Tangled In Time

An Invitation

The ballroom was draped in delicate strands of fairy lights, casting a soft, golden hue that shimmered across the room. Round tables were arranged carefully, each one featuring simple yet elegant centrepieces and softly flickering candles. The air was alive with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses. At the far end of the room, a band, all dressed in white tuxedos, occupied a small stage. A few guests wandered around the dance floor, engaging in conversation, though it was still too early for the real dancing to begin. I could hardly believe my eyes; I was standing in a scene that felt like something out of a history book or a tale passed down by my grandparents. The scent of roses and freshly polished wood mingled in the air, and the soft hum of jazz from the band added a timeless elegance to the space. My gaze flitted from one glittering gown to the next, each more elaborate than the last. The women moved with a grace that made them seem to glide, their heels clicking softly against the polished floor, while the men in their tuxedos spoke with a kind of assured ease that only comes from knowing you belong. Blake walked alongside his grandmother and me toward the centre table.

As we approached, a tall, curvy girl bounced from her seat, coming around to hug Blake. Prominent dimples graced her face as she grinned.

"There you are! I haven't seen you all day," the girl cooed, her blonde curls bouncing as she embraced him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "And you must be Felicity. It's so lovely to meet you. Wow, you're beautiful," she said as she swung her arms around me in an enthusiastic hug. She was like a whirlwind, her energy infectious, and despite myself, I found myself smiling. "Felicity, this is Gwen," Blake introduced, smiling warmly at his sister and playfully tugging one of her curls. She swatted his hand away with a laugh, leaning over to kiss her grandmother on the cheek.

"I went to pick up Felicity earlier. I'm sure I mentioned to you all that she's staying with us this week."

"You bloody well did not!" Gwen retorted with playful indignation, her voice carrying a theatrical edge.

"Gwendolyn," Meryl warned, her tone stern as she took her seat at the table.

"Hmm, perhaps it was Ben I told when we were working on the cars," Blake mused, running a finger along his bottom lip as if in deep thought. He glanced at me with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and we shared a silent understanding that he couldn't have possibly told them. It was strangely exciting to have a secret between us, though I knew I shouldn't feel that way.

"Are you not going to introduce Charlotte?" Meryl interjected, her voice cutting through the conversation as a man in a servant's uniform courteously pulled out her chair. Meanwhile, Blake was already assisting me with mine, a gesture that felt foreign to me—I'd never been to an event so formal before, where people were there to pull out your chair for you. Before Blake could respond, Gwen took the initiative.

"Oh, how terribly rude of us," she said with a theatrical tut. "This is my dearest friend, Charlotte." Charlotte's jet-black hair was styled into a sharp bob, framing her features with precision. Her pointed chin and high cheekbones added an air of sharpness, contrasting with her wide mouth and full lips, which were painted a garish red that didn't quite match her pale complexion.

"Nice to meet you," she said, her smile cool and distant. Her eyes slowly scanned me from head to toe, a scrutiny that made me feel uncomfortable as I settled into my seat.

"And Blake's fiancée," Meryl added, her words directed at me as though to make a point.

"Not quite," Blake responded, though his tone was neither dismissive nor entirely eager. It was clear he hadn't asked her yet. I don't know why that made my stomach turn.

Gwen and Charlotte were like night and day. Gwen couldn't contain her excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she chatted animatedly about the event, occasionally tossing a playful jab at Blake.