Johnathan pulled on his collar and fidgeted with it anxiously. He hated these events. Almost as much as he hated the people who attended them. Stiff, fake, and pretentious were all the people at these things seemed to be. Not to mention spoiled. No one ever seemed to impress him. It was stifling, to say the least.
He always felt trapped, like a caged animal at these things. He preferred the freedom of the sky or the quiet of the forest. Even the refuge of the sea was better than being trapped at one of these things.
A group of finely dressed people passed him on their way to the main ballroom. He nodded in their direction politely and exchanged meaningless greetings.
Another thing that he hated was that the people here were always pushy. They somehow knew him and therefore insisted that that justified him having a boring and shallow conversation with them.
He could hear the shouts from the paparazzi and press coming in from outside. It wasn't hard. They were loud and he was standing in the foyer just inside the front door. They always had to be loud to ensure that whatever celebrity would hear them and turn and smile just for their camera.
Johnathan sighed aggressively and looked at his overpriced watch.
'Where are they? Vie said that they would be here by now!' Johnathan thought to himself.
In order to avoid anyone being late Violet had suggested that Airen come with her and Mason and Johnathan meet them at the fundraiser. Johnathan had readily agreed because it would also ensure that he and new up-and-coming model Airen Stevens didn't appear to be dating. So after he had saved Violet's dinner he had gathered the groceries that his sister had promised him and left. Though not without another fight or two with Airen.
Johnathan grinned in spite of himself. She was annoying but fiery and it was too easy to get her riled up sometimes.
'Plus she's cute when she's mad.'
Johnathan blinked, his grin fadeing.
'Whoah. Where did that come from?'
Johnathan would be lying if he said that he hadn't noticed that Airen was attractive. But if he was not careful he would risk his own arrogance leading people, and himself, to believe that he actually cared for her. After all, hadn't he just been relieved that they were coming to this thing separately so as to avoid looking as though they were dating?
Of course, them making the rounds inside together would certainly stir up some gossip but gossip he could deal with. Tabloids with photos were harder to control.
"Airen! Airen!"
"Over here Airen!"
"Look this way!"
Johnathan heard the commotion before he saw it. He moved to where he could discreetly watch their walk of the red carpet from the foyer.
Violet looked beautiful in a silver gown that on anyone else would have looked shabby. But on her, the fit was perfect and it sparkled to perfection making it perfect for the high-class benefit. Straps crisscrossed over her shoulders and back and a slit in the side of the skirt hinted at her youthful age and playful attitude. She of course completed her look by having her hair tied back and long sparkling earrings.
Mason looked uncomfortable as always at these things. He'd been dating Violet for nearly a year and he still hadn't gotten used to their public life. But that was okay with Johnathan. So long as Mason treated his sister like the princess she was.
He spotted Airen a few steps behind Mason and Violet on the carpet. She was milking the attention, stopping to pose for as many cameras as possible.
Johnathan shook his head. He would have thought of her as a diva if Violet hadn't told him about how she collapsed on her bed and hid in her room after any major social gathering/event. Or if he didn't know that her modeling contract required her to put on a show for any and all cameras. Another tidbit that Violet had passed on to him.
Violet and Mason finally made it through the front door. Violet's smile melted just slightly as she blinked from all of the camera flashes. Mason still looked a little dazed and lost from the commotion.
"Hey, Mason." Johnathan gave the guy a genuine smile and a firm handshake. He had to admit, he did feel kind of bad for the guy, that he was having to attend these things. Johnathan could sympathize.
"Hi." Mason returned Johnathan's smile and handshake.
"You been waiting long?" Violet asked as she adjusted her grip on her handbag.
"Nope, just got here only about 20-30 minutes ago," Johnathan replied with a sly grin on his face. Violet gave him a chiding look but couldn't hide her own grin. They both took after their dad in personality while being a mix of both parents in the looks department.
Airen strolled through the door clutching a black wrap around her shoulders and a matching wallet. She looked slightly drained but hid it well with her usual dazzling smile.
Johnathan frowned. It was mid-August and even in colder temperatures, Airen hadn't been known as someone who got cold easily. He also knew that she was not shy about her body in the least. If anything she used every opportunity she had to flaunt her body if her day-to-day outfits were any indication. So, it confused him as to why she was wearing such a thing as a wrap, and a black one no less. It confused him even more as to why she had it clutched so tightly, as though the world would end if she were to let go of it.
"Well, I think we're going to go in. We're late enough already, we don't need to give Mom any more reason to scold us. John, you can see Airen in." Violet commanded. She turned, grasped Mason's arm, and made her way through the foyer and to the ballroom. Mason followed, half dragged half stumbling, after his girlfriend. What choice did he have? When Violet was like this there was no arguing with her.
Johnathan turned to see Airen looking slightly pale.
"Something wrong?" He asked. If he didn't know any better, he would say that she looked nervous, but she was known for her nerves like she was known for being modest.
"Huh? Oh, no, nothing. You go ahead and go in. I need to check these, and I'll be in. No reason for you to wait on me and look like-" She paused and glanced at him. She looked away quickly before finishing. "Something else that's not…going…on." She finished weakly. If he didn't know any better Johnathan might say that she was actually blushing. But Airen didn't blush, just like she didn't get cold.
"Uh-huh, sure." Johnathan looked at her skeptically then went to the ballroom. It made sense, there was no reason for him to wait for her. They could each make their own entrances.
Johnathan entered the ballroom with a fixed politely bored expression. It had never been hard to hold a bored expression, but he had been taught at a young age that there was a difference between politely bored and completely "get-me-out-of-here" bored. He had also been taught that under no circumstance was the "get-me-out-of-here" bored expression appropriate to wear in public.
Like any good detective worth his salt Johnathan began scanning the room as soon as he hit the door. It would have impressed him if he hadn't seen a million others just like it.
The room was huge, with vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, maroon-colored carpeted floors for most of the room. Dozens of tables with white table cloths, fine china, and real silver for place settings were scattered throughout the room. A honey wood stage for the 15-piece orchestra band that provided the classical music. A real hardwood floor took up over a third of the room for dancing. Marble pillars lined the edges of the room giving it a historical look. Varying pedestals with expensive vases filled with expensive flowers dotted the room. Banisters naming the varying charities that would benefit from the night's funds hung about the room. People in their finery milled about the room chatting and talking quietly as background music played. Waiters in smart white tuxedos wove in and out of people carrying silver trays of appetizers and champagne.
Johnathan sighed deeply and descended the short set of red-carpeted stairs at the entrance. He couldn't fathom just how much he hated these things and to have to attend one with Airen? He couldn't imagine a way that this evening could possibly be good.
A waiter with a tray of champagne walked past and Johnathan grabbed a glass. On the other hand, there was one thing that would make tonight tolerable. The only thing that he could ever appreciate about these things was the free-quality booze.
Just then a young woman walked past in a somewhat skimpy, but still elegant gown. She had chestnut brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and pale skin. She was tall and skinny and her dress accented what little curves she had. She winked and blew Johnathan a kiss as she sashayed by. Johnathan gave her his best "playboy" smile as Violet called it. Charming yet had a hint of mischief and scoundrel. Really made him look like a bad boy.
Scratch that, there were two things about these things that he could appreciate. The booze and the women, both were of decent quality in their own categories.
Johnathan took a sip of his champagne, preparing to chase the clearly willing young woman when he noticed several people looking at something behind him. They were whispering to each other and a few were even pointing. He turned to see what they were gawking at and nearly dropped his drink.
Airen stood at the top of the entry stairs looking around the room for someone or something. It was true, she was a beautiful girl, but tonight…..tonight she surpassed all beautiful women that he had ever thought of including the one from a moment ago.
She stood at 5'5 and had an hourglass figure. Her skin had a medium tan to it as though she had spent the summer on a beach. Her lips and nose were perfect, and her smile would light up whatever room she was in. Her hair was long and golden. It reflected the sunshine and appeared to be a waterfall of liquid gold. But her eyes, her eyes were the most mesmerizing thing about her. They were a mystical green, changing every so often to any and every shade of green there was. He had seen them be Emerald green, a deep forest on a rainy-day green, a sea green, even a striking neon green. Sometimes there was even a hint of blue in them. But they also held strands of gold in them too.
Of course, he had noticed all of this before tonight. She was always beautiful. And tonight was no exception. Tonight she looked sensational.
But what caught his attention tonight he didn't really know. There was just something different about tonight.
Everything accented her best features. Her hair had been curled and was pulled back with the front curls pinned back out of her face. She wore light makeup that accented her eyes and lips. And her dress…..her dress completed the look. Her dress was a fit and flare style and was dark green. It fit and hugged every curve of her body all the way to her knees where the skirt flared out and loosened just slightly so as to allow movement. The top of the dress was in a v-style neckline. It showed off the perfect amount of cleavage. It showed enough to get people's attention but also left enough covered so that there was room for imagination and could be considered appropriate for an event like this.
Johnathan realized his mouth was open and closed it with a gulp. He had to stop thinking about her like that or otherwise risk proving Tony right.
Airen continued to look around the room until she spotted him. Relief crossed her face for a brief moment before she regained her facial composer. With a polite smile on her face, she began making her way down the stairs toward him.
Dear God, there was a slit in the skirt of her dress. It was at the very front of the skirt and began just above her knees. It opened up so he could see her perfectly toned and tanned legs and strappy black heels when she walked. The edges of the skirt parted and moved so that they made a short train in the back of the skirt when she moved.
Johnathan forced himself to look at her face as she approached.
"Hi." She said quietly.
"H-hi." He stumbled over the word as he tried not to gulp.
"You okay?" She asked. She seemed to be slightly amused over his lack of composure.
"Yep." He didn't trust himself to say anything else. All of his energy was going into maintaining eye contact.
"You're sure?" She had a teasing tone in her voice.
"Mmmhmm." He couldn't even open his mouth.
"Good, then could you please check my tie? I think it might be coming loose." She slowly turned before he realized she was talking about the dress. The two straps that made the v came up and were tied behind her neck in the back.
"Uh, sure." He said confused. She didn't trust him to watch her drink in the safety of her own apartment, so why would she trust him with something as delicate and crucial as her dress tie?
She gently moved her hair so that the tie was exposed, and he felt all of the blood drain from his face.
'Oh….that's why.' He squeaked in his own head.
The dress was backless. Other than the tie on the back of her neck there was no material from her shoulders down to just above her butt crack.
Johnathan's chest heaved and his head spun. He slowly gulped again as he slowly reached up with his free hand and checked the bow of the tie.
"I-its secure." He said quietly. Airen flipped her hair back in place and turned back to face him. She was wearing the flirtiest, fakest and slyest grin he had ever seen.
"Thanks." She winked at him then strolled over to a waiter serving drinks. As she walked away, she swished her hips giving him a little show.
'What are you doing!? Since when have you ever been afraid of a little skin?' A voice in his head said. Johnathan shook his head to clear it. Almost immediately he realized what she had done, what she was doing. She was playing him. Toying with him as a cat would toy with a mouse. She was playing a game and a very dangerous one at that.
He glared in her direction as he watched her flirt with another young rich male socialite.
"Fine. You wanna play that game, Airen Stevens? Fine. Two can play that game." He downed the rest of his champagne in one gulp and placed his empty glass on a nearby tray. All the while he watched as she fake laughed at something the other guy said.
'Screw the rumors. She started this, but I'm gonna win it.' Johnathan marched determinedly toward Airen.
Airen smiled flirtatiously at the young man talking to her. She'd had a lot of practice faking interest in high society men. She focused on his nose so that it looked like she was looking at his eyes. She honestly had no idea what he was saying, she was just trying to run and hide from Johnathan.
She didn't really know why she had done it. She'd just seen an opportunity and taken it. When she'd seen the way he had watched her descend the stairs she couldn't help it. It had been way too easy. But now she had to avoid him in order to finish the job. It would keep him interested and playing all night, chasing her in a game of reverse cat and mouse. And when the night was over she would seal the deal with a chaste blowing kiss move as she left. It would be perfect and keep both of them from being bored all night. She always played with some poor fool like this at boring events like this one. It was how she amused herself in an otherwise stifling environment. And she always left her victim gaping after her at the end of the night. It worked every time.
"…so I told him that he should invest his money…" the young man kept talking and she nodded as if she was listening intently. She took a sip of champagne and in a moment she would pretend to see someone she just had to go talk to. She had to keep moving in order to successfully avoid Johnathan. She always stayed one step ahead of he chosen vicitm. It kept them interested and kept the game from ending early. She considered it winning if by the end of the night she hadn't been caught by the time she left. And she always won.
A warm hand suddenly slid across her lower back, just grazing the material of her dress that barely covered her butt. With a sharp intake of air, she stiffened ready to pummel whoever had dared touch her.
"There you are, Angel. I've been looking for you everywhere!" A deep smooth voice that seemed filled with honey rumbled in her ear. The scent of cologne, gunpowder, and a forest on a rainy day with a hint of sage filled her nostrils. Airen bit her lip to keep from sneering at the despised nickname.
"Jonathan." She fake smiled and said his name with a tone of malice.
"You'll have to excuse us. I need to steal my girl away for a few moments." Johnathan smiled charismatically at the young man she had been talking to.
The poor young man looked bewildered as he mumbled, "yeah sure." What else could he do?
Airen felt sorry for him as Johnathan guided her away from him. After all, she had only used him as a pawn in her own little chess game.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed once they were out of earshot of the young man. She attempted to separate herself from him, but Johnathan just tightened his grip on her hip and pulled her closer.
"What the hell were you doing back there, huh?" He hissed in her ear. They both smiled and nodded as they passed an older couple.
"Let go of me now." She demanded. She was still trying to pry his fingers off of her hip, but he only dug them in more.
"Not a chance Angel." He mumbled out of the side of his mouth as he smiled at another passing couple.
"Johnathan Edward….." Airen growled. He stiffened and her chest filled with pride and delight. He already hated that she used his full name when addressing him, but using his middle name…
"Remind me to kill Violet for telling you my real name." He grumbled.
"Speaking of…" Airen nodded in the direction of Violet and Mason. They were speaking with three people who had their backs to them.
"Perfect, just perfect…" Johnathan grumbled. Nevertheless, they made their way over to the group.
"Oh perfect! Here they come now!" Violet said when she saw them. Everyone turned to greet the two new arrivals.
Airen looked over the people that Violet and Mason had been speaking to. Two men and a woman, all three noticeably older than herself. Although, one of the men and the woman were considerably younger than the other man.
The woman was short with an hourglass figure that suited her. She had pale skin and soft round features. She had dark black hair that was pulled back in a fancy up-do but Airen guessed that it was long when down. Her eyes were a soft blue color and they looked kind as well as wise. She wore a dark purple long sleeve V-neck gown that fitted her quite well. She had a pleasant expression on her face and Airen got the feeling that that was as close to smiling as the woman usually got.
The younger man was tall and lanky. He stood at about 6'3 and had a thin and lanky muscular build, like a runner. He had sandy blonde hair, tan skin, and vivid green eyes. He wore a black tuxedo and silver square-framed glasses. His smile was large and genuine, and his teeth were perfectly straight and white.
The older man seemed more reserved. He was about 6' tall and had a muscular build. He wasn't tan, but he wasn't pale either. He had dark black hair that was slicked back and Airen could see a few grey strands on side of his head. He also wore a black tux much like Johnathan and the other man's. He had brown eyes and a square jaw. His brow was scrunched up in thought when they approached but when they arrived his expression changed to a charismatic grin. Both men were clean-shaven as well.
"Airen, I'd like to introduce you to my parents," Violet said with a smile. "This," She gestured to the woman, "is my mom, Dr. Rachel Logan."
"Hello." The woman gave a small smile and extended her hand. Airen shook it and nodded at the woman.
"Hi."
"And this," Violet moved to the younger man, "is my dad, Dr. Garfield Logan." She said proudly.
"Nice to meet you." Dr. Logan smiled broadly and shook Airen's hand vigorously.
"Nice to meet you too." Airen smiled in return.
"And this is an old family friend, Bruce Wayne." Violet nodded at the older gentleman.
"Hello." Mr. Wayne took Airen's hand and kissed the back of it gently, never breaking eye contact with her.
"Hello." Airen smiled pleasantly at him and nodded in his direction.
"Mom, Dad, Mr. Wayne, this is Airen Stevens, my date," Johnathan announced strongly. Violet appeared surprised while Airen smiled weakly trying not to glare at him. Mason choked on his drink.
Rachel Logan appeared pleasantly surprised while Garfield Logan just grinned broadly.
"Atta boy son!" Garfield slapped his son good-naturedly on the back.
"I didn't think you would be arriving with a date since….well, that doesn't matter now." Whatever Rachel Logan was going to say she thought better of it.
"Thanks, Dad," Johnathan said.
Airen noticed that both Violet and Johnathan had traits from both parents. Violet was the spitting image of her mother but took after her father in personality and body type. Johnathan seemed to favor his father in personality mostly, but still had serious moments that Airen figured resembled his mother. He also looked more like his father in body shape and facial features but had his mother's hair and eyes.
The parents and children began discussing family matters so Airen turned to Mr. Wayne.
"I think I've heard of you Mr. Wayne." Airen began.
"Well, that's not surprising. And please, call me Bruce." Bruce smiled at her.
"Alright, Bruce….so are your children here? Or perhaps your wife?" Airen asked nonchalantly while sipping her champagne.
Bruce chuckled. "No, I'm afraid not. My children are all either too old and busy with families of their own to be obligated to attend these anymore, or too young to be here three days before school starts."
"And your wife?"
"I'm afraid that Mrs. Wayne had to be elsewhere tonight addressing a diplomatic emergency of some sort." He said.
"Oh that's right, your wife is Wonder Woman." Airen faked remembrance.
"Well in this setting she prefers Diana Wayne, but yes. She is my wife." He eyed her suspiciously.
"Something wrong?" Airen asked maintaining eye contact as she raised her glass and took a sip.
"No…it's just that…."
"If you'll excuse us, we're going to go dance," Johnathan announced. He took Airen's glass from her placed it on their table and lead her away from the small group.
They reached the dance floor and Johnathan spun her around before placing a hand on her hip. Taking her hand in his other one he pulled her close so that they were practically on top of each other.
"What do you think you're doing? Demanding that I dance with you, taking my drink out of my hand!?" Airen hissed annoyed.
"What's the matter, don't like a taste of your own medicine?" Johnathan rumbled in her ear. His warm breath sent a shiver down her spine.
"What medicine?" She asked innocently.
"Oh, don't play the innocent card with me. You knew exactly what you were doing back there." Johnathan kept his chin next to her hairline so that his words rumbled in her ear and his warm breath brushed her skin.
Airen closed her eyes as yet another shiver went down her back. Her nose just barely brushed the lapel of his tux coat when they moved. His sent and warmth overwhelmed her and made it hard to stay solid. All she wanted to do was give in and melt into him, but she couldn't. It was personal now. He was going to lose.
Airen stood on her tiptoes and breathed in his ear, "I can play this game all night. The question is, can you?" She then gently blew into his ear.
She felt his grip on her hip tighten and nearly lost her balance as he tugged on her.
"You have no idea what you're playing with." He growled.
Airen smirked. "Actually, I think I do." She shifted so that her hip brushed up against his front. She heard a low growl from deep in his throat.
"Challenge accepted." With that, he led her across the dance floor at a quick pace.
"So, is that her?" Rachel came up behind Bruce as he watched John and Airen dancing.
"I don't know. Right first name, wrong last one." Bruce frowned.
"Well, you don't know that. She never did tell us who the father was. And unless you got DNA…"
Bruch shook his head. "She disappeared before I could."
"Well then, it could be the father's last name. Is there a way you could check?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, and I'm already on it," Bruce replied. He frowned at the young lady dancing with John. "How old is she?"
"Violet says that she's 18."
"Right age."
"But she doesn't really look like her." Rachel said.
"Yes, she does, if you look closely enough. You can see it in the face and the eyes. It's totally there in the eyes. And imagine if her hair was straight." Gar spoke up.
"Yeah, I suppose…" Rachel didn't sound so sure.
"She's probably wearing a holo ring," Bruce suggested.
"Probably." Rachel chewed on her lip.
"But why would she be here and not tell anyone? And why wouldn't she be here with her? And why act like she doesn't know who we are?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know." Bruce frowned. "But I'm going to find out."
