Masked

II.

Oops, did I actually tell you that the next chapter will be out next week? Pff, nah. Your comments just make me way too happy to not update. Thank you, really.

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I watched in awe as Lara slowly stepped down the staircase. She was wearing a simple black, knee-length dress with straps, that had a low cut back. Her hair was in her trademark ponytail, which looked a bit messy but still nice. I couldn't help myself but to breathe out a little "Wow" when I noticed her toned figure - Yamatai and the lost city of Kitezh had certainly left their mark on the young woman.

People were still clapping when she settled herself next to the butler and I quickly noticed, that she was tense. She was smiling, but something seemed... off. As the applause died down, Lara raised her voice.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad that you all have found your way into this humble abode. As you all know, my name is Lara Croft and I'm pleased to spend this evening with you. I especially..."

In all honesty, I didn't really listen to what she told her guests in her speech. All I could focus on was her face, the way she spoke, her eyes that were glistening in the candle light, her shiny, messy brown hair - she looked absolutely gorgeous. Even if I instantly knew that something was not right. Presumably, my father was right, and she truly was fed up with all the evening parties that she was invited to and had to host. Somehow, I could understand her. I would be too.

"With all that being said, I'm looking forward to how this evening will evolve."

In the meantime, Lara had ended her speech and the main hall was filled with applause again. Startled, because I didn't pay attention again, I joined the clapping guests and watched, as the brunette stepped down the remaining stairs. Almost instantly, she was surrounded by a crowd of people.

'Great', I thought, 'how am I supposed to get to her now?'

I had no other choice then wait until the guests had settled again. Sighing, I sat myself down on one of the white sofas that were standing around the fireplace. From there, I had a clear view of Lara, which was still busy socializing with the others, which had surrounded her. Even now, a dead-pan expression was upon her face as she seemingly answered multiple questions at once.

I must've stared at her for a far too long time, when I finally noticed that she was looking directly at me. She was still talking to someone, presumably a fellow archaeologist that was eager to learn about the Divine Source, but at the same time shot glances over to me, still sitting on the sofa, probably looking like an absolute moron.

'Oh shit. Great job with the staring, Isabelle', I scolded myself and averted my gaze immediately into my lap.

All of a sudden, I felt uncomfortable. The safety pins hidden in my dress were pinching me, a strange, distressing heat rose within my guts and face, my throat felt like it was closing, and I overall had the urge to get up and leave this instant.

But of course, I couldn't.

I reminded myself why I was here, and that I would force myself to stay as long as it was necessary to accomplish my goal.

With newly won courage I urged myself to ignore the icky feeling that had crept up my spine and looked up again. Without making it too clear, I glanced over to Lara, who was still talking to the same man as before.

'Get your butt up, girl. Go talk to her.', said the voice in my head.

'It would be impolite to disturb her current conversation.', I answered it.

Luckily, fate decided to take matter into its own hands. While I was busy with trying to observe Lara without being obvious, the man thanked her and left to go to talk to another guest. Lara, on the other hand was beckoning over her butler and leaned over to talk to him about something. While she did so, she ever so slightly nodded her head in my direction, which I first didn't notice but when I did, made me freak out on the inside. Winston seemed to answer her, with Lara listening and occasionally raising an eyebrow. After the butler had ended his explanation, she just nodded and dismissed him.