The dark limousine parked right in front of the manor, Laurent stared at the opened door of the house, people with their furs and luxurious dresses who waltzed in with locked hands and subtle chatter, the red carpeted floor that led to the entrance.
"The grandeur is just as amazing every year," Kieran said, breaking off the awkward silence between them.
"I really don't care" Laurent answered, giving him a condescending stare and then looking out the window, and almost immediately, there were two men at the sides of the car.
"Good evening my lady," the man in a dark suit and a bow tie said, stretching his hand towards her as a gesture to get her out of the vehicle.
"Good evening" she answered, taking his hand into his, giving him a slight nod. Such a gesture felt rather unreal, even for her.
"Enjoy your evening" the man added, a smile on his face as he let her stand properly.
"Thank you" she answered politely and almost immediately a hand held hers.
"So you are soft-spoken," Kieran said sarcastically, she looked at him, rolling her eyes, trying her best to loosen from his grip.
"Not to a kidnapper" she snapped back, glaring at him.
"Keep it together cupcake, if you even try to cause a scene, I'll make sure we both end the scene with chaos, you understand?" He asked, his lips curled into a smirk.
They walked up the stairs, his hand tightly holding on to hers, her refusal to lock arms with him made him weary of everything and so he held her hands so tightly.
The night had only begun when the serene music played and the finely dressed people seemed all poised and wealthy, Laurent watched and observed the people from the corner of her eye, her hair in a high bun, her lips taking only sips from the burgundy wine and Kieran sat beside her, getting information from Giovanni who stood above them, whispering while Kieran listened, glancing in her direction.
After taking a sip once more, Laurent stood up "Where'd you think you're going?" Kieran asked, taking the champagne he was offered.
"To the lady's room," she snarled, furrowing her brows as she stood.
Taking his silence as his permission, she walked off, heading for the washroom.
"Should I send someone to guard and keep her?" Giovanni asked, his face blank and expressionless.
"No no, leave her be" he answered, taking his glass to his lips "I want to see what she's capable of" he added with a smile.
The lady's room was just as sophisticated as the manor, with a clear sink, and transparent doors that went blank and covered when occupied.
She quickly got into the washroom and out, reapplied her cherry red lipgloss, and walked out of the washroom, almost immediately, she sighted a slightly older woman approaching the washroom 'This might be my only chance' she thought to herself as the lady got closer.
"Excuse me, ma'am," she said to the woman who clutched onto her pearls, her eyes stable.
"And you are?" She asked, giving her a darned stare.
"Please ma'am, my name's Laurent Astrid" She paused, looked at the door, and then back at the now-confused woman.
"There's a man, with the guests that has me kidnapped, please help me" she pleaded, her hands clasped together.
"There's no way any of the guests out there would do that, they're all prominent men in the society, they're wealthy, you're speaking nonsense…how did you even get here?, I'll call in security," the lady said, turning her head to the door.
"Please..please don't call in security, just please help me" she pleaded once more, strands of her hair falling to the side of her face as her eyes softened towards the woman with a pleading voice.
"Who kidnapped you then, who?" She asked, her gaze softening.
Laurent looked at her with tears welling up in her eyes "Kieran, Kieran Marco" she answered with a heaving breath.
"Do you mean Kieran Marco as in that man seated in the VIP section?" She asked, staring down at her "You must be saying nonsense" she added, heading to the sink to rinse her hand.
"I..I.I'm telling you the truth, it's Kieran Marco, he's a mafia boss" Laurent added, holding onto her arm "Please..don't go, hear me out" she pleaded once more.
The lady stared at her, her softened gaze easily turned to irritation "What would Kieran Marco do with a nobody like you? Huh?" She asked, whisking her arm away from her.
"That man, Kieran, is the most cherished man amongst the ladies, I know and that's why I know you're lying," she said, now pointing her finger at Laurent, whose hope of getting help was shattered.
"If you know what's good for you sweetheart, find your way out of here before I get the security to throw you out" she warned, agitated.
Laurent looked at her, she wasn't just agitated, she was jealous, a fury held her eyes "You didn't see me walk side by side with him tonight, did you?" Laurent asked, seeing how she didn't believe her story of being here with him.
"I. I came with my husband and so?" She asked, getting angrier.
"You like Kieran..well.. that's good news if you can get me out of here, away from his clutches" She paused, turned to the door, and then back to her "Kieran will be all yours" she muttered, a lie even she knew all too well, leaving an obsessive man was one thing but she knew he couldn't forget her.
She stared at the puzzled woman, holding her shoulders as she looked at her in shock "So, I'll ask again, how do I get out of here? Help me" she asked.
"I..well" she stuttered.
"No one's leaving to go anywhere" a voice came from the bathroom door.
"You're not leaving me, princess," Kieran said, the door slightly opened as she noticed Giovanni staring out the door.
"Just let me go!" Laurent yelled "Every lady in this manor I'm sure is head over heels for you, pick one of them and let me go," Laurent said, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I just can't do that love, you're my obsession" he answered, as he pulled her away from the woman who stayed in awe, puzzled, yet unwavering.