Disclaimer: All ACoR characters belong to Pixelberry (excluding Désirée/Desi) and I do not claim any ownership of them.
Summary: It has been a few weeks now and Désirée is adjusting to her new role. Though it gets her closer to Caesar, Antony would rather her be by his side. Little does he know, he will get a chance to see her tonight.
Yet another party for Caesar and it seems everyone whose everyone is in attendance.
Antony grabs a drink before making his way through the crowds. “Antony! Praise Antony” rings as he ventures inside. He nods to greet Cleopatra who was surrounded by several male admirers. One, in particular, whose lap she sits upon as she runs her fingers down his back and up his arms. She seems more interested in her conquests then spending time with Caesar. Antony looks away continuing on until he reaches Caesar who is standing by the door looking out at the garden from the kitchen. Antony joins him canvasing the room as he notices everyone is laughing and drinking heavily as they told stories of Caesar’s recent victories.
Antony stood silent for a minute before speaking. “They seem to be enjoying themselves. Does Rome not provide all that you need?”
There must be hundreds in attendance, gifts laid out all around, your pick of anything imaginable, but Caesar continues to peer his head outside without breaking his gaze. Antony’s eyes follow to see what has Caesar so memorized. He soon sees a familiar sight. Désirée was sitting alone in an elegant white gown with gold accents and flowers neatly placed throughout her hair. She was more beautiful than he remembered.
Caesar was impressed with his gift so far. He turned to Antony and replied, “She’s feisty, that one. Yet there’s a softness about her that I wasn’t expecting given her time in Gaul. She has the run of the whole villa before she entertains me tonight. A pick of whatever man she wants to be in her company during the festivities, but yet she seeks seclusion and serenity. There’s something intriguing about that.”
They stood both eyeing her as she sat by herself outside near the fountain. There are small groups spread out, some gathered near the garden as others admire the statues across the labyrinth. Yet none seem to be as at peace as her. She glances at the sky as the moonlight creates an alluring ambiance around her. Désirée always had a certain glow to her to begin with, an aura that made people want to get to know her. She was kind, genuinely so, someone you knew your life would be better simply by having around. The fire within her was just a treat for those who dared to get close enough to see. She sits with a journal on her lap, occasionally picking at the plate of fruit from the buffet beside her.
Caesar licks his lips and adds, “She does seem to have a knack for handling grapes, wouldn’t you say?” He pauses as if he is imagining all the things he can have her to do him later that night.
They glanced as the Désirée slowly sucked a grape off the vine from her plate. She took her time with it, licking the juices as it drips holding out long enough to survey its size before biting down. She was enjoying it as if each bite took her mind somewhere else.
As she comes to, she’s caught off guard as she realizes Antony’s watching. Frozen where he stands, his mouth had dropped and he is now attempting to regain his composure. He scrambles to pick up his drink before Caesar notices. As she looks up, her eyes meet Caesar’s whose lust is more evident than he originally let on.
Antony had a longing look in eyes. He whispered to himself, “Desi” as his eyes looked down. He knew he couldn’t linger too long fearing Caesar would catch on to how he truly feels. Antony skillfully bounces back hesitantly chuckling to himself he replies, “I told you I only provide the best. You’re a lucky man.”
She pretends as if she doesn’t notice that the attention is now on her every move. The man she wished was beside her was now only a few feet away. And somehow, that was enough for her. It had been far too long since she last saw him and it appears the spark between them remained the same.
She stood up making sure to slowly bend over to pick up her napkin off the ground. Her dress form-fitting enough to capture every curve.
Caesar was so focused on her plump breasts didn’t realize the quick exchange between the two. She turned back locking eyes with Antony mouthing, “Miss you” smiling to herself before heading inside to join the others. Antony relaxed into a smile knowing she still chose him after all this time.
In a few hours, she would have to entertain Caesar again. But at least she had renewed motivation to continue on. She had never seen Antony as handsome as he was that night. And seeing him was exactly what she needed. She knew that she still occupied his thoughts and remained in his heart. There was something empowering about that.
If she had to tend to Caesar privately, she could at least envision Antony while doing so. Though her time with Caesar has made her body tired and left her mind racing, her spirit remained unbroken. A warrior because of the fight left within her. And, therefore, she would wait for as long as it took for another chance to be by Antony’s side and in his arms…again.
