The Grand Viper

15. Soirée

"Ugh." I gritted my teeth as I tried to pull the zipper of my sage green silk dress. "Why the fuck do I have to wear this shit-" 

If it wasn't for Theodore calling me to attend a party for a surprise, I would be enjoying my weekend alone with my thoughts and wine. After learning so many things, it has been difficult for me to make sense of anything. But maybe today, he might've wanted to show me something to piece the few pieces of puzzles together. But knowing him, he probably has the plan to traumatize me with another event.

But I was in too deep to care for any of it.

As I tried pulling the zipper, I heard my apartment's door creak open. My body froze in an alert pose for a while. I couldn't care less about the dress so I quickly got out of my dress. Switching the light off in my bedroom, I grabbed the vase on my bedside and stood behind the door. 

I saw a large silhouette enter the room I was hiding in. I threw the vase, targeting the back of his head but he easily dodged it, with his arms in his pocket. The porcelain shattered on the pale marble. He shut the door immediately with a back kick while I changed my location. There is no escape and the worst thing is my phone was on the kitchen counter.

I lunged towards him, grabbing his head between my arms from behind. He stumbled a little but quickly grabbed a hold of me tightly, gripping my body in place. I elbowed him from behind with all the might I had gathered and he finally fell on the floor.

I quickly grabbed a broken porcelain and was ready to stab him but he grabbed my wrist with ease. From the faint light, I could see his pearly white teeth flash.

"Are you done, Ms. Gunn?" Theodore smirked.

I loosened my grip on the shard and stood up. "Are you out of your goddamn mind Theodore?" I snapped.

He dusted off his no tuxedo and stood up l, reaching his height. "You're pretty good with your hands hmm."

I simply shrugged it off and opened the door. "Now, if you will," I said as I gestured to him to leave. The light from the living room was nicely contrasting my body. Without debating, he walked out of the room, glancing at me from the corner of his eyes.

I opened the lights and started wearing the silky blue dress which was a little too stylish for my taste but since I was about to attend one of the most important parties, I didn't want to miss any aspect. I pulled the dress and slipped my hands into it. But when I tried to pull the zipper, it got stuck right where my hands couldn't reach.

When I had started taking my sweet time, Theodore knocked. "You need help, Ms. Gunn?"

I sighed and looked at the watch in my room. It read.

9:45 pm

We have to be there by then. "Yes, I need help," I added, unwillingly.

I saw him walk into the room from the long mirror in front of me. "Could you not be more cliché? You need help with the zipper?" He chuckled.

I simply rolled my eyes at him.

He placed his tongue on his upper canine, partially opening his lips where I could see him slide his tongue across his teeth as he scanned my back. "I can see you, Mr. Kingston." I glared at him through the mirror.

"I don't intend to hide it either." He looked at me through the mirror. "I thought we were already on a first-name basis now?"

"I was startled when you barged into my room," I said, hoping to cut this conversation short.

He brushed his index on my back, making me flinch a little. "You seem to have fresh marks." He smirked as he glided his hands over the previous purple marks, lightly on my back.

"I have something to cover it up," I said as he struggled to pull the chain up. "And don't touch me so abruptly, Mr. Kingston. '' He raised his eyebrow.

He chuckled thinking about the hypocrisy I just stated. He bent slightly, close enough to feel his breath on my back. I stiffened a little. After a little struggle, he zipped my dress. He leaned into my ear as he zipped it completely. "It doesn't matter to us criminals but good for you I was taught well."

Taught well? My ass. 

I turned towards him and crossed my arms, looking at him questionably. "Says someone who's been in jail."

"Well." He said, playing with the ring on his index finger. "Life fucks us all up at one point. It can't be helped." He looked at me a little longer than needed. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"Basic classes. I had to learn self-defense when I lived in the slums." I replied. He smiled and shook his head. He didn't buy my words but didn't make any effort to ask me further.

"You're full of surprises, Sapphire." He said and walked out of the room.

"I would prefer you call me Ruby."

"Like I prefer you calling me Theodore." He smirked, "It rolls out your tongue well."

*** 

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, taking a deep breath.

"You feel like you're betraying your lost love?" Theodore chuckled. His blue tuxedo matched perfectly with mine.

I rolled my eyes and kept quiet. Letting my thoughts run wild in my mind, I didn't realize when we had already reached the venue. "I'm sure you will be surprised to see some wonderful things at this anniversary party tonight at the Bloomfield business party."

The limo stopped right in front of a mansion. The entire view was more prominent as I stepped on my heels. It was something I had only ever seen in movies. The mansion was colossal. Its yellow bricks looked close to the gold as they got reflected by the light around it. I couldn't fathom the number of rooms this one building contained. A small dome peeked at the very top, making it look like some sort of castle. And in the main gate, a rich velvet carpet was spread for the guests to come in. A few other men and women elegantly dressed in the richest fabrics were going in with their partners and some even with men who looked like their bodyguards.

To only imagine the wealth they possess... 

This magnificent palace stood right in the middle of a massive owned land. No matter how far I tried to look, I could not see the exit gate.

Theodore placed his hand on the small of my back. I looked at him like a lost puppy. He smiled and held out his arm. "May I?"

I faintly smiled and took his hand. He was leading me into this gate of luxury and corruption.

Once I stepped in, there was bound to be no exit.

***