The Blood Heiress

Moretti Exihibition II

Adella

Our cups full and our plates fuller, we made our way out to the back patio, where I had set up portable heaters amongst some tables for attendees who wanted some fresh air. The sun had gone down not that long ago and it was still rather warm outside. I picked out a table and set down the food and drink. Cassian surprised me by pulling out my chair for me and then took his. A comfortable silence descended onto us as we munched through the appetizers and finger food on our plates.

"This is nice." His words sliced through the silence after a time. He sat back in his chair and fnished his drink.

"Thank you I thought maybe some people might want to sit to eat instead of standing around." and judging by the full tables, It was a good call.

"Well, yes this was a great idea. Giving people a chance to mingle in fresh air. But I meant you, me." he moved his hand between us to emphasize. "This is nice, being around each other again."

"Yeah it is." I turned to focusing on my food, trying to manage the butterflies that erupted at hearing that he also liked spending time together.

"Dells I think I should...I should apologize." He sounded upset when he spoke up again. "I made you uncomfortable earlier. I know I can be a bit much sometimes." I took a deep breath and finished what I had to say. "And the necklace was too much, wasn't it?" He watched me carefully.

“You are not, I am just not used to this." I copied his gesture from earlier and moved my hand between him and myself. I hope that he got the meaning because I didn't feel quite up to explaining anymore what I was referring to. "But as I said earlier, the necklace ... really is too much.” I looked him straight in his emerald green eyes and managed a small weak smile. But I continued on. I didn't want him to think that I didn't like being around him or wanted to cut off ties altogether. "It is too much only because...we hardly know each other and I don't think I should accept something like that from you right now. I like the idea of you taking it and holding onto it for me." As I took the necklace off and held it in my hand I was slightly distracted by the crimson red pendant as it caught the light and glinted it back at me.

"What if I told you it is costume jewelry. Would it feel like too much then?" I let a small laugh out at his words and shook my head.

"Still too much...for now." I shook the necklace a little to draw attention to it again.

Without another word, Cassian stood up out of his seat, took the necklace and placed in his pocket. He then set about clearing his spot at the table. I took it as a signal that he was done with the conversation and put my attention on watching the attendees through the large plate windows. It was superficial though, his mannerisms were stiff and agitated, not at all like the Cass I had gotten to know. Anxiety that I had pushed too far sprung up in me. I didn't have long to worry because he sat back down and waited for my attention.

"Dells," His voice was even more off than before, gone was his smug, self satisfied tone. And in that one word, my name, I heard notes of doubt for the first time come from Cassian. "Adella, I've missed you." His words came out softly, like they might disappear on a breeze. I couldn't help but turn and face him. "It is the craziest thing though. I feel so unlike myself. And hell, we just met. We don't know each other all that well. I know it doesn't make sense." His voice raised to a normal volume now and his hands and face that were earnest and unsure all at once. "But it is true, I've missed you. I didn't realize just how much until I saw you today." Cassian's green eyes locked onto mine. His hand ran through his hair. I saw a flicker of something dancing

in them. Hope?

"I missed you too." I heard myself admitting with conviction. My heart's beating becoming loud to my ears.The requisite blush was not far behind my words. I watched Cass's tense expression relaxed and his eyes lit up.

“There you two are,” René exited the gallery and walked towards us. He was not alone. Another well-dressed person followed him out. Cassian stiffened immediately and stood up. I followed his lead. “Well done, Miss Smith, well done! I have come to let you know that it will soon be time to wrap this all up, but first,” He had now arrived in front of us. And flurished at the person coming up behind him. “I would like to personally introduce you to one of our biggest clients and benefactors, Mr. Evander Santos. Mr. Santos this is the young intern who put this show together for Ms. Moretti, Miss. Adella Smith.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you officially, Mr. Santos.” I was pleased my voice came out steady and clear. I was not pleased to be scrutinized by Mr. Santos’s icy blue eyes in response. His reserved and detatched visual assessment left me feeling vulnerable. Insitnctively, I moved closer to Cassian.

“Miss Smith, was it?” Evander’s voice was cool just like his gaze. I could only smile dumbly in response to his redundant question.

René stepped in to fill the empty lull in the conversation. “Mr. Santos has a job or two that he would like your help with. After seeing your work here, he wanted to immediately meet you.”

Without even an acknowledgment of René’s words, Evander turned his attention to Cass as if he had suddenly noticed him. “Mr. Moretti, it is nice surprise to see you outside of that bar.”

Cass closed the small distance left between us and brought his arm around my waist. “I do make it out from time to time. More than I can say for you and that ivory tower. First time I can recall seeing you outside of it.”

Evander’s eyebrows raised slightly and a wry smile graced his face. He then directed his gaze at me, this time there was something in it besides cool regard. He locked eyes with mine. Though I was tempted, I refused to look away. I wasn't going to be bullied.

René became agitated at the obvious friction and quickly moved to usher the CEO. “I still have a few more VIP’s to introduce to you and you mentioned that you needed to get going.”

Evander reached into his coat and a card materialized in his elegant fingers.

“I will be in touch.” Evander offered it to me. I took the card from him carefully and turned it over in my hand. In silver foil his initials dominated the cards surface, his phone number was also there though smaller along the bottom right. Mr. Santos turned back towards the gallery and allowed himself to be herded back through the doors.

I turned to Cass who crushed me in a hug. I didn’t resist and let the tension retreat. Cass released me and let out a nervous laugh. “He is an arrogant, entitled punk. Don’t let him get under your skin.”

I put the card on the table, my hands a little shaky. “How am I supposed to work with him?” My head went down into my hands.

“Hey,” He said, “Have I told you what a great job you did on this event?”

“No,” I lifted my head and gave him a sly smile, my shyness around him momentarily disappated in the aftermath of Evander's presence. “But you did tell me that you missed me.”

His eyes softened. "You said you missed me too."

"That is because I did." We smiled dumbly at each other. Valerie began to move to the front of the crowd and our time to head in had come.

"Time to close up the place." He offered his arm which I happily took. "Shoulders back, head up Dells. You are THE event planner of the hour." I took his suggestion and felt confidence creeping up my spine as we returned to the exhibition to stand by Valerie's side.

Valerie's speech had been well received and full of 'thank you's' and emotion. She was tipsy no doubt but also riding the high of a successful event. I politely waved when she publicly thanked me for the execution of it all. Turned out that wasn't the appropriate repsonse to being thank and she called me to her side. I spent most of the time smiling like a fool and regulating my breathing. Being in front of such a large group for the first time since my staff introduction I found myself comparing the two situations. I vastly preferred the anonymity of the exhibtion crowd. I wasn't in charge of them, I had no predetermined role I had to suddenly fill after a long involuntary absense. And I didn't have to even speak. Just wave on cue and smile. Eventurally, Val found the end of her words and René gracefully stepped in to give some last closing remarks. Then it was simply making sure that everyone found their way out and the caterers had packed up and gone. René put the security back in place for the night and I called Ben to come pick me up. The biggest event so far in my life had successfully ended. I had done the impossible, or at least what I had thought impossible only weeks ago. I was ready to head home and get some rest finally.

***

Cassian

I watched her excitedly walk in front of me. Our plates were piled with all the goodies we could find. She picked out a table next to a portable propance heater. The whole patio had been transformed into an open air extension of my sister's art. It was a nice touch. The minute she place her plate down, I was quick to swoop in and pull out her chair. Her surprise at my simple gesture was plainly on her face as she sat down. It delighted me to treat her to what she deserved but so clearly had never had before. I held back a chuckle at the way she was conquering her food. I decided I should start in on mine as well. We had been having such a good time together tonight. It felt natural, right.

"This is nice." I found my words leaving my mouth without much thought.

"Thank you I thought maybe some people might want to sit to eat instead of standing around." A smug little look played on her face.

"Well, yes this was a great idea. Giving people a chance to mingle in fresh air. But I meant you, me." I wasn't surprised she didn't get what I meant the first time. So I went ahead and laid it out there. "This is nice, being around each other again."

I caught myself sending her quick glances as I picked my way through my plate, the nervous flutter in my stomach acting up again. How could a week change everything? The necklace rested on her chest and as she breathed it reflected bits of light streaming out from the large gallery windows. The little glints here and there caught my eye. The scene from earlier this evening played in my mind. I hadn't meant to give it to her today. But seeing her in that dress, God, that dress. She has no idea! changed my mind.

Val had been right to have me match her. I knew accutely, the minute I saw her walking back to me all dressed up, exactly how much I had wanted everyone to know who her escort was tonight. Val had been right about alot of things lately. Like giving it a week to work out my 'intentions' towards her. Like how the gift of the necklace needed to wait. How it was going to be nothing but pressure for the 'little lamb'. Val had been unusually protective over her and had taken great lengths to grill me some more the day after they had visited the bar. I had tried to shrug off her concern. But I hadn't been able to. It was strange for her to have any for anyone I held more than a passing interest in. Though I hadn't had that for a long time. The nervous fluttering turned to lead in my stomach as regret took its place. s**t.

"Dells I think I should..." I trailed off not really certain if I wanted to head down this road. "I should apologize." I now had butterflies with wings made of lead in my stomach and felt the need to fight them from forcing the food back up my throat. But there was no turning back, her quizzical, concerned look begged me to continue. "I made you uncomfortable earlier." Her beautiful blue eyes narrowed a little and her brows brought themselves together. "I know I can be a bit much sometimes." I took a deep breath and finished what I had to say. "And the necklace was too much, wasn't it?" Her eyes flung open at my question and I had my answer.

“You are not, I am just not used to this." She made a small gesture indicating herself and myself. I silently applauded her for her increasing confidence in being honest. "But as I said earlier, the necklace ... really is too much.” She met my eyes then. Good girl Her full lips smiled weakly. She looked pleased with herself. As pleased as I was with her. Somehow I was going to have to learn to let her lead. To not bulldoze her with my enthusiasm. Her smile wavered for a moment under my gaze and I quickly looked away to give her some space. I hoped one day she would grow comfortable enough around me she could hold her own with me. But until then, I needed to heed my sister's advice. Her voice came next in a soothing tone. I realized she was trying to apply balm to the wound she thought she had given me. I turned towards her again."It is too much only because...we hardly know each other and I don't think I should accept something like that from you right now. I like the idea of you taking it and holding onto it for me."

I was a little surprised and yes, saddened to see her take off the necklace then and hold it out to me. I still wanted to dwell in denial for a bit. Val is never going to let me live this down. "What if I told you it is costume jewelry. Would it feel like too much then?" Her small melodic laugh met my ears and her decisive words came next.

"Still too much...for now." She shook her hand gently and I got up and took it from her. I silently cleaned the table where I had been eating. I felt her eyes on me. Was I really going to do this? Curbing my natural impluses, coaxing her out of her shell. Helping her get past whatever was holding her true self in. Is this really what I wanted? I was never the guy to go after challenges, I liked to hedge my bets. Maybe it is time. She is worth it and you know it. I didn't know however, if she even felt the same way. One way to find out.

"Dells," I heard the off tone of my words but I forged ahead into unchartered territory. "Adella," I had her attention now. "I've missed you." She let out a soft gasp at my words. "It is the craziest thing though. I feel so unlike myself. And hell, we just met." I ran my hand through my hair and fought the urge to pace. My stomach was still rioting. Those damn butterflies. "We don't know each other all that well. I know it doesn't make sense." I took a deep breath and steadying my voice. "Even so, I've missed you. I didn't realize just how much until I saw you today." I caught her gaze and held it, running my hand through my hair again. Mentally, I willed her to respond whichever way she needed to, but just respond.

"I missed you too." I shouldn't have been so shocked at her admission. I had wanted a response. She gave me the best possible one. I felt my whole face light up as I watched her blush grow and she began to become self concious.

Right when our night was going so well, it changed without warning. All it took was her boss coming out to the patio leading the biggest snake of them all.

“There you two are. Well done, Miss Smith, well done! I have come to let you know that it will soon be time to wrap this all up, but first. I would like to personally introduce you to one of our biggest clients and benefactors, Mr. Evander Santos. Mr. Santos this is the young intern who put this show together for Ms. Moretti, Miss. Adella Smith.” With that René just offered Dells up like a lamb to slaughter.

“It is a pleasure to meet you officially, Mr. Santos.” She went from shy, self concious Dells to calm, professional Adella in a second. My instinct to protect her fought me as I tried to give her space. The snake's frigid gaze looked her up and down and I fought myself even harder. I was thankful when she moved towards me. Let her lead. Val's advice rang through my head. Right again, sis.

“Miss Smith, was it?” His smooth voice sounded much like I though death incarnate might sound, cool, detached, unflinching. His redundant question sounded rather accusatory for him. Evander would never wish to meet with someone that he hadn't already researched. What exactly was he probbing her for?

René stepped in when Adella refused to verbally confirm. “Mr. Santos has a job or two that he would like your help with. After seeing your work here, he wanted to immediately meet you.” A job? That was not good news. She stiffened next to me and I watched her from the corners of my eyes while also trying to keep tabs on Santos.

My nearly undivided attention did not go unnoticed not that I had had the slightest notion that it would. Evander turned his frozen face to me a small uptick of his lips slightly noticable. “Mr. Moretti, it is nice surprise to see you outside of that bar.”

I reflexively closed the space between Dells and myself and placed my arm around her waist. My urge to protect won out. She sank into my side and I took strength from her closeness. I slapped my signature grin on my face and responded. “I do make it out from time to time. More than I can say for you and that ivory tower. First time I can recall seeing you outside of it.”

Evander’s eyebrows raised slightly and that small hint of a smile grew sardonic on his face. Done with me for now he again set his sights on Dells. I caught the lightning quick mood change as he barely glanced at my hand around her waist. Gone was the smile and his jaw clenched as he regarded her once more. I felt her straighten up under his scrutiny and I gave her a gentle squeeze for encouragement.

René was growing impatient or agitated and began trying to get us to seperate. Evander humored him after giving Dells his card. Alarm bells went off in my head. He was serious about this job business after all. This wasn't good in the least. As soon as he was a decent distance from us I felt her start to shake a bit and so I crushed her to me in a hug meant to steady both of us. I tried to give her a reassuring laugh and some advice I had to learn the hard way.

“He is an arrogant, entitled punk. Don’t let him get under your skin.”

“How am I supposed to work with him?” She seemed a little steadier but no where near ready to head back to the party.

“Hey,” I got her attention off of the card and continued “Have I told you what a great job you did on this event?”

“No, but you did tell me that you missed me.” She gave me an impish look.

I returned her look with a wide smile and leaned in closer. "You said you missed me too."

She hardly missed a beat. "That is because I did." We held each other's happy gazes for longer than necessary until it was apparent that things were wrapping up inside.

"Time to close up the place." I broke the moment and offered her my arm. After she took it happily, I ventured to give her some encouragement. "Shoulders back, head up Dells. You are THE event planner of the hour."

The rest of the evening went by in a blur. Valerie was in top form, going on and on and on about everyone who had helped her acheive this moment. I tuned out most of it and perked up only when she called Adella from my side to hers. I searched the crowd for old frozen face and couldn't find him anywhere. I finally was able to relax and soon found Val and I wishing everyone goodbye with René and Dells. It had been rough to leave the gallery and by extension Adella but once again Val was in need of an escort home. So with a promise from both her and myself to keep in contact Valerie and myeself headed back to my bar. I really need to get a sleeper couch. My back was already protesting.