Free Fiendish Play by Angela Richardson Page B

the estate listed on the invite. The dinner was being held in a mansion not far from where Anais’ house was located. When I arrived, I was informed by the host that it was the professor’s own estate. “ Not bad for a world famous sculptor slash professor ,” I thought as I wandered around, taking in the mansion’s more meticulously crafted details in its layout. I could tell that Liam had heavily influenced the house design as there were many elements that had his artistic trademark.
    I took my time following the groups of suited men and women in flowing gowns that all headed into a larger room. I saw a few faces I remembered from the arts department that I had met during class meet and greets that week. I walked down a corridor and past a waiter before I came to a large room with dinner tables set, and music playing. I saw Professor Aston in a dark blue suit across the room talking to some colleagues, and then on the other side of where he stood, I saw Anais. She was standing holding a glass of champagne, quietly mulling near a water fountain. As I neared the fountain, I realized it wasn’t a fountain but rather one of the professor’s most acclaimed prized sculptures. It used the same principles as a fountain to channel the water into different sections of the piece. But this particular sculpture was a representation of cause and effect. The piece caused the flow of water to be pushed into one hollowed section, and the effect was that it flowed down a different tunnel every time. No distinct pattern for the flow of water even though it was pushed into the same air pocket. It’s funny how true to life it was to people when the same principles were applied. How people can have the same experience but all have very different reactions.
    The piece was something I had only seen on paper, and now I had the pleasure of seeing in real life for the first time. It almost overshadowed Anais’ beauty in that moment. But it didn’t. Honestly, there was nothing that could come close to being on the same level. I couldn’t believe how easily this girl, whom I had seen for the briefest of time, could take my breath away. She turned in my direction when she heard my footsteps get near. For someone who looked like she would rather be anywhere else, she had put a lot of effort into her appearance tonight. She wore a long pale-purple dress. I think the correct term for the color was lilac. It was strapless, but tastefully cut just above her cleavage. My eyes roaming along her chest. I couldn’t miss the details of what I could see, and what I couldn’t. It clung to her body, but not too tightly. It was just enough to emphasize her slim curves. And it was made out of that soft material that reminded me of the dresses Greek goddesses wore. It was even draped across her body in a similar way.
    “James,” Anais said breaking my less than innocent thoughts about what was underneath that dress. Her head nodding in acknowledgment as I gained pace towards her. Her eyes moved up and down over the tailored suit I was wearing. She tried to hide the smile that crept up on her lips by turning her head away quickly and then back again. She was making sure I couldn’t see that she was happy to see me. I however, couldn’t be as shy as she was.
    “Anais, you look gorgeous tonight. I’m so happy to see that you dressed up for our date.”
    Her smile fell away and her head darted side to side. “This isn’t a date James,” she quickly corrected. “I’m just your partner for the evening.”
    I grinned, trying to make it look like I didn’t believe her. She shifted uncomfortably on the spot in her pale lilac shoes, which I noticed she had matched with her dress.
    “And stop looking at me like that please.”
    A confused laugh escaped my lips. “And how am I looking at you exactly?”
    “Like you want to eat me. I’m just doing a favor for my uncle. That’s all.”
    “Okay sure…that’s all,” I repeated, holding my playful grin.