Bodyguard |Michael Gray|

Among the Whispering and the Champagne and the Stars

With a slow sweep I painted my lips a signature deep red. He hesitantly pulled the laced pearls around my neck and I shivered at their cool touch. I looked into my vanity mirror and smiled, he told me how beautiful I looked. If only I could have frozen time right then and there and lived in that feeling forever.

As the clock on my wall ticked, time drew closer to the party. It was eight and it started in an hour. 'Are you almost ready?', He stood behind me and I turned away from the mirror to face him. Michael looked dark and handsome in his deep blue suit and vest. He oozed class and his cool expression made me swoon. I had to remind myself of his true purpose almost everyday but i did crave him, despite the cloud of mystery that hung with his surname. 'Yes of course let me just get my coat', I got up out of the chair and he followed me down the stairs where we got ready to leave.

When we finally arrived at the mansion the party was in full swing, they called it a family celebration but I had no idea what they needed to celebrate. We walked in to be greeted by Tommy's employees and drunk party goers. I was so in awe of all the glamour I lost my train of thought and stared off into the rooms, only to be brought back by Michaels hand on my lower back, guiding me down the main hallway. "We'd better go say hello to Tommy, come on."

The sound of a large band and singing group echoed through the house as people of all ages and attire glided past us. I glanced at champagne, diamonds, contraband and my ears filled with  chatter. "Ah there he is-Tommy!" The man of the hour lifted his glass to us as he patted the shoulder of the man he was chatting too and effortlessly made his way to greet us. "Michael, Scarlett, bit late aren't we?"

"I'd call it fashionably late, it was my fault I appologise," I gave Tommy an apologetic look as he reached for a glass of champagne and handed it to me. "I was meaning to check up on you two actually, after the incident at the races.." I flinched at the word as the day flew back into my mind once again. "No need, I'm perfectly fine." I flashed a fake smille and michaels hand left my back to pick up another glass off a tray passing by.

"Apart from that slip up I suppose our Michael is treating you well, keeping you safe?", He focused on the word 'safe', as if he knew what was going on, i felt my face heat up. "Of course he is now if you'll excuse me Mr Shelby, I'm quite... famished". I bowed my head and fled out of sight. Does Tommy know about Michael and I?

Michaels POV:

At Scarletts house I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Dressed in her signature colour she shone, completely in her element. I felt myself get antsy thinking about how much attention she'd get at the party, but I would be the one by her side.

As we made our way in the front door it was exactly as I expected, this was a Shelby business move rather than a celebration and god knows what kind of crowd would be in attendance. I placed my hand gently on the small of her back to guide her through the house I knew so well. Tonight I was a man, with a purpose, rather than a boy. It was an uneasy feeling taking her here, but she sparkled in the glittering lights, I didn't want to let her go.

"What's gotten into her?", Tommy pointed his freshly lit cigar at Scarlett, fleeing the scene. Her long dress swished as she walked away, I knew exactly why she left. "Eh nothin, she hasn't eaten since lunch, I'd better go check she finds her way. As I itched to go, Tommy just bowed his head calmly and turned back to his business associates.

Scarlett's POV:

As the night moved on the party seemed to get rowdier. I felt myself get grabbed at and stared down so much as soon as I left Michael's side, it seemed like everyone knew who's arm I came on. I walked up the main staircase in search of either Michael or a bathroom, or both. Behind some doors i saw men leading away girls, cocaine on tables and already I could see fighting outside. Shelby reunions surely were something else. 

As I walked back to the stairs I saw a drunk man make his way towards me, rolling my eyes I walked past him but yelped as I felt myself being tugged harshly backwards. "Excuse me sir!" I yanked my hand away and made my way down the stairs. Looking around again from a better vantage point i felt myself grow more anxious. "Sorry have you seen Michael Shelby?" I asked one of the wait staff. "I believe he is in the main dining room", the waiter rushed away as i questioned where that was to any guest that appeared approachable. "Michael!" I had grown so tired  running around this house I just wanted to go home. "I'm not your Michael dear but I could be if you'd let me!", my face recoiled in shock as i felt strange men surround me, probably thinking I'm an escort. "What's your name pretty girl?" I felt complete deja vu as i walked quickly away, although I knew with my luck tonight I was being followed. 

"Hey come back here!" "why don't ya give us a kiss!", tears brimmed in my eyes as i felt myself crash into a body, it was Arthur. "Scarlett-" "Hey pretty-" I turned away from Arthur and let out a sigh of relief. "Now what the fuck were you sayin to Mrs Anderson here?" The drunk men stood still, dumbfounded as men came to drag them to god knows where and Arthur helped me find Michael.

"There you are! Always trying to get out of your duties" Arthur jokingly mocked a stress ridden Michael who was relieved to see me appear from behind his cousin. "I've been looking for you" He was by my side in an instant. We watched Arthur dissappear into the crowd, then the mood shifted. In the time it had taken me to find Michael, he must have drank quite a bit. 

He made our way to a quiet room. "Michael how much did you drink?", I could already tell by the way his eyes changed to a deep, cold blue. "My dear if I knew, I'd say". He backed me up to a wall and brought his mouth dangerously close to my neck, I could feel his breath tickling my skin. My breath hitched as he held me against the cool wall, just standing still. "I tried to find you.." I felt his hand snake around my waist. "And why is that?" I laughed at his stupid question. "Because you're family is crazy, and so are the men at this party" My breath was a weak whisper as i felt his lips come in contact with my neck and suck down. I looked into the bedroom we were in as he held me, pressed into me, sucking on my neck.

"Did it ever occur to you that I'm just as crazy as those men", he whispered into my ear and then went back to my neck. I lightly pushed him off me and he darkly looked me up and down. "Of course it occurred, you're just as much of a gangster as all of them, Michael Grey, or is it Shelby?" Turning him around with me so he was the one against the wall. He slid off his jacket so he was only in a waistcoat, shirt and tie. "No matter how gangster you are you'll always be Michael"  I sat back on the bed, he then gently pushed me back into the soft silk pillows, "Scarlett..", he started to undo my dress as i removed his tie. "What is it ?" His eyes softened as he hovered over me, taking in every inch of my body. 

"I love you"