His to Consume

What a Night

Lena's POV

I didn't reply. I continued striding in a straight line without turning my head. But while I was basking in my victory, those words were a nagging thought at the back of my head. As I settled in beside Damien once again, I was somewhat disappointed at myself for thinking Grant was going to vanish from my life.

Damien studied me carefully, almost as though he could read my mind and dismiss the fears that I had. "You are alright?" he asked with an undertone of concern.

I inhaled sharply and looked down for a moment, relaxing my hold on the award. " Uhnnn.... Yes," I managed to say while suppressing a line of mounting dread. "I am now."

Yet still, in the farthest reaches of my consciousness, I had a feeling that this night was not the end of something but rather the commencement of another hardship that was sure to test me in ways I had never imagined. And even if I wished to rejoice in success and party on, part of me had already gone into battle mode anticipating the onslaught of trouble Grant had only hinted at.

I plopped back on the seat beside Damien, the memories of my confrontation with Grant still lingering. The sounds of applause from the audience lessened as background noise. However, the tension that had built up within me did not ease. Damien saw that I was uncomfortable and asked again with concern in his voice.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

I forced myself to nod while tightening my grip on the award. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, trying to placate him. "I just need a minute. I'll be back."

Damien did not persist after that, but I could tell that he was worried about me. "Okay," he said softly anyway. "Take your time."

I rose to my feet, clutching the award, which felt heavy in my hands. I needed to take a break, a breather, if you will. Towards the restroom I went, in an attempt to ward off the discomfort Grant had left behind.

When I got to the restroom, it was fortunately devoid of occupants. I pushed the door, walked in, and was grateful to find some air conditioning inside. I closed the door, and for a brief period, I leaned back against it and shut my eyes in an effort to put a stop to the way my brain was racing.

The world inside the restroom revolved around the mirror and with the mirror, I wrapped my mind around myself and availed breath for the first time as the cover was drawn. I gazed at myself in the mirror as though all reason had degenerated into chaos.

"He's just here and nothing more," I muttered to myself, this time saying it as though it was a mantra. I would not let him get to me, not here, not now. I rejected Grant; he had to be relegated to the recesses of my mind. I had moved on. Damien is in my life now.

Though the words offered little comfort, like I was getting ahead of myself in trying to convince myself of a truth I was only half sure of.

Scarred by that, I turned on my heels when suddenly the door broke open, and I stood rooted to the spot.

At the entrance stood Verena, who also happened to be Grant's mother. Judging from her countenance, I knew this would not be a friendly meeting. Her eyes were slit when she looked at me, a menacing grin on her lips. My heart started plummeting down, down into the depths of my stomach.

"Lena," she said, a smile on her face but icicles in her tone. "What a pleasant surprise to find you here."

I made an effort to keep my back straight, making sure not to give anybody the pleasure of seeing me as weak. "Verena," I said, with no inflection in my voice, though I felt a tightening not deep inside me. I was definitely not here for this, I was definitely not ready to face her, but there was no way I was backing out.

She walked a few steps into the restroom, producing sharp high heels clicks on the floor. "You know," she continued after a pause, warming up her gaze, "I could not imagine you so... effective tonight. But I guess you always knew how to glow, didn't you?"

This coldness was only rivaled by the swords she had around her, all of them for me. I can remember the way she looked at me, studying me, while in her hand a measuring tape emerged. Apparently, she had no such thing as liking me and there was nothing I could say to change her.

FOR THE AWARD, MORE Awards Tidal Wave I am just a face, not a voice. No more."

"Second cousins, com' on!" said Verena half-heartedly. Edna had no such illusions about her niece. I agree and ask "Why?" Never oppressed and emotionally 'balanced'.

Just hearing about my native land made me sick with rage, which somehow made my throat constrict. I felt my hands turn into clenched fists at my sides. "What are you insinuating?" I asked, my voice controlled, even though rage was bubbling within me.

Once again, she advanced, this time her face a hairbreadth from me. "I am insinuating that you have a fear of losing and will do what it takes to avoid that fear. There will be no qualms about trampling certain individuals. I am not that naive as to overlook the fact that you practically glued yourself to my son tonight."

I was frozen, refusing to let her play with me. "You're wrong," I stated in a low tone. "I've put it all in the past."

Verena tilted her head, her lips twisting into a condescending grin. "I don't think so," she said. "Grant tends to be an irritant. I wouldn't assume he's let you off the hook. Look, Lena, you're not the only one who plays such games."

I was annoyed by what she said, but I would not show it to her. I just nodded my head in silence and tried not to sound shaky. 'I'll have that in mind,' I replied in a frosty manner.

Verena's smile disappeared, but she didn't look too troubled. In fact, she looked quite satisfied, as if she had managed to articulate that which she wished to express. 'Good,' she said, swiveling in the direction of the door. 'Just don't get too soft. Grant always gets his way in the end.'

And with that, she exited, leaving me in that position with my hands slightly shaking as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. The impact of her words was beginning to settle in. Was I really just another pawn in whatever game that Grant was playing? Did I still somehow belong to him?

I had to fight the inclination that I was still the same girl who could easily be influenced. I had Damien now, and that was enough to protect me from anyone or anything, including Verena and Grant.