LINGERING RESENTMENTS

< Athaire Starlight Hotel

UTC+2 0520 PM

Rooftop terrace >

The shove towards the wall finally released the grip around her wrist.

"Why are you here?" Joffrey demanded to know, failing to contain the tension built up inside him. Angel rubbed her wrist, which was already starting to turn red. Her fringe was falling across her inclined head, hiding any and all expressions.

But the heavy sigh she let slip out spoke volumes. Another vein on Joffrey's forehead popped.

"I got an invitation."

"You shouldn't be here."

"Yet, I am, so what are you going to do about it?"

"I'm warning you: stay away from Jenny. If your plan is to ruin the wedding today, I won't forgive you-"

She broke out laughing. "Forgive me? Ha!," the smile disappeared and a frosty glare lasered from her eyes, "You must be joking."

"I'm serious. She's the real angel between you two and if you dare to mess up her day –"

She gave an exasperated sigh. "Still don't know when to shut up, do you? I had no intention to ruin her day, nor yours, to be frank, but slowly," a wicked smile emerged, "I'm starting to consider it."

"Don't you dare."

"I don't make promises I don't intend to keep."

"Isn't it enough that you slept with her brother?" Joffrey spat out. Anger and disgust were clearly written on his face.

Angel was taken aback for a moment but then leaned against the wall, crossing over her arms. "I fail to see how that is any business of yours?"

"You really have a knack of driving people crazy, you know that?"

"No, but thank you for letting me know. I'll consider adding it in my resume."

"ANGEL!" A fist smashed into the wall beside her ear. She acknowledged his move with no more than a fleeting glance.

"Careful now, we don't want anyone to get hurt, do we?"

"Hurt?" He echoed and a ragged laugh escaped him. "As if you know the meaning! You're about as emotionally capable as a rotten corpse."

The corner of her mouth twitched. "Better than being an overly emotional, whiny little baby girl."

"Don't talk about Jennie that way!"

Her grin widened. "I wasn't. I was referring to you."

"You-!" He slammed his other fist against the wall, cornering her. "Is this some sort of petty revenge that you're trying to play at? Don't you have any morals?"

"That's rich, coming from you."

"Don't act like the victim; you never loved anyone, including me."

"Now who's acting the victim?"

The muscles in his jaw tightened. He was silent for a moment, staring into Angel's eyes. The eyes he had once found so beautiful, deep as the ocean. Mysterious. And so hard to catch. Now they were looking straight at him, yet not giving even the smallest hint that they were truly seeing him. Beautiful, like the eyes of a doll, but lifeless. He felt a cold shudder on his back, even though it was still warm outside. And a new pain clenched his heart at the realization that she never had and never would understand this feeling. He breathed out slowly, before continuing. "You know," he said quietly, "I really did love you."

"Thanks," Angel simply said. And the emotions he had barely managed to suppress, erupted once more.

"Right! That's what you always do. No one ever cared for you and that's why you never learned to care for anyone else. I loved you, but you, you never ever opened up even a little bit. I didn't ask for much, did I? But you…I never knew what you were thinking…Why don't you stay a mystery for all I care?! Just stay that way, and I'm sure one day, you will be the lifeless doll you always acted like anyway!" He breathed out heavily, before spitting out one last sentence at the heat of the moment, "You know, I really pity the bastard who is unfortunate enough to get married to you."

"…"

"No comeback?" He punched into the air in celebration shouting, "Finally! What wonderful silence!"

Angel slid along the wall, but Joffrey grabbed her by the arm. "Hold on. Where do you think you're going?! We're not done talking!"

"Let. go." For anyone really listening, the subtle undertone spoke of a warning that was to be heeded. But not Joffrey, he was too caught up in his own emotions.

"Not until you-"

"LET GO!" She whirled around, and at that moment, Joffrey felt the eyes of a ferocious beast baring its fangs, ready to kill, staring right at him. No longer lifeless, but filled to the brink with a rage that was boiling over, eradicating all reason. He flinched; the grip around her loosening. But then, a shadow fell over both of them.

A soft thud, and like a Panther, the shadow rose up, bumping into Joffrey's legs, making him drop to his knees. A hand gripped Joffrey's shoulder, digging into his skin. Joffrey winced. The shadow behind him gracefully bent down to his ears and whispered, "Why don't we listen to the lady?"