A Man Like Him
Disclaimer: I do not own Die Hard or any of its characters, nor Hugo Boss. I own only the Hartman family and Dawn.
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Chapter 2
"So?" questioned Dawn.
"What do you mean 'so'?" I asked deliberately trying to avoid the question.
"Christ! You're as stubborn as they come! Were they handsome?" asked Dawn exasperated.
"They were decent." I told her with a straight face.
Dawn almost fell over laughing. "Every time you say that, the guys end up being gorgeous!"
"Ah! That's where you get it wrong. I'm not looking for a gorgeous guy." I told her.
"Right. I remember now. You're looking for a guy who's sophisticated and smart. Girl, it's the same thing." Dawn said acting as though if I was a confused idiot.
I laughed. "Dawn, you always crack me ----" I started but then the phone started ringing.
"Oh! Who is it?" Dawn asked curiously.
I picked up the phone and put it on speaker phone. "Hello?"
"Miss Raine?" asked a voice.
"Simon?" I asked surprised. Dawn was taken aback. She mouthed, "Simon?"
"Ah. You remember me."
I was surprised. I didn't actually expect him to call back.
"Of course! To forget would be extremely rude." I said.
Dawn cracked up and was engulfed in silent laughter.
I heard him laugh. "Well, Miss Raine, I happen to be hosting a party tonight at seven and I would absolutely love it if you would be able to come."
"Um. Uh, I don't have any plans tonight and I would love to go." I replied but Dawn started to point at herself, indicating that she wanted to go to.
"Miss Raine that would just be wonderful." replied Simon.
"Simon? I have a request and please stop addressing me as Miss Raine. It would be fine to just call me Raine."
He chuckled. "As you wish. Your request?"
Dawn started almost die from my hesitation.
"Would it be fine if I brought a friend?"
"It would be an honor." Simon replied.
I sighed. "Thank you Simon."
Dawn jumped in glee.
"See you at seven, Raine."
"Goodbye." I hung up.
"YAY!!" yelled Dawn.
"But... He's one gentleman isn't he?" asked Dawn.
"He really is, as is his brother." I told her.
"Crap! I don't have a dress!" I exclaimed.
"Don't worry we have ... AH!!! Only 8 hours!! Hurry up Raine!" Dawn said running out of the room.
"What did I tell you?!" I yelled in frustration.
xxxx
I bought a black topless dress from Hugo Boss while picking up my father's suit. Dawn went to Dolce and Gabbana to buy a topless red dress.
We got to Simon's house, more like mansion, at exactly seven.
We were greeted at the door by Simon. He wore a black suit, with a white shirt and red tie.
"Evening, Raine, Miss..." started Simon.
"Dawn Grant." answered Dawn with a smile.
"Miss Grant." he said kissing both of our hands.
"Come on in." Simon said leading us into his house. "Ah! Hans!" motioning for Hans to come over. I noticed the brief look of disgust Hans had on his face for a moment.
"This is Hans, my younger brother. Hans, you remember Raine, and this is her friend Miss Grant." introduced Simon. Hans was clad in black. His black silk tie around his neck shined. His cufflinks shined and not to mention his shoes shined softly. While this gave him an elegant, sophisticated look, he also carried himself in such grace.
I smiled. "Mr. Gruber." said both of us, Dawn and I.
"Miss Hartman. Miss Grant." Hans said in that silky voice of his. He took my hand and kissed it lingering a bit longer than on Dawn's.
"Well I must greet the other guests. Ah, Miss Grant, there is someone I would love for you to meet." said Simon taking Dawn away with him leaving Hans and I alone.
"You look beautiful tonight." Hans said smiling.
I blushed. "Thank you. You look dashing tonight."
He chuckled. It was a deep rich sound. Not a sinister laugh, but rather an enjoyable sound. I found myself smiling. His voice was certainly pleasing.
"So did you meet Simon just yesterday?" he asked.
"I did. It was rather interesting." I told him.
Hans seemed curious. "Interesting? In what way?"
I blushed. "Well. We talked a bit about you. Actually you were the main topic, I should say."
Hans seemed taken back. "Me? I wonder. What would you have talked about?"
I giggled. "I'm not allowed to tell you. You'll figure it out soon enough."
Hans rubbed his chin. "Hm... I'm sure I haven't met you before. Right?"
"Actually we've met once, but I wouldn't really count that because I didn't talk." I told him smiling.
"We have?" He asked puzzled. "I'm pretty sure I would have remember such a beautiful face."
I blushed. "On that day I met your brother, I passed you by on the street."
He snapped his fingers and his face lit up in realization. "You did look familiar! So that's where I've seen you before, but you are correct. That wouldn't really count."
I smiled. "Well, Mr. Gruber, I wouldn't worry about it so much. It was nothing of the bad sort."
"No, no, call me Hans. I'm pretty sure that we've passed the point of formalities." he said giving one of his smiles. I didn't know why back then, but whenever he gave me one of those smiles, I felt like that my world was coming down.
"In that case, I believe you have the permission to call me Raine." I told him smiling.
He smiled back and bowed. "It is my honor."
I giggled as he chuckled. We both seemed to be getting alone quite well. Hans excused himself to get drinks for us both and meanwhile I searched around the room for Dawn. I saw giggling and on the dance floor with a very tall, strongly built blond man. That man seemed exactly to be Dawn's type. Her exact words would be along the lines of 'Now that's gorgeous.'
Suddenly I felt a breath on the back of my neck. "Miss Dawn seems to be having a lot of fun." said a deep silky voice.
I turned around blushing while suppressing a shudder. "Do you happen to know his name?" I asked taking the glass of champagne Hans brought.
"Karl. He's a good man. A bit eccentric, but Miss Dawn may like eccentric." Hans said watching the spectacle.
I laughed and shook my head. "He's probably just her type then. Big, strong, adventurous. It's what she defines a man. She always goes for those types."
Hans smiled and looked over to me. "She looks like it. Wanting to do something dangerous, something adventurous."
"Spot on." I said taking a sip.
At that moment the music changed to a slow waltz song. At that moment Hans took my glass and put his and mine down.
"May I have the honor?" he asked bowing.
I blushed. I haven't danced in a while, but I wasn't going to give it up. I nodded and he took my hand and led me to the dance floor. The music was slow and gave me the time to rest my head on his chest. I took in his scent. He smelled like cologne and mild soap, but his cologne was not too strong. Men who wore strong cologne gave me headaches.
"Hans. Do you have a bad relationship with your brother?" I asked still leaning on Hans. I could feel his chest rumble as he replied.
"Yes. I…."
"Dislike?" I offered.
He chuckled. "Yes. I dislike him. He's never been very kind to me and rather has always treated me like trash." He spat.
I moved my hands to his neck and hugged him. "Hans.. I haven't known you for very long, but I feel that I've known you for forever. Don't be too hard on yourself."
His hands moved to my waist and pulled me in even tighter. "Thank you Raine."
While they hugged, they did not notice the look on Simon's face as he watched. "Hans…" he growled.
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