The Laurier Series 1: The shades of golden sunset

07

"You look rather dazzling, Lev." Pag puri ni Via habang inaayusan ako ng buhok. Hindi siya tumigil sa pag sulyap sa akin mula sa salamin na katapat namin.

I really don't know how to use make up that's why, I asked for her help. She just use light make up dahil yun daw ang nababagay sa skin tone ko.

She wouldn't even stop bugging me about my dress! Hindi raw siya maka paniwala sa price ng suot kong dress. She would even tell me a lot of what ifs.

What if may gusto raw siya sa'kin? Kasi wala naman daw guy na gagastos ng ganoon kalaki sa taong 'di niya gusto. Nag a-assume na tuloy ako.

Yeah pero what if?

Matagal akong napa titig sa sarili ko, iniisip kung anong magiging reaksyon niya kapag nakita na niya ako. I can feel that he likes me, lagi namang tama ang hinala ko 'cause my mom always tells me to trust my guts.

When Via's finally done, she then stepped back a little to see how her work did it end up, she then nodded twice as if she's so proud.

She styled my ash brown medium length straight hair into half up, she put a beautiful brooch pin at the center of the back of my hair. She even curled the tips of my hair para hindi raw mag mukhang plain!

"Hey, Lev. Nasa tapat na ng gate yung sundo mo." Via peaked from my door as she told me that.

I took a deep breath before leaving the house. My mom looks so proud because of the beauty I've inherited from her.

I was expecting Aaron to get off from the limousine to open the door for me, ang sosyal.  Pero ibang tao ang bumaba. Mukhang personal driver niya.

Walang imik nitong pinagbuksan ang pintuan para sa'kin. He even gestured me to get inside already, para bang nagmamadali ito. Nginitian ko na lang ito bago pa nakinig sa kaniya.

Reluctantly, everything's just in silence.

As soon as we finally arrived at the place like palace, along with the steady flows of the cars in front of the most elegant castle in the city of Barcelona. Aaron's driver then helped me out before he drove off.

I was pacing around as I walked down the long hallway to the ballroom. A young man gave me a beautiful dama masquerade mask. As I entered, my attention was drawn to everyone who's dancing on the dancefloor with such a pleasant music that the musicians was playing in the corner of the room with their instruments.

The room was huge, the decorations looks extravagant, while the marble floor seems glowing from how the many lights shining down on it. Every walls of the corner of the room was covered with huge mirrors that could impossibly even reach the ceiling and the floor, not just mirrors but also an expensive paintings with frames made up of solid gold wrapping each sides in  beautiful designs and patterns.

You can only hear the sound of the loud music and people's gossiping.

Each servers could be found everywhere carrying a tray of some sort of glass of champagne and wine of the deep crimson. Some are serving an expensive foods and desserts.

"Would you be so kind to honor me with," I heard a familiar voice. I stutters as I look at my back to see Aaron wearing his tailcoat paired with white vest and black bow. He looks good tonight. "dance?"

No one might can't recognize him because of his masquerade mask, but one thing's for sure is that, it was Aaron because of his shining ocean blue eyes who looks like, it was reflecting the bright sky.

Without hesitating, I immediately took his hand before he led me to the center of the room where we're surrounded with couples.

But before we could start dancing, each man have given their partners a one hand in front, reaching out to kiss their woman's hand as a sign of respect before giving each one of them a beautiful roses in different colors.

Yet, Aaron, who's standing in front of me held his both hands in front while holding a flower that's named after me, Peony. My favorite flower. Eventually, its color fits with the color of my dress.

Two hands in front they say, is a sign of love. My eyes widen in disbelief before I realized.

Does that mean, he likes me? No—he, love me?

He then kiss my forehand first before giving me the flower.

I started to felt anxious when people started looking at us. May mali ba sa itsura ko?

"Are you uncomfortable?" He sounds worried. "Do you want to stop?"

"N-No. It's nothing, really." I held his hand tight. He then pulled my waist closer to him.

"Don't mind them. They're just jealous of how stunning you are my lady."

I felt butterflies in stomach. I've never heard any man who ever complimented me in such way.

In dance, he would gently held me in his arms whenever I twirl with our hands intertwined. He's tall but his eyes were only focused on me, ni hindi ko kayang mag reklamo. All that I can tell is that, this man has very good charm.

The dance did went perfectly, I thought that I'll be having a moment with him or perhaps, dancing with him again? But, a man interrupted us from behind.

"May I take the second dance, Lady Peony Laurier?" I knew that it was Justin.

He was also wearing a tailcoat but in white which is the opposite color of Aaron's. I noticed how Aaron purses his lips together, not knowing if he would let him take me away or no.

I was trying to speak using my eyes who's staring only at him, pero iniwasan niya. I can't refuse Justin for no reason, so I had no choice but to accept his hand who's waiting for mine.

In just one snap, it get crowded that I lost sight of Aaron.

"You seems having fun with him?" He asked.

"Undoubtedly." I respond, trying to calm myself down.

I thought that my ankle would be fine but no, it started aching in between the dancing. I started to feel the heat, I got so nervous 'cause I knew that any time, I might fall on the ground with so much shame.

I kept my balance steady but the dance was really fast and it wasn't helping.

Just as when the music is about to end, one thing's for sure, nangyari ang kinakatakutan ko.

I might I'd fall but, I never thought that Justin will catch me up. He hold me into his arms.

"You looked unwell." He whispers.

I searched for Aaron, but he wasn't anywhere. All I can think is about him. Was he aware right now? Or maybe he's gone? Left me without saying anything.

I doubt.

"I'll take you home." Justin immediately said with his soft boy as he carried me in bridal style.

My eyes caught Aaron who's standing, far away from me. He's looking at me with no such emotions.

What's with that cold eyes of yours?

Are you an ocean froze because of the weather temperature?

Nor you were trying hard to conceal how you really feel about me?

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