Splintered

The room was quiet as I ate my mac n’ cheese, but in my head there was a plethora of voices. When a new voice entered the fray I didn’t even realize it wasn’t just in my head.

“Honey, what are you eating?” it asked.

“I didn’t know you guys could talk like that.” I mumbled to myself in slight surprise.

That wasn’t us.

I looked up from my meal and turned around to see a woman in her late forties looking at me with a smile, behind her was a man in his early fifties. They were both dressed in nice clothes, him in a tuxedo, her in a ruby dress.

“What do you want?” I asked in a less than friendly tone.

“We wanted to see if you would come with us to a party.” She told me kindly, as if she were greeting an old friend.

“I don’t want to go.” I turned back to my cheesy goodness, hoping against hope that they would leave.

Of course, they didn’t.

“But we think you would like this one. It’s not going to be like the last one.” She claimed.

“the last one I ended up humiliating myself in front of all of your business partners. I think you said that you lost tens of thousands of dollars for it.” I recalled. “would you like a repeat?”

“this time you won’t be with us, but with someone else.” Said the man.

“who?” I asked, not at all interested.

“a girl!” called the woman in glee.

Now, it’s true, I’ve been less than successful on the relationship front, especially when it came to girls, but asking for help from these two would be like using a dating site. It would be the bottom of the bottom, the most desperate I could get. I would rather gouge my eyes out.

“I don’t need your help with women.” I told them with a stern glance over my shoulder.

“really, when was the last time you were with a girl?” asked the man.

“I don’t remember. But that doesn’t matter.” I told them, then took a bite.

The mac and cheese was getting cold, if they didn’t leave soon I’d have to microwave it or something.

“we think you’ll like her.” she said with obvious hope in her voice.

“yeah, what makes you think that?” I asked with another mouthful.

“she’s pretty and kind, every man’s dream.”

“is she rich?” I asked, turning around with an interesting look on my face.

“oh, yes, very.” She said.

“then this is nothing more than a matter of money for you. All you want is her money and not for me to be happy. Therefore, I’m out.” I said with a twinge of anger in my voice. “you may show yourselves out.”

“this matter is not up for debate.” He said as he took a threatening step forward.

“what, you’re going to make me go on a date? I’ll just ruin it like the rest, willingly or unwillingly.” I told him with a hateful glare.

“you’ll do as I say, whether you like it or not.”

“I’m a man of my own, dad, I’ll do what I like.” This made his rage boil over.

“I will cut you off.” Those five words made me freeze.

He was willing to cut off his supply of high tech designs for this woman. What was so important about her? Why was she so special? What can I do to get out of this conversation without losing my unlimited access to their money?

As all these thoughts went through my head they waited for my response.

“I hate you so much.” I told my parents as I got up and walked to my room.

I had on a brand new suit with a tie and fedora. I didn’t like monkey suits, but I had to admit, I looked good. I was told that the girl would meet me by the drinks. So I waited…

And waited…

And… waited…

About three hours into the party a woman walked up to me. My eye fell upon a woman that seemed to be absolutely perfect. She was only a few inches shorter than me, but she looked... I don't think I could put her form into words, but I’ll try. Her eyes were a haunting shade of teal, or maybe turquoise, and they had a look of pure innocence, like she had never seen the horror of real life. Her hair was jet black, and almost looked to be sparkling in the twilight, it flowed effortlessly in the breeze as if it were natural.

My eyes began to take in the rest of her while my mind went blank as it became overwhelmed by the appearance of the mysterious woman before me. Her body was the picture of flawlessness; no fashion model could hold a candle to her radiance. Her legs were elegant and had just the right amount of tone to them. Her waist was slim and gave her an hour glass appearance overall, but her bust was just as lovely, not like those women that wanted to show off their chest to attract men, no, hers was just the right size... maybe a B-cup... I’m not sure. Women have been something I never really put much thought into, mostly thanks to my parents, but this woman was making me think I should have...

“Are you Dillon?” I nodded wordlessly.

She was wearing a dark sapphire blue evening dress with a split up the leg that went to her thigh. It made her pale white and flawless skin practically glow in the light with the dark dress contrasting against it. She may be the only reason that I will ever give my parents a thank you.

“Are you okay?” she asked concerned.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. You’re just so beautiful.” As I said this, a light crimson blush spread across her cheeks.

“Thank you.” she quietly replied before turning away slightly to hide her blushing from me. She turned back to me, apparently just remembering her manners. “I’m Laura. Your parents told me to meet you by the punch.”

There was an awkward silence as I kept staring at her flawlessness.

I was snapped out of it by some polite coughing. Realizing that calling her beautiful won’t have the same effect as before, so I moved on. “You… want to go do something?” I asked uncertainly while rubbing the back of my neck.

“I never was one for formal parties.” She walked up and laced her arm through mine, as if we were a couple already. Thank you mother and father... that's the only one you get from me.

“What do you want to do?” I asked, feeling her tight grip around my appendage.

“Does dinner sound good?” she asked with a cute smile. I hope this works out... I think I could actually enjoy tonight.

“Sure.”