Chapter 8

" You would think a beautiful woman like you would be out there, being admired. Instead, you're hiding. What are you running away from or whom are you running from?" A voice I'd never heard before caught my attention, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching.

I pushed myself off the floor, apprehensive, and waited until I could put a face to the voice. From behind a column, a man with curly ginger hair stepped into the light, smiling at me.

" I should get back," I said as turned on my heel, and walked in the opposite direction.

" Don't run. I won't bite, hard" He casually said as I turned to face him. I knew I should have left. It was just me and him.

" I'm not running. I needed some fresh air, but it has been spoiled" I replied and turned to leave again.

" My apologies for that, but I was here first. One could say that you spoiled it for me" The man chuckled, and I felt compelled to turn on my heels, and retort but I knew this could go on for ages.

I sighed and closed my eyes and moved my feet only to feel a hand on my wrist yanking me back. I wobbled on my heels and fell into his arms.

" I got you," He smiled down at me and I viciously glared back. His brazen attitude irked me to no end.

" Listen here. I don't know what you want, but I'm not it. Have a good night," I hissed, pulling myself up, ready to kick up a storm.

The man raised his hand in surrender " I would like to get to know you better. Is not every day that I get to meet a beautiful woman such as yourself, and it would be a shame if I didn't at least try my hand with you." The man added mollified and less smug. I was confused, men never paid any attention to me before. Why was I all of a sudden in the limelight? Was it the dress? It didn't show that much skin.

" Maybe some other day" I begrudgingly said, frowning at him.

" No better day, like today," The man shrugged, smiling, nonchalantly about the whole thing.

" I'm not accustomed to setting off into the sunset with the first man that lurks in the shadows," I smirked at him, hoping that he would lay off, and mind his own bloody business.

" I didn't say to run away with me. We could just sit and talk and then run away. Preferably, together" The man shrugged again, shoving his hands in his pockets with a devil-may-care attitude.

" I'm not interested." I finally barked and turned my heels. I was done trying to get him to understand that I wasn't interested in a late-night talk.

" Your loss," I heard him say as I turned the corner, only to find myself back in the ballroom just after a short walk.

" Miss Abernathy. Where have you been?" Mason asked from behind me, making me turn to face him only to be greeted with furrowed brows and questioning eyes.

" I went out for a breather." I didn't bother to lie, I knew Mason would see right through me. I wasn't the truth either so I didn't feel as guilty about it.

Mason hummed, " We will be going shortly," Mason said as he looked around the room. I had no idea for how long I had been gone but it seemed to be for quite some time, since people had already eaten, and drank their fill and they were ready to go home.

" Would you like something to eat?" Mason sobered me up, as I glanced at the passing people around us.

" No. I can have a sandwich later," I smiled and returned to looking at people, trying to keep my eyes off of him. The dance had turned me upside down, everything that happened during the night had turned me upside down.

" Are you ready?" Mason asked, brows still furrowed as the same man that approached me earlier made his way towards us with the same devil-may-care attitude.

" Mason. Good to see that you're still alive and kicking " The man reached his hand for Mason to take, and winked at me.

" You bastard," Mason chuckled pulling him into a bear hug " What have you been up to Ash? I haven't seen you in years," Mason said as he pulled away from the hug.

The man shrugged " Traveling, making money. The usual, boring stuff. Is this yours?" The man pointed at me, wearing a wide grin.

Mason frowned " If your mother wouldn't have given you that god-awful name I would have punched you right now, Ashley. I think that is punishment enough, for you. Meet Miss Lily Abernathy " Mason sternly said with a glint of amusement in his eyes, as he made the introductions.

" Miss Abernathy, meet Ashley Porter." Mason chuckled and patted Ashley on the back.

" If I'd known that Morston has such fine women. I would have returned sooner." Ashley glanced around the room, eyeing the women around us.

" Nah, still the same as when I left. Except for this wonderful creature clinging to your arm. She is not Morston plume," Ashley added with a salacious smile eyeing me from head to toe and I instantly felt the need to spill all that I had eaten that day.

" Mr Poter. Please refrain from any other comments or rude remarks aimed at me. I made it very clear earlier that I'm not interested. Have a good evening," I spat out through gritted teeth since Mason wasn't saying anything.

" You heard the lady. I believe that there is no need for me to add anything else," Mason smiled at me. I opened my mouth and closed it again. Was he waiting for me to defend myself?

" Very well, Miss Abernathy, " Ashley raised his hands in resignation once more and took a step back.

" I will see you at our usual place, Mason. Miss Abernathy. Have a wonderful evening," Ashley turned on his heels and smiled over his shoulder at me.

I sighed in relief, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through me. I found Ashley rude and brazen. He barely knew me and to speak of me as if I was...my thought stopped there when Mason hooked my arm into his making me aware that I was furiously glaring, clenching my fists.