21 | dancing with the little devil

Tony

Yesterday was a rather eventful day. It was the first day that Andrea and I had a training session. I gotta admit, even if she kicked my ass, she was amazing. Although, I could've won if not for Rhodey suddenly coming in unannounced.

But there is one announcement that got me and Andrea riled up.

Ryan Clarke is in Miami and talking to the press about how great friends we are.

Yeah, I suppose we're friends. If, you know, friends kidnap each other, chain them to chairs, subject them to literal brain torture, and try to have them killed. Yeah, we're friends.

But I guess I also brought that upon myself. See, Andrea told me that I should cover everything up about the abduction. Because everyone coming at the Triad Industries is basically a suicide mission. We can't have them doing that.

So, I called Obie and let him tell the public that everything is merely a prank war between Clarke and I. The public did not take that lightly. Morning of yesterday, I was all over the news as the asshat who wants to stay relevant by doing stupid publicity stunts.

Bitch, I'm Tony Stark. I'm always relevant as long as I stay breathing.

"Sir, you look dashing." J.A.R.V.I.S. said.

I have the best A.I. ever.

"Stop, you're making me blush." I joked as I adjusted my bow tie.

"Just like how Ms. Andrea makes you blush?" He added.

I stopped fiddling with my tie and scrunched my eyebrows in confusion at J.A.R.V.I.S.'s weird statement. Me? Blushing? Andrea? I might have to fix a few bugs in this A.I. of mine.

"What are you talking about? I don't blush. Especially not because of her." I said then proceeded to fix my tie.

Once I finished with my bow tie, I took a few steps back to check myself out on the full-length mirror. If there's a girl version of me, I would love to marry her...That sounds completely wrong but I won't take it back.

"I beg to differ." J.A.R.V.I.S. answered. This A.I. needs to be taught a lesson or two.

I do not blush and I do not blush for Andrea Marshall. If I'm caught blushing it's not because I'm having butterflies in my stomach, it's because I'm about to empty the contents of it by puking.

"That's it. You're on probation. You won't talk unless you're spoken to. Understood?" I said.

I tug on the coat of my tuxedo, adjusting it before smoothing it down against my torso.

"Whatever you say, sir." He responded.

I nodded slightly at his response as I remained staring at my own reflection in the mirror. "That's right. Whatever I say." I whispered to myself before shaking my limbs and going out the door of my bedroom.

When I got to the living room, Andrea still wasn't there. I figured that she's still in her room, getting dressed.

I teased her again today by picking up the most skin-showing dresses I could find. I mean, there's nothing wrong with showing a little skin. Women could wear whatever they want. I don't actually understand why the pea-sized brains of some men think they could actually control what women should wear.

If someone told me I should not go commando from time to time, I'd also be pissed.

"For a moment there, you didn't look like an egotistical ass." I looked up from adjusting my watch when I heard Andrea's voice.

Well, goddamn.

Her auburn hair seemed to be more shiny as it fell in beautiful waves past her shoulders. While her hair gave off a warm tone, her deep blue eyes had the opposite. It wasn't chilling. It was cool, like meeting her gaze was like meeting the cool breeze that the waves bring to the beach. And her dress. I don't think I've even that dress before because I'm glad it's the one she's wearing because it absolutely complimented everything amazing about her appearance.

I'm practically gawking. I should stop before she and J.A.R.V.I.S. notices the same. The last thing I want is him getting me on camera with a flushed face as I stared at the vampire.

"I-I don't remember buying that." I said. Really, Tony? You stuttered? I had to clear my throat right after to get myself together.

"Exactly. I turned one of the dresses actually wearable." She responded.

I'm not mad at it.

This is the point where I say something smug and cocky and Andrea will roll her eyes at me and say how irritating I am. But that's the problem. I can't think of anything smug or cocky to say. I was simply in awe.

With that, I just nodded, even gulped because the longer I stood there, the harder it was to resist gawking at her.

"Right. Let's go, Spunky." I just said to relive the tension in the atmosphere that only I could probably feel.

At this point, the smart thing to do is to just turn around and walk out. Because if I remain there, I don't trust myself to say the right words. Especially when I realized that J.A.R.V.I.S. is probably right.

Andrea does make me blush. I'm just not sure why.

—

"Your full name is Anthony Edward Stark?"

I whipped around to look at Andrea. What the—how the hell did she know that? Did she hear it from the reporters outside? Damn those super hearing.

We're not right outside the venue of the gala and as expected, it is already crowded with paparazzis and journalists.

"N-No." I answered. Why the fuck do I keep stuttering?

"So, it is." She concluded.

"I said it's not."

"You are a bad liar, Anthony."

Why...does my name always sound good coming from her lips? I'm not having this. I'm not gonna do this again.

"Let's change the topic. We should go." I just said.

See, this is J.A.R.V.I.S.'s fault. Telling me that I blush when it comes to Andrea definitely threw me off. Now, I'm too self-conscious about it.

Though, my thoughts were silenced when I saw Andrea worriedly staring at all of the people going crazy outside.

She almost looked...anxious. And I've never seen her like that before.

"Never experienced something like this before?" I asked.

She ripped her gaze from the people outside and fixed it on me, her blue eyes once again meeting my brown ones.

"It's the very thing I've been avoiding considering my identity." She said before returning her gaze outside the window.

As someone who has been in the spotlight for like, ever since I was born, I can't imagine what life feels like without it. I was born into a family that are destined for greatness, and that greatness comes with an overwhelming amount of responsibilities and expectations.

I wonder what it must be like to have a life without the constant flashes of cameras wherever I go.

"Don't worry. We don't have to talk to them anyway. We just need to get inside." I reassured her. I've always been good in handling the press. I'm naturally entertaining.

"Now I understand why almost all your cars' windows are tinted." She said as she squinted.

All my car windows are tinted because ladies love doing it in the car...but I guess that too.

"That's one of the reasons." I said. Then I started to take one last check on how I look, adjusted my tuxedo and my shades before looking over at Andrea. "You ready?" I asked.

She stared at me for a few seconds, as if still contemplating whether or not she should go through with this. Well, she should. I mean, I'm having the most fun since...ever. I'm not ready to leave this behind yet.

"Fine." She answered. That's a good girl.

I couldn't help but smirk at her response before I pushed the car door open and the crowd already went into a frenzy. Good thing I shave my shades on or they would have blinded me in seconds.

I'm used to the questions they're throwing at me. Sometimes, it's just the same thing over and over again. But given the recent turn of events, new questions arose and I answering them is not exactly ideal for me.

"Mr. Stark, how long have you been friends with Ryan Clarke?"

"Mr. Stark, can we get a photo of you and Ryan Clarke, please?"

"Was it really all just a prank, Mr. Stark?"

There's no way I'm answering any of that. So, for the first time, I actually ignored them. I was tugging on my coat to fix it while I walk and the car, just letting the paparazzis flash their cameras at me and the reporters throw their questions at me while I refuse to answer any of them.

I threw the keys to my car to the valet as I made my way to the passenger's seat. I can already sense the confusion in the atmosphere. I'm not one to normally bring dates in most events...Okay, in any event.

Just wait 'til they see how badass my date looks. If only I can brag that I'm with a tribrid.

I opened the door to the passenger's seat and The first thing that I noticed about Andrea was the way she winced as soon as I opened the door. She tried to look away from the bright flashes of the cameras and it seemed like the constant babbling of the reporters was not helping her super hearing.

This is the most vulnerable I've seen her.

I don't know if I like it because at least I see some humanity in her, or hate it because it seems like she's hurting.

I bent down slightly to try and meet her gaze before calling her name. "Andrea."

I felt that cool breeze again when her blue eyes gazed into mine. Like the feeling of standing on the shore of my private beach and just letting the breeze ruffle through my hair and caress my skin.

I sound like a girl.

"You don't need to be nervous. You look incredible." I said as I offered her my hand to make her less nervous. I mean, where's the lie? She really does look incredible. But instead of being flattered, she, of course, glared at me.

"Stop complimenting me." She warned. Okay, let's add that to the list of things she doesn't want me to say, which is next to 'you're hot'.

"It's just so you would get out of the damn car." I responded. We are kinda making a scene here just by staying too long in the car.

Andrea simply rolled her eyes and shook her head before finally placing her hand in mine and gently stepped out of the car.

I once again saw her look away when she stood by my side. The camera flashes are crazy tonight. I hate seeing her like this. I don't know why, I just hate it.

"Let's lessen the photo taking, shall we? The papers are already filled with my face as it is." I joked.

Some understood but most of them continued to click their cameras like there's no tomorrow. I hope it did something for Andrea, though. But I doubt it because they keep going at it like I haven't brought a woman to an event before.

Oh wait, I really haven't.

"Come on, let's just get this over with." I leaned slightly to Andrea's side to whisper that and she nodded in response.

I offered her my arm and she hooked her around mine before we started to stride down the red carpet, all while everyone's eyes were on us. Tried my best to fight my instincts and not look at every camera because it's what I've been doing ever since. So, that they all get to have a decent photo of me. But with Andrea by my side, I just know that I had to stop entertaining the people around here and start picking up the pace so we could get out of the public's eye.

"Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" I said when we finally reached the inside of the venue. I'm sure Obie will be riddling me with questions about who the hell I came to the gala with.

"Are you kidding? I'm seeing spots." She replied, irritation evident in her tone.

I could not help but laugh at what she said. I'm not laughing at her. I just...I just remembered something that I shouldn't. Why is my brain built like this? If it weren't for the fact that it's genius, I would've gotten rid of it.

"That's what she said." I whispered to myself before I pointed at the door where I now behind it is the actual gala.

"Let's go in." I told her.

We went inside and the gala already greeted us with a much calmer ambiance than outside. My eyes scanned the room and I caught a few people that are familiar to me, which is why I need to make it my mission to stay the hell out of their way. The last thing I need is to be distracted by them while Andrea gets to do all the fun stuff.

"There he is." She pointed at the mini bar in the venue and there sat the asshole who had me chained in a chair and had his little witch fry my brain.

When Ryan's gaze met mine, my blood started to boil in anger. I don't know how long I have been glaring at him or him staring at me, but there is no way I'm going to be the first one to break. This motherfucker kidnapped, tortured, and threatened me.

After what I think is a couple of seconds, he smirked and raised a glass towards us before turning around and leaning against the counter.

I looked at Andrea to see her already giving me the signal to approach him. We strode side by side as we made our way towards the dude.

Andrea stood on his right while I took position on his left side. Without sparing us a look, Ryan plastered a grin across his face, still staring at the crystal glass he's holding.

"How did I do? I think I did pretty well. The people completely bought it." Ryan said as he brought to the rim of the lass towards his lips.

The urge to just be completely childish and shove the glass up his face is astronomical.

"Of course they did. You're deceitful." Andrea said.

I watched as Ryan furrowed his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes at Andrea before he replied. "You don't even know me."

Even so, she's right.

"It's a wild guess." I chimed in.

Ryan turned to look at me before chuckling at my statement. "You told me you don't know her, and now you guys are like a dynamic duo."

"Well, first, I forgot about her. I'm sure you remember that because you had your witch pry into my brain with her magical little fingers. Second, she already filled me in on stuff." I explained all while keeping a fake smile. I don;t want anyone thinking that we're out here picking a fight with Ryan when we're acting as friends. Of course, the smile is as sarcastic as it can be.

I looked over at the bartender. "Single malt scotch on the rocks. Thanks."

I don't think I can get through this evening completely sober. I need at least one drink.

"Then you know everything about Malivore?" Ryan asked.

"I do. Like you said, it's this black pit that is a former monster that swallows other monsters aside from vampires, werewolves, and witches and wipes them from the collective conscience. And that Andrea being three of the creatures that created Malivore is the only one that can actually destroy that disgusting little thing. Quite interesting." I elaborated.

To be honest, Andrea did not happily say any of that to me. I kept pestering her about it until she finally gave in and told me everything just for me to shut up. The power of being annoying. I should be supernatural.

"That's it? That's all she told you?" Ryan said, a small, mocking grin stretching on his face.

Ryan's response instantly brought a reaction to me. My jaw clenched as I drew a deep breath, all while keeping my gaze on him. Is he implying that there's more? That Andrea left something out that I needed to know?

Because if so, then I'm starting to get pissed.

"Clarke." Andrea warned him. For that alone, I just know that she's still hiding something from me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked Ryan, not bothering to spare andrea a glance.

I know that I didn't have any right to possess this kind of knowledge in the first place, but if I'm gonna go running towards danger, I need the whole story or else I'm just running into these fucking suicide mission already a dead man.

Ryan looks between the two of us before slowly backing away. "I'd let her tell you, instead."

When Ryan started to walk away, my apathetic eyes landed on Andrea who watched Ryan leave us before she settled her eyes on me. I could already see how uneasy she had become. She really is hiding something from me.

"Dance with me." I said, holding my hand in front of her.

"I don't da-" she tried to refuse but it wasn't exactly up to her.

"It wasn't a request." I said before she could finish her sentence.

Reluctantly, she accepted my hand and made our way towards the dance floor. If it weren't for the fact that I'm currently pissed off, I would've commented about how dangerously close we are to each other. But like I said, I'm pissed.

"You know I hate being left in the dark. So, whatever it is that Clarke's saying, spill it." I demanded.

"I'm not sure if you're ready to hear it yet." She responded.

Bullshit.

"Andrea, you told me what you are. What can possibly be more shocking than that?" I asked.

Honestly, anything she says at the moment wouldn't be as shocking because I'm pretty sure I've already read and heard a lot of crazy things in the past few days.

"Fine. I'll tell you." She finally agreed.

About time.

"I was in Malivore." She blurted out.

Okay, I was wrong. There is something even more shocking than the crazy things I've read and heard the past few days.

I felt like my eyes were about to pop out of their sockets when I widened my eyes at her statement "What?!" he whisper-yelled.

"Malivore spat me out. That's why Clarke's after me. To know who I am." She added.

Just when I thought this situation could not get even crazier, it does. But if she was in Malivore...

"Then that means everyone that you know has forgotten about you." I said. Because that's what the black pit of doom does, right? It swallows you and it wipes you from existence. "I thought that Malivore doesn't go after vampires, witches, and werewolves? You're all three."

"Yes and yes, it doesn't. I was pushed in by a sociopath."

Hold the fuck up. She was pushed in by a sociopath? Andrea? The all-powerful tribrid? Pushed? Are you kidding me?

"You're the all-powerful tribrid and you got pushed in by a sociopath? That's embarrassing!"

"Oh, fuck you."

"Are you cursing me or is that your bucket list?" I just had to say it. I mena, I wouldn't mind, though.

She once again rolled her eyes at me. "You're disgusting."

I simply shrugged my shoulders before I spoke. "I've been called worse."

"Yeah? Like what?" She asked.

I mean, by other people..."Anthony." I responded. But when she called me that. Oh, boy. That's a whole different story.

Okay, wait up. She's changing the topic.

"Wait. Stop changing the subject. Tell me the whole story." I demanded.

She sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. Don't be annoyed at me, woman. It's your fault for hiding half of the story from me when you know I hate being clueless. I just fucking embarrassed myself in front of The Grinning Tumbleweed.

"Fine. But not here." She said.

I pulled away from her and kept her hand intertwined with mine as I roamed around the room, finding the exit so we could discuss this shit in a more private setting. Now, normally, I mean that sexually, but right now, I really mean it when I say 'discuss' only.

My eyes stopped at the fire exit and I gently tug on her hand to catch her attention.

"Come on." I urged her

We moved past the people swaying on the dance floor, which was incredibly difficult by the way. Not to mention the fact that Andrea suddenly stopped walking and had herself nailed to the floor while she stared at something, or someone.

"What is he doing here?" She asked.

I felt her hand shake as she said that. I looked over to the direction she's looking at and there stood a middle-aged man with dirty blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and a grin that I've always found mysterious. Like, it's holding a lot of secrets.

I see him from time to time in events like this, together with his sister, I presume?

"That's..." I trailed off. Crap, I forgot his name. "Wait, I forgot his first name. But I think his last name's Peterson? Davidson? Or something like that?"

"Klaus Mikaelson?" She said.

"Yes! That's him. Why, you know him?" I replied.

Andrea didn't bother to say a thing in response. Instead, she stood there with her blue eyes watering, her chest heaving up and down rather fast, and her lower lip trembling.

I didn't need to ask her if she was alright, because the next thing that happened already confirmed it.

At first, it was a mere vibration, then it continued on to become a full-on earthquake. The whole venue was shaking and the people inside I were starting to panic, running around and shoving other people. The mini bar was collapsing as their bottles of liquors started to fall from their glass shelves, shattering in the process.

The sound of musical instruments thumping against the floor was merely a background noise as the people kept shrieking in fear. Goddamn, these people. Weren't they taught how to act in these kinds of situations? Because I'm pretty sure it's not screaming, running around, and pushing other people.

I looked back at Andrea and saw how the tears that were pooling in her eyes began to trickle down her cheeks while she gasped for air.

"Andrea!" I called out to her. But the way she's just staring ahead as if I'm not in front of her scared me. "Andrea, it's fine, you're fine."

I cupped her cheeks and caressed her hair, trying to get her to calm down but none of that was working.

The quake of the ground beneath us went for longer while I tried my best to snap Andrea back to reality. People are about to get hurt if this continues. I can already hear the chandelier on top creaking.

If she doesn't stop, this whole venue will crumble.

—

Andrea is that someone who you won't get to know completely in just one sitting. She's the type that includes time and patience to get to know. Because certain sides of her surface only on selected occasions. Such as earlier, when the appearance of Klaus Mikaelson almost made her destroy the whole venue.

"You know, I'm starting to think that you just like hurting me." I said.

Earlier after the whole earthquake shenanigan, I was preparing the car when I ran into Andrea in the parking lot. And to my complete shock, she blasted me with agonizing pain, like the type that the witch back in triad made me feel. It almost felt like my brain was melting. It was as painful as the one before, if not, even more.

"I didn't mean to do that to you. I thought you were Clarke." She said while she satin the living room stil clad in her dress and heels.

My eyebrows shot upwards at her statement. Since when do I have a poodle on my head?

"You thought I was Clarke?" I asked, standing in front of her and clutching my head because I just gained a headache because of what she just did. Still kinda dizzy as well.

"He had an illusion ring and pretended to be you when I was in the restroom." She explained.

I scrunch my face into a grimace at what she just said. Do I look like someone who would just waltz in the ladies' room?

"You thought I was perverse enough to peek into the women's restroom?" I said, honestly offended. I may be flirtatious nad dirty-minded, but I don't go that far.

"No, I thought you were thoughtful enough to come check up on me despite me being in the women's restroom." She cleared up.

I couldn't avoid clenching my jaw and looking away from her. I actually did think about checking up on her. Her episode had me all worried. But I thought the last thing she needs is.. well, me. I mean, I annoy her all the time to the point that my mere presence is bothersome for her.

I thought she didn't need anyone to comfort her, especially not me.

So, I just stood there. Awkward and all, while I clutched my head because the headache is just growing worse. Then I see Andrea move in the corner of my eye, causing me to look over to her.

And I wish I hadn't because I just witnessed her bite into her own wrist with her own fangs and let her blood flow into the glass she's holding.

"Drink this." She told me while holding out the glass of blood in front of me

I creased my forehead as I stared at her, all puzzled and slightly repulsed.

"You want me to drink your blood?" I said. I swear to god, this woman is just trying to get me to puke all the time.

"Vampire blood can heal people." She said.

Yeah, I know that. But still.

"I don't care, I'm not gonna drink that." I refused.

I'd rather die than drink blood...Okay, well, if I'm really dying, maybe I'd consider it.

I can see the irritation on her face as she placed the glass back on the table and slid to one side of the couch, leaving the other side vacant.

"Come here."

"I said I'm not going to drink that—"

"Yes, I heard you. I'm just going to use a damn healing spell so get over here."

I didn't believe her immediately. There's a chance that she's just playing me. Because I just know that she'd be happy to just make me feel as uncomfortable as possible as pay back for the times I made her feel the same.

But I guess I have to find out for myself.

"Are you sure you're not going to try and melt my brain again?" I asked as I sat beside her.

"Don't worry, I scheduled that for when I take my leave." She joked, at least, I hope she was joking.

"Andrea." I warned.

"I'm kidding. Now, shut up. I need to focus." She responded.

I felt her soft palms against my head, tangling in my hair and for a moment, I had to swallow hard because the feeling of her hands buried in my hair was...kind of pleasurable. I've always liked it when they tug on my hair. If I accidentally moaned no, that would be embarrassing.

But everything dirty in my mind went out of the window when I started watching her do her own thing. Right now, I'm just feeling pure admiration for her. Her long, thick lashes, her wavy auburn hair, her slightly chubby cheeks that I'm always so tempted to pinch...her pink, full lips.

And it's not just her appearance that has me all in awe, but everything about her. How she is so brave yet still finds it in her heart to be vulnerable at times, because too much bravery can be really unhealthy sometimes. A little bit of vulnerability from time to time lets her know that despite being possibly the most dangerous creature to walk the face of the earth, she still has her humanity.

I admire her...and I don't think in a friendly way.

Slowly, the ache in my head started to dissipate until it was gone, as if it was never there. When Andrea opened her eyes and caught me staring at her, I didn't move an inch, nor did I look away.

And to my slight surprise, she stared back.

I saw her blue diamonds for eyes again and remembered how it was all teary and broken earlier back at the gala.

"What happened back there, Andrea?" I finally asked. I have been meaning to ask her that since she ran off to the ladies' room.

She pushed her lips into a thin line before exhaling deeply.

"A thousand years ago, a mother wished to protect her family from harm. But unlike any other, her ways were...much more complicated. She was a witch. A powerful one at that." I watched as she explained with her gaze lowered and focused on her fiddling fingers.

"She upset nature's balance by casting a spell upon her family. They were granted incredible strength, speed, and immortality. It was supposed to be for protection only, but, when someone upsets the balance, there's always consequences."

Why do I feel like she's telling a story that's closer to her heart?

"The sun burns them, vervain is toxic to them, and most of all, they are burdened with an insatiable hunger." She siad, all while avoiding eye contact with me. "And with that, the first generation of vampires was created. The Original Family."

After that, she finally glanced at me. When a theory developed in my mind, I Dre a deep breath and clenched my jaw.

"Let me guess, Klaus Mikaelson is a part of that family." I assumed.

Andrea didn't have to give me a verbal answer. A simple nod from her sufficed.

"But that's not why you had a panic attack earlier." I guessed again.

She stared at me for a couple of seconds, as if hesitating to tell me why she had a panic attack earlier.

"My parents and my uncle died because of the Mikaelson family." She told me.

You'd think that when you're the most powerful creature on the planet, you can have everything you want. But most of the time, being one also invites tragedy. Andrea is living proof of that.

"I'm sorry." I said.

I know what it's like to lose both your parents. Mine died just three years ago. Car crash. Funny how one simple thing that they used to do everyday can be the cause of their deaths.

"The Originals are dangerous. They're unkillable and the most feared beings in this world. It's best if we avoid them." She said while looking away, trying to hide the hurt in her eyes.

Too late, I already saw them.

I didn't know what to say so I just nodded.

Her revealing her backstory suddenly sparked something inside me. I don't know if it's because she just completely opened up to me, showed her vulnerable side to me. With that, I feel like I'm starting to know her more and more.

And because of that, I slowly start to realize something that I've been trying to deny for some time now.

"Good night, Spunky." I said.

That despite her being someone who could literally kill me, someone who can leave me hanging at any moment, someone that I shouldn't even be friends with, someone that I should avoid to keep my life as normal and as away from danger as possible...

"Good night, Snarky."

I'm in love with Andrea Marshall.

—

Young rdj really hits different *cries*