Frenzy
Notes: Modern AU!
Title: Won't You Take My Hand, Darling?
Song: Sing by Ed Sheeran
This party blows.
To be exact, this isn't an actual party. It's more of a gala that rich people always find the time of hosting just because. This time, Balthazar Rookwood invited all sorts of high-profile people because it's his birthday. Diaval assumes it's his 80th, by the way he looks, but of course he can't say that out loud because Mr. Rookwood has been a valuable client of their firm. It's the only reason that he's here, really. He was sent as representative of the firm, because he had dealt with Rookwood a number of times and the old geezer has taken a shine to him. This was the only reason he's spending the night mingling with "the elite".
After he's done his usual rounds in these sorts of gatherings- greeting Rookwood, being introduced to a couple of old friends (potential clients in his eyes) and wittingly promoting the merits of the firm he works for in casual conversation- he goes directly to the bar. One of the things he can count on during these nights is that loaded businessmen always have a kick-ass bar, mercifully so.
This night, however, he's not the only one who intended to park in booze heaven. He is joined, a few moments after his first drink, by a woman. Slender figure, exquisite cheekbones, unique eyes- just his luck he'd see her here.
"Hullo, Miss Moor."
The woman whips her head towards his direction. "Diaval Blanchard?"
He offers her a slight smile. "The one and only."
"It's surprising to see you here. From what I've gathered, you're not the type to participate in these frivolities." She raises a perfectly lined eyebrow at him.
"I know Rookwood personally. He's a longstanding client, so here I am. How about you? From what I've gathered, these galas aren't your thing." His eyes don't leave hers, even as he takes a sip of his drink.
"Balthazar has been a great help when I was starting out. He's a mentor of sorts. Despite his faults, he does know his stuff." Mallory explains, twisting her glass to make the liquid in it swirl.
"I see" is all he says in reply. They fall into contemplative silence. Diaval remembers the last time he talked with Mallory Moor. He was tasked to help get Moor Corp out of some spot of trouble in court. Took them a fair amount of time, but of course, he managed to crack the case. After a congratulatory dinner with the company's biggest stockholders, he never saw her again.
That isn't to say that he hasn't thought of her ever since. In fact, she's all he can think about these days. He wonders if it's some sort of fateful coincidence that she's here tonight.
"You look positively stunning."
She turns to him so quickly, eyes wide in surprise, which made him realize he actually uttered that sentiment out loud.
"Thank you." She murmurs, ever polite despite the shock. A corner of her mouth edges upward, and she mutters "You clean up nicely as well."
"I'm pretty sure this was the way I looked during our first meeting. I'm always cleaned up. It's part of the job", he answers in faux haughtiness, a challenge in his voice.
"Oh? You didn't look so cleaned up when you were half-buried in papers in the file room, frantically rummaging through my documents."
"That was your fault! Your file room was in complete disarray!"
"You caused that chaos in there!"
"Uh, no I didn't. Your idiot personnel did! Label makers exist for a reason. You should hold a seminar on labeling records properly."
She chuckles lightly in response. "As a matter of fact, they did get reamed for that. However, no seminars, thankfully. They were fast learners."
"Oh goodie." He retorts sarcastically. "I expect the file room to be pristine, with perfectly labeled records, if I ever have to come back there."
A shadow falls over her countenance. "If I were to have my way, you're not coming back in there at all."
Diaval frowns, incredulity rising to the surface. "What? Why? In case you've forgotten, I settled that court case for you- that tricky, complicated matter your usual attorneys can't figure out, remember? I'd like to think I'm more than competent enough to represent Moor Corp anytime you want me to. Or is this about that night?"
She smirks at his words. "Of course it is about that night. Did you think I would forget?"
Diaval feels indignation at her words. Was she questioning his professionalism? Really? "Look, Miss Moor. We were having a rough time 'til that night. Suddenly all of it came together, and we were in high spirits. It's not as if we did anything except stare at each other. If you're afraid I might… jump you or anything, fear not" he exclaims the last part exaggeratingly. "I'm perfectly capable of being professional, thank you very much."
Mallory Moor, the despicable woman, actually laughs at him. He almost storms off when she stops him with a hand curled around his wrist.
"Diaval." She enunciates, and damn if that voice didn't make him want to take her right there. Maybe she was right to question his professionalism, after all.
He sits back sullenly, trying to protect what was left of his dignity.
"Have you considered that maybe I don't want you to maintain your professionalism?" She states, eyes dancing with mirth.
"Huh?" How eloquent, Diaval.
"I mean, I'm sure your firm has competent lawyers. Not as competent as you, I'd assume, but they will do. I have a different proposition for you altogether." Her lips curl into a sly smile, hand reaching out to smooth out the lapels of his suit.
He takes her hand and dashes out of that place without even saying goodbye to their host.
A/N: Personally, I really, really liked this. It was so much fun to write, mostly because Sing was on loop while I was writing.
It just occurred to me that this could actually be taken as preceding the events of "Waiting" (chapter 5).
This has been up on Tumblr for weeks now, I think, so some of you might have seen this.
At this point, I only have three more drabbles to put up because I haven't written anything in forever. If the regular updates stop after that, I apologize in advance. (But it seems like you're getting bored with me anyway.)
Cheers!