Diana put Sarah to bed. She didn't tell her that she was leaving. Her mother was once again drunk, but already was sound asleep. She stroked Sarah's brown hair and tucked her in. She waited patiently for her to fall asleep. In less than half an hour, she was out like a light. Not wanting to lose it, Diana took the whistle off of her neck and set it in Sarah's free hand. And with that, she left to go get ready.
She sat up straight as Vivian finished doing her hair. The corset she was wearing was killing her. She could barely breathe. She didn't know how people were able to wear such tight things. And the dress was going to be even tighter. A deep, rich red, was covered by an over layer of black and flowed out in the back. She looked in the mirror as Vivian zipped her up in the back. She didn't know what to say. A small part of her hair was tied up while the rest flowed down her back. Her lips were a deep shade of red, almost matching her dress.
"Red really is your color." Vivian said, stepping away to view her handiwork. Diana gave her a quick smile. Vivian smiled back, but it was one of those mocking smiles; the ones that were considered rude. She went to a small box and pulled out a necklace of black with small spots of white. She placed it around Diana's neck.
"All the men will be mesmerized." Vivian whispered in her ear. Diana felt uncomfortable. "The girls will look at you with jealousy because you've captured the attention of the men. But a word of advice..." She suddenly pulled the necklace tightly. Diana felt her breath be cut off. Vivian pulled tighter. She leaned into Diana's ear with a devilish smile.
"Stay away from the ones who are actually taken; especially my fiance." And she let go. Diana fell to the ground coughing and holding her throat. Vivian knelt down and finished putting on the necklace. She left without a word. Diana looked in the mirror. Already marks started to form.
It was at this moment Diana realized why Bruce's great grandfather didn't marry her.
Bruce chatted with others while he waited for Diana. He never knew how many partners his family had. They were uncles, grandfathers and even fathers of the people who worked at Wayne Enterprises now. It was an experience, but one that could potentially boost the company's workplace.
But when he saw Diana, all those metal notes he had taken went out the window. He stopped paying attention to anyone who was talking to him. His father nudged him. They both walked up to Vivian and Diana as they waited for them on the staircase. Bruce grabbed Diana's hand and placed the sweetest kiss imaginable while never breaking eye contact with her. She blushed. And it felt like time stopped for both of them. But that moment was ruined. Vivian grabbed Bruce's arm and gave him a look to start walking. He gave Diana a pleading glance to help him before walking off with Vivian to talk with others.
Bruce stood on the sidelines as he watched Vivian dance with some other man. His parents were dancing together, at least they were somewhat happy, while Diana probably left at the start of the ball. She had been on his mind all evening and he hadn't seen her since he kissed her hand. He slipped away from the view of everyone and went on the back deck to get some air. He could still here the music play a nice soft tune through the chill air. He put his hands in his pockets and looked around until he saw a figure dressed in red and black looking into the sea. He smiled as he walked toward the figure. His strides were long and silent.
"Enjoying the ball?" He said sarcastically. Diana looked at him with a smile and sighed. She leaned with her back against the railing.
"Couldn't be more miserable." She replied. Bruce gave her a quick smirk. His smirk faded when he saw red marks forming on her neck.
"What happened to your neck?" He asked, filled with concern for his closest friend. She touched her neck and quickly averted his gaze.
"Your fiance. She choked me with this necklace and threatened for me to stay away from you." She explained, showing him the necklace.
"Now I know why he didn't want to marry her. She'sinsane. And up close, she isn't that pretty." He said. It sounded as almost he was trying to be funny. He was desperate to make her at least giggle to help her get her mind off the things that concerned her. Thankfully she giggled the tiniest bit at his words. They were silent for awhile. While the band continued to play the same melody for the dancers waltzing in the ball room.
"You want to dance with me?" He asked, the tiniest bit of shyness in his voice. She raised an eyebrow at him. She shrugged and took his hand.
They swayed to the music. With her head laid on his chest, Bruce caught himself smiling. She smelled of the sea and the sand. And a small bit like flowers. Overall, her smell was like a trance to him. He enjoyed himself as they danced on the deck. She looked up at him.
"This isboring. How about we go to a real party?" She asked him with a mischievous glint her eyes. He loved that glint.
"If it means to get a away from Vivian, then I'm down." He said. She gave him a goofy grin and dragged him off.
They politely pushed through the crowd of people in the ballroom. He grip tightened on her hand so he couldn't lose her through the sea of people.
As they reached the doors they ran. They ran through boat laughing throughout it. He felt like a kid again. It was like when he used to run around the manor with his parents chasing him. He followed Diana down a flight of stairs. They laughed as they ran through the stark white hallways of the third class deck.
They walked as they heard music play. It wasn't the music that he was used to hearing. He was used to listening to classical music. The amount of formal events he went to was more than anyone could count. But this music was more upbeat. He could hearcheering, laughter, and people clapping along with the song.
Diana pushed open the doors to reveal a crowded small party room filled with drunkards, screaming children, and the dancers dancing on every possible surface.
"This is what third class did?" He looked at Diana. "This is a riot, not a party."
Diana scoffed at him. She kicked off her shoes and pinned up her hair. He just looked at her.
"This maybe not your definition of a party, but it's my definition of what we call a twentieth century nightclub." She dragged him off to the middle of the floor.
It was packed like it would be at the bar. As Bruce and Diana jumped around in each other's arms, Bruce couldn't help but feel sorry for everyone. Everybody there wouldn't survive the sinking. But, as usual, he kept it to himself.
It wasn't until Diana accidentally bumped into a little girl that he began to notice she wasn't telling him something. The little girl had a whistle around her neck. The same one Diana was wearing earlier that day.
"Sarah?" She asked the little girl.
"Hello Cinderella." Sarahsaid. Bruce's eyes widened.
Itwas Diana. She was Cinderella. He bit the inside of his cheek. He averted his gaze when Diana looked at him. He would pretend not to hear anything, it was a something his mind still had to process through.
He couldn't fall in love with a colleague. Especially Diana. It would be weird to get with one of his best friends. He wasn't going to go through with it. But, what was the point in refusing his great grandfather's destiny?
He was already falling for her the first they met.
"Hey it's late I should go." He said quickly after Diana grabbed Sarah's hand.
"Yeah I should too. I have to put Sarah to bed again and -" Her voice was suddenly cut off.
Somebody drunk had knocked into Bruce who had tripped over Sarah, knocking both Diana and him to the floor. It was so crowded that nobody seemed to realize what had happened on the middle of the floor. Well, except for Sarah, who had giggled at their position.
Bruce was on his knees, and towered over Diana who was laying on her forearms to keep herself from being hit by the moving feet that surrounded them. He couldn't move, his body wouldn't let him. His lips was inches away from her lips. If he could just close the distance between them...
"Are you okay Cinderella?" Sarah asked sweetly, kneeling down beside Diana. Yet, it seemed like Diana didn't notice her at all.
"I'm fine..." Her voice trailed off as she answered.
Bruce quickly noticed the what he was doing. He was slowly moving closer to her. In a second he moved back and jumped up. He helped up Diana who had taken his hand.
"You sure?" He asked. He tightened his grip on her hand.
"Yeah, I'm good." She replied.
They both pulled their hands away from each other as if they had touched something hot. They walked out, Sarah tagging along behind Diana. Bruce stayed back a couple steps, wanting to keep a little distance between them.
He moved on as she went inside her cabin room. Should he have kissed her? He so desperately wanted to, but he held back. It was going to be hard not fall in love with Diana.
Even though he had fallen for her a long time ago.
Aww. They are too adorable together. :)
