Before Time Runs Out

Chapter 14

Carmelita took Ethel's hand and walked her inside the house, which looked like a gothic-style castle from Ethel's view. She had handed the invitation to a butler, and he gave her a bow in return. Carmelita walked with her arm locked with Ethel's, holding hands as they made their way to the ballroom. Ethel gave Carmelita a reassuring smile, trying to ease her nerves.

"It will be fine, I promise. I'll stay with you the entire night." Carmelita sighed and nodded, hiding her slight anxiety over everything that could go wrong with tonight. They walked into the ballroom, hand in hand with each other, and instantly Ethel spotted a familiar face.

"Eryl?" The man made his way over, embracing Ethel quickly, startling Carmelita. His long black hair was tied with a ribbon at the base of his neck, the evergreen-colored silk matching his tie. He was in a navy-blue suit, it complimenting his icy blue eyes.

"I never thought I would see you again after you wrote to me and told me your father remarried." Ethel embraced him back, soon letting go as she felt a tap on the shoulder from Carmelita.

"Oh dear, this is Eryl Lewis. His father is the perfumer that my mother was friends with. I don't believe you two have met?"

"We have. He's the one that made the perfume that I gave you." Carmelita could not even manage to feel jealous of how close they were, and any hint of it in her melted away when she saw how excited Ethel was to simply see a familiar face once again. Eryl looked from Ethel to Carmelita, and his face brightened into a large smile.

"You finally got yourself a girlfriend Ethel? I had a notion that the lady was speaking of you when she came to me, but I truly wasn't sure since I hadn't asked for your name," he paused, thinking for a few seconds furrowing his brows. "My lady I don't mean to be rude, but is Ethel," he lowered his voice, being cautious of who could be listening. "Like us?" Carmelita shook her head, wrapping an arm around Ethel's shoulder and pulling her close.

"No. That's why I had you make that perfume for her. Originally, I was planning on not bringing her, but Matthias demanded it, unfortunately."

Ethel seemed unfazed by finding out that one of her closest friends was exactly like Carmelita and not human, which somewhat confused Eryl, but he decided to not question it. He clasped his hands together in front of him, giving a warm smile to both of them.

"How about I get you two something to drink? I'll be careful with what I choose also." Carmelita gave a nod and he walked off, and she led Ethel over to another side of the room, away from others.

"I didn't know that you were friends with my perfumer?"

"I didn't know my friend was your perfumer. Small world, isn't it?" Ethel took in the large ballroom, its high ceiling glimmering from the numerous diamond chandeliers. There was a long buffet of food and drinks laid out beautifully, with a live orchestra on one side. There were regular tables to sit at covered in white lace tablecloths, with large vases of wine-red roses, them being nearly black. There were a few large sitting circles of love seats, the fabric on them looking expensive.

"So Eryl is like you?" Ethel tilted her head to the side as she spoke, looking into Carmelita's eyes.

"Yes, he is. I don't doubt your mother knew that though, his family comes from an extensive line just like mine." Ethel was about to speak when they were interrupted, Eryl having gotten one glass of champagne and one that was simply sparkling cider. He handed the sparkling cider one to Ethel and the champagne to Carmelita.

"I checked and made sure they didn't have any blood in them. And I know you don't drink; I still remember when you got into your grandmother's brandy cabinet and got sick for a week."