Hey guys. I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IN SO LONG! :( I feel so bad. I will be getting my laptop in November though and so this story will be updated a lot. I promise. :) I felt so bad I decided to risk it and use the crappy computer to upload this. I know it sucks but I missed this story so much, lol.

Butterflies growing in Rose's stomach rapidly the more she walked downstairs after finally getting dressed, she wished the floor could swallow her. She wished she could be stabbed to death, repeatedly. She even wished that the floor would open up and swallow her and even cause her to land in hell itself…if only it meant she wouldn't have to stand the embarrassment of facing Cal again after that. And the party, of course, but that went unsaid.

She walked as slowly as possible, face growing redder and redder, and again, simply wanted to run back upstairs and lock herself in her bedroom, barricade herself in it forever, where it was safe… Where there were no terrible feelings about a certain man that made her want to alternately despair and pull her hair out. Where there was no immense embarrassment and awkwardness about having been seen by that very same man in just her corset only moments ago. Where there were no snobby first-class monsters, simpering and just waiting for something to go wrong tonight. Where there was nothing. No embarrassment, no anxiety, no fear. No disgust. Nothing. A peaceful, black emptiness, a perfect cocoon.

But she knew she couldn't have that. She never could.

She knew that part of her was just being silly…she would just pretend as if the incident had never happened. Never occurred. She would just…

Her thoughts quickly stopped as she saw Cal sitting in the parlor, fiddling with one of his perfect, shiny cufflinks. The sight of him made her heart thud and pound even more even more. Now, oh now, she definitely wanted to run back up to her bedroom…or outdoors…or anywhere, truthfully.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and lightly knocked on the door. He looked up. But as soon as her eyes met his, she saw something truly odd in his eyes as he took her entire appearance in, from head to toe. They, for the briefest, briefest moment, dilated, and she even thought they had grown darker still for a moment. But the change was gone before she had even had time to think about it more, leaving her wondering if she had imagined it.

He cleared his throat quietly, averted his eyes to the ground, and then smirked, adjusting his cufflink just one more time.

"I'm shocked. You're not going to make a sarcastic comment about how much you despise me and wish I would drop dead for making you go to this?"

She blinked. Ah. So that was going to be his angle. She cleared her throat and looked at the ground, before answering.

"No," she said quietly, looking at him. Rather forcing herself to look, truth be told. "But I was saving those for the ride there."

He smirked, and then stood up, walking over to the door. "Shall we?"

Rose smiled a little, still feeling awkward, heart still thrumming fast, but strangely feeling…more comfortable. If only by a little…

"I suppose."

And so they made their way toward the mansion door, and as soon as Cal had slipped his warm wool coat and gloves on, he immediately held the door for her. She hadn't expected that. Truthfully, it was rather gallant of him.

"Allow me," he said, giving her a slight wink. She nodded her head at him as a show of thanks. But strangely, neither of them moved. Rose didn't feel compelled to, and, it seemed, neither did Cal.

And when it really came down to it, she mused, she would much rather stay here like this all night. That was certainly all right with her. No. It was far more fascinating to see if she could somehow analyze Cal's behavior tonight…his body language…anything and everything. She could tell there was at least one huge secret seemingly, somehow, hidden in his eyes…that much was certain, with the way he had looked at her when she had come in. It struck her that he always managed to surprise her, at least in some small way every day. He was far more fascinating to think about than she cared to admit…He could almost be the perfect experiment…

Flashing from her rather sudden scientific thoughts, she was also struck, again, that he looked so extremely, devilishly handsome tonight. Like always, of course. It infuriated her, and made her rather nervous and agitated, as usual, but she could not deny that fact. That she found him attractive. And besides, it was not as if spending the evening this way was terrible. No. It was rather enjoyable to simply stare and study a man you found attractive. It was basic human nature. Even if that very same man was tearing you apart on the inside.

She caught a whiff of his cologne as he suddenly moved closer to her. She somehow wondered what was in that. Maybe it was some sort of intoxicating drug to her.

He smiled a little. "Are you going or what?"

That smile. That tiny, tiny smile….It surprised her. It made her think he was actually human….And she had to admit, he did have a nice one. When he employed it.

She cleared her throat again. "Yes."

And again, Rose was surprised when he said what he did next. "And Rose? You do look lovely tonight."

She blinked. She could feel her heart pounding the same rhythm as before, her breathing the same…everything the same. But her stomach did a surprised little jolt, as if the shock of him saying something actually nice to her, instead of jokingly, was too much. Perhaps it was.

But she did have to admit it was unexpected, yes…but almost rather pleasant. "Thank you, but I doubt it. And…you look dashing yourself."

She hadn't meant to say that last part. But the words slipped from her tongue before she could stop them.

His smile grew a little more, and again he motioned for her to go outside. Rose finally did so, the cool air very refreshing on her hot skin. Breathing in the pungent, crisp cold air, she found herself glad to be going out for once. Being outside could be so freeing. She was glad it was almost winter…it was her favorite season. Why, she could hardly wait for winter snows!

Rose looked at him as they walked to the black automobile where the driver was waiting for them. "I can't wait for winter. Can you? And please tell me we can do something actually enjoyable to take advantage of the weather, like go ice skating once the pond freezes over? Or something?"

He laughed a little. "As you wish, darling. But I must warn you I am a far better skater than you. I didn't play ice hockey for four years for nothing."

Feeling a little competitive, she said, "Oh? Well we shall have to wait and see."

He held the door for her, and she slipped in. The windows were fogged up from the cold and she was glad it was at least a little warmer in here.

Finally, finally, they were off. On their way to death, at least in Rose's mind…

She was so close to him. So…Goodness there went her heart again, when she thought about it. Unbidden, the memory of him walking in on her while dressing sliced through her mind again, making her blush. She was glad he had no idea what she was thinking.

Why wouldn't her heart stop? And, vividly, she had another memory of the last time she had been this close to Cal in a car…that night he had rescued her. The same thing had occurred. Yes, her heart had pounded but that…that was perfectly reasonable. That was out of fear…out of agitation…stress…even disgust and hatred…

Not desire, her mind taunted.

Shaking her head slightly, wanting the memories to just stop, she said, "So talk to me. Tell me gossip."

He winked at her, grinning again. "Darling, I can't. You have to actually see the very people I'm going to tell you about to get the full picture. Believe me, if not during, then after the party I will. Believe me."

Rolling her eyes, groaning, Rose said, "Fine. So tell me other things. I just want to talk. It's too quiet."

Smirking, he said, "So what do you want me to talk to you about?"

"I don't know. Anything."

Cal snorted a little in amusement. "Alright…god this is strange. Usually you don't want me to talk to you at all."

In spite of herself, she smiled a bit. "Well…you are the one who is roping me into this blasted event, after all. And it's only fair I be entertained on the long ride there. You said you were entertaining. Prove it."

He winked at her. "Oh I am, Rose. Believe me. You'll have so much fun tonight you'll wake up tomorrow and be absolutely desolate that it's over. But alright…ah, here we go. At the party, don't talk to Robert Zwicken. He's one of Hockley Steel's biggest clients, true, and most valued investors…but all the man ever talks about when he drinks is his love of eating. Trust me. You'd think it amusing at first, but after awhile it ceases to be. And I'll be honest…he smells horrible. He may be brilliant but personal hygiene is not his strong suit. He'll be the older, overweight gentleman who's almost bald and unsuccessfully trying to dance with women."

Rose laughed a little while groaning. "Oh he does sound horrible…but amusing."

Cal looked at her, smirking a little. "Oh he is…but trust me once you're talking to him he won't let you go. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Curiosity piqued, she said, "Oh, do tell me more! As a preview of sorts?"

Rolling his eyes goodnaturedly, he said, "Fine. A few more tidbits. Mrs. Zwicken and Robert's good friend and business partner, Oscar, are having an affair. They always stare at each other like they can't wait to rip each other's clothes off. It's amusing but rather off-putting at the same time, if you know what I mean."

Rose laughed. "Oh god that does sound disgusting…That's like imagining my mother with a man!"

Cal laughed a little. "And alright…one more for now. At the party you'll see the fifteen-year old daughter of one of Hockley Steel's biggest potential clients mysteriously disappear with the son of another…he's twenty and engaged to another girl."

Rose looked at him. "Oh. Interesting, and scandalous. And just one more?"

Cal looked at her again. "Oh how could I ever refuse you, Rose darling?"

"When she gets drunk, there is an old woman that sings every year. Christmas songs. She has a terrible voice and you almost want to laugh but she is very nice…admittedly."

Somehow, Rose finally found herself looking forward to this! "Wow. And that's not all, is it?"

Cal smirked gently at her. "No. I didn't even tell you all the good gossip yet. Compared to the rest that was nothing."

Rose laughed. "Well I can hardly wait!"

"Well there's a shock," he said, looking at her and winking.

She rolled her eyes playfully and said, "Alright. You have me convinced. A little. That you're entertaining."

He winked again.

Finally, finally, to Rose's surprise, they were there. The elegant building, where the party was to take place upstairs, was finally looming over them.

All fun forgotten, the nerves in her stomach tightened up again.

Cal held the door for her and then offered her his arm. She accepted. But rather slowly, of course.

"It'll all be fine, darling," he said. "And if it's not, you can burn my mansion down."

She snorted.

"Can you be in it?"

He grinned a little, and they went inside…