Henry and I were in great spirits on our way home. The little guy was smiling ear to ear the entire time. For a kid, it grew more of a challenge to get this reaction out of him. As a baby, letting him play with a plastic water bottle or pop an endless amount of plastic bubble wrap do him good over his toys. Through age, it never got to this.
While he was practically floating in a high, mine was crushed to see the scariest doe Bambi outside our door.
Despite our night out is a fashion show, she was ironically dressed down in a loose tank top and grey sweats that looked two sizes too big for her. She did not even look at me. Her eyes went to my hair. Each curl she experimented proudly last night were all deflated.
Hours ago my confidence was in a high that I feared not a slight of what Ruby thought of breaking her little rule. But right this very moment, I cannot find that confidence anywhere.
Her doe Bambi eyes stopped at mine at last. I wished she went back to critiquing my hair.
Henry was still full of smiles but for different reasons. He casually went over to the Fire Head and unlocked the door.
"No use just standing here. Don't you need to restart on this makeover thing?"
Ruby took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. She walked over to me and grabbed my arm.
"Oh yeah. No complaints out of you."
I only nodded and allowed her to drag me in.
Inside, Ruby did not start with my face. She went straight to my closet. She swiped through each clothing hung on the rack. In her eyes, not a single one of them pleased her. Until, she caught a large recycled gift box on top of the shelf.
Henry no longer was smiling when I leapt to Ruby and tried to snatch the box back. She resisted and opened it. Inside revealed my red dress I wore for my commitment ceremony to Neal. On top of it was a torn picture of a young me holding Henry as a baby. The other half Henry kept for himself to have some small memory of his father who left us.
Ruby was no longer angry. She eyed Henry and back to me. I could feel her guilt she did not have to say anything. I took the box from her and returned it back to the shelf.
Both of them stared at my back.
I have not opened that box in years. It was never a good hiding spot. By the time Henry was able to walk, he found it himself and kept the other half of the picture to himself. Every time I opened this closet to change, I look at this box knowing what memory it contained. I always felt different when I looked at it. Somedays really angry because of all the things Neal threw away. And other days, heartbroken I am all alone without him. But what kept me going was most of the time I felt nothing of it, half fooling myself I forgotten what the content of this box meant.
"Henry, go and take a shower. I'm going to drop you off at Granny in an hour, so start packing your homework."
Henry did not say another word and went straight to the bathroom.
Ruby almost held him in place. When he was gone, she slowly went over to Emma and touched her shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I-I didn't know. Listen, we don't even have to the makeover. I fucked up. You have a natural beauty anyway. I can help you find something."
I did not say a word. My focus was not on Ruby or the fact my son just saw me at my worst over this damn box. It was at that box.
For a little over a decade, I had to remind myself the past is the past, the present was more important. But today, maybe there is another breakthrough I have to go through.
I took the box off the shelf and opened it again. I took the dress and lifted it up to my eye level.
The dress was a bodycon that felt loose enough to my twenty-year-old body at the time. It was the last thing I stole to celebrate an honest life with Neal and my son and put my criminal life behind me. The red was for the sake to go further against tradition. I remember being so happy to wear it.
The fabric was wrinkled from never being removed for years. But it still was beautiful as I remembered.
"Is this worthy enough for a fashion show?"
I held it over my body and turned around to Ruby. She looked smaller than she already was.
"You don't have to Emma. I can even find something at my place when we stop by at Granny's."
I shook my head. I gazed down at the dress.
"No. This dress was locked away for so long. It's not its fault for what happened over the years. I think it finally deserves a night out. No matter how this night turns out, I think it's time to replace this dress with a new memory. So be honest, what do you think?"
Ruby weakly smiled at me.
"It's perfect," she responded.
~ Henry swore up and down not to peep a single word out to Granny about Ruby's fashion show. I did not know what was harder. Lying to Granny who had done so much for me for the first time or letting Ruby take me into submission as the Bride of Frankenstein?
I exchanged very few words with Granny when I left her with Henry. Ruby helped speed up the process to drag me out there before I finally burst out with the truth.
The show was not for another two hours. But as a model, Ruby was expected to be there now.
At this point, Ruby forgot about why she was mad at me and I was her dear best friend again. She was smiling bigger than Henry. It was an improvement to see her in this state over something that was good for her life. Normally, her infamous joyful moments came from reckless decisions.
Ruby nudged on me and looked me up and down.
"Oooooo, mama. You looking good tonight. I think I might lose you at the party."
I arched a brow and froze in place.
"A party? You didn't say anything about no party?"
Ruby took both my hands and leaped up and down. Her smile was still not gone.
"I know I know I know. But you and I know you would have never agreed to come if I did. This party is an exclusive invite. It's all dedicated to the designer whose clothes I'm going to rock on and walk down the cat walk for. He's a total mystery. No one has ever seen him socialize in public in ten years. This is my big break to build connection but I can't do it alone."
"Rube, I'm not exactly welcoming company. I don't do parties anymore. I might scare all these people you want to meet by just being myself. Why in the hell would you want me there?"
"Listen, you have been selfless to only work work work non-stop for Henry. But even though this is to connect, it is still a party with an open-bar and the most organic food that mother nature is probably invited herself. It could be fun."
I rolled my eyes. I pulled my hands off her grasp.
"Don't turn this around to support me. This is mostly for you and your career. It's one thing to keep things from me because you don't want to get caught by Granny. But it is inexcusable to trick me into something like this."
Ruby looked over her left and right. She lifted her tote bag for me to see and pulled out a shiny black leather Birken bag. I looked over my shoulder in case someone sees. I slapped Ruby on the hand to urge her to put it back in the tote bag.
She refused and tried on the bag, throwing it over her shoulder.
"Only a handful of models were invited to this party. I had to make a special deal over our love for collections and I made a swap with the most undetectable fake for this. She still does not know but, honey, she is not a true collector if she cannot recognize from a replica to the real thing."
I slapped her arm next. Hard.
Ruby winced and tended to the spot I hit her.
I returned the Birken in the tote bag and secured the handle through one of her arms.
"Keep this up with your schemes, you will get the last of it. Haven't you learned by now through me? You saw the ego I had thinking I would never get caught with shit like this. I had to pay the ultimate price in the end to get my life back."
My words did not reach her. She was still in joy, on top of the world.
I was red with anger. I wanted to grab her by both shoulders and shake her. I was wrong to think she was making nothing but positive decisions in her life. She may have retired from dating abusive losers. But this was not the new hobby I wanted her to transition to.
"I know you're saying this out of love, but I'll be okay. You just have to trust my process."
A stranger's hand went to her tote bag and yanked it off Ruby. She was taken aback to make any reaction. He pushed her to the ground and made a run for it.
It all happened so fast. The figure of the man was quickly growing smaller.
Ruby burst into tears and pointed at the man with a shaking finger. Random people crossing the street only stared and moved along with their normal lives.
I rolled my eyes. Even without Ruby saying a single word, I knew what I had to do. I handed Ruby my purse and ran after the man.
Unlike having an underground friendship with counterfeits, there are other skills that comes in handy that may surprise others with morals of how simple they are.
The first two really kickstarts the life of crime, especially theft. One is to act quickly to achieve your goal, regardless if you are making an action in tight clothing and uncomfortable heels. And lastly, two is to keep shape because your feet must always challenge themselves to beat against the wind.
I ran so fast the figure of the man was no longer small. It was as if Ruby's adrenaline to get the Birken bag was magically transferred to me. The man nervously looked behind me a few times. Never a good idea, it is the perfect distraction to loosen your speed and lose focus.
My shoe choice was originally a ballet flats but the scary Fire Head insisted I wear heels instead. I nearly forgot this is to help her, not let her get the best of her medicine. My feet were bumping in every corner inside the heels I can feel a wound form in the back of my ankles.
I stopped for a moment and slipped my shoes off. I ran back into gear with the devil heels clutched in each of my hands.
The thief took one more look at me. I caught him smiling in victory to see me catch up with him. It only pushed me to go faster.
I was close enough to feel the back of his shirt. I only had one chance. Before he craned his neck to see how he close I was, I jumped behind him and pulled him to the ground.
I was on top of him. Before he had clear vision to think, I took the tote bag and tossed it to the side far away from his reach. The two of us immediately drew attention on us. I doubted highly I was going to have a knight and shiny armor to my rescue. It was still on me to stop this guy from running away.
The thief was alert when I wrestled him down to the ground. I straddled on top of him and punched him to the face twice until his next aim at me was weak.
A shadow fell on us. I looked up to see a man blocking the sun.
His face alone was breathtaking to look at. I almost lost focus. His eyes were a glistening blue. His skin was so clear and smooth I imagine he had the luxury to take care of himself over the proper designer suit he had on. I wonder how this thief did not bother to steal from this man.
A loose strand of hair in Raven black fell shaggy near his eyes. He gazed down at me with concern. I did not mind out of the other unbothered nosy civilians, this one stepped up to my rescue.
His shadow reached over my head. He was quite tall. I doubt this man is one of us. He had to be out of this world.
My hands loosened from the thief's arms. I was assured he was weak from my blows.
The beautiful man opened his mouth to speak. I was almost at a trance for staring at this man.
A shiny glisten shined in between the beautiful man's shadow. It was a sharp blade. The thief aimed at my leg, slashing a small cut over my stockings. I punched the man once again on the face and knocked his hand away.
The thief was after blood. With the little strength he had left, he aimed to stab at the beautiful man's feet.
Back to two simple skills that comes in handy in theft. One must act extraordinary quick to achieve their goal. I grabbed his wrist and slammed it against the concrete, forcing him to let go of the knife.
I checked on the beautiful man still standing above me. Strangely, he had right hand out gloved in black leather, but it was still as stone. He was no longer looking down at me out of concern, instead, he was looking at his hand as if it has betrayed him in some way.
A police officer blew his whistle and ran towards us. There was a crowd surround us. Annoyingly, their phones were ready, filming every minute of the altercation that happened.
I got off the thief as the police officer held him in restraint.
I turned away from the beautiful man. It has been so long since a man ever caused such a reaction like that to me.
Today is beginning to be a premature life crisis. Here I am running down the streets barefoot in my ex-wedding dress and almost watching the first hot guy I have seen in a long time kidnapped because of my friend's reckless decision to please her luxury addiction.
The beautiful man returned his attention back at me. I now wished he did not. He handed me the tote bag that contained the Birken bag.
"I believe this rightfully belongs to you."
British. I was right. He is not one of us.
I took the bag. But my focus was gone when I saw Ruby appear behind him. She got off a two-seat carriage carried by a bike rider. The biker did not seem to mind she did not pay. He only happily waved after her as she ran to me.
She jumped up and down. She took the tote bag and held it in her chest like a lost child. It was my turn to receive this infamous hug. She embraced me deeply in her arms and even attempted to get my feet off the ground.
The police officer interrupted the moment.
"Since this man attacked you, you do have the right to report charges. I am going to need one of you to fill out a report."
Ruby gave me a quick eye as a signal. We did not have the time to make any reports over this thief. And worst of all, if the police find out about Ruby's dishonest exchange for this stupid Birken, her modeling days may go to toast.
Before I could get a word out, the beautiful man stepped forward.
"I am a witness to this crime. That man almost attacked me if it was not for this woman."
His voice was beautiful. Even Ruby almost forgot about her Birken bag, she was in that same exact trance I was as her eyes landed on him.
I bit my lower lip hard.
Did I look that stupid too? Damn.
"No, officer," I started.
Both men looked at me pleasantly surprised. Ruby squeezed my arm as another signal.
"I think the guy got what he deserved from me. And I have no time to make charges. I am in a terrible rush."
I stared into Ruby's eyes who only nodded. She went across the street and hailed for a cab.
The beautiful man's hand went to my arm. It felt warm and welcoming.
"The man attacked you. I believe it would be wise to report this."
A woman behind him appeared. When the beautiful man took one look at her, he released my arm and composed himself. My crush for him blew to pieces when I saw this exchange.
Married. Just my luck.
The woman looked to be in her 40s. She was dressed in a suit without a shirt. Her chest was exposed with adorning gold necklaces to draw more attention. I instantly realized the colors of their suit matched. Compared to the kind eyes her husband gave me, hers were cold and threatening.
"You heard what she said. Stay out of it. We have more important things to worry about today."
Another British. Match made in heaven.
Ruby hailed a cab and waved her hand for me to come. I did not even say a word and ran to her. All eyes fell on my back as I climbed into the cab with Ruby.
~ The first minute Ruby and I were relieved to make it on time. But we were disappointed to learn Ruby misread her schedule and we actually arrived a little too late. The show has already started.
I thought I knew everything about Ruby. But I truly underestimated her people skills. She managed to talk herself back in the show. Before I knew it, she was led back stage and I was forced to take the walk of shame to the seating area where everyone was already seated but me.
Ruby's finesse for a free ticket did not reward me with a front row. I was placed a few seats back. As the next set of models took their walk, I was asking every annoyed guest to move their legs for me to get to my seat.
I was glistening with sweat. I pray my deodorant was strong enough to mask the fact all I did today was run until my feet bleed and get myself almost killed over a Birken that is not even mine.
I finally was able to sit myself down.
I have never been to a fashion show before. Immediately, I take this mysterious designer someone who has a thing for hats.
Each model that took the stage all wore an odd looking after hat after another. Almost all the hats were twice the size and embellished with mad things that did not go together.
I was right the first time I was not going to enjoy myself.
The first hour I was nervous of how much I was sweating. Now that I have cooled down, I was nervous if I would fall asleep sitting too still in this chair. I might miss seeing Ruby take her walk, which was my whole purpose of coming here.
Ruby was arranged to the be the final girls to take their walk. I was ready with my phone to capture a footage of her walk when I saw her face.
My posture straightened and I held the camera up high, filming my girl at our proudest moment. For a second, I was almost her proud mother.
Ruby did not escape the unusual line of hats like the other models. She had on a hat made entirely of black leather in the shape of bunny ears. She strutted the walk proud without skipping a beat.
Compare to the theme of seeing the models show less emotion, Ruby was the opposite. By the end of the stage, her hands were on her hips and she posed with the widest grin. She gave a quick wink when she took a quick glance at me. I gave her a quick wave and ended the footage just there.
She took her leave.
All the model came out in their outfits. We all applauded.
I was relieved this meant this show was over.
In a unison line, the models returned backstage in an orderly line. Then, the designer emerged out onto the stage.
I could not believe it. I have seen this designer before. Once again in a ridiculous outfit that is now fitting for the occasion, this was the same man I bumped into at the park.
He did not look comfortable being up on stage. A staff member passed him a mike. But he declined. He took a quick bow to the audience and returned back stage.
My night could not become stranger.
~ Our ride to the party was delivered by the suspicious bodyguards of the fashion show. Each one of them delivered us separately on their motor bike. I wanted to suffocate the life out of my bodyguard when he was getting handsy out of his so-called concern I might be frightened of the ride.
I am already missing my boring life back.
I was ready to slap the bodyguard I ended up with when we arrived. Ruby had to carry me away.
There was a long line at the entrance that was moving quickly. Each member was examined to see if they carried the exclusive invitation. There was a separate booth behind a wallpaper that displays the symbol labeled "Jones." From the top models to celebrities, posed in front of the booth for the pictures.
To my dismay, there was another line that was shorter for the VIPs. Ruby dragged me to that one.
She handed the bouncer a paper invitation. He took one look and allowed us to pass.
Inside, the room was illuminating with colors of lilac and pink. The room was filled with guests. And waiters walking around with a tray of drinks that I knew were going to my little friends to help me get through this night. The music was speaking from each wall. My ear was already deafened by the sound.
Ruby took me by the hand and hunted down for drinks.
She passed me a glass. I did not even bother to find out what I was drinking. I downed it straight. It was not enough to calm my nerves but it was a good start.
I looked at Ruby nervously looking around the room to catch any potential people to talk to. I noticed then I needed to pull myself together. Despite everything, I am here as her friend and her true supporter for this new career. I did not want her to worry over me as her babysitter. I could do one night to pretend not to be myself.
I leaned close to Ruby's ear.
"Congratulations, Rube. You really made it. I'm proud of you."
She grinned widely from ear to ear. She threw her arm around me. Her lips neared one of my ears.
"Thank you, Emma. I'm so happy you're here with me."
I nodded.
Ruby immediately released me. She squealed on the top of her lungs and threw her arm around another woman. A small group of breathtaking looking women crowded around them.
"You made it just in time," the woman said.
She was just as tiny like the clan behind her. I could only guess this is one of the models from the show.
She eyed the Birken in Ruby's hand. Ruby waved her finger back and forth. She tapped the girl's chin to look up.
"Oh no you don't. You gave this baby away. No take backs."
So, this is Ruby's victim? Oh dear. I hope she isn't smart enough to tell apart from fake to real. Or even famous enough to get caught in pictures.
"Of course. But come, I have so much people to show you."
Ruby took my hand to join this clan of girls. I stopped my heels. I kissed Ruby's cheek and gave her a final embrace.
"This is your night. I'm not going to ruin it for you. See you when I get the chance."
Ruby did not protest and disappeared in the swarm of models.
I only lasted in the party scene for the first hour.
I tried to make use of the night. But when you know no one and also not even close to a somebody in this place, it was easy to be alone.
I started with taking advantage of the open bar. By the time I was reaching my limit, I hit the dance floor.
I was stepping in time. It was less of the alcohol speaking. Wearing my ceremony dress and dancing with immortal people pumped with silicone implants and fillers made me feel like I was once again twenty.
As if, I was once again the young twenty-year-old with a loyal man back home.
Ruby never came to find me.
I snuck away to a surprising place I found privacy in. The rooftop.
The endless round of drinks I toss back was kicking in strong. I could not trust my senses that I had this place all to myself. But this was the only place that was not swarmed with a sea of people.
I took in the evening air. The breeze was ice cold. My body was warm from the alcohol. I reached the edge of the rooftop and attempted to jump on top to take a seat.
I missed the first time and almost slipped. I caught myself. With both my hands on the edge, I lifted my body up to take a seat. I finally landed.
My balance was off. My hands were off the edge. I felt my body slip backwards. Before I could react, a splash of whiskey landed on the bodice of my dress and a stranger's hands grabbed me. I was at a daze to see the designer this party is honored by help me from falling.
A shattered glass was beside our feet.
The designer saw the mess he made and handed me his handkerchief. I took the handkerchief. It was a silk fabric in a bright green with an infinite pattern of a ticking clock embroidered over it. It was as obscure as his fashion line.
I dried myself with his obscure handkerchief. He is the last person I want to be alone with.
"Thank you," I muttered under my breath.
I kept my head low, dabbing over the same spot on my dress over and over again.
I can only hope the stress of his line clouded any memory of me from his head. I still did not want to take a chance and kept my gaze low.
"I suppose we are even," he said.
His response crushed me. I lifted my head to meet his eyes.
He remembers me. Fuck.
I returned his handkerchief. I threw on a nervous smile.
My first impression of him is still the same. Something is still not right about this man.
"I thought it was odd for you to be so..dressed at the park. Makes sense now."
"It's a coincidence to run into you like this. Again. Are you well?"
I eyed him up and down. His necktie is loosened and crooked across his chest. I see in his hand an opened box of American Spirit and a lighter.
I nodded.
I should ask you the same.
I held my tongue. I did not plan on meeting anyone. I was not going to start now with him for a warmup.
"I guess this is fate having us make a proper introduction. I'm Jefferson."
A surname for a first name? This man has to be crazy.
"You're the man of the hour. I already know a few things about you."
He took a seat next to me. Seeing him this close, I can see the clear exhaustion read heavily on his face.
"I'm Emma," I finally said.
My instinct was to move away from the man. But I was sobered up and my heart was soft. I could not find it in me to just move away or walk away from this man. He looks like a pitiful sight.
He smiled down at his box of cigarettes.
"Suits you."
I kept my eyes forward. My soft side was hardening fast. Every move this man makes seem like a bad sign to me.
He tucked the soiled handkerchief back in his pocket. He gestured his cigarettes to me.
"No, thanks."
I was counting until it was the right moment to get up and leave.
"Mind if I have one?"
I shook my head.
He put one in his mouth and lit the end. He took a long drag and breathed out a long line of smoke to the ground.
I can sense his eyes were turned towards me. I balled my fists ready to aim. If he lays one finger on me, he is done. Rescuing me from death is no reward to take advantage of me.
"I have the sense this isn't exactly your scene."
My hands loosened. I turned to him. He still looked painfully tired. If it were not for the heavy makeup Ruby beat my face with, I could have assured him with my true honest face looking no different to his.
However, he was smirking at me and had no resistance to look at me as a stranger. I almost trusted his eyes as genuine.
"Not exactly. I'm not..hiding it very well."
He shook his head. He took another drag and held the burning cigarette between his fingers.
"I am about four drinks in. And you are as clear as day to me. Who is responsible for dragging you here?"
"I have friend who is one of your models for tonight's show. I'm her plus one."
He narrowed his eyes at me. Now, I was frightened for different reasons. I steadied my feet on the ground to make a run for it.
"Crashing in?"
Normally, I have the instinct to make a run for it and find Ruby at all cost to get out of this place before this mad designer call for security. But he asked me with an unpredictable smirk on his mouth. I am torn what to do.
"Don't fret. This isn't exactly my party. I'll keep quiet for you and your friend."
I held my composure. I was beyond relieved. This was still Ruby's night to shine. I do not want to be the stupid one to blab out her schemes to get us kicked out.
"You are not alone to get dragged here. This was all planned by a friend of mine."
"Guess, same boat."
The mad designer's eyes roamed in other places I did not like. They traveled up and down from my face to my body. If anything, this crazy guy was making me miss my boring life again. I forgot the privilege to never have time for parties like this and get hit on by men I do not want to give the time of day to.
"Emma."
He called my name with a lingering pause. I regret sharing my real name to him.
"What did you think about my show?"
My lack of people skills with a bunch of prestigious millionaires with a love for unwearable clothes is starting to show. I am never one to hold my tongue with my most honest thoughts when I see something I do not agree with. But I am challenged to do that with someone that is responsible to make or breath Ruby's career.
I was taken aback when he chuckled at me. He almost looked more human to get a little laugh from him.
"The hats you come up with..They're..They're out of this world. Not exactly something you see every day."
It was not entirely a lie.
"So, the show is also not your scene."
"Correct."
"I apologize for ruining your dress. It is a beautiful piece of fabric that deserves a night out without an unfortunate stain."
He took a final drag to his cigarette and disposed it on the ground.
"It has been a long time for me to attend to things like this. I nearly forgot how much I really hate them. But both our friends are somewhere downstairs expecting both of us to really appreciate the experience they put together. If you are here to support your friend, I believe it's only fair to do it all the way. It is both our turns to put on our part on their behalf."
I am the world's okayest mom to juggle two jobs I hate under the most amazing boss. I stopped complaining for this endless mundane cycle to end since Henry started school. I do not appreciate the Universe throwing this horrible reward to have a break from my life. I so want it back.
But here it is again, the Universe has to just go as far to manifest a mad hatter as my moral compass for the evening.
I sighed aloud. I wish to feel drunk again.
"Okay. One night doesn't hurt."
We got off the ledge and headed to the door. When we opened it, the sound of loud moaning echoed from down the stairway.
We were not the only ones that guessed this was the perfect place to get away from the party.
I shut the door behind us.
"Well, you can go first. I'll wait until that's over."
I turned to head back to the ledge. But the mad hatter took my wrist. I wanted to snatch his grasp off me. But I remembered my place to act calm. For all the things I do for Ruby, this was my last straw.
He opened the door again and nodded his head to the entrance, signaling me to follow.
"No. I don't want to see whatever is happening down there."
"This party is not only thrown by my friend. He also owns this building. This is my act of supporting him. Doubt he wants any poor cleaner to clean up whatever those two are doing."
I gulped hard.
I really am twenty again. Stuck at a party with a guy that will not leave me alone. Loud music. Horny shameless people going at it under another person's property. I never missed this.
The mad hatter started down the hallway and I followed. His hand circled around my wrist and slowly loosened to take my whole hand. His hand was almost as soft as his handkerchief. It was warm too. I did not realize how cold my skin was.
Mid-way down the stairs, an overweight fat man had his pants down to his ankles holding up a familiar model pressed against the wall. I immediately recognized that model. She is the one who Ruby scammed for her Birken.
She saw both of us behind the fat man's shoulders. Her eyes were wide as dishes.
"Leave the room! This spot is taken!" The fat man shouted at us.
The model slapped the man against the shoulders hard. She was voiceless. The fat man was at a daze just why she wanted him to stop. He put her down. She quickly collected her shoes and fake Birken Ruby scammed her with and ran off.
I turned my focus at the wall when the fat man turned around to face us.
He too quickly pulled himself together. He pulled his pants back up and buckled it back with his belt.
"You should head home, Hart. You and I both know Killian doesn't take lightly to such a behavior."
Hart did not say a single word and rushed downstairs.
We moved along behind them. The smell of their love making was too hard to pass.
The mad hatter still held onto my hand. We were only steps away from the party. But he does not want to leave me alone just yet.
He looked down at me and smiled unnaturally wide, showing his pearl white teeth.
"Do I look happy?" He asked, holding the horrific smile in place.
"I wouldn't know. I never saw you happy before."
I pulled my hand free from his grasp. Thankfully, he did not reclaim it back.
"Then less teeth?"
He attempted another smile that showed less of his teeth. It still did not seem convincing. He almost looked more miserable.
"Could help," I replied.
"Follow me."
He started ahead of me. It was my turn to be miserable. I obediently followed him from behind. He led me to one of the open bars. He ordered a tonic and grabbed a handful of napkins.
"Stain is still fresh. This should help for it to get it off for certain."
He dipped one of the napkins in the tonic. He was just about to reach for the front of my dress but stopped himself. He held it out to me to take over.
I cared very little of how I looked. But went along with it if it meant he would finally leave me alone. I could imagine what I saw would be a juicy story Ruby would be dying to hear. I dabbed the stained area over the bodice. By the looks of it, the stain seems to disappear.
"Sorry about that. It's a habit of mine to be ready to remove a stain before it gets permanent. My daughter is responsible for how mad alert I have to be. Dessert is her worse enemy."
My heart was back to mush. From parent to parent, it was a universal language. Our children are the cute suckers that encourage us parents to either judge each other for "wrong" parenting or team up with the realization we are all doing something wrong and right at the same time.
"Do you have endless supply of tonic lying around?"
"To an obsessive amount. Keeps the soda craving away. But also, endless supply of convenient Tide pens."
He padded his pocket and fished out a Tide pen. He looked pleased with himself that it was inside his pocket the entire time.
"She keeps me in my toes. It's her only flaw to ruin perfectly good garments over food that loves to leave unbearable stains."
I took another napkin and squeezed the wet spot to collect as much liquid as I can. On the plus side, I was not going to end up in a party I did not want to be in with an embarrassing wet stain on my crotch.
"I was prepared for you to offer to pay for the dry cleaning because I actually like this dress. But the tonic worked like a charm. We are here by even."
He smiled down at me. And strangely, against all my instincts, I gave him one back.
I could be wrong. Just this one time about this one.
His smile suddenly vanished. He was looking at something behind me. I turned around and followed his gaze.
From across the room, it was the beautiful man.
He made his way towards me. I never thought I would see him again. His wife was nowhere beside him.
He looked delighted to see me. I turned around to make sure it was me he was looking at.
"It's you," he started.
I almost jumped when Jefferson's hand went to the small of my back. My hands balled back into fists.
Woah, buddy. That little bond did not mean you can get handsy.
I was trapped. I was in between both men I have nowhere to go.
"You know her?" The mad hatter asked him.
The beautiful man nodded. Again, his eyes were only on me.
"She is the one who saved my life. We never got the chance for a proper introduction."
"I miss that part a lot when I meet new people," I said.
It was all I can manage. I was fighting back from getting into the trance he witnessed me in before. My standards are small but simple. I do not go near a married man. But I seeing him up close I see no ring on his finger.
"I don't know how you two already met."
"Out of pure coincidence," the mad hatter added.
His hand remained on my back. I was beginning to sweat. Beads of sweat dripping down my back.
"I need to know your name, love."
My head was instantly calculating my impression of this man. Now, he is in my no trust list.
Is there no hope to monogamy anymore?
"You already came up with one."
He smirked widely at me. It was even more devilish than the mad one behind me.
"Habit. I'm Killian. Killian Jones."
At least, his name is not a surname. Small potential he is not crazy.
"Emma."
On cue, his wife appeared behind him. Her eyes narrowed at me in annoyance.
"How the fuck do we run into you again?"
The mad hatter's hand moved to now my shoulder. My fist tightened into balls. If Killian is so taken by what I did with that thief, just wait until I show him what else I am capable with his handsy friend.
"How do you know her, Milah? This is all strange."
I was cornered by these three people too rich to care if they end up with a hangover the next morning for an early job. I will not stand for it anymore.
"She does not know me. Neither does her husband. I had an altercation with someone in the street and they witnessed me. That was all."
Killian furrowed his brows. His devilish smirk still intact.
"You also do not know us, Emma. We are not married."
My cheeks flushed red. I almost backed into the mad hatter still standing behind me.
Killian looked pleased to see me under pressure.
Milah looked at me and back to Killian. She rolled her eyes and took the mad hatter by the arm. I wanted to thank her aloud when his hand finally left me.
"I am here to build back your career. Now, Killian and I went along with your joke to look like this. I am tired of being mistaken as a couple again. Let me do my job and force you to meet the people you hate who are going to help you get back on the market. Let's go."
The mad hatter obediently left me with Milah yanking him by the arm.
I may already be in her shit list. But the way she handled that man, she is slowly becoming my hero.
I had this beautiful man all to myself. And he was single. This is a dangerous opportunity for me.
"Shall we start over?"
I nodded.
He held out his hand for mine.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Emma. Would you like to join me for the evening?"
I gave him my hand.
"Sure."
