ENTER THE MADAM

< Athaire Starlight Hotel

UTC+2 0818 AM

Lobby >

Her name? Mrs. Thorne. Years of fighting her way up the career ladder had made her experienced but also gave her a feeling of superiority which she never even tried to contain. It shone through clear as daylight as she looked down sharply at Jenny before turning her steely gaze to Joff.

"You both should be upstairs and busy with the preparations, darling."

"I know, mother," Joff began, "we were just about to when we ran into old acquaintances."

"Acquaintances?" Mrs. Thorne turned to Angel and her eyes lit up. "Oh, Angel, dear, I didn't know you were coming. I'm glad to see you. Have you been well?"

"Yes, thank you," Angel replied automatically with a business tone and a polite slight smile while lowering her head ever so minimal in greeting to Mrs. Thorne.

A satisfied smile entered the Madams expression for a second before it disappeared in the next when she turned to One Shot. "And who might you be? A past lover of hers?" Jenny flinched upon hearing her refer to her as if she wasn't present, nevertheless, she was quick to speak up in an ever so tiny voice.

Flustered, she stuttered, "W-what?! N-no, of course not!"

One Shot stepped before her protectively and stated calmly, "I'm her older brother, Alexander. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Thorne."

"Hm, fancy I've never even seen a speck of you before. How come?"

"Work has kept me busy."

"Work, always work. You remind me of my past husband, dear. Always busy with work, work, work." To Joff, she added in an exasperated sigh, "He sent a mail, he's still in a conference but will come soon, so don't worry dear. In any case, you two lovebirds should head on up. And Angel and …what was your name again, Alexander? Let's catch up later."

Just in time, the elevator doors opened, and she stepped in, gesturing for Joff and Jenny to follow suit.

"Ah, yes" Jenny turned to Angel and One Shot, "but you have to tell me all about how you two met later, okay? I'm dying to know all the details! See you later at my wedding!" With that, she hurried to get back to Joff who was already holding out a hand to take her back, and together, they left.

One Shot and Angel were left standing next to each other in silence, watching the elevator ascend into the air and out of sight. Out of reach.

"…"

They turned to one another in silence. Then…

"Coffee?" she asked.