My Little Distraction

Chapter 6: Annoying

"Jenson, Heratio." I mumbled as I shook hands with the two of them. It was seven thirty now, and Clark and I had endeavored on a two hour car trip, which we'd filled with singing along to the radio, terribly, and gossiping and laughing about how much we hated the Minton brothers. My parents and Marion had been in a separate car, and set off earlier, and we'd met them at the hotel that we were going to stay overnight in. I'd also thought to send a text to Parker, telling him not to get onto my balcony because I was going away. 

Heratio's perfectly white teeth emerged from between his parting lips. "Miss Owell."

I lowered my lashes and cast my eyes to the ground, going to stand next to Clark in my floor length emerald green dress. Keeping in mind that Heratio was going to be here, I'd dressed in something that would cover up plenty of skin. Hopefully a turn-off for him.

Clark and I exchanged looks before continuing to watch our parents enjoy the Minton parents' company. I got bored and started looking at the glamourous architecture that was the Minton mansion. Whoever had had it built obviously had a keen sense of beauty when it came to living. They also must have had a deep pocket. 

"Fabulous, isn't it?" said Heratio appearing next to me. "Like- what you and me would be in bed together." This boy didn't know when to quit.

"Heratio, I have no interest in you whatsoever." I said, point blank.

He smirked, his eyes alive with excitement. "I love a challenge. You're so hard to get Lucia."

"Hard to get?" I questioned. "You're never going to get me."

"I always get what I want."

Could my message not get through his thick skull? "I. am. not. interested. at. all." I spelled it out to him.

"Oh Lucia," he said. "Think a little. Our father's work together, they're best friends. If there are rifts between their children, what does that mean for business? My dad is very centered around family, he especially wants his children to be happy."

"And my dad wouldn't let his little girl get in with the wrong kind of guy." I cut in.

"My dad will speak the world of his children to your dad. As far as he knows, I'm a very intelligent young man," he said. "And wouldn't it be perfect if daddy's little girl got with that kind of guy? A good looking, charming, smart guy? Plus the guy in question is his business partner's son?"

I remained in silent shock. Heratio wasn't as stupid as I thought. He'd planned this through and now I was wrapped around his little pinky finger, exactly where he wanted me. He was manipulative and vindictive. He was literally everything that Parker wasn't. They were physical opposites. Their personalities were opposite. The relationships I had with each of them were opposites. One of them, in my father and family's eyes, was an ideal boyfriend for me, and one was their worst nightmare, a Lachlan.

I felt the corners of my eyes crinkle. I didn't have many options left now. "What do you want, Harry?"

"Haven't you realized yet?" He said. "I want you."

***

‘When I look into your eyes, it's like watching the night sky, or a beautiful sunrise; there's so much they hold.’ 

A little bit of sunshine was brought to the dull Minton's dining table, as I glanced at my phone. The light of it shone upwards from the dark as it was placed on my thigh under the table. I forgot that I was sitting next to Heratio as I read Parker's text over and over again. 

I tried to sneak a reply to him. ‘I love Jason Mraz songs!’

Heratio's fingers wrapped around the thigh that my phone wasn't on. My head switched to looking at him. Luckily, he hadn't noticed my phone. I quickly put it back into my clutch, underneath my seat. I looked back down into my lap to see that his strong fingers were beginning to trail upwards and I realized that there was definitely a point to me wearing a long dress.

"Harry, get off." I muttered. He didn't let go. "Get. off."

"When a lady says no, she says no." said Jenson from the other side of Heratio, the right. Heratio grumbled incredibly quietly before returning his hand to the table. I attempted to send a thankful smile to Jenson. Looking past Heratio, Jenson's bright eyes met mine and remained emotionless as he gave a weak, brief smile. He almost instantly turned back to his plate. Jenson was a gentleman, which was a lot more than could be said of his little brother, but I could understand how Clark thought he was a douche. He was seeming to be a lot like his dad: only really showing emotion when he was around people he was close to. 

"Excuse me," I stood abruptly. I made sure to grab onto my clutch discreetly. "Could you direct me to the loo?"

"I'll show you where it is." said Heratio. His napkin fell to the floor as he jumped up to stand closely to me. I sent Clark a desperate look. I was going to the loo to get away from Heratio, god knows what he would do if we were away from our families together. 

"Oh no, I'll show you Lucia!" said Clark, hastily walking around the table to join my side. "There's no need for you to do that Heratio." Clark gave a calm smile to Heratio.

"But she is my guest," Heratio said. "I simply insist."

"No, I insist." said Clark before he dug his fingers into my arm, clasping it, and we left the room before Heratio had a chance to reply. 

As soon as we were out of earshot, I let go of a breath I didn't realize I was holding onto. "Thank you so much, you have literally no idea how much I appreciate it."

"That Heratio," said Clark. "He's annoying as hell."

"He's overwhelming," I sighed. "He's getting to be too much, I don't think I can handle much more. I'm losing my patience."

"I don't actually know where the toilet is though." he admitted, smiling sheepishly. 

"It's fine," I replied happily. "I was only using it as an excuse."

"We've got to head back at different times though, and I guess I should be going." he said, before adding, "If Heratio dares to come after you.."

"Then he'll get a slap. See you in a bit Clarky." 

"Good luck Luce." he gave me a little salute before heading back towards the dining room.

‘But,’ I texted to Parker, leaning my shoulders blades against the navy wall of one of the rooms of the Minton's place. I'd had a brief look around and found that this place was gorgeous. ‘How can looking into my eyes be 'like watching the night sky' if I have light blue, sometimes green, eyes?’

Within a minute I got a reply. ‘Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights.’

I smirked to the screen. ‘Nice save.’

‘I do try my best for you, my dear Lucia.’

I briefly touched up my mascara before heading back towards the dining room. Dread began weighing down the pit of my stomach as I got nearer. Heratio was, just, disgusting. I couldn't stand his cockiness anymore, nor his smile, nor his hands.

I arrived in the doorway of the room. Looking at the side of his head, I couldn't even stand his curly hair anymore. A lot of girls would kill for a boyfriend with hair like that, whereas I was holding back the need to run away at the sight.

I took my seat, heaving my shoulders in a deep breath, glaring at my plate. I glanced at him to find that he was looking at me with that horrible little smirk of his. I blankly turned my gaze away from him again and finished off the few scraps of food still on my plate. 

"You took a while," Heratio commented. "Have I left you that flustered?"

The only person who leaves me flustered in a good way is Parker, I felt like saying. I bit my tongue. "No. I'm a girl, of course I spent ages. It's what we do."

"Did Clark find it alright for you?" he said, a bitter tone in his voice.

"Very well, thank you." I said matter of factly, sending a quick glare his way.

I almost screamed in happiness when he didn't reply, and I'm not kidding you.