Chapter 18: Professional Posers

Ada had a tight grip on Otto's arm and walked at a sedate pace toward the entrance of the ball. He'd already taken her aside and calmed her nerves the best he could, but there was still some anxiety that wouldn't leave her. What would everyone think of her outfit? Would it be scandalous to be seen with Otto on his arm?

She just had to remember to breathe and remind herself that what other people thought wasn't important. If Norman didn't put two and two together.

Still, they looked professional enough when they entered and only a few eyes turned to look at them when they did. She just had to fight the urge to hide behind him. She noticed gazes that lingered and did shy into his side.

"People are staring at me. I've never gotten this much attention," she kept her voice low but kept a smile plastered on her face.

"You and I are the people that helped stop Mantis. And you are one of the most attractive women in the room, so I wouldn't be surprised."

She had no retort to that but did feel a blush creep up on her.

"Otto!" Norman approached, closely followed by Harry, beaming widely at both, "And Miss Daly, glad to see you both could make it!"

"Norman," Otto reached out and shook his boss' hand, "wouldn't have missed it for the world. The bar is still free, right?"

As the two elder men began to playfully banter, Harry swooped in and took Ada's hand with his usual charm.

"I didn't know it was possible, but you look even more beautiful."

Ada let out a ladylike snort but just arched her brow at him.

"Harry. I will say…you do clean up rather well."

"Thank you," he adjusted his bowtie and gave her what she thought was a 'dazzling grin' (she was pretty sure he'd turned that up to ten for her), "I know you just arrived but with your permission, would you care for a dance?"

Ada's eyes went wide and for about five seconds, her brain seemed to have short-circuited. She wanted to turn and ask Otto if that was alright, but of course, that would have revealed their relationship and it would have looked weird regardless had she tried to explain why she needed her boss's permission to go and dance with someone.

It was, after all, just that.

"One," she nodded and allowed him to lead her by the hand. A brief glance over her shoulder showed Otto and Norman, both watching them, but with different expressions. Norman almost looked intrigued but amused, whereas Otto seemed surprised and maybe…just a little worried?

Well, what was she supposed to do, it was the head honcho's son!

Once they were among the other slow-dancing couples, Harry's hands remained respectfully on her back and holding her own hand, never wandering. But his eyes and smile spoke volumes. Unfortunately for him, the spell he was trying to cast only had a minimal effect.

"I never thanked you. You saved my life. And I'd like to take you out sometime. Maybe dinner?"

'Ah.'

"Nightingale syndrome. You see me in a different light because I helped you. But…I guarantee that'll fade. I will have to politely decline."

Harry laughed and whilst it was obvious, he was disappointed, he remained a gentleman.

"You're with someone aren't you?"

"If I wasn't, would you still accept my no?"

"Yes. But...I'm just curious."

It was a simple question.

"Yes, I am seeing someone."

Harry didn't ask who, knowing that it was her private business, but he could venture a guess in his head.

"Can't say I'm not a little heartbroken."

"Well, if it helps, I can tell you there are precise," she glanced around them, doing a quick head count, "five women who are currently looking at me with something very much like jealousy. And one guy."

He laughed again and when the song ended, he let her go and tucked his hands into his pockets.

"I suppose I best go and see if I can help these feelings fade."

"You'll be fine. And if you need backup, I'll tell them how you heroically stood up for me," she placed her hand over her heart and nodded, "the full, honest truth."

He bowed his head and walked away, and Ada immediately noticed at least two women make a beeline for him, unceremoniously stepping on other people's toes to get to him.

"He'll be fine."

She made her way back out, politely turning down other dances. She wanted to spend at least some time with Otto, but when she tried to find him and Norman, found that they'd both moved and apparently separated.

She eventually found Otto with his back to her and an unfamiliar man leaning in close to him. She made her way over and hoped she wasn't interrupting a private moment since they'd moved away from the crowds, but apparently, their conversation was not for her.

"I gotta' tell you, Otto, seeing you walking in with that fine piece of ass," the male said with a disgusting chuckle, "I'd never have thought you were capable of it, you old dog. She's a pretty little pet and you dressed her up perfectly."

Ada's stomach churned and she waited for the expected rage. She waited for Otto to turn and yell and push the person away.

But he laughed. He laughed and put his arm around the man's shoulders, drawing him closer, like a brother. He was still chuckling and turned his head slightly, so Ada could see his smile.

He spoke into the man's ear, but she did not see or hear it.

Instead, she turned and walked away, blood rushing around her. She was hot and angry and embarrassed, and her eyes stung, but she refused to cry.

She walked quickly back outside to the hall, where the crowds dwindled and lessened. A larger group was coming in through the front doors, so she turned left and walked on, letting her thoughts run wild.

How dare he?! How dare he not stick up for her?! How dare he laugh and agree and-

"UGH!" She grunted and shut her eyes tight, feeling herself shake with anger.

She knew she needed fresh air.

When she opened her eyes again, she found there was a long hallway in front of her with a familiar set of doors at the bottom.

She headed straight for them and let herself out into a small lunch area she'd only used a few times. It was peaceful, quiet, and cold. VERY cold.

But the icy air helped calm her down and she walked over to one of the benches and sat herself down.

She willed herself not to cry, knowing her make-up would run and she didn't want Otto to see her pain.

Speak of the devil, she'd barely been out there for a minute before the man himself came through the doors.

"Ada, what's wrong? I saw you head out and followed you," he approached the bench but stopped short of joining her, seeing her cold, angry stare, "is everything alright?"

For a moment, she didn't want to answer him. She wanted to storm out and scream at him to never speak to her again.

But the air was cooling her anger.

"No, Otto. I am not."

"Did Harry do something?"

The little glimmer in his eyes showed just how he felt about the idea of Harry being anything other than 'gentlemanly' and she shook her head quickly.

"No. Harry was actually rather sweet. But I came back to find you and Norman, and you weren't there. I found you with…I'm sorry," she said sarcastically, "I didn't seem to catch his name."

Otto thought for a bit before he arched his brow.

"Professor Watson? He's an old associate from my lecturing days."

"Good friend?"

"No, not really," he tucked his hands into his pockets and squinted at her, "why?"

"Because I heard you talking. I heard what he called me."

Otto seemed to contemplate this.

"I think I know to which you are referring."

She looked at him, waiting for more.

"And?"

"And…it was unacceptable."

She stood up, looking at him in disbelief.

"Unacceptable? That's the word you use?"

"Yes. It was unacceptable."

"Then WHY didn't you tell him that?"

Otto squinted back at her and thought over what she said.

"Just exactly what did you hear?"

She gritted her teeth and took a breath to stop herself screaming.

"How I'm a fine piece of ass? 'She's a pretty little pet and you dressed her up perfectly.'"

"And then?"

"Well, no offense," she bit back at that word and allowed herself to feel a little rage, "but I didn't really want to stick around to hear you two joking about me!"

"WE WEREN'T," Otto realised he was shouting and lowered his voice, "WE were not joking together. You left before I could tell him what I really thought. You obviously missed the part I told him I could demonstrate the strength of my claws on the human skill. Preferably, his!"

Ada's anger fled.

'Shit.'

She didn't doubt Otto's words at all. Which meant she'd run out of the place for nothing. A misunderstanding that could have been cleaned up by communication.

She felt suddenly foolish and pulled her shawl around herself, trying not to look at him.

"Oh."

"That's all, oh?"

"I," she felt deflated and awful, "I apologise. I over-reacted."

"You did not. You just didn't give me a chance to become your knight in shining armor."

"Again."

He laughed, but Ada was still not looking at him. In fact, she was looking extremely forlorn.

"Ada…what is this really about?"

Ada hadn't felt right the moment they'd walked into the party. She'd really tried to have fun, but her anxiety was all over the place.

"It's silly anyway. I shouldn't have put on this dress. It's not-not me."

"Of course, it's you! You look beautiful."

"Because YOU think I'm beautiful. Maybe he was right. Maybe you did dress me up-"

"Ada!"

"YOU got me the dress, Otto. YOU wanted to show me off."

"I did, but NOT for that reason!"

She stood up, feeling the anger return, but only because she was angry with herself. Angry that they could have had a good time and been a happy couple…but knowing that they couldn't fully be themselves. Pretending to be something they weren't.

She felt herself growing more emotional and letting her tears return, this time wanting them to fall.

"Then why did you get me dressed up like this?! Like a doll, like a-"

"Because you deserve it. I've been thinking of what to give you as thanks for a while."

"Thanks. Thanks for what?"

Otto himself began to grow aggravated.

"For being with me?! Tolerating me, allowing me to share your bed-"

Something about that didn't sit right with her.

"Is that all I am to you? Some bed mate to keep your bed warm-"

"You are the smartest woman I know," Otto pointed a finger at her, his anger taking over, "but you are letting your emotions get the better of you right now. Will you just shut up and listen!"

Confusion, frustration, and general rage controlled them both, but that made Ada snap.

For the first time in a long time, her mind became clouded and before she realised what she was doing, she broke the distance between them and gave him a quick slap on his cheek.

But that seemed to break the spell that had whirled inside and around them like twin hurricanes trying to take them over. Otto looked shocked, his rage replaced by disbelief, but Ada was horrified at her actions.

"I'm so sorry!" She wasn't sure what to do, switching between covering her mouth in horror and wanting to reach out and touch his face, "I didn't mean to do that I just-"

"No, don't apologise," when her hand came out to him, he took it and held it in place, "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that."

They were both quiet for a moment as Ada's hand felt his warm cheek. Had she hit him so hard that there would be a mark? Was he just placating her? Could she forgive herself?

Above the sound of the gentle wind blowing outside, there was a roar of noise inside, much like a crowd cheering.

Norman must have been making one of his famous speeches.

Suddenly, the party didn't seem that attractive.

"Maybe I should go home, I-"

She made to move, but Otto's hand came to her hip and held her close.

"Ada," he held her gently and felt his heart beat faster as he readied himself, "I know you hate those old romantic movie cliches, but…I wanted to do something special for you. Because I wanted it to reflect my feelings toward you. Ada."

How was he to get the next words out? Would she run?

No. He was sure she loved him.

And what was it he himself had said to Peter Parker the first time they had met, so many years ago?

"If you keep something as complicated as love stored up inside…gonna' make you sick."

He knew. He had never been so sure.

"Ada. I love you."

His hands moved to her face and held her so he could look deep into her beautiful eyes.

"I love you, so much more than I could have ever imagined. You've been more than my friend. You saved me. From a sad, lonely, desperate life."

The cold wind blew around them, but she barely felt it.

He was right. She had hated those romantic clichés in movies and would mock them continuously, but this…this felt like all the stuff that had ever been described to her. A 'lightning bolt' moment. Fireworks in her blood. All other relationships pale in comparison.

"I love you," she said the words out loud for the first time and immediately felt a weight lift.

He pulled her closer and she went willingly, their mouths connecting in a passionate, ecstatic kiss.

Neither was sure how long they stood there, but another spatter of loud cheering from inside broke them apart, but only as far as pressing their foreheads together.

"I'm sorry. I've ruined the night," she didn't really feel like it was ruined after that moment but felt the need to apologise again.

"It's not over yet. A small blip on the radar, but nothing more," he smiled, the sting of her slap already gone, but his lips felt bruised and swollen from their kiss.

"Do you want to go back inside?"

"Not really, but," she had an idea on how she could make it up to him and gave him a cheeky grin, "I do have some place in mind. Trust me?"

"Always."

"Meet me upstairs with two wine glasses."