The Unfairytale
Love was a waste of time and caused more chaos than happiness; these were the infamous words of Abraham Van Brunt until she came.
One
What was she doing here at the Governor's ball wearing this pricey and revealing black ball gown? It took her forty minutes to wrangle her thick black hair up into a sleek and romantic up do; so Katrina called it. This was all VanTassel fault anyway and hers for agreeing to go with her. She really did not care if they wanted to give her an award. She did not like all of the press and gossip that would come from this supposedly honorable event. These people could and would turn all good and honest events into something bad and disgusting. Abbie stood beside her best friend Katrina Van Tassel waiting for these snobby rich people to come and greet them. Neither one of them hung around these types of people. Katrina preferred those that would infuriate her father Baltus VanTassel. She made it her life's mission to make his name lower than dirt ever since he left her mother for a woman three years older than his daughter. Katrina made sure that none of her escapades reflected on her just her father. She would drop his name in a blink of an eye to upset people. Abbie knew at some point her anger with her father would expire so she decided just to let Katrina vent they only way that she knew how. Abbie looked over at the red head beside her and frowned. "I'm going to kill you when this is over. I just want you to know that."
"Duly noted, but I think that you will enjoy yourself. I hear that Caroline Reed is after Abraham Van Brunt but I know that he will never go for her."
Abbie smiled at the people going by and shaking their hands. "Why not, She's rich and beautiful."
Katrina rolled her eyes. "So are we but we have sense and we are not sleeping with everyone in town."
"How do you know that she is sleeping with everyone in town?"
Katrina chuckled. "I don't but that is what I am going to say if her name should come up."
Abbie sighed. "Katrina don't do that. I met Caroline she is really nice and I don't think that she would even attempt to look at Van Brunt as timid as she is."
Katrina rolled her eyes again. "Abbie please let me make the contact with this man. You will just infuriate him and he will want to destroy your father and then I would have to support you."
Abbie began laughing at that ridiculous notion. Katrina VanTassel was the most selfish person that Abbie knew. They only person that she doted on was herself. Abbie just found herself getting gifts and invites because she was standing beside her. She only came here to keep Katrina out of trouble and found out later that her friend Van Tassel had planned to introduce her to Abraham Van Brunt against her will of course. People avoided this man like the plague but certain women flocked to him. He went through them like water through a sieve. He had no emotions and sounded like a robot to Abbie. He said that love was nothing to get excited about and that no woman was worth more than twenty minutes of his time. He was an asshole with tons of money and power. He was someone that Abbie would have no interest in meeting.
There she was standing there being as beautiful as she always was. Orion Engell the upscale Nightclub/restaurant owner only came here for one reason. He knew that Abbie Mills would be there to receive an award for her service to the children of Sleepy Hollow. He wanted to introduce himself to her. He had seen her at a fundraiser and ever since that day eight months ago he had lived like a monk. She had been on his mind every waking hour and now here she was, in the flesh. She was not one of those ordinary rich girls. She had substance and a temper that would keep most men away but not him. He loved her feistiness and would welcome that into his life. He was going to throw himself into nabbing this woman. She was well worth his time and his life.
Her laughter carried in the noisy hall. Abraham's ear perked at the sound of merriment. The sound was true and bold. He had never heard such a sound at any ball or gathering that he had been invited to. He followed the sound to its origin and saw her in the black ball gown. She was curvy. Her body held up the sleeveless and strapless gown very easily. He could see the smooth dark caramel skin of her arms and breasts and wondered how she came here unattended. She looked out of place because her face said that she did not wish to be there just like him. He hated all the attention sometimes and that was why he lived in seclusion. Abraham watched her greet the important people coming to meet her. She was of some importance. He had read about the banker's daughter Abbie Mills receiving and award for opening another school for underprivileged children. She was putting her inheritance to good use for the community. A frown marred her beautiful face as the rich and boisterous Orion Engell stood before her and looked her over as if he were looking over a prized horse for sale. He liked what he was viewing.
"I am Orion Engell I own the restaurant called Lilly and the upscale nightclub called Light. I would love to see you there. Only the beautiful can enter and you have that covered." He grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips like some harlequin romance novelist had written his script.
Abraham watched the woman pull her hand away from Orion and glare up at him. She spoke with a smile and he just knew that her words were not kind. She did not know this man and she did not want him touching her and she did not care if hurt his feelings. The red head next to her seemed amused at the man's sudden annoyance. Abraham decided to go see what the problem was.
"I meant no disrespect by touching you I was just overwhelmed by your beauty."
Abbie looked at Katrina for a second as the red head rolled her eyes. She then returned her gaze to the tall man before her. "Does that ever work …on any woman."
Orion smiled and held up his hands. "I know that it sounds cheesy but it's true. Everyone is talking about the gorgeous raven haired woman in the sexy black ball gown and you are the only one that I see."
"Maybe you didn't look hard enough," Abbie replied with a smirk on her face. Orion continued smiling. This woman was all fire and he liked that, he liked that a lot.
"I look all the time but rarely find perfection…until now."
Abbie rolled her eyes and looked towards her left and saw a tall, muscular blonde haired man walking towards them. Judging by the crowd of people scurrying away and the women fawning over him this was Abraham Van Brunt coming to spread his dominance over her situation. Orion followed her gaze and saw Abraham approaching. He frowned and moved closer to Abbie. He was not going to lose her to this man. He had just found her.
Abbie moved back when she felt material of Orion's suit touch her skin. Abraham stopped before them and took a sip of his wine as his blue eyes travelled down Abbie's body now that he was closer to see what drove the loose and gregarious Orion Engell to her side. His eyes were not playing tricks on him. The whispers about the raven haired woman in black were all true. She was stunning from near and far.
"Well it seems that Van Brunt has finally graced us with his presence."
Abraham smiled and placed his wine glass on the server's tray that followed him around. "I came to meet one of the guests of honor Orion. What did you come here to do?"
Orion chuckled at Abraham and then looked at Abbie. "I came here looking for a good time and possibly more."
"Well don't look at me too long." Her smooth voice and smile held venom. She was only making him want her more with her constant attempts at pushing him away.
"How could anyone look away from you?"
Abbie rolled her eyes again. "Aren't there other women here with less integrity that will fall for your charms or have you already checked them off your list."
Orion chuckled. "I like your spirit."
Katrina began backing away from the group. Abbie could hold her own for a while.
Abraham let his eyes travel down Abbie's body again and saw how tense she was. She did not like being the center of attention well Orion's center of attention. She did not plan on being the next on his list to receive a line through her name. "You heard her denial Engell."
"I really don't need or want any of your attention either. I am sure that the women behind you…drooling would love to hear what you have to say about anything." Abraham raised an eyebrow at her dismissal of him. Abbie rolled her eyes and turned to face Katrina but the space beside her was suddenly empty. She looked around the room but her friend had vanished. Abraham glared down at her. Abbie raised her eyes towards her sudden enemy.
"Was she your back up?"
"I don't need back up." Abraham smiled at her boldness. He took another glass of wine from the server's tray.
"You are a little bird surrounded by predators. You are going to need some back up." Abraham replied taking a sip of his wine but keeping his eye on Abbie.
This was not going his way at all. Orion looked from Abraham to Abbie and just knew that she would fall into the web that he was spinning. "He thinks that he is all that women want."
Abbie frowned at up Orion. "So do you,"
He smiled at her. "I am all that you would need."
Abraham wanted to pound the man into the wall at the far end of the hall. He wanted to rip out his larynx and show it to him and remind him to keep quiet when he was talking. "Don't you have other women to terrorize Orion."
Disgust rolled through Abbie's body as she looked at the two of them competing for her attention and she did not want either of them especially Abraham Van Brunt. He spoke as if he knew that she wanted to talk with him alone. What an arrogant asshole. "I don't care to know either of you so I am going to leave you two to gaze into each other's eyes and talk."
Abbie walked away from them without looking back. She searched the hall for Katrina but she had vanished. She knew that her friend would return by dinner because Katrina was that type to run from danger and come for the food.
"She is immune to you Abraham. She is not going to become one of your groupies following behind you."
Abraham had said nothing about pursuing this woman. Apparently Orion had his eye on her and thought that he could scare him off her scent. Abraham had no interest in anyone at the moment. "Anything that you find appealing is not worth my time Engell."
Orion smiled and grabbed a glass of wine from a passing tray. "I see that look in your eyes. No woman has ever dismissed you like that and I find that appealing. She is perfect for me and I am going to win her over."
"By clubbing her over the head with a bat. She despises you. You have no chance of anything. Your presence around her just increases her anger towards you."
Orion frowned. 'That may be but she will get over that and accept that I will not stop. I will bury her with love."
Abraham chuckled. Love, this man was ridiculous. Love never got anyone what they wanted. He was living in a fantasy world like all the women behind him. All they wanted was his money and his name. He had not slept with all of them but the ones he had wanted more… they wanted his love. They were delusional as Orion Engell.
"Good luck with that," Abraham walked away from. The woman of Orion's dream had not gotten far from them she was speaking with the Mayor and did not look annoyed at all. She was happy to speak with her. She looked approachable and gorgeous. Why did playboy Orion Engell think that this woman would accept him? Abbie Mills was a woman that came from a prominent family. She would never just give herself to a man like Orion Engell. She knew her worth and would not settle for a man that did not know it. A smile came over Abraham's face. He would prove to Orion that this woman would never bend to him. He was going to arrange a seating change just to prove his point.
*()*
Abbie sat in her appointed seat and glared at Katrina at the next table trying to avoid her eyes. She even sat another table to escape her. The eight plate round table had assigned seating and someone had changed it. Why in the hell would she ask her to come here and then run away and hide from her. The chair beside Abbie suddenly slid back and pulled her attention from Katrina at the next table. Orion smiled down at her as if she were happy to see him. He sat down and chuckled at her angry expression.
"So you did miss me,"
"Hardly,"
Orion poured water in his glass and hers as he smiled at her reply. "I have made an impression on you."
Abbie raised an eyebrow at his actions but accepted the gesture. She would probably use the water to throw in his face later. "It was not a good impression."
Orion chuckled. "You are a spirited little bird."
The chair across from Abbie moved and she turned her head towards the person moving it. Abraham Van Brunt slowly sat down beside an excited blonde hair woman. The other women in the room were instantly jealous of her.
Orion leaned close to her and whispered. "You are not his type. He likes the shallow but beautiful not the strong and gorgeous."
What was he doing? Abraham wondered when he saw Abbie listening to him. She did not move away from the man invading her personal space. He was curious until he saw Abbie move her chair away from Orion. A smile filled Abraham's face as he turned and greeted everyone at the table.
Orion was not deterred by her actions. She was making him work for her and he was up for the challenge. Abbie moved her plate so that it was in front of her now. Orion sighed. "You are going to be difficult aren't you."
"I am not going to be anything so you should search elsewhere for you next victim."
"I don't think so."
Abraham smiled at the blonde making eyes at him as he pretended to listen to her talking about herself. He monitored Abbie and Orion's conversation.
"Well I do think so. I have no interest in you so…."
"You should give a guy a chance to prove himself before you dismiss him. I can understand Van Brunt but I am not like him."
Abbie turned her head from Orion and snickered. She shook her head and searched the room for anything more interesting than Orion Engell. Abraham heard the unfamiliar sound coming from the woman that had dismissed him earlier. He watched her out of the corner of his eyes. She was listening to Orion Engell but not believing a word; but she was listening. She continued to roll her eyes at what he was saying but she did chuckle at some of the senseless words that came out of his mouth. He was supposed to irritate her but he was doing just the opposite. He had even managed to move closer to her unnoticed by the little bird. Abraham had underestimated the nightclub owner. He was proving that he was very resourceful and had a way with words that could calm even the feistiest of women.
*()*
Dinner seemed to last forever. Abraham kept his attention on the two across from him. Abbie still frowned at Orion but she paid most of her attention to her food. It was difficult to get into their conversation because of the talkative blonde beside him would not shut up. He wanted to move away from her but there was no empty seat at his table. Abbie looked over at him and saw him frowning as the woman talked. She smirked at his annoyance and watched his frown turn into a smirk back at her. His eyes diverted to Orion but Abbie shrugged her shoulders as to say I don't care that you did this to irritate me.
"You should come to my club with your friend."
Orion's words pulled her attention from Abraham and made the reclusive rich man's face return to a frown bigger than it was before.
"What,"
"You two should come see Light my nightclub. You would like it."
Abbie turned away from him. "I don't do nightclubs besides I am too busy."
Orion snickered. "Everyone needs to let their hair down once in a while little bird.'
"Stop calling me that,"
Orion raised an eyebrow. "Don't like Abraham's nicknames?"
Abraham glared at Orion. "She does not like the way that you say it or anything else Engell."
"Oh it seems that I have hit a nerve."
Abraham chuckled. "Hell will freeze over before you start to worry me Engell."
"Oh I think that I have already made you worry."
"That is your problem Orion you are always trying to take on things and people that you have no chance of defeating or winning." Abraham diverted his eyes to Abbie as she ate ignoring them both. She could care less what they were saying or doing. She was dismissing him again and in front of Engell again. She was building this nightclub owner's confidence and did not even know it. She was forcing Abraham to pay attention to her because of her rejection. He should just talk to the blonde rubbing her legs against his thigh but he could not because this woman was not going to let him forget about her. She had already taken up more than twenty minutes of his time. He was getting annoyed at her ignoring him. Who did she think that she was? He would show her that he was not to be ignored.
Abbie picked up her wine glass and took a sip. She saw Abraham staring at her and frowned as she set her glass down. What was he thinking about? She could tell that he was not involved with the blonde as she turned away from him wearing a sad face. Had he dismissed her while she was eating? Abbie returned her attention back to her food and continued eating. He and Orion arguing had saved her from listening to the man trying to get her to come to his nightclub. She just wanted to get out of here without stabbing anyone or throwing anything.
*()*
The heavy golden ball with her name on it and her accomplishment for the community made Abbie smile as she waited for the attendant to call her a cab. She wanted to drive here but Katrina talked her out of it.
"Maybe you should have drove did you see the line waiting for a cab."
Abbie frowned at her best friend putting on her coat. "Where are you going?"
"Oh my father sent the car so that I would not get a ride from anyone. I can drop you."
"She still has pictures to take." The program organizer gently grabbed Abbie's arm. Katrina smiled at her glare as she walked away.
"I'll call you tomorrow…. sorry I left you alone."
Abbie sighed as Katrina ran out the door. She looked over rat the organizer and followed the woman back into the hall.
Why was he still there? Orion had left after about ten minutes of her pictures but Abraham lingered and stared at her as if he was trying to figure her out for his piece of mind. Abbie walked towards the doors of the hall still happy to have her ball of accomplishment in her hands.
Had she noticed that her hair had come down and was now laying on her breasts. She was so happy with her ball of shiny gold that her appearance had slipped her mind. She was even more alluring with the thick hair resting where no one would ever touch. He followed her out of the doors.
"The smile on your face is new."
Abbie turned and faced him. "Well this is something that matters to me."
Abraham smiled. "Children matter I agree with you on that. Are there any other endeavors that you are planning Miss Mills?"
Abbie raised an eyebrow. He had a lot of property for development. "Are you offering some land?"
The smile on her face widened. This was a true smile for something that she loved…children.
Before he could answer Orion walked back into the hall. He did not like the two of them speaking civilly to each other. He certainly did not like the smile on her face as she spoke to Abraham Van Brunt.
"Hey are you done. I could give you a lift home."
Abraham kept his eyes on Abbie. "Miss Mills and I are working on a deal I think that I will be the one escorting her home tonight Mr. Engell."
"So does that mean that you will sell me some land."
Abraham reached for her coat from the attendant. He held it open for her. Abbie sighed and turned around and placed the ball on one hand as she slid her right arm in the sleeve. Abraham's blue eyes fastened on the Orion as Abbie put on the coat. They were not kind to the nightclub owner.
Orion frowned at his actions. She was not his type. Why was he trying to steal her away from him? Abbie was not going to be one of those women that feel for him in a day or month. Van Brunt had no time for that so what was he doing trying to woo her with land.
Abbie turned and faced Abraham. "Shall we proceed to my car."
*()*
The ringing woke her and her hand slid from under the blanket and searched the night stand for her iPhone. She grabbed it and then pulled it under the blankets where she hid from the light.
"Hello,"
"It's 9:00am what are you still doing in the bed."
Abbie frowned and spoke in a soft and sleepy voice. "Who is this?"
"It's Orion,"
"How did you get my number?"
She heard him chuckle. "You are a public figure Abbie."
"This is a private number."
"You can get anything that you want these days."
Abbie ended the call and placed the phone back on the nightstand. The ringing started again. She reached for the iPhone and answered.
"Hello,"
"I just wanted to make sure that you made it home alright. I hear Abraham is very touchy with women."
Abbie sighed. 'We discussed only business and I want to sleep."
Orion pulled the phone from his ear when he heard the dial tone. He smiled amazed that she would hang up on him so fast. He redialed her number and she answered which made him laugh.
"I see that you two made a deal because Van Brunt removed it from the market."
"What do you want?"
Orion smiled at her groggy and angry voice. She was even fire in the morning. She was probably hiding under the blankets with only her long hair sticking out in the light.
"How about brunch with me?"
"No,"
He pulled the phone from his ear again and laughed. He redialed her again and she answered.
"Don't hang up I only want to see you for brunch and then I will leave you alone for the rest of the day."
"I can make my own brunch."
"Just let me make up for annoying you yesterday. Think of it as a peace offering. I just want to get to know you that's all."
"No because you will tell everyone that it's a date…"
"No I won't unless you want me too… but this is just brunch.
The silence made him question if she was asleep on the phone. "Okay,"
"I'll pick you up at 11am okay."
She hesitated again but confirmed his time and hung up quickly. Orion yelled out with joy as he walked towards his bathroom to get ready.
*()*
She had her hair down and free to blow in the wind. She wore form fitting jeans and this pink shirt that should be outlawed because it showed her assets in a very sexy way. Orion tried not to let his eyes roam down her body as she walked to his car or while he was driving. She looked around the newly renovated downtown and gasped in wonder. "Oh my goodness it is so beautiful now."
Orion smiled and got out of the car and walked around to her side and opened her door. He could not wait to walk around with her beside him. He would not have to start any rumors because the people seeing them would start them for him. He extended his hand and she placed her hand in his. Orion's body tensed at her touch. He helped her out of the Jag. "Haven't been here for a few months?"
"I think about a year," She stood beside him as he closed his car door.
"Maybe after brunch we can visit some of the shops and do some shopping."
"Just brunch this is not a date,"
Orion chuckled at her scolding expression. "What, I was just asking if you want to as a peace offering."
"No just brunch," Orion still held her hand and she pulled her hand from his grasp. He sighed still smiling.
"Alright follow me,"
Everything was going well for Orion. He managed to get her to stop frowning at him and smirk a couple of times at his ridiculous jokes. She had to see that he would do anything to get her attention and make her smile. They had been there for about an hour talking about where they were thinking of going for a vacation when a cold shiver ran up his back. Orion looked up and saw Abraham walking towards them. He was dressed in a suit. He must have had business that morning. Downtown was the best place for conducting such an adventure now. Abraham had not seen them yet and Abbie had her back to him. Orion smiled at her. "Are you sure that you don't want to at least peek at some of the shops."
Abbie set down her coffee. "I told you that this…."
Abraham stopped at their table. He had spotted them from the parking lot. He saw Orion's Jag and knew that he would not be here alone and his hunch was right but he was not expecting Abbie to be here with him. "I thought that you were sleeping in today?"
Abbie looked up at him and sighed. "He promised that he would never bother me again if we had brunch."
Orion smiled. "I said bother you today."
Abbie looked over at him. She must have slept through that part. "It does not matter we are almost done."
"Well you have saved me a trip I have the papers in my car if you want to give them to your lawyer to look over after your date."
The frown on her face made Abraham happy and he did not know why. He could care less if she and Orion were on a date. "This is not a date okay."
Orion smiled. "In man terms we are out on a date."
Abbie glared at his smiling face. "In man terms if you touch my hand we are married. I say this is not a date and it's NOT a date."
Abraham smiled at the fury in her body as she stood and glared down at the nightclub owner. Orion held up his hands. "I said that this was not a date on the phone. Abraham was the one that said that it was."
Abbie turned to the blonde business man. "My mistake, shall we go to my car now."
"I'm sure that that will take less than twenty minutes Abraham so you will be well within your woman timeframe."
Abraham ignored Orion's barb and extended his hand to Abbie. She placed her hand into the warm strength that was his hand. She could feel the power just below the surface of his warm skin. She looked up into his piercing blue eyes and then turned to face Orion. "Thank you for brunch Mr. Engell."
She turned away from him and Abraham directed her out of the restaurant. He switched her hand into his left to place his right hand on her waist quite smoothly to turn her gently in the direction that he wanted her to go. Orion cursed under his breath as he watched him directing her down the street that held Lamoure's Jewelry Den. The waiter brought him the check as Orion prayed that they would just keep walking. He wanted to get Abbie something to wear around her neck. A beautiful simple necklace was the only thing that she was missing.
"Just keep walking," Orion chanted as they walked along the sidewalk. He heard her gasp in excitement and knew that his chanting was not working. She was telling Abraham how she thought that they had moved back to France. Orion heard her say that she would have to come back after she got the papers from him.
"FUCK!" Orion threw his napkin down on the table when he heard Abraham say that they could go to his car later. She did not fight with him as he opened the door for her and she walked inside the expensive store. However, just before Abraham walked in he looked back at Orion and gave him the most wicked smile that he had ever seen.
Author's Notes
This was stuck in my head and now that it is out I can continue with ICH and KnightPhall. One or both should be up by the end of the week or beginning of next week depending on life. I thank you for reading and hope that you find the new story enjoyable. Forstbytefire
