14

My gaze beheld the girl in the mirror—A wreck she was.

An utter mess.

Eyes weary, they only screamed to have a long night's rest. But how impossible that was, as I was forced to remain on the grounds of this building, all in sakes of an event I barely took an interest in.

Only now did the comfort of my home hit me.

Oh, how lucky Tara was. With no composure to put up, and no gentleman to force a smile at, it sure was the happiest place to be in at the hour.

Even from here, I could still hear the orchestra playing. Those group of people who had been hired to bless the evening with such tunes I only found soothing.

Their hands had been busy at the instruments from the moment I walked in here, and up till this moment, they haven't bothered taking a rest, not even a glass of water had they halted their session for.

The roof could come down, and they would go on playing, if only I was that dedicated to my life.

Area surrounded with faces I never thought I would come across, ever, they carried the event with such joy and focus, you would think there was something else to it.

Of course one wouldn't expect less from a group of elites, who were out for nothing but to beat the stats and stance of one another, yet they went bearing smiles, putting up a façade one could see through.

Eyes beholding the reflection of my faded lips, hands at once, went reaching into the depths of my purse, pushing to apply another coat of lipstick.

I could live with another hour being here. A long one it was sure to be, but I definitely could leave through it.

Mingle, Jane. Live in it, and the night would surely see its end.

My body had at once fallen tense, head bent low to the ground.

I could feel a presence.

That presence that came up behind me.

The ear-burning silence which had soon befallen the room, got my head snapping up, eyes at once beholding the form in the mirror.

Why ever did he manage to be so relaxed every single time, with those gaze of his, housing nothing but a pull that was out for me.

I could hear his breaths behind me, with eyes still holding mine through the mirror.

He pushed even closer, so our bodies came drawing near, with my chest tightening at his approaching form.

My eyes faltered at that longing stare. Even through the mirror, they made sure to betray me, leaving me a wreck.

"Excuse me" My voice barely could be made out, as I tried pushing past his form, but the firm hold on my wrist, had halted me in my steps in an instant, with his eyes shifting to every part of my profile.

"You should have joined the table" His voice was abnormally low, gaze shifting through mine.

"I wasn't invited" I followed at once, warding my gaze off his.

"Would you have joined if I invited you in?"

I didn't think his question was actually one so serious, not until those questioning eyes awaited mine, and in a second, a grin had tugged at his lips, hands pulling me closer to him.

"Miss Parker" Imperceptibly soft voice poured out his lips, with eyes shifting all through my profile.

A low breath emitted from me at the touch of those hands against mine, and at the sight of him pulling even nearer, I turned away, pushing his figure off my shaken form.

"I won't fall for it this time, Mr. Holden"

His gaze was clouded with confusion, eyes holding onto mine, and right when I pushed forward to walk away, had he pulled me to his chest, closing the space between us.

Body froze at the touch of his lips against the skin of my neck, with hands resting on my curves, gently pulling my figure closer to his form.

His hold was gentle.

Lips trailing onto my cleavage, I felt his hold on me tighten, with hands roaming over my hips.

They had soon trailed to my back, and right when they reached to undo my straps, I resorted to pushing him aside, figure proceeding out the shock that still englobed me.

I was no longer up for those games, in as much as that pull was just too much for one to resist, I no longer entertained his antics.

I was done with all of that.

***

"How was it?"

The words of Tara rushed at my incoming form, eyes beholding the state I bore into the room.

"Tiring"

"Frustrating" My words were low, body numb.

"God. You look a mess" Her eyes skimmed all over my form, watching as I sank onto the couch right next to her.

My frail body had at once leaned towards her figure, seeking every warmth I had yearned for since the break of dawn.

"Jane"

Her voice poured out soft, with hands reaching to stroke my hair.

"I just might be wrong, but you've been stressing yourself lately"

"I mean, this job has been all but hectic for you" She followed.

Her chin came resting atop my head, with hands holding my body tight, I could hear those warm breaths pouring out.

"There's nothing I can do, T"

"In due time, it will all be worth it" I assured myself much more than I was assuring her.

She was right.

As of late, all I'd been engaging in were things that threatened to run me mad. If it wasn't me returning home late from the company, then it would be me having one place to visit, and as you guessed, sent by the company.

I felt for myself.

I needed every peace.

Every comfort.

But just as mother would say, we shouldn't await rest, rather, push on for better living, doing what we loved. And if that involved working for hours, then one should carry on.

For we'd have every rest sought the day we leave this earth.