#smokinglipsx

It was clear Anthony had been taking full advantage of the open bar tonight. Unlike everyone else at the wedding, the bride’s father didn’t seem all too thrilled about the union. If he was, the man sure had a funny way of showing it.

“Thanks.” Zara plucked the cigarette from his hand, leaning forward to accept the flame he offered. The taste of nicotine on her tongue was a welcomed relief. Zara exhaled the smoke that was trapped in her lungs, turning her gaze to Anthony. “She was a Holst,” she smirked. “As far as I know, my family loves her. Not too keen on you, though. Maybe it’s the antisocial behavior.” Zara sarcastically teased. “I wouldn’t let it bother you. I’m not a huge hit with them either.” She brought the cigarette back to her lips, breathing in another plume of smoke. “What do you think of my family? Remember, brutally honest answers only.” @ofginjxints​

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“Well she’s keeping or at least hyphenating her name so a Holst she remains.” Anthony was quite belligerent about it, even though Sofia had already intended it so at the risk of annoying her so much she might have backed out of her word. “I don’t especially need to be liked unlike my daughter.” He was brash, though it couldn’t exactly only be blamed on the alcohol. “Well, aren’t we two peas? Is it antisocial behaviour on your part too or do I sense a tumultuous past?” A brow arched as he sat back and finally took the cigarette from his lips, the long trail of ash at the tip finally falling, some on his suit though he paid it no mind for the moment. He let out a bark of a laugh at her next question, giving her a shrug afterwards. “I don’t suppose it matters what I think but most are tolerable. That mother of yours though...” He trailed off, the remnants of his laugh on his lips as he shook his head. “She’s quite something.”

Liz is having a fantastic mood today. The weather spoils her bare shoulders, colouring it with rays of the sun. It smells wonderful as well. So fresh and delicate. She chats with almost every client and sells them the best options from her records collection with discounts. People from the streets know her well and they always spread nice comments about her knowledge and passion for music around. She is also having a close connection with the local homeless neighbourhood and the so-called bad guys. She is always trying to help around with her heart too good for her own good. Good and lonely.

Anisa was pleased with her nightclub’s performance tonight. Bottle service orders were up, so were tips for her hard-working staff, and she’d met a new VIP client who promised to be in touch for a private party in the next few weeks. All in all, a success. She’d made her rounds once her employees had clocked out for the night. Well, all but one. “I have to say, I’m impressed with you.” She smiled, approaching the bar and setting a contract down on the counter in front of the dark-haired man she’d recently welcomed into her establishment under special circumstances. “There are whispers about you already, Thierry .. and they’re mostly positive.”

Carmen didn’t often do private parties but the client in question was the friend of one of her bartender friends at an old club she worked at. It was a favour as well as a job and she had the promise of her friend that if anything went wrong she could tell him and he’d kick their asses. It was that assurance from an old friend that led her to being the main entertainment at a bachelor party at a penthouse hotel room in the city. At least it was a nice enough venue as she followed the instructions given to reach the room. From the sounds of the room there was already loud music and voices inside. She rung the bell and within a few moments the door opened and she walked into a money fuelled, messy party. Cigars, liquor, what looked like a game of poker in the corner, and a man clearly playing DJ with expensive looking equipment. It was the whole deal and she shrugged off her trench coat to reveal her black lace lingerie.

“Who’s the lucky man?” She purred, already in character as she approached the group.

“You don’t say,” he nodded back. Theresa’s vagueness was making Leo curious. He couldn’t read her like the back of his hand anymore. Too much time and distance between them was to blame for that. Leo liked to think he at least knew Theresa well enough to notice if was something was off about her. 

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear. Really, I am.” Leo decided now wasn’t the time to think about how he genuinely felt about Theresa being a free woman. They had a history that went all the way back to when they were kids. He shared a lot of firsts with the woman in front of him. She had a piece of his youth, and his heart, that couldn’t be given to anyone else. “Me? Same old, same old. Taking care of the farm, staying busy, getting pestered by my folks to settle down again. I joke around and tell ‘em I’ll settle down when I retire. For some reason, it never gets a laugh,” he chuckled lightly. @ofginjxints​

Theresa gave him a polite smile with pursed lips. Though she was really beginning to loathe telling people her situation, for once it didn’t feel like Leo was saying it just to be polite. He was a sweet man, just the same as the sweet boy she knew once upon a time. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve made my peace. Just the logistics side now. I don’t want Eddie moving like a yo-yo, especially since he’ll start junior high in the Fall.” She rubbed her arm awkwardly, finding it odd she was talking about children in front of someone she knew as a child herself.

She allowed herself a gentle smile at the mention of his parents. “I’m glad they’re still the same.” A chuckle as she shook her head. “You’re always gonna be a lone wolf, huh?” Was it strange she felt a small glimmer of hope when she found out he wasn’t settled? “No one even to warm the bed?” She teased.

Perseus was looking forward to his coming night, knowing he could get laid, using and taking advantage of some poor, innocent woman. He’d signed up for the dating site just a few months before, and had been quite successful so far, finding women all over the place by using the right lines and charming devices to catch them in. Once they gave in, he moved on to the next unsuspecting victim. However, tonight might be going a little bit differently, as this woman didn’t respond like the others, telling him she was either incredibly stupid, or just too naive for his normal advances. They’d agreed to meet at the movies and he went early, wanting to observe before announcing his presence. A smile formed on his features at the sight of her looking around, him in the distance away from view. She looked lost and unsure, making him smirk to himself. After another few minutes, he settled into the correct mindset and made his way towards hers.