Chapter 4
He then turned, ever so slowly, lifted those sparkling intensely black eyes of his, and stared right back at Tiffany. For a moment, Tiffany experienced a myriad of indescribable feelings pouring into her. Uncertain, she broke eye contact, and furtively resumed her search for Lawrence as she floated down the remainder of the steps.
He gaze lingered on her a few moments longer, the expression in his eyed clouded. With a blank face, he bid his companion farewell, turned with deliberation and stepped out in the street. As he was making his exit, curiosity overruled sensibility, and Tiffany stared after him, taking in her fill of his dark, refined features.
As he disappeared beyond the full-length glass doors, she was shocked at herself. She was engaged! She had no right to harbor such intense responses to another male, and that was that. Deciding she would never allow herself to be so silly again, she scanned the lobby yet again, and still, Lawrence was nowhere in sight. Where was that man? Her jaw set and her eyes flaring, she turned upon Charlotte, who had accompanied her down.
"I… I have no… no idea-"
"There you are, darling." Tiffany whipped around, catching Lawrence strolling in the main door.
"Look at you! I always say, I have good taste," he smirked, eyeing Tiffany. She opened her mouth, but was cut short. His face turned serious, pleading "Don't you think it would be such a waste to return that fine frock to your wardrobe, especially since it fits so perfectly. I would be deeply honored do sweep you around the polished dance floor tonight! Won't you go? You wouldn't intentionally abandon me to attend the gathering without a partner, Tiffany. I know you wouldn't. We're engaged, and we care for each other, even if that means a little bit of sacrifice, don't you agree, darling?"
Tiffany shut her mouth. He continued, "So what do you say? You're going to have a great time, like you did at all the other balls, remember? We danced all night, and laughed so much…" Tiffany thought she remembered more occasions when she was left to sit by the wall, while Lawrence smoked cigars and drank whiskey with the other 'prestigious gentlemen', who, Lawrence had claimed, they 'would do very well to be familiar with'. "The ball would be unthinkable without you. I need you there, Tiffany. Won't you go, just for me?"
"I don't know, Lawrence…"
"Tiffany, darling…"
Tiffany lowered her eyes and sighed, "Alright." His face lit up with an almost charming smile, and pecked her on the cheek. Tiffany turned to the doorway and helped herself up the carriage which, in fact, had already been waiting for them at the front steps. She wondered why she had agreed on going. She wondered about the man at the bottom of the stairs. It was a pity she would never lay eyes on him again.