I Choose All of You

Chapter Thirty-Six

The party was exquisite. The walls were full of marble detailing. The floors were covered in a deep red carpet. Gold decorated the crown molding and the yellowish light from the chandeliers, bathed everyone in a warm glow.

There was a lot less people here compared to the first night of the Rose Ball, but the room was sized well enough to make it seem crowded. Everyone was dressed in classy evening gowns and black tie attire. The overall atmosphere was friendly and excited.

The second we all stepped into the room though, I watched Nessa, Valentina, Devina, and even Avalon run off. They each greeted someone with warm smiles. There must be many wealthy families here, so it wasn't surprising to see that they all knew someone. I heard the family that lives here is a third cousin to Avalon and business partners with Valentina's family. Seems like everyone had connections to everyone here, except me.

I casually strolled around the perimeter of the dazzling room. I watched how Prince Kalum and Jeremiah entered with such grace, and began shaking hands with every person they passed.

I ran my fingers over an expensive looking table top and touched the pedals of the giant bouquet of roses that perched atop it. The bouquet was huge. Probably an easy $1,000 spent on just it. I glanced around the room and counted at least two dozen more. The money that goes into these things are insane. I could see why people, like Atlas, would get so upset. When the wealthy does things like this, and then nothing to improve the lives of people on the streets. 

 Right, I need to find where the Queen went and somehow listen in on her conversation. This felt like an impossible task. Since there wasn't any real music playing yet, people were just watching each other and it made me uncomfortable. I looked up from the roses and saw a mirror hanging on the wall behind it. It was easily ten feet tall and rose quartz framed its perimeter.

I glanced behind me to be sure not to bump into anyone, then gazed at myself in the mirror. Isaiah really did an amazing job. As usual. I was wearing a gold colored dress. It was strapless, which worried me because I'm a member of the itty-bitty-titty community, but Hannah was sure to tie my corset tight. The cups were covered in gold and white jewels, and the bodice was a see though corset. The skirt sparkled with every step I took, because of Isaiah's hand-sewn sequins, that waterfall down it. It fell straight down, but I could only imagine the way it would flare around me, if I spun.

I am unsure how Isaiah knew, but the gold dress, in this red and gold themed room, looked perfect. It made my tan skin glow in a radiating type of way. I turned sideways to admire the way Hannah helped me with my hair. I had put it in tight curls, but Hannah insisted I'd have it up. She made a good call in the end, it showed off the back of my dress. I played with the bits of curls was hung from the back of my head and framed my face.

I smirked at my reflection and continued my walk around the room. Even though I wasn't catching up or talking to anyone, I felt like this mysterious beauty, stalking about. As if I had a secret mission to do instead. Which was funny, because I do.

As I approached the other side of the room, I noticed a large red curtain, which stretched from either wall. Confused, I walked towards it. Will there be a show happening later? I touch the velvet fabric and noticed movement from the other side. Someone seemed to bewalking past. I followed in the direction they looked to be moving and the end of the curtain was suddenly pulled aside.

The stranger's eyes in front of me, widened, then fixated on me with a smirk. I nearly jumped, but a familiar aura washed over me.

"I told you. We were destined to meet again," the man said.