The noise, music and everything else slowly dies down in my subconscious as I swallow the breath hitched up in my throat.
Fucking Thane.
He's taller now, more masculine since I last saw him. Furthermore, there was an edge to him that feels different.
Maybe it's his coffee brown eyes that has visibly darkened.
Or it's the sophisticated aura around him that has intensified more than I remember it.
Or maybe it's just the way his eyes not so subtly rake all over my body right now.
"You have not changed, just as stunning as before" I can't translate it as a insult or a compliment as he hands me my glass, our fingers brushing over each other and my heart misses its rhythm
Thane? More like Thorn
A thorn my stupid self should have gotten over. Shame and rage fills me up at the same time. This is definitely not how I imagined us meeting again. Even though I had down my auburn hair down today and put on a strapless cream colored mini gown, I still feel under dressed.
"Get your shit together" I caution myself internally
I take a sip of my drink, hopefully it will suppress the impressive flips and turns my stomach is taking. Dropping the glass on the counter, I summon the god of nonchalance and neutral expressions.
"It's been a while " He says while my eyes roam around the place intentionally looking everywhere else but at him. I see a tall, seemingly good looking taking his place at my near left settling for a glass of vodka and yes I know what it is even though I don't drink.
His aura stands out against the chaotic frenzy in the club and his mere presence commands attention while exuding unmatched elegance. His eyes are lowered to his drink and with the way his rich curly black hair covers his temple, it's hard to make out his eye colour...
"Abby" Thane calls, pulling me back to the predicament at hand
"What?" I snap at him and make the mistake of glancing his way. Emotions are swirling in his eyes as he stares back at me. He looks hurt or disappointed or maybe it's just his dented ego.
He had lost the right to call my name long ago.
"I never thought I'd see you again after you just—disappeared" He pauses and then observes me as if he's waiting for some sort of reaction but it's too bad because if there is anything I take pride in my mastery of, it would be my expressions.
He blinks and resumes talking after I've disappointed his expectations again, "The universe must have yielded my plea for see you again, I really thought—"
"Talkative much now?"I cut the rest of his speech, my own face neutral watching as he and the twinkle in his eye quiet down. I consume a mouthful of my drink while a muscle in his jaw ticks.
" Look, I know I hurt you—"
"Oh no, not anymore" I respond with a calm I don't feel. Surprising though, he recovers from this one quickly and looks right through me with a startling intensity, his voice is softer now.
"How have you been? I have been thinking about you, Abigail" Aaaand my heart paces up to an unhealthy rhythm.
Again.
Am seriously starting to consider if my head issues are turning heart issues. Another mouthful of coke and I realise the taste has gone tasteless and my brain isn't braining
"Better than ever, as you can see" Not sure if he can see it but I say it anyway. For the next couple of seconds, neither of us say a word, the tension is very palpable in air and I contemplate shooing him away or walking away myself but somehow I am still sitting down until a flash of inspiration slams into me. I thrust my almost shaky palms into my silky gown to contain my excitement. Trust me, the idea is sick
Whether it's the good kind of sick or bad kind I wouldn't know.
"So indulge me, how did you find me here? Did you track me down? Stalk me? Or did fate" I make exaggerated air quotes "Bring you to this....club?"
Thane's facial features tense a bit, he purses his lips and his eyes are subtly darting around
I know that look. He's obviously choosing his words. Prick.
"I had some business here"
"Oh really?"
My eyes light up in mock amusement as I continue, enjoying this a little bit too much. "I mean uh, there is actually a lot of noise here. Isn't it a bit inconvenient? Just saying, you know, as an old friend". He smiles at my words, opens his mouth and then closes it almost instantly and proceeds to steal a glance at me with a....shy smile??
Thane? Shy?!
" I do wish we still have what we had then" His eyes searching through mine as he reaches for my hands...
"Your very existence was a mistake in itself"
His words from before play over like a broken record in my brain. I subconsciously started to detach myself from the moment he said those words to me and even more when he said and did even worse, trampling on my pride and dignity like it was nothing and now he comes back after what, six years telling me all too familiar bullshit and the funniest part?
This might all just be a game to him. I may just be a pawn to play in a casual chess game fueled by shallow pride to win, to conquer
I retract my hands before he can touch me and I do the exact opposite of what my reaction should be. I smile and scratch my not so itchy neck, feigning hesitation
"Hm…about that. I actually have company"
Thane lifts an eyebrow, obviously doubting the credibility of my statement.
In response, I turn to the stranger on my left with a sly, promising smile.
Well, two can play this game...