The Crimson Affair Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't some of the characters. SEGA does. Thank you so much for the reviews! :D
(Shadow's POV)
Only a few more inches and our lips would be touching. I could almost taste the red wine from her lips as her intoxicating vanilla-scented perfume only roused my impatience but her quick reflexes made her step backward before I could even reach for it.
I was disappointed once again but I was glad that she chose to avoid me rather than giving me a slap on my face for invading her intimate space. I guess I'm back in the 'social space' once again.
"Sir, I don't know who you are but if you're attempting to kiss me then say goodbye to your expensive suit because I won't hesitate to push you in the pool." I could feel the sternness from her calm voice but I couldn't take my eyes off of her blushing muzzles.
I laughed at her attempts of threatening me at the same time wondering if she actually meant what she said, or she was just resisting herself from my advances like a rose guarded with thorns.
"Pardon me for my rude infiltration of your intimate space"
I may be impatient and may not always take 'no' for an answer, but that doesn't mean I would give up my courtesy for the sake of getting always what I want. However, I did regret the fact that I didn't dove at those vulnerable lips when I had the chance.
'Damn it. Nice going, Shadow. You just missed your chance' I scolded myself for wasting an opportunity. Maybe I should have just listened to Sonic's advice about putting an end to my blabbering about wine and just ask her out on a date.
"…I just got interested with the scent of your perfume, it smells nice" I added it up as an excuse to explain myself, despite it being half true.
"You're taking that wine-tasting and sniffing skill to the next level" she had a suspicious look on her face "Are you sure it's just my perfume you're interested in?"
"Not really. In fact, I'm more interested in you" I made my point clear this time, there's no turning back.
She took another step backward and avoided my gaze once again.
"I see…is that why you followed me here? Don't you have like dozens of people in there to mingle with?" she asked as I saw a visible frown appear on her forehead, I guess my minor advances had annoyed her even though my intention was only to start a conversation with a little humor in it. And I have to admit, I did flirted a little and to top it all that, I did attempted to kiss her.
"Actually, I followed you because you stole something from me" I seriously told her as I placed the two wine glasses I'm holding on a nearby table and slid a hand inside my pocket
She rested a hand on her hip, not a hint of amusement in her expression
"And what would that be?" she raised a brow at me
"My attention" I responded with a smirk but she only rolled her eyes at me. There's no doubt that I definitely pulled her nerve.
"Nice try. But your charismatic attempts won't work with me. Besides, I couldn't find the reason why a rich guy like you would be wasting time talking to a waitress who has to work different jobs to make a living while you just sit in a throne and let money come to you as you please. We obviously have nothing in common."
That moment, I realized that maybe fate has a good reason why she gave me that champagne in the first place. I wasn't offended with what she told me. In fact, it's the actual reality that this world is currently facing and hearing that from her made me even aware of how much I hated how the world works that way. The rich would always look down on the less fortunate ones. It has always been like that in this current society. We tend to step on those who work for us while they carry us on their shoulders.
Sometimes, I just want to escape from that horrid reality and be just like everybody else, treat everybody as equals. If everyone considered such thought, maybe the world would become a better place.
"You're right and that's a good reason why we should talk and get to know each other more. Who knows? Maybe we have something in common all along. And let me tell you that I'm not like the other rich people you spoke of, I'm different" my smirk went wider while her frown deepened.
"Convince me, then" she returned a smirk back at me.
"I'm having a casual conversation with a waitress who gave me a champagne at a party. Convincing enough?"
I saw her fidgeting from where she stood, looking for a smart come-back so she could make me eat my words, however, she never seem to get anything from the way she bit her lip in frustration.
"Fine, you are different. But that doesn't mean I'd pay attention to you just because of that. I'm not easy as you think, handsome" She lightly pushed me on my chest with her index finger.
"Handsome? I'm flattered to hear that coming from you" I teased and yet she only answered me back with a frown.
It seems that every response, she never lets a frown pass. She must be hating me from all of the unwanted attention I've been giving her since we met.
But I liked it, her hostility has somehow became a drive for a reason I couldn't make out. It's like the more she hated me, the more I was drawn to her. And the more she pushes me away, the more I want to cling to her.
I guess the phrase: "The more you hate something, the more you love it" is enough to describe my current feeling in this situation.
"So, what would it take for me to win your attention?" I shot back at her
"Oh that's easy, go inside, enjoy the party and leave me be. Besides, my break is almost over and I have to go back" I saw the look of defeat in her eyes like we went for a million dollar race, and she lost. I could tell that she was attempting to avoid our little discussion, but what can I do? I am one persistent hedgehog who gets what he wants when he wants it.
"I'm already enjoying the party out here" I walked a bit closer and she only stepped back.
"Listen mister, I'm warning you, If you come closer I swear I'm going to-" her words drifted when she accidentally lost her balance and was about to fall in the pool but luckily, my reflexes are quick enough to immediately grab her and pull her towards me.
Our eyes met again as my hand protectively wrapped around her waist. I was lost in those eyes, maybe I didn't save her to break that fall but rather to have an excuse to get this close.
I'm feel like I'm going insane, what has this girl done to me to act in such a way? It's like every move I make seems like an attempt to bring her closer to me.
Her angry teal eyes looked straight at me and yet her muzzles glowed bright red as if something within her is telling me that she isn't sincere with the emotion she's trying to portray.
Like my father, she is a terrible liar and a great pretender.
"Sir, I'm going to ask you to take your hand off me" Her words woke me up in my senses. I immediately pulled away from our brief little contact.
"As much as I appreciate the fact that you tried to save me, don't keep your hopes up" she dusted her uniform as though removing the traces I left on that previous contact. "And I have to go"
"Wait" I grabbed her hand before she could walk away. The moment her soft and delicate hand met mine, I began to ask myself if it's wise to not let her go anymore.
I felt her freezing on her spot as if she had lost control of all of her muscles, then she looked at me with piercing eyes.
Just the thought of her walking away from me without even accomplishing my current goal made me desperate to voice out my true intentions until finally, I felt the courage to take Sonic's advice and come out of my shell
"Listen, I know this may sound crazy, but I want you…."
I wanted to end my sentence as it is but my instincts are telling me that it might not be the best move to win someone so, despite my inner protests, I saved myself from my own fall.
"…to have lunch with me tomorrow so we could continue our conversation"
I saw her mouth gaping in surprise with a mixture of confusion and anxiety like I just asked her to donate one of her kidneys. Maybe because I just asked her on a date despite barely even knowing her, but something about it felt so right that it's making me feel good inside. It didn't matter to me who she is and what she does outside her job at this very moment. All I want is that time of hers, and that's it.
"I-I'm sorry, but I have to decline" she started to walk away but I quickly stood in front of her to block her from escaping but all I got was a shove so I could move out of her way but that didn't stop me from convincing her to reconsider.
"Why not?" I asked, looking straight into her eyes.
"You know, you're quite an interesting and strange gentleman. Don't you find it strange that you're asking me out even if you don't even know my name yet?" she was back to her feisty and sarcastic self as she crossed her arms at my words.
"You don't always need a name to call somebody's attention because I know that's often the biggest mistake in getting to know someone. You ask for their name, and they quickly find excuses to get away from that question. But by introducing an interesting topic, you instantly catch their attention for them to walk away. And it was indeed successful since you didn't walk away from me, right?"
I gave her one of my conceited grins, waiting for another clever response from her.
From the way she looked at me, I thought she would once again show me another one of her famous frowns but this time, I was rewarded with her sweet laughter that reminded me of one of Frederic Chopin's most famous musical piece, his Nocturne in E flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2.
Soft, relaxing, captivating and romantic. It was one of my favorite classical songs that I could listen to eternity without getting tired from it.
I could say the same thing with her laughter, I could listen to it every day if it weren't so hard to elicit. I guess this gives me enough proof that you can't always get what you want when you want it.
"You're tenacious, smart, good-looking and adorable in some way. Any girl would fall head over heels with your looks and charms but, I told you before, I'm not easy, so just give up and find other girls to flirt with. I'm sure there are a lot of them inside"
I only sighed at her remark, she's indeed difficult to pursue but I dug in my heels and went on, waiting for a miracle to happen.
During my school days, some girls in class used to follow Sonic and I around wherever we go and during Valentine's Day, boxes of homemade chocolates and cards would always flood in our seats and lockers. Sometimes, we even receive unknown calls and messages from girls confessing their love and willingness to be our girlfriends.
Sonic would sometimes entertain them just to have fun with their attempts but for me, it was annoying and all out irritating.
Maybe that's why I prefer the ones who barely acknowledge my presence, someone who wouldn't give a damn on whatever I say, someone like her. She was like one of those chocolates that my late uncle, my father's brother, used to bring home whenever he had a once in a year business trip in Belgium. Those chocolates' smooth and rich flavor is so addicting that I would do anything to get my hands in them.
Sadly, I never got a chance to taste one of those chocolates anymore since my Uncle died. Although, my father bought some chocolates in there before, it could never compare to the ones bought by my uncle.
But now, I think I found something better than Belgian chocolates to be obsessed with.
"None of those girls interest me" I smiled at her as I walked around her, studying her every form "They're too sophisticated for my taste. I want someone different, someone who's a little rough around the edges, and someone who would make my life a hell of a challenge"
She chuckled and raised a brow at me "A challenge? You have a peculiar taste in women"
I was startled when she started to walk closer towards me with those alluring teal eyes until she reached my intimate space.
"And you have such intimidating crimson eyes" she leaned closer, one hand clutching the collar of my suit, pulling me towards her, her eyes lowered.
It was deadly.
Just her being this close is enough to make me breathe heavily, her vanilla scented perfume mixing with the red wine that she drank, it was heavenly and it didn't show much compassion for me. It was making me dizzy and yet strangely satisfied like the feeling you get when you drank too much that it breached your alcohol tolerance.
"And a talented tongue" She leaned more closer as if she wanted our lips to meet, her warm breath brushing against my lips felt like hell, she was driving me crazy. "It made me curious of how far that talent goes" her other hand reached for my chest as it gently slid down just above my belt buckle.
She was tormenting me and I couldn't comprehend whether I should be happy or angry now that she's the one initiating her advances.
"Lunch with you sounds a great idea. But, sorry, I'm on a strict diet" With that, she gave me a strong push that sent me flying towards the pool, instantly soaking me from head to toe.
"Have a great evening" I heard her say as I surfaced then she gave me another one of her sweet yet sarcastic smiles before she walked on, completely ignoring me and leaving me wet in a breezy cold night.
I watched her as she left, she had indeed kept her word of pushing me in the pool and all it took was her warm breath and intoxicating scent to be rendered off-guarded for a few seconds.
Normally, I would be having a fit and start yelling at her for doing such a horrible trick, however, for some reason, I enjoyed that little teasing and being soaked for it felt like it was worth it.
I suddenly heard a couple of footsteps heading towards my direction. Looking towards it, I was met with two of my trusted body guards. A purple chameleon and a large, green crocodile, Espio and Vector. Both of them carried large white towels and immediately wrapped me with it. Then one of them looked around the area for a sight of threats around.
"Sir, are you alright?" Espio asked in complete vigilance.
I just chuckled in response and grinned "Yeah, just got a little carried away"
I felt my body shivered as the cold wind gently blew towards me but the warmth that I felt from my brief contact with that stubborn and stunning bat girl never left me.
"Your father has already left. Shall we escort you home, sir?" Vector asked
Hearing that statement, I gritted my teeth as a frown became visible in my forehead. How dare he, he most probably seen his whore and left earlier.
"Yeah, please do"