My eyes surveyed my whole reflection on the standing mirror. I took the hairbrush on the drawer and started brushing my gray hair. I watched as it flows down naturally, touching my bare back slightly. I then, turned around and looked at my exposed back.
I never thought this day would come, that I would wear this kind of cloth.
A freaking long backless gown, with its glistening crimson red color, it has sweetheart neckline and a slit on the right side, causing my thigh there to expose. I paired it with classic crimson heels Lia have given to me.
After a couple of minutes, I'm finally finished. I can feel my heart on its racing beats. I'm so much of a nervous freak.
I wonder what would be the brotherhood's reaction if they will see me like this...
Speaking of the brotherhood... we're meeting each other so rarely. True enough, after I discharged from the hospital, Innov told Dad to improve the security of the mansion and Dad really did it. So it's now hard to find a way to cope up with what's happening in the brotherhood, also it's hard for me to meet them. It was only two or four times success sneaked, I think?
But above all, I hope they are fine. I hope they're not waiting for me anymore. Because even me, I don't think I can still go there like the normal times. I don't think I can still defend the brotherhood... I'm doubting myself right now, for the past days, I keep on thinking...
But I'm not yet ready to admit all of it.
I closed the door and took a deep breath. The clicking sound of the heels I'm wearing echoed in the whole corner of the place as I started walking down the stairs. My eyes stopped at the people downstairs.
Innov's eyes glimmered the moment it darted into me. He's wearing black matte tuxedo with a rose on its right front. Meanwhile, I noticed a glares coming from a pair of eyes. Beside him is his sister, Akira, who's busy glaring at me. She's wearing emerald cocktail dress with her braided hair and a tiara on the top of her head.
I let out a soft silent laugh that I can only hear. She looks like a brat princess for me. A vain antagonist perhaps.
"Aw, you look gorgeous, sweetheart!" Sharon complimented when I finally got near them.
Her daughter gave her a sharp look."Mom! I thought I'm the only one who's gorgeous here?!" She asked her hysterically.
"Oh no, sweetie. You're majestically pretty, beautiful and lovely! I only said, she's gorgeous! Get it?"
I almost scrunch my nose upon hearing their nonsense topic.
"You're growing up beautifully, my daughter." Dad stepped closer with a gentle smile stretched on his wrinkled face.
"I know right. All thanks to mom." I shrugs my shoulders.
He smiled more gently but I can see something in his eyes. Innov interfered."Come here now, Van. I'm going to be your knight for tonight," he even winked before handing his palm.
"Oh my gosh, brother! Are you out of your mind?"
Innov just gave her a shrugs.
"I though you're coming with us?" Sharon seconded.
Innov shook his head."I'll just follow you there. For now, I'm gonna drive Vanez there on their school. Go first, mom and don't worry about me." He grinned and hopped inside his car.
Oh, this guy.
Sharon and her daughter continued ranting about Innov's random decision.
"Let him, Sharon. Don't worry, I'll drive you there. You heard him, he'll just follow later. Let's go now." Dad immediately assured the two.
Akira rolled her eyes at me before going inside Dad's car so as Sharon. Dad paused and faced me again.
He still has this smile but I don't see it like a fatherly. As if. He never made me feel that fatherly thing to me so, no.
"Keep safe and enjoy your night, my beautiful princess." Princess huh.
"I'm not your princess anymore, remember? And I'm no princess, I'll never be a damsel who always need to be saved." I pointed out that made his smile lost its light.
"Vanez..."
I shook my head dismissively and before situation ate me, I hopped inside Innov's car. I didn't look back until he started the engine. I rested my back and closed my eyes.
"Remember, don't you cry or else you're gonna ruin your makeup." Innov reminded me.
My forehead creased."How did you know about that girl stuff?" I asked.
"Let's just say... someone have told me that?" He said meaningfully.
I'm confused even more. Who's that someone? What an unlucky girl.
I looked outside the window and found myself stippling a half-smile. On the other side, I'm happy for him.
We finally arrived on the Clinton High. He really did seriously what he said awhile ago, he opened the car door for me and bowed his head, with his hand behind him and the other in front of me.
I shook my head because I find what he's doing definitely crazy. Though I didn't have a choice but to ride with this silliness. I accepted his hand and stepped out of his car.
"Before I leave, I just want you to know that..." he uttered before I could turn my back."You're the most beautiful girl tonight..." his face softened.
My heart melted but I let out a little chuckle.
"Just for tonight?" I joked.
"No, I mean, everyday." He said that made my eyes roll.
"What a great liar. I don't have anything here to give you. Shut the fuck up, Innov." I didn't hesitate to showed him my middle finger.
He burst out a laughter. Damn, he's so nosy. That's when I decided to leave him there.
I held the both side of this annoying gown of mine. I never liked wearing this, I swear. All my life, this is the least thing I could wear among my wardrobe. I mean, the heels are already annoying, what more the long gowns?
The event is happening at the hall, I can see neon light and hear the neat of music from here. So, I walked towards there. I encountered some junior students like me who tried accompanying me to the hall but I declined them all because I just want to.
When I reached the main entrance, the loud music suddenly stopped and it's replaced by the slow and soft one. The spotlight randomly stopped on where I'm standing. All their eyes turned to me with different shades I can read.
I felt my cheeks blushing. What the fuck? Why do I feel like I just did a grand entrance... again?
Their eyes are somewhat making me feel so overwhelmed. I can see admiration, almost in all of them. But among those eyes, mine chose to stare at those black pair who never failed to make me feel something I cannot name.
Like the guys, he's wearing tuxedo, with his usual messy hair that suits him best. Iron is isn't it? I hate him but I'm complimenting him. That's what I thought before.
Well, I still hate him though.
He paved the way. I saw Lia and Vencie together with their brightest smiles, she waved her hands at me but I'm too focused on the guy who's walking slowly but closely towards my direction. I don't know if it's just a coincidence or what but another spotlight stopped when he finally went near me.
The slow music became hypnotic, that every pair surrounded us started dancing with it. I watched how he closed the distance between us and handed me his hand.
"Can I have this dance?" Why does his voice makes me feel so right?
Oh God, what is this I'm feeling...
"Arnaez..." he did it again, calling me by my surname.
I didn't answer him, instead, I put my both hands above his shoulders and didn't break our eye contact. It's just a matter of seconds, he finally get a grip off himself and I felt his hands on the both side of my waist.
I looked at our left side and I saw our two friends dancing slowly. I was about to smile but I gentle caressed on my side waist suddenly stopped me. My eyes were wide as fvck, wondering how the hell did he learn that move?
"Don't look anywhere and just focus on me." He commanded and I was like, I'm killing him now with my dagger look.
"Are you commanding me?" He just shrugged and continued swaying our body, slowly."I really hate you, you know?" I glared.
His chinky eyes stared at mine."It's okay. Hate me as long as you want. I hate you, too, anyway."
How dare him?!
"Then, why did you choose to dance with me? Let go of me now, you jerk!" I tried to push him but I'm shocked because I didn't even make him move a single backward step.
To my deepest surprise, he pulled me closer and I realized how taller he is than me.
"Because I wanna dance with this alluring but feisty girl I've ever known..." He said.
My lips parted. I wanted to response but I ended up closing my mouth again. And for the nth time, I left speechless, by the same person.