Who We Are (A Speck of Dust)

26: Day 35-4

The drive took them an hour and a half. It wasn't filled with unease and discomfort but both Dane and Victoria enjoyed themselves.

Looking at the woman clad in the expensive dress and heels, Dane made an approving hum under his breath. He had been asking her for the last hour as to where they were headed but her eyes only glinted in mischief and the French boy decided there and then that he wouldn't mind running away with her. Though as they stopped at the entrance of Richmond Park, he reminded himself to ask for a heads up next time.

Victoria cut the engine and sent a cheeky smile to the man beside her. He took note of the sudden glow that emanated from her face, conclusive that he loved this look on her. Not that it matters to the lady anyway, he thought.

"We're here!" Victoria announced and hopped off the car. Shaking his head, Dane discarded his blue coat, following the bouncing girl. Her brown hair swayed together with her movements and he couldn't help but feel captivated.

"I'm coming," he said as he folded the sleeves of his dress shirt. "Just wait for-"

Whatever he was going to say died down when he got pulled by the arm. Victoria seemed so enthusiastic at their current predicament and Dane couldn't help but feel the same way. He let her tugged his arms tightly and he stumbled a few times on how fast Victoria was running. They went straight to the Isabella Plantation where a gasp escaped the woman's lips.

He watched as her eyes crinkle at the ends. Her laugh occupied his busy mind that he didn't notice the beautiful scenery around him as they stopped at the front of a pond. The leaves and flowers sway together with the wind while birds and insects chirp in the distance. There was a group of children who were happily playing tag, while an elderly couple cuddled in a nearby bench. It was a beautiful sight that would have brought nostalgia to Dane if it wasn't for the girl who was watching everything that was happening. They exchanged a few words, running from place to place until she got tired and they decided to take a break.

"It's so beautiful in here!" Victoria chimed as she turned to the boy who settled down on a bench.

"I know," he replied with utmost sincerity though if somebody asked him, he was pretty much referring to Victoria instead of the park. Then he remembered something that had been confounding him ever since they stepped foot at the plantation. "Humor me, will you? Why did you ask me to dress up if we're just going to the park?"

Her brown fringe fell over her face as she chuckled. Slipping off her heels, she picked it up and went to where he was sitting. "Honestly, I was planning to have a late lunch. And you do know that wherever we go, people will be following us."

"So, you don't want to be seen with me?" It was a joke, but the girl froze on her tracks as soon as the words slipped off his lips. Her eyes widen and Dane gritted his teeth when tears pooled on her eyes. He definitely hit a nerve and much to his dismay, it caused a painful lurch in his throat. "I-I mean, I do understand. It will cause-"

"I'm just afraid for you."

Victoria's words were enough to stop him. She halted on her tracks and instead headed back to the pond. She slumped down the raft, putting her discarded shoes on her left and the look on her face made Dane follow the girl like a lost puppy. He hovered over her, though the girl didn't seem to notice or care.

"What do you mean?" he asked as he overlooked the place, putting him in awe.

Laughing humorlessly, Victoria hugged her legs closer to her. Her head rested atop her knees and gazed at the water laid out before her eyes. He heard her sigh, though as soon as he reached out to her, she said, "Don't you read the news?"

"I'm not really a fan of them."

She turned to him, a smile on her face."That's why. Anyway. The word is out."

Rocking on his heels, he inquired. "What do you mean?"

"Come here." She patted the empty space beside her and Dane carefully sat down. His legs dangled outside the raft and over the water. He saw her took out her phone and typed a few seconds before handing him the small device. "Read."

On it was a small article with the headlines, "Two of the richest young billionaires are dating," together with separate photos of them. A frown made its way on his face as he read on but what made his blood boil were the rude comments. Apparently, Dane had a fan club and they didn't like the current predicament.

People were calling Victoria new money and gold digger, something he couldn't comprehend. So, he looked at the girl. "Desole."

She waved a hand then embraced herself. Tightly. Dane could see the sadness beneath her lashes and he wanted nothing but to comfort the girl, but his upbringing told him otherwise. Thus, he resorted to sitting with her. Silently.

"They're kinda right though. I am new money. Twelve years ago, I didn't even know that I was this fucking rich." The curse that left her mouth put a grin on him. She noticed it, making her slap his arm a bit too hard. "But yeah. You know how new businesses are prone to shutting down."

"But the Winters have been in the industry for decades."

"But I'm not." She gazed at him. A single tear escaping her eye but didn't let to lose more. "They're right. I'm not cut out for this. I'm just me. Sure, I've been doing my best for the past five years, but what do I know? I'm just winging everything, Sherlock."

"Yet you've received all those awards and-"

"That's not the point!" she shouted. She flinched at the sound of her own voice and took a few calming breaths before speaking again. This time, her voice was barely a whisper. "People are waiting for me to fail. I know it. Dad knows it. I'm pretty sure everyone knows it. The thing is, I don't really give a single damn if I fail. I've never been afraid of failing. Until now."

Dane's heart thumped achingly against his chest as he studied the tear-stained face of Victoria. She was trying to smile but it always ended up like a grimace. "Why are you afraid now?"

"Because I don't want to be a burden to you. You're a big name out there and when I fail-"

"I don't understand why your failure will affect my reputation at all."

"I like you, Peverell Dane."

Victoria's eyes were fierce that he could feel it burning all the damn social etiquette he was supposed to live by. Her brown hair the color of the sweetest thing next to sugar flew freely as breezes came. Her blue cocktail dress, though seemed out of place, made the park looked like it was taken out from a book. The small quirk at the ends of her lips, though showing her distress sent an arrow straight to his heart that he couldn't be accountable entirely at what he did next.

Dane pulled the girl by the hand, wrapping his arms around her waist. Without thinking, his lips met hers and to say that sparks flew was an understatement.