Once Upon A Bet

/42/ Are you sure?

Dedicated to krystalgayle85, thanks for the lovely support so far <33

My feet were killing me, I felt my legs stiff and my and my head dense. It's been a couple hours since the event started and every second had been more tedious than the previous one. We were in a beautiful art exposition, with abstract paintings elegantly on the walls and large tabled with the most exquisite food. Those big plates with tiny pieces of art created by the most prestigious chef. I'd been to thousands of this kind of Galas. The perfect excuse to meet up and seal business.

And that was where the buyer had summoned us to talk about the details.

The sky was getting dark outside and I could only hope this was reaching its end. Damien and the possible buyer had excused themselves some minutes ago, leaving me to enjoy the time myself, and the conversation about the purchase and sale wasn't that thrilling without Damien gently explaining the concepts to me.

I'd seen Dalia and her parents somewhere in here, but I wasn't that desperate yet. In fact, I was praying she didn't see me. I stayed with Ramfire as he engaged in a passionate conversation with some other magnate fascinated with his work, but it was like they didn't even saw me standing there.

Well, I might as well be invisible at this point. I politely excused myself and wander around hoping to engage myself in something more exciting efore Damien comes back with -hopefully- good news.

Today was really important. The Well House was all done, only some details and polishing was left and then that would be it. If this gentleman Damien had accompanied up was our most important buyer. If he said yes and they signed the contract, that would be it. The earning would be for Damien and partly split as some percentage would come my way, seeing we were co-partners. A little one since I was more an apprentice, but considering the situation it wouldn't only be gratifying as a complete project.

I had accomplished something. I'd been a part of a successful project and helped build up something. Something that would stay, solid and strong against everything. This satisfying rush was the first that intrigued me when I decided I wanted to be an architect. I went to Italy when I was barely a child, I saw all those big structures, unmoving in time, built to last forever and I was infatuated.

Now I helped with a Well House, but maybe in a few years and a lot of work I get to design some impressive structure that also would impress people centuries from now. Something that defies the laws of time and generations. Or maybe a simple building. Who knows? Now that was wishful thinking. But wasn't it such an amazing dream?

And also if I get to somehow manage to get into Yale that would connect me with my grandfather, I would parade the same halls he did, the same gardens and campus. It would be like sharing something with him. And I like to think he would be proud if I did get the chance to master a degree in the university that meant so much to him.

Just as I passed the opening to the hallway, thinking about all this, my arm was suddenly grabbed and they dragged into the hallway swiftly, taking advantage of the shock. The heels almost make me trip, but this person didn't waste time and as soon as we were out of sigh behind a decorative place I was shoved against the nearest wall, sharp hands pushing my shoulders and red eyes glaring down at me. If the hit hadn't already robbed the air from my lungs, his evident hatred would had.

"You're charging me?!"

He looked like a mess, his hair tousled like he'd run his hands through it in stress, his tie too loosen for the etiquette stipulated here and his face completely showing stress and red anger. Despites the clenching in my chest, I couldn't help a smug smirk morphing my lips. "Hello, Tyler. Rough day?"