Searching (Radiance)

[Colette Moreau]

Colette was halfway through the lobby when a passing glance into the Radiance’s signature bar caught and held her attention. It was meant to be nothing more than idle observation, yet she saw Adrian standing near the entrance, speaking with one of his employees. A subtle quickening stirred in her chest at the sight of him. He had not yet noticed her, and she allowed herself the indulgence of looking twice.

By any reasonable measure, he was the sort of man one might enjoy watching as he moved through his day: confident without display, at ease in his own space, not to mention unbelievably handsome. Yet whatever intoxicating pull had followed their evening at the Masquerade had softened. She had dreamt of him far too often since then, and usually not in the best of dreams, and there was something in her pride that resisted for no apparent reason. The sensible course would have been to lower her gaze and continue through the lobby without pause. Then her eyes shifted past his shoulder. Carter stood at one of the tables.

The sight of him arrested her step, though she betrayed nothing of it outwardly. He was speaking with Privilege Thrice of all people. What possible business could the Privilege have here? The question rose sharp and immediate. Surely she had not come to meet Carter?

She knew Carter (And Gui) were staying at the Radiance; the gossip feeds had murmured as much for a while. He had never bothered to tell her directly, which was just like him. She would not scurry out of a hotel of this caliber as though she had something to evade. Still, it irritated her each time she passed him and felt the subtle gravity of his attention. If he would simply accept that she was not interested, perhaps he would redirect his focus elsewhere. The Privilege, she noted coolly, was said to be single. Pretty enough, certainly, though a more cosmopolitan makeover might do wonders for her appeal to someone like Carter.

Decision settled over Colette. She crossed the lobby in her full-length camel coat, the cashmere falling in clean, unbroken lines to mid-calf. The belt was tied with studied ease, suggesting effortlessness rather than intention. Beneath it, a silk blouse plunged from her throat in soft waves, paired with deep espresso trousers tailored to lengthen her stride above chocolate suede boots. The effect was understated and deliberate, a harmony of texture and tone rather than ornament.

A structured burgundy handbag rested in her gloved hand, the leather immaculate and unadorned. Diamond studs caught the light at her ears. When she slowed near the entrance to the bar, she removed her gloves with unhurried care, revealing the slim gold watch at her wrist. She approached Adrian first, of course. Her smile bloomed bright and effortless as she laid a light hand upon his arm, positioning herself so that Carter and his companion could not help but see her.

“Adrian, what a pleasure,” she said warmly, leaning to brush a kiss against his cheek. “I was just thinking of you the other day. I began to wonder if you intended to leave me waiting forever after the ball.”

As she drew back, she brushed her hair behind her shoulder, her posture angled ever so slightly toward the room.
Toward Carter. She did not need to look to know she had been seen.