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Two Weeks – Chapter one
By Ceso
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Lily smiled patiently as the man sitting across from her began fumbling for something in his wallet. And no it's not what you think. They were out to dinner, at the most expensive restaurant in London.
The man was so absorbed in finding something in his wallet, so Lily was left to her own devices. Which just happened to be finding the write words to say good bye.
Today was the second week she had been officially dating Harold Al balm. He was a cute guy, in his own sense. Gentle in so many ways, and not as greedy as you'd expect from someone as rich as he was.
Oh yes, there was an entire art to this. You wouldn't want to corrupt the semi innocent, which meant letting him down kindly. Also, try to avoid a scene, they tend to leave lasting marks.
"Harold?" Lily spoke up, in her rich, yet gentle voice. This seemed to get the boys attention, as he looked up, his mouth hanging open.
Ignoring the hung open mouth, Lily continued, "I wanted to talk to you about … us."
"Us?" He repeated like a broken record.
"Yes, Us."
"What about us?" Suddenly he gulped, "You don't mean mar---"
Lily laughed, and to anyone around it sounded like bells. Twirling her fingers coyly in her hair, like she was regretful, Lily bit her bottom lip and worked up the tears.
"No, not at all. You see… I was thinking today, and I realized… I'm holding you back."
"Holding me back?"
Lily allowed one small tear to cascade down her cheek. Not too many or else it would look fake, "Yes. You see, you and I have such separate dreams, it would be futile to try and continue them together. Oh please understand… it isn't you, it's me."
Suddenly tears flooded to Harold's eyes. He looked like a child who had just had his favorite toy taken away. Lily resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"It's the rash isn't it?"
It was rather lucky she wasn't enjoying a drink right now; otherwise it would have been over turned on his head. What had happened to not making a scene? With a slight growl, she managed to keep a straight face as she leaned over and motioned for him to keep his voice down, "It isn't the rash!" She whispered frantically, trying to make him realize just how loudly he was talking.
"It is the rash!" He yelled almost hysterically. By now people were turning in their seats to turn see what was going on.
"Harold please." Lily begged.
"You told me the rash didn't matter!"
"It doesn't!"
"Well then why are you making such a big deal out of it?" He snapped.
Lily groaned and placed her head in her hands. This was by far one of the worst break ups ever. People had begun sniggering and pointing. Harold obviously didn't see any of this because he was still glaring down at her furiously.
It took her a few moments, of which neither the sniggering or Harold's intense gaze stopped, to get herself together. She was a professional after all! When she looked back up, people only saw the dignified Lily Evans.
"Yes Harold, it is the rash!"
~*~
"It isn't you… it's me. The famous break up line of dear Lily Evans." Smiled a woman, who was perched rather casually on an armchair.
Lily smiled and ran her fingers through her perfect red curls. There was truth to her friend's words. Those end lines had been used countless times, but then, so had many more.
Her friend, Carina Lee Madison, jauntily dipped a finger into her martini before swirling it a few times, "But, dear Lily, it didn't end there now did it?" Her words were almost hungry.
"No." Lily smirked, "Could you imagine me getting away after that comment?"
"Tell me."
~*~
"I knew it!" Harold screamed, "You shallow ---"
Lily had long since changed her opinion of the spoiled little child. Why was he making this so difficult! Quickly she cut in, "If you must know, I've grown tired of having to stare at a bloody huge red mark on your ---"
"Don't say it!" He screamed shrilly, "Your nothing but a self centered WHORE!"
Well you can say that was the end of Lily Evan's tolerance. It was one thing to imply she was a bitch, but when you called her a whore, well then it was personal.
Lily snatched a drink from a passing waiter and turned on Harold. His eye's bulged as he suddenly found himself soaked and alone.
~*~
"You just left?" Carina asked disappointedly.
"We'll I wasn't exactly planning on staying with him while he threw a tantrum."
With a smirk, Carina decided to changed the subject, "I found us more targets."
Targets. That was the word they used to identify their next conquest. It was a tricky game they played. It had few rules. No married men. Lily and Carina had both agreed readily to this. Only two weeks. Two weeks was perfect. It was enough time to be showered in expensive gifts, and not get attached. Last but not least was Don't tell Target about the game. It was a stiff rule, but one they had all agreed on.
Carina handed Lily a glittering hat, decorated with hearts and money. To them, there was on difference.
Glancing inside Lily realized something, "Carina, you've put in an extra."
Carina's face darken visibly, almost slamming her drink down as she placed it down on the table, "I couldn't have."
"But you have!" Lily exclaimed, handing the hat back, "There's three!"
Carina ground her teeth together as she stared inside the hat. Lily could see her shaking.
It was a hard topic for both of them. At one point in their game, there had been three. The third was a pretty thing called Alex Corin Franklin. It had been a while since Lily and Carina had seen her. She had run off with one of her targets, and was now marrying him. This was very upsetting news.
"It's fine." Carina said, breaking Lily's train of thoughts, "More selection." Carina had calmed down visibly. She too was a skilled actress, and could control her emotions with little trouble. But some things really got to her.
Without another word, she dipped her hand into the hat and pulled out a piece of paper before passing the hat on to Lily. Lily repeated her actions.
"Well who did you get?" Lily asked, barely able to contain the excitement in her voice. It was always such a thrill, Starting over again. Lily loved the thrill of the chase, then finally capturing her target.
"Well… A Mr. Sirius Black. Isn't he the Quidditch player?" Carina asked, refolding the paper carefully.
"I believe so, yes. He's good looking too," She grinned winking, "And quite the player as I remember."
"That's right," Carina, said thoughtfully, "You went to school with him didn't you?"
"Yes, now hush, I want to open mine." Without waiting for her reply, Lily unfolded the paper, and stared at the paper.
"Well, who is it?" Carina asked impatiently.
"Well wouldn't you know it, I got dear old James Potter."
"James Potter? You lucky dog. He's the owner of that company and a millionaire, not to mention he is so good looking!" Carina said wistfully.
"Yes, plus I have an advantage." Lily said laughing.
"And what might that be?"
Lily grinned wickedly as she refolded the paper, "I remember a certain Mr. Potter having a bit of a crush on me back in Hogwarts. All I have to do is rekindle a few feelings and he'll be all mine."
Carina raised a perfect eyebrow, "Are you sure it'll be as simple as that?"
"Positive. Besides James Potter is a womanizer. He won't stand a chance."
Carina sighed, "Your right. I was hoping for more of a challenge."
Lily smiled, "It doesn't matter, we'll move on to better things after we conquer Mr. Potter and Mr. Black."
The point of the game you're wondering? Obviously from staying with them for only a mere two weeks, one can't gain any money. Well, the purpose of the game is to be spoiled for two weeks, and because we can. That's not a crime, is it?
"Lily," Carina said softly, "Get some rest, I'll track down our boys and we'll start tomorrow, all right?"
"You don't want any help?" Lily asked, putting on a hurt expression.
Carina laughed facial expression, before pushing her towards her bed, "You've had a long day, and you look like hell. I don't want you scaring away Sirius. And I know you'd do it too, just to make my life more difficult."
Lily laughed and took her friends advice. A good nights sleep was exactly what she needed.
~*~
The next morning, while Lily was sipping her tea and reading the morning paper, Carina walked in. She was already dressed and ready to go.
"Well, I found them." She told Lily, as she sat down, grabbing a piece of toast.
"You weren't up all night, were you?"
Carina yawned slightly, before shaking her head, "Oh no. They were pretty easy to find actually." She said, handing the papers over to Lily.
Skimming through them, Lily raised an impressed eyebrow, "You got their schedules for the next week. Lets see, Wednesday – 10:00 Board meeting --- Blah blah blah. Aha! The only time he's not going to be at work today is 12:30 – Have lunch with Sirius at the Café Gold.
"12:30? You should get ready, we're going out for lunch." Carina said with a small laugh.
~*~
Till next chapter!
Happy belated New Year… or whatever it's called!
~Ceso
