"A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars."- Carly Simon
I walked into the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and up to the front desk. "Alexandria Darcy, checking in for the summer." Standing there in a grey Ralph Lauren dress and pale Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, the man at the desk was speechless for a few seconds.
"Uh…yes Madame Darcy, everything is ready for you. Please let me personally escort you up to your room." I smiled to him and he led me up to my room, the bell man behind me pushing the cart with my luggage. We get into the elevator and take it to the top floor, walking down the hallway to a double door entry. "The diamond suite Ms. Darcy." He says as he opens the door to a beautiful plush elegant suite. Decorated in creams and pale plush blues, I walked in and immediately walked out to the balcony. "Is there anything else I can get for you Madame Darcy?" the bell man asked me
"No thank you," I handed him a fifty in euro. He nodded graciously and walked out. Looking around I decided to go into the bedroom walking in finding a surprise.
"Hey kid." My dad said standing there. I smiled widely and walked up to him hugging him as if I hadn't seen him in years.
"I missed you."
"Missed you too." He snapped his fingers making a bouquet of roses appear on the table.
"How long have you been here?" I asked
"Oh not too long, I popped in here, right after the doorman left." He said as he walked around observing the room. "So what are your plans while you're here in paradise?"
"I'm not sure really," I said as I turned and walked in to the bathroom, turning on the light and looking into the mirror. "Maybe I'll just relax and spend most of my time on the beach."
My father stood beside me at the door in the bathroom and looked at me through the mirror. "I think that's a good idea. You need it after everything that's happened." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "That's the girl I know."
I turned to him. "Are you staying?"
"I wish I could my darling. I do, but I have some important things going on at the ministry."
I nodded my head, and walked back out of the master bedroom and out on to the balcony. Father followed me, "maybe I should go back to New York?"
"You are not going back to New York." He responded quickly "…so that son of bitch can find you and kill you."
"I can defend myself." I said turning around and standing up tall and aggressively.
"Like you defended yourself the night of your little party in the common room!" He said stepping forward. I was taken aback by the comment. My father sighed and walked to me and hugged me. "I know damn well you can defend yourself, I'm just scared that he will catch you off guard again." He holds me close and I dig my face into his shoulder and smell the slight cologne that he has always wore, since I was a little girl. We parted and he gave me a kiss on the forehead and he apparated out. It was late, so I had dinner in my room and took a shower and went to bed.
The next morning I woke up refreshed, I immediately got up and pulled my hair into a bun and put my Balmain bathing suit on. Grabbed my Gucci sunglasses, my short sheer Michael Kors cover up and put on my Jimmy Choo Espadrilles and went out to the beach.
Lying out on the beach, in a long cushioned beach chair, a waiter had brought me some fresh fruit and a mimosa. It was the most relaxed I had felt in a long time. After laying there for about thirty minutes my sun went away.
"You know for someone who likes the beach you're wearing awful lot of fabric."
I looked up and it was Faith. "Holy shit! What are you doing here?" I jumped up and hugged her. She sat down on the chair next to me.
"I had to come see you," she said "I wanted to apologize for what happened."
"It's not your fault, it's no bodies fault." I said to her "if it's anybody's fault its mine." I leaned back into my chair. "So please don't blame yourself."
"Yeah well, I still feel bad. "She said leaning back as well "if I wouldn't have brought the drugs…."
"Stop!" I said to her. "You bringing the drugs don't mean you shoved them into my mouth." She just looked at me. "By the way, how did you know I was here?"
"I wrote your dad a very long letter and he told me you would be here for the summer."
"Well I'm glad you're here. I won't be completely alone than." I smiled at her. She smiled at me.
Faith was staying in the same hotel and we hung out for the majority of the week. We did some shopping along the streets of Monte Carlo, went to dinner, and did some gambling at the casino, it was actually nice to have normal time with my friend. They continued like that for the next couple of weeks.
"The Gala at the casino is tomorrow night, did you wanna go?" Faith asked me as we lay out on the beach.
"Eh…I don't know," I said as I took another sip of my mimosa "I'm not sure if I wanna be there with all those prudes."
Faith shrugged her shoulders and turned her head, "you know I'm starting too really like these 'south of France boys'." She said as her gaze followed two shirtless guys.
"Does that mean you've completely forgotten about the handsome and charming English gentleman?" We heard a voice from our far right.
"Adrian!" Faith jumped up and he walked over to give her a hug.
He looked down at me. "What? No big hi hello."
"Hey Adrian," I finally got up gave him a big smile and hug. He sat down on the chair beside us. "So what brings you here? Are you traveling alone?"
"If you're asking if Marcus is with me, the answer is no."
"That's not what I was wondering." Adrian just looked at me,
"I'm here for the Gala tomorrow night. My family has made some major donations so I have to make an appearance for all the old gits, are you ladies going?"
"We might." Faith said with a big smile. I glance at her with a straight face.
"Well alright than, I'll see you ladies tomorrow night," Adrian got up and left. Faith looked at me.
"I really hate you."
"Don't such a fuckin party pooper; we'll have a good time."
"Oh yeah, woohoo." I said sarcastically
Later that night Faith and I ate dinner in my room and she wouldn't shut up about Adrian. "So what color do you think he likes better?" Faith was going on and on in my closet
"I don't know."
"What shoes do you think I should where? Louboutins or Manolos?"
"I don't know."
"Do you think…?"
"I don't know Faith."
"What?" she finally stopped and looked at me.
"Don't you have anything else to talk to about? And why am I going to this Gala again?"
"Well number one, no I don't have anything else to talk about because Adrian is the first descent guy I've meet in four years, number two, I need someone there just in case things go badly."
"Things will be just fine," I said to her in confidence "Adrian is a good guy."
She sighed and sat down on the bed next to me. "I hope so, Adrian is soo fucking sexy, he's like the New York mafia mixed with Park Avenue meets London."
"Ok?" I said with confusion in my head.
"Soooo…" Faith looked at me "did you ever talked to Marcus after the party?"
I returned the look and paused "we had a brief conversation." I looked away.
Faith sat up and gave me an evil look "don't fucking lie to me."
I sat up next to her "we kissed." Faiths eyes widen like a little kid listening to a children's story. "It was more than a kiss actually; it was more like an evil passionate make out session."
"And….." Faith said still looking like that child
"And nothing, it was over whelming, I told him to stop and he left."
"I'm sorry what?"
"I told to stop."
"WHY IN FUCK WOULD YOU TELL HIM TO STOP!?" Faith yelled
"I don't know!" I yelled back in frustration. "It was like it brought me back to when I dated Ryan. It brought back all these memories and I just don't wanna go back to place."
"Listen." Faith scooted closer to me on the bed. "What he did at the party and what happened in New York, will never happen again." She sighed "don't let the past ruin your chance at a happy future with someone that actually cares for you."
"But he found a way to come to the party, who's to stay it won't happen again."
"It won't, you are not weak. You're the one who taught me how to be strong, remember?"
I nodded my head, "yeah you were so scared the first day of quidditch tryouts."
"see." She said. I smiled at her. We sat and talked a little longer than Faith finally left to go to her room. I changed into my silk pjs and finally laid down to bed.
Faith walked out of Alex's room and down the hallway to the elevator. When the doors opened there stood Adrian. Faith stepped into the elevator, "I take it you're staying here in the hotel?"
"Of course, I take it you're coming from Alex's room?" he said to her
"Of course." There was a long pause between them.
"So are you off to bed?" Adrian asked. Faith nodded. "Would you like some company?"
Faith looked up at him. "The fact…that you actually asked me, is even a turn on." She said facing him and grinning.
Adrian nodded and smiled at her. "Well than…shall we?" as he guided her of the elevator.
It was that time of day I finally, got up from my spot on the beach and walked back to the hotel to get ready for the gala tonight. I had spent the day entirely alone. Where Faith was all day I had no idea. As I got out of the shower I heard someone barge into my room. I walked out of my bedroom and saw Faith walking in with her same clothes that she had on last night and with her bag of, which I assume of cosmetics, "so where in the hell have you been?" I crossed my arms.
"If I told you, you might not believe me." She said as she waked straight to the bathroom to get a shower.
"Oh I think I might." I said as I followed her to the bathroom
She poked her head out of the shower. "I was with Adrian all night."
"Yup, I believe you." I looked at her as I started to comb out my hair.
"This is the part you won't believe;" as she continued talking while she was in the shower "we actually didn't sleep together."
"Yup, don't believe you." I said as I charmed my hair dry and into a vintage low up do. I turned to Faith as she wrapped herself into a towel and stepped out of the shower. "You really didn't sleep with him?"
"No I didn't" she turned to the mirror to charm her hair into a messy up do bun. I sighed.
"Well, I'm proud of you." I'm grinned at her. And she grinned back at me.
"But I'm not promising anything won't happen tonight." She said as I laughed.
We continued to get ready. I put my make up on, a slightly Smokey eye with black eyeliner and touch of blue to bring out my eyes, with a red lip. Faith went with a slight sparkle with her eyes and pink lip gloss.
We were both wearing Monique Lhuillier. My dress was a long adorned with a one shoulder semi sheer lace strap and bodice, the skirt gathered at the waist and had a slit that opened very high at the thigh and went down to reveal my right leg. I pair the black silhouette, with four and half inch heel gold Jimmy Choo sandals. Along with art deco diamond earrings, grabbing my Natasha Couture Crystal encrusted clutch; I was ready to go.
Faith smiled at me as she walked out of the bedroom. Faiths dress was red, and was a deep V neck showing her 'assets'. The form fitting chiffon and lace silhouette was very complementing and she paired it with gold Stuart Weitzman sandals. Faith also was wearing a deco designed diamond choker with diamond studs. She picked up a black satin clutch with a crystal broach on it and stopped in front of me. "You know with all the money you're wearing, you do look quite simple." She laughed.
"I believe we're wearing the same amount." I joked back,
"With those shoes and clutch I believe you're wearing about thousand dollars more." She laughed again. I rolled my eyes at her.
We got down to the marble lobby and started to walk towards the hall where the gala was being held. We walked in the very elaborate dining hall where dinner was being served at seven fifteen. It was five after and Faith and I went to find our seats.
Some random old folks were stopping me to say hi, and how they knew my father and what a lovely woman my mother was. It was nice to hear good things about her.
"Alex!" I heard my name. I turned around to see my father. He walked up and hugged me. "I didn't expect you to come to this thing."
"Well I didn't know about it until a couple of days ago, and Faith is the one who dragged me here." I said to him "you didn't tell me you were coming back at all this summer?"
"Well like you, I just kind of forgot about this stupid thing. I'm here to make my appearance and I have to leave right away."
The look on my face saddened "must you leave right away?"
"I must, but please don't be sad, lets enjoy dinner together." He said as he led the way to our table. As we approach our table I see Faith sitting down at our table with Adrian sitting at her left. We walk up and my father pulls out my chair for me.
"Good to see you again Alex." Said Adrian as he took a swig from his whiskey glass.
"You too Adrian; Faith said you guys had a wonderful time last night." I said as he blushed a little.
Faith turned to him "ignore her."
"Adrian Pucey, good to see you again, how are your parents?" said Logan as he got up to shake Adrian's hand.
"They're good sir,"
"Are they here?"
"Ahh, no sir, they couldn't be here tonight." he nodded. As they sat down, wine was being served and orders were put in for dinner, and the speeches were about to begin.
"Welcome ladies and Gentleman to our annual Wealth Gala, held here in the beautiful Hotel de Monte Carlo. Each year we hold this gala to help hold together our values of the wizarding world, including our way of life, our fellow witches and wizards and most of all our schools across the world." He continued "I would like to start off by thanking our most generous families that donate; the Malfoy Family," everyone clapped
I looked over to see a woman stand up. "I guess Lucius couldn't make it." I heard my father say.
"The Pucey Family." Adrian stood up
"The Darcy Family." My father stood up and nodded his head and waved to everyone.
"And our most generous donator the Flint Family." My eyes widened, I looked around to see him stand up, but I saw no one. The elder man continued with his speech but I wasn't listening. I didn't see him; maybe that was a good thing?
After the speech was done dinner was served. I had lamb chops with roasted vegetables, my father had the filet mignon, and Faith had the Norwegian salmon. But with all the gorgeous and delicious food, I couldn't concentrate.
"Would you stop worrying and just eat." Faith said leaning over to me.
"I'm fine,"
"No you're not, just chase your wine down, and eat and enjoy." She whispered to me
I took a deep sigh and did what she told me. I gulped down two glasses of wine and finished my food. Thank fully the food counteracted the wine.
When dinner was over, we all moved to the casino where some major poker games were going on. Faith went with Adrian to play a couple of rounds of black jack. I escorted my father to the door. "I wish you could stay longer."
"I know darling, I wish I could too, but hey, you're last two weeks of vacation you're coming home to London right?"
"Yes I am." I smiled at him
"good." He gave a warm hug kissed me on the check and left. After my father left I made my way to bar in the casino and ordered a dirty martini with two olives. Sitting at the bar looking around at all the people there. I recognized a lot of people from yule ball back in December, and people recognized me. They walked passed me eyeing me in ways I couldn't read; I than felt a presence behind me.
"You caught the eye of a lot of people tonight,"
Turning around I glanced into the deep set grey eyes I've missed since school ended.
"Hey." I managed to breathe out. Marcus stood there in a black tux looking as striking as he did in his quidditch uniform.
"How are you Alex?" he asked smoothly
"I've been good." I said looking at the ground. "I…uh…didn't see you earlier when they were announcing family names,"
"I was little late." He said "I'm glad you're doing ok."
"Yeah, how are you?" I asked awkwardly
"I've been better."
I nodded, "well I'm gonna turn in …." I started to walk away but I was stopped by a hand grabbing my hand softly.
"Please don't…." Marcus had a hold of my hand softly and without speaking he lead me through the crowd of people and lead me onto the dance floor.
As we slowed dance on the floor, he held me close, like he was never going to let me go. His warmth of holding me was heaven. "Marcus, what are you really doing here?"
"I came to see someone I care about." He said as he turned me "and to tell that person not to be afraid."
"Not to be afraid of what, exactly?" I said sternly but smoothly
He looked at me with those striking deep grey set eyes "not to be afraid to except pain, to not be afraid to fall sometimes…." He twirled me around one last time to the waltz "and not to be afraid to love."
I paused; I quickly turned and ran off the dance floor. I headed straight for the elevator. The doors opened and I thought I was in the clear, when a hand grabbed the doors. Marcus walked up to me in the corner of the elevator, on its way up to my floor. My eyes were full of tears, because I knew that everything that Marcus said to me was true.
He walked up to me and cupped my face with his hands "why are you afraid Alexandria?" the smoothest voice I had ever heard whispered in my ear. The elevator stopped on my floor. I pushed him away and ran out the door. I ran all the way to my room, Marcus ran after me "Alex!" I reached my room and slammed the door behind me.
Walking towards the bedroom, I took my shoes off and let my hair down. I washed my face and I heard pop. Going out to the living room, I saw Marcus standing there. "I figured you would get in here sooner or later." I said
Marcus came up to me "are you going to tell me why you're afraid" he said to me "or are you going to remain hard as rock on the outside."
"Having a tough exterior has worked for me for many years, and I have one for a number of reasons."
"I understand for multiple reasons why you have one, Alex, but I want you to let me in." Marcus said touching my shoulders softly. I turned and went and sat on the couch. Marcus followed and sat next to me. I finally decided to tell Marcus.
I took a deep breath "do you want to know how my mother died?"
"Alex, you don't have….."
"She was shot." I said aggressively "she was shot with a gun, by a fucking muggle."
I stopped for second, the look on Marcus's face was shock, and another deep breath "we were coming home from the opera; I can't remember what we saw." I look down trying to remember than I smile "I remember she was all dressed up she was in a long white silk dress, with a black cloak, she was so beautiful. I remember she smelt of Chanel N*5. I loved to watch her get ready." I looked up smiling like a little girl, Marcus smiled back at me. "I remember father was working that night, so he couldn't come with us. We were walking home when a mugger held us up, I was scared of course, she never let go of my hand. The mugger had ordered her to give him her pearl necklace. She went to reached in her cloak for her wand, he then attacked her, I screamed. I remember her finally pushing him off and she grabbed my hand to run, when she turned back around to him with her wand in hand, he shot her directly in the chest." I had tears in my eyes and I looked up at Marcus.
"Alex, I'm so sorry." He said wrapping his arms around me. "I can't imagine what that must've been like."
"Anyways…" I sighed deeply, "After my mother died, I thought if I ever let my guard down again, something might happen to me." I started to explain "my mother let her guard down once and look what happened to her. She was known to be a very strong woman and very very talented witch, and look what happened to her."
I continued "when I started dating Ryan, I got in too deep with him, and I for once let my guard down around him. Well… I thought I could." Looking at Marcus again, I could tell his head was fuming "when he started getting possessive and over bearing. I left him. He didn't like that, so when I was in the gym one day, by myself. He basically beat the shit out of me."
Marcus had a furious look on his face. "I will kill him one day."
"Don't bother; my dad will probably beat you to it."
Marcus nodded and grinned." I'm so sorry about your mother," he said "so is that why you left the yule ball the way you did?"
"Yeah…" I said looking down than back at him "after it happened, it was hard on my dad and me. People at the ministry were shocked. Other people saw my mother as pathetic because she didn't kill him right away. But we got through it. I like to think people remember my mother as a great witch."
"I'm sure they do. And I think she would be proud to see you today, who you've become." Said Marcus as brushed my hair behind my ear, "think about it…you're a quidditch player, damn good one, you're a fighter, and …even though you're school career hasn't been long at Hogwarts, you're in Slytherin, just like here; I know I never knew her, but I think she would've been lovely."
I smiled "I hope so."
For the rest of the night we ending up ordering a bottle of champagne and just talking, Marcus told me that he was repeating his seventh year due to missing the NEWTS, due to his father dragging him to Paris for the summer. I was actually happy that Marcus was coming back to Hogwarts, I wouldn't be alone than, and we would also be able to play quidditch together. Marcus also told me that he was put on the reserve for Falmouth Falcons, when he told me; I think I was more excited than him. This night with Marcus was by far my favorite moment with him.
"Holy shit." I heard while lying on my bed with the sun beaming in on my face. "So did you guys actually fuck this time?" Faith said while standing at the end of the bed with bathing suit on.
I roll over to see Marcus with his shirt off. He rolled over and sat up. "Oh shit. What time is it?"
"About ten." Faith answered as she grinned, than Adrian walked in behind her.
"Hey are you guys ready to…..whoa." Adrian looked at both me and Marcus. Adrian laughed little "come on Faith, we'll see them down at the pool." Adrian turned and Faith gave me a smile followed him out the door.
Marcus and I looked at each other. We were both still in our clothes from last night, me in my dress and him in his dress pants with his shirt off. "So what exactly happened last night?"
Marcus stood up and put his button up shirt on, still unbuttoned revealing his abs. "you finished the bottle of champagne and fell asleep on the couch, so I carried you to bed, I stayed to make sure you were going to be ok."
I nodded and got up and went into my closet to change into my yellow Herve Ledger bathing suit, with my black sheer cover up over it. I walked out of the closet and into the bathroom, noticing Marcus's eyes following me. I brushed my hair back and walked out into the bedroom. Marcus was finishing buttoning up his shirt. "Well..." he said, "I have to go." He said grabbing his jacket.
I nodded "where are you off too?"
"I uh, I have to go back to London, I have some meetings with some of the Falcons managers." He said while heading towards the door.
"Oh, I won't be back in London till next week." I said
"I guess I'll see you then." Marcus said and he walked out.
As I stood there in my bathing suit, I realized that I just let him walk out. I let the man who actually cared about me walk out. Should I have stopped him? No. I don't wanna seem desperate. I paced around my room. Fuck it! I have to stopped being afraid. I ran out of my room in bathing suit barefoot and all. I ran down the long hallway, as I ran I saw the elevator doors open up and Marcus walked out. "Marcus!"
He looked up "Alex?" His jacket still in hand "what are you…"
I ran into his arms, and kissed him. I finally realizing that I loved him. I had tears run down my face, I finally pulled away from him "Marcus I am so sorry about everything that happened. " I said to him in excitement and emotion "I'm sorry I've been so bottled up, I've been such an idiot…."
"Alex."
"I just have been soo fucked up lately, and I finally realized that I love you and…"
"Alex!" Marcus yelled and smiled at me as he cupped my face with his hands "I love you too." He kissed me.
We walked back to my room for minute, Marcus had forgotten his wallet. "So it took you this long to realize?" he asked
"Yeah I guess it did." I said "I guess I didn't want you leave without knowing."
"Well I'm glad I know now. But I still have to go back to London, love."
"I know. Like I said earlier, I'll be back in London next week."
"Then I'll see you than, love." We kissed one last time and Marcus left.
After Marcus left, I grabbed my Jimmy Choo sandals, Gucci sunglasses and my beach bag and walked down to the pool to find Faith and Adrian. When I found them Faith was sitting on a lounge chair reading a magazine and Adrian sitting at the edge of the pool with his feet in the water. I sat next to Faith in the lounge chair next to her with a big smile on my face.
"So did you guys fuck last night or what?" Faith came out with
I laughed "no we did not fuck Faith." I said
"So why the lovely grin there missy?" said Adrian as he got up from the edge of the pool.
Smiling, I simply shrugged my shoulders.
A/N: Here's another chapter. I took my time thinking about the rest of the story. Next chapter will start, and we'll be in Prisoner of Azkaban. Thank you to all who are reading and reviewing. Thank you all again! R/R!
