KNOX 〆

9 • Liked What I Saw

A/N: I'm craving something. SoMEThinG.

*

Achlys

"And when I told him I've never seen a girl bartender before he was like, that's sooo not true b-babe," Ivory hiccuped\giggled\choked.

"Achlys Stryker, where on earth are we?" she demanded, just noticing the cold, dark streets.

"The porch of your house." I deadpanned.

My fingers grazed the cold necklace of a crescent moon dangling on my bare collar. I'd hesitated to wear it because it brought back memories, but as it always did, it helped with the sinking feeling in my stomach.

It took two days of unhealthy amount of icecream and motivational speeches to convince Ivory to be Dawson's date to this party, because she won't accept the fact he seems like he has a crush on her.

After she finally caved in a few hours ago, we changed into fancy clothes as Knox nicely put it.

I was bored after finishing up, so I watched one movie.

One movie and Ivory was drunk off her pathetic ass when I came back to the kitchen. Babbling about everything and anything in between.

I just hoped Dawson miraculously found her cute (she was now making weird noises with her tongue, clown-grinning at me).

That is, if they come.

I grimaced. I wouldn't be suprised if they ditched. Knox said they'd be here at 7:30. He was half an hour late. I strictly told him not to be late.

Call me a drama queen. But I was sitting on a porch with a part of me thinking he stood me out and the other wondering if I should check if my numb butt is still there. Sue me for the vivid images of someone's murder.

As I thought that, an Ashton Martin pulled into the driveway.

I blinked in disbelief for a few seconds, before I realized it was them and dragged Ivory towards the car.

Knox jumped out and opened the door for me like the real gentleman he was, smirking as his eyes raked down my frame.

The fanciest thing I've got was a sundress with spongebob sipping wine pinkies out. So I had to borrow Ophelia's designer black flowy dress that covered my healing bruise from the gym incident.

I snorted in response and pushed Ivory inside, trying not to check him out in a tux. I smirked as she tumbled over Dawson.

"Whoa, are you drunk?" he breathed, supporting her back up.

She giggled. "Hey, sunshine. You look cute in a tuxedo."

"Aww, is sunshine blushing?" I teased. Ignoring his glare, I tried to shimmy between them so I don't witness any more PDA.

But Dawson kicked me out. "Don't call me that and there's no space. Ride shotgun," he deadpanned, shutting the door in my face.

His eyes gleamed in satisfaction as I glared at him and hopping in shotgun, Knox sliding in the driver's seat. "On serious matters Dawson, hurt her and your balls will be sunshining out of your pants."

"That doesn't make sense," he pouted. "Not that it's your business, but I'm really not trying to do anything. Both of you stop questioning me. I swear to fudges Knox found his soulmate."

Knox?

Dawson must've seen my confused face because he elaborated, "Oh yeah, he was warning me not to hurt her because it might ruin your-"

Knox gritted his teeth and raised an eyebrow at him. "Dawson, toothbrush."

"Fine, cousin," Dawson snorted and grinned at me, "'Nother time, sweetheart."

Deciding I was better out of this, my hands rubbed the leather seat. The car's outstanding beauty would've been jaw dropping if I haven't seen better. Had one better.

"Mind who you're calling sweetheart, Dawson, that's my beautiful date right here," Knox made brief eye contact with me, darting his tongue out to wet his bottom lips.

I almost smiled at the subtle compliment. But I wasn't falling in his trap. Not again. "So what kind of party is it?"

"The ball kind."

I blinked.

Knox sighed, realizing that wasn't enough. "It's a ball my parents are hosting to honor the heir of the company, inviting family and friends and strangers. You know, typical rich people scene, champagne and - mostly - snob-noses. We needed to go with someone who can dance-"

"I can't dance."

He scoffed. Even Dawson, who was struggling to make Ivory stop trying to lick his face, snorted.

But I was serious. I could bust a few moves on the dance floor but not on a ball, for fucks sake.

The last time I tried I tripped on my thigh-long dress and face-planted, dragging down someone's fake boobs with me.

Silence fell as worst scenarios played in my head.

Then Ivory decided enough was enough. "Sunshine?"

Dawson softly smiled down at her. "Hm?"

"I think I'm drunk."

"Yeah, Ivs, blame it on munchkin."

"You just ruined my appetite," I grimaced at his new nickname for me. We continued the back and forth banter until Ivory had sobered up a bit.

Knox stayed unusually quiet beside me as we pulled up infront of the mansion. I almost asked him what died up his rotten ass, but the uneasy frown that looked strange on his face stopped me.

Climbing out of the car, I couldn't help but gape. I expected rich but the huge mansion was just money built up into stones. Anxiety crept into the pit of my stomach.

"Like what you see?" Knox asked lightly. But the mischievous glint in his eyes disappeared.

I nodded, my eyes not straying away from scanning his face. My face heated up as I realized my mistake too late. He probably thought I was talking about him. And honestly, I sort of was.

It didn't go unnoticed either, he gulped and ran a hand through his hair, stalking away after muttering incoherently under his breath.

"Be my sugar daddy."

Dawson casted a worried glance towards Ivory, already used to all the words that spilled out of her. She reclined against his broad chest like it was her home. Something I never had. "Are you sure this would turn out right?" he reluctantly asked me.

I shrugged.

Right was the last thing you should ask me: the daughter of a man who only passed down an iced heart.