Before "The"

She tried to keep herself calm as she idly chatted with those around her. A flute occupied one hand as her clutch occupied the other.

Her boyfriend had yet to arrive but she knew from the background noise when they last spoke on the phone, that he’d be a bit late.

But, hopefully, not too late.

“Ah, hello there. You look like you’re waiting for someone.”

“My boyfriend is running a bit late. Car trouble.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily. You don’t exactly go around letting people know about your boyfriend’s business. Illegal business.

“I hope he’s okay.” His voice lacked the sincerity one would expect with such words.

“Thank you.” This time, she actually looked at him as she spoke, catching the generic rich style of his attire contradicting his casual mannerisms.

She tried to edge herself away but he followed her movement.

“Are you being bothered, ma’am?” The hostess touched her shoulder lightly, concerned by the tense air.

Guests nearby continued to talk but they were watching. They were all watching.

“No, not all.” She gave a tight-lipped smile to the woman, hoping to not cause a scene.

Before the hostess could say more, the man spoke up, “I’m sorry, I can’t remember your name.” Confused, she glanced to where he leaned against the high table. She couldn’t recall ever mentioning her name. “He’s had so many that I just can’t keep track of them all – girlfriends and flings are what I’m referring to. Which are you might I ask?”

Appalled, everyone in earshot gasped, their attention obvious on the two. The shock on her face indistinguishable next to the hurt that teared up her eyes.

“How dare you, at such a formal event, throw around speculation so publically about my relationship and my boyfriend’s past relations when you know nothing of either us. You can’t recall my name because I don’t give it out to creeps such as yourself who have no idea about personal space or respect for others.” She locked her jaw, using all her willpower to not shake in her anger.

The hostess, in complete agreement, had security escort him out exactly as her boyfriend came through the front door.

Embarrassed by the scene and accusation that hung in people’s eye. She made her way from the crowd and to a table where they met.

“What happened? Are you okay?” The people returned to their conversation, but their sideways glances didn’t go unnoticed.

Taking a sip of champagne, she whispered, “I’ll tell you later. Promise.” She tried to steady her nerves, but it failed no matter how many deep breathes she took. “I have a speech in a few minutes. Please help me steady my nerves.”

“Alright, come on.” He took her glass and set it on the table. “That was looking flat, anyway.” He guided her to the restrooms and waited outside for her.

A lady walked in shortly afterward and opened her clutch for some makeup to touch up her face.

“So, one of many, huh?”

Jaw locking, she ignored the woman and focused on fixing her mascara.

“So,” the woman tried again, “was that some cliché way to get to your boyfriend or…?”

“No, it was meant to hurt me.” She looked up, noticing how the woman stared at her through the mirror.

Immediately, she looked to her bag, but she felt the stare linger a few seconds more.

“Well then, I guess that makes more sense.” The woman tucked her clutch in the crook of her arm, absent-mindedly fluffing a strand of curled hair. “Next time, tell the prick to not use your boyfriend as a mirror. No one likes someone else’s flaws and mistakes masked onto them.”

With that, the woman left back to the party.

Gasping, she stared at the closing door, barely seeing her boyfriend’s shoulder just outside. She packed up her bag, feeling better as she joined him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Her voice didn’t feel as tight when she spoke. She patted the skirt of her dress, watching it ripple from her touch.

“You ready?”

“No.” Her quick response earned her a chuckle from him.

He led her back to the main room where the hostess had begun to gather the crowd to their seats.

---

“You did wonderful up there.” She leaned her head onto his shoulder as their driver took them to the hotel.

“You think? It might have been too long…” His coat rested on her shoulder keeping her warm.

“No. You were perfect.” He tightened his arm around her waist and pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Want to talk about what happened?”

“At the hotel. Promise. Just, not right now.” She kissed his clothed shoulder, nerves shocked from the embarrassment and speech.

A speech she had been preparing for two months and had worked incredibly hard on. She did nothing but give vague details with giddy excitement. He had been happy for her – overjoyed – and to walk in to see her horribly embarrassed and nerves shot, made his blood boil to an inhuman level.

“Alright, at the hotel.”