LADIES

< Athaire Starlight Hotel

UTC+2 0510 PM

Photo Studio, Room Swan, Top Floor >

She was careful to close the door quietly behind her. The room was surprisingly big. It was suitable for a conference hall more so than a photoshoot, but for this occasion, it seemed to have been re-purposed. Towards the back, decorations had been arranged in tasteful settings, and currently, the flower boat was used. Jenny sat surrounded by her bridesmaids, with the photographer shouting out nearly constant directions followed by exaggerated compliments. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed a movement and turned to see Mrs. Thorne give her a royal wave from her seat next to the improvised bar setting.

Angel followed the invitation and took a seat next to Mrs. Thorne who already had already pushed a tall glass with sparkly Champagne her way.

"Thanks," she said.

Mrs. Thorne smiled as the two clinked their glasses. "I am surprised you really came. Pleasantly, though, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't be caught dead at my ex's celebration – unless it was his funeral. Or I had ulterior motives." She took a sip before continuing. "So, what is it for you?"

"Would you believe me if I told you it was a coincidence?"

"Not for a minute, dear."

"Well," Angel twirled the contents around in the glass, "at least I'm not here to ruin the wedding if that's what you were worried about."

"If someone had the right to do so, it'd be you. I hate cheaters. Have known my share of them myself. I can hardly hold it against you, considering it was my useless son who committed the same so-called mistake as his father. But you were too good for him anyway," she rounded up.

Angel furrowed her eyebrows. "You don't need to make excuses or try to make me feel better. You are his mother, after all. And I haven't exactly garnered attention and recognition in my career either if there is a career to speak of at all. He's an office worker, he earns more, and he has a stable and safe job. I am just an editor."

Mrs. Thorne laughed, "Oh, I think I can say it with absolute certainty because I am his mother. He has no drive and will never amount to anything more than he is right now. You, on the other hand, are a woman with a mission. Like me. I can see it in your eyes. And I can respect that. Blackmailing Spencer and succeeding takes guts and wits, you know?"

Angel flinched - a reaction that made Mrs. Thorne's expression only grow more amused.

"Did he tell you?"

"Not willingly, but he's a terrible drunkard who occasionally lets things slip."

"Does Joffrey know?"

"I didn't tell him, and I highly doubt Spencer ever would. Much too big of an ego."

"You're not mad?"

Mrs. Thorne laughed. "No, no, I've done much worse to get to where I am now. Being a woman in a world made for men to succeed sometimes means you have to resort to unconventional means to succeed. But since I heard that, I knew you were too good for my son. You have places to go yet. And I'm sure you will find a much better marriage partner, should you choose to do so."

Angel emptied the glass in one shot before she mumbled, "Please excuse me for a minute." And stood up. Mrs. Thorne looked after her, astonished.

"Did I say something?" She asked the waiter. "And a refill, please."

Angel opened the doors and slipped out as quietly as she had entered. Outside it was pleasantly quiet. She leaned against the wall as she heard steps pass by from other guests. She couldn't stay here for long. It was her iron will that pushed herself off the walk and stagger along the hallway. She wasn't drunk. But her mood had sunk below. Memories threatened to surface that had been buried deep, deep in the darkest corner of her mind. Memories that should have been stored away forever, never to be seen again. Sudden nausea arose from the pit of her stomach. She clasped a hand over her mouth, forcing with her will the increasing panic to subside. This wasn't the place, nor the time for a panic attack. She had things to do still.

A pair of shiny black leather shoes entered her vision, stuck on the marble floor. Gradually, she glanced up at the owner with empty eyes.

"We need to talk."