A simple get-together is what it's meant to be, but it's nothing more than a business meeting where they can make enemies. Much like them, I'm pressured by everyone who didn't fulfill their dreams. Although those are standards set by those around me, there's one they seem to value more than the rest - whether or not I live like I have money to waste.

"Young master, the Mistress wishes you a safe trip home," One of my mother's lackeys tells me before his fleeting footsteps fade into the whispers of those around me.

The ballroom's dim lights shine down on me as though I'm some angel. The thought brings a smile to my lips until the matter at hand returns to my mind. I take a sip of my drink as a pair of hands stroke my waist.

The sweet taste rests on my tongue before a bitter one replaces it. I place the half-empty glass of Scotch I've been nursing on the small table in front of me, a drop water landing on my shoe. I turn to the crowd and steal one last glance around the room.

Dozens of patrons converse amongst themselves about the main topics of their respective businesses, families and gossip of politicians and mayors. But that's not what I'm here for. I turn to Stephen, and slide my hand up his thigh, coming to rest near his crotch. 

My eyes stick to his, filled with lust and seduction. A grin plays on his lips as he fights back the urge to take me here in front of everyone at the banquet. I move to his ear, my hand moving along with me.

"Daddy," I whisper in his ear, almost begging him, adding, "I need you."

My hand comes to a halt on the tent rising in his pants, teasing the tip of it. His hips buck in my hand as he tries to move them more and more. His hand on my waist holds me down at side, pinning me to the couch as if I'm some cheap slut.

"But you are a cheap slut." A bit of loud laughter is all it takes for me to lose it.

"What have I told you about touching my property? I don't think you've learnt you lesson since the last time.

A soft chuckle from a familiar voice breaks me away from the pit of anger to find the last person I hoped to see. Standing there in a black suit with his hair slicked back, is Aurelius in all his glory. He wears a sly smirk and his eyes stick to me.

Beneath his glare, it feels like a wolf staring at his prey sitting beside another, ready to take it in an instant. But, in the back of my mind, I can't help hoping I'm his prey. The thought brings some light to the darkness around me.

"Aurelius, what are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming."

He holds me tighter at his side, gripping my waist as if he doesn't want me to go. The smile on his face tells me he's hoping to play around with Aurelius. Seeming to want to anger Aurelius, he closes the space between us.

"Play along."

The whisper tickles my ear. I may want to play along with him to get a rise out of the composed Aurelius even if it means going along with him. Even if it means having to endure the feeling of his arm around me. He moves away from me and sits me down on his lap. 

My eyes widen a bit in shock at the sudden move before regaining my usual look. His deep red eyes warn me of mischief and danger. It feels like a trap, but I want to fall inside. His hand falls onto my waist and pulls me in, the other rising to my chin, caressing my cheek.

"You're sexier sitting in my lap. It makes me wanna kiss you."

"Then do it," I challenge him, winking at him to see if he's willing to take this further.

He pulls me closer to him, the scent of his cologne surrounding me in a ball of heat. It rises from my stomach to my chest, seeming like I have some sort of nervous feeling about this. 

There's no backing out now. All the alcohol I've been sipping for the last few hours comes back to me in an instant to find myself intoxicated enough to go on. I bite back the nervousness filling me and smash my lips into his, tasting the Whisky he'd been drinking.

His hands pull me in deeper as he kisses me back, taking the lead of our kiss. As though my senses have heightened, his taste intoxicates me more than the liquor I had. His cologne surrounds me in a ball of lust as I grip his shoulders.

His taste and smell silences my thoughts and makes me yearn for something more, forgetting out plan. Before we can go further, I'm dragged away from him, his taste and smell vanishing. My back hits the wall with a silent thud.

A rush of pain shoots through my chest as some recollection comes to mind. The warning I received not long before passes through my mind.

"It may be a hairline fracture, but it's best if you don't move too much or bend over. The treatments to be met and medicine prescribed are on this paper. Take it seriously."

There goes that plan. Sudden chills of air flow through my ribs, sending a few chills up and down my spine. Another round of pain passes through my chest as I try to calm down. A bit of black crosses my eye while I figure things out.

"Don't touch my property."

His grip on my arm and the grit in his words allow me to assume it's Aurelius who dragged me back. My eyes dart to Stephen to find a devilish grin on his face, almost as though he's enjoying the entire thing. I can't say I'd blame him. There's something about his composure that I can revel in, but it doesn't seem to be one I can enjoy.

"I didn't know he was a "property" to you," He teases him, getting even more of a rise out of him.

"You know what I mean, you fucktard." He chuckles to himself, a hint of bitterness echoing between us.

The pain in my chest increases at a rapid rate, making it a bit more difficult to breathe. I attempt to break out of his grip to take one of the painkillers prescribed to me, but his grip tightens around my arm.

"Aurelius, let, haa, go of me," I manage to get the words out as I pry my hand away from him.

"He's sick, isn't he?"