Chapter Five

Our friend Wiiliam came over with his big makeup Kit. "Hey, girlies, ready to look sexy tonight?" He giggled, set his big makeup kit on the coffee table.

William was Linda's second cousin. He was like a best friend to me even though he was in England. I still talked through the phone with him about advice.

"Yes we, indeed are!" Linda exclaimed.

It was 6:27. And the ice ball starts at 8 :0. So, we got extra early because of the makeup, hair and clothes and everything. I had to be home by 12:00 because I have an early flight at one midnight. I'm going to Atlanta Georgia to interview River Tom, the famous drag racer. And I had to go with one of my co-workers while I'm doing interview and write down the responses to his answer, and my co-worker will record it.

My hair was already done in curly waves, part down in the middle. Linda short, dark-brown hair was curled to perfection, and she added layers to make her hair longer.

William started on my makeup first, giving me a smoky eye color making my light green blue eyes pop. Linda was more of a soft light natural look. My mask was a dark blue and black mask which I picked out at this local jewelry shop. Linda still didn't want to show me my dress, which I was annoyed at.

"Are you sure you can't come?" I beg as William packed up his stuff.

"I'm sorry, babes, but I have a flight tonight, and I'm headed to Brazil for this fashion show. Hopefully, I score a hot guy." He giggled, he flipped his light blonde hair with pink strips behind his ear.

"Alright. Wiily, come visit anytime." Linda hugged him and I do the same, bidding him goodbye.

Once he left, it was 7 :28, and we had an hour to get ready. Lindia and I went to her room to get ready. She put on her dress and I smiled widely as she twirled.

"Can I see my dress now?" I whined. She grinned before nodded. She walked towards her closet, took out the dress. She unzipped it and showed me the dres.

I gasped. No words could explain how beautiful this dress. It looked amazing and detailed. It was a backless lacy detail, it showed a good amount of skin as I tried it on. The dress brought out my eyes and skin, and I couldn't help but gape at myself.

"Wow... Sam, you look hot!" Linda squealed.

"I really do look hot!" I smiled at myself.

"Ready to hook up with hot guys tonight?" She wiggled her eyebrows and I rolled my eyes at her. But then I noticed something. "Didn't we have to wear—"

"No time for talking, more walking," she cut me off.

**

I took a shaky breath as I scanned the ice ball. It was all white from top to bottom. The chandeliers giving a dim glow and a DJ at the back and a runway. A lot of people were in white hanging around the room. I glanced down at my dress, seeing I'm the only one in here wearing a different color dress. I adjusted my mask and looked at Linda.

"Linds, how come I'm the only one wearing something different?" I asked her, but she just smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," she said while laughing.

Everyone stared at me as the and my breath caught in my throat as everyone whispered.

"Does this feel like the Cinderella moment?" Linda whispered in my ears as I swallowed.

I walked slowly down the stairs, and people followed my every movement.

"Hi everybody!" Kazumi greeted. She was wearing a beautiful long sleeve silky gown that looked like it costed more than my apartment. Her hair was in a curly up do and her makeup done in a natural look as happy smile took over her face. Her husband next to her wearing a white tux. "Thank you for coming to my ice ball. It means a lot to me that you all came. Hopefully, you guys enjoy this ice ball. Yhe show will start at nine thirty. Enjoy everyone!" She chirped and everyone clapped.

"I'm going to find a guy." Linda winked at me. I reached to grab her to stay with me, but she was already gone.

I scanned the room, feeling awkward that I had to stand around doing nothing. I decided to head up to the balcony, which I discovered was in the back. I weny up the stairs, ignoring everyone's looks and head down the long hall to the balcony.

This place was huge. I opened the gold double doors and walked out. The chilly weather of September nipped at my skin as I leaned on the balcony while staring up at the sky.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?"

I jumped and quickly turned around, seeing a man who looked in his early twenties, starring up at the sky. Even with his mask on, I could tell he was gorgeous with a sharp jaw and high cheeks bones that made him more handsome. His eyes were the prettiest color a pale light blue like the ocean and green and light gray flecks around his orbs. Pale blue eyes Green and silver specks.

Holy... This was Iñigo Callan!

"Yeah. It is," I muttered, looked dumbstruck as I looked at him.

He leaned on the railing, looked up at the sky. His Adam's apple prominent and his jaw like more sharp. "What are you doing up here?" he asked me, and I blushed as he caught me staring at him.

"I should be asking you the same thing," I told him.

He chuckled lowly a beautiful sound. "Well, let's just say I'm not a people person," he stated, his face blank.

"So you don't like talking to anybody?" I questioned.

He shrugged. "Nah."

"I must be lucky then." I laughed quietly.

"Consider yourself lucky then. So what's a beautiful woman like you being here all. Alone."

"I don't know. I kinda felt weird that I'm the only person that came with a different color outfit." I pursed my lips and I blushed as he lazily scanned my dress.

"I think you look beautiful," he said.

"T-Tank you. You don't look bad yourself, Callan."

He cringed, and I laughed. " How do you know it's me?" He asked me surprise.

I stuttered and blushed. He chuckled. "It's okay. I hate that name." 

My brows furrowed.

"What Callan?"

"I don't know it's just.. I know I don't really know you but, my dad has been hard on me with his company's, and it becomes stressful you know? I'm his last option, and I couldn't deny the offer." I nodded, and he continued. "My older brother Zamiel denied my dad's offer because he had a passion for singing, and second-oldest brother Stab, is pursing his acting career and taking care of his son and his wife." He licked his full pink lips as he stared up at the sky. "I was his last chance and I kinda felt bad for him, because he was really desperate, so I accepted. I'm only 23 for god’s sake. I have a lot of things I wanted to do, but I can't... I have to work, work, meetings, meetings, meetings. It's nonstop. Sometimes, I just want to leave and don't look back you know?" He looked at me and I nodded.

"I understant. You are young and want to do fun things like, partying, going to the club having one-night stands."

He chuckled, and I smiled, my heart ffluttered.

"What's your name?" he asked me. A flash started and almost blinded me.

"My name is—" My phone blared and I looked down at my alarm clock. Its midnight.

I rushed leaving. "I have to go," I told him.

"Wait. Just give me your name," he said desperately.

I stared down at my bracelet that's suddenly loose on my wrist. "Samantha... Marie Samantha Fortalejo." I gave him a smile and he gave me a breathtaking smile as I rushed to leave.

This definitely felt like a princess moment, except I ain't loosing a slipper.