Blarbs

6. Party Discussions

Prompt:

"I don't know how to stay away from you anymore." A confession. 

Fingers curled up in their hair, guiding them to rest their head on the other's shoulder. Tension slid away with a quivered breath. 

"Then don't." A plea. 

By: the-modern-typewriter

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

Damian shouldn't have been here. He knew this. A whole bunch of potential clients were in the party, notorious for being generous to machine suppliers and inventors, as long as their mouths stayed shut. Something he was good at. He should be mingling with them, not walking through the mansion's halls, hoping to avoid a certain somebody. 

She just had to show up. Maria didn't even like her family, preferring to hide herself away  in empty rooms rather than talk to them in parties. And he was counting on that. 

But no, there she was, moving around in that cursed dress, smiling and chatting with everybody as if they were old friends rather than backstabbing criminals. The sight sickened him. Not to mention her eyes. How they practically warmed up the room when the candlelight glowed on them. He didn't want to start sweating in front of everybody. 

Ugh, it was like she was wanted him to lose his business. 

Damian pulled at his collar, letting the air dry out the sweat there. If his memory was correct, a balcony was close by, with a view of the road that led to the gates. He and that person would sneak over there whenever her parents and his mother got invited, using it as a safe place from all the other kids. It was perfect, hidden from the outside world by trees, and nestled in a rarely-used wing of the mansion.  

Ah, there it was, the curtains drawn to hide it. Damian pulled them aside, and cursed. 

Of course she would be here too. Because the universe just loved to mess with him. It was that cruel. 

Maria turned around, most likely from the sound of head banging against the glass doors. His swears got considerably dirtier. She knew, didn't she? Totally suspected that he'd come to this place, and then came before him just to steal his spot. Or talk to him. Either way, the situation was not going to end well.  

He opened the door, walking into the cold air. Better they talk now than later. 

"Damian, nice to see you here," she said, and the annoying part was that he wasn't sure if she was being sincere. Did she actually enjoy looking at his scowl or was it some ploy to get him talking? 

"Same." Ad he stared at her. Then stare some more. For a few seconds she joined in this contest, but then turned to look out again. She shifted slightly to the left. An invitation? 

Problem: It was the perfect time to leave. They  exchanged pleasantries with minimal amounts of tension and friendliness. He could make up some pathetic excuse about going back to the party to escape the cold, and then bolt out of there. Proceed to mingle with prospective clients. Or, he could walk up and stand next to her, start a conversation, make her laugh and see the smile she didn't give to anybody. Fall into the trap, despite being aware of her darker personality. Risk more bouts of petty arguments and mind games. Again. 

His hands tightened into fists, so hard there would be marks left behind. 

According to rumors, Maria was doomed to a life in her uncle's company, left in a middling position with no influence or power. Nobody was worried. After all, without her parent's, what could somebody as meek and average as her do?