The Bold and the Beautiful: A Tale Of Demons And Undying Love.

Chapter Fifteen: Steffy

          I stood at the top of the staircase looking down at how good everyone looked in their masquerade attire. Even though Caroline wasn't present, everyone seemed to be having a great time anyway. They were either eating, dancing, chatting or all the above. I even saw Grand-dad laughing it up with Brooke and it was nice to see him laughing again. As much as I hate to say this, I haven't seen him laughing like that since he was with Quinn. Guess this goes to show that that evil  woman wasn't the only person who could make him happy. I wanted to share the laugh with Grand-dad and Brooke because I could use one right now. My presence may just upset Grand-dad's mood so I remained where I was.

       I saw Liam hand in hand with Cressida as they made there way over to Brooke and Grand- dad. Liam looked great as did his Cressida and it was no surprise that they were the best dress people in the mansion. Liam wore a black and gray checkered tie with a sharp black suit and a black metal filigree laser cut mask that made him look like he belonged in a Fifty Shade of Gray movie. Cressida wore a gray pleated empire wasted gown that looked like something Grand-dad or Dad would design. Lavender fabric graced the dress at it's sides with golden embroidery design on it. A gold eye mask with a matching plastic butterfly at the side rested on her face and I immediately felt jealous. I was suppose to be the one hand in hand with Liam, not  Cressida. I watched as Liam gallantly presented that fake to Grand-dad and Brooke. Grand-dad took Cressida's diseased hand and kissed it and I wanted to just stop him right there.

      Cressida was trouble and I didn't want her near Grand-dad or the rest of my family. She was associated with Quinn and was even wearing these hideous golden lion head studs that Quinn wore when she worked side by side Grand-dad. Didn't Grand-dad notice them? Didn't Liam or Brooke? They needed to see it, especially  Liam. They needed to know that Cressida was a danger.  I wasn't going to let her get any closer to my family as she already was to Liam. This ends here. 

     I picked up my long leaf patterned emerald gown and started to walk down stairs. Before my foot could touch the step, Dad appeared. He was holding an ugly full face jester mask with gold lips and I thought that mask was perfect for him. He had a look of worry on his face and I wanted to know why.

     "Caroline's gone," he told me and it was no wonder why he was worried.

      "What?" I asked. "What do you mean that she's gone?"

        "Exactly that," Dad replied. "I just now checked her bedroom only to see that it's empty." Empty?! "The only thing I saw was the dress that I bought her along with her wedding ring."

       "Oh my God," I gasped as Dad nervously played with his ugly mask. "Caroline's gone on her own birthday? That just doesn't make any sense."

       "To you and me both," Dad replied as I leaned on the banister in thought.

         "Where do you think she went?" I asked.

          "I don't know," Dad answered simply, "but what I do know is that I'm calling the party off. "

         "Calling the party off?" I echoed as Dad nodded. "After everyone showed up already? Dad  you just can't-"

        "I can and I will," Dad said firmly. "It makes no sense that Caroline's not here when it's her party. I planned this all for her not for the guest."

        "So you're just going to kick everyone out?"

         "Precisely."

       "Why am I not surprise," I said as I shook my head at him. "You lack so much tact dad."

       "You had to get it from somewhere," Dad responded and I froze because he was right. I did lack tact especially when I left Wyatt the other day. God I was so much like Dad in every way and I failed to realize it. I was his splitting image and Thomas was mom's.

       Dad marched down the stairs, determined to kick everyone out the mansion. I understood he was upset that Caroline left without saying a word but that didn't mean he had to act so rash.

      "Think of Brooke," I said after him as he stopped half way down the stairs, "she always enjoyed social events like this." When Dad was married to her, she always took pleasure in parties which he would throw for her as he did Caroline. "Why take that away from her? And Grand-dad, when was the last time you saw him so bright and happy?" Dad said nothing because he probably couldn't recall. "I get that you're worried about Caroline dad, but don't just dismiss everyone who came all the way here for her. Call her and find out where she is."

        "You're right Steffy," Dad said as he slowly turned to me, "I should call her. Why didn't I think of that before?" Because like me, Dad didn't think things through. Dad reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'm going to be outside probably  for the rest of the night.  If anyone needs me, tell them where to find me." I nodded as Dad went down the sweeping staircase and headed outside of the mansion.

       I didn't get why Caroline would leave so suddenly on the day of her birthday. I knew that she was going through a hard time with Dad but if she wasn't  going to attend her own birthday then why have it? Why didn't Dad admit that he didn't want to be with her in the first place? Then again, why wasn't I honest with myself that I still loved Liam?

      I looked down the staircase and saw that Liam was gone from the spot where I last saw him. It was only Brooke and Grand-dad talking to that Cressida. Where did he go? I glanced down and saw that none of the males who were at the party were dressed as nicely as Liam.

        "Thought you might be you up here," came a smooth voice that made my heart jump with excitement. I turned around slowly as someone wearing a black filigree laser cut mask stared back at me.

       "L-L-Liam?" I asked, voice stammering.

        "Steffy," he greeted in a neutral manner.

         "H-H-Hello," I said feeling awkward. I didn't expect him to be standing right in front of me at this very moment. I didn't think he would ever want to speak to me again after he yelled at me a few days ago.

      "Hello," Liam said back and I knew he probably felt as awkward as I did.

      "I should be going," I told him even though I could look at him all day. "I'm sure the caterers could use some help and-"

       "Don't go," Liam interrupted as he took hold of my wrist. I looked up at him in shock as he continued, "I want to talk to you."

       "So, talk," I said simply.

       "Not here," Liam replied softly. I blinked in confusion as Liam took hold of  my hand and led me down the staircase and through the mansion doors. It felt so nice to be holding his hand again. I missed that. I missed him.

       We walked past Dad and headed over to a bench where no one was. Like the gentlemen he was, Liam led me to sit down on the bench as he remained standing. Everything  was quiet where we were except for the delicate water sound that came from our tall Forrester fountain.

      "What is it?" I asked Liam. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

      Liam stared at me as he took in a breath. I stared back at him, admiring his handsome features through his mask. He made me fall in love with him all over again as he spoke.

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