𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 ⋆ 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘹 𝘰𝘤 ⋆ 𝘳𝘥𝘳2

Chapter XXXI: Fireworks

  I've had at least three glasses of champagne and had no sign of Arthur nor Dutch in the past ten minutes. Everyone seems to be having a good time by mingling and chatting about what I assume to be only things rich people talk about. I try looking around making sure to scan everyone's faces in case they walked past us somehow.

  "How'd you get on?" Hosea asks, I turn in confusion then realize he's talking to both Dutch and Arthur. "Fine." Dutch replies as we all begin to stand right next to each other, staring out at the party.

  Dutch begins to tell us a plan in order to make contacts. Dutch orders Arthur to go meet with the Mayor, Hosea to find someplace to rob and for me to make some new friends... whatever that means.

  "Lady and gentlemen... be well." Dutch says before leaving us to walk down the white staircase leading out into the party. Hosea begins to go down the other side of the staircase and before I can follow my arm is grabbed.

  "Yeah?" I ask Arthur, he lets go of my arm. I can't help but continue to stare at his appearance, his longer hair with a short shaven beard, the nicely pressed suit that makes him look like a proper gentleman and how blue his eyes look shining through the night. "Make sure to stay outta Brontè's way... he was askin' for you for whatever the hell he wants." Arthur instructs with a kind yet slightly grim tone. It's always good to know I have people looking out for me, even if I never truly cared for it a few months ago.

  I lean over and kiss Arthur once on his warm cheek. "I'll be fine." I reassure him by whispering in his ear before looking at him once more. Arthur tries to fight a smile with all his might but yet a small one creeps through.

  "Be careful." Arthur says before turning on his heel and walks down the grand white staircase. I look out at the party once more then begin to wonder. Why would Angelo ask about me? Should I go see him? It's not like he can hurt me here, I don't think even he would be that stupid.

  I look down at Arthur one last time before walking back into the extravagant house to look for Angelo. He is most likely still upstairs so I hold the front of my dress up slightly so it's much easier to walk up the steep staircase. Once I make it upstairs, I look around for Angelo but see him nowhere.

  White french doors that lead out to another balcony are open, maybe he's there. My assumptions turn out to be true when I see Angelo standing around with many different men right beside the balcony, I gulp down before foolishly walking over with confidence.

  The men seem to be laughing over something that was said before I arrived, I clear my throat making my presence known by only some of the men. When the men whom's attention I grabbed stop laughing, the rest look around wondering why the fun suddenly ended before laying their eyes onto me. Angelo is the last person to look my way.

  Angelo whistles, everyone looks his way as he points to the french doors I just walked through... silently telling them to leave. Everyone does just that, only leaving the two of us out on the balcony together. I walk over and stand next to him, putting my hands on the balcony railing.

  "You're lookin' for me?" I ask as I stare out to the party, watching people mingle and drink expensive champagne. "Your cowboy was pretty clear about me seeing you." Angelo replies as he puffs on a cigar.

  "He doesn't speak for me, I speak for myself." I assure Angelo making him chuckle. "That's what I like about you, Ms. Asbury."

  It falls silent.

  "I hope you're having a well night." Angelo says breaking the awkward lull.

  "Can't say that I haven't."