~4 A BEWITCHING MIRAGE

EDEN MONROE. 

I was perplexed as I remained unmoving on the dance floor. I  couldn't find words to say regarding Dorian's sudden change in actions. I was overwhelmed with everything that had happened. I still couldn't believe he walked out on me, just like that, and without any reason. I felt so belittled for getting a little too comfortable with him, yet still left me, like I was one of his tramps. 

It hurts. 

I left the dance floor and decided to follow my instructive instincts. The bathroom was the perfect place to hide my head and bawl my eyes out. I went to the bathroom but it was occupied with ladies who cocked their heads at me when I entered. I found it really weird, but left nonetheless. 

I decided to look for Bree so we could leave, if only she wanted to. Then I saw him coming out from a narrow path with another lady. Even though he and I just met, I felt betrayed because he had left me alone on the dance floor with a scornful look on his face, like I had irritated him when I could have sworn we were frictionally attached to one another on the dance floor. My thought was that something, maybe something, could happen between us; But I guess no. Not with what happened earlier. 

Moving steadily, I hid myself behind someone and watched them both from afar. The pretty woman whose name I couldn't be bothered to know was smiling brightly beside him, and around them were people who wore faux of happiness etched on their faces seeing them together. I felt exasperated just looking at them, and it wasn't until he left did I leave my hiding spot. 

The lady stood alone for a short while before skipping towards someone. I overheard what people were saying and my mood changed. An engagement? It couldn't be true. I couldn't believe what I was hearing but with the amount of people in here who kept saying the same thing, I believed it to be facts. I guess I was played. It wasn't like we had something going on. . .but I thought we could begin a union.

I decided to walk away from the scene, and once I took a sharp turn, I bumped into someone. Instantly, I apologized to the person as I looked up to see who I walked into. 

The woman raised her brows and looked me in the eyes, and I felt intimidated by her set of deep brown eyes. Honestly, it wasn't my first time seeing someone with that type of eye color, but hers, it was unique. She seemed to have loved red because most of the things around her were red. Her lips were red, her earrings, the pendant of her chain, all except for her wavy hair and her cape gown which was black. Almost everything about her was red, and I figured red could as well be her obsession. Red was also my favorite color, most especially crimson red. Most of my dress came in crimson red. Even the gown I was putting on tonight was crimson red.

"So, who are you?" Her red lips stretched into a smile, and I felt at ease seeing that smile on her face. It eased the tension between us. She was aged but it wasn't really noticeable, her voice was calm and soothing to listen to— she made all of my thoughts go into hiding. Even though I'd just met her for a few minutes, I already came to the conclusion that she was nice, and I was comfortable around her.

The woman hoisted her head in a peculiar manner, it was then I remembered that she had asked me a question. "I'm so sorry, my name is Eden; Eden Monroe." I replied to her. 

She looked at me, "Really?" She asked. 

‘Really?’ I wondered why she asked that. I told her my name again and she nodded her head in reply. 

"I'm Lady Maurie Grimaldi." She said.

I gasped, my eyes wide open like saucers as soon as she told me her name. I was talking to the First Lady of the Grimaldi's Family. They were known for their upright behavior, also having a perfect and classy reputation. Their names were always spoken about in the city, people highly respected them. 

"Oh my, it's such an honor to meet you." 

Indeed it was. 

I shrieked in delight as she held my hand which was outstretched towards her. Lady Maurie gave me a smile of warmth before asking, “So Miss Monroe, what are you doing in my family home?”

“Oh, I actually came here with my sister. I have a school report to submit." 

Maurie  gave me a questioning look, "I don't understand you, a school report?" 

"I have to do some research on the town, North Creekville." I replied.

Nodding her head in affirmation, "So you came here. . .because. . ."  She asked, again. 

"My sister thought it was best for me to come here and learn more about North Creekville exactly from the root."

Bree had told me earlier that if I wanted to learn anything about the town, I would find everything I needed at the Grimaldi's Family Mansion. 

"If I do understand well, you need references for your research?" She asked. 

I nodded my head in affirmation. Lady Maurie smiled warmly at me, I respected her so much and she hadn't made me feel stupid, like her son did to me. Speaking of her son, I did not want to see him again. I was pretty sure we wouldn't meet ever again, and if by mistake I did see him, I planned on avoiding him. 

I was lost in my thoughts until Lady Maurie snapped her fingers across my eyes. I apologized for being carried away.

“What were you thinking about that made you zone out?" She asked, a sketch of concern etched on her face. 

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Lady Maurie. I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I asked. 

She looked at me for a minute or two, then she cleared her throat, "I was thinking, would you like to come back during the weekend for a cup of coffee with me and also have a look at the library for reference?" 

Dumbstruck; that was how I felt at that moment. I couldn't believe what she was saying so I had to ask one more time. Lady Maurie repeated the same words she said, this time more slowly so I was able to process every single word.  

I screeched, quite loudly, which made people turn their heads to look at me and my face reddened in embarrassment. I muttered a quiet apology before facing Lady Maurie. "My Goodness, you're basically inviting me over again. Of course, I am not going to miss this offer." 

"Anything for a darling young lady."

I hugged her, taking her by surprise. I was also shocked at my boldness, but I really didn't give much thought to it. "Thank you so much." I said, letting go of her.  

Lady Maurie smiled at me, "I will be expecting you Miss Monroe." She said before walking away.

After she left, I scurried off to go find Bree. Searched the area where people were and finally I saw her with a man. They were both making out. 

I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes in irritation. I watched them for a few seconds until I got bored, so I decided to interrupt their little foreplay. I wonder how they didn't even notice me. 

"Bree, let's go. It's dark outside."  I said to her.

She ignored me. The guy she was with noticed me and motioned to me with his fingers, telling me to join them. I grimaced in repugnance, just the thought of the man touching me made me nauseated. 

"Bree, can you just leave the retard and let's go. . . It's late." 

I said angrily, gaining the attention of passersby. The male broke the kiss to pass me a look of arborescence. I matched his look and before he could do anything, Bree held him, and he was distracted by her.

"I'm going to tell Charles that you were the one who delayed us. You know he warned us not to stay out for too long."

I tried persuading her but she wasn't listening. Bree chuckled softly, "Stop talking like a kid." She said, placing a kiss on the guy on his lips before pulling away from him. She walked towards me and as she walked I didn't miss the wanton hunger that filled the eyes of the guy she was kissing. I withheld myself from puking.

"Can we finally go now?" I questioned once Bree was next to me. "Also believe me when I say I'm going to tell Charles that you made us late."

"Really?" Bree laughed.

"I am serious."

"Go on. Just so you know, well you know, Charles ain't gonna believe you. . . No one does

It wasn't true. I could be annoying or sometimes overbearing, but that didn't mean people couldn't trust me.  

Sighing deeply, I decided not to argue with Bree. We walked out to the front of the humongous mansion where the valet brought our vehicle to us. Bree drove, and I sat next to her in the passenger seats. As she drove off into the dark foggy streets of North Creekville loud music blared in the car, making my ears bleed. 

Finally we got home, Bree switched off the car engine and I got down from the car. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that we were way past our curfew. I grumbled to myself as I walked up the porch into the house. I opened the door and slid my head in, checking to see if there was anyone in sight and my assumption was right, I could see Charles' head. He was sitting down on the sofa, facing the door. 

"Come in and shut my door." He said in a low baritone.

I walked in first, then Bree followed, shutting the door behind her. We stood in front of Charles who stared deep into our souls, literally, I was shitting my gown. 

"Bree darling, why are you just arriving by this time?" Charles asked his favorite daughter. 

I prayed to whoever was beyond the universe, hoping Bree would not put any blame on me. She didn't say anything to Charles for a minute and then finally she responded. "Sorry Charles, the car broke down on the road and it took a while before we could start it again."

Relief flooded my whole body after she spoke, I wasn't going to hear an earful from Charles and I was relieved. Then he had to ask Bree if she was saying the truth and she responded in affirmation. 

"Fine, but you girls should remember—you have a curfew and you have to stick with it." He said before walking out of the living room. 

Bree faced me after Charles left, "You owe me one." She said.

I was confused, "What do you mean by I owe you? You were the one who delayed us." I complained in a stage whisper.

"Jeez, there's no need for you to scream so loud." She said in a boring tone. 

I looked at her, confused, "I wasn't even. . ." 

She cut me off. “Anyway, it wasn't like he was a bit interested in you. . . Good night Eden." She said with a mocking tone before walking away. 

She was right. Charles didn't care about me but I wasn't bothered about it. . . He took care of me just as an absentee father would. I went upstairs to my room, shutting the door behind me. 

I pulled off my gown and fell down flat on the bed in just my scarlet lingerie. I smiled to myself as I thought about the offer Lady Maurie had offered me earlier, it was going to be a good one and just then, my brain remembered something— I was also going to meet Dorian. After all, it was his family home. 

I shut my eyes for a while. It shouldn't matter as long as I didn't come across him. All I planned on doing was going to meet his mother, and visit the library for my school report which was almost due.

"I don't care about Dorian." I muttered, standing up. 

I made my way into my bathroom to take a shower and clean myself up. And after I was done, I laid down on my bed. I was not  really feeling sleepy, yet my brain decided to picture Dorian. The irresistible, sexy, but arrogant mind filled my mind. When he smiled and relaxed his back to the chair, I was comfortable with the way he looked at me, like I was the only one in his life. I felt naked under his gaze. Also, his gaze made me feel like I was his prey or like he was my master. 

When he spoke and smiled at me, for obvious reasons my heart skipped ten beats. His laughter sounded melodiously sweet in my ear, and when he joined me on the dance floor after initially turning down my request, I felt powerful; like I was strong enough to make a man like Dorian Grimaldi bend to my will, or so I thought. 

I felt impaired just thinking about it again. After a while of turning on my bed, I decided to take my mind off Dorian. I thought of school. I loved school. Albeit, I hadn't heard of someone being happy to go to school, but I was, that was where my life had more meaning. Being surrounded by people who saw me for who I was. People who loved me for who I was. 

That night, as I laid on my bed, with the cold wind hitting my room with full force, I pictured Dorian laying beside me, caged in his arms as he protected me. I didn't know when I had slept off.