The Way We Were

October Twenty-Fifth

It's only been a week since I've had my new hair-do and everyone including myself, loves it. It's four days until the wedding and tomorrow is when I leave to Tennessee, George was kind enough to give me ten days off from work for the wedding and the stay-cation that Caleb and I will be having.

Right now I was casually packing and at the same time getting dressed while also talking with Caleb on the phone. "Four more days!" I grinned, saying it in a sing-song tone.

"I know, it feels like time is getting slower! I wanna be married already." He laughed. "What're you gonna do tonight?"

"Going to the club. Tonight is a 1920s themed party. It's about time we had a party representing the clubs name." I held a headband up to my forehead, looking at myself in the mirror. "It's sort of a last hurrah to my...unmarried days." I lightly laughed.

"Yeah? I was gonna go out with the guys tonight too."

"That'll be nice. Is Dan and Patrick there too?" I referred to Dan and Pat from the Black Keys. I became good friends with them through Caleb. Patrick is the most sarcastic and vile man I've ever met but he amuses me, I guess that's why we get along. And Dan looks like Caleb but has the personality of Jared, we get along the same way Jared and I do; we're harsh and sarcastic toward each other, play pranks and constantly bug each other, but get along like a brother and sister.

"Yeah they are, they came in a couple days ago."

There was a knock at the door, I walked over and looked through the peephole to see Jack all dressed up and waiting. I smiled and unlocked the door for him, "Caleb darling, I have to go. We're about to leave to the club."

"Alright, have fun tonight. I love you."

"Thanks.I love you too, bye." I smiled, slowly hanging up and turning my attention to Jack.

"Jack darling you look so dapper." I grinned, running my hands along the lapel of his suit jacket. "Single-breasted, peaked lapel, Italian silk; Jack, let me guess...Gucci?"

He started to laugh, closing the door behind him. "Yes, how did you know?"

"Gucci is Nikolas' favourite suit designer. Come in, I'm just doing a few last minute things-cigarette?" I led him into the living room and opened up a small case of cigarette, holding it out to him. He took one and nodded in thanks.

"This dress, what do you think? It's not too costume-y is it?" I stood there and posed for him.

"Not at all." He smiled, placing the cigarette between his perfectly shaped lips.

"Perfect." I walked out of the room to my converted closet. "I can tell you there'll be many Halloween costumes gracing the floor of The Prohibition tonight. They're absolutely terrible. I can't imagine wearing cheap polyester or rayon or whatever it is."

I heard him laugh in the other room and soon footsteps started up, I looked over my shoulder and he leaned against the door frame smoking a cigarette in a smooth and debonair manner. The downstairs buzzer went off.

"Oh darling, can you get that?" I sat at the vanity and checked my face and soon spritzed on Chanel No. 5. Jack left for a moment and then came back in. "Your brothers; they're on their way up now."

I didn't say anything, feeling that it'd only be a waste of words if I were to reply to something that I already know of. After putting on my last accessories and checking my hair, I stood up and smiled at Jack, giving him another pose, dropping my hip and placing a hand behind my head.

"Doesn't my body drive you wild with desire?"

We both started laughing. I exited the room and shut off the light, slipping on my heels I waited for my brothers to arrive upstairs.

They walked through the door, and Nikolas, without even saying 'hello' noticed Jack's suit. "Gucci right?"

"Yes." Jack laughed.

I hugged Daniel and complimented him on his apparel.

"Audrey you look like you came straight from the 1920s, I love it." Nikolas grinned, walking over and giving me a hug.

"Let's get going, I hate being late for parties." Daniel sighed, smoothing out the creases in his jacket.

"Another minute won't hurt, besides, I love being fashionably late." I smiled.

"But this is the biggest party so far, it outdoes all the parties of last week combined. This is The Prohibition. Our first self-titled theme. And you invited Leonardo DiCaprio, he's never come to one of our parties before, we've never even met him before! We need to impress." He spoke, lightly touching his hair.

"Alright, you heard the man, let's go. Jack boy, tell me more about your suit." Nikolas put his arm around Jack and led him out the door.

I followed Daniel out the door and shut it after us, "Daniel dear, your hair is great, stop fussing about it." I said after watching his little ticks.

"Are you sure?" He asked nervously.

"Positive." I lightly spoke, all of a sudden I felt light-headed and stumbled backward.

"Audrey, are you alright?" He quickly asked, holding me. The other two were already gone.

I lightly laughed, "Yes, that was odd, I just lost my balance."

"Will you be alright? Nik told me you stopped taking your medication."

"I'll be fine. Just get me to the car, maybe I just need to sit down, it's been a busy day." I smiled, putting on my coat and holding his shoulder for support.

"Alright, but do take it easy tonight. I'll be watching out for you." He half-smiled, helping me down the stairs.

* * *

Nikolas' POV

We had been here at the party for only an hour and it was packed with people dressed in 1920s garb, the champagne was flowing, cigarettes and cigars were supplied, the lighting from the chandelier illuminated the room with a romantic and nostalgic feel amongst the wild clamour of guests. My wife was off with her partners in crime, Chanel and my sister. Audrey was gliding through the crowd like a feather in the wind, a glass of champagne in her hand. As she twirled around the champagne moved along the inside of the orb, nearly splashing out a time or two. In her other hand, her signature brand of cigarettes; Marlboro Menthol.

I stood at the top of the V.I.P section looking down at the people after getting a drink from the bar. That was when I noticed him. Leonardo, in his well-tailored, cream coloured suit.

I noticed him watching Audrey with a faint smile upon his face. At times he'd casually ask a passerby what they knew of her. I smirked and walked over with my cigarette and gin in hand, I leaned backwards against the railing of the V.I.P floor, resting my elbows on the rails, listening to what they had to say.

"Oh, she's a voracious reader."

"She's the first to give a toast and the last to say goodnight."

"She eats takeout on china and serves champagne with pizza."

When the last person left, I moved in a little closer to him. "My sister. They call her the modern Dorian Gray; her youth and beauty seemed to be the same as they were when she was only sixteen. She drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney, and falls in and out of love before you can even say the word 'love'." I smirked, waiting for his reaction. He continued looking out at her before soon realizing that I was watching him. I smiled and cleared my throat before taking another drag of my cigarette.

"She's engaged you know."

"Really." He spoke almost in a rhetoric tone, or as if he was in a dream or something. I gave short laugh and turned around, also watching her.

"Our family objects to it of course. What is it about her that interests you?"

"Your family objects to it? Why?"

"You didn't answer my question. I'll answer yours if you answer mine."

He hesitated and then looked out at her again. "I find her beautiful. I've yet to meet her, and though we're in the same work field, I've missed almost every chance."

"I'd be delighted to introduce you." I smiled.

"Why does your family object?"

I sighed and took a drink. "It's typical of them. Have you ever heard of the band Kings of Leon?"

"I've heard the name, not the music though."

"Anyway, they're a southern rock band, from Tennessee. She's engaged to the lead singer. They've only dated two weeks and already they were engaged."

"Two weeks?"

"They knew each other for a year prior to the engagement-can I get you a drink? I'm dying of thirst, every time I have gin in my hand it always seems to disappear."

"Sure. But that still doesn't answer my question about why it's looked down upon." He leaned against the railing and looked at me as I signalled the bartender to bring us some drinks.

"Oh, anyway, you see, he's from the South. Our family is accustomed to dating and marrying those with riches and power, and he has none of that, neither does my wife but I digress. Sure they own a ranch and make millions from being in a band, but they still live a simple life in Tennessee. I guess that's why Audrey fell in love with him, or rather she fell in love with the idea of a simple life like that. She dated a prince you know?"

"Really?"

The bartender came over with two gins, I thanked him. "Yeah, we all thought she was gonna marry him, but it didn't work out."

He was quiet for a while as he cradled the glass of gin in his hands, watching Audrey who was being a social butterfly, dancing around mingling with glamorous celebrities and beautiful nobodies. Her signature laugh could be heard from where we were.

"Why do you speak so caustically about your own sister?" He asked.

I gave a laugh as I butted out my cigarette and took a drink, "It's not caustic, it's just the truth. I don't hate her or anything, if I did I'm sure I'd say a lot more evil things. But I love her, I really do. She's probably the sibling I'm closest to. I'm sure she talks of me in the same manner too, and if she didn't I'd be insulted."

He looked at me with a confused look then started to laugh, "You really are something."

"Someone darling, now, come. You have to meet the great Audrey Cobain." I grinned, politely placing a hand on his shoulder and turning him around to walk with me.

"But be careful, people of all kinds fall easily in love with her, so guard yourself."

He just lightly laughed, straightening his posture as we made our way through the crowd.