Chapter 9

I just stayed inside the room I’m at while waiting for my turn to be called. There were still performances from famous stars and artists. Even businessmen and doctors who have a talent in performing arts performed as a tribute for me. 

The room is adjacent to the ballroom they’re in so it’s not that hard for me to go to the venue. So when it was my time to come up the stage, I just passed by the adjacent door connected to the ballroom which will leads to a platform connected to a grand staircase. 

I was already briefed what to do so Andrea just simply guided me and help me put on my mask. Her hands were even a bit cold and shaking. I can’t help but laugh at that. What is she so nervous for?

My mask is in silver with gold and black patterns. It has a few white and black feathers with streaks of gold at both sides in different sizes.

"This is Elijiah." She said as soon as she finished tying ribbon of my mask. She held my shoulder and looked at me carefully, as if a mom examining her daughter for any bruises.

“Drey…I know I’m pretty but I didn’t know I’m this pretty for you to get jealous and cry.”

And just like that, all her tears that were about to fall retreated. She gasped in annoyance that made me laugh more.

“Okay, your piano is already there.” She said as she guided me towards the door leading to the stage.

Lolo asked me if I could play the piano once again with the piece I first learned, the piece that he taught me. Of course, how could I say no? 

Andrea slightly tapped my shoulder and whispered, "Break their legs." She chuckled as she led me towards the stage.

It’s been a very long time since I played the piano in front of some many people. When was the last time? Ten years ago? When I used to attend parties and be the guests’ apple in their eyes.

I never attended galas and parties ever since I became the CEO. Well, even before I was appointed as CEO but there were parties held in school and it was compulsory to attend.

Andrea, Madelle or Lolo would attend instead. Although I attend during board meetings and the most private business conventions or the most private parties, just not parties for socializing that’s not even business-related. Any meeting that wouldn't require the media and socializations with strangers or businessmen I don’t care about is fine with me.

I hate the crowd. I hate the attention. But this is my life – a life even if not in the limelight is still intrigued by the media and public. I don’t want this but I have to now.

The entire ballroom hall was dark with only a little light coming from the main entrance door but not enough to illuminate the stage.

Andrea carefully assisted me in sitting and fixing my gown. She whispered a goodluck before disappearing into thin air.

The dim lights lighten up the last and farthest part of the audience area when I pressed the first key of the piece I’m going to play. And as I played the piece, the lights in the audience area slowly lighted up in somewhat a romantic band nostalgic ambiance.

When I was on the climax of the piece, the lights on the stage turned on as the lights in the audience area shut off. The spotlight is on me now. This feels nostalgic. Maybe going back here in the Philippines can enlighten my memories.

The genuine happiness I once felt, now seems so faraway especially that I've been living like this for years where happiness means vulnerability. 

Chopin's Nocturne Op. 15 No. 2. The very first piece I learned when I played the piano. This is like my first love. How could I forget this?

You could never forget your love even if time will pass by. Never. A part of you will always remember it. You may have thought you’ve already forgotten it until you realized how every inch of your system still clearly remembers your love.

The entire hall was filled with silence as soon as I finished my piece. My heart started pounding in anxiousness thinking something might have gone wrong with how I played but I never recalled one.

I was about to stand when I heard the clap of their hands echoed throughout the hall. The corners of my lips lifted up but not enough to reach my eyes.

So I could still play it, huh? Yeah, you could never forget your first love. Or your love for that matter. No matter how long it has been, the spark between you would still be there and it’ll still awe people.

The lights shut off reason why the loud clap and cheering were replaced by a decreasing sound of astonishment to low murmurs of what might have happened.

I slowly walked towards the door where Andrea is waiting for me, the backstage. She immediately wrapped me around her arms as I hear her low gasps.

“Crybaby. You never changed Drey.” I chuckled while tapping her shoulder.

“Then you can wipe the smudged eyeliner!” She rolled her eyes as she broke me free from the hug she gave.

But really, I wiped the smudged eyeliner because of her unshed tears that pooled around her eyes and maybe also from sweating.

“Still the Young Miss Elijiah.” Andrea said after a short pause of silence between us. Her voice was laced with adoration and pride which made my heart constrict but with full of warmth.

"Merveilleux! What an outstanding performance for a lovely lady! Are you also wondering who that was?" The host’s voice echoed throughout the whole venue which was followed by low murmurs while some shifted on their sits.

From the sides, I saw how the host smirked with his bald head up high while slightly nodding while looking at the guests.

"It was an honor and a great privilege for us to hear a performance from the Queen of the Night, Empress of the Bach Empire, our CEO and the future of the Bach Group of Companies, Miss Elijiah Kris Bach!"

It was as if my whole world stopped as silence only embraced me. Flashes of events that have been buried in the deepest part of my mind came flashing at me.

I thought I have forgotten those memories. I thought I could never feel how it felt again.

It was when my love, everyone, was still there for me. It was when the most immature yet content Elijiah still lives while being applauded for being the largest empire’s heiress.

Decades ago since I was assured that facing thousands of people and living up to the expectations of the millions of people should not be sweated and feared at.

A soft tap on my back made me come back out from my reverie and the smiling Andrea beamed at me. 

"It's your time Elle. Welcome back Young Miss."

Welcome back. I was never lost. I was always here. Always at the empire’s service, always there to handle things even at a young age. Or was I really?

I walked slowly with the spotlight almost blinding me but good thing, I still managed to maintain my composure.

I walked on the huge stage slowly, careful I might trip in this highly publicized event.

When I reached at the center of the stage, I saw a guy standing. I was told someone would escort me while walking down the stairs but I didn’t know they’d push through it because I can handle myself well.

His lean and large back is facing me. I was wearing inches of heels but he was way more taller, towering over me. He’s wearing a three-piece suit obviously made from a top designer.

I squinted my eyes at him but it was of no use. I can’t see his face because he’s wearing a mask that’s not only covering his eyes but almost three-fourth of his entire face. Although his freshly shaven jaw looks hot, I decided to blink the thought away. What the hell Elijah! 

He slowly turned to me as he bowed slowly. He reached his hand out while still facing down. I cleared my throat to wash away this weird feeling. This feeling of familiarity but also unfamiliar.

My hands were shaking when I tried to reach him so folded my hands into a fist before giving it to him but I almost slapped his hand away as I felt a very familiar and bothering feeling of warmth.

This warmth. Who’s this guy?

Slightly panicking and amazed at the same time by his familiar touch, I tried to look at him more and as soon as he held his head up high, I met with those hazel eyes that seems darker than the night. His eyes looked so dark and deadly but somehow, I managed to find the warmth in it.

Who is this guy? How can a stranger's hand feel so familiar and soothing at the same time?

I don’t know for how long was I staring at him, but all I know is that I never want to tear off my eyes away from him even if I’m falling deeper into its depths. And I don’t mind falling into the deepest of its depths. 

It was as if his eyes alone already made me feel this weird feeling of trusting him my life that I’m willing to go on the darkest journey with him…with just those eyes.

I tore off my eyes away from him when I felt his light squeeze on my hand.

Silly how it may sound but his touch was like a warm hug to me – embracing all my flaws and calming my chaotic system.

I gasped when I felt dizzy as the monsters inside my stomach shout for glee as if screaming in joy because their master has finally arrived.

I looked at him and once again, his hazel eyes dragged me down to the unknown. It's scary but why do I love this feeling?

Ah, yes. The familiarity is scaring the hell out of me but at same time, there’s nothing more wonderful than being able to feel something you used to once love feeling.

The corner of his lips slowly stretch for a smile and I can’t help but part my lips thinking how his lips would taste like against mine. I bit my lower lip as soon as I thought of that. Bad Elijiah!

When I glanced at him again, he was already smiling widely as if he caught me doing a crime.

What the hell!