Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Teacher-Student Romance Robert Downey Jr.)

Harder To Breathe.

"Robert! There you are!"
Downey turns around, just to see my father running towards him, like a long lost puppy.
"I'm so glad you came."
My dad reaches out with his arms and hugs Downey, as if they have known each other for years.
"James, good to see you, buddy." He says and smiles. "You have a beautiful home and you look sharp, are those shoes Italian?"
My father starts to chuckle in a high pitched voice, like a little girl.
"You really think so?" Straightening his suit, moving his shoes. "Yes they are. You have such a good sense for these things, Robert."
I roll my eyes and sigh. The bromance is undeniable.
"I'm just gonna go and see if I can help with anything." I say. Downey turns towards me and frowns.
"I can come with y-
"No!" I say and pat him on the arm. "You stay here, Professor. I bet my dad can't wait to engage in another marvellous conversation." I reply and grin. He narrows his eyes and almost unrecognisable shakes his head.
I step down the stairs and make my way through the crowd. My eyes catch a glimpse of Hannah. She stands outside and seems to be talking to someone, who is covered by a tree.
Her familiar laugh resounds from the garden and I start walking towards her. As I get to see, who's behind the tree, I'm a bit surprised.
"I see, you've already met each other." I say and smile, resting one arm on the back of my older sister.
"Who knew that Robert had such a handsome brother." She charmingly says.
John scratches the back of his head and grins.
What's up with all these compliments?!
"So, what exactly do you do, John?" I ask.
"He's a doctor." Hannah answers for John.
"A doctor? Interesting." I say and feel that I'm not supposed to engage in this conversation, so I excuse myself and walk back into the house.
This garden party is beginning to be boring. Everyone is talking and drinking, eating and I'm just standing here, having nothing to do.
Suddenly, an older woman starts talking to me, inappropriately asking me about my love life.
"And you really don't have a boyfriend?"
I shake my head in denial.
"But you want one."
I shake my head in denial.
"Maybe you have to get out there and find someone."
Repeatedly, I shake my head in denial.
"Are you alright, dear?" She says.
"I'm wonderful." I reply and try find someone who can rescue me.
A hand touches my arm and I turn around.
"Darling, where were you? I wanted to introduce you to a dear friend of mine."
The British accent impresses the lady in front of me.
"That's your boyfriend?" She says and I try as best as I can, not to burst out into laughter.
"He's my fiancé." I answer and hug Alexander, who also has to keep calm.
"How long have you been together?"
"Actually, about a month, but we're in love." He says.
"And I'm pregnant." I add.
"Oh, how did you meet?" She asks and her voice is now a bit hesitant.
"She was an exotic dancer, but I got her out of that filthy environment. Didn't I sweet-cheeks?" Alexander says.
I nod and sigh. "Good times, good times."
The old lady gasps and excuses herself quickly. As she is out of sight, we immediately start laughing out loud.
"She really believed that." I say and continue to chuckle, holding my belly.
"What's so funny?"
His deep voice rips me out of my bubble and back to reality. Looking up, into the storm. Not passionate any more, like before, more furious.
"It's nothing." I say and the strong feeling of guilt builds itself in my stomach.
Downey's jar tenses. "Then why where you laughing?"
"We were just having an amusing conversation with an older lady." Alexander interferes.
"I didn't ask you, Prince William." Downey snaps.
"What do you want?!" I shout and he looks surprised.
As if I hadn't reacted in the way he thought I should.
"I didn't mean to displease you, Sir. I'm sorry." Alexander says and pulls a straight face.
Downey doesn't even look at him and just stares at me.
"I need to talk to you."
"Well, I don't want to talk to you right now." I reply and turn to Alexander again.
"I think I have to get back to work, see you around, Aria." He says and turns around.
I see him walking into the kitchen, getting handed a huge tray.
"What is your problem?" I say, turning back towards Downey.
"My problem?" He replies and scratches his stubble.
"Yes! Your problem! Why do you have to be so rude?"
His jar tenses and he clinches his fists.
"Because I have the right to be."
"You don't have any right!" I hiss through my gritted teeth. "We're not dating, neither are we official. So calm your tits, you do not have a damn fucking right."
My voice is now really low, to not raise any attention from the other guests.
Downey doesn't say anything back for a moment. He just stares at the ground
I sigh. "Sorry. That wasn't very nice."
"I don't want you to be nice, Aria." He replies and I frown.
"What?"
He lowers his head a bit and his voice isn't more than a whisper. "I don't care if you're angry with me, scream at me or hit me in the face. As long as you feel any emotion towards me, as long as you be with me, everything is alright. It's fine with me."
My head spins. It's like everything around us suddenly disappears and we're completely alone in the room.
When his hand briefly touches mine and lighting shoots through my body, it's getting harder and harder to breathe.