DISCLAIMER: In no way do I own any of the characters in JK Rowling's Wizarding World. I am but a fan who has run away with her imagination.
Chapter 25
He was late and he hated it. He knew he was never late, which irritated him even more. Unfortunately he had no control over the situation as this was not his meeting. It had even been called by the elves who wanted to discuss the deal further. Draco looked at his watch for what felt like the nth time tonight. He was so royally late and needed an escape now. The funny looking elf to his right kept looking to him after every punchline he delivered as if expecting him to break into a smile and hand him the contract just as easily.
In the middle of yet another well crafted and rehearsed skit, Draco finally looked at his muggle device. He had been hiding it the past 2 hours trying not to offend his guests. But he knew Dara must have messaged him by now. With much remorse and irritation he went through the messages one by one:
"Show's about to start. Are you already here? Can't wait to see you."
"Merlin! The show's sold out. Where are you?"
"Where are you?"
"Draco?"
He winced going through them one by one. He could hear the tone in Dara's voice as he read each one to himself. He was about to send a reply when his screen turned dead. If he could curse the sun, the moon and the four founders for the luck he was having tonight, he would. He could feel his anger creep up his neck which he eventually breathed out through his nose.
"Mr. Malfoy, is anything the matter?" The elf to his right slurred grinning from ear to ear.
"As a matter of fact, I am supposed to be somewhere else quite important so may we please wrap this up?" He said as politely as he could. The elves all stopped smiling and were reading his expression. He was being perfectly serious. He only hoped his incessant guests knew that.
"I'm sorry?" One elf asked, a certain edge to his voice. Draco swallowed his real qualms and proceeded to say something else in their favor.
"Of course I would like it better if I were here to discuss the deal with everyone further." At his declaration the elves significantly relaxed and went back to their bantering. Draco had no choice but to sink deeper into his chair and endure the next few hours, simultaneously hexing each elf in his head.
"Adaraaaaa!" A shrill but happy voice called from behind, when she turned around a very much pregnant Astoria, followed by Blaise, were coming towards her, arms wide open. "Oh this is just magical babe!" Astoria took her into a big hug.
"Oh Tori! Thank you for coming. I didn't think you were going to make it." She hugged back and gave Blaise one as well.
"We wouldn't have missed it Dara. Even if Tori is about to burst." Blaise lightly joked.
"Oh you do look like you're about to pop!" Dara laughed with them.
"And you look absolutely beautiful! Ugh. That dress Dara! It's perfect!" Tori gushed giving her an appraising look. "I have gone around and I must say, this is just superb Dara. "
"Oh thank you Tori. This is more than I could have hoped for." Dara gushed and blushed holding Tori's hand.
"Where's Draco?" Blaise asked. Dara's face turned somber.
"He hasn't arrived yet." She said looking down at her entwined fingers. "I tried calling but his phone is dead."
"Oh I'm so sorry Dara. I'm sure he has a perfectly logical explanation for being late." Blaise reached for her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "He'll be here. Don't worry." Somehow, something in the pit of her stop dropped. Somehow she doubted that Draco would even arrive.
Dara was surprised by the sheer number of people who were in this small gallery tonight, admiring her works of art. This was the first show of any kind she's had and she was thrilled to see that it was such a big success. Already, three potential clients approached her for commission work. They all exchanged numbers and promised to get in touch within the next few weeks. The cherry on top of the ice cream was when Henry approached her sometime that night to deliver the news that all her paintings had been sold out.
"Are you being serious?" She blinked at Henry, her jaw slightly a jar in disbelief.
"Yes! I told you you were great Dara. If this isn't proof I don't know what is." He's smiled right back at her. "Now go, mingle. There are a few more potential customers out there. I just know it."
Still in a state of shock she took a swig from her champagne glass and took a moment to savour her momentary success. Never in a million light years did she ever think that her doodles and dark paintings would merit her some sort of accomplishment. She looked around, spotting Mama Rosa talking to an elder gentleman, Toria and Blaise arm in arm admiring one of her pieces, and everyone else enjoying themselves. And yet she was still scanning for a familiar head of blonde hair who was still nowhere to be found.
The night proceeded as planned. More and more people arrived, scanning their way into the gallery. Some came up to Dara and complimented her on her skill and technique. Others inquired for a possible tie up in the future which thrilled her beyond expectation. Henry had signaled to her that they had about an hour left to accept guests and walk in clients but still Draco hadn't arrived. Her heart had leapt and sank so many times that night. Everytime it would leap at hearing someone appreciate her work or show interest in a collaboration, it also sank because she had no one to share it with.
People had already thinned and Tori and Blaise had bid their goodbye's a while before. There were only a handful of people left and the caterer's were starting to clean up. Dara had found herself in front of one of her favorite paintings: it was of a woman, half submerged in water, her hair wet and slicked back, her chin turned down, her eyes closed, her expression pensive. The colors were dark, browns and grays and greens. Towards the horizon a shadow loomed over her, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce and envelope her in it's darkness. It was her favorite because of its composition and color. Not because she related to it. To her the way she had captured the woman - her nose, her emotions and her pose, was near perfect. Even the way the shadow loomed was perfect. If you were to cast your eyes on it the first time you'd hardly notice it was there and would have mistaken it for a cloud or a mist. But if you looked closely, there was a face, or at least a semblance to it hidden in the light seeping through it. It was eerie but in a subtle way.
This painting, too, was sold to someone along with all the others that hung next to it. Henry had made her sign forms to facilitate the selling and the payment. And as Henry handed her the tally of her earnings, smiling widely, she still felt that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Dara averted her gaze deciding it was time to go home. She turned to her left and was halted by a pair of pleading gray eyes. He was handsome as always, but his face bore some strain. Draco Malfoy stood a few paces away, his apology written all over his face, a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"Adara," he started but Dara put a hand up to stop him. His eyes pleaded with her wanting the chance to explain himself. Instead Dara slowly closed the gap between them. She looked up at his handsome face, his mesmerizing eyes, and sighed. She placed her head on his chest inhaling her favorite scent in the whole world as he enclosed her in his arms. She felt the tears build up and the anger surface, but she stopped it, choosing to exhale all her negative thoughts instead.
"I am so sorry, love." He said into the top of her head after kissing her there. "I got caught in a …" Dara looked up at him.
"I don't want to hear it, Draco." She raised herself on her toes and planted a chaste kiss on his lips "Let's just go home please." She moved out of his arms and left him where he was standing, confused and even more disappointed with himself.
Author's Note: Sorry this was shorter than expected! The next one isn't as short. Teehee.
