lighter, will you?" she asked, giving him the eye, as she offered a pack of cigarettes around the end of the table we were sitting at.
"You holding a cigarette has become an iconic picture to me, Mrs Griffin," Joseph said, taking one for himself and then for me. She forced a chuckle, I could tell it was on purpose, and she turned her icy glare to him; they began in conversation, as I saw John slip away, and a few seconds later Finn follow, his hands in a fist. Octavia's eyes and mine connected, and we knew trouble was about to go down, she whispered something to Bellamy, and the three of us rose to follow. But before I left, Joseph grabbed my hand, "Where are you going?" he asked in a concerned tone,
"Don't worry were just going to check on the wine cellar, Monty says were nearly out of champagne and only us have the password for our back-up supply," he nodded, and returned to my mother; whatever interesting thing she had to say, I didn't know, but I was glad he didn't look any further into my case. I picked up the bottom of my dress and followed the Blakes. I had to take my stilettos off outside the room, as I couldn't run that fast to catch up with them.
"Hey!" Bellamy shouted as they turned the corner. When I caught up with them, John had Finn pinned up against the wall, his face filled with rage.
"Get off him!" I screamed running towards them, but Bellamy put his arm out, to hold me back, and instead did it himself, punching John across the face, so hard he stumbled back.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he now had him pinned up against the wall.
"It's none of your business," he spat in Bellamy's face; I could see him trying to keep his cool. He let go of him, as I saw him battling with himself whether to do anything. His eyes were filled with anger, and to anyone else this Bellamy would scare the shit out of them, but I knew him too well now. "This is my warning. I see you near him again; there will be hell to pay." He warned.
"Go sit back down," I said, going to stand next to Bellamy. Octavia hurried over to Finn, who had a bleeding nose.
"Getting mummy and daddy to fight for you now, Finn? What would Raven say to that?" Finn lurched forwards, but Octavia kept a tight grip. She whispered to him to calm him down. I stepped towards him, my body pressed against his, I really wanted to put my heels back on just to step on his toes, but I reflected Bellamy and didn't go further. "Go sit back down," I dictated. He huffed and Bellamy let go of him. He brushed himself off and stomped away, looking back before going round the corner. I looked to Bellamy in relief, this wasn't the first time we had to save Finn from a fight, but this time was different.
"Well done," he said, his arms crossed over his body. He wiped away a run of sweat, his arm muscles bulging out his shirt. I bit my lip.
"It wasn't me, you were the one who scared him," I replied.
"Believe me Princess; I wasn't the one who scared him." He looked into my eyes, and after a second, which felt like hours, I turned my attention to Finn, Octavia had wiped away his blood.
"Dad doesn't have to know about this, okay?" I said to the group, he wanted a clean weekend, and that was what he would have.
Later on, the boys went to play poker, and the girls stayed to smoke. My mother, Octavia and I were the only Griffin clan in the room. My father's three secret weapons. The rest of the table was invaded by Murphys, wives, mistresses and children alike. This family was three times the size of ours, but still was nothing to match us.
I chatted to Harry's wife, Beth, she was intimidatingly gorgeous. She was pregnant, around 8 months.
"How's the baby?" I asked.
"He's getting grouchy," she replied, "He's like his father, impatient!"
"So, you know it's a boy?"
"No, but that's what I keep saying to hope it's true. We need more men, look around the room, these girls are three to a man!"
"Harry !" I chuckled. But she was too concerned with the women she had just mentioned. One in particular, a brunette, who wore red stain to her lips. My father had told me to get whatever I could out of the Murphys, and even though I knew she was vulnerable, and I hated myself for it, I asked her about the woman.
"She doesn't happen to be the girl to your man, does she?" I asked, she looked into my eyes, hers filled with desperation.
"He just keeps himself occupied when I cannot occupy him," she replied. I could tell she resented her for it, but this was unfortunately the world we lived in. But she was obviously from the outside, where she didn't have to sit alongside her husband's lovers. She wasn't like me and Octavia, who had found the way to use these men to our advantage. I think she just simply loved Harry, but she was there for his image, and his children. Nothing more. She had been the one taken advantage.
I felt sorry for her, and offered her breakfast with me the next morning. She gladly accepted.
"Us girls have to stick together," I winked.
It was nearing morning, but Beth, Octavia and I still were up. We may have had one too many, but the band still roared from the stage, therefore we stayed to dance, where we could make fools of ourselves, and no one see. Or so I thought.
Harry Jr, Lincoln and Joseph came into the room, much to their surprise, to find us fooling about.
"Beth!" Harry said in shock, "What are you doing?!"
"I'm dancing Harry," she replied, considering she wasn't the one under influence, she'd be your first guess.
"Are you not exhausted? I don't want you to hurt yourself," he said, I admired his care for her. She put her arms around his shoulders, she kissed him. They genuinely loved each other.
"Well, soon we won't have time for dancing," she said, taking his hand and swaying to the music. However, he wasn't interested and escorted her to bed. Joe came up to me, and took my hand.
"What are you doing?!" I exclaimed, a little taken a back.
"I'm dancing Clarke" he smirked. I laughed my hand on his muscular shoulders.
Eventually, it was just the two of us left. The band had gone, and god knows where Octavia had gone with Lincoln. I rested my head on his chest,
"You know I remember when you would run away from me when we were little," he said,
"My dad always told me be careful of those Murphy boys!" I replied, much to his displeasure,
"And do you? Think you need to be careful?"
"I'm always careful,"
"Well, how about you not be careful for one night?" he insinuated, I stopped to smile at him. He took my chin under his fingers, and drew my lips to his, just before they touched he said; "I have to leave tomorrow, I have an important deal to attend, it has been affecting me greatly lately, and finally it will all be under wraps. Meet me after?" he asked
"I'll have to see, I'm a busy woman you know" He smirked and finally took his lips to mine. It was a long, warm kiss, and I knew this was a good time to ask about this deal. I reluctantly broke the kiss, and had to steady my breath
"This deal- it's not anything too -" I was interrupted by a grunt at the door. Suddenly, the mood changed and a tension began to form in the air. I turned around to see a smug Bellamy Blake, looking very pleased with himself. I warned him with an evil glare, Joe's grip on me became slightly stronger, only slightly, but enough for me to notice.
"What do you want?" I snarled, trying to tell him with my eyes I was busy.
"Your mother needs you, Princess," I let out a large groan.
"I'll be there soon," I replied, he lingered for a few seconds, and then finally went.
"Princess?" Joe mocked. I rolled my eyes, "Do I have competition? Will I have to fight the dragon to save the princess in the tower?" he said.
I laughed, "No, of course not, he's just a friend. But I do need to go."
He took my arm, a firm grip that jolted me as I turned from him. "When our night is just starting?" he joked, but his grip tightened as I pulled away.
"I'll see you soon Joe Murphy," I said, and walked away from him, standing in the middle of the ballroom,
"Hopefully very soon, Clarke Griffin," he growled.
Bellamy waited for me in the foyer, his face slapped with his usual annoying smirk.
"Well, hello, Mrs Murphy," I hit him on the arm.
"Believe me, I will never be a Mrs Murphy, not after seeing how many there are already of them,"
"Did you find anything out?"
"I was close to finding something at least, before you rudely interrupted," He raised an eyebrow. "He's going away tomorrow,"
"And are you heartbroken?"
"Are you kidding? No one can break me,"
"Is that a challenge?" he replied, his smirk nearly reaching his ears. I ignored his comment and huffed and puffed as we climbed the great staircase. As much as I hated to admit it, I was enjoying Joe's company a little too much, and perhaps Bellamy's interruption was a blessing in disguise. Surprisingly, in a family of so many, in a hotel so big, loneliness comes easy. Evident by my stupid endeavours with Bellamy the past few weeks. Someone new and exciting to touch and talk to, triggered temptation.
I got to my mother's suite, as her and my father slept separately, which made their night time activities even more obvious when I would come in to her room and find him there. Which is what I did then.
My father lay on her bed, shirt, boxers and socks on reading a newspaper. He peered over it to look at me,
"Good evening sweetie," he croaked.
"Where's mum?" not wanting to look at him for more than a few seconds at a time. "She wanted to see me."
"She wanted you away from that Murphy boy."
"What?" I looked at him after this shocking statement. Of course, my mother and father were protective, and were always the stereotypical parents when I brought boys home, which was not often considering I never wanted my flings to know who I was. But with men in business I was encouraged to do my business, and do what I had to do for the sake of the family. "Why?" I questioned again.
"Because he's trouble," he flicked to the next page of the newspaper.
"What do you mean he's trouble? Every man that walks into this building is not exactly well behaved!" I exclaimed
"Well, your Murphy boy has done some things that I simply cannot even think about. However, I have to look past these things in order to create good rapport with his father," my father replied
My mother walked into the room wearing her silk dressing gown and had her hair tied up with a towel as it was wet. She was putting earrings in her ear, as she registered my presence
"Ah, Clarke, has your father told you? You need to stop talking to Joe so much instantly."
"Yes, but I don't understand why?" I wanted answers
"Joseph Murphy once upon a time was known for something very dangerous, however he seems to have moved on from his past and so should we." My mother replied, putting her opposite earring in.
"But what?"
My mother and father exchanged a glance; my mother opened her mouth, but shut it quickly.
"Mr Murphy killed Ebony Reyes." My father simply stated, unaffected by the seriousness of what he had just said. My mother gasped and went to the wall to steady herself. My eyes bulged as I was hit by the warning of Joe Murphy from my parents. Ebony Reyes, the eldest Reyes child, was a few years older than Raven and I, she was stunning and held the crown of the city for the most prestigious daughter of the town, the one Raven and I now both fight for. She was stunning, and had a personality to match. She had tragically died 5 years ago in what was supposedly an accidental fall, down from a staircase similar to our own. It's the only thing that I can never compete with Raven with, the most grief one holds in their life. I remember Ebony and Joe's relationship from when were young and used to play with the Murphy boys. It was subtle, but it was there.
"What?" I finally sliced the tension and silence, still stunned myself.
"The night that Ebony died, if you remember we were all together, us, the Murphys and the Reyes." My father began to explain, taking off his glasses, and putting his newspaper down on the bed next to him.
I nodded, it was the last time we all were properly together, hotels with friendly competition, hotels that still held onto a little innocence.
"Well, Ebony was warming to our new advisor, Bellamy-"My mother's eyes glared at me, my father could feel this glare I knew, but luckily brushed it off. "We appointed Bellamy as we knew that he had a past and that we would report him if he ever betrayed us, his contract states his true loyalty and honesty, which was truly proven this night, hence why we know the information I'm about to tell you."
"I don't think she needs to know this," my mother declared suddenly, "He killed Ebony, that's the facts; now stay away from the boy."
"No, mother, you've told me this much."
"Ebony took a liking to Bellamy, and it's no secret Mr Blake is a ladies' man. He obviously got talking with her after dinner, and she told him how she was going to break it off with Joseph that night. According to her, their affair had gone on too long. However, the next morning, we got the call that Ebony Reyes had had one too many drinks the night before and had fallen to her death at exactly 4am in the morning."
"But you don't think that she fell by herself."
"No I do not." My father replied.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Of course, murderers walked the very corridors of the Arkadia, Clarke knew that Bellamy and her father had carried out people's deaths more times than she thought she knew about. Octavia had once even had to shoot someone to save her own skin. But these people deserved to die through the eyes of her father's business; Ebony Reyes had her fair share of sins but was not deserving of what happened to her, nor her family.
And now, I had laughed at his jokes, told him my stories, let him touch me.
"The Murphy boy will be gone tomorrow on a business deal for his father, so he will be out of our hair. And he will be gone. For now," My mother added to the conversation, and that was that.
Bellamy was waiting outside the room, to go in and talk to my father. He leant against the wall playing with something on his wrist. I walked past him, not in the mood for his antics.
"I hope you're being careful princess," he shouted after me.
I walked back towards him in frustration, still shocked by the news but also annoyed at his smugness all night.
"I am always careful Bellamy Blake, and to think otherwise is stupid." I stated
"Well, Clarke Griffin, I just saved you from being pushed down the stairs tonight so a little gratitude would be nice." He stepped closer, away from the wall and towards me.
"I don't need saving," I put my arms across my chest as a barrier from his sculpted chest.
"So you'd have rather not known the truth about your companion tonight?" he asked. I paused; he was suddenly very close to my face. "Didn't think so." He broke the silence, I could feel his heart beat growing stronger in his chest from my crossed arms, and mine seemed to take to the same rhythm.
"Why do you feel the need to be so conceited?" I asked "Do you see each day as a new opportunity to be one up on your sister, Finn or me?"
"I don't know what you mean," he replied, his smirk creeping back onto his face
"Can you not see how serious the situation is Bellamy? That man could well have killed a girl, a girl who is practically the same as me! And you want to act like this is a game?"
"I know more than anyone this is not a game Clarke!" his raised his voice. "Do you know how hard it is to be constantly worrying about how Octavia and you are doing? To know that I let you into these situations?"
"What?" I answered, my only response to anything it seemed now.
"You know what Clarke, I'm sorry. Let's leave it there." He turned to leave, but I caught his hand.
"What do you mean you worry?"
"It doesn't matter, all that matters is that you're safe, or at least what we call safe, and because of whoever or whatever saved you." I held onto his arm for a second longer, a few minutes in our minds. I let go.
"Goodnight Bellamy."
"Or Good morning even, Princess." He smirked. For a second I thought I saw a different side to Bellamy, a side that meant he cared more than my father's advisor. But he was back to his usual self.