CHAPTER 3
The phone conversation with Gustus was bad. Well, not as bad as the screaming of accusations coming from Costia as they were forced to attend a meeting the next day after she called Gustus. She had sat and listened to every ludicrous excuses that Costia came up with, all because Lexa had unintentionally taken and finished a job that wasn't hers (when it was offered to her after Costia's tardiness of a response). It came to a point that Gustus saw no future with the two teaming up together again, so he not only dismissed them but separated them from any team assignment. Lexa was glad once she gotten home. Ever since that, her days were peaceful -or so she thought.
For the next several days, she had met Clarke twice a day, if not more. Every afternoon the girl would hitch a ride home from the same spot that they had met for the first time. Then came the grocery store where she had to replenish her fridge. It was bad enough to spend that much time with her, as the blonde's easy-going personality is slowly rubbing off on her in every car ride. She found herself starting to relax and enjoy the music that Clarke played in her car. It was dangerously close to being outside of her usual stoic demeanor. It seemed these past few days no matter of what she did, she always ran into Clarke.
Just like today. Lexa sighs as she entered her apartment, tossing her keys on the small table stand before she flopping herself on the couch. She shouldn't really accept Clarke's party invitation. Sure, she knows that she should be having fun at her age, not going around with a rifle for a dirty career. And she knows that she shouldn't really left without giving Clarke her number or giving her a chance to tell her where the party would be. In truth, she knows exactly where the party is. Maybe she should turn up and surprise Clarke, but why should she be doing that? They aren't exactly friends, are they? The time they spend together is short, and they never really talk to each other much other than today. It is surprising enough that they actually exchange more than just simple greetings and farewells. Well, she might as well go get ready for the party tonight. God knows how long it'd take for her to be in front of her wardrobe, trying to decide the most 'casual' attire for the party. After all, this party isn't at all formal. With another sigh, Lexa stands up and heads to the bathroom. Now she has an excuse not be idle tonight.
Lexa turns up to the party two hours after it has started. The place is bursting with music with lights flashing from even down where she had stood earlier. The Ark Internationals always throw out parties whenever it suits them. She knows that they only throw out parties because of the deceased CEO's family requesting. While she knows not of who is in charge of the company, she knows that to get the Ark to agree to throwing parties, the person requesting must be important.
The door opens, revealing her cousin; Lincoln, from the other side. The guy lets out a wide grin, albeit a little surprise that the brunette even turns up at a gathering that isn't her scene at all.
"Lexa! Now this is a surprise. Come in, come in!" He ushers her in and once she is in the room, the door is shut and she feels an arm lazily drapes over her shoulder. "So which demon persuades you to come tonight?"
She rolls her eyes before playfully nudging him at his sides with her elbow. "No demon. A friend invited me."
"A friend?" Lincoln questions, eyebrow quirking in a silent plea for elaboration.
Lexa sighs before her eyes scan the room. It's a huge room, must be a VIP lounge judging by the enormous size. Bodies are everywhere, flushed together on the dance floor or merely interacting. The room is dark, but not too dark for her not to notice a tiny glimpse of blonde hair quickly gliding pass her peripherals.
"Do you know Clarke?" She asks, eyes not leaving the girl that seems to be avoiding people as much as she possibly could.
Lincoln follows her eyes, smiling when he notices the blonde as well. "Not too much. You know I'm not in any business with Gustus. But I do hear a lot about her from my girlfriend. You remember Octavia, right?"
And before Lexa could muster a reply, said girl appears right behind them. "Who remembers me now?"
Both cousins turn, Lincoln smiling while Lexa seems to do her signature scowling which prompts the other brunette to chuckle in amusement. "Good to see you too, Lexa."
"I see that you and my cousin here are still going strong."
Octavia's smile turns into a full blown grin. "Yup! Look!" Her hand rises, fingers stretching out to reveal a diamond ring glittering beneath the disco lights.
"Wow... You're engaged..." She turns her attention to Lincoln, whom has been looking at his fiancé in admiration, adoration and affection. "When's the wedding?"
"A month from now." Lincoln replies without breaking his focus on Octavia.
"Am I invited?" Lexa asks playfully, chuckling lowly at how he's reacting when Octavia has shown up. Of course, his reaction didn't go unnoticed by the other brunette either.
"We haven't actually thought of a venue and guests list yet." Octavia replies, drawing Lexa's attention back to her.
"You're going to stress, that I can assure you." Lexa shakes her head at the management skills of both of these two.
"That's why I have Clarke here to help!" Octavia practically squeals, her eyes looking pass Lexa's shoulders and when the brunette turns to see the blonde, Clarke is making her way over to them with a light frown. The frown disappears when she notices Lexa standing there, shock and surprise at the fact that the brunette is here.
"Lexa... How did- Wait, you know Lincoln and Octavia?"
"Lincoln is my cousin." The brunette nods her head towards the tall man. "And through him I met the loud and obnoxious Octavia Blake."
"Rude!" Octavia bellows, playfully punching her in the arm before chuckling. "You're the obnoxious one."
"Hardly." Lexa scoffs.
"Uptight. Whatever got lodge up your ass better be pulled out before my wedding!"
Lincoln chuckles at the mere entertainment as he watched the two interacts. More like playfully arguing with one another. It has been far too long since he gets to see Lexa relaxed and enjoys herself. That's when he shifts his attention to Clarke, silently watching as the blonde observes the interaction with amusement dancing in those blue eyes.
"So, Clarke." He starts, successfully catching the blonde's attention as blue eyes turn to him. "How did you meet Lexa? She's quite reserved and difficult to approach."
Clarke chuckles, nodding her head in agreement. "At first, she's a real asshole."
At this point, Octavia and Lexa have stopped with their playful banter to listen in. While Octavia laughs at Clarke's response, Lexa scoffs. "You're persistent and annoying."
Clarke turns to her, poking her tongue out in a playful manner. "If only you stopped to give me a ride at first!"
"Who would be stupid enough to go to the meadow and forgot the time for the bus?"
"I like the afternoon sun!"
"Shouldn't you be changing scenery by now?"
"Where else should I go?" Clarke replies, her voice suddenly loses its octave. "I'm stuck here now."
Lexa frowns at the answer but before she could voice out her concern, Octavia has dragged the blonde to the dance floor to get her mood back.
"What does she mean she's stuck here?" Lexa asks, turning to face Lincoln with confusion marring her stoic features.
Lincoln sighs, shaking his head as he turns to face her. "You'd have to ask her."
"You know I'm not one to pry."
He raises his eyebrow. "You're a professional at your job, Lexa. You have everything you need to gather information. A little bit of background on Clarke wouldn't hurt you at all. I mean, you've known her for almost a week now, right?"
Lexa nods slowly. "Yes, what's your point?"
That's when realization hits him. "Wait...you didn't dig into what kind of a person Clarke is?" When he receives a shrug, his smile reappears. "Interesting. I guess you're not at all like what your job describe you as."
Lexa only smiles at that, although it is small. Both return their attention back on the dance floor where Octavia and Clarke are dancing. She notices the little tension fading from the blonde, as the latter seems to be quite enjoying herself. She wants to know what it is that upsets the bubbly blonde; bubbly and annoying, per say. And yes, she could dig up files on Clarke but what's the point of it all? She only ever looks for files relating to her work. Clarke isn't part of that. So she'd have to somehow swallow her curiosity and let the blonde come to her instead. If Clarke wanted to tell her at all.