Glacier AU

Party

  (A/N: Hey! I'm back again! With that small break, I've been able to plan this story out more and make it more sad and heartwarming! Enjoy this new part!)

(Cole's P.O.V.)

  Far as my fiancée and father knew, I was busy planning something for Clarisse, not going to a lower-class party with Jay and Zane.

  I changed into my most casual clothes, attempting to blend in with at the party as much as possible.

  "Cole! You made it!" Zane seemed surprised as Jay greeted me.

  "Heh, I managed to sneak away from my family," I admitted.

  "You should not have done that, your dad might get-"

  "Zane, you worry too much, I will show you the alcohol," Jay grabbed me by the arm and led me to the bar.

  "Two beers," the bartender nodded before turning and grabbing two pint-glasses.

  "Jay, maybe it's not a good idea for Cole-"

  "Gentlemen, I'm old enough to decide on my own to drink, and I want to have a regular beer," I stated, getting between the two friends and grabbing my drink.

  I took a small gulp, recoiling slightly at the bitter taste. Right, I forgot I don't like alcohol that much, I remember before taking another cautionary sip.

  "Zane will introduce to some of our acquaintances while I grab us a table to chat at," Jay said before grabbing his drink and dashing off.

  Zane and I stood awkwardly beside each other, casting a glance at one another before turning away and blushing.

  "U-um, let us go," Zane motioned me to follow him towards a group of rough-looking men a bit older than me.

  I walked over to them, immediately being hit by the smell of saltwater and cigarettes. They were burly, muscular men, making me feel threatened once I was in their presence.

  "Cole, this is Kai Smith, Ivan Karloff, and Lloyd Garmadon," Zane introduced me to the three men who were about a foot taller than me.

  "It is Karloff," one guy corrected in a thick accent.

  "I'm Kai," the brunette of the trio said with a hand outstretched for a handshake. I was about to shake his hand before Zane stopped me and glared at Kai.

  "Kai, no one finds that joke amusing," I looked between the two men, sensing some sort of friction between them both.

  "Why do we not relax and talk about something else?" The blond of the group suggested, most likely Lloyd.

  "Yeah, I agree," I set my barely touched drink on a nearby table carefully.

  Kai stared at me, possibly trying to scrutinize me.  "You're from the upper-class rooms, aren't you?"

  At that moment, I wasn't sure if I should tell the truth, or just lie and say no. Thankfully, Zane stepped in instead.

  "Yeah? So?" the way Zane said it seemed so unlike him, it mildly shocked me. Maybe I don't know him as well as I thought I did...

  "Rich boy believes he can hang out with engineers?" Karloff inquired with a dry laugh.

  "Yes, I know I can," I tried standing up straighter to seem more intimidating, but it didn't work that well.

  "Ha, that reminds me of my sister," Kai stated with a grin at my failed attempt.

  "You have a sister?" I inquired.

  "Yes, but I am not letting you have her either, Jay has already requested for her hand and I rejected it," Kai said, seeming slightly angered by the possibility of me being interested.

  "Do not fret, Cole is engaged," Zane stated, sounding oddly sad.

  Is he upset with me being with Clarissa? No, I must have heard wrong, why would he care about me?

(Zane's P.O.V.)

  "Oh? Who is this lady?" Lloyd asked after I told them Cole was already betrothed to another.

  "Um... her name is Clarissa Hockley," Cole said sheepishly.

  "The Clarissa Hockley?" Kai gasped in shock.

  "Uh, yes, do you know of her?" Cole questioned obliviously.

  Almost everyone who was in the lower-class or worked on the ship knew of Clarissa's complaints and her famous lineage. According to some engineers, she was the heiress of the most renowned Pittsburgh steel fortune. Unfortunately, because of her horrid temper, everyone refuses to work with or even near her for they all fear her wrath.

  "Oh, you poor man, forced to be with that girl," Karloff patted Cole on the back with a sad shake of his head.

  "Cole, every crew member knows of your fiancée's... fury and all of them fear it." I elaborated to the naive man.

  "Oh... she does get a bit temperamental when-"

  "A bit?" Kai scoffed,  "She's heinous to work with and cannot filter her anger!" He exclaimed in annoyance.

  "Hey, you cannot be-"

  "What are you going to do? Call your security guard and tell him to fight your fights for you?" Kai taunted Cole.

  Cole seemed ready to fight Kai, but I didn't want him to underestimate Kai's strength. Kai was quite strong, being able to lift several pipes in the bowels of the ship with ease.  

  "Gentlemen, this is not a place to start a fight in," I began,  "and starting a fight will never lead to anything good," I added quickly after just in case Kai misunderstood what I meant.

  "He must watch his tongue when talking about my fiancée," Cole warned.

  "I was only telling the truth," Kai bit back.

  I grabbed Cole's arm before he could think of anything,  "Let's head outside for some fresh air?" I suggested.

  Cole nodded before following me to the door.

  "Are you feeling fine?" I questioned him once we were alone.

  "Yes, but I do not like how Kai was talking about Clarissa," Cole admitted.

  I took a deep breath of sea air before shaking my head. I agreed that talking about someone like that is wrong, but my resentment towards Clarissa made me agree with Kai as well.

  "Um... Zane... you are still holding onto my arm," I looked down, reddening and pulling away from Cole immediately.

  "I apologize,"

  "No, it is fine but, I was worried someone in the upper-class saw us like this, they might report it to my father," Cole explained. 

  I felt offended by his explanation. He was embarrassed to be with me. I should have known. For some reason, I thought he liked me too, but I presume I was wrong once more. Cole is just ashamed to be seen in public with me like every other man I have ever been infatuated with.

  "Yes, we would not want your father to bring you back to up your fiancée," I stated coldly before turning around and walking back into the party.

  "Zane! Wait, I did not mean it like that!" Cole called back to me but I chose to ignore his pleas.