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Rosetta was pinning a streamer to the curtains when the door opened.
"I've been waiting forever," Rosetta pouted.
"I know, I'm sorry." Sora caught her breath as she kicked off her shoes. "Leon tried getting into my pants."
Rosetta gave her a flat look. She said she'd help decorate the loft, not practically do it alone. She looked over Sora, seeing the ruffled hair and the lack of lipstick. Sora took off her scarf. Rosetta shook her head. There was discoloration on her neck undoubtedly from a hickey forming.
"You could have just walked out of the office."
"He was being very persuasive." She grabbed a couple of balloons. "But I endured."
"Right..."
Rosetta looked at the large square present propped on the coffee table. It was flat, making her think it was either a photo or painting. There was a huge bow on it and a note with Leon's name on it with a ridiculous amount of hearts. Rose petals were scattered along the table and in other places.
"You love him."
Sora taped the balloons. "I do."
"Does he know?"
"Maybe."
"You still haven't told him?"
Sora grabbed some more silver balloons. "He hasn't told me yet." She bunched the ends together to make a flower and then taped it on the wall. "Why should I be the first one to say it?"
Rosetta crossed her arms. "Or the quickest way to lose each other."
"What?"
"Look, I've never dated so I know I'm the least qualified person to be giving advice." Rosetta twisted two streamers. "But I know that my parents didn't make it because of a lack of communication. My mom would get upset. My dad would refuse to be the one to apologize. My dad would sulk, my mom would sulk back. It was like that constantly until it spiraled into a divorce."
"We do talk."
"I'm not saying you guys are doing bad." She taped the streamer end. "I just don't want you two to fall into the trap my parents did. You know what I mean?"
"...We didn't marry out of love. It was more for companionship." Pause. "It's enough, I think, for me to just feel this way about him. It's more than we had initially planned."
"Is it?"
Sora looked at the clock. "Shoot. We need to get ready."
"...Alright."
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"Please put on center table."
"Qui, Madame Oswald."
Sora wrung her white gloved hands. She had brought a couple of photos and flowers for the party at the country club. She hoped Leon didn't think it was too forward of her to do. But the idea wouldn't leave her once it came into her mind. She looked at the ornate clock on the wall. Leon would be coming soon.
"Your French is getting better."
Sora smiled at Pamela. The decor of the place was silver, white, and blue. Pamela went with the silver theme, choosing a dress that was lighter than her hair. Sora had gone with a white dress with blue embroidered flowers with matching gloves. Her hair was bullied into soft curls and pinned so that one shoulder was left exposed, leaving the other with a small waterfall curls. She was grateful for Rosetta's help with the flat iron.
"You look nice."
Pamela sniffed. "I suppose you do as well."
They shared a grin.
"When's the birthday boy supposed to be here?"
"Very soon. Like five minutes. His co-workers have started coming in."
"Yes, I saw Mr. Rohmer and Noir around." Pamela looked about. "Charlotte and Julie must be in the powder room."
"Yeah..."
"Yes," Pamela stressed. "Yeah is for the common people."
Sora rolled her eyes.
"That too."
"Leon's car is pulling up!" Rosetta came over quickly.
"Ok," Sora turned to the door. Her heart was hammering. "Everyone get into place and -"
The door opened. Leon came through. She felt her eyes glued to him. He was wearing a suit like he did for work, but the navy blue scheme just brought more attention to him than normal. Kami. Why did he make her so flustered so fast?
"Surprise!"
Sora had blurted that out with her hands going up into the air, unable to contain all of the energy inside. The room was quiet for a couple of seconds and then murmuring filled the place. Rosetta was face palming while Pamela cleared her throat.
"He already knew about the party," Pamela half whispered.
Shoot. Rosetta did tell her they celebrated it every year. She quickly put her hands down. She could feel her face burning in embarrassment. Leon looked over at her. He looked very amused but something else was there too. That something else made her embarrassment ebb. She walked closer to the doorway, looked up into his face and then pulled on his tie. Leon's eyes widened as she placed a sloppy kiss on his lips and then she let go of his tie.
"Happy birthday."
She started to walk off, but he pulled her back for a proper kiss. A few people whistled and clapped. He broke it off but she kept her hands on his chest. Someone was taking a photo. She had a goofy smile she couldn't get rid of. His grey eyes were bright and the corners of his mouth were lifted just enough to make a smile.
He was happy. That made her happy.
"I need to greet people."
"Oh, right."
She made to step away, but he merely put her arm through his.
"Together."
And that made her stupid happy.
VLV
May watched as the couple made their rounds around the room.
Leon said something to which the redhead stuck out her hand and shook the older man's with gusto. May rolled her eyes. She was hardly a refined lady. May tipped the glass back. She doubted she went to high school let alone finishing school. How Leon got taken in by such a ditz was her guess. She was childish at best, unrefined at worst.
They walked on. May made a face.
The way she walked was just so...revolting.
"Don't approve of the lady?"
May schooled her face. "You do?"
Arlon looked over at them, squinting his eyes. Then it clicked. She was the feisty redhead at the club.
"She's pretty enough."
"Why did I ask you?" May would have rolled her eyes if it wasn't unrefined. "A good ass is all you need."
"Yours is just fine."
May grinned into her glass as Arlon ran a hand along her rear. "We're at a party."
"Didn't think you had scruples."
She leaned back, rubbing against him. He let out a long breath.
"Neither do you."
"I believe you have yet to tour the country club."
"I haven't," May agreed.
Arlon gestured towards the hallway. May walked in front, making sure to swing her hips.
He loved being a tour guide.
VLV
Dinner went smoothly.
The quail was well braised and the steaks were a hearty meal. Sora had eaten her steak with as much gusto as she could without being too rude. She hadn't eaten anything for lunch thanks to a certain somebody keeping her in his office for much longer than she had time for. Leon had a piece of her steak to try but had the quail. Live music filled the room. People were having drinks and laughing. A few couples went out onto the dance floor.
Someone was talking to Leon and the others, but by the hand stroking her knee she took it Leon was only pretending to listen. She lifted her cup to hide her grin. She could guess what Leon wanted and it most definitely didn't involve talking. Though she did tend to be chatty during sex if she had a couple of drinks. A new song started. She turned to Leon with a wide smile on. His hand paused in its stroking.
"I love this song."
He looked at her and then the dance floor. It wasn't too crowded.
He excused them from the table, taking her hand. Light violins and trumpets played the instrumental version of Frank Sinatra's song, Come Fly with Me. He swayed them in place before twirling her out and then back to him. She started humming along with the band before she couldn't hold the words in anymore.
"Come fly with me," Sora lightly sang, "let's fly, let's fly away..."
They traveled a short distance, he portraying good leading skills and she following nicely, turning with him without stumbling into the transition. He turned her around, making her back lean against his chest.
"When I get you up there," she picked up where she last left off, "I'll be holding y-ou so near..."
He twirled her around, bringing them face to face.
"You may hear angels tear..." she put her head on his chest, "'cause we're together..."
She felt his arm go around her waist. She closed her eyes for a moment as she blindly followed his lead. Her eyes opened when the trumpets blared. He pushed her away and then pulled her close again, smoothly making them go in circles. Her smile grew and then she laughed as he dipped her. He pulled her swiftly back up and then they traveled around the edge of the dance floor.
By the patio glass doors, Alen lit his cigarette.
"They look happy."
He eyed the blonde next to him and shrugged. "If it lasts is another question."
Layla quirked her brow but said nothing. She pulled out a long box and gave it to Alen.
"Put this on the presents table."
"You're not staying?"
Layla looked at her watch. "I have a meeting with Cathy."
Alen harrumphed. "We'll have to propose your proposition another day then."
"You don't need me there." She turned away from the scene. "We trust you to handle it."
She walked into the night.
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