Anastasia stood amidst pounding music and fevered strangers, hyperventilating dangerously. Oh no. Would she faint?
"Christian... Bathroom... Please... Need a moment..."
Without so much as a parting farewell, Christian took his wife, rushing across the littered floor. Seemingly satisfied with her work, Elena Lincoln stood looking like the cat who just got the cream.
"Excuse my sudden departure, but I must leave; sweety... Talk later?"
As soon as Elena Jr. nodded, the much older counterpart hurried away, purse over her shoulder. Before much more could be said from either remaining woman, Theodore said:
"Pheobe. What was that about?"
The brunette flipped her luscious hair over an arm.
"Whatever do you mean?"
God. He knew what this was: his sister's usual 'customer service' behavior.
"Stop it. Don't be all petty with me. What the hell is going on? Why would dad leave without sending me immediate job instructions?"
Yes. Christian may have cared about the lady he married but most days put business first. Good billionaire tactics. So all this foreign attitude felt off somehow.
Pheobe shrugged, answering absolutely nothing.
"Honestly my head is spinning from tonights activities... Ms. Elena Lincoln is a new development and... I suppose she'll be working closely from now on. Daddy will... Brief me later."
Teddy didn't accept the fucked excuse but eventually let it go. He prepared to flee, only for Pheobe to notice.
"Where are you-? Ugh. We still have a guest to entertain and the waiters will want our drink orders!"
"Maybe this makes me immature but screw all that. If you're going to lie, at least do it convincinly. I need air."
As he planned to rush past waltzing dancers, none other than Elena Jr. snatched onto buff muscles.
"Would I be too selfish to ask for one dance?"
Theodore paused, at a loss of what to do. The logical part of him yearned to run, to hide like usual. But this part... It agreed, wanting to bask in the goddess's warm embrace. Phoebe raised an eyebrow curiously, which was of no consequence.
"S-sure."
Standing at what must have been five feet, Elena Jr. yanked them through a throng, causing several people to exclaim. Dang. Teddy couldn't help but smile at her strength, given he stood at almost six feet.
The band onstage stopped upruptly, announcing:
"Alright, everyone. Just another ballad then we'll get back to some snappy beats!"
Everyone screamed in excitement as drums and violins smoothed into an ethereal number, threatening to lull the elderly to sleep. Good Lord. How romantic it was... Much too romantic. But Theodore couldn't bring himself to sprint. Why?
Elena took the lead, merely crashing their fronts together. She then rested her head against hard chest, sighing.
"Hope this doesn't push any boundaries. Learned the proper stance in etiquette classes. Mother insisted."
It really should have, yet he loved being in this minx's presence. Loved breathing in her earthy scent. Loved just knowing her. It was then something struck deep.
"No... I... Elena?"
The beautiful siren pulled back the barest of an inch.
"Yes?"
Ohhhh. Those eyes. Eyes that any man could drown in...
"Well... Uh... Your mother. Her meeting tonight. Mind sharing what the intention was?"
Elena giggled taking away any impending worries.
"I'm just as lost as you are, Grey. She insisted I tag along for incentive. Who am I to refuse? She raised me all my life... Least I can do is contribute."
"Mmmm."
Nothing telling. But yet- Stuck in his mental thoughts Teddy hadn't noticed they were the only dancers standing frozen on the dance floor. Yanking on one velvet cuff, Elena leaned to whisper:
"I think I spy a nearby garden... Join me?"
And who was he to refuse?
