Elements of Madness

Truth

It was the end of the next period before Luka checked his phone again and saw the waiting text.

Chloe: Do not make lunch plans. It has been a day already and I want company. The limo will take us back to the hotel, we can eat up in my suite.

There was a photo attached. He expected it to be Chloe but it was actually Juleka. Both eyes visible, she was bedecked in fine jewelry. Her bangs were restrained in a rose gold and emerald clip. From her ears dangled catspaw earrings in segments of gold and ebony. Her usual choker was replaced with a thin ribbon of black and gold weave. She was smiling at the Camera, that was what stood out to Luka most of all. She looked happy.

Did Chloe do this on purpose? Make an outrageous demand and show him something like that. He'd seem an absolute creep if he complained now. Not only that bothered him, he'd also end up spending time with her so soon after- The weight on Luka's shoulders grew. He fumbled with his phone all through class. How to confess? Did he need to confess? Was there anything to confess? He was afraid. He wasn't sure exactly what he was afraid of, but he knew the gnawing feeling when it settled in him.

----------------------------------------------------------

Lunch break was too far off for his nerves, but came entirely too soon for his head. He stepped out of the school doors and the limo was already waiting. Chloe waved to him from beside it, as if he'd need any help picking her out. He'd tell her. As he descended the stairs he resolved, but then she smiled at him. That mercilessly proprietary smile but in the depths of those blue eyes, relief? So fragile. How could he break it at this moment?

"Hey Chloe." No confession. He ducked his head as they got into the limo and sat as she rattled off instructions to the driver. Everything inside the limo felt too rich for him, too elegant, and right now, too clean.

As soon as the car began to move her smile fell. Luka's fear clawed at his mind. Did she know? Had she seen? "Did you like the picture of Juleka?" she asked, her delivery was stilted.

"She looked great. Those were part of what she's going to wear for the shoot?" Natural, act natural. Luka wasn't sure if he was bothered, or bothered THAT he was bothered more.

Chloe pulled out her compact, studying herself as she answered,"Yes. She picked most of it herself." Chloe gave him a sidelong look. Was it accusing?,"Your sister at least has good taste."

"Chloe I-"

She snapped a fingertip to his lips,"Ah! I brought you here to listen to me complain minstrel." That was a genuine smile, this time he was certain,"All you need to do is look cute and nod sympathetically now and then."

The car stopped. A ten minute walk had been turned into a two minute ride. Chloe lead him through the lobby at a blistering pace. In the elevator she explained,"I've got something for you in the suite. We'll have a fitting soon enough, but it'll do for now." She waggled her finger at him,"I may not have enough pull to get you to dress properly all the time yet, but daddy's hotel does have some standards, and smuggling you in all the time doesn't seem like a 'friends' thing to do" She grinned,"Besides, even minstrels dressed for court.."

As they stepped off the elevator Luka tried switching gears. Being sullen wouldn't help anyone,"What are we complaining about today?" That conciliatory tone was so second nature it helped settle his nerves.

"Not what, who." Chloe tossed her hair and keyed in the combination to her room,"And who else? Miss Du-Pain-Chang."

Of Course. "Chloe-"

She looked back at him, rolling her eyes,"Just wait, it involves Juleka too. You'll be furious, utterly furious whenI tell you all about it." She ushered him into her suite.