midnight blues · kth

|zero|

-trapped-

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The brightly lit ballroom was filled with unrecognizable faces and their happy chatter. The large gold chandelier hanging above them casted a bright and somewhat golden glow over the interior of the beautifully decorated room and the expensively dressed guests within it.

The atmosphere was cheerful as laughter from the many different conversations floated into the air and it all was making Imani sick.
Said girl scoffed, rolling her eyes as she stood with her arms crossed, taking in the overly happy environment that she knew was forced.

It was her father's mayoral election campaign celebration and as much as she hated being present, she knew she had no other choice. She had to endure the fake smiles and well wishes directed towards herself and her family and she had to return the favor and be polite despite mentally flipping off every fake person she came into contact with.

Imani sighed, leaning further onto the wall next to the buffet table as she continued her attempt at making herself as unnoticeable as possible.

One would think that as being one of the daughter's of the current mayor, she'd be used to such social events but she wasn't. She hated them with a burning passion solely because of the fact that she had to pretend. She had to be fake, and lie in order to present herself according to everyone's expectations as the perfect daughter when she really was the complete opposite.

"Imani Lou, its so nice to see you again." A velvety voice purred from her right and Imani couldn't help but inwardly cringe at the familiar sound.

"Zaria, how delightful it is to see you" Imani began sarcastically but quickly switched to a polite tone before her sarcasm could be detected, "how have you been?"

Her eyes took in the thin strapped, silk red dress that adorned Zaria's figure. Her hair was curled and put up into an elegant messy bun and she had a champagne glass in her hand as her eyes skimmed Imani's form.

"I've been good, you look exquisite by the way darling, but I wouldn't expect anything less from Mrs Lou's daughter after all." Zaria spoke, her eyes holding a hint of green jealousy as she scanned the off the shoulder black velvet dress that Imani had for once been able to choose for herself. Her brown skin was glowing and her thick curly hair was parted down the middle and left loose to frame her face that had on just enough make up to satisfy her mother.

Mrs Jae Lou had a reputation for wanting nothing but the best in everything and not settling for anything less. This exhausting lifestyle was one her three daughters had to put up with and regardless of her daughter's protests and attempts to rebel, Jae always got what she wanted.

"I could say the same for you. Red really is your colour." Imani smiled at the girl who's envious gaze turned into one of pride. Over the years she had learned that when dealing with the superficial and materialistic high society, flattery and ass-kissing will get you everywhere.

"Oh hush darling, tell me something I don't know." Zaria giggled swirling around the champagne in her glass and Imani kept her fake smile beaming. She absolutely hated small talk and was just about ready to excuse herself from the conversation to go hide in a bathroom stall but Zaria kept going.

"Where's Dae-hyun? I didn't see you with him the entire night," she leaned in closer to Imani, her voice going softer but holding a hint of malice as she spoke once more, "is there perhaps trouble in Paradise?" The girl asked boldly, her curious gaze also holding a malicious glimmer.

Imani had to bite her tongue to stop herself from pointing out the girl's intrusive behavior regarding their relationship that wasn't any of her business.