The Very Thought of You. (Alan Rickman Fanfic)

2.

(A/N: obviously for the purposes of this fanfic, Rima is not in the picture. However, I thoroughly respect her, and hope she's doing well.)

Alice's POV
I cleared my throat before speaking.
"I'm Alice Williams, Dan's best friend." I stated, looking around the room. His co-stars were smiling warmly at me, even Alan Rickman himself. Rupert and Emma, who I had met once or twice before, greeted me, and started asking me questions about how school was going and such.
About an hour into the dinner, I had only had one glass of wine. I wasn't about to make an utter fool of myself in the company of some of these dinner guests.
I stood up, letting Dan know I was going to get some air, and he nodded. I left the room, and finally let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding. I felt completely out of my element. It was always just me and Dan hanging around; he never really brought me around the spotlight. I was entirely thankful for that. I couldn't even handle a simple dinner.
I ran a hand through my wavy hair, and sighed.
"Getting some air, are we?"
My heart felt like it froze in place. I turned around to meet the handsome face of Alan Rickman, who was looking down at me in a way I couldn't entirely decipher.
I leaned against a column of the building's architecture, and smiled.
"More like saving myself." I admitted.
Alan raised an eyebrow in amusement. "From what, Miss Williams, may I ask?"
I laughed. "From all of that." I motioned towards the direction we both had come from.
Alan now stuck his hands in his pockets, leaning against a column as well. He smirked, waiting for me to clarify.
"Daniel's my best friend and all, but I'm not around that side of his life hardly ever. It's just not my thing." I explained, crossing my arms against the cool night wind. The lights shining in the entrance of the restaurant illuminated us.
"So then, what is your thing?" He asked me.
I felt a smile playing on my lips. "Well, if you must know, Mr. Rickman, I attend school, where I am currently finishing up my master's degree in business management."
Alan shot a cutely bewildered look my way. "How interesting. It's rare to be goal-oriented in present society. That's quite admirable. And if you may, please, call me Alan. 'Mr. Rickman' is terribly formal."
I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, but I pushed it down.
"Only if you call me Alice. Miss Williams is my mother." I replied.
I caught him sneak a glance at my lips, and back up to my eyes.
"Deal." He replied in somewhat of a playful manner.
He held out his arm, and I took it graciously. Clearly, he was just as much of a gentleman as I thought.
"Since you stated you're attending school, you must be rather young, am I correct?" He looked down at me under hooded eyes.
I laughed. "You would think. Unfortunately, I'm turning 30 years old this year."
A flash of emotions passed in Alan's eyes but I couldn't place it. We had already arrived back to the banquet room.
Daniel rushed up to me. "Took you long enough. I thought you died or something."
I released Alan's arm gently, and smirked at my best friend.
"Miss Alice was well accounted for. However, I believe it's time for me to take my leave." He turned to face me, smiling so gorgeously.
"I enjoyed our little chat. I hope to see you around, Alice."
I smiled in thanks, and nodded.
"Absolutely. Have a good night."
And if all of that wasn't enough, he grasped my hand lightly, and planted a light kiss on the top.
"It was a pleasure."
I could only imagine what my face looked like when he did that, but I forced myself to smile.
I watched him wave once more, before exiting the restaurant.
I was in shock. What. The. Hell. Just. Happened.
I turned around to face D, and he was laughing at me.
"Shove off." I playfully growled.
"You both seemed rather cozy."
I rolled my eyes. "As if. He was just being nice because I'm your best friend."
Dan let out a short chuckle. "Whatever you say, Alice."
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