IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

WORTH 10

"Watching?" Niki snarled, eyes flitting across the room. "From where the f**k?"

Louise sighed. She looked tired, but Niki correctly assumed that it was from work. This entire evening was getting on her nerves. Not only did she feel bored as f**k, but Louise was making her feel like she would rather be anywhere else than there. But, much to her dismay, Louise stood and gestured to the dance floor. Almost everyone had left their seats and coupled up. There were a few singles, a few groups, but mostly couples. Niki's throat bobbed as she swallowed.

"You really want to go along with this?" Niki asked her.

Irritation flared across Lou's face. "We signed a contract, as I've been constantly reminded. I would much rather be at work than dancing at this weird place with you."

Niki was surprised by how much the comment stung. Her face grew hot and her stomach clenched, and she knew her expression must have darkened because Lou suddenly looked guilty. She didn't fight back, though. Instead, she stood, roughly pulled Louise into her arms and then whisked them away. The song was fast and filled with complicated beats, so Niki danced them hard. Louise kept trying to talk to her, to tell her to slow down or stop, but Niki ignored her. Thank god there was only one dance. As soon as the announcer told them to return to their tables, Niki dropped Lou's arms like she was on fire and briskly walked away. Lou joined her at the table a moment later. Her face was red and flushed and her makeup looked a little ruined.

"You should have changed," Niki told her blandly. "Must not have been comfortable doing the bogey in that skirt."

Lou's face pulled in anger, but she huffed and looked away. Her phone started to ring-the phone-and to Niki's annoyance, she answered it.

"What?" Louise suddenly stiffened in her chair, back straightening. Niki's stomach dropped. She knew exactly why Louise had gone from angry to attentive. "Father," Louise breathed. "I apologize. I didn't realize it was-no. No I'd never!" She flushed deep red. "I understand. Yes. I will, I promise. Goodb-" She lowered the phone and stared at it. Niki could see tears welling in her eyes and the sight of them sent a throb through her heart. She sighed.

"He should never treat you like that," Niki said softly. Louise glanced up at her, eyes sharp. "And don't snap at me, I'm trying to be nice."

Louise laughed sardonically. "Nice? Yeah, sure." She wiped at her eyes and put her phone off.

Sometimes Niki forgot what a pretentious asshole Louise's father was. That's probably where Lou got her attitude, too. When the two of them had just met, Louise had just moved in with her father. She was an illegitimate child born from an affair, but her father had taken her in. He at first refused to really acknowledge her or even give her the promise that she could join his company, like his other kids. But his other children never wanted to follow his footsteps and when he realized he would have no one in the family at the helm, suddenly Louise had been good enough. He left most of the work to her when he was still getting paid and it was still all in his name.

Niki's anger melted away completely. "I'm sorry," she said gently. "For earlier."

Louise nodded absently. Their food arrived and they ate in silence. Afterwards they ordered desert. Before it arrived, they were told to dance again. This time Niki held her hand out and Louise took it. They walked together onto the dance floor and then Niki wrapped her arms on Lou’s waist. The song that started was slow, purposeful and solemn.

For the first time in a long time, Niki's body reacted to having Louise so near. Her heart gave a steady jump and hope flared in her stomach. "I wish you would quit," Niki decided to say. "And work with me or something."

Louise stared up at her. "Quit as CEO of the biggest company in the city?" She shook her head. "That's not happening."

"Money is not an issue here," Niki insisted. "You should think about your emotional health."

"My emotional health is fine. And I don't care about the money."

Silence fell over them, filled with all of the words they knew were there, but couldn't say. Louise stayed because despite how he treated her, she wanted her father's approval. She would work herself to death one day until he looked at her and said she had done a good job. Niki couldn't understand that desire. All her life she'd only ever really looked out for herself. Louise had always been somewhat of an enigma to her. The motivations she could see, but some of them made no sense to her.

"Thank you for caring still," Louise spoke up suddenly. Her hands on Niki's shoulders tightened slightly. "I didn't think you still do."

"Of course I still do," Niki rushed. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here."

Louise looked up and their gazes locked. They stared at each other, hearts beating, not moving. The song ended abruptly and they were told to return to their table again, for desert. The both of them obeyed, stepped away from each other quickly, eyes darting away. There was already plates on their table when they got there, and a note in Rachel's handwriting.

'Bill taken care of. Enjoy your cake. - RL'

"I guess that means we can leave." Niki muttered.

They sat down and ate their cake, neither saying anything. And for some reason they stayed longer than they should have, just watching the dancers, each other. It was weird. Niki didn't regret the evening.

***

Louise stumbled into her house with a soft curse, kicking off her shoes. She was so uncomfortably sweaty from all the dancing. Plus, she'd had a bit too much wine. Niki had only drank water and so she offered to drive Louise home. In her slightly drunken state, Lou had happily agreed. Now she was starting to seriously regret it. How was she going to get to work?

Her phone started to right. Fingers shaking, Louise answered it. "Hello?"

"Louise, hey." It was Niki. "I'll pick you up tomorrow and drop you off by your car. The staff at Disco said they'll make sure it's watched by their security. Get a good night's rest."

Louise's chest warmed and clenched. Niki really did still care about her. She always did stuff like this. She acted like a selfish asshole, but went out of her way to help people that she cared about. Louise felt the tears pouring down her cheeks before she even realized that she was crying. She didn't want Niki to hear.

"Thank you," she said, voice tearful. "I really appreciate it."

"Always, Lou." Niki responded, voice softening. Louise hadn't heard her voice that gentle in such a long time. "I'll see you in the morning, alright?"

Louise sniffled. "Yeah. Of course."

"Goodnight, Louise."

She inhaled. "Night, Niki."

The call ended and Louise stood there, phone to her ear, tears pouring down her face. She wished things had never gone bad, and that Niki was just here to hold her.