COLIN BRADFORD
NIGHT, COLD, DEPRESSING
Unfortunately, Friday had arrived. Theoretically, Colin should not have been surprised – Friday always arrived eventually. After work, his father had ordered him – and Kit, by default – to go back to the family home, which was unusual, to get ready for the ball.
Nothing felt good, and nothing felt like they should be happening right now.
Colin did not so much mind the suit that he had been forced to wear.
What pissed him off was a combination of everything. Nothing about this birthday party, which should have been for him, was about… him. He had not chosen his suit, which was black with a white shirt – but it was not like his typical work outfit. This one screamed wealth, money and privilege. It was much too fancy for him, he thought, but Richard had shoved the box into his arms and left him no choice but to accept.
That was a lie.
If Colin had the strength of character that he so desperately needed, he would have refused to wear this, and he would have been a no-show at his own ball, simply because he did not want this.
Tonight, the young man wanted to have a drink in a pub with his best friend and a few acquaintances from work and school, and then he wanted a quiet night in. Did that mean that he was growing up? Maybe.
But it did not have to be a bad thing.
He had not chosen his mask, either, which was simple at first glance. But it was obvious upon further inspection that Richard had probably ordered a clerk, an assistant, or anyone but himself, to make sure that his son looked like he belonged to the Bradford family, or something along those lines. The mask was not extravagant at all, and it both recalled the look of his suit and enhanced it. Beads of gold pearls lined the very top, just along the hem and just a few of them, which gave the small mask attitude, covering simply his eyes and nose. That, Colin could live with.
He had not chosen the venue, which was spectacular, but much too much for someone like him. Whenever his father pulled off something like that, the young man was forced to recognise that time has passed, and they had grown apart. A few years ago, something like this would never have happened. His mother would never have let him do that, and Richard would probably never had had the idea in the first place. Now that she was gone, he was projecting his insecurity onto him, surely.
Since he wanted people to be on his side and wanted their support of his actions at the police station, the Chief Superintendent had decided to play the mundane game.
He had just forgotten to ask his son if he wanted to play in his team.
The young man was standing on the side of the City Hall with Kit, watching the guests pouring into the ballroom like they were never going to stop coming in, the sound of their voices growing louder and louder – but it never overpowered the music, though. Colin felt like he would end up deaf by the end of the ball.
Mainly, he felt like he was going to go insane in here.
“Mate, you’re wearing a mask, and I can still see the look of doom on your face.” Kit commented.
Colin turned his head towards his best friend. Kit was wearing a similar outfit to his, but in dark, midnight blue. The colour went particularly well with his dark aura, the green of his eyes and the darkness of his hair – a faint grin was dancing on his lips playfully.
“I know.” He sighed.
“It’s going to be alright. It’s only a few hours. We’ve been through worse, haven’t we?”
He was right.
“You’re right.”
And Colin forced himself to see the bright side of things: at least, he was with Kit. He had his best friend by his side, to support and make fun of him.
It was already a lot, all things considered.
“I know I’m right.” Kit replied modestly. “Also, I’d advise putting a smile on your face pronto, because the Chief is coming.”
At once, the young man straightened his back, smoothing the front of his jacket while taking his other hand out of his pocket. He needed to be proper for his father, and he saw him getting close as he turned his head.
“Boys.” Richard said, with what did not sound quite like warmth, but it was not exactly the tone he used at work either.
“Good evening, Sir.” Kit replied.
“Hello, Dad.” Colin added on cue.
Richard looked at them before nodding. “You should be in the middle of this room to greet the guests, Colin.” He eventually said. “Be social, will you? I did all of this for you, that’s the least you can do.”
Colin’s heart squeezed in his chest, and it hurt. The mask allowed him the relative freedom to not have to play it off like these words meant nothing to him, though, which was something positive, because he felt a little betrayed, then.
His father had “done all this for him” – but if he had paid attention, he would have known that this was never what Colin sought in life.
Mundanities, dinners, more guests than one truly needed… This was not Colin. This was not even Richard either, in a way.
He did not know exactly where they were will all this, but it felt like they had reached quite the low point in their relationship.
“Yes.” He replied, both to his own musings and to his father. “I will.”
“Good.”
Kit and Colin both watched Richard nod stiffly and stride away. His friend patted his shoulder in compassion as they watched the older man already blend in with the crowd, exchanging greetings and comments, smiles and jokes.
It was incredible to him how there were perhaps two Richard Bradfords. Or rather, how his father had managed to split himself in half.
For once, the young man would have liked to see something other than always the same half, though.
“Come on, Ugly Duckling.” Kit grinned. “Let’s go make your Dad happy.”
As they slowly made their way deeper into the ballroom, snatching a champagne flute on their way from the tray of one of the many waiters and waitresses crossing the place, Colin looked around in mock interest. He was a little confused by the fact that everyone was wearing mask – or rather, he did not quite like the fact that he could not see the person he was talking to properly.
He often got non-verbal cues that told him a lot more than just words – that was more than likely occupational hazard, truthfully.
But it was something that Colin had come to rely on, though.
Most importantly, tonight, he truly felt like a fish out of water, and Kit laughed when he told him just that.
“Me too, Mate. Me too.”
Before they could probably talk, Colin was interrupted by one of the guests, offering greetings and congratulations on his birthday. That was probably Richard’s doing, too. For the next few minutes, the young man saw a string of individuals cheering for him and wishing him a happy birthday.
Only he could be recognised at a masked ball, apparently.
At least, it was making Kit laugh – he was not even discreet about it, the bastard. When he turned his head to the right, Colin saw his best friend grin, before chatting up one of the young women who had just come to greet the birthday boy. The young man repressed an eyeroll at Kit’s magnetism, before plastering the fakest, cringiest smile he could on his face to greet some guests back.
To his left, Richard was apparently already carrying on with his usual business matters. Even as his interlocutors were masked, like everyone else, Colin recognised the shape of Mayor Parson, along with a few other men that could have been some high-level bankers and business moguls, familiar and famous in the city and London. If anything, Richard did not lose his bearings over the situation.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
So it truly had never been meant for him, then.
Colin sighed, then smiled when yet another young woman came and wished him a happy birthday. He nodded and exchanged some platitudes, but the more he had to fake his way through the night, the sadder he felt.
But whenever he was about to snap, the young man could always count on Kit, though. That idiot was basically trying to pick up every female that came to Colin for congratulations. Watching him recite his bad pickup lines and his poorly timed jokes almost made him laugh a few times, and if that was the only thing that kept him from simply walking out, well…
That was a bit pathetic, but he would make do.
The young man sighed under his breath as he surveyed the room. His father would be happy – if he paid any attention to it – as everyone seemed to be having a great time. The music was inviting, some people were even dancing already, but the majority was just drinking, chatting around, and overall having a good evening.
By the door, entering the ballroom, a woman caught his attention. He did not know if the dress she was wearing had drawn his eyes onto her or if it was something else, but Colin’s heart thumped in his chest when he saw her, standing there and looking around.
She was dressed in the night sky and the stars, a mesh-like shawl draped over her shoulders like she had physically asked the Milky Way to lend her some of its magic in the shape of golden flowers against her porcelain skin. Her arms were almost completely bare, and the contrast between her complexion and the black dress was exquisitely hypnotising. Her outfit was flattering and elegant, yet original enough in the sea of other people that Colin found himself only looking at her. What grabbed his attention, too, was the curly updo that she had, little strands of hair brushing against the nape of her neck and inviting the touch. Mainly, he was startled by how bright her red hair was.
For a split second, he even thought that it had to be Clare. The idea made him shiver in his suit.
But it could not be her. For starters, she had told him that she did not want to come. It made sense, too, and he was convinced that he would have made the same decision in her position. No one wanted to spend time with colleagues who despised them and mere strangers.
Hell, Colin did not want to be here himself, and no one hated him as much as they did with Clare, so that said something.
Besides, there was something about this woman that did not scream his Clare. The woman by the door breathed out confidence and self-assurance, in a way that was not a fluke, but very much ingrained in her like her true nature. It was in the way her shoulders were relaxed and her back straight while relaxed, in the way her neck was tilted up like a silent act of defiance, and in the way she just stood there, letting everyone take her in like she had no care in the world.
But the fact that she was not moving at all also could mean that she was as lost and confused as he felt.
So maybe, in a way, he could go up to her and offer his help? That was the least he could do, right? The polite thing to do, if anything.
Colin glanced at Kit, still standing to the side. The young man was sweet-talking yet another one of the guests, and given the giggles and chuckles that he could hear, he would venture to say that his friend was being successful so far.
So maybe… It could be acceptable if he left him to his questionable activities, so that he could get closer to the stranger? After all, he wanted to help, and she looked lost.
Right, help.
He could keep telling himself that lie, but that would still be a lie; he wanted to get closer to her. To see her from another angle, and perhaps even to hear her voice. If it was as hypnotising as the way she looked and stood…
Without giving it another thought, in fear that he might realise how much of an idiot he truly was, Colin abandoned Kit behind and made his way casually towards the entrance. While he walked, he greeted a few guests who stopped for a quick chat, but mainly his attention always went back to the young woman. She had moved a little, grabbing a flute by a waitress as she ambled through the ballroom, slowly, looking around and occasionally tilting her head at someone she might have recognised – or not.
As he came closer, Colin noticed the delicacy of her mask. It was black and covered her face lower than his own; he could only make out the shape of her lips, thin although the bottom one was slightly fleshier – they were painted a deep, sultry dark red that reminded him of dark roses or peonies. The mask was embedded with embroideries and gems with a golden hue that caught the light every time she moved, and it was held in place by a thick ribbon of black satin.
It went well with the thin band of sparkly fabric that kept the parting in her hair intact, holding the weight of the long part in place.
At last, she turned her head to him – her eyes were so gorgeously made up, with gold, black and dark blue used expertly that he could not quite tell what colour they were. Grey? Maybe dark blue too? Either way, her gaze was sharp and straightforward, and it suited what he had already assessed of her, seeing only a confident and assured woman.
“Good evening.” He started, surprised that his voice had not simply deserted him.
The young woman took him in, and he felt naked under her strong, warm eyes, even as a slow smile appeared in the shadow of her mask, at the corner of her lips.
“Good evening.” She replied, and he shivered a little.
She had the slow, deliberate voice of young woman who knew exactly how to be considered and listened to. That was another sign that this could not be Clare, despite the red hair. She was much smaller, much more mouse-like in that regard – there was nothing wrong with that, and Colin did find it adorable.
But the young woman before him had nothing of that quiet, pure innocence like his fellow inspector and partner had.
This woman was made out of power and strong will, he did not need much more to be convinced.
“I believe you are the man of the moment, right?” She asked quietly, her accent sounding a lot like what could be heard in London.
Who was she? The young man had completely lost track of who his father had invited, and if his assumption was correct about Richard wanting to carry out business to the detriment of his son, then he could have invited the entire country to the ball and he would not have had a say anyway.
For all he knew, he did not have to be surprised that he did not recognise her.
And yet, it still felt like he did.
“I don’t know if I would say that.” He chuckled casually.
“Well, I would.” She replied.
“Colin!” A familiar male voice echoed behind him, and he turned in time to see a young man come closer.
The look in his eyes, and his balding head told him that it was Kenneth. Great.
“Hi.”
“Happy birthday!” He cried out, and his breath smelled like he had already had a little too much freedom with the champagne.
“Thank you.” Colin replied.
Kenneth’s attention turned to the young woman, and the glint in his eyes turned vicious and hungry. Colin instantly felt uncomfortable, knowing that his colleague could be dangerous, if not tamed. Countless times already, he had tried to breach the subject with his father, but that had never worked so far.
The more time passed and the more it seemed like Richard had chosen which side of the power scale he wanted to be, and Colin was growing worried that it might not be on the right one.
“Good evening.” Kenneth tried to croon.
It did not work.
“Good evening.” The young woman replied coldly.
Her eyes looked like they were ready to turn into weapons; even Colin felt targeted by that glare.
“I’ve never seen you before, Miss.” Kenneth spoke again, smirking suggestively.
“I’m wearing a mask.” She replied sharply. “Technically, you’ve never seen anyone before.”
Colin bit his lower lip to contain the laugh that was struggling to come out – it became particularly hard when Kenneth visibly sobered up, before frowning and walking away without another word.
That was cold.
But that was what he deserved.
“Sorry about that.” Colin said, even though it was not his place. “I think he had too much to drink.”
“I think he is a disgusting man.” She replied evenly, glaring after Kenneth like she knew exactly what she was talking about.
How come did the young man feel like he was talking with someone familiar, when every sign pointed at the fact that he was not?
How was this sorcery possible?
“You remind me of someone.” The young man said, thinking out loud.
The stranger smiled faintly and raised an eyebrow as she tilted her head to the side. “Do I?”
“Yes.” Colin took a sip of his champagne, feeling like he needed a little boost of confidence.
Right now, he very much felt like a young teenage boy who was flirting for the first time. At now twenty-six years old, he had clearly not turned into an expert at all things close to romance, but he still knew more about talking to women.
And yet, at this moment, one might wonder if this was true.
“A good someone?” She teased.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Someone I appreciate a lot.”
Whoa, maybe the champagne was stronger than he had anticipated, then. Where had that come from? And who was he to think that he could start spewing some of his most inner thoughts like that for everyone to enjoy?
When the young woman chuckled, he felt the sound as it nestled itself between his ribs, safe and warm.
It felt good.
Before he could talk to her again, the two young people were interrupted another two times by some of the guests willing to talk to him.
“I’m sorry about all that.” He said eventually, turning back to her.
The young woman smiled – it was lovely and soft, so different that the fierce look in her eyes. The familiarity in that expression struck him once again, and a familiar pang went through his chest.
“It’s alright.” She smiled, as if amused. “I suppose it makes sense. This ball is for you, after all. People will naturally gravitate around you.”
Colin knew for a fact that it was not what he wanted. And yet, the way she explained it almost made him accept his situation with a little more philosophy and patience. Richard had not done anything for him.
But that did not mean that he could gain nothing from the situation anyway.
“Maybe I should use this moment’s relief to give you your present, then.” The young woman spoke then.
She produced an elegantly wrapped present from an equally elegant pouch that he had not noticed she was carrying. The gift was rectangular – it might be a book.
“A present?” Colin frowned. “But… Why would you give a present to a stranger?”
She laughed, then, and it almost felt worth looking and sounding like an absolute fool. It was lovely, just like the rest of her, with a slight edge that had him wanting more.
“I was invited here. We’re no strangers.” She replied.
“You know what I mean.”
And yet she did not help him on that front. “I got you a present because that’s what people do when it’s someone’s birthday.”
He blinked, feeling even more stupid. Were the sparkling elements of her dress hypnotising him for real?
He did not think so, but then again – nothing about tonight felt normal. Maybe the Earth had stopped spinning on its axis, and it was now going wild in outer space.
That would make more sense than this conversation, at that moment.
“Are you sure?” He frowned.
“Positive.” She nodded. “I got this for you. You can choose not to open it now, though. I don’t mind.”
The wrapping paper went perfectly with her dress and the colour scheme that seemed to be imposed onto the celebration; Colin’s fingers brushed the tip of hers when he took the present. Her nails were painted a light beige colour, something subtle and elegant that suited her as well as the bolder colour on her outfit.
“Thank you.” He said. “I didn’t expect this.”
She tilted her head to the side, watching him. It felt special, being under her gaze – it almost made him forget that he did not know her name. But when he thought about asking, the familiar sound of cutlery clinking against a glass brought everyone to a halt.
“Oh.” Colin whispered when he turned his head.
Richard was standing in the middle of the room, watching him intently.
“Everyone.” He called. “I’d like to propose a toast.”
Oh no.
----------------------------------------
All through the night, Colin was called from one end to the ballroom to another. Dances took place, but never with the unknown woman. Discussions unfolded and mundanities were exchanged. Lots of drinks were consumed.
Out of the corner of his eyes, the young man kept a concerned look on Kit, who was going at it with all his heart and a little bit more. He also made sure that he could see the gentle figure in black and gold still in the room, among the guests.
She was like a comforting presence, even if they could not seem to find each other close at any other point during the ball. It was a shame, really.
He would have liked to have one more moment with her.