May 31th, 1999
Addie left Leo with a quick kiss on the cheek, the warmth of his hand lingering on her back as she pulled away. He needed to get ready for the race, and if she stayed any longer, she’d only be a distraction—something neither of them could afford right now. Not here… not this weekend.
Addie kept her pace even, resisting the urge to look back at Leo, Preston, and the… well… highly unwanted presence of Lauren. She could hear their voices growing fainter as she walked away, the click of her heels steady on the gravel path leading to the betting area, the distant hum of conversation pulling her back into the world of polished smiles and carefully veiled daggers. This was her moment—her chance to stake her claim in a way that words or glares couldn’t. And, honestly, she was looking forward to wiping that smug smile off Lauren’s face.
The betting area was teeming with the usual crowd: men in impeccably tailored suits and women in designer dresses that probably cost more than some people’s rent, all engaged in the thrill of throwing ludicrous sums of money at horses they barely knew. There was the sharp scent of cigars mingling with the faint notes of champagne and the energy was truly frenetic. But honestly despite the absurdity, Addie didn’t mind the atmosphere; she was raised in it. It was her playground and, often times, her battlefield.
Her eyes scanned the betting tables, where numbers flashed on sleek digital displays. Leo’s name was there, bold and clear, next to his team’s odds. Not that it mattered. She’d bet on him regardless of the numbers, regardless of who was watching.
And, of course, she was watching.
She could honestly feel Lauren before she saw her, the kind of presence that could curdle milk left in the sun.
“Oh look, here comes the charity case,” Lauren’s voice dripped with false sweetness, the smile on her face as fake as the extensions in her hair. “Placing a bet on your friend, Addie? How adorable.”
Addie didn’t even blink. She simply stepped up to the table, fingers pulling a matte platinum card from her clutch. Not the black card. Not Leo’s. No; she wanted Lauren to see her name on the card.
The hilarity wasn’t lost on her that Lauren thought she was a charity case. As if Addie’s silence on the details of her life was a sign of weakness. It wasn’t. Lauren knew nothing about her, and Addie preferred it that way. Let her assume whatever she wanted; it made moments like these all the more satisfying.
“Five million, one hundred and twenty thousand.”
The betting attendant’s eyes flicked up, betraying a flicker of surprise before he nodded and took her card and the slip of paper where she had written the horse she was betting on. He slid it into the machine, and for a moment, there was silence—a tense pause punctuated only by the machine’s low hum.
Then a sharp, clipped beep.
The attendant cleared his throat, his expression politely strained. “I’m sorry, Ms. Parker, it seems this card—”
“Try again,” Addie said smoothly, her voice calm. She wasn’t worried. Her trust fund could cover this bet a thousand times over. And sure enough, on the second try, the machine pinged its acceptance.
She took the slip with a serene smile, tucking the card back into her clutch just as Lauren sidled up next to her.
Lauren’s eyes narrowed, her smile sharpening. “Ten million,” she announced, with the smugness of someone expecting a grand slam.
The machine took Lauren’s card. This time, there was no tense pause—just a single, unmistakable rejection beep.
The attendant cleared his throat, carefully avoiding eye contact. “I’m afraid your credit line doesn’t cover that amount, Ms. Carrington.”
Addie didn’t smile. Didn’t smirk. She turned to Lauren, her voice soft, almost kind, as if she were offering a genuine olive branch.
“Don’t worry, love.” She reached into her bag again, this time slipping out Leo’s unmistakable black card. She didn’t even look at Lauren as she handed it to a passing butler. “Could you get Ms. Carrington a drink? She looks like she could use one.”
The butler nodded and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lauren’s face twisted into something ugly, resentment staining her features.
Addie turned away, the betting slip secure in her hand, her head held high. Was it like her to be this… rude? No. But Lauren needed a message that couldn’t be ignored—a reminder to back off. And really, what better way to do it than with Leo’s limitless black card for something as trivial as a drink?
The absurdity wasn’t lost on her. And yet, she didn’t regret it.
The crowd’s energy buzzed around her as the match began. The thundering hooves, the sharp calls of the players, the occasional gasp or cheer from the audience—it all blended into a symphony of chaos. But Addie’s focus was on one figure.
Leo.
He was a force of nature on the field. Confident. Powerful… perhaps a litttttleeee cocky, butttt it was a good look on Leo. His determination was palpable, his body moving in perfect harmony with his horse. Every strike of the mallet, every gallop forward—it was like watching art come to life. And, well, it was a piece she was happy to say was hers.
Preston was there, too, of course. And the rivalry between them was impossible to ignore. The announcers leaned into it, their voices ringing out through the speakers.
“Looks like Azure and Lannister are at it again. And folks, it’s getting heated out there!”
Addie felt her heart skip a beat as the bell rang out again, and the horses shot forward in a burst of motion and color.
The race unfolded in a blur of pounding hooves and shouting spectators. She barely noticed the chaos around her; everything else faded to static as her eyes tracked Leo. The way he leaned into the wind, his body in perfect sync with his horse, his focus razor-sharp. There was something intoxicating about watching him like this—wild, free, in his element.
Addie’s grip on her clutch tightened as she watched Preston edge his horse dangerously close to Leo’s. There was a brief exchange of words—nothing audible, but the tension was clear. Leo’s jaw clenched, but his focus never wavered.
And when his team scored the final goal, the roar of the crowd was deafening.
Addie was already on her feet, her heart pounding with pride. She made her way to the edge of the field as Leo dismounted, his eyes searching the crowd until they landed on her. A grin broke across his face, and in an instant, he was in front of her, pulling her close.
“Told you I’d win,” he murmured, his forehead resting against hers.
“I never doubted you.” She smiled, pressing a short kiss to his lips, uncaring of the eyes on them… thought perhaps she should have been.
A tap on her shoulder interrupted the moment. One of the betting clerks, looking slightly awed. “Ms. Parker, you can collect your winnings whenever you’re ready.”
Addie glanced at Leo, then back at the clerk. “Donate it. To the same charity Mr. Azure is supporting today.”
The betting attendant blinked, surprised, but quickly nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”
She didn’t miss the way Leo’s father’s gaze flicked toward her at that moment. Calculating. Assessing. But she didn’t care. Let him think what he wanted. She was here for Leo.
The soft scent of eucalyptus hung in the air, mingling with hints of lavender and rosewater. Addie leaned back on the plush lounge chair, the warmth from the hot stone massage still lingering in her muscles. The sounds of trickling water and the quiet hum of conversation filled the room, but her mind felt miles away.
She missed him.
It was ridiculous, really. They’d barely been apart for a few hours, but the gnawing absence in her chest felt like an open wound. Addie’s fingers toyed with the edge of the robe she was wrapped in, her eyes half-lidded as she let her mind wander—back to the way Leo’s eyes had sparkled after the race, the feel of his lips on hers, the way he’d squeezed her hand.
“I’m surprised you can relax,” Lauren’s voice dripped with faux sweetness, cutting through the tranquility like a blade. “I’d be worried if my entire net worth was just riding on a man who only wins half the time.”
Oh Lauren. She likely gained this unrelenting confidence after Hannah went to the ladies room. Honestly, Addie had appreciated having Hannah around… especially today. Lauren on the other hand… she could do without.
Addie didn’t bother opening her eyes. Her lips curled into a soft smile, perfectly serene. “Darling, I’m sure it’s easy to confuse confidence with recklessness when you’ve never experienced either.”
A few of the other women exchanged glances, stifling their giggles behind manicured hands. Lauren’s face twisted briefly, but she smoothed it over with a tight smile, her eyes narrowing.
“At least I’m not defined by who I’m dating,” Lauren shot back, her nails tapping against the glass she held, the sound like tiny needles pricking the air.
Addie’s smile didn’t waver. Her fingers traced the delicate embroidery on her robe, her voice soft and unbothered. “Oh, Lauren, if I let you define me, we’d both be miserable.”
Lauren’s cheeks flared red, her eyes glinting with irritation. For a moment, she looked like she might lunge for the nearest manicure tool to use as a weapon.
“Well, darling, you might want to remember that not everything can be bought. Some things require class.” Her smile turned sharp, like a dagger wrapped in velvet… or she was at least making it seem like it was.
Addie tilted her head, finally opening her eyes just enough to give Lauren a languid glance. “Oh you know what that is? I couldn’t tell seeing as you’re accosting me at a spa.”
“How embarrassing Lauren… ever consider just, I don’t know, sitting down and minding your own business? I know that takes a skill you’re clearly lacking, but it’s always good to practice.” Hannah smiled - her return timed impeccably as she stood behind Lauren, clearly waiting to get back to her seat next to Addie.
The whispers and giggles around them turned into outright laughter, and Lauren’s face went from red to a deep crimson… if that was even possible. Her lips pursed so tightly they nearly disappeared.
Leo’s mother, reclining on the chair next to Addie, barely lifted a finger to acknowledge the exchange. She simply sipped her cucumber-infused water, her gaze fixed on the ceiling with the kind of detached poise that could only be achieved by years of aristocratic indifference.
“Lauren, sweetie, if you’re going to keep embarrassing yourself, at least do it quietly,” she drawled, not even bothering to look over. “Some of us are trying to enjoy our facials.”
Lauren’s mouth snapped shut, jaw clenched so tightly Addie half-expected to hear a crack. Her eyes flickered with something darker—a glint of… of a spark… of petty determination. Without another word, she pivoted on her heel and stalked toward an empty lounge chair in the corner, her expression calculating.
Addie sighed internally. If Lauren was plotting something, at least she was doing it far away.
Thank god.
The quiet settled again, and Addie leaned back into her chair - Hannah settling next to her after making sure she was okay. The tension bled out of her shoulders as she closed her eyes. Leo’s mother said nothing more, her attention shifting back to her own circle of friends—other women who seemed more interested in the latest gossip or the newest trends than the actual people around them. Addie didn’t mind the silence. She… didn’t need Leo’s mother’s approval, nor did she seek it.
In truth, the only person’s opinion that mattered was Leo’s. And she already had that.
Her mind drifted again, back to the race, back to the way Leo had looked at her—like she was the only thing that mattered in the chaos of the world.
She smiled softly, her heart a little less heavy.
By the time she returned to their room, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon. The soft golden light filtered through the windows, casting everything in a warm glow.
And there he was.
Leo laid on the bed, his shirt unbuttoned, his head against the pillows with his eyes shut. He wasn’t sleeping, no - but clearly he was thinking… about something. The soft light illuminated his features, but all Addie could focus on was the split in his lip, a faint trace of blood still there. Her heart clenched.
“Leo,” she whispered, crossing the room in an instant. Her fingers gently brushed his chin, tilting his face up to hers as she got on the bed next to him. Her eyes flicked to the injury, the worry pooling in her gaze. “What happened?”
He tried for a smirk, but it faltered when the cut tugged at his lip. “It’s nothing. Just a hunting… mishap.” The casual shrug didn’t reach his eyes.
She swallowed, her jaw tightening. “A mishap?” Her voice soft. “Leo, you’re bleeding. Don’t tell me it’s nothing.”
He sighed, his hand sliding over hers, his thumb brushing the inside of her palm. “Addie, I’m fine. Really.”
But she wasn’t fine. Her chest ached with the thought of him getting hurt—of him hiding it. She pulled her hand away gently and disappeared into the bathroom, returning with the first aid kit. Kneeling in front of him, she opened it and dabbed ointment onto the cut with careful precision.
“You need to stop pretending everything’s okay… you’re hurt my love,” she muttered, her eyes fixed on his lip, the slight tremor in her voice betraying her concern.
He cupped her cheek, his fingers warm. “I’m always okay when I’m with you.”
She let out a soft breath, leaning into his touch for just a second before leaning further into his touch.
“I wish we could skip the dinner,” she said quietly, her eyes searching his. “I’d rather just stay here with you. Here. In your arms. All bloody night.”
His lips curled into a small smile, his eyes filled with something tender. “That’s all I want too” He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, pressing a kiss on her lips that she didn’t want to end.
She sighed, frustrated but knowing they couldn’t. The weight of expectations pressed down on both of them. She didn’t want to care about any of it—the dinner, the appearances, the endless parade of pretenses. But Leo’s world demanded their presence, and for him, she’d endure it.
Reluctantly, she stood, pulling him up with her. Her fingers lingered on his shirt, carefully buttoning it up. When she finished, he caught her hands, bringing them to his lips—just a whisper of a kiss against her knuckles.
“We’ll get through tonight. And when it’s over, it’s just us.”
Her heart softened. The worry didn’t disappear, but his words were a balm against the raw edges of her fear. She nodded, letting him pull her into his arms deeper. For a fleeting moment, she closed her eyes, letting herself breathe him in.
“Okay,” she whispered. “But you owe me a quiet night after this.”
He chuckled, his breath warm against her hair. “Deal.”
And with that, she let him lead her out, ready to face the world—together.
@Littlefeets its 5 am idk wtf i wrote