Flutter

Flutter: Neuf (1/2)

She strode into the door, her resolve deciding to make an appearance. Upon entering the room though, it quickly went into hiding again. Quinton, Blaine, and Catherine stopped their discussion, their faces turned in her direction. Quinton's face was impassive and Nora couldn't make out what was on his mind.  Blaine's face was the opposite, however. He had a dashing smile that Nora appreciated, for it made her feel much more at ease. Catherine looked scornful. That was no surprise to Nora though, for that how Catherine always looked when Nora was anywhere near her.

"Hi." Nora said quietly, giving a small wave to the people who stood before her.

"Nora, you look great!" Blaine said enthusiastically, moving to stand before Nora.

"Thanks, Blaine. You don't look too bad yourself. You should wear a suit more often."

"I dare not. Tie's make my neck itch. Come, sit."

Blaine led her to a red plush chair, opposite of Catherine, besides an intricately carved fireplace. The room was dimly lighted, decorated in reds and forest greens (just as depressing as Quinton's bedroom). There was a pool table in one corner, a chess table, and a huge liquor cabinet.

As Blaine and Quinton went back to chatting about important matters, Nora sat back in the chair, wanting to ignore the woman who sat in front of her. Nora made sure to walk on pins and needles around Catherine lately, trying to avoid confrontation, and speaking with her as little as possible. Though, she knew that it wasn't going to be that easy now that she was staring in her eyes. Nora figured that talking to Catherine would at least get her mind off of how well Quinton wore a suit.

"Hello Catherine."

"Nora." Catherine said, plastering a fake smile. Nora bet it caused her pain to do that.

"How are you this evening?" Nora asked, trying to be polite.

"Well, well, well. They taught you manners in that backward town of yours. Surprising." Catherine said with a smug look on her face.

"Obviously much more than they taught you." Nora said bitingly, her hopes of civility put out like a flame of a candle.

Catherine sneered, her hand gripping at the arm of the chair.

The clip-clop of heels on flooring distracted them all and everyone waited for the woman whom they were waiting on.  Her scent entered the room before her though, the perfume stinging to Nora's scent receptors. In a matter of moments, in came a buxom, curvy, blond-haired woman. Behind her was a fair headed, short, decent looking man.

"Quinton, darling!" Charlene said in an obnoxious voice, her voice throaty and slightly accented. "It's been so very long since I saw you last. I've missed you." She walked right up to Quinton and placed a hand on the front of his suit jacket. The intimate gesture sent an unexpected spear of jealously through Nora, unsettling her.

"Charlene, we have guests." Quinton said taking Charlene's hand and giving it a chaste kiss.

"Oh, I do apologize Quinny." She twittered, before turning to face the crowd. Charlene sauntered up to Blaine first. "Blaine, how have you been?"

"I'm doing well, Charlene. How are you?" Blaine responded, ever the courteous one.

"Never better. And oh, Cathy, come give me a hug sugar."

Catherine got up and embraced Charlene, giving her pecks on both cheeks.

"You simply look divine, Charlene. Your gown is gorgeous."

"Oh, this?" Charlene said, running her hands down her dress. It was a red satin gown that clung to her voluptuous form like a second skin with the rest of the fabric pooling at her feet.