I will survive

Chapter 16

Chapter 16:

It was crowded and it smelled of too much perfume and aftershave. There is no way Cole didn't think so too, but he made no point to comment on it.

Audrey was also less pleased than moments ago. But the last I saw of her, was her conversing with a bunch of rich looking twits – sorry to put it so bluntly.

An old couple – bats more like – came over and shook first Cole's, then my hand. We exchanged pleasantries, then they started ignoring me completely and talking only to Cole about some business stuff. I was bored to tears only ten minutes in.

“Cole?” I asked eventually.

“Yes?” he responded, looking like he was planning how best to commit suicide.

“Do you want to show me how to use the um… the um…” I had no actual plan as to how I could have gotten us out of there.

“Oh yes, you mentioned earlier. Excuse me please, but I need to keep my promise to this young lady,” he told the bats, then led me away. “Thanks,” he whispered into my ear.

“No, thank you,” I responded honestly. Then I went on tip-toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Aw.”

We both spun around and before I had completely registered who it was, Cole said, “Audrey.”

“I didn't know you were officially dating.”

“What about your comments earlier?” I asked, confused.

“Jokes. Which makes everything even funnier.”

“Go to hell,” Cole said.

“Gladly. Can't be much worse than here,” she said sadly.

“Point taken,” Cole said, all blasé.

Audrey and I looked around, while Cole just stood there, his arm snaked around my shoulders, and mine aorund his waist. “How about we go say hi to our parents,” Audrey asked at some point.

“No thanks,” Cole replied simply.

“Humph. What about those old hags over there, or the rich one over there?” she continued.

“That described just about everybody in this room,” I said drily.

“Ouch,” Audrey said. “That means me as well, doesn't it.

“You are rich, are you not?” I asked back.

“What about yourself?” Cole asked sneakily.

“That goes without saying. What's yours is mine, what's mine is mine. You're rich, I'm rich, simple maths.”

“Lovely motto,” he grumbled.

“I must say, I like it,” Audrey said, giggling.

“I do too,” I agreed. “Means I get to use all of his stuff, but he has to ask permission to use mine. Although I always say yes, don't I?”

“Yes dear,” he replied.

“See?”

“Ooh, you have him well trained,” Audrey said.

I grinned. “Cole, how long do these things usually last?” I asked.

“All night,” he replied sadly.

“And you let me say yes to this thing?” I asked, shocked.

“You were a bit persistent about this,” he replied.