"FUNDRAISER"
- It really sucks you have to stay the whole weekend.
- I know.
And I have to miss our Friday night.
- It's ok. It's only one night. Besides. You can always FaceTime me when you get a chance!
- True! I'll call you later then.
- K.
Tobias has to spend the entire weekend with Marcus. He's hosting a two-night fundraising event for his re-election at some upscale hotel. I tried to surprise him by buying what was required, but holy hell, who has that kind of money? The people that rub elbows with Marcus Eaton, I suppose.
The cheapest way was for me to buy a plate, which didn't even actually guarantee me food, and that was five-thousand. They had raffle tickets to try and win an entry, but those were one-thousand each- it wasn't worth the risk to buy only one. The full package was thirty-five thousand; that guaranteed you a two night stay at the hotel, a private meeting with Marcus, and front row seating during his speeches.
I do not understand politics at all.
I'm laying on my bed, reading, when my phone dings. I look and see it's Zeke.
- What are you up to?
- Reading. Being lazy. You?
- Just wondering how fast you can get ready.
- Whyyy?
- Wanna play Cinderella? ; )
A huge smile breaks across my face.
"I seriously have no idea how you managed to pull this off," I say, looking at the ticket in my hand. Somehow, Zeke was able to get me into the fundraiser. He said it was because Tobias wouldn't stop moaning about missing our date. But really, I think Zeke just wants to see him happy, and he knows that Tobias will be anything but having to hang with his dad all weekend.
"I have my ways," Zeke says with a wink. "Now I don't know how all this girl stuff works, but you need to be dressed super fancy. I already talked to Shauna, and she has something you can borrow if you don't have anything."
"Like, how fancy?"
"Like, First Lady fancy." I scrunch my nose.
I gather some things and Zeke drives me to Shauna's house. I'm surprised to see Lynn there, however, I'm not surprised to see Marlene.
"She had some stuff you might want to borrow, too," Shauna says with a shrug. "And don't worry. We talked to Chris. She said it was okay that you did something like this without her, but only because she's working. She also demanded pictures." I roll my eyes and nod my head. That sounds exactly like Christina.
Shauna leads me to her room, Lynn and Marlene following. I notice a room full of boxes as we pass by, and raise my eyebrow at Lynn.
"I'm moving out," she says. "The baby needs a room."
"Oh. So, everything's okay then? I know you guys were still talking about what you were going to do, and we haven't really had a chance to talk since then. I was gonna say something to Zeke, but I didn't want to get in the middle of it."
"Yeah, everything's okay now. I'm having the baby, and Zeke's gonna move in here. I mean, we're not gonna run out and have a shotgun wedding or anything like that, but we've been together for almost three years. It's where it was headed anyways It's just a little quicker than planned now, and there's gonna be a little one in the mix." She smiles, and so do I. I'm glad they talked it out. It's kind of exciting.
"So where are you going then?" I ask Lynn.
"Mmm, wherever. I've been thinking of getting out of here for a while now. School's just…not for me, and I have a friend who lives in Arizona. She says I can stay with her if I want."
"You don't even know where you're going, and you're already packing?" Marlene asks.
"Eh. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal. Besides, it's not like there's anything holding me back here." I don't miss the long look Lynn gives Marlene.
"Okay," Shauna says, "It's all laid out here on the bed. You can pick and choose whatever and hopefully something works."
I pick up a few things —short skirts, sequins, animal prints— that clearly belong to Marlene. They're beautiful, classy pieces, they're just not me. At the very bottom of the pile I see it, and see Shauna smile out of the corner of my eye. It's long, silver, soft. I run my hand over it, loving the feel and the overall simplicity of it. They way it clasps around my neck is the only decoration.
"This one," I say. It's perfect.
We all agree to do my makeup very simply— nude eyeshadow, mascara and super light pink lip gloss, but the two of them argue over what to do with my hair.
"It should be up! Big! Lots of curls," Marlene says.
"No way. A pretty braid, or some sort of messy bun," Shauna says. They argue back and forth about which style is better while I just sit there.
"I think," Lynn finally interrupts, "That you should keep it simple. Straighten it, and pull it over your shoulder or leave it down your back. That dress is the centerpiece and you shouldn't do anything to distract from it. Besides, Tris is gorgeous enough without all that crap."
The two of them look at Lynn like she's grown a second head, and I just blush. Lynn isn't the type of person to just dole out compliments, so it always feels like it means more coming from her.
"I like that idea," I say, mouthing a "Thank you," to Lynn who just nods.
I sit on Shauna's bed while she and Marlene take turns running a straightener through my hair.
"Do you have enough hair, Tris? Jesus. Who needs arm day when you can just do this," Shauna says with a smile.
"Where do you think these bad boys came from?" I flex my arms and we laugh.
This place is ridiculous.
It's a hotel, so I get it. It has to be nice and accommodating to Marcus' tastes, but this place looks more like a castle than a hotel. I take my ticket from the valet and place it safely in my clutch before making my way inside.
Chandeliers. Harps. Butlers? Well, they're probably just waiters hired to cater the party, but I feel like I'm in Wayne Manor and I'm about to discover the Batcave. I follow the parade of fur coats and diamonds and patent leather shoes you could eat off of through the hotel lobby until I see a set of double doors propped open, and Marcus' empty eyes and wide, fake smile plastered on a large campaign poster. I scrunch my nose, but at least I know I'm in the right spot.
I hand someone my ticket who escorts my to my table. Figures. It's about as far away as you could get from where Tobias might be. I accept a flute of champagne and start wandering.
When everyone else starts taking their seats, I do the same and watch as Marcus takes the stage. The room cheers and claps, but I sit, waiting patiently for him to get on with his speech. I tune out as much as I can, but I hear the word Tobias and perk up. Marcus motions towards a table and I see him stand, give a polite nod and a wave, and sit back down.
Finally.
When the whole thing is over I stand, making a bee-line towards Tobias. A quick thought about what Marcus might do to him, and the fact that he has to endure another night of this stops me in my tracks. I don't want him to get hurt because of me. Again.
Instead I turn and creep along the wall, stopping behind a pillar to wait for an opportunity. I smile awkwardly at a man who passes by and gives me an odd look. I'm close enough that I can hear them talking— money, donations, votes, reforms. I chance a look and am relieved to find Marcus is facing away from me. But so is Tobias. Dammit.
It feels like a lifetime passes before I hear Tobias say, "Father, will you excuse me?" I almost jump out of my skin, thankful for the opportunity.
"Can it wait just one second, son? There is someone I want you to meet, and she's just making her way over now."
She?
My mind races through all it's worst ideas. His father hates me. Probably because I can't do anything for him or further his career in any way. In fact, I'm trying to take away the one thing he can manipulate to his advantage. He'd be delighted if Tobias ended up with someone more like him.
"Tobias, you remember Nita Ramos? Her father is Oscar Ramos."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. You'll have to forgive me though, I don't seem to recognize your fathers name, or remember meeting." I can almost feel the rage Marcus is surely directing at Tobias.
"Oh, that's okay. I don't pay as much attention to what my father does as he likes to pretend I do, too." She laughs, and I can hear Tobias chuckle. "My dad owns The Foothills Gazette. We were introduced two years ago, but it was very brief."
"Oh. That's why. I don't get the paper."
"Well, maybe you should." I can actually hear the flirt in her tone. Come on, Tobias. Walk away.
"Well, thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I'll check it out online. Will you please excuse me?"
"Sure thing. Your father and I have some business to attend to anyways."
I peer around the other way to try and see which direction Tobias is heading, but I catch a piece of their conversation and decide to listen.
"Seventy-five. Per night."
"I don't know, Marcus. I mean, don't get me wrong. I've thought about it quite a few times and your son looks like he knows what he's doing in the sack, but—"
"Fine. Two hundred and fifty thousand for the weekend."
"Make it an even three hundred and you've got yourself a deal."
There's no way I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing.
"Just like your father, I see. Fine. Just make sure you seal the deal. I don't want him hanging around that trash anymore. You're a way more suitable match for him anyways."
"Mmm. For that kind of money, I'll make sure he never thinks about her again."
That son of a—
"Tobias! Please. Miss Ramos needs you to escort her to her room. She's not feeling too well."
"I'm not. It must have been the lobster. And I was having such a wonderful time, too." I don't even know what she looks like, but I imagine her pouting with the way her voice whined, and immediately want to punch her in the face.
"I…I'll see if I can find someone to help us," Tobias says. He must sense that something is off. Please sense something is off.
"Oh no. I don't think I can wait." God, do I want to punch her. I can't take it. I can't sit by and let this happen. I look around the pillar again, this time catching Tobias' eye.
"Tris!" he says, dropping Nita's hand. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to support your father, of course," I say, smiling sweetly at Marcus. "It's what any good girlfriend would do." I look to Nita now, who has a look of disgust on her face. I don't really understand it, though. She's gorgeous. Exotic looking. Curves that I certainly don't have. Rich. She could probably have any man in this room. Why would she be a part of this?
"Can we go somewhere private, Tobias? I have something I need to discuss with you," I say, looking Marcus dead in the eye. I smile when I see the flash of panic race across them.
"Yeah. Nita, it was nice seeing you again. I hope you feel better. Father, I'll be back in a few."
I take Tobias' hand and start weaving my way through the ballroom. I want to be as far away as possible from Marcus. And Nita.
"Tris, I can see you're on a mission, but where are we going? And how did you get in here?" I try a random door but it's locked, and walk around a corner. Perfect. I open the door to the ladies room, and see only an older woman.
"Out." I say. She stares at me like I've gone completely insane. I almost feel as if I have. "Now!" She jumps and makes squealing sound before hurrying out the door.
"What has gotten in to you?" Tobias says, smiling. "I mean, don't get me wrong. I like it, but you gotta start talking to me here."
"I've been here all night—"
"Tris. I didn't—"
"It's fine. I was waiting for the right moment anyways because I didn't want to upset your father. But when you left, I heard his business with Nita. I know it sounds crazy, but I need you to believe me. He was going to pay her to sleep with you. To break us up. She's wanted you since you met." He stands still, staring off at nothing in particular. I can see his jaw clenching, and his face begins to redden.
"Tobias, I'm—"
"How much?"
"What? I…it's not important."
"Tris," he says through gritted teeth. "How. Much."
"Three-hundred thousand." He stares off again, but I can see him relax a little.
"You know, it's a shitty thing to think 'Hey. I didn't think he cared enough to spend that kind of cash on me'."
"Tobias. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," he says, looking down at me. "If it wasn't for you…" He takes me in his arms and kisses me. I run my hands up his back and into his hair, loving the shiver I feel from him.
"You look absolutely stunning," he says when he pulls away. He holds his hand out and twirls me around once. "Delectable, even." I bite my lip because I know that comment was anything but innocent.
He pulls me into him again, and just the scent of him, the feel of his hard body underneath all this clothing…it makes it hard to resist him. Then again, what's stopping me? I thank god for having the sense to go on the pill as I unbutton his jacket and push it off his shoulders, letting it hit the floor in a heap.
"Tris," he whispers, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Shh." I pull him towards me, backing myself into the wall. I take his hands and run them over my breasts, down my sides, down my thighs. He grips the material of the dress tightly, yanking it up, bunching it around my waist. I fumble with his pants while he toys with my thong, cupping my bare cheeks as he lifts me up and turns, setting me on the edge of the counter.
He wiggles his pants down and presses himself up against me. Just the feel of him, hard and wanting, causes a soft moan to escape my mouth. He fumbles for a second between us, and then he's pulling my thong aside and easing himself inside of me. He kisses my neck and my jaw, whispering the entire time how much he loves me.
"Fuck this," he says after a few minutes. He lifts me just slightly and yanks my thong down, ripping it in the process. He looks up for a second with sorry eyes, and sets me down gently. I glance down as he pushes himself into me once more, and sigh at the sight, feeling that familiar build up happening already.
He sees me stealing looks, and pulls his shirt up, exposing more of him. He slows down, pulling himself almost all the way out before pressing himself slowly back in. I bite my lip and watch, the anticipation of my orgasm building. I expect him to be looking down, watching himself glistening with my desire, but he's only looking at me. When our eyes meet, I pull him towards me and press my lips to his, his thrusts coming fast and deep now until we are both left shaking and out of breath.
He presses his forehead to mine, panting heavily, and looks up through heavy eyes.
"I'm done," he says.
"Well I know that," I say, smirking. He lets out a small chuckle and kisses me on the forehead.
"No, Tris. I'm done. Truly done, with all of this. You're the only thing that's good in my life. The only thing that's ever felt right. I love you, and…just…thank you." He sets me down on the floor and retrieves my ripped undergarments. I smile and give him a kiss on the cheek before running into a stall quickly. He's going to have to pretend —to lie— for just one more night, and then I will help him do whatever it is he needs to do to get away from that monster.
I hear the door open, and assume Tobias has straightened up and headed out. To my surprise I find Nita, staring wide-eyed when I come out. Tobias turns to me and holds a hand out, and I take it. I raise an eyebrow at her, as if to say, jealous?
Tobias makes it very known what we've just done. He holds his arm out, and I watch as Nita's eyes trail all the way down to my dangling thong, then snap to mine. He drops them in the trash as we pass it.
"Oh, hey. Thanks for that, Nita," I say, flashing her a wide smile. "That was just what I needed."
A/N:
Song: Rihanna - Rock Star 101
A couple of things!
First, I know a lot of you follow the story Bitter Cold. She has not abandoned the story, so if you follow me and are leaving her messages asking her to update every day, please know that you don't need to do that. She had computer issues, and is well aware that we're all waiting on the edge our seats for the next chapter! Things happen in real life, guys. She'll get to it when she can!
Which brings me to my next thing. If you haven't checked it out, I highly suggest checking out the story Something New by Inopinion. Now, fair warning, it's very dark, and VERY different than most stories on here. But it is so, SO good, and something to read while we're all waiting for all our other stories to update! She took a small hiatus to get a little help and fix what she had already written, and she's back at it right now, writing us some new stuff. I cannot recommend this story enough. So if you haven't, check it out!
And last, but definitely not least, you guys and your comments! You seriously crack me up. Thank you!