Chapitre Sept. J'adore mon neveux chapitre! Amuse-toi mes petites étoiles!

Chapter 7! I love my new chapter! Amuse yourselves my little stars!-I hope my grammar's right in French. Haha.

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!

I groaned and pulled the pillow over my head. Not now.

"Get up!" barked Rachel from outside my room. Damnit, I really didn't want to. All yesterday I was interviewing people: first, Mrs. Callok, a local caterer, then a professor from Jump City University about his scandalous affair with one of his students- an interview Rachel was supposed to do but she was busy with her editorial team- then Ms. Zaunik, a mother of a daughter who claimed she was almost kidnapped by a serial killer and rapist but somehow escaped him. It turned out the daughter was lying about the whole thing.

Rachel pounded on my door and I got up reluctantly. I quickly made my bed and took a cold shower, changing into black knee length shorts and a white tank top. I walked into the living room where a young man was talking with Rachel. He was tall and lean with a bit of muscle, and had blonde hair with green highlights and green eyes.

"Who's this?" I asked.

"This is Garfield," Rachel said," My…boyfriend."

I cocked an eyebrow and asked," Exactly what do you see in her, Gar? May I call you Gar?"

Rachel hissed and threw a pillow at me.

"Sure," Gar laughed. I laughed with him," I'm Kori, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Ready to wear a suit to the charity ball tonight?"

"Are you kidding me? I'd rather be eaten by a giant mutant green monkey with fangs and rabies than go to one of those snob parties, but Rae's making me go."

"Don't call me Rae," she said. I giggled and Rachel followed me to the kitchen. We began making breakfast while Gar watched something on TV.

"I like him," I nudged Rachel's shoulder. She nudged me back.

"Who are you going with, Kori?"

"No one," I said. She didn't say anything but I knew she wanted to. When we finished eating and cleaning the apartment-no thanks to Gar who was making a big mess- we left the apartment around ten, separating ways and promising to see each other at the ball later tonight. I drove to the newest mall and walked straight to Sue's Salon to fix my hair. I got a quick trim and curled my hair. After that I searched the stores for dresses. I had been procrastinating, something I don't recommend, but it was for good reason. Whenever I went to buy clothing, I usually always end up buying other things I like and forget the real reason for going to the mall in the first place. So, if you were like me, I recommend going at the last second. You may not find the best dress, but since you're crunched on time, you'll only look for a dress. I entered a shop called Madame Rouge and looked in between the racks. The dresses were gorgeous and some overpriced.

"Excuse-moi," a woman said in her French accent and short bob cut hair-do," Do you need any help?"

"I'm just-"

"Why not try zis dress, mademoiselle," She said," It is at a modest price and would look vonderful on you."

Sh held up a long spaghetti-strapped green dress with gold leaf accents beaded along the skirt. I took it and hurried into the dressing room. When I had put it on, I looked in the mirror and gasped. I looked amazing! I tore it off and hung it over my arm and hurried out again.

"Thank you!" I said, buying it from the lady," It's perfect!"

"Only the best at Madame Rouge's, I have an eye for detail, mademoiselle."

"I'm definitely recommended this place to my friends," I said for her benefit, leaving the shop with a bit more bounce in my walk. I also bought a pair of black four inch heel pumps and a small black jacket before driving home.

I spun around in front of the mirror and smiled. I still had that sleepy look in my eyes from taking a nap after I got home, but other than that, I looked well. The dress fit me perfectly, showing off my curves in an understated but obvious way. Not like a clingy, slutty dress, and it highlighted the red color of my hair. I also had put on a small gold chain necklace and fake diamond earrings. I quickly fixed the curls in my hair, applied strawberry flavored lip gloss and ran out of the apartment with my purse in hand. In my car, I checked my purse for it's usually things-my license, phone, invitation, compact mirror, pepper spray, small notebook and pencil-then drove off to Wayne Manor. When I arrived, a steward was waiting at the door for my car. I handed him the keys and he drove off somewhere behind the Manor to park it.

"Invitation please?" one butler said. I handed him my invitation and with a quick look on his list, he nodded me in. I walked in and stopped, keeping my jaw closed tightly to keep from looking like an idiot. The place was beautiful, with large marble pillars and golden streamers hung from the walls. A glass-and probably really expensive-chandelier lit the foyer and its guests. When I walked into the ballroom where the event was being held, I had to stop from squealing. In the corner on a small stage were professional musicians playing wonderful classical music, tables set on the opposite wall with refreshments and finger-snacks, and a bar. The people were dressed like angelic beings and I felt crummy in my one hundred dollar dress. I walked quickly to one of the empty bar chairs and smiled at the bartender.

"What'll it be for the pretty lady?" he said.

"Um, I'll have-"

"Just water for her," Rachel's voice said behind me," She doesn't drink."

"Yes I do," I complained," You look good, by the way."

She gave me a small smile and I asked where Gar was. "Little boy's room," was her answer. She was in an elegant, full-length, spaghetti-strapped black glittered dress with red floral designs; a back zipper closure and a "criss cross" back. She also had a matching scarf on. Her short hair was left the same.

I took the water and sipped it a bit," Isn't this place amazing!"

"Yes, a little too amazing," was her answer," If I have to do this every day, I'm going to kill myself. How are you?"

"Fine, why?"

She shrugged. Ugh, a great way to start the evening; thinking about things I'd much rather forget," Did you see Richard?" I asked, changing the subject. She shook her head and gave me a coy smile.

"Why? Infatuated with the playboy you hate?"

I shook my head quickly, looking away. Gar came over and fiddled with his green tie. He complained of choking. I watched the people dance to the music and sighed. Rachel left to "mingle" as she put it and I wished I had a dance partner.

"You know," a husky voice said," It's more fun to join them."

I turned and smiled," Hi, Richard."

"What is a pretty lady like you doing, sitting here alone when she could be dancing?"

"I didn't bring a date," I said," Besides, I can't' radiate like these people. It's like a whole different world."

"Not really. See, underneath all the glamour they're just like you and me, very normal. Of course, all the women here are wearing inches of thick makeup, and you have all the natural beauty and grace of a swan princess."

"Are you playing with me again?" I asked sweetly. He chuckled. He looked handsome, even more than usual, wearing an all black suit, his hair still spike and tousled.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Do you ever brush your hair?" I asked," It looks like a rat's nest."

He touched his hair briefly and said," Can't help it. This is natural, and it looks good."

I shrugged and looked away, feeling the blood rush to my face. I was blushing.

"So, do you want to dance?" he asked suddenly, holding out his hand.

"Don't you have someone to dance with?"

"Not at the moment. I sort of want to spend my time with a beautiful red head with emerald eyes."

I looked out at the other guests, straining my eyes and searching," I don't see anyone. Are you sure she's here?"

He chuckled again and I wanted to put my head to his chest and feel the deep rumble underneath his hard muscles. He grabbed my hand and into the of wave dancing people. Pulling me into his chest, his hand came down onto my waist and I gulped. We began to dance and I couldn't tear my eyes off his face.

"Well, you've danced before," he said.

"I took lessons," I said quickly.

"From who?"

"A TV show," I mumbled. He laughed.

I punched his shoulder lightly and said," Don't make fun of me. Not everyone is as rich and dandy as you, Richard Grayson!"

"Okay, okay. But if you ever do want to learn, I'll be happy to teach you. I'm pretty graceful for a big guy."

I nodded and caught Rachel's amused gaze. I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Why did you ever choose to become a journalist?"

"I did it because I wanted to be my own person," I answered," Rachel and I were fooling around with the idea of Luminaire during college and eventually it wouldn't leave my mind. I started researching and eventually we started the company."

"Must have been hard," he said, spinning me out, then back into his chest.

"It was, at first. We didn't have a whole bunch of spending money like you do, or the support, but we managed."

"I don't have a bunch of spending money," he whined.

I rolled my eyes and asked," Why didn't you break away from Wayne?"

"Well, he's my dad and I didn't want to disappoint. At one point I did consider leaving, making my own way, but I knew I would still be pulled back into the business, especially if anything happened to Bruce. Not that he gave me my job immediately; I did have to work for it; started out as an intern, assistant secretary, secretary and so on until I became CEO. I guess he always knew I wanted to work on-"

"Excuse me," a man tapped Richard's shoulder," Might I cut in?" He was about the same height as Richard, but was leaner in muscle tone and had brown hair, and brown eyes.

Richard looked down at me and I smiled. Damnit it, I wanted to dance with Richard. Richard shrugged and he smiled grimly at the man. I watched him walk away, his body tense. What was wrong?

"I'm Xavier, cutie, and you are?" Xavier said.

"Kori," I answered. We began dancing together.

"Kori," he whispered," You're awfully gorgeous. Dick the lucky guy or you single?"

"I don't know how that is any of your business," I replied. He smiled and said," Ah, then you're single. Great. I would love to take you out on a date: dinner, a movie, maybe even a kiss underneath the moonlight. How about tomo-"

"I don't think so, but thanks for the offer," I rejected.

"Ah, come on baby, you're rejecting me without even getting to know me. I'm a really nice guy."

"Don't call me baby, or cutie," I said, waiting for the music end. I didn't like Xavier.

"Babe, you don't have to play hard to get," Xavier said, pulling me into his chest tighter," I know you want me. Don't push away."

He leaned in to kiss me. But before he could I smacked him across the face. He yelped and clutched his red cheek. People around us stopped and watched," I told you, ass, that I wasn't interested. Go pick on someone else."

I turned and walked off the dance floor, back to the bar.

"Woah there, red head, you sure got Xavier mad. I really hope that was a good idea," the bartender said.

"You got cups to wash?" I asked with a hiss. He nodded and I said," Then wash them and shut up."

I left the ballroom and stepped outside. The steward looked up at me expectantly and I nodded. He rushed off to get my car.

"Kori!" Richard said," Hey, what did he do?"

"Nothing, but he flirted with me then tried to kiss me," I said. Where was my stupid car?

"Sorry about him, he's just not used to-"

"Listen, I don't want to hear your endless excuses for him. If you're going to defend him just because he works with you doesn-"

"What I was going to say, before you interrupted me again, was that he's not used to being rejected by a gorgeous girl and while he may hate it, I think he deserves it. Teaches him an important lesson."

"Sorry, I keep interrupting you, huh?" I looked up at him.

"Eh, keeps things a bit interesting," he shrugged. How the hell does it keep things interesting?

"Wouldn't you call me defensive? Maybe a bit crabby?"

"And risk you snapping at me again? Don't think so. Your car's here. Are you sure you want to leave early? We could finish our dance."

I smiled and said," Maybe next time, Richard. Thanks for offering though."

He nodded and I got inside my car. As I begun to drive away, I glanced in the rearview mirror. He was still standing on the steps outside. Too bad I couldn't see his face.