Bury That Man in a Tuxedo

Chapter 1 : Mourvèdre

"We would be honored by your presence at the 50th Annual Ball of Goodgramgate..."

I whispered, reading the invitation letter they sent us, last two weeks. As the leather seat of Manhattan Noir Cadillac we're riding touches my back, I rolled my eyes while arms were crossed.

If it wasn't for the sake of money, I would never join those bastards in a ball. How could I expect genuine happiness from a place fraught with liars and swindlers.

What a damn ache to my head...

I shrugged and opened the window beside me. A cold breeze of wind abruptly swifts over my face as I lean on it, hence I tuck the strand of my hair that veiled my frown, eyes still pinned on the sceneries we pass through.

In an instance, a pained smile blossomed in my lips, as I see a girl who was carried at the back of her father, I guess. Her giggles barely remind me of my vivid memoirs with dad.

"Wipe those tears, Ellie..." Calum said in a monotone, left hand gripping the steering wheel, while the other one was with a tobacco. "You're not a crybaby anymore."

The back of my index finger suddenly mopped the tears beneath my eyes, when I noticed the reflection of him from the front mirror, seriously glaring at me. I immediately fixed myself on seat, anchoring my sight on the road instead.

His deep sigh resounded across the narrowness, so I bit my lower lip to contain the tears that should've fallen.

Anyone who would have a brief glimpse on how he treats me right now, will surely conceive that he is ruthless. Yet for almost nine years I've been fostered by him, it wasn't what I felt.

In fact, it was me who pleaded him to make me more emotionally stable, so that I couldn't be easily driven by the depth of my sentiments...

---Like what I just did.

Calum informed me that we're near to the Goodgramgate Hall so I began checking on my face. He told me that I shouldn't look meek there, so I gently rubbed the crimson lipstick against my soft lips, then sided my face in front of the mirror to have an assurance.

After being contented, my shoulders which were laid on the seat were slightly lifted, going back to my usual composure.

"How about Lisanna, Drake, and the others?" feeding my curiousity, I asked him. It was so strange that only the both of us were inside this Cadillac.

We are invited on a social gathering organized by the city of Goodgramgate's higher ups, little did they know, we are also going there to accomplish a mission.

Faking myself in front of anyone wasn't actually my cup of tea, but I accepted this task for I don't want to ruin my established reputation.

"They just texted me," he said, turning the steering wheel on the right. "They're waiting for us outside the hall."

I nodded before heaving a sigh.

Ellie, this wasn't your first time to go on a quest. Don't ridicule yourself, please?! All you need to do is to be decent in front of those dumbass, nothing else.

My sight brightened, seeing our comrades at the side of the closed huge entrance. The thought of stealing everyone's attention as we enter it tickles my fairytale dreams I once had.

Before I manage to open the door, a man in a suit outside already did, he must be a security guard. As I step out of the car, he sincerely greeted me while his head was bowed.

I was near thanking him, not until I noticed Calum's eyebrow, it was raised on me. So I lifted my chin up and passed by the guard, like nothing happened.