Nevermore (Book One)

Chapter 4: Karma

Asklepios Garden
23rd floor
Chrysler Building
6:40 pm

                          The perfect breeze of the wind really made my day complete. I cannot believe that I fell asleep earlier inside the bullet 003. It's very embarrassing for a young woman to sleep inside a public ride.

                          Everything seems perfect, but this mysterious guy keeps on staring at me. It feels like I am going to melt at any moment, so without further ado, I walk straight and left without any alarming word.

                          It was just almost a minute since I left my comfort place. I miss it already. The smell of wet earth and even the smell of some ripe fruits. If it's not because of that guy, I might be still there waiting for the time to pass by. Well too bad, it didn't work like that.

                         The people in mask keep on walking around. With them, their respective partners.

                        The music coming from the grand piano really works like a hypnotic chant or rhythm. The pianist really looks elegant. She's beautiful in white. Not that far, I notice someone. A person I am waiting for since I arrived here alone.

                         Slowly, he walks towards my direction, "erhhm. Well, looks like I made it on time." His calm voice somehow didn't convinced me to believe something that he's gonna tell.

                         "Any reason Old Ben?" I glare at him. I pretend to be more serious than ever, since this event was kinda formal.

                          I did not think of any valuable reason. But this one's different. Maybe a lie I guess. But a believable reason.

                          "I am stucked in traffic. And also because of my illness." Old Ben grabs his handkerchief and coughs on it. His white tuxedo contrast my black ball gown as we walk the isle to head on our seats.

                      To be exact, there were 57 tables in this event, particularly, the round ones. There were clothed in cerulean draperies and has a small vase on the top with a red peony on it.

                      Most of the visitors are very influential. There are some children of the senators, some celebrities like Akadia Morris, Talia Brookes and even the famous pianist Akiane Krimarik. It seems to me that this event is no ordinary. It's different from other events that I've been through.

                         At this juncture, the pianist Akiane Krimarik plays a song. If I am not mistaken, it was entitled "Liebesleid" or "Love's Sorrow."

                        All the guests seek for their partners and dance at the middle. They were gracefully moving and dancing. And that, makes me dizzy.

                       "May I dance with you?" A young man's soft voice distracts me. I didn't notice that I am already staring at the couples, that makes sense on why I didn't notice his arrival.

                        "Uhmm." I hesitate for a while. Looks like Old Ben caught my curiosity.

                          He intervene. "Let me formally introduce you to each other. Karma, this is Jai Chrysler." He smiled on me. "Jai, this is my daughter, Karma."

                         I glance at the young man beside me. He has an auburn irises, blonde long hair tied up in braid and he wore an all in all black garments. He's the host, I guess.

                        "Well, hello." I said to him. His mesmerizing look is somehow perfect for his tan skin.

                        He offered his right hand to me. "Lady Karma, if you mind." At that moment, I realize that he really likes to dance with me. So, I nod.

                       When we made our grand entrance through the crowd, all of their eyes are upon us. I am not comfortable the way that they stare at me. Not that because of what we are doing, but because I do not recognize their judgmental faces.

                        I just hope that this night will be over soon. As we began to dance, I notice a strange person on the doorway. That mysterious guy again from the garden.

                        I look back to Jai for a second, and that's when I caught him staring at me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

                         "It's okay for now. Just dance alright?" He nods and made a step which I didn't know included in this dance.

                          He kisses me.

                          The crowd around us began to cheer and clap. Their yells deaf me for a while. I was galvanized in the sense that I should not do this but I wasn't sure why I do not want to let go.

                         Until the flash of a camera saved me. I push him away. I hesitate for a while to scan the crowd. Where's Old Ben?

                         I tried to look everywhere but he's not there anymore. His seat was clearly vacant. Totally vacant.

                         He abandoned me. This is very embarrassing. I need to go. I need to walk away from this madness. Yeah, I call it madness because this is totally a crappy moment.

                         I tried to walk away from him, but when I made my first step, a shot of nausea took over me. I don't know what is happening. My hands are trembling. My vision is getting blurred. Now, everything seems an opaque quality.

                       My legs don't help anymore. I fell to danger once more. And I didn't notice how the venom has executed a hellish kiss.

                      "Sweet dreams, my lady." Jai murmurs.

                       Then everything went wrong. As in totally dark.