Coding Decoding | on going

e i g h t

Isla stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, her heart racing as she took in the opulent scene before her. The chandeliers glittered like stars suspended in the night sky, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. Laughter and music floated through the air, but Isla felt detached, as if the vibrant atmosphere existed in a world apart from her own.

This is not who I am, she thought, gripping her dress nervously. The fabric felt like a costume, one she wore to blend in with the people she so desperately wanted to distance herself from. Here, amid the swirling colors and bright smiles, she felt more like an intruder than a participant.

“Isla!” Alvero’s voice cut through her reverie. She turned to see him weaving through the crowd, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright?”

“Just... observing,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s all a bit overwhelming.”

“Stick close to me,” he insisted, scanning the room as if searching for potential threats. “You never know who might be watching.”

She nodded but felt a surge of annoyance. I can handle myself, she thought, even as her gaze wandered back to the crowd. Among the sea of faces, one caught her attention— a blond in a tux, standing at the refreshment table, exuding an aura of confidence that contrasted sharply with her own trepidation. It doesn't take a genius to recognise Lukas Black, the son of Christian Black, President of Lehan

When their eyes met, a flicker of recognition passed between them, though neither spoke. His dark hair fell casually over his forehead, and his stance was relaxed, but Isla sensed something beneath that surface—a challenge, perhaps? She turned her attention away, unwilling to engage with the stranger who stirred something in her she couldn’t quite name.

“Let’s mingle,” Alvero urged, pulling her toward the center of the ballroom.

As they navigated the crowd, Isla felt Lukas’s gaze follow her, a weight that made her skin prickle. What is it about him? she wondered, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. He seemed effortlessly charming, a stark contrast to her reserved nature.

“Isla, look at this,” Alvero said, drawing her attention back to the room as they approached a group of students from the academy. Laughter erupted, but Isla’s focus drifted. She caught sight of Lukas again, engaged in conversation with a few others, his posture relaxed yet attentive.

“I feel like we’re just... background characters in someone else’s story,” she mused, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Maybe, but it’s our story too,” Alvero replied, his tone serious. “We have to play our part.”

She nodded, but her mind was elsewhere, pondering the consequences of being here. Am I just a puppet in their game? The thought lingered, heavy in her chest. The more she witnessed, the more she felt like a marionette—strings pulled by those who held power over her.

Then, the grand entrance of the royal family silenced the room, their presence commanding respect. The applause was thunderous, echoing against the walls of the lavish ballroom. Alvero leaned closer to Isla, his breath warm against her ear.

“Let’s not lose sight of our goal,” he reminded her, his voice low and urgent.

“I know,” she replied, trying to ground herself in the moment. Stay focused, she chanted silently, but the tension in the air made it difficult.

As the royals took their places, Isla felt Lukas move closer, positioning himself just a few feet away. The energy shifted again, the air thick with unspoken words. They exchanged glances—his were laden with curiosity, while hers held a guarded defensiveness.

Alvero, ever perceptive, caught the shift. “Isla, watch your surroundings. We can’t afford to get distracted.”

“I’m not distracted,” she snapped, though the intensity of Lukas’s gaze was hard to ignore. Why is he looking at me?

“I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine,” she cut him off, her focus drifting back to Lukas. He seemed lost in thought, observing the ballroom with a contemplative expression.

As the music began to swell again, Isla felt a compulsion to break the tension that hung between them. She stepped forward, drawn inexplicably toward him. “Are you enjoying the ball?” she asked, surprising herself with the boldness of her words.

Lukas turned, his expression shifting as if he hadn’t expected her approach. “I suppose it has its moments,” he replied, his tone measured. “What about you? Does it match your expectations?”

“More or less,” she said, her heart pounding at the proximity. The distance between them felt charged, electric, but she held her ground, unwilling to give in to the impulse to flee.

His gaze softened, curiosity mingling with something else—something deeper. “You don’t seem like you belong here.”

“Neither do you,” Isla countered, crossing her arms defensively.

“Touché,” he acknowledged, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “What brings you to a gathering like this?”

“I’m not here to socialize,” she replied, her voice steady. “Just... observing.”

“Then what are you observing?” He leaned in slightly, a challenging spark in his eyes.

“People,” she said, shrugging. “Their ambitions, their hidden agendas.”

“Fascinating,” he replied, his tone playful yet thoughtful. “But don’t forget—you’re part of this scene too.”

Before she could respond, Alvero stepped in, an anxious look on his face. “Isla, we really should—”

“I’m fine, Alvero,” she said, a bit sharper than intended. The last thing she needed was for him to interfere now. She could feel Lukas’s gaze on her, and she didn’t want to break the fragile connection they’d formed, however brief.

“Let’s just keep our eyes open,” Alvero insisted, concern creasing his brow.

Isla glanced back at Lukas, who remained calm and composed, his attention now divided between her and the gathering crowd.

As the royal family addressed the guests, her mind raced with the implications of being there—caught in the web of expectations, ambitions, and secrets. This isn’t just a ball, she thought, her pulse quickening. This is the stage for a much larger play.

And in that moment, as her heart raced and the energy around them shifted, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn’t yet comprehend.