DIANA POV
In the middle of all the fun, I was suddenly plagued with something that I thought I would start to get over with. I assumed that the music was loud enough for me to hear the echoes inside my ears. And that these happy people would be able to spread their sunny moods on my darker days. The neon lights, which looked pretty when I came in, hearkened me back to the the burning candlelights on my porch in the island. It made me squirm at the ghosts of the William's reappearing figures that have topped my fears.
Winding through the crowd, I lowered my eyes avoiding the people's gazes which were giving me emotional unrest. It felt like I'm being judged as they look. That their raucous laughters were for me being an object of scorn due to my trauma. And then suddenly, it hit me. That awful memory that I was burying at the back of my head coursed through my body, anchoring me on the floor. In a world full of people, I felt alone in the silent battle that I was braving.
When I turned my gaze, I saw a man who pulled me back to reality. Of all the people in the world, Scott would probably be the least person I would expect to see. After our last encounter in the island, I am nothing but a person he despise, and was just his fleeting ease in the spur of the moment in a secluded place. I didn't want him to see me like this. Actually, I didn't want to see him at all. I nodded and forced a smile, feeling a single tear fall on my cheek. In a single turn, I dragged myself away from him...
The next thing I know, Scott was already holding my wrist pulling me to his chest. He wanted to talk even there's clearly nothing to talk about. Without any word, Scott took the liberty to take me away. Somewhere private as what he says. Undeniably, there's something in his touch that sends me a great sense of security. His grip on my arm was firm enough to lead me off to my deep-rooted nightmares. It was comforting, but I didn't liked it.
"I'm sorry", as he try to reach and caress for my cheek.
"What for?", I asked. He stopped midair and put his hand down.
"For being foolish", Scott kept on staring at my eyes. It was the same piercing stare I mistook for sincerity. I repeatedly told to myself, don't fall for it.
"Why?", I wondered why he suddenly come up to me in the middle of him partying and flirting with another girl, just to say sorry. And such thoughts wouldn't just cross his mind in between women and liquor.
"I've been waiting for the right time to talk to you.. This may be not a good place to talk... But, as long as you're with me, well, there's no place I'd rather be", he sighed deeply. He seemed nervous, biting his lips and tapping his foot. But never removing those eyes on me. "My painful past is something I can no longer change, Diana. It is a part of me and sadly, I've grown along with it making me who I am now ", again, he seemed very careful with his words. I guess, it really does bother him that I'm in fact a doctor who reminds him of his pain. "I didn't know how I felt after finding out you're a doctor. True enough, It reminded me of several wounds.. and for that, I am sorry for leaving you", he said without batting an eye.
Don't fall for it... don't fall for it.
"Don't feel sorry for being true to yourself, Scott. I understand where you are coming from. I'm totally fine if you're not comfortable with me around. So, why don't we just go on our own separate ways? Better that way, right?", saying those words was really hard to say despite Scott and I aren't really a thing. What we had might just be confusing, and the persistent distress I had fuels the flames of the sadness in my eyes that they started to swell. I tried so hard not to let a tear fall, but still... I cried a river.
"Diana… I've always been thinking about you.. Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I knew you are special. I may be afraid to push my self forward, but I am most afraid of losing you", he wiped my tear with his hand. I didn't flinched with his warm touch. It felt sincere, yet I don't want to leap into my own assumptions.
Who would believe that?
"Is this one of your silly ways of getting girls? Because I'm immune from all of your tricks", I scoffed at what he just said. Earlier he was with a girl, and now he's hitting on me? Again?!
"I just want to start over, Diana.. ", he said it like he could possibly mean it. I blinked my eyes several times, anxiously looking forward of what's ahead of us. Are we willing to take that chance?
"I bet the new girl upstairs wouldn't want that", I reminded him.
"Girl?", he knitted his brows as if he doesn't know.
"The one hugging you?", I hissed.
"She's my sister, Reina. I'm glad you're jealous", he laughed and bit his lower lip.
"I am not..", I rolled my eyes at him.
"So.. can we start over Diana?", he proposed intently, as he close the gap between us where I had to tilt my head up to see his face. Much closer that I can smell the good scent on his skin. Considerably nearer that I can see myself on his eyes.
Can I trust this man?
"Maybe", staring back at him, unsure of his intentions as I build walls around my heart. I won't just give it whole to a person who would only break it to bits and pieces.
AUTHOR'S POV
Diana and Scott went back inside the nightclub, with clearer minds and stiller hearts. She insisted to go back in, thinking that her friend could be already be looking for her. As they enter the bar area, Kate jumped on her to her surprise. "Where were you?? I've been looking all over for you!! I told you not to wander by yourself and… WHO IS THIS?", Kate was panicking and all worried about Diana when she noticed Scott just right behind her.
"He's uhh… he's.." Diana stuttered as she try to introduce Scott to her best friend.
"I'm Scott Devlin, pleased to meet you", Scott formally introduced himself as he place his hand on Diana's shoulder, and offering another to shake hands with Kate.
"THE Scott??", Kate can't help to look at him from head to foot as they shake hands. "You didn't say Scott is HOT!!", Kaye whispered audibly to Diana which made her fluster in embarrasment. Scott's mouth curved up hearing her.
"I'm Kate Collins, Diana's best friend. We're actually done with my party here, and I'm about to go out with another friend. Do you mind giving Diana a lift home?", Kate said as she hug Diana on her waist entrusting her to the handsome man she just met. A few days ago, she hated Scott to the bone. But now, she's giving Diana away just like that.
"No, Kate! he's busy", Diana said as glared at Kate.
"Sure, I'll take care of her", Scott said, with no hesitations. He didn't even bothered to protest why the party is over as early as before midnight. The great favors of the moon goddess were finally shining on him.
"Thanks Scott! I'll beat you up if she doesn't get home safe", Kate threatened Scott as she squinted at him.
"I can go with you Kate", Diana squeezed Kate's hand widening her eyes at her.
"No D! You have work tomorrow so go home early.", she grinned at Diana and winked. "I'll be spending the rest of the night with Dylan", she added.
"What?? Dylan?? Hey Kate.." Diana was troubled about Kate being with Dylan, but Kate hurriedly fled leaving her standing dumbfoundedly with Scott.
Diana glanced at Scott and smiled awkwardly."You don't have to listen to her. I can take a cab home".
"You heard her. I don't want to hear an earful and get some beating from your best friend.", he smiled at her. Scott held her hand as he made way for Diana, making sure no one will bump into her on her way out. The two waited outside for his car to be brought by the valet service. And as they wait, everyone's eyes have started prying on the beautiful pair standing close together. Surrounded by strangers clamoring behind her back, Diana was then bothered once again by her resurfacing traumas. She started to fidget with her hands. Trying to calm herself by looking away.
Scott seemed to catch on, that she grabbed Diana's hand and held it close to his chest. Undeniably, Diana felt that instant relief. A pleasant diversion towards soundness and calm. However, she pulled away so sudden as she wrestle with her feelings. She wouldn't want to send wrong ideas that would place her in a much difficult position. Besides, who would take more than they can handle, she thought.
Moments later, a blue sports car stopped right in front of them. Diana was shocked when the valet service who got out from the driver's side, nodded at Scott. "This is your car?", she asked furrowing her brows.
"Yes, Ma'am", Scott opened the car door for her and covered her head with his palm. Diana collected all the memories that she had every time she saw the same car. Her throat quickly went dry, swallowing a lump in her throat. She can't be right, she hoped.
Scott rid in and moved closer to Diana, fastening her seatbelt. Then, he started the car, stepped on the gas pedal and clutch driving away with his Luna. There was a moment of silence between the two, that made the atmosphere unnatural. Scott drove with one hand on the stirring wheel, and his elbow by the window. With his Luna just beside her, his Alpha impulses began to swirl. Her scent in the closed vehicle is stronger than usual, that he decided to open the windows to get some more self control from the fresh air.
Diana glances at Scott from time to time, worried that Scott may have unconsciously started to fill a space in her heart. His scent. His stares. And his touch. At some point, she cannot ignore the fact that she's elated with just a glimpse of him. And his hand on her skin lingers without malice. It was terrifying for her too. The growing inexplicable feeling that she's starting to fancy knowing Scott is either the calm of the ocean, or eye of the storm. She bit her inner cheek and closed her eyes before looking out the window.
"Are you from around here?", she noticed that Scott seemed very familiar of the vicinity. It was exactly the highway going to her home. It can't be a coincidence that they live close by.
"I live in 12th Building, near Villa Estates… Would you like to drop by?", Scott playfully smiled at her when they reached the stop light.