So, the beautiful man had a name.
Killian held onto my hand as if we have done this before. His fingers were not shy to intertwine with mine.
My first instinct to be wary of every guest in this party since following around the mad hatter did not rub off me. But my mind was turning loopy from the fifth drink I downed earlier.
My words were lost in my throat. I only followed him without a pause.
He brought me away from the loud party. Around us, there grew to be less guests lurking around any available corner they had where they could be alone. Soon, we went down a narrow corridor towards twin doors.
He stopped and opened one of the them. His eyes fell on me. I was too focused on our whereabouts I did not notice he was smiling at me this entire time.
He nodded his head to the side, signaling me to enter. I entered with his hand still holding onto mine.
Inside, it was a small lounge with minimal furniture. The lights were dim, leaving the few guests inside in the shadows. Most of the light and warmth coming from the room is the fireplace in the middle of the room.
Those inside seemed to have a similar goal like us. Some were on their phones with their earbuds on. Others were sound asleep with a stranger's piece of clothing barely covering their bodies for warmth.
Killian led me closer to the fireplace.
All the sofas and chairs were occupied. But the one Killian and I stood over, the guests looked up from their phones and looked at Killian only in a way Ruby looks at me when I catch her playing hokey from work. Without much a word, they stood from the sofa and left the room.
This man is a thief of words.
He looked to me, gesturing for me to sit. I looked into his eyes for a moment. The wheels turning behind those blue eyes must be from some other world.
He had no problem with what has just happened. This place is not just out of my comfort zone. He is no different.
I sat down. The good buzz I felt before the mad hatter got his hands on me was still there. One night in a wonderland like this does not hurt to drink something I cannot always say yes to.
I took a look around briefly before he caught me. There were still few guests remained in the room. At least, there is the assurance I am not alone with this man.
It is a little lonely being the fool who has no idea what it is about being here. On top of, why is this man a big deal?
Thinking back, the mad hatter narrowed down Killian is the friend who threw this party in his honor in this ridiculously massive building he own. And Killian Jones. Killian for K and Jones for J.
Wait.
I froze in place. The final piece is solved.
This man is the owner of Jones. The mad hatter is being thrown an honor by his fashion company.
I cannot say this is the first I sat next to someone worth more than I have ever made in a lifetime. Suppose, the closest experience is pouring handful cups of coffee for stockbrokers that were on the hunt for cheap caffeine after making a big hit at Wall Street.
But I cannot say one sat me down in his own building and giving me every reason to do more than hold his hand.
Killian moved closer to me. Our legs touched while his hand remained in mine. He does not seem to want to let go.
He truly is beautiful to look at. I never thought it was possible to be near someone this handsome.
It has been a long time. But with the narrow options of men I commonly come across, it helped to never give a second thought of ever wanting to be with a man.
"Should I order us a drink?"
I shook my head.
I do not care anymore. I have no uniform or a name tag that exposes me as the Emma who will serve you hand in foot and disappear before midnight. He has no idea who I am. And I cannot think to imagine any idea what I am getting myself into.
But maybe this is my chance to turn things off completely. For once, I am not Emma. This time, I could just be, for the hell of it, do what I want without the consequences.
"I already had too many. I might have gone a little hard at the open bar."
He chuckled. His face softened with a genuine sense of joy. My first impressions of that sly little smirk distorted the honesty of his face. But I am starting to belief my judgment could be rash at times.
"I solved quite a mystery tonight. I not only remember you but your friend from earlier today. I recognized her on stage. I could have sworn there were more signs for us to reunite."
"She is my friend. A crazy one," I replied softly.
My words were emerging thoughtlessly. I leaned back deep into the sofa. The alcohol washed back in my system, spreading deep into my veins.
"If it were not for her, I would have no reason to be here."
"She must be well-connected to go as far to come here."
I put a finger to my lips in sign of silence.
"Your friend didn't seem to mind that she and I might have missed an invitation. Does that give us a pass even from you?"
"I am more than happy out of everyone else that snuck in, it happened to be you. You are hard to forget."
The sofa was extremely comfortable than my cot I share with my son.
I no longer had any will in me to hold back. I was free.
I tilted my head to the side. My eyes taking in his. I studied him carefully, making sure he did not look anywhere else but my face.
"If I didn't save your foot from getting stabbed, would you still remember me?"
His eyes glowed differently by the firelight. I could almost see my own reflection through them if I stared long enough. His leg brushed against mine. I dared not move and allowed them to touch.
"I am always in the position of finding anyway to remember a face. I learned that every person always made some sort of impression that was impossible to forget. It grew to be easier to seal them in my memory. I am certain if I am with or without both my feet, I would have another way to remember you."
The warmth of the fire was traveling down my skin. My cheeks burned red. I felt paralyzed to the sofa. My head was heavy of a combination of cocktails I kicked back without thinking of the consequences. It almost seemed like a dream to feel any sensation from the softness of the pillow behind my head to the warmth of his hand on mine.
A realization hit me when my eyes dropped to my dress, my ceremony dress.
I am almost thirty. I snuck away into the most prestigious party wearing my own ceremony dress I now describe as one of the most painful piece of memory of my life.
Killian's hand felt more intimate with this realization. It almost feels familiar of how gentle he was but still affirmative with his closeness. I only had one man I committed to touch me in this way. I could barely remember it of what it was like until this very moment.
And this is no ordinary man.
He is someone I would never toy with. Not with the cost of any publicity getting the wrong idea.
I let go of his hand and closed my legs together. I eyed the room once more. The guests that were left in the room were unconscious, quietly sleeping.
"What finally gave me away?" he asked.
I gazed over at the roaring fire. I could not look at him anymore.
"It took a minute. The people leaving here one by one gave me a hint you weren't just a guest here. Also, Jefferson told me you were the friend who was responsible for doing all this."
A silhouette of a figure waking from their nap mapped over the shadow by the fire. I could not help but search who woke up. But Killian took back my hand and he was once again near me.
I stilled with my eyes on him.
"Don't fret. None of them would share anything that can prevent them to come back to something like this again. They can't afford banishment from me. Come."
He rose to his feet. I did not know if I even want to follow his lead anymore. But I already followed his motion until we sat down on the piano bench, facing the lonely piano painted in white.
He opened the case and looked down at the keys with a smile. His hand hovered over the keys, not daring to touch a single one.
"I have an idea," he whispered softly for only me to hear.
I was still not reassured. I looked at the guest that finally awoke. They looked at our direction right away.
"I don't think showing off is going to shoo them away," I muttered.
Killian chuckled. I could feel the vibration of his body on my side. I certainly needed that drink now.
"On the contrary, it is the perfect excuse to draw people in, especially if you are damn good. But at a loud party like this, any music they are already running away from perfectly repels them."
His fingers started to press on the keys. It gave me a closer view of his soft hands. One was gloved with the same black leather glove I have seen him in before. While the other was jeweled with rings of silver in diamonds of ruby, sapphire, and white diamond. One on his index finger stood out with a single skull on a silver band.
After just the first note, his arm quickly slipped behind my back, embracing my waist before getting back on the correct keys. I recognize the song from the first thirty seconds. Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sintra.
"Do you play?" he asked.
I shook my head. He pulled me in closer to his side.
"Press the middle lever."
I obeyed. The sound came off softer almost like a whisper.
My distance was cheek to cheek with him.
"I thought the point was to shoo them away."
Killian's eyes fell low to the key. He played the song beautifully like he played this hundreds of times before. Perhaps, many times with another woman. His cheek brushed against mine.
"It's warmup. Give them a chance to take their leave without abruptly hearing this."
His lips pressed lightly on the skin of my cheek. I hold still as I felt them move.
"Move your foot."
I moved my foot off the middle lever. The sound of the song returned to its natural volume.
True to Killian's word, the guests awoke from their nap. By the time they saw us, they did not hesitate to leave. Killian raised the speed of the song. I was marveled, watching each of his fingers move from one key to the next at the perfect tempo.
Half way to the song, we were alone.
Killian softened his speed to slow down. My eyes could not leave his hands as they danced along the keys.
"You made quite an impression on my friend tonight. I cannot imagine he would give you the time of day seeing you are wearing his competitor tonight."
From what I recall, I stole this dress from a random luxury store. The only things that caught my eye over this dress were that it fit me like a glove and it was not white.
Now I question just why that mad hatter talked to me so much. He spent an entire night running away from his friends, but he had no problem giving an entire hour with a complete stranger.
"No offense to your friend, all I really wanted was a peace of mind. I just invaded his hiding spot up in the roof. But if I found this place sooner, I would have a better chance achieving that sense of peace."
My tongue was too loose. I froze in place when I detected my possible error.
Was that offensive? Did I just confess I did not want anything to do with his friend?
His lips returned to my cheek. Before, it froze me in place. This time it gave me assurance that he was not in any way offended.
"Lay your hands on top of mine as if they were yours."
I once again obeyed. I laid my hands on top of his. It felt strange but I spread my fingers on top of his to truly embrace his hands as my own.
"You're really good. But I don't believe you can mastermind me to play the same way as you in one night."
"You are underestimated."
We started to play the same song. The speed was slower and the number of keys played per hand were limited. I still recognized the song by ear. I watched our hands play the keys at the slow version of the song.
"This was my first song I found the easiest to remember."
At some point, my hands were not lifeless on top of his. I felt my fingers press along with the same of his fingers every time it went to a key. It was easy to remember which one to play.
He slowly drew one of his hands away, leaving my hand to take the lead. I no longer felt confident. My focus was at a draw. But he took over, laying is hand on top of mine and instructing me the right keys to press. With his help, I once again remembered which key to play, following along with the music.
I smiled at myself. I have never had the chance to learn how to play an instrument. I was doomed to play for the church if I ever received lessons by my foster parents. Songs like this was on top of the no-list.
As an adult, I did not think I had any talent left in me. Looks like the old dog got a few tricks left.
In between the song, he slowly stopped helping me. Without it, I found I was playing an abomination of a cover of this classic American song. Once he helped me again, I was back in track and my confidence to play this without his help was kicking back in.
When we came to end the song, he took both my hands in his with his arm still draped around my body.
"Why did you just teach me that?" I asked.
"I had a feeling you would keep up quickly as you just did. After today, I must know, do you normally go through great lengths to take back what is rightfully yours?"
"Yeah," I blurted.
My tongue is plagued with truth serum.
"It was Ruby's bag. Not mine."
Ruby is in debt to me for life.
After one night, I have not only managed to find the designer and give him the wrong idea it is okay to touch me. But on top of that, I am alone with the owner of the whole company I have no complaints in laying a hand on me.
"Ruby Lucas. She may be crazy to me but she has a promising career as a model. I'm not doing my best to pretend I'm enjoying myself here. But I am here nonetheless as support. And because of my role, I had to go every length to get her priceless bag back."
He gazed down at our hands. He lifted one of mine to his lips and laid a gentle kiss. It was long enough for me to grow familiar with the traces of his lips.
I looked around the room once more. There was no one inside but us.
Killian's hand took my chin, turning my head to face his again.
"Something bothering you, love?"
"Is this..even okay? You shouldn't be alone like this, right? Especially with me?"
His hand tucked my hair behind one of my ears, circling down my jaw and reclaimed my chin. I dared not look around us again.
"I mean it when blacklisting is taken seriously here. I may not be guarded right now as I normally am. But I say you are safe in here. I already feel assured because if anything you are the best guard I have access to against any possible danger."
I broke into a giggle. I held my lips, biting back any more sound to pass my lips.
"I feel more safer here seeing you are with me now. And any thirsty reporter couldn't possibly hide away this long to take any evidence inside this room."
I know three things of this Killian Jones right in front of me.
One, he is the most handsome man I never thought to see. Out of all places, the same street I have walked since Henry was a baby, I have never seen a man like him.
Two, he is a stupidly wealthy man with the biggest responsibility that paid off living comfortably. The amount of money he spent for this entire event equates to my retirement plan and my son's college 4-year tuition.
And lastly, three is I do not want to leave this place without knowing what it is like to spend one night with this man.
His grasp on my waist grew stronger when I laid both my hands on each sides of his face. Our eyes locked. The warmth from his body was inviting to my cold skin. I felt shivers from my head rushed down to my spine.
"I feel safe with me too."
"It's a relief I have no intentions of stealing your purse and taking a run for it. I confidently predict I would not survive."
I broke into a smile. When the curve of my lips reached my eyes, I witnessed his mouth curve into a smirk. Under the firelight, the shadows of his eyes look brighter than in full light captured me in place.
I am not the Emma he needs to know or have a second to instantly lose interest in me.
I leaned closer and closer to his face. I closed my eyes as our lips neared.
I am without practice. I slowly laid a gentle touch to his lips. I stayed there for a moment. His lips were soft. The first hint of his cologne hit my nose as I took my final breath before taking his lips. It was a sweet aroma of a dewy forest after a rainfall.
He did not give an eager response back. But his arms folded around me, pulling me in closer to his chest.
I was first to pull back. Our eyes opened.
This time, he moved closer to my face.
I was right. It does not matter about who I am and what world I have to get back to after this party. This is just a little kiss. A little taste of pretend.
My phone started to ring.
There is only person who would call me at this hour. No one other than Granny herself. Her babysitting time is way overdue.
Killian's arms slowly fell from my body. His lips drew away from me.
I wanted more. I only just started. It cannot end like this.
My hands stayed still on his face. The first call can wait this time.
I leaned forward and recaptured his lips. I was still not brave to explore further than a second touch of his lips. But as I finally withdrew, I opened my eyes to see him smiling at me with his hands back on my waist.
"Hurry back."
I finally stood up from the bench and moved to the couch for my phone. As expected the caller id reads Granny.
Party is over.
The phone call went through its final ring. I missed the call.
"I-I need to find Ruby."
I cannot look at his face. Any simple persuasion would convince me to stay. I do not trust myself.
He was back to my side. Once again one of his arms returned to its place, pulling me closer to him. It was an intimacy I never thought I missed.
"Is everything alright?"
I nodded.
"I just need to go find her," I said with a firm tone.
"I'm coming with you then."
~ The only text I sent to Granny is a discreet notice I am on my way. For a woman who often sends me assuring emojis right between each text, I saw no emojis from her responses.
Worst of all, contacting Ruby seems to be unachievable. No phone call. No text.
Killian followed me back to the crowd. I have no idea where to start looking for Ruby. If the mad hatter can hide away half a night without a trace, I am a firm believer Ruby could have just as much of a good chance to disappear.
My mind was torn when I saw some of the guests that were sober enough to see that I was holding hands with Killian. After the five cocktails I shoved down my throat, I am far from the ability to grasp just what kind of man I am dealing with from the past two hours.
I scanned the room. My eyes glued from any face with red hair I could find.
There are so many people I do not recognize. My eyes are overwhelmed looking at one different face after another. But after few dozen, there was finally someone I recognized.
The Queen of all Hell stood ready, blocking us from moving forward. Beside her was the same British kid who harassed Ruby.
I often enjoy running into the rudest customers I have ever had outside of uniform. It's the biggest satisfaction to see them shaken when we cross paths. The tables have turned and I am in no position to be the minimum-wage paid punching bag.
But it is very rare in my ten-year experience as a server that I am just as shaken to run into one my infamous customers.
The kid instantly knew who I was the closer I came. Unless, any other reason he looks to be shitting bricks, Killian is once again the rockstar no one can handle being close to.
"There he finally is. I like to introduce you to the man himself. I am certain you both have plenty to talk about," Milah started.
In a quick move, Milah snatched me by the arm and separated me from Killian within seconds. She moved through the crowd away from Killian. I took one glimpse behind my shoulders and saw Killian chase after us.
The woman's iron grip on my arm was painfully firm. She was walking so fast I was tempted to abandon my shoes to keep up with her.
"In ten minutes, I will arrange a ride to have you delivered to a hotel where Killian will meet with you in the next two hours. Do not think to record anything of this evening or sell private information to the press. You have no idea who you got yourself into. But I can easily learn everything about you within a day. I can attack far more painfully than you could ever could for whatever cost."
She spoke without taking a breath. She slapped a credit card on my hand she had taken over by submission.
"Use it mindfully. It will no longer work by the end of the twenty-four hours. After tonight, Killian will be gone before you are awake. A driver will be ready to take you straight home. That is all the contact you can experience after tonight. With his recent obligations, he will not be in anyway contacting you or seeking you out again. Do I have myself clear?"
Milah purposely passed deeply into a crowd of people to slow Killian down.
By luck, amongst the crowd, I finally found Ruby who waved excitedly at me. I stopped my heels and yanked my arm free.
The only faces this woman seemed to be capable of are annoyance and anger. But for a brief second, I caught her off guard when I returned the card back to her hands.
"We still don't know each other very well. I am not that kind of girl. Goodnight."
I turned my back and held my tears for the first five steps.