Paint Over my Scars

Chapter 3

"You look good Monika!" Monika looked over to see Gilbert walk out of the dark corner of the party, his hair slicked to the side, his face cleanly shaved with the nice smell of aftershave, and he smelled of cheap cologne. His smirk shined at Monika as he walked towards her. She tried not to notice him, yet his loud voice was quite hard to ignore.

She glanced at him and turned back to the runway, where the models haven't walked out of yet."Hello, Gilbert." She sipped the bubbling champagne in the tall wine glass. It's light gold bubbles explored her mouth before she swallowed it down with regret. Though she didn't speak of it, her face showed that she was disgusted.

Gilbert noticed, chuckled loudly like he was the only one in the room, and told her, "I hate it too," He thumbed the fancy glass in his hand, it was nearly full as though only one sample was tooken from it. "I should've snuck in some beer."

"I think it's fine," She took another taste of the liquid. Bringing it up to her lips, the fragrance filled her nose, she quickly took a long swig and brought it down fast. Her face was hard to stay neutral.

Gilbert laughed at her attempt. Even though the subject humored him, he changed it. "What are you doing standing? There is still many spots empty."

Monika stayed standing because she felt unwelcomed. She'd rather stand in small heels that Felicia gave her that pinched her toes than to sit alone at a round table with the flowers in the center as her only company.

"I should be asking the same," Monika said to him, still not looking at him, instead at the feet of others, staring at elegant shoes that clicked along the wood.

"I was looking for a friend," He turned his head to look at the whole place, trying to find a full head of curly blonde hair. "But I found someone prettier and who doesn't smell like wine."

Monika hoped the absence of lights hid her blush. She hated most things that came from his mouth.

"Would you like to sit with me?" He offered, walking to the nearest empty table and pulling out a chair.

Monika glimpsed around at the room, hoping to find Felicia who just walked to the bathroom. She walked over to the chair, stared into his eyes for a second, and, after pulling down her white dress, sat in the chair.

He took the spot by her and scooted closer to her. The lights that wrapped the flower vase illuminated his light face, the light made his dark red eyes seem lighter with small flickers of light in it, and his hair looked so delicate and thin in the spotlight, she imagined what it'll be like to stroke it.

"So, Monika, how are you?" Gilbert spoke with a voice that Monika felt almost intoxicated by. All the words felt they had a different meaning when he spoke them.

She turned to him,"I'm okay," She set her glass on the table's deep red tablecloth, "You?"

"Alright," He said, copying Monika by setting his glass down. "I had to tattoo a man's penis today."

She choked on her spit and felt her cheeks redden. "Why?" Monika asked, she never thought she'd never have a conversation like this with him.

"Well, he had a tattoo of his ex-girlfriend's initials on his cock and he wanted it cover it up... with his new girlfriend's initials in a bigger font." He shrugged. "It's quite a hard process because I have to pull on it and-"

"I don't need to know that!" She became squeamish at the thought and strived to hide her red cheeks with her hands.

He laughed at her and she felt the burning through her hands. "You asked for it. I've done worse."

"I didn't need detail."

"Anyways, why'd you come here? Felicia said you hated it."

Monika tried not to think of why they were talking about her. "Felicia wanted me to. I wouldn't have gone either way, Lovino would die if he saw me here."