Dabbling In Sweetness

Chapter 32

The lavishing house looked even more amazing tonight. I could see the decorations and the silhouettes of people dancing. The classical music reached my ears from here, and I swayed to it gently. The aroma of the food made my stomach growl, asking me to fill it up. There were limousines parked all across the parkway, so I knew there would be a lot of people with eyes on me, especially as Grayson Archer's date for the evening. If it was breathtaking from the outside, I could only picture how much more it would be when I went inside.

The night of the ball had finally come, and I stood shivering outside wearing the outfit picked out for me, waiting for my escort. The dress was more comfortable than I had imagined. My mom and Gina were an amazing pair in helping me style my hair in a braided updo and my makeup was kept simple. Gina had been adamant about me not wearing jewelry, she said rich people would only judge anything I put on.

Abacus wasn't thrilled about the idea of me being Grayson's date for the night, but since he would also be attending, he was fine. I knew to watch out for Sienna, but I also knew she wouldn't cause drama since this was her scene. My nerves were calmed only because my body had gone into survival mode to keep from freezing out here. Grayson had forgotten something in the limo when he picked me up, so I was patiently waiting. The drive was quiet as he stayed to himself and I jittered away, unable to form any words of apologies. So, when he asked me to wait for a moment, I quickly agreed, even if it meant getting hypothermia.

"You must be shivering. Abacus would kill me if he knew," Grayson says and wraps his jacket around me. His look was simple, but dashing as always. He was wearing a black suit with a gold handkerchief to match the dress and his dark black hair was styled to the sides. "Sorry, I took a bit longer than intended," he says, rubbing his hands up and down my shoulders, trying to create heat. "I got stuck between two of my cousins, thinking it would be funny to pretend to hit me with their car. I finally slid through their roofs, taking out the side mirror as I left."

"It's fine," I say and clutch the jacket around me tighter. "Should we go in?"

He hesitates for a moment and I look up expectantly. "I got you something," he finally says and reaches into his jacket pocket. I look at him in shock but excitement as he pulls out a blue velvet box. "Gina said you might like jewelry."

I accept the box and laugh, "now I know why she was adamant about me not wearing any jewelry." He gives me a sheepish grin as I open them. It was a set, all of snowflake design. The earrings fell down in gold oval shape but with a small snowflake at the bottom of the oval. The necklace was a big silver snowflake in the center of the gold chain with a small S in the center. Lastly, there was a watch. I looked at the watch and at his own and noticed the similarities.

"I know it didn't snow, so I thought I could bring some snow to you." He shakes his head, "that was lame."

I laugh and turn around, "Help me?"

He brushes my hair to the side, sending shivers down my spine. I could blame it on the cold but I knew that was a lie, it was his touch that was having this effect on me. I finish putting on the earrings and admire myself in the reflection.

"How do you like the watch?"

I knew what he was angling at and laughed. "I love it. Surprised you got me one."

"I told you I would, you just had to say when."

"It matches yours," I say and put it next to his. The clock itself was so intricate, I didn't know how much time or money was spent. Where the numbers were supposed to be, stood different powerful animals. The tiger was on 12, a crow on 1, and so on. I watched as the arrow-shaped hands retracted slowly before hitting one of the animals as if it was stabbing it.

He smiles at me awkwardly as I look in amazement at the design that was now on my wrist. "They're one of a kind. It's made by a European inventor who works so intricately in the designs and doesn't like to recreate. Took convincing but I was able to get him to agree." He showed me his, "This one was my dad's."

It all clicked now and I jokingly say, "That's why you never gave it to me."

He gives me a laugh and looks at me so intensely, I felt like we were the only people in the world. "Amelia, there's going to be a lot of people watching you tonight and I know you don't like that for obvious reasons," he grabs my hand and pushes the door open slightly, "but just for tonight, focus on me." 

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Short and sweet chapter. Does anyone else have the feels, cuz I do? 

I don't have much to say but does anyone want to guess what will happen? 

Please don't forget to vote, comment, and more importantly share. 

This has been Phoenix <3