hidden | ethma

sixty nine

the ballroom is as beautiful as i dreamed it.  large, crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the floor is a shiny black marble. banquet tables line the sides with arrangements of food on them ranging from creme puffs to roasted chicken. circular tables are positioned throughout, with a few people sitting and talking at them. a classical jazz band plays mildly in front of a large open area, no doubt the dance floor. the place is quite busy, with women in large jewels and silky dresses and men in posh suits. they fill the room with chatter and laughter. 

if i wasn't terrified of this party, i would definitely enjoy it. 

"nice, huh?" 

i look up at ethan who has caught me marveling at the extravagancy of the place. i nod looking back at the ballroom. 

"they're all like this," he tells me. "it gets boring after a while." 

"snob," grayson snorts from next to me. "this is incredible."

ethan shrugs at his comment. i look up and sure enough, an upper level looks over the greater ballroom. just like in my dream. 

i swallow. 

"let's sit," ethan says, noticing my shift in mood and removing his hand from mine, pressing it to my lower back to guide me instead.

grayson follows us as ethan gestures for me to sit at a table in the corner, out of the spotlight. i'm glad he chose this spot, it will help us stay hidden and slightly out of sight if we are being sought after. 

"you two stay here, i'm going to try to find zeke and bryant," ethan says, and grayson and i nod, accepting glasses of white wine from a waiter. 

ethan turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving grayson and i to ourselves. 

"what do you make of all this?" i ask him, leaning back in my seat. 

"it's a show, that's what it is," he replies, setting his glass down on the white tablecloth. "it's obviously covering up the fact that alec is scheming." 

i nod. "i agree." 

i snap up to see violet standing above me, in the same red dress from my dream. she looks incredible, her hair curled to perfection and her lips cherry red. she holds a glass of wine poised in her hand as she sits beside me. smiling slightly. 

i nod to her. "violet." 

"evening, emma," she says. she looks past me at grayson and widens her eyes. "and...?" 

"grayson," grayson introduces herself.

"ethan's-" 

"brother," violet finishes. "i've heard about you." 

i shift uncomfortably and grayson furrows his brow. 

he looks between violet and i before realization leaks into his eyes. i'm grateful that grayson is observant enough that i don't have to explain things. 

"what do you want?" i ask violet in the most friendly way i can. 

violet clucks her tongue. "still don't trust me, eh?"