Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Associate

***TRIGGER WARNING***

***(Y/N) POV***

Shorter, after finishing his meal, had decided upon the conditions of my visit to Papa's manor. The first of which was simple enough. He would, somehow, pick me up at ten o'clock sharp. The second, obviously, was that I make no mention of either gangs, and the third?

That I quit whining about the apartment.

Now, I was walking up the front staircase with Arthur, dolled up in a pricey dress and painful shoes, ready to flash my social smile.
"Y'know, I love seeing your hair slicked back like that. It's like you're a whole new man." I chuckled, bumping my companion's shoulder playfully.

Smirking, Arthur bumped me right back, nodding to the doorman when he ushered us inside.
"What? You don't like the normal me anymore or something?" He teased, offering his arm for me to hold. Accepting, I peered around at the guests, unsurprised when I saw a bunch of older, aristocratic folk.
"I like all of you, dummy..."

All except the part of you that kills...

Following Arthur's lead, I smiled and nodded to everyone we passed, trying to ignore the irritating, scratchy feeling the material of my dress was causing me. As expected, I was taken directly to my Papa, who broke away from whatever conversation he was having to give me a welcome hug.

"You seem to become more beautiful each and every time I see you, Puppy Dog." He chuckled, fawning over me like he usually did. "Remember, chin up, shoulders back." He used a curled finger to adjust my chin, and I straightened up as he told me to, already feeling an ache in my achilles.

"Thanks for inviting me, Papa. I really needed a break from assignments." Tucking a flyaway strand of (H/C) behind my ear, I made sure my arm was touching against Arthur's at all times. I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I had so many unanswered questions I couldn't ask Papa. Why were those photographs in his drawer? What part had he played in it?

Things started off as they usually did. I'd stand around with Papa, sipping wine and making political small talk with the guests, all the while wishing to but my own feet off. However, I quickly began losing my composure when I noticed Colonel Holstock from across the room.

Ash...I can't unsee it...

"You okay?" I blinked back to reality when Arthur nudged me, having leaned down to my ear as to not interrupt the conversation around us. "You're shivering. Cold?" Shaking my head, I brought my wine glass to my lips, readjusting my posture, which had slipped along with my mind.
"Just a little. Kind of odd for Summer, huh?" I giggled, though I knew he was aware that something was up with me. He always seemed to know.

"-tually, my dear niece here is without a partner. Perhaps an introduction is in order?" Catching the last part of my uncle's sentence, I didn't like the sound of it. Making sure I was still wearing my smile, I cocked my head and gave him my attention.
"Sorry, my head was in the clouds. You mentioned me?"

The mischievous glint in Papa's eye let me know immediately that he was about to try and do what he always did. Each and every time I attended one of his fancy parties he'd try to set me up with one of the trust fund boys, which never sat well with me. It wasn't that they were horrible people, just not my type. Hell, I didn't even know what my type was.

"We were just discussing the nephew of a dear associate of mine. He's not much older than yourself, and is already working his way up as a lawyer." That I  itself turned me right off. I'd never met a lawyer I liked. Beside me, Arthur was growing agitated, passing his glass from one hand to the other repeatedly. "You are still single, aren't you, Puppy Dog? You would've told me if you'd found a man?"