Morgana woke up to the smell of breakfast. She sat up, looking around. She had a guest room. Scott was a bit too accommodating. She figured he'd start showing his manipulative and sociopathic tendencies.
Maybe it'd take a little longer for him to be comfortable. Maybe he'd already started. She took a shower, brushed her teeth, did her hair, for ready for the day.
She sighed, coming down the stairs. He glanced up at hers grinning.
"Morning, Ana."
She looked away. Did he have to look so happy to see her?
"Good morning, Scott."
"I made French toast, some homemade orange juice, and I add strawberries. You're favorite."
She sat down. "I could get used to this."
He snorted. "Well, when I actually get to cut, I may have less time to things like that. I'll just hire someone."
She started to eat. "Thank you. It's good."
"Well of course it is. I'm the best," he bragged.
She smiled. "Yeah...you are."
He looked up, putting his fork down. "What's wrong? Come on. Spit it out."
"It's nothing, Scott eat."
He sighed. She was thinking. She was upset. There was a wrinkle between her brow when she was upset.
"Hey, I want to go somewhere with you. Tonight." He said quietly. "Can you make time."
"Sure. Where is it?"
He smiled. "It's a secret. But dress up okay?"
• • •
That night, Ana dressed up in her only gown, a long black dress, and nice heels.
Ana took his hand. "How are we getting there?"
He smirked. "I got my license. It was pretty easy. Come on."
She took his hand a smile forming on her face despite herself. She got in the car, screaming as he took off.
"Pull over! Dear god how the fuck! You tryna kill me lr some shit!"
He flinched. "No. No! I thought it was pretty good?"
She rolled her eyes as they switched spots. He hooked up his phone to the Bluetooth, as she followed the directions.
They got to their destination making her glance up.
"Where is this?" She asked.
He shrugged. "Some formal party someone was talking about. I thought I'd be fun to crash it together, dance a little. Maybe it'll cheer you up."
He got out, taking her hand as they walked into the theater.
Ana looked around. "It's pretty cool. Very classy."
"Right? Feels like you need a trust fund to be invited," he murmured, grabbing a drink for her from a passing server.
She raised her brow in question.
"Well I can't drink. I'm on meds remember."
She set the drink down. "So am I."
He smiled. "Legal?"
She shrugged.
He pulled her onto the dance floor, putting his hand on her back, taking her other hand. They waltzed simply in quiet at first, taking in the atmosphere.
"I think I'm getting attached to you," she said eventually. "So stop doing whatever you're doing."
He grinned. "Oh? Am I charming you?"
"Oh yes you are. You should show your true colors soon. That'll throw me off my rhythm."
He chuckled, spinning her around. "Who says these aren't my true colors?"
He pulled her closer, his eyes on hers.
She shrugged. "Your file."
"My file also says my recovery was near impossible, and that even if I did speak again, I'd never develop mentally. As you can see..." he spun her around. "That's incorrect."
She watched her feet trying not trip. "That's true. But your penchant for manipulation is pretty evident."
"I won't deny that. It's in my nature. Lack of empathy, manipulation, selfishness. But I'm trying with you. Being straightforward. Trying not to be...well a sociopath."
She smiled. "And why is that?"
He spun her to face him, but stayed silent.
"Is it because of...the dream?"
He sighed. "Because I don't want to lose you. And I don't want to hurt you either. I want to be happy with you, Ana. And it won't happen if I do it that way. You'll die if I do that way."
Morgana shivered at the sheer truth in his voice. She closed her eyes, his arms around her. She thought he was a bad decision.
He was.
"I love you,"
Her eyes snapped opened. He carried on as normal, as if he hadn't say that.
"Passing the time?" She asked.
"A lie. Because it makes more sense than having strong feelings for someone you know from a dream. But there it is. That's the reason. Why I care. Why I want you to live. It has to be you."
She closed her eyes again. He knew exactly what to say. Targeting her need for affection. She was starved of it.
It felt right. Like she'd dreamed the dream he had. But she knew there was more to it. More than he let on.
"Depend on me, Ana," he whispered. "Lean on me. Use me. Let me be your high. I want to give you what you want."
"What do you get?" She asked.
The music stopped, and Scott and Ana stood face to face. He looked her in the eyes.
"You. I get you. I'm not just offering you money. I know you better than that. That satisfy you. I won't like anyone better than you," he promised.
"I ran away from reality because I had nothing else. I didn't speak because I had no one to speak to. Even my hallucinations are full of you Ana. You want someone just for you. Someone who likes you better than one else right?"
She nodded softly.
He smiled. "I like you better than anyone else. I always will. Even in my dreams."
