Chapter 20

The end of the dinner was a bit tensed, Jay was obviously jealous. He was the kind of man who didn't stand that the woman he had a crush on didn't really pay attention to him. He decided finally to question Barrow: "Tomy, I have a question and I hope you'll be able to answer it."

"Well, if I can… Ask your question." Barrow replied intrigued.

"Is Dr. Cuddy dating someone?" he asked and looked at Barrow straight in the eyes.

"Well, it's… it's a trick question." Barrow replied uncomfortable. He liked Robert but Jay had a big influence, he was in a delicate situation and he didn't like that.

"Tell me, who's she dating?"

"Why do you want to know?" Barrow said hoping Jay would be embarrassed.

"Let say that I find her very attractive. She's the kind of women who appeal to me. She's beautiful, smart, funny, she has a great job and she knows what she wants. I like her a lot and I'm sure we could have fun together. So is she dating someone?"

"Hu, well, I don't think it's really serious, it's brand new, they…"

"Who's she dating?" Jay articulated upset.

"Dr. Robert, the head of surgery department, but … Why don't you choose another woman? There are plenty of nice women here tonight."

"I don't want another woman, Barrow, I want Dr. Lisa Cuddy. Am I clear?"

Barrow didn't answer. This man wasn't a good guy, he had to warn Cuddy. Because Barrow knew Jay, once this one got what he wanted, he'd let Cuddy down. And her relationship with Robert would probably get to an end because of one night. Barrow liked Robert and he needed him in the hospital, he didn't want him to resign because of Jay's whim.

"Does it affect Robert's work?"

"Well, tonight he was in her office and… and he kissed her but I can't say it's affecting his work. At least for the moment." Barrow looked at Jay worried. This one didn't say a word, his jaw clenched in anger. "I don't approve such things. If you tell me to end it then I'll do it" Barrow added wisely when he saw Jay's reaction. He hoped so to calm him.

"No. It doesn't matter. I'm sure she doesn't really like him. And even if it's the case, I don't care. I'm sure I'm much better than Dr. Robert. Don't you think so?"

Barrow preferred not to answer. "Are you gonna try your luck with her tonight?"

"Of course. And we'll see who she's gonna choose." He said with a wink and turned to Cuddy. "Lisa, tell me, do you like dancing?"

Cuddy raised an eyebrow as Jay called her by her forename. Did Jay really think he could seduce her by calling her Lisa? "Yes, I like dancing."

"Good, so let's dance!" he stood up, waved at the DJ to launch the music, put his mask on and invited Barrow's wife to dance while Barrow opened the ball with Cuddy on Gimme gimme gimme by Abba. Then Jay went to the DJ, spoke with him and came back to Cuddy, took her hand and drew her to him. They danced on Unchain my heart by Joe Cocker; Jay was a bit too close for Cuddy. He whispered in her ear: "I know you'll like dancing on this. It's a great song to begin." Cuddy found the song appropriate but for another reason as Jay. She had wished many times House could unchain her heart but she knew it was impossible. And now she wished he could be there. Ironic, no? They kept on dancing, Jay always a bit closer to Cuddy who tried to keep her distance but it wasn't easy with all the people dancing around. A man in a dark costume with a black cape and a white mask looked at them. He didn't dance; he just waited and looked at the people dancing. About an hour later Cuddy needed a break, she was thirsty. She went back to the table followed by Jay.

"Is anything wrong? Don't tell me you're already tired, the evening just begins." Jay said smiling. Cuddy really appealed to him, she was beautiful and a great dancer.

"No, I just need a drink."

"Don't move, I bring you some Champaign." Jay replied and headed to the bar. But there were lots of people and Jay had to wait his turn. Meanwhile the music went on with Slave to love by Brian Ferry and a Venetian marquis came to Cuddy.

"Do you wanna dance with me, beautiful lady?"

Cuddy looked at him. His voice was familiar to her but with all the noise she wasn't sure. She accepted because she hoped so to avoid Jay. They danced and at the end of the song, Jay appeared and held out a glass of Champaign to Cuddy. "Excuse me darling, here's your Champaign. Come" he said and took Cuddy to their table. The marquis was a bit disappointed but he couldn't make a scene. He tried to follow them but there was no empty seat and he had to wait for Cuddy to drink her glass. He was upset to see how Jay moved around Cuddy but he could see that she didn't like it and he felt better. Cuddy suddenly told something in Jay's ear, got up and left. The marquis wondered what she told him, he needed to know. He hoped she didn't give Jay a date somewhere else. Jealousy overwhelmed him but Jay remained at the table and didn't seem to want to move anywhere. After a few minutes that seemed to be hours, they saw Cuddy coming back. But before she could reach the table, a mysterious man dressed with a long black cape and a white mask held her back and took her to the middle of the dance floor to dance on Kiss of fire by Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band. Their tango was so sensual that lots of people looked at them like hypnotized. Indeed, Cuddy and the man in black danced well, they seemed to know perfectly each other. It was as if they belonged to each other, as if they knew which step the other one would do. They were wonderful. Who is this man? Jay and the marquis wondered. They were jealous but couldn't do anything for the moment. They didn't have the same success when they danced with Cuddy. Nobody cared about them. When the song ended, some people applauded. Jay rushed to Cuddy but a woman held him back and invited him to dance. He was stuck, he couldn't refuse. The marquis wanted to near Cuddy but his pager bleeped. Damnit! Before he left the ballroom he gave Cuddy a quick look and saw her dancing with the mysterious man in black on Bound to you by Christina Aguilera. His chest ached violently. She was so close to him! He held her so tight against him. It was too much. He couldn't stand it anymore and he left the room with a heavy heart filled with sadness, anger and bitterness. Meanwhile, Jay felt angry. He saw how Cuddy and the man moved, he saw how close they were, how sensual they danced. It was as if they radiated love. He had to know who this man was. As soon as the song would end. Unfortunately for him he couldn't. The woman with whom he was dancing insisted to introduce him to her husband, a powerful Bank Manager, and Jay couldn't allow himself to be in bad terms with such a man. After a short conversation he looked for the mysterious man but this one was nowhere to see. Jay found finally Cuddy on the threshold of the room. She was obviously looking for someone.

"Lisa, here you are! Come, you gonna get a cold."

Cuddy turned to Jay and nodded. She wanted to talk with her dance partner but he disappeared in the night. Jay took her to a quiet place. "Lisa, you are a great dancer, your tango was amazing. I would have loved to dance it with you." He waited for Cuddy to say something but she remained silent. She was lost in thought. "By the way, do you know who this man in black was?" Jay asked and tried to be cool and relaxed but Cuddy could feel the tension in him.

She looked at him. "No, I have no idea of who he was."

"Really?" Jay replied a bit sarcastically. "I would have thought of the opposite"

"If I tell you I don't know him, I expect you to believe me, Mr. Jay." Cuddy replied coldly. "And by the way, I dance with who I want."

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry if I hurt you, Lisa. I'm a moron. I hope you accept my apologies." He said kindly and kissed gently her hand. Jay liked challenges and Cuddy was a great one. It would be more difficult to get her than he first thought.

"I think we should go back to the table, I need a drink."

"Another glass of Champaign?"

"I'd love to, thanks." She said and walked away.

Cuddy went to her seat while Jay went to the bar. She thought about this man in black. With his mask she didn't recognize him but the way he held her in his arms while they danced reminded her of someone. His hands, his touch… suddenly she knew who he was and she was afraid. The room began to turn around her and she felt dizzy. She needed some fresh air. But the way to go outside was long, way too long. She couldn't reach the door and yet she had to if she didn't want to lose consciousness. Barrow, who was sitting in front of her, saw that there was something wrong with her.

"Dr. Cuddy, are you okay?"

"No, I feel dizzy, I need some fresh air. Can you help me to the door?" she managed to say. She had a terrible headache and trouble to breathe. Barrow helped her and they finally reach the door and came into the hall. He helped her sit down and came back with a glass of water.

"Are you feeling better?"

Cuddy drank a little water. "Yes, thank you. It was too hot in the room and I'm tired. Don't worry about me. I'm gonna be fine now. You should go back to your wife."

"Are you sure? Because you're still very pale. I'm gonna drive you home."

Cuddy was about to refuse but he didn't let her time to protest. "No way that you go home alone. I drive you. Have you everything you need?"

"I have my bag in my office and my keys are in it. So if you don't mind going there and take it, I would really appreciate."

"I'll do it. Don't move."

"Thank you, Mr. Barrow."

A few minutes later, he came back with Cuddy's bag and they went to his car. On the way to Cuddy's home he gave her from time to time quick looks, just to be sure that she wouldn't faint. Once in front of her house, he turned to her and said: "Will it be okay or do you want me to help you go inside?"

"No, it's okay. You should go now. Thank you."

He nodded and added: "At least I would have helped you to avoid a one to one talk with Jay. Because he has a crush on you, it's obvious, but I don't think he's the kind of man you like. But I might be wrong."

Cuddy looked at him but said nothing.

"Mr. Jay is a brilliant businessman but his heart is made of stone. Try to stay out of his way as much as possible. Good night, Dr. Cuddy. And take care."

"Good night, Mr. Barrow." Cuddy replied and went to her home.

Barrow waited for her to be inside and went back to the hospital. He wondered what he would say to Jay. Perhaps should he lie to him and pretend not to know where Cuddy was? Yeah, it would probably be the best solution. For him and for Cuddy. Barrow was pretty sure that Jay would forget her quickly. At least he hoped so.