"Brevity is the soul of wit."
                    —Polonius, Hamlet

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~

The venue was Tom's house, which was undoubtedly fancy, and luxurious. Guests were sprawled out inside the commodious living room, and out into the lawns that were separated from the house by transparent double doors. Wine and alcohol flowed freely, and I immediately picked up a glass of whiskey. I was going to need something stronger than measly wine, if I wanted to endure this night.

Even though I could see familiar faces all around me, I couldn't actually feel happy or reassured about it. I wasn't even excited to meet them and have a little chat. Even though I have worked with almost all of them at least once, and with some others, a lot more, I still had never taken the pain of getting to know them beyond their professional abilities. Because prying into their personal lives only meant they would get a chance to do so too. And my personal life, or lack of it, was something I wanted to keep private. Always.

"Miss Lockewood, how are you just standing here? Are you not enjoying yourself?"

Came that same honey voice from behind me. I turned around quickly, mild surprise lacing my eyes, while he smiled sweetly at me. I almost gaped at him, when I assessed his outfit for tonight. Clad in a vibrant red dress shirt with sleeves rolled up his elbows, he paired it with simple black trousers. His signature rings and earrings were present too, which only added to his artist-like appeal.

He wasn't dressed better than Isaac, in my opinion, but at least, he knew when to change himself. Isaac, as I saw him briefly earlier, was still dressed up in the same drab white shirt with a black waistcoat and matching black pants. It really looked like he had nothing else in his closet.

Why was I thinking of him in the middle of talking to Oliver? Crazy bitch.

I gave him a small smile, "Well, I'm not really the sociable kind."

"Is that so? How about taking classes from the best at socializing?" He asked me, a playful tone clear in his voice, and I couldn't help but accept.

"Alright then, lead the way."

He smiled and ushered me into the inner circle of guests, his hand on the small of my back. He had a characteristic warmth, which screamed Oliver whenever I came in contact with it. I might have only met him twice, but I already knew he was the life of the party, a one of a kind man, who actually knew how to live his life without any regrets.

I could really see my opinions of him turn into reality, as I saw him mingle with people he met just tonight, while I had struggled to even talk informally with them. I wondered if he had grown up in a sheltered environment, free of demons and thorns. I couldn't really see him being hated by anyone. He had everything – looks, personality, money, status. It was a dream come true for this man, and I doubt anyone could bring themselves to detest this honey eyed angel.

On the other hand, was the simple, introverted girl, who had only known struggles her entire life. Still, I hadn't found peace with myself, or my life, as I constantly strived for more and more. It might be because of my traumatic past, but I had this uncontrollable tendency to keep working, keep going, keep pushing myself to become worthwhile, even when I knew I was everything I promised myself to become. Never seen anything good in anyone, I had only known thorns and rocks my entire life.

I wonder, as I take a look at this heavenly being before me, if he would ever look at me the same, if he knew the kind of person I am. A cold hearted bitch, who wouldn't think twice to step on someone, if it benefitted her. Someone who wouldn't bat an eyelid at someone's pain, because she was numb inside. Someone, who wouldn't give a fuck about feelings, and would leave a man pining for her, if he didn't fulfill her desire for lust anymore. That was me, my real persona, my soul. All black, and charred, from the singes it received from an early age.

My eyes roamed around the room and connected with someone, who in that moment, looked the most like myself. Embodying the Devil, both in looks and personality, he called out to me. His dark tempestuous eyes, invited me to get lost in them. Perhaps, my hatred for him came from the fact that he was too much like me. Perhaps, I ran away from him, and abhorred him, because I was afraid he was the only one who could match me. Perhaps, because he was the only one who could understand me.

Without a second thought, I took a step away from the angel next to me, and walked towards the Devil that called to me, without a second of remorse. The tumult inside my heart was was noisy, to the extent that I couldn't hear my footsteps anymore. Yet, I walked, willingly, towards my biggest nightmare. I walked, even when my body singed with a single glance from him. I walked, even when I knew, that this path would bring me nothing but disaster.

Perhaps, it was the only silver bullet to the unease inside my heart. Perhaps, it was the medicine to the tumult inside me.

Perhaps, it was my only escape.

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~