The Dance

At a certain George Ronald hotel.

A large, magnificent ballroom has been meticulously set up for what seem to be a significant and a high-class party. The chandelier dangling towards the ceiling provided little sparkles of light from in the room from one end to the other, giving the room a feeling of being under a bright starry night sky. Many round tables were dotted around the room, decorated tastefully with a gold and red motif of colors which represents wealth, prosperity and good fortune. 

This masquerade ball certainly was a display of wealth and prosperity, from the crystal Champaign glasses and silver and gold cutlery to the stunning paintings and decorations on the wall. But that wasn't what caught one's eyes! Inside the ballroom were group of people wearing cloths, jewelries and other accessories that worth millions of dollars. The women's ear rings, rings, and necklace and bracelet all together shone brighter than the light in the room. Anyone who caught a glimpse inside the room would Immediately know that this was a gathering of the most influential, rich and powerful people. And of course, this being a masquerade ball, each of every one of them wore a face mask covering some part of their faces. Either female or male. Adding more mystery to the already mysterious people inside the room. 

Walking inside with her hand on Scott's. this was the scene that Lucia was presented with, and her eyes were as wide as saucers and her jaw dropped in awe.

She had never seen so much extravagant in her life! The tables, the decorations, the people. Oh my God, that's why Daniella bought her cloth, shoes, and accessories. She definitely didn't want Lucia to get  Derek embarrassed at this essential party and Lucia was grateful that she asked Daniella to help dress her to night, if not, she had felt improper, not that she didn't already do so.

She knew that the rich do have parties, Daniella had one's told her about the party she once attended with her parents, Lucia only imagined how it would look like but now that she is now experiencing it, she was just so happy and speechless. 

Furthermore, she never could have imagined such luxurious affairs, she only thought such party were fictional. 

She snapped out of her awestruck daze when Scott guided her to wards the Champaign foundation. 

He took a glass and gave it to her before taking one for himself.

" Thank you" she said as she sipped her drink.

" For the nerve", he replied with a soft smile. 

She was about searching for the handsome creature with her eyes while seating when she felt a strong presence behind her, her skin tingled, and she immediately knew that she doesn't have to look for him anymore. A large, smooth hand landed on her shoulder as he leaned on her and whispered in her ears.

" May we dance?" his deep, sexy masculine voice sent shivers down her skin, and before she could react, Derek had already taken her drink from her and place it down, on the table. He took her hand and guided her to the dance floor, where other couples were also dancing.

He took one of her hand and smoothly placed it in his lower back and held the other hand in his hand. Furthermore, he then slipped his arm behind her and pulled her very close to him, leaving no space between their bodies. Lucia's brain had stopped functioning at that moment and all she could do was to follow his lead. 

She was glad that her grandfather had taught her how to dance back then when she was a teenage, but she never would have thought that she would use it in a night like this and with his kind of person. She never thought it could feel like this, intense magical and so much more. She wondered if the long hair princess she watched as a movie really felt like this the very first time she danced with her prince at that tower.

Her heart was beating so loudly, but surprisingly, she didn't feel tensed. She was dancing with him, so smoothly, following his lead, and she knew she shouldn't be amazed, but she was. He was just so good at this, the way he touched her, the way he led her, the timing of his every movement were all perfectly in time with the music. 

He was extremely grateful that even she could tell that his movement could only be formed from a constant training from a young age. Not only that, she was sure that it could be from a constant attendance with other noble people of a similar background at even like this. 

Now that Lucia had the opportunity to stay so close to him, she decided to study his face. 

His lips, his nose, his eyes, his jaw and every contour of his face were just perfect. Even though he was putting on a mask, Lucia could still see his grayish eyes, and she could never forget what his face looked like. 

His eyes were charming, she felt like if she ventured close enough, his eyes will pull her like quicksand where they would be no escape, and she felt like it was what have been happening to her right then. 

" Penny for your thought?" the man finally spoke, startling her from her reverie. 

Lucia somehow quickly regained her composure as she responded, "I didn't expect you would bring me to a party like this"

"Don't you like it?" 

" I didn't say that, but this is my first time of attending a party like this, so I am a little overwhelmed" she confessed, and he gave her a soft enchanting smile with his flashing white teeth. If only his eyes were not looking serious, he would have been more handsome.

"You find the party overwhelming but not your boss?" he taunted, seemingly quite amused before his mood shifted yet again.

" Tell me about yourself"

sounding serious. 

" I am the only child and I currently live with my grandparents" 

" Are you a student?"

surprisingly, he didn't ask about her parents, anyone she said that to will follow up the question that says

"what of your parents?"

But thank God he didn't ask because Lucia wouldn't have been in a good position to answer that.

"No, I graduated last year"

" What course?" 

" Music"

" What do you do now? Compose music?" 

" No, I work as children caretaker".

"I see... that's why you want to be my caretaker? You love taking care of people. I get it now. I'm I right?"

"No... I mean yes. it's the truth. You are right."

Lucia doesn't know why he was asking her those questions, and she couldn't pick any interest in that. 

"I already know your name. I heard that man call you Derek that night we met. So please what's your full name?"