2 T W O

Ajax is getting a little annoyed.

Aoife squirms in her father's burly arms - she doesn't feel comfortable with his stern grip compare to being held by her mother's delicate hands.  Aoife whines and proceeds to squirm, even more, hoping to wiggle and slide down and onto the ground. Finally, her father takes the hint and sighs in distress as he carefully put his favorite daughter on the confetti-filled lush green grass.

Aoife's red sundress adorned with multiple yellow flowers crinkles up but flattens down fairly quickly when she makes a dash for it. Aoife didn't care if it was cold out but her mother still managed to get her to wear a red sweater jacket at least.

Her father didn't panic like most normally would have. He didn't even call her name, he did know his daughter was smart enough to not run off, out of sight.

It didn't quell the slight pang stabbing in his chest as he reminisced memories before the notorious scandal took place. For Ajax, seeing his energetic daughter was enough to regret his decisions.

He won't deny he didn't like it though. But he still hated it.

Fuck.

He curses under his breath as it halts seeing the women, who were a few inches taller than usual, wearing one of her signature outfits. Those around him can assume he's looking at her lovingly.

He is.

Her four colored striped sweater hung past those sinuous curse. Ajax recalls being of her favorite assets he loves to have a firm grip around. Her black pair of ripped skinny jeans - making her legs incredulously long - gives Ajax an image he can't erase. He licks his lips at the thought, they hugged tightly. And her pair of black booties accommodating her height; she makes her way back over, carefully dodging any businessman posing an intermediate threat.

Or mothers.

As Anna reaches him, nervousness painted on her face. Ajax loops his arm around her waist, dignifying his possession of Anna to the hungry eyes at a kid's birthday party.

To make the image more forthcoming, Ajax tenderly kisses Anna cheek - a little longer than necessary. Anna tenses up at the greeting, practically begging herself not to melt into putty. A kindle of fire sparking under her chest jolted Anna into reality.

Remember Anna this is the man who you refuse to accept a receipt of you buying his bullshit.

Anna's tongue went slack, the recollection of images set her jaw tight; under her crossed arms, her nails are gnawing dent marks in her palms. She wishes to push him away. The all familiar of wooden-smelt cologne and the warmth are giving her goosebumps. At this point, Anna is hoping the son-of-a-bitch is aware his head moves into his ass. She'll pretend, for now.

The estranged couple looks like a couple in the eyes of unwanted desires at the party. It's not the first time they've acted like this before they fell in love.

Or possibly that was only Ajax. Asshole, Anna thinks.

Can't exactly blame her though; meeting this narcissistic man at the age of 18 for marriage without notice but to benefit the two families. Anna's parents weren't exactly sporting whip cream on top of their forced offers.

A year later, Aoife was born.

To Anna - despite her young age - that was the greatest day of her life, to where she was the happiest and content despite using every colorful word in the vocabulary and her vagina feeling engorged.

Ajax could definitely say the same.

The man was mostly confused about how to feel the day but regardless he was still delighted even if the negative thoughts started to stir.

"I see you still haven't lost the habit," Ajax remarks quite playfully, his signature smirk notoriously gracing his features to be more pristine. Anna shivers from his breath, ghosting right above her ear.

    Anna blinks before realizing she genuinely voiced her thoughts. I thought I was getting better.  Anna leans away from him just enough to highlight her disturbance towards the sharp brown-eyed man.

Anna then scoffs after completely digesting what he said. "Funny, I can say the same for you," she lightly whispers, swallowing the frog in her throat.

Ajax wasn't even bothered by that response - it is quite true. Instead, he took ignorant pride in that. He has always craved attention in any form, from life to sexual to someone dying from his own hands. His smirk never falters and Anna wonders what she ever saw in him in the first place.

In the amiss of their silent debacle, Aoife watches them from afar whilst trying to purposely distract herself of the pseudo image she hates the fact she's used to.

But like every child, wistful hopes gives her the idea, it just might be possible. Either way, Aoife proceeds to play with her friends - a plethora of games catered to keep all of those ages five and six, very busy. Hell, her friend's parents rented a bouncy castle. Aoife keeps that in mind for her future parties; even if it won't happen.

The birthday girl - however - loves to talk with the best interest at hand. "My mommy said your parents look like they came out of a wedding magazine. She was crying. She said her and daddy don't have the... ph- qui-..." Janine mumbles to figure out the right term, "...body? She said it was a good thing!"

Aoife takes it as a compliment unaware of the fact the birthday girl - Janine - insulted Janine's own parents.

"Thank you!" Aoife happily takes into recognition, trying her best to keep those corners of her smile as high as possible. They're threatening to get lower the longer she holds it. Her muscles ache.

Back to Anna and Ajax, their bickering hasn't dissolved. The only thing gracing their greek god-made lips are shark bait smiles.

"You seemed to have picked the wrong place, agápi mou," Ajax pokes Anna's amplifying insecurity that is highlighting from overhearing what Janine has said. If they heard her correctly, a kids' party is definitely robustious.

Anna didn't let the terms of endearment go past her ears, "Don't call me that, you morosoph." Anna shifts her posture, one leg crossing over the other providing her form to have authentic grace. "I checked, this place was fine - small." 

Ajax mumbles something under his breathe about the small town. Anna didn't catch it though, piquing her interest further.

No one should know, for Aoife. Anna internally prays as soon as she notices Ajax strangely turn stiff. Scrutinizing the glaze of emotion in his dark and empty brown orbs, she follows his line of sight. Anna's mouth goes dry for a mere second, noticing Janine's aunt - her mother's sister - is approaching them.

Anna had no association with her other than hearing some warnings to avoid her. Some say she's a little crazy, Anna partly believes that considering she does have long, luscious ginger hair. But Anna being Anna, still never fully takes those rumors into consideration until meeting the woman.

"My, my... I thought you claimed to have not come with anyone - other than your daughter, of course," the woman directs towards Anna. Anna tilts her head in confusion to the ginger women sporting a half crooked smile and a slight sneer.

The woman is a few inches shorter than the counterfeit couple, her attire is classic casual wearing a dark green turtleneck sweater with old navy colored jeans and black flats. Just from looks alone, you could tell simpleton outfits enhance her natural beauty. No foundation covers her freckles dancing all around her face. Her green eyes feel demanding to Anna and probably lust-filled for Ajax.

Anna was going to ask where and why she said that statement but Ajax beat her to it - sort of.

"Last minute decisions," He murmured cockily, feeling the need to pull Anna's heartstrings he continues, "I feel to do whatever I please." The subtle smug look morphing his red-wine lips never fails to infuriate Anna. As for Janine's aunt - something different.

"Plus, must I remind you, Aoife is my daughter," Ajax finalizes whilst seemingly diminishing whatever thoughts have Janine's aunt in a part-felt haze.

"Oh spare me, any parent of Aoife's is welcomed," her sharp white canines coming in view - the pointiness they had alone boiled Anna's blood in slight uneasiness. "Besides, I can say the same for my niece."

Janine's aunt twists her body to look at Janine pulling Aoife towards the bouncy castle, then turns back to look at the two bodies glorifying Greeks, twitching her bones in jealousy. Nevertheless, she didn't know it was kind of showing on her face. People called her crazy because wearing her emotions on her sleeve was a big turn off. Especially when she wanted something.

Anna feels to interject herself since all she has notice was the two interacting as if they alone.

"S-sorry but..." Anna waits for a moment until she got the woman's fully divided attention. That takes Anna to wave her hand in front of her face - without the intention of being rude - to stop her biting her lip and her eyes drooling for Ajax. "What's... what's your name?"

The women didn't bother to hide her distaste, but as quick as it formed, she switched it to that toothy smile, easily making Anna uncomfortable.

" 'tis Wendy," she replies merrily. Ajax snorts realizing how iconic it is.

Anna catches on quickly and smacks his chest, her face marring in strict interrogation. Wendy who appears oblivious of the interaction doesn't really pay much attention; her next spoken words have Anna trembling with trepidation.

"You two are perfect, I can see why Willow may be jealous; I'm sure most can," thinking it was a good choice to end it there, Wendy struts off. Purposely putting a little more 'oomph' in those swaying hips.

At this point, Anna wanted to go crawl in a corner and sob, it may seem ridiculous for some. However, Anna believes there's more to this small town that what it seems.

That, or she's overthinking as usual.