Daniella pushed the fork through her food and shut her eyes wearily. She wasn't in for an appetite.
Looking around the masquerade ball party, she felt she shouldn't be there.
She thought she would run away from bad memories. But right now, she saw Andrew in everything. His sweetness in the wine, the colour of his hair in the black marble floor, his softness in the music and his pearl necklace around her neck.
In addition, she had seen Andrew in the waiter,in the piano man,in the host and in one of the guests. What was happening to her?
Angus looked at her from where he sat and bowed in pity. She'd been this quiet and stern ever since their return.
Daniella pushed her chair back and got up. Her hair was pulled up with her pins, then a velvet violet coloured straight skirt with a slit up to her knee, silver filigree earrings and a silver pair of shoes. Clutching her shawl to her chest, she adjusted her silver silver eye mask.
A hand came over her shoulder; Angus,"Where are you going dear?"
Daniella faked a smile,"I was looking for you," she lied.
Angus escorted her back to the table for six, occupied by just the two of them,"Look Dani, I understand Andrew was a gem of a friend. But... This grief wouldn't bring him back. It's difficult, I understand. But you have to let it go."
Dani nodded and glanced at a couple who joined them at the table, everyone obeying the code of eye masks. The waiters served food of every kind, trying to lighten the aura.
Then a lady at twenty sat on the fifth chair, looking out for her prom. The five ate formally, exchanging smiles and opinions about the music and food.
Angus chuckled,"C'mon Dani! The music is soul gripping. I wish I could play a piano."
A lady at the table replied,"I could teach you!"
Angus gave that smile that revealed the charm of his green eyes,"Chee! Thanks."
Daniella felt better, at least she forced herself to believe she did.
The piano just kept releasing notes flying with buzz.
Then suddenly and unexpectedly, Wealth itself arrived. A guest, dressed in a hugging, thick, black suit walked through the tables.
His thick, black hair fell in strands to the nape of his neck and his eyes were hidden by the black eye mask he had on.
The last occupant of the table on Dani's table perked her head up at him,"Oh! There you are!"
The wealthy lad pulled the last chair back and sat, his expensive perfume becoming the new aura of the moment.
The young lady smiled at the rest of them,"Meet my prom tonight!"
Daniella gasped and forced a smile. She could have had hers too, if only Andrew was still there.
Then she took her gaze up again and felt ashamed one more time. He was the fourth person that night she thought was Andrew at first sight.
His watch reflected light that even shone into her eyes; silver.
The waiter served the lad and everyone began chatting again with Wealth still focused on his food. Daniella frowned at his solemn nature in such a beautiful night.
His prom jerked his arm, "Sweetheart, why aren't you saying anything?"
The lad looked up and made a parabola with his dark red lips, "Sorry, my mood got spoilt while I was parking the Jaguar."
Angus grinned,"Let me guess. A drunk guest almost hit your car."
He replied with a chuckle. That deep, calculated voice was expressed with the most perfect touch,"Some people do not need alcohol to go high. They just do it. Then he refused to drive out of the parking space."
The last male at the table asked with confusion in his tone,"How was his parking space your problem?"
Wealth smirked,"I wanted that particular spot and he was just making a serious bummer out of it."
Angus smiled knowingly. He had gotten the code,"But he was there first."
"And I wanted it, he had no choice, did he?" Wealth snarled.
Daniella secretly glowered at him. He seemed to worsen her mood,"You can't just get what you want every time yunno."
Wealth was not offended, he just snickered,"Oh you know I can."
Daniella looked up at him in wonder. She'd heard that sentence before, severally. He returned to his food once more, with words flying from every side off the table except his.
She smiled, he did remind her of Andrew.
Who else would walk into a party, purposely showcasing Wealth and glory, with a suit and watch that could pay her rent for a year? The elegance, pride and glamour to belittle every other effortful work on beauty.
Who else would focus on the food quietly when words flew from all the sides?
Who else had hair as dark as the night and did cars only built for speed and elegance like the Jaguar?
No other person could demand such authority in a place not his or use the word "Bummer" in a formal party. And the last sentence he had made, "You know I can."
She bowed her head and looked up at Wealth again,"Andrew."
A smile was seen on the dark red lips. Andrew stared through the mask he did not just belittle now but wore,"Danielle."
Angus smiled now. He had noticed his identity immediately he began boasting.
Dani let the store of tears down her cheeks as she Andrew pushed his chair back and got up, walking round to her,"I missed you."
Daniella wrapped her arms around him in a hug so tight she almost squeezed his heart out.
His prom took off her eye mask; Janet. The rest of the guests did the same; Matthew and Mrs. Whittaker's daughter, Rebecca. Angus lowered his head in silent joy and let Rebecca hold him in a comforting cuddle.
Matthew then held out his hand which Andrew put the keys to the Jaguar into, Dani still in his clutch.
His best friend grabbed Janet's hand and ran off for a ride he intended to never end.
Daniella felt that wave of joy suddenly return, Angus and Andrew by her side once more. She saw her brother pat Rebecca's back as if that was going to be their last point of contact, a nostalgic smile on his face.
She faced Andrew and gripped his shoulders, staring at him in confusion,"How..."
Andrew replied,"Davis helped me."
When he raised a hand to cup her cheek, he added,"Please... Let's go back to Texas, your new home."
Daniella turned to Angus for his opinion on the matter. He was not on Earth right now. As far as she knew, he was somewhere far away with Rebecca in that hug; a place he would kill to remain forever. Then she faced Andrew again and smiled a yes,"Yes Andrew, yes!"
Andrew pulled off his mask and gave her his perfect, blue gaze again and pulled her in his clutch again.