Temporary Fix | 18+

4

I was flustered. Antony could tell, I knew by how he gave me eyes that meant he knew something was up when I was back at his side a nervous wreck.

I managed to pull it together. We'd slipped back into the easy routine of talking to all of Antony's many colleagues. Some good friends, he'd said as well.

My family had disappeared after seeing us shortly. I watched in jealousy as Jaz laughed and talked at the bar before she completely disappeared into the sea of people. If only o had the liberty. My parents looked good, and like they belonged. They'd been to many of these events and the respect they recorded was always the same.

The night was winding down. It was close to midnight and the only thing that was keeping me sane was the fact that I'd gotten good photos and I'd be able to develop them the following day.

My eyes flickered to the bar again. The woman who'd been making drinks all night seemed like the only person I could trust to hold onto my device where I wouldn't have to worry about it disappearing.

Just to be sure, I'd pulled the sd card and it was secured in my boobs.

Hearing laughter triggered my own and I forced myself to stop spacing out and to pay attention to the group. We been talking with Mr. Chekov himself and a few of his patterns from Russia.

Because I could only pick up bits of the conversation, I'd busied myself with either looking around the room or spacing out.

"Ah, Niccolò! I thought you wouldn't make it." The boom of Valentin's voice had us all looking in the opposite direction and my heart froze.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Before anything, my eyes zeroed in on the woman beside him. It was hard to focus on her with his presence drawing nearer.

Everything was black on black. From his open shirt buttons, to the blazer he wore. The belt looped around his waist matched the obsidian dress pants and shoes.

Could black belong to a person? If it did, it would certainly be him. With the gold chains peeking out and the ring on his finger, something about him screamed power and sex. Was he allowed to be walking sex appeal?

My grip on Antony tightened a fraction as I shuffled closer to him. He sent me a glance and I hoped my smile convinced him that everything was fine. Everything was not.

When I turned back, his eyes locked with mine before sweeping over my face and my smile fell slowly.

Eyes. There was amber clouding the irises, feathering out into a mix of turquoise and rimmed in deep blue. It was impossible not to stare. Maybe he knew it too which was why when his gaze locked back on mine, it was impossible for me to look away first.

Only when he joined the circle and whispered something to the lady, did I manage to look away with a small clear of my throat.

I needed another drink.

The nearby waiter seemed to sense my desperation because he moved in the direction of our group and my hand was extended before the tray was fully lowered.

The woman he'd been with walked wordlessly to the bar, before she propped herself up on the stool and ordered a drink.

"Trust me, I'm still contemplating whether or not I want to be in this shit show." He looked over his shoulder as he spoke, inspecting the crowd before he decided there was nothing of interest and turned back to our group.

Valentin narrowed his eyes - annoyed - before he brushed it off with the clear of his throat, "yes, well anyways. You know Antony," he then gestured to me and I wanted to disappear, "and this is his fiancé, Rosalyn."