MASKED

MASKED

The Place was Crowded. She Hated Crowds!
She looked around searching for familiar Faces.

"Hello" The man in the black coat said to her. He didn't look Familiar at all! And His clothes were weird, But strangely they looked good on Him....

”what are you?” She asked cautiously

”A vampire.“
The Raven Black Hair... The Gait, The Charisma. The Charm..... everything about him drew her in.

”You've got to be kidding me“ she said with a laugh.

”I'm a vampire. I'm Dracula”

”Yeah right... And I'm Cinderella”

”Yeah I figured. May I have this dance?" He smiled politely and offered his arm.

"Well of course."

They went in to the dance floor and he put his hand on her waist... She felt a jolt...
Everyone nodded at the masked man she was dancing with. She was surprised that everyone knew him...

"How comes everyone knows you except me. And whose sick idea was it to throw a masquerade ball?” She smiled mischievously and Dracula felt a jolt in his chest.
She was ethereal... So beautiful. Even with the mask... He could only see half of her face.. But He knew....

"The Owner of the Place threw the Ball. So maybe you should ask him why he threw the ball" He whispered in her ear.

"I would if I knew who he was" She replied and then yes twirled her around the dance floor.

"You really know how to dance, don't you?" Cinderella asked, her eyes sparkling. He wanted to know the color of her eyes. The room was a bit dark.

"I took classes when I was young. Ballroom dancing was a serious course when I was in school so... You can figure out the rest" He rolled his eyes remembering his school days.
"Why do keep limping?” He asked her seriously, His brown eyes seemed darker.

"Uhm... Promise me you're not going to laugh or think I'm a fanatic...” She said sheepishly
"Sure"

"I'm wearing just one shoe”

His laugh was seductive and husky.
"You really do take this Cinderella thing seriously”

"Yeah well My mother's fault... She takes stuff like these seriously, Always sending me to These Balls so I can find a Husband” She smiled up at him.
His brown eyes crinkled under his mask and he smiled back.

"What's your name?" He asked

"I'm not telling you just yet"
She had Blue Eyes with grey flecks in them when she smiled... They shined like Sapphires.

They continued dancing until the classical music stopped. The People started mingling
"I'm feeling a little lightheaded. Maybe I should get some air. Thank you for the Dance."
"May I Accompany you?" Dracula asked Cinderella

"Yes. Sure. I would like that" She said surprised at his offer.
They walked outside in comfortable silence.

"This place is Beautiful! I hate to admit it but I love these types of places... The mystery compels me" She sighed remembering all the good times when her dad was alive. They'd travel to different countries to make discoveries and explore old buildings.

"You like it?" He asked
She nodded lightly
"It was built in the late 50's By a Spanish Duke. He built it for his Wife who died while giving birth to His first Son. The building was completed on the 14th Of April, 1959. His name was Juan Santiago."

"How do you know all these? You like History?" She chuckled looking at him in Astonishment.

"I'm not good with History. But I'm guessing you still want to know how?"

"YES!"

The Vampire bowed....
"I'm Alejandro Santiago at your service. The Duke was my Great Grandfather. And you are?"

"I'm....Sapphire. Sapphire Carlos" She said breathlessly.
Alejandro walked closer to her when she didn't move for a minute.

"Sapphire...." He whispered and touched her hair that was flowing in the wind. It was soft and smelled of warm vanilla sugar. He couldn't even fathom how he knew what it smelled like.

She looked up at him and lifted an arm to his face...
Alejandro sucked in a breath when she touched his hair
"Hi Alejandro" Sapphire breathed out.

"Hi There"
Sapphire smiled and took a step but unfortunately gravity was not on her side. Her foot slipped out of her shoe and she almost fell. Alejandro quickly caught her and carried her up and walked to a nearby chair.
"My shoe" She croaked out too ashamed to say anything else.

"I'll get it" He patted her lap and walked back to get the shoe
"Thanks" She smiled when he got back "I'm not wearing it again though"

"Yeah.... You shouldn't. Because I was raised a gentleman and I would've offered to put it on your feet, And things will get crazy. And it'll be a sick twist to the story." He chuckled

"Who would've thought! Dracula and Cinderella. You really aren't the definition of prince Charming" Sapphire said with a laugh

"Mhmm. Well Opposites attract."

"So what are you saying?" she asked softly and turned to look at him but he was already looking at her

"I'm saying that I like you Sapphire. And I'll really like to know where this goes. We really have chemistry. And I know you felt it too" He said looking directly into her eyes.

She smiled at him and felt his hand on hers.

"I like you too Alejandro and I'd really like to give this a shot too"

"Don't be creeped out. I cannot say for sure if love at first sight does exist but from the moment I saw you... I knew."

Sapphire smiled up at him when he stood and offered his arms!

"Okay then. Let's see where this goes. I'm willing to take the risk. But don't let me fall too hard!" Sapphire chuckled

"Don't worry. You can fall as hard as you want. I'll catch you"
She smiled and he removed his mask.
That was the moment when Sapphire knew she fell in love.
He was Very Handsome. Men hate it when the word 'Beautiful' is used on them but he was Beautiful..

She was breathless. "Won't you take off your mask for me, darling?" He whispered and looked very hard at her...

Sapphire lifted up her arms and tugged at the mask and it fell to the floor.
"You're Beautiful" He sighed.
Her eyes widened. No one had ever said it that way... She knew she was pretty but he said it like there was no one else as beautiful as she is.

She blushed and wrapped her hands Around his neck. She had to stand on her toes because of his height.

The whole world melted away when he kissed her. It wasn't unexpected. She wanted it to happen. The Man sure knew how to kiss. It was Perfect! His lips part, and she tried to replicate the same soft touch of tongue. A sound left his throat. He wrapped his arms around Sapphire until there was no space between them!
And that was how their love story started.
A mismatch!
It all seemed like a joke!
But it was real.... Love at first sight.... It exists!