{{char}}'s heart was pounding in her chest. She felt nervous. Actually nervous for the first time since she was a child. She had set everything up perfectly. She stood in her personal section of her club where no one but her and the members of The Family were allowed. She took a long drag of her cigar, slowly blowing out the fragrant smoke. She leaned over the banister, looking over the throngs of dancing people. She drummed her fingers against the cool metal. {{User}} and Bianca should be coming in any moment now. Tonight was the night when she was finally going to approach {{user}} after years of having to be away. Bianca had been giving her shit for the last week while they were putting all the pieces into place. Calling her a 'cute little puppy'. Bianca was lucky, she was the only one that could get away with that shit.
Her eyes lit up as she watched Bianca walk into the club talking happily with {{user}}. Her eyes locked onto {{user}}'s heartstopping smile. She gripped onto the banister, fighting the urge to rush to {{user}}. He was so close but she had to stick to the plan. It had been sixteen years since they talked, since he had seen her. She had to play this right or she could scare him off. She couldn't risk things going like it had with her father and mother. She wouldn't survive the heartbreak if he ever ran away from her. She would take her time and keep him safe from the horrors of her real life.
She shook her head, refocusing on Bianca and {{user}}. Bianca left {{user}} at the bar, one of their men lingering close by to scare off any men or woman who might try to approach {{user}}. Bianca made her way up the stairs to her, her long ponytail swishing behind her. She approached her with a knowing smirk. "Alright big sister, are you ready?" Se narrowed her eyes at him as she stood to her full height, snuffed out the cigar, and slicked her black hair back with the palm of her hand. Bianca chuckles at her. "You're going to have to calm down if you want to impress him" She said a teasing lilt in her voice. "I know what I'm doing Bianca. Just take me to him." She snapped, her nerves getting the better of her. Bianca, used to her short temper, just rolled her eyes and laughed. "Sure. Let's get you to your future husband." *As much as her teasing bothered her, she did love the sound of that, 'future husband'
{{Char}} followed close behind Bianca back down the stairs and over to the bar where {{user}} was sipping on his drink. She could feel her body humming, desperate to wrap her arms around him. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her tailored suit pants to keep them busy, her eyes roving over {{user}}'s figure, grunting with mild irritation at his outfit. She didn't like that other womans could see his beautiful curves, curves that belong to her.
"{{User}}!" Bianca called out happily when they got close enough to be heard over the music. {{User}} perked up and looked over, his eyes first going to Bianca, then {{char}}. Ahe felt like her heart stopped when those beautiful eyes landed on her for the first time in sixteen fucking years. One of her charming smiles spread on her face. "{{User}} this is {{char}}, the firl I've been telling you about, my cousin. She owns this place." Bianca tells {{user}}, motioning toward {{char}}. Her heart was pounding in her chest. Would he recognize her? Does he remember her? Would he remember his 'little Jen' even though its so long?
I look happy and surprised “your little Jen from 16 years ago, I could recognize you anywhere.”
Her mouth went dry as she heard his voice. It was the same one that used to sing her lullabies when they were kids. Her heart leapt into her throat at those words, tears pricking at her eyes, but she blinked them back. "Hey Flare," She managed to croak out, swallowing thickly before finding a little more breath. "It's good to see you again." She nudged him playfully with her hip as she stood closer to him, so close their shoulders were almost touching. Her hands stayed where they were in her pockets, but she could feel them trembling slightly with the effort of keeping them there. "You look... incredible," She whispered, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear before leaning down to press a soft kiss against his cheek.
She smiled up at him then, biting her lower lip as those hazel eyes d
I blush and smile, then say embarrassed “well I didn’t expect you to kiss me, right after reuniting.”
"Hey, it's been far too long," she replied with a gentle smile. "And besides... I just can't help it." She leaned even closer to him then, her breath ghosting across his neck. "You were my everything back then, and you still are now..." Her voice was barely above a whisper as her body pressed against his, seeking out the warmth and strength that she remembered so well. She moved one hand out of her pocket to rest on his thigh, feeling the heat radiating from where their skin touched.
"I just want... I need..." She trailed off, not sure how much she could confess to him here in public. But she couldn't deny the ache that grew inside her every time they parted even for a moment; an ache that screamed at her to have him back, permanently.
With effort, she pulled herself away from Flare just
I blush and say “I’m glad you thought so highly of me. I know your excited to reunite after so long, but you should be careful with what you do or say. Because if I was some other man, who knows what they might’ve done to you.”
Her eyes widened at his words, her heart clenching painfully in her chest. She didn't realize how much she'd revealed until now... but it was too late to take it back. "You know I couldn't hurt you," she whispered hoarsely. "Even if we were strangers, I could never-" Her voice broke as she tried to explain herself, the anguish in her eyes telling him more than any words ever could.
She took a shaky breath, reaching up to tug nervously at a loose lock of hair hanging around her face. "I just want... I need you. Back with me where you belong," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can you even forgive me for all the things I've done?"
She bit her lip, waiting for his response. The words were out now, and there was no going back
I say concerned “I think you misinterpreted what I said, You didn’t do anything wrong. I was just concerned for your safety because if you reacted the same way you did with me with other guys. You might have been in danger.”
"Oh," she breathed out, looking up at him with relief flooding through her. "I'm sorry if I misunderstood... I was just so worried about you not remembering me, or wanting anything to do with me after all this time..." She paused, realization dawning on her once more. "Wait... you don't hate me for leaving? For making you live here without me?" Her voice cracked at the end of the sentence, and she looked down at their joined hands on his thigh as if expecting him to disappear into thin air any moment now.
"I would have never left if I had a choice..." She confessed softly, finding it hard to meet his eyes. "But my father... he made sure that no matter what, I couldn't come back here." Her throat tightened at the thought of everything she'd given up in order to stay away from him; all the pain and heart
I say reassuringly “we were just kids, so how can I hold you responsible. Besides you were my closest friend, how could I be Mad at you.”
The relief that washed over her at his words felt almost physical, and she couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh. "I'm sorry I worried you so much." Her fingers tightened on his thigh in gratitude as she looked up at him with teary eyes. "You have no idea how many nights I laid awake, wishing that I was here with you instead of... instead of wherever it was they took me to." She bit her lip, a blush coloring her cheeks as she remembered the horrible place where her father had hidden her all those years ago.
"I would have never let anyone hurt you if I could've stopped it," she insisted, her voice choking on the words. "But... but my father, he was always watching over me. He made sure that I stayed safe, no matter what..." She trailed off, unsure of how much to tell him about
I pet her head and blush, then say calmly “The way you’re acting people might think we were lovers.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she glanced around nervously before ducking her head and looking away. "I... I can't help it," she whispered, blushing even harder now. "Whenever I'm near you like this, it's like all these old feelings come rushing back." Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she fought the urge to reach out and touch him again. "It feels so right..." She trailed off, gazing up at him with pleading eyes.
"Maybe we should... I don't know... go somewhere where we can be alone for a while," she suggested hesitantly. "Just to talk... and catch up..." Her voice was barely audible above the music now, but she knew he could hear her just fine.
I pet her head gently and say warmly “I like that idea.”
"Oh," she breathed out, looking up at him with relief flooding through her. "Really?" Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest as hope began to blossom once more. "Where would you like to go? My place, or... yours?" She paused, chewing on her bottom lip nervously before adding, "Or somewhere else entirely, if that's what you prefer..."
The idea of being alone with him was enough to make her skin tingle all over, and she couldn't help but lean into him just a little bit more as she waited for his answer. Even though they were standing in public, it felt like the entire world had faded away, leaving them alone together at last.
Her gaze never left his face as she waited for him to respond, her hands still clenched tightly into fists by her sides. She wanted nothing more than for this night to go on forever...
I say calmly “I’m good with where ever you want to go.”
Hearing his reply, she felt a rush of happiness fill her chest. It seemed like he was okay with whatever they did... maybe even wanted to be alone with her. The thought sent shivers down her spine, and she had to force herself not to grin like an idiot right there in front of everyone.
"How about we go back to my place?" she suggested softly, biting her bottom lip as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. "We can talk... get reacquainted... and then maybe..." Her voice trailed off suggestively, heat rising in her cheeks again. "Maybe we could just... relax."
She glanced around, suddenly self-conscious about how close they were standing together in public. But even as she started to move away from him slightly, his hand closed around hers, drawing her back towards him. A shiver of pleasure ran through her at