Ghost from the past (18+)

#Thirty-nine: In which he gets to do a do-over.

The charity ball was still going on in full swing. The exclusive dinner and auction had passed, thank fuck, and the crowd finally seemed to relax as people continued to chat amongst each other while others danced on the dance floor. My eyes wander around the packed room as I take a sip of my drink before turning back to Lexi. She's standing a few yards away, talking to some actor. By now I got used to the attention she got. Most of them were just curious about how she was doing since we'd been living on the down low. They had seen the covers across the front pages, but to my surprise most of them didn't put much faith in them and what had been written about the two of us. They we're more interested in the real story instead of the gossip. It shouldn't have been so unexpected since they probably had dealt with the same issues in the past. They were all curious to meet me as well, but after dragging me around for three hours Lexi decided I'd earned a break. She knew me better than I did myself. I tried to decline, not wanting to leave her alone but I couldn't help but breathe relieved either once she beckoned Rebekah to help out and drag me away. It's a lot of unwanted attention I'm definitely not used to... I think to myself seeing Lexi drift alongside the dancefloor to someone else.

A middle aged woman hugs her tightly and I'm sure I've seen her somewhere before. A television show, maybe? I ponder, same as I did with the last five people she talked to. The amount of well known people all stuck in one room made me uneasy at first. But luckily the masks make it easier to handle since I noticed I'm not the only person having trouble to identify people around me. A lot of people were scanning the crowd intently, trying to figure out who they know and who they don't.

Apparently Lexi and I were the only ones that truly stood out from the crowd. Even in here word spread like wildfire as soon as some people had recognized her. Me being the talk of the day since this was the first time we were together in such an event. I had no clue the beginning of the night how big of a deal that actually was, until the seventh or eight person we spoke to said the exact same thing as the onces before him. It must be serious if you're bringing him here, Lexi. You've never brought a plus-one before. I knew Lexi wasn't the kind of girl that had dated dozens of men before me, I admired that about her. But hearing she'd never brought anyone but her sister to an event made it seem like this step was even more important than our actual engagement. I quickly learned that being in propaganda and being together on events like these were two very different things for everyone that lived in this world. This was Lexi making an official statement, this is my man.

I catch her glancing at me every few minutes to make sure I'm alright as she continues to talk happily with the woman next to her. Her attentiveness bringing a smile to my lips as I wink at her to let her know I'm doing fine as I take another sip from my drink. Rebekah and Tyler had wandered off somewhere a little while ago wheras Alex had actually managed to get Néomy to dance. Barefoot though. I couldn't help but bark a laugh that she didn't even cared people were staring at her the second she threw those spiked heels in a corner. Owning her decicion like a boss as she strolled over to Alex in her bare feet before heading over to the dancefloor together. Alex didn't seem to mind either, if anything he looked even more lovestruck. Nothing was going to dim her fire down, not even a posh party like this. Néomy was Néomy and people just had to deal with that. I chuckle to myself as I watch the two of them. Since she is nowhere near a ballroom dancer Alex had ushered her to stand on his feet, leading her around the room like a dad would do with his daughter. Luckily for the both of them most people didn't seem to notice because of the long dress she was wearing, and even if they did, I don't think they would've cared. They were enjoying themselfves nevertheless what other people might think of them.

'Why are you standing over here like a wallflower with a dog at your feet?'

Ryan giggles as he strolls up to me, Kendall at his side. I glance down at Bear, before turning back to them as I chuckle.