i v a n a
The lights dimmed, casting a warm, golden glow across the room.
The murmur of voices hushed to an expectant silence as the atmosphere shifted.
Suddenly, a drumroll echoed through the grand hall, and flashlights began to circle, their beams converging on a balcony above.
There, standing tall and confident, was a figure I recognized immediately - Caelum.
His smile was bright, almost too perfect, and his arms stretched out wide in a gesture of welcome. He looked every bit the host, the ruler of this grand affair.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Caelum's voice boomed across the room, smooth and captivating, "Welcome! I am beyond delighted to have you all here tonight. It brings me great joy to see so many familiar faces. I wish us all a peaceful and joyous evening, filled with laughter, music, and the forging of stronger bonds."
For a moment, I could have sworn his eyes locked onto mine, and my heart skipped a beat.
His gaze felt intense, almost as if he recognized me through the mask I wore. But that was impossible, right? With everyone masked, it seemed unlikely that he could pinpoint me so quickly.
I glanced around, feeling a little paranoid. Maybe I was just imagining things.
Caelum, like a king acknowledging his subjects, inclined his head slightly before turning away. His extravagant cloak swirled around him in a dramatic flourish, adding to the theatrical nature of his presence.
As he departed, a live pianist and violinist began to play a hauntingly beautiful melody, their notes weaving together in perfect harmony. The music filled the air, followed by the smooth voice of a man singing softly, setting a romantic and almost ethereal mood.
The crowd began to stir again, voices rising as people resumed their conversations. Some couples even ventured to the center of the vast room, swaying gently to the rhythm of the music.
Logan tugged at my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. "Let's go get something to eat," he suggested, his tone light. He always seemed to know when I needed a distraction.
I nodded, and together, Logan, Asher, and I made our way through the crowd. We passed by Matthew and Gray, who were engaged in serious conversation with a group of men around their age. Their expressions were tense, eyes flashing dangerously as they exchanged glances with the balcony where Caelum had stood moments ago.
The animosity was clear; they didn't trust him, not even for a second.
Logan was already piling different foods onto his plate, his appetite seemingly unaffected by the grandeur of the evening or the tension that hung in the air.
I, on the other hand, couldn't bring myself to eat.
My eyes scanned the lavish spread—succulent meats, delicate pastries, and vibrant fruits, all laid out like a feast in a fairy tale. But as tempting as it all looked, I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at the back of my mind.
What if I ate too much?
What if my stomach looked bloated in this dress?
The thought sent a wave of anxiety through me, and I found myself staring at the food, frozen, unable to make a move.
Asher noticed me zoning out. He nudged me gently with his elbow, breaking me from my trance. Without a word, he picked up a small canapé from his plate—a delicate pastry topped with what looked like caviar—and held it up to my lips. "Aaa," he said playfully, his voice coaxing yet firm.
YOU ARE READING
after they met her
Teen Fiction|ongoing| Ivana grew up alone. She was alone since the day she was born and she was sure she would also die alone. Without anyone by her side she struggled to make a living, till one day two men stood infront of her door, claiming to be her brothers...
