Delphine Martin, 1920s

Paris, France

And then, there is him; the storm in my life. He casually sips champagne speaking with my parents and some associates that are happy to see him once more. Michael is still the center of attention he has always been and the only difference is that I no longer wish him to be my center. I want him out of my blood like some pesky affliction that hinder's the enjoyment of a sunny day. I scowl as I realize he's still handsome, more so, he's rich, he's tall, and he is all that one would want; all one once wanted.

My face feels cloudy as I take in Michael's apparel and hate how it compliments my dress. I'm angry at the fact he matches me perfectly as though he'd somehow taken a peek at the designs of the dress and made a surprise show of the way I can't escape the history between us. He looks well enough but I hate it. He is wearing a dark grey tailcoat with a cutaway front and the tails at the back. His personality shows a flair with a floral patterned waistcoat. I roll my eyes as the detail remains to be seen that he is indeed a rake of some sort.

His trousers fit him well in dark grey and his shoes are fashionable and expensive. His hair split down the middle and commed down with pomade. His hair looks like raven's rings. His polka dot bow tie puts things over the edge and everyone is fawning over:

How he's so successful and he's so fashionable.

He's confident and he's sophisticated. He's everything I wish he wouldn't be so I wouldn't feel these emotions when he looks at me.

"You're avoiding me, surely." He's standing over me, offering a drink.

Delicately, I receive the stem of the champagne cup. I hold the tension of the moment as I sip the bubbly drink. My eyes meet his over the rim. "Why, why would I need to avoid you Michael?"

Apparently my morose thoughts have had time to elapse and now he's no longer being fawned over and has found a delicate moment to corner me, alone. And once my heart leapt at such favored moments, but now there is a painful ache as I feel myself torn between present and future; and while I may not place my finger on it, such a fear prickles my skin as I ruminate that I may never be rid of him. I don't know what inspires such as thought but I imagine I am someone else, very different from who I am, and somehow he is there and he watches: and she doesn't know she can't escape.

He shrugs, controlled, as not to alert anyone to the conversation. The look he gives me is one that shields the look that super wealthy give at the thought of things they detest, as though he's in my mind and finding the space unpleasant; unfavorable.

"Well because of your new pet. If I would have known...I swear I wouldn't have asked him to look after you." Michael takes a masculine gulp of his glass.

It's the kind of gulp that reminds you that there is a primal hunger between man and woman. There is an ancient hunt that can't be escaped and with my thoughts, as his eyes are much like a hunter peer over the glass, I catch the shade of something dark: of which to me is unbeknownst.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Don't turn this on him. He's been a perfect gentleman and he did exactly that, while you did God knows what with your time because surely I wasn't a thought."

His jaw ticks and I can read that he's angry. "Would you care to step out for some fresh air?"

When he extends his arm, I know this isn't a request. "Let's go."

We exit the room into a nearby balcony, not too secluded but a lot more recluse. I break away from his arm immediately and pretend to look over the edge, admiring the people who litter the courtyards below. I focus on them and not the range of emotions I feel or what he may say.

"He prayed on you. He knew you were lonely and he..."

"Oh Michael, please shush." I say tiredly. I am unimpressed with his words. "You left to make yourself better and succeeded. You were a boy when you left and I was a girl. Robert changed and he did exactly as you asked, he looked in on me and he cared. I pursued him and not the other way around."

"Or so, you think." Michael rebuttals my words. His gaze is piercing and heavy, as though there is much he holds onto but it matters not as he chooses not to share these things with me.

"And so I will continue, as things stand." I purse my lips, resolute.

"De-De, don't be that way." His voice changes to a velvety feeling that caresses my ears.

"Don't call me that. She doesn't exist anymore." My lips fall into a tight line of disapproval. The sudden nickname reminds me that this man has known me in secrets that I can't pretend did not exist.

"She is you and you are her." I feel lightheaded as he speaks. "My De-De is never gone. I am sure of it."

I find myself stumbling forward and he catches me. "Michael, whatever you are playing at...I am not receptive."

"But you are receptive De-De. You are very much still attached and everyone can see it. It's only you and what you're playing at. You think one little kiss is going to change that?" He chuckles darkly with mean humor.

"Wait...how?" I find myself babbling.

It's like my tongue is thick in my mouth. I can't speak what I wish to speak and as I look off to the right, the room of the party seems to move backwards and very distant. The sounds of chatter and music are gone as we are now in some supernatural vacuum where his voice are the loudest thing and his eyes are the focus.

I. Can't. Look. Away.

My gaze snaps back to Michael as though it's a magnetic pull.

"Wait...what?" I am sweating but I feel as though I am freezing.

"How do I know about his kiss?" A raise of his eyebrow feels like a scathing mock. "He's so small and so insignificant that he doesn't even know that you only kissed him to see if you could be rid of me. But you will never be rid of me De-De and I simply won't allow it."

"Sir, what you are saying is simply..." I heave and my chest rises and falls with a thudding movement.

Every breath is becoming labored and all I want to do is say 'yes' to whatever he may ask of me because a knowing tells me that when I say 'yes'; everything will be okay again.

"...IT'S SIMPLY THE TRUTH." Although his voice doesn't elevate, I still flinch as the sternness in his speech hits me all the same. "I am back De-De...say it."

"You are back." Everything feels dreamy.

"Good girl." He almost purrs and suddenly I realize how big his pupils appear.

The circles of his eyes appear black and touching both the upper and lower lid with the whites almost barely visible. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out as he continues to roughly grip my elbows.

"Delphine, there you are." Mama's voice pierces my ears and when I turn my head to see her, everything is clear and the smoke is no longer around.

I steady myself as all the sounds of the party return to me and the slight chill in the night air. I realize that Michael is a bit further from me than I had last recalled. He's nowhere near close enough to have been holding me. His eyes look normal and the bored expression back on his face.

"Delphine seemed a bit ill so I brought her out for air. Was that alright Auntie?" Michael speaks in a way that makes me question if what just took place even happened at all.

"Oh you did well." Mama all but beams at him and it makes me sick. "Are you feeling well? We can leave early if you are still feeling under the weather."

I shake my head as I am beginning to feel sturdy once again. "Yeah, I am fine. I am sure of that. I needed the air and actually; has Robert arrived?"

"Yes, he has and he's asking for you. That's why I am here." Mama smiles gently but I can see the worry still in the back of her mind.

While all I wish is to get away from Michael. "Well, let's not keep him waiting."

I feel the dimples in my cheeks as I can't help the smile I break out as I can't help but to as I think of seeing him. Even whatever strange moment that happened with Michael can't dampen that joy and while I can't put my finger on it; I sense anger coming from him. I shake it off though as I question the exchange that came between us, hoping I am not becoming ill. I did faint earlier and maybe I am coming down with something.

"Delphine," Robert's head dips down as he kisses my hand.

His face twists into one of concern, almost immediately as he restrains himself from whatever action is natural to him. He clears his throat.

"You look immaculate my dear one, but are you well?"

My eyes itch to find where he is the room as something in my gut tells me that his eyes are on me, but I don't. I swallow hard looking up at Robert's beautiful eyes and attempting to smile; knowing that is not what Michael wants.

There is no need that I would tell Robert what I feel because what would it profit? I would come across as a mad emotional woman because there isn't anything to make sense of what I feel as I do toward my cousin. I must be smart about who I may tell of this and when I do that there is something that can make my doubts more essentially tangible.

"I am all the better now that you have made it. You look wonderful." I smile, feeling my dimples appear.

Robert's sleek black dinner jacket, peak lapel, satin- faced buttons, black trousers and black patent leather shoes may appear similar to the outfit that Michael wears, but the details tell a different story.

Robert's styling is more stable and less attention grabbing. He feels and appears more stable and concerned with being supportive and proper. His simple bow tie and elegant cufflinks with minimal jewelry is preferable. He matches me and I can tell, for who he is, there was much consideration placed in ensuring I would be pleased with our match tonight.

He flushes just a little. "I am relieved to have your approval. I did not wish for my eyes to be more concerned with my attire than the sheer vision you are in this gown."

For a moment, all that Michael is and was floats away and I beam at Robert. So sure he's the one and so happy with this choice.

"A vision to all but an entire experience for you only my beloved." I murmur the words, staring into his eyes and ensuring that only he would hear such an intimate sentiment.