Heart strings

Heck of a party IV: Old frames

It was already an hour and a half past midnight. The night was getting pretty cold. It was another Friday night on Eastpave, at this time there was no more activity in most of town. Barely few cars passing on the empty roads. A black sport car was running fast under the street lamps. Eddy was driving for a little while now, beside him on the passenger seat, Emma sitting with barely enough spirit to feel afraid. She was silent, rigid yet shaking, her eyes were almost empty. She seemed to feel nothing at the moment, perhaps resignation. She was being driven God knows where, with nothing but her night dress and the shepherd coat to protect her from the harsh weather. The latter glanced at her.

Eddy: "Do you remember the deal?"

The frail female could only nod, too weak to speak.

Eddy: "good girl. Remember, as long as you do as I say, I can assure your protection"

A single tear was shed by the doe, she looked through the window, not really at anything. The shepherd put a hand on her leg.

Eddy: "Hey, it's okay, you gonna be fine"

He smiled brightly. The doe felt her heart shred even more. That smile, so sincere...genuine almost angelic. She fell for it and now it only brought pain and hatred yet...somehow she felt the warmth and goodness in that smile. She despised him more than anything yet he was still the one who got her out of her misery and melancholy...now he was the reason she was insecure, self ashamed, sad, broken, miserable...helpless.

It wasn't long before they reached a building full of light. It was vibrant with life, as many people were rushing in and out of it. The building was a restaurant with royal blue and black hues. It was one of the most successful one in the town and had the highest class of clientele. Cars of the finest luxury stopping to drop the biggest people of the city and their family.

Although it seems weird that a restaurant was active this late, this particular one's clientele obliged them work till 3 AM. It then closes and reopens around 1 PM. Due to such a schedule, the building was designed so that the people working there could all live inside. Some of them eventually still chose to live out of their workplace. Emma looked at the restaurant and seemed very confused, she looked at the shepherd who had a faint smile. He sighed before talking.

Eddy: "ok we're here."

He undid his seat belt and turn off the engine. He then got out  of the car, and walked to her side. He opened the door and extended his hand with his usual warm smile.

Eddy: "would you please?"

The doe was having none of it and simply stared.

Eddy: "Come on Emma, it's a bit cold so we better get in"

He smiled again and she finally accepted his hand. She walked out the car, and crossed his arm with hers as they walked towards the doors of the restaurant. They were met with a buffy bear at the entrance with a security uniform. He glanced down through his black glasses and saw the duo before stepping aside "Boss" he said as Eddy just chuckled "I told you to relax Mark, no need to be so formal" The bear gave a smile and nodded then looked down at the little doe.

Mark: "Greetings, miss" (*bowing slightly*)

Eddy: "This is Emma, my girlfriend I told you about"

The bear eyes widened for a split second and he looked away before speaking again.

Mark: "I see, then it's a pleasure for me to meet such a beautiful young woman"

The doe looked at him as if daggers could literally lunged at him but simply ignored him. Nothing was having any sense right now, and absolutely not the behavior of Eddy. For unknown reasons, he was acting way too nicely, almost like how he uses to. Seeing her coldness, Eddy chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck.