* COLD / CASH .

HOLLY’S SOCIAL MEDIA AESTHETICS // INSTAGRAM.

“YOU’RE TOO GOOD to me, Kieran Derry.” Holly’s always smiling, but they’re always more genuine when Kieran’s around. He makes her happy; nobody’s ever loved her as much as he does ---- their time together being cut short is almost too painful to imagine. “If I didn’t have such a bad TRACK RECORD, we’d be married by now.”

“Tinder.” It’s an easy enough answer. She has her own profile, too, so if he DOES decide to double check, he won’t be disappointed. Maybe he’ll even swipe right. That would be cute. “Not long, um, maybe ten ... twenty minutes before you arrived ??” A nervous giggle punctuates her sentence. “I’m sorry, I didn’t expect to be questioned !! It’s never happened before, um... I haven’t seen anything funny. I’ve been a little preoccupied on my phone --- story of my life, right ?? Everyone always tells me I should look up from it.” Nervous babbling, too! A FINE PERFORMANCE. Hopefully he’s fooled.

A SMILE SPREADS across painted lips, enjoying the attention he gives her far too much. “I’m so glad we didn’t kill each other when we had the chance,” she says, moving her free hand up to cup Kierans cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

YOU CAN FIND HER sitting at the bar ---- alone, this time, chatting away to her newfound friend. “We should go shopping, Claire. Really, as nice as it is having people carry my bags, it’s been ages since I’ve had any girl time, you know ?? When are you free ??”

OH, GOD, HE’S ONE OF THOSE. Too caught up in his work to be swayed by a pretty face and a charming smile. Innocent look is easily maintained ( she’s had practice ! ) as she reaches into her bag once more. “I’m Holly ---- my ID is in here somewhere, give me a second,” she says, somewhat flustered. “My date... well, it’s a little embarrassing. Um, we met on one of those dating apps ?? He’s called Ben. I never learned his surname, I’m sorry.” The ID is finally fished out of her bag and held out to him.

“OH, PLEASE. I have them all wrapped around my little finger.” And Holly has standards, even if it mostly boils down to ‘ how much money do you make ?? ’ As soon as one of her little moneymakers starts acting like he OWNS HER, she’s gone. Or they’re gone, depending on how bad they piss her off. “They practically dote on me. It’s cute.”

SHE LAUGHS, a small shrug offered in response to the thanks. “I like to give back to the community.” Manicured fingers tap against the tabletop, head cants to the side. “Hopefully they haven’t been too horrible to the servers. You’re certainly sweet enough you don’t deserve any shit from rich assholes.”

“I’LL GIVE YOU THREE GUESSES.” It’s amazing how quickly her attitude went from charming to condescending, just like that. She won’t waste her niceties on guys who can’t give her what she wants, though. “Only way Pandora can be bearable if some rich guy is buying me things.”

“I HAVE TO make an appearance at his funeral. I hate playing the grieving widow.” She practically glows when he makes it obvious he’s proud, smile growing wider. “Yes! Thank you for that, really. It’s a much more elegant method, I think.”

“I AM discreet,” she says, thankful Kieran can’t see her eye roll over the phone. She hates being lectured. “I haven’t been caught yet, have I ?? I’ll be fine, love.”

“SO YOU’RE TELLING ME you don’t have any money ??” Unbelievable !! Why is she even bothering to talk to him, then ?? Cue the roll of her eyes, any interest she had in the man disappearing completely. “Ugh ---- I thought all hyperion assholes were supposed to be rich as fuck. It’s like, what am I supposed to do ?? Go straight up to Helios myself ---- that’s not a bad idea.”

FEIGNED INNOCENCE comes all too easy, mouth parting in an ‘ o ’ shape, eyes widening in surprise. She blinks a few times, for good measure. “Me ?? No, I had no idea ---- I’m waiting to get picked up. I had a date...” She fishes into her back and pulls out her phone to check the time, then frowns. “But I think I’ve been stood up.”