I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Come on, Ivory, dinner, maybe a dance with your husband and go home. I can do this.
Fixing my hair one last time, I stepped out of the bathroom in a hurry and bumped into someone. What happened to the lights?
"Sorr-"
"Don't you look beautiful as ever."
I froze.
I stared into those eyes and forced my legs to move. Come on, you can do this. But he blocked my way, pushing me against the far wall to shield me from everyone.
"Surprised to see me?"
"Move," I hissed through my teeth and pushed my hands against his chest. He caught them easily, holding my wrists and leaning forward. His body towered over mine, making it near impossible to move. The more I struggled, the more he seemed to enjoy it, so I slumped against the wall.
"Move, James."
"Let me explain, Ivory. You never let me explain," he said, his finger brushing against my cheek, making me wince. The touch I once used to love made bile rise up my throat.
"I don't need an explanation," I snapped, glaring up at him. His eyes softened as they looked into mine and I gritted my teeth.
"Ivory, I miss you."
Oh god. Not this again. I gave him a harsh push which made him stumble backwards. Without so much as a glace in his direction, I quickly rushed back to the table. Dinner seemed to have been finished. I surely hadn't been gone that long, had I?
Darius was just getting up when I came to the table. Our eyes met.
"There you are. We-You okay?" he asked as I stood by the chair. I nodded without looking at him. I was going to pull the chair out when he grabbed my arm and pulled me.
"What are you doing?" I asked as he tugged me across the floor toward the entrance. Oh god, did Alicia tell him something? I shouldn't have told her.
He called over for the driver, shielding me from the cameras again. When the car arrived, he gently pushed me inside.
"Darius?" I asked as he slammed the door shut and took off his jacket. He looked up, his green eyes sparkling.
"Where are we going?" I asked as the limo started up again.
"You'll see," was the only thing he said. I looked out the window, if only to avoid his intense gaze on me. The ride was quiet and every time I glanced at him, he was staring at me like he was trying to figure me out. I can't believe he just dragged me out like that!
And I can't believe I let myself be caught in a moment like that with James. How dare him! He wanted to 'explain' things. Yeah, he should have explained why he cheated on me. I could feel my throat clog up again and willed myself not to shed a tear. He didn't deserve it.
"We're here," said Darius, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I asked as his hand found mine and pulled me out of the car.
"Where ar-" The question trailed off as I stared out at the waves in front of me. The beach?
I looked up at him and found him smiling at me.
"You didn't look like you were having much fun there," he said, rubbing the back of his neck again, something which he always did. I bit my lip to keep from smiling.
“How?” I asked, surprised we were at the beach. Was it a coincidence or did he know I love the beach? Either way, I didn’t care right now. It was exactly what I needed.
“Your dad,” he replied with a shrug and I smiled before bending down to remove my shoes.
"What are you doing?"
"Well, surely you didn't bring me all this way to just stare at the waves, did you?" I tugged at his hand and pulled him along.
Darius’s laugh echoed in the quiet night as he followed me. I felt the warm yet rough sand under my feet as I walked toward the waves. I wasn't getting in. That was for sure. It was way too cold and windy.
But just watching the moon at the horizon was perfect. I sat down on the sand.
"Aren't you going to ruin the dress?"
"Oh well," I said as I hugged my knees. After a moment, Darius sat down beside me and I raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you afraid you're going to ru-"
"If you aren't, why should I?" he cut me off, smiling. His eyes twinkled as he smiled. It was different from all his other smiles and I let out a soft laugh when I looked back at the moon. We both lay on the sand, looking up at the dark sky.
"What are you thinking?" his voice asked, a soft whisper barely heard in the wind.
"The stars, how peaceful they must be," I told him.
He chuckled and I turned my head to glare at him.
"The stars," he said, turning his head. His eyes were like the stars now, shiny and bright as they stared at me. I shrugged.
"Yea, stars. They're just… perfect. They shine all the time. That one." I pointed to a star that has a dull colour. Which probably meant it was a red star.
"It’s probably already dead, but we won't find out for another million light years or whatever," I said, not knowing the exact figure.
“Isn’t light years a unit of length, not time?”
I froze and shrugged as I waved a hand. “Same thing, old man.”
"That's re-assuring," he told me and I nudged him with my elbow.